TALENTED KIDS
AND ADULTS
City Commission
Candidates
Meet Daunte
Culpepper
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
FT. LAUD. FL
PERMIT NO. 337
PARKLAND
$2,850,000
Heron Estates - magnificent views. Brand new
5BR/6.5BA, 2 offices, 2 fireplaces, chef's kithchen,
gas cooking, marble and granite everywhere.
http://F760404.prudentialfloridawci.com
Susan Mitchell •954-309-4900
CORAL SPRINGS
$1,595,000
PARKLAND
$1,999,000
PARKLAND
$1,199,000
5BR/4.5BA. Enter into a courtyard w/fireplace
and fountain feature. Marble floors thru out
living areas and baths. Granite kitchen.
4BR/3BA. Panoramic water views. Marble floors
with inlays. Huge Gourmet kitchen. Luxurious
Master. Private guest suite. Pool. Huge Balconies.
http://F720022.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F745754.prudentialfloridawci.com
Kathy Udvarhely • 954-605-9941
Maria Montalbano • 954-214-5483
Michelle Marsh • 954-816-7676
Kathy Schroeder • 954-235-8671
PARKLAND
$1,425,000
PARKLAND
$1,149,000
PARKLAND
$1,699,000
3.35 acres in BBB ranches. 7BR/5.1BA main house
overlooks pond front & back. 3BR+den guest
house. 5 paddocks, riding arena, 8 stall barn.
http://F762523.prudentialfloridawci.com
Joy Carter & Jeff Booker• 954-695-7653
PARKLAND
$1,337,000
The Falls of Heron Bay - 4,270 ft. sq.
4BR+den+media room, 5.5BA, raised spa and
pool overlooking water & 17th tee at TPC.
Parkland Ranches - 2.4 acres. 2BR/2.5BA built in
2000 as future guesthouse. 6 vehicle carport,
maple wood kitchen, rock-faced fireplace
Parkland Golf & Country Club - 5BR/3BA
Marabella model on lake. Many upgrades, granite countertops, extraordinary water view.
Totally remodeled Cypress Head estate home.
6BR/4BA. Over 1 acre of property. Cul-de-sac
location.
http://F735896.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F759852.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F751999.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F762559.prudentialfloridawci.com
Pete Striano, Jr. • 954-257-0616
Brenda Selner • 954-234-3707
Debbie Anderson • 954-914-4966
Rhonda Koussevitzky • 954-914-5228
PARKLAND
$1,250,000
PARKLAND
$1,210,000
PARKLAND
$999,900
PARKLAND
$995,500
Reduced! Picturesque 4BR/2.5BA northern
style home on 2.5 acres of lush property in the
heart of Parkland's equestrian community.
Parkland Golf & Country Club - Professionally
decorated 4BR/3BA pool home on golf & water
lot. 2 fireplaces. Custom designer kitchen.
6BR/4BA home on waterfront lot with heated
pool & spa. Crown molding coffered ceiling , wood
cabinets, granite counters immaculate.
Over 1 acre in North Pine Tree Estates. All redone,
marble, granite, impact windows & doors. 3 car
garage and pool!
http://F707618.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F721736.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F728692.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F754762.prudentialfloridawci.com
Jody Simon-Bates • 954-448-1063
Lea Plotkin • 954-802-8451
Rubin Wites • 954-592-6734
Lea Plotkin • 954-802-8451
Rubin Wites • 954-592-6734
Lisa Flickstein • 954-369-0355
PARKLAND
$869,000
PARKLAND
$674,000
PARKLAND
$584,999
PARKLAND
$525,500
Ready soon! New construction Heron Bay Sable Point. 4BR/3BA, on water with pool.
ready for your lifestyle. ALL UPGRADED.
Gated Parkland 5BR/3.5BA pool home with
stunning wide water view with inlaw suite, walk
to park. Great floor plan, big rooms.
Premium waterfront lot. 4BR/3BA, gourmet
kitchen features wood cabinets and granite
counters. Gated community.
Drastic reduction. Heron Bay - lowest priced
home on full size lot (oversized). Corner, culde-sac. 3BR/2BA. Private. Move-in condition.
http://F750378.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F712223.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F746771.prudentialfloridawci.com
http://F710003.prudentialfloridawci.com
Pat Horowitz • 954-383-1171
Scott Rose • 954-907-7355
Laura Norat • 954-562-0749
Len Friedman • 954-369-0280
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10/31/06
the Parklander
contents
october 2006
Inside this Issue:
—cover story—
Stars Of The Future?
Local Politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-13
Local Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-37
Three Talented Youngsters
Share Their Dreams
Singles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40-45
18
Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
The Business of Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Local Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
On Being Single
40
Singles Are People Too...
Four Local Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Artwalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Food/Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61-65
School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67-65
Garden Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Outdoor Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77-81
Miami Dolphins
Medicine/Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82-90
Enter The Daunte Culpepper Era
Sports/Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91-100
92
Business/Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Parkland Chamber of Commerce . . .115
Volume 16, No. 7 • October 2006
Publishers
Sharon and Jack Kornreich
Editorial Assistant
Marcela Aguero
Graphic Designers
Marianna Brietman
Cristina DiLucia
Dani Dorsey
Diana Striker
Intern
Dayna Malek
Contributing Writers and Columnists
Claudia Barrington, RN, Jack Bloomfield, Mayor Scott Brook, Samantha Brown, Janet
Cimorelli, Marcy DiMare, Reverend George Faragi, Jorge C. Garrido, Peter F. Grom,Carol
Jones, Dr. Barry Kay, Dr. Penny Kupferberg, RoseMarie LaCoursiere, Terryl Lawrence,
Sandra Lewis, Robert Loewendick, Dayna Malek, Charles Marcanetti, Todd McFliker, Alan
Milner, Jeb Niewood, Ujas Parikh, Cara M. Roberts, Mona Steinberg,Mayor Michael
Udine, Larry Zwerin
On The Cover: Three talented students from North Broward Preparatory
School. Photo by Tom Muñoz of Muñoz Studios in Fort Lauderdale.
Serving: Parkland • Coral Springs • Coconut Creek • Margate • Boca Raton
Pompano • Deerfield Beach • Tamarac
published since 1991
9381 W. Sample Road, Suite 203
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Phone: 954-755-9800 / Fax: 954-755-2082
E-mail: publisher@theparklander.com
Copyright 2006 by Calliope Enterprises Corp. All rights reserved by
Calliope Enterprises Corp. All submissions and published materials are the
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The Parklander is a monthly publication with mailed
delivery to 14,724 homes and businesses.
Congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr. Speaks with
Jack Kornreich, Publisher of the Parklander
Domestic Issues - Part 2 of 2
Congressman E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R.-22nd Dist.-FL), Chairman of the
Ways & Means Committee and a member of Congress for 26 years, took
time out of his hectic schedule to speak with the Parklander’s publisher,
Jack Kornreich, on topics of general importance to our readership.
Kornreich: Let’s talk about some domestic issues. Last month the
Ways and Means Committee held a hearing to review the impact of
immigration on programs under your
jurisdiction and I know your also going to
hold some forums later this month, but
nobody has really explained to our readers
how this impacts individuals and
businesses here in South Florida. Could
you tell us about that?
with immigrants coming into the country. If you legalize them and
bring them in here legally, they are going to be up and mobile, once
they get out of the shadows and they find that they do have work
permit, they are going to try and better themselves and get better
and better jobs. Its not just a question of jobs that Americans don’t
want, its going to be jobs beyond that because some of these are
very fine workers and they are motivated, but still I don’t want to
take any Americans’ jobs.
Kornreich: This moves us into the issue
of minimum wage, the House majority was
on record as stating whenever the minimum
wage is raised, it costs workers with the
least skills their jobs. You have a bill passing
the house. What was the incentive to bring
up and pass that bill?
Shaw: The Congress, when we go back
Shaw: I voted for it. In fact I voted for it
in September, is going to go about the
nine years ago when we tried to pass a
minimum wage bill, I support minimum
process of hopefully trying to reconcile the
wage. I had this time when we looked at it
differences between the Senate and the
again, and I think the majority leader was
House bills. The bills are barely related
over ruled by the republican congress. We
which is going to make the process very,
received two bills together; the state tax bill
very difficult. In the house bill we’ve put
for tax relief and the minimum wage. We
all the emphasis on law enforcement and
were pretty much assured by the
border protection. The senate bill, they
republican leadership and the senate that if
really didn’t act on some of these issues,
we passed the bill, the minimum tax bill
such as requiring the Mexican government
would be brought to the Senate floor and
to approve the building of the wall.
would not be filibustered, but we were
Getting legal status to those here illegally
wrong. About two votes short of being
without coming up with a plan of exactly
filibustered, it was filibustered and out as
how you’re going to do that, how you’re
fast as it came in.
going to identify them, and how you’re
Kornreich: Well, I think the issue is- why
Rep. Shaw being greeted by the Parklander
going to figure out how many people get
was it coupled?
publisher, Jack Kornreich.
here. They’ve also made this a road
Shaw: It was coupled with tax incentives for
towards citizenship which I think the great
business. A reason it was is because we tried to add some balance to
worker program if you’re going to have a temporary worker
the bill and tried to bring aboard republicans who oppose to raising
program, it should be a temporary worker program and have
the minimum wage and oppose to even having the minimum wage.
nothing to do with how you pass your citizenship. That’s a whole
We thought we had and we did build up a coalition in the House to
different set of laws, applies to them back in their own country,
pass it with the majority of the Republicans and some democrats
doesn’t apply to them over here and if they want to be citizens of
supporting it. We thought that was also going to create a day in the
the United States they have to get in line like everybody else and get
Senate. By putting in this estate tax relief (very recently) we thought
no leg up because you are here illegally. You shouldn’t be rewarded
that this was going to save small businesses for the families in the
for that kind of behavior.
event of death of the owner. We thought that we would be able to
Kornreich: The argument is made that a lot of industry in Florida
hold these things together and everything else that was in there that
is dependent on “migrant workers” and they are starting to hurt
would benefit small businesses so they would have no problem
because they don’t have people to pick the crops or do whatever it
absorbing a new minimum wage. Fact is, few people work at
is that is necessary.
minimum wage, a very small infinitesimal percentage, but it is time
to do something about the minimum wage and raise it.
Shaw: The agriculture industry and the construction industry are
dependent on it. Migrant workers dominate the construction
Kornreich: Yet there are a lot of union contracts that are tied to
industry, they perform maintenance on our golf courses, they work
minimum wage, aren’t there? If there is an increase in minimum
for the maintenance companies; it's something we must work out.
wage- they get an increase?
You go into restaurants, the people clearing the table, most of them
Shaw: You may be right. I don’t know the answer to that. But I
are probably illegal, go in the kitchen, and you’ll probably find
know the unions support it. Nobody in the union is getting
much of the same. There must be an orderly process of keeping up
minimum wage.
6
the PARKLANDER
Shaw: Well, I don’t know. I wouldn’t vote for the Senate plan
because it doesn’t give enough protection here on the east coast, it’s
all about the west coast.
using a lot of oil, I remember when I first went over to China, and
everybody was riding the bicycle. Now you find terrible traffic jams
and polluted air. India is using a lot of it. The demand is increasing
on a global basis. We still use 25 percent of the petroleum products
throughout the world, which is far too much.
Kornreich: You’re talking about the west coast of Florida versus
the East coast.
Kornreich: Last year we talked about social security reform, the
hurricanes took that off the map, where are we now with that?
Shaw: Yes, yet it does affect the west coast of the United States,
but that’s not what I’m talking about. It also provides that the line
for drilling could come into 50 miles from 100 miles or 227 miles if
you were looking at the military line. If the senate and the
legislative didn’t pass something to prohibit from coming in here,
also it provides a vote every five years. I don’t think the senate bill
is any better or as good as the house bill. I don’t know what they are
going to work out, I doubt they are going to come up with
something that I will support, if they’ll come up with anything.
Shaw: Not this year, no. It is not a dead issue, because the system
is going to have to get an infusion. We are only a few years from
having a huge cash short fault in the system. We need the cash to
pay the benefits; otherwise we’re going to have to start using tax
dollars and putting them into the Social security system in order to
pay the benefits. And you look 75 years in the future, and there’s
nothing left. You have to look to the future; you have to factor on the
extension of life that you’re going to find in the next 75 years. And
the system is going to have to a 25 trillion dollar deficit over 75
years, that’s not acceptable, the economy cannot sustain that type of
deficit, you need to add something to the system. Not privatization,
I’m totally against privatization. I did not support the president’s
plan, and I talked to the president about that. Social Security is a
designed benefit plan hat must stay that way. Social Security has
been set up in such a way that a person can count on it, we should
not mettle with it-we should leave it alone. We need to put
something on top of it in order to be certain people who are
entitled to it are going to receive the same benefits as we’re going to
receive, and that the plan is going to stay afloat. We can strengthen
it, so that it is a better system we’ll enjoy once we retire.
Kornreich: Another issue that affects us is the off shore drilling,
where do we stand today with regard to the legislation?
Kornreich: What would be the benefit in terms of petroleum
supply? I know there’s a lot of natural gas that will be of use.
Shaw: Natural gas is a real shortage in this country too, that goes
in the same sense a limited production, fertilizer, so you can see that
your agriculture states are very much in favor of it. There is oil too,
but not as much as there is gas, and we were going to hold off the
off shore drilling if we didn’t have two dollar a gallon gasoline.
Now that we got that the congress was flipping out saying ‘hey you
want a special deal for Florida?’ so we lost ground.
Kornreich: What happened to shale oil? I remember it was said
that it was $42 a barrel it would be worth dealing with shale oil,
when it was $60, now its $75; they are still not dealing with shale oil.
Shaw: I think they might be doing it in some places.
Kornreich: Canada yes, but I don’t know about the United States.
Shaw: I’m not sure, but it’s moving along. We have oil all over the
Southeastern United States. The question is how deep is it, we need
to test, as well as test the fault that curves around the state of
Alabama that goes all the way into Mississippi. There’s a lot of oil
down there and the question is at what point does the barrel of oil
have to be in order to make it economically feasible to pull it up.
Obviously I think we’re there, I think you’re going to see a lot of
drilling throughout the Southeastern United States as a result of the
high price of oil.
Kornreich: Is there anything that you would like to comment on?
Shaw: You mentioned windstorm insurance; I think that’s
something we need to talk about. We need a federal program. The
way the thing is set up now, I’m probably being over simplistic by
saying the program is obsolete. There’s a problem with insurance
premiums being too high. Why are they too high? Because we have
to build up these huge reserves on the CAT fund because the
reserves were wiped out with all the hurricanes. So based on that
experience, the homeowner is getting socked, from the bills they are
getting and it really is not right. The system needs to be corrected
(Continued on pg. 13)
Kornreich: And do they have the capacity to refine it?
Shaw: That’s a huge problem. No we do not. And we need to
build refineries and the congress is very concerned about this. And
we do want to explore alternative kinds of energy. We need to
expand our production of ethanol, using switch grass and other
things in order to get our volume up. At two dollars a gallon, it
really had to be subsided to make it worthwhile converting any
kind of vegetation into gasoline. We’re using it now as an additive
to petroleum product; we can modify cars so they can run totally on
ethanol. The question is what is the production cost and at what
time does it become competitive? When you look around the world
and see where we’re dependent on oil, its scary. I don’t like to be
dependent on Venezuela, where Citgo comes from; Iran, forget it;
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, that’s part of our supply. We bring a lot of it
down from Alaska too. There are also tremendous resources in
Siberia. Russia has tremendous potential to develop oil as its
resources. Of course as we get more people, they’re using more and
more petroleum products and begin to use their resources for the
production of oil and gasoline to find that, that takes a lot of
pressure off of the real market. People look at it and say ‘what in the
world is happening out there?’ what’s happening, is China now is
Rep. Shaw presents Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with a
resolution passed by the House of Representatives condemning
Hezbollah’s unproved attacks on Israel and supporting Israel’s
unquestionable right to defend itself.
the PARKLANDER
7
Se habla Español
Building Department
Update
By Parkland’s Mayor Michael Udine
October marks my six-month anniversary
serving as your Mayor. Working with a
dedicated staff and City Commission, I am
extremely
proud
of
some
of
the
accomplishments that we have made as a City
in those six months. The new S.P.I.R.I.T.
culture is taking root throughout City hall.
Part of that S.P.I.R.I.T. culture is that we are
always looking at areas of City services that can be improved upon.
As October brings us the start of a new budget year, I wanted to
inform you about some significant technology enhancements and
improvement this year in the Building Department. In keeping with
the overall S.P.I.R.I.T. philosophy of the City, our goal is to make the
experience with our Building Department as positive and efficient
as possible. In that regard, I am happy to announce the roll out of
PERMIT CONNECTION. This “user friendly” software
enhancement will provide a link from the Building Department
webpage on the City website and enable a permit-holder to access
inspection records for his/her permit(s). Access to each permit is
protected by a pin-number provided to the permit-holder when the
permit is issued. Selection of menu items will lead the user to
screens where the inspection history may be viewed and
inspections may be scheduled, verified, or cancelled. This
improvement will be in addition to our automated touch-tone
scheduling and verification system (AIRS), open 24/7 for customer
access. These improvements are being very positively received by
the building community and should help with monitoring the
status of permits and speed up the permitting process. Inspections
continue to run at very high numbers, (almost 50% higher this July
than July of last year; in the first ten months of this year, we are
about at 99% of all inspections performed for all of last year). To
keep up with the additional work, we are increasing the use of extra
part-time and overtime help. We are also sending qualified plans
examiners into the field to perform inspections when overloads
occur within a discipline.
Additionally, the Building Department recently re-set the
inspection-request closing time enabling a permit-holder to use our
touch-tone scheduling system to schedule or cancel inspections as
late as 6am for same-day inspections. Inspections are printed
between 7:00 and 7:30am, when they are provided to the inspectors
to prepare their route sheets. All of these improvements have
increased our efficiency and has been very well received by our
permitting community.
Finally, there have been many questions regarding hurricane
issues within the building department. A common question has to
do with Generators and Storm Related Repair Permits. There were
101 generator permits applied for from January through July, and 79
of them had been permitted by July 31. The consumer/contractor
checklist posted online has contributed to the expedient issuance of
these permits, which typically ranges from 1 to 5 weeks from
submittal to permit. Additionally, the City Commission recently
passed an ordinance to clear up some of the confusion and make
generator installation an easier process. Storm-related permits such
as impact-window change-outs and hurricane shutters continue to
receive priority in processing. Re-roofing inspections are
accommodated daily, by setting appointments with roofers and
homeowners to prevent delays in drying in roofs for existing
occupied dwellings.
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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.
the PARKLANDER
9
The Race for District 4
Candidates for Parkland City Commission
Three residents have entered the race for election to the District 4 seat
vacated by Mimi Ribotsky. On November 7, 2006, the residents of Parkland
citywide will be voting on this race as well as other issues and candidates
in other races. To help our readers learn about these three candidates, the
Parklander submitted to each of them the same two questions.
MaRhea Lascano- What do you consider to be most important
to the City of Parkland over the next five years?
The preservation of our beautiful and green community as a safe
and great place to live, work and raise a family is vital to Parkland.
Accordingly, I believe that issues regarding Parkland’s
infrastructure, safety, general government and fiscal accountability
and school overcrowding would be most important to Parkland
over the next five years.
The various infrastructure issues that need to be addressed
include, but are not limited to, the poor conditions of the streets,
especially Holmberg Road; traffic expansion and roadways; and the
fire hydrant projects for Pinetree Estates and
the Ranches. These projects, among others, are
currently part of the unfunded capital
improvement program projects. The total
amount of these unfunded projects is
significant, approximately $42.5 million
dollars. The issue of funding for these projects
will need to be addressed sooner rather than
later.
It should be noted that the
Recommended Budget promotes the implementation of additional
fees (namely the Florida Power & Light franchise fee) and
assessments as a probable source of revenue.
Keeping Parkland and its residents safe is also important to
Parkland. The services contracts for the Broward Sheriff’s Office
and the Coral Springs Fire Department are set to expire within the
next five years and are reviewed annually. Parkland must carefully
negotiate and prepare each and every contract to ensure the most
benefit for its residents. Furthermore, the issue regarding the fire
hydrant projects relates not only to Parkland’s infrastructure but
also to the safety of its residents.
Another issue that is important and is interrelated to the issues of
safety and infrastructure is that of general government and fiscal
accountability. While this year’s General Fund increased 8% (the
entire Recommended Budget increased 15.6%) from last year’s
budget, the list of unfunded capital improvement program projects
remains unchanged from last year.
As a mother of two pre-school aged children, the issue of school
overcrowding is a concern I share with Parkland residents. This
issue cannot be resolved until the City has been built out and
educational resources and needs can be properly assessed. In the
meantime, due to the overcrowding of its elementary schools and
high school, residents of Parkland may have to revisit the issue of
school boundaries. I will be there to advocate that Parkland children
attend neighborhood schools.
I believe that we can preserve and improve our quality of life
without having to add an excessive financial burden on our residents.
What attributes would you bring to the Commission if elected?
I am a hard worker and attribute my strong work ethic to my
mother who worked two jobs throughout my childhood. I believe
that gave me the strength and the will to work full time while
attending Fordham University School of Law.
10
Growing up in New York City and its diverse population has
taught me to be open-minded and fair when dealing with differing
viewpoints and opinions. While I do not have to agree with a
person’s opinion, I can respect it. My family and colleagues
appreciate my ability to work well with others. My work
experience has further taught me that teamwork, at times, may be
necessary to accomplish a common goal.
I believe that by utilizing a common sense and practical approach,
creative solutions can be found. I also believe in being proactive, to
try to resolve potential issues before they turn into real problems. I
am a great listener and would try to help someone as much as I
could. I am teaching my children to be independent, to not give in
to peer pressure, and to always do what is right. Everyday I strive
to be a great role model for them.
As a City Commissioner, I would promote and advocate with
integrity the best interests of the City of Parkland and its
residents. If elected, I will do my utmost to be a positive member
of the City Commission.
Kenneth Nejib - What do you consider to be most important to
the City of Parkland over the next five years?
The most important issues facing the city are controlling
reasonable growth of the City and insuring that the city's
infrastructure is properly in place to handle the anticipated growth.
Especially in light of annexation and
continued build-out of the western portion of
Parkland, I want to make sure that schools are
in place for the influx of children we will
encounter, that sufficient roadways are in
place to avoid gridlock, and that the basic
needs of homeowners are satisfied. We need to
be sure that our police force, emergency
medical and fire service personnel are
properly staffed to handle this growth. A great challenge will be to
obtain the “wedge area” that lies between Parkland’s western
boundary and the Hillsboro Canal in order to assure that land is
developed compatibly with Parkland standards.
What attributes would you bring to the Commission if elected?
As a successful small business owner I will bring a fresh
perspective to the Commission.
Having 25 years of construction experience, including having
been an Inspector for NY State Department of Transportation, a
project manager for various development company's, and an owner
of my own commercial general contracting firm, will allow me to
effectively evaluate upcoming City capital projects and proposed
residential and commercial initiatives.
I have a history of community service having served on the board
of Congregation Kol Tikvah for many years and as a past member
of Riverglades Elementary School Advisory.
With two daughters (one currently at Douglas High School and
one in college) my wife and I have kept active and involved on
school issues impacting Parkland.
As a Parkland City Commissioner I will be able to share my expertise
and experience with the residents of Parkland On a broader level.
the PARKLANDER
Mark Weissman - What do you consider
to be most important to the City of Parkland
over the next five years?
The next five years will be interesting and
challenging ones in the history of Parkland.
Unlike the five years I served previously
when growth and planning for that growth
were an integral part of the city’s development, the next five years
will be years of build-out for the development community and the
community infrastructure. The challenge will be to provide the
services for the estimated 28,000 residents who call Parkland home.
Our city will need to provide additional classroom space for our
children, developed park facilities for our families and a responsive
government for the myriad of other issues that will need to be
addressed. All of this must be accomplished while remembering to
keep Parkland the unique city that attracted us all to move here in
the first place. Among the areas of concern are roadways and
transportation, police and fire safety, emergency medical services
and environmental issues. I invite my opponents to debate the
issues at venues throughout the city between today and Election
Day and keep the campaign to the issues not personal attacks.
What attributes would you bring to the Commission if elected?
The newest member of the Parkland commission must be able to
hit the job running. The eastern section of the city needs a strong
advocate for the issues mentioned in question number one. I am the
only candidate with the experience of elected office not only in
Parkland but also in the state legislature. The next member of the
commission from District 4 will need to have familiarity with the
workings of government, not only in the city but also of the state,
county and school board. I am the only candidate with that
experience and knowledge. As a member of the commission I was
involved in the acquisition of school sites in the city, land for parks
and committing the funds for the development of the parks. My
familiarity with our schools (two of my daughters attend
Riverglades) and school board members will enable me to work
well with them in planning for the proper educational resources for
Parkland and our children. The transportation issues that surround
University Drive, Holmberg Road and State Road 7 will require a
joint effort of the Parkland Commission, the County Commission
and the State Department of Transportation; once again I am the
only candidate who has had success dealing with all of these
government agencies.
As a member of the Parkland commission I was instrumental
in the following:
Acquisition and construction of City Hall Complex
Acquisition of land for Westglades Middle School
Acquisition of land for Park Trails Elementary School
Acquisition of land, state grant monies / construction of Pine Trails Park
Saving the Six Acre Park on Hillsboro Blvd.
Enactment of Parkland Recycling Ordinance
Initial funding, approval and construction of Liberty Park
Initiation of Parkland Annual Concert and Fireworks Display
Keeping Parkland’s Low density land development code in place
I am the candidate with experience and knowledge, budgetary
experience and a successful business background. I pledge to
remember that Parkland is not only a great city but also the lifestyle
we have all chosen for our families.
the PARKLANDER
11
News And Thank-Yous
Wednesdays @ 7pm
By Coral Springs’ Mayor Scott Brook
Pastor's Bible Study,
Missionettes Girls' Club,
Royal Rangers Boys' Club,
the element Youth
This month we are hosting our first Government
Leadership Classes. The Government Leadership
class will be held at the Coral Springs City Hall
four consecutive Mondays from 4:30 pm to 6 pm
for a total of 6 hours. Classes begin October 16 and
conclude on November 6. Certificates of
Completion will be awarded at a future City
Commission meeting.
WEEKLY WORKSHIP SERVICES:
Sundays @ 9am & 11am,
5pm (Spanish), 7pm (Portuguese)
You will learn about what makes our government award winning
and unique. We will explain the different roles played the City, County
and State. In addition, we will distinguish the roles played by City
Management, the City Commission and why I can’t help you with
your speeding tickets! When you complete the leadership course you
will know how you can impact city policies, understand all volunteer
opportunities available to you and so much more.
Wednesdays @ 7pm
theelement Youth Church: Fridays @ 7 pm
Saturdays @ 7pm
Children’s classes & nursery provided at all services
Reaching our community one life at a time!
4001 NW 63rd Street • Coconut Creek, FL 33073
www.wpcag.com • 954.698.0903
If you would like to register, please email me at
Sbrook@coralsprings.org or call my law firm’s Administrative Assistant,
Kim Krost at 954-757-8898.
I congratulate our new Judges, School Board Member Stephanie
Kraft, Jeremy Ring and all winners in the September 5 election. Please
remember that we have the general election on November 7. Many
people don’t realize that the more our citizens vote the more power we
hold as a City.
Special thanks to all participants in the Educational Summit led by
the School Board and Stephanie Kraft at Stoneman Douglas High
School in August. A great idea shared in order to have more parents
involved with our children’s’ education is for our schools to offer kid
care for the hour of the PTA, SAC or other meetings. If you are a parent
interested in attending more school meetings but cannot because of
finances and/or child care needs, please contact me by email or cell
phone at 954-494-9872. The City is also actively recruiting and training
mentors. Please contact Pat Mirabello at City Hall at 954-344-5907.
I am proud to announce the Sawgrass Nature Center (SNC) will be
holding it’s grand opening on October 18. I thank Joan Kohl, founder
and President of SNC, for her dedicated work in developing this great
wildlife rehabilitation center. Our City, your volunteers and staff
appreciate you! The center currently provides care for injured, sick or
orphaned wildlife and will soon offer a variety of education exhibits.
For more information on the SNC, visit www.sawgrassnaturecenter.org.
The entire City Commission is holding office hours to serve our
residents! With that said, I thank my colleagues for committing their
time to meet with residents to discuss concerns they might have.
Residents may use the complaint tracking system on our website.
You can meet me for coffee at Starbuck’s on the 18th or at Java
D’Lites on the 27th from 8:30 am to 10 am. I want to personally thank
my wife, Brenda, for always supporting me as I strive to serve each of
you and wish our baby girl, Samantha, a Happy 6th Birthday!
As always, please visit www.coralsprings.org for City news. Take a
moment to visit our Event Calendar to view the Commission’s
scheduled office hours. Feel free to email me at sbrook@coralsprings.org
if there is anything I can help you with. For the really big problems,
don’t hesitate to call Vice Mayor Gold!
Enjoy the month!
Mayor Scott J. Brook
12
the PARKLANDER
(Continued from pg. 7)
Rep. Clay Shaw Speaks
with the Parklander
and the way to correct it is to set up a Federal CAT fund which will
build up reserves and will be a re insurer so that the local CAT fund
doesn’t have to become near as big, because we can rely on a
backup should we have another disaster or four or five hurricanes
hitting the state of Florida. We can pull money out of the national
fund. That’s the bill I have put in place and I think that’s very
important as our building closed, not that we use federal dollars in
order to help people pay their high premiums which are
unconscionably high. But I think what we need to do is to set up a
system at the federal level that will keep the premiums low. Why
subsidize a broken system?
Kornreich: Will the states that are not susceptible to hurricanes, go
along with this?
Shaw: That’s the problem! It doesn’t cost them anything, because
what it is, the states that have set up these CAT funds, which will be
the states that are hurricane prone, they will require that a certain
amount of insurance premium will be paid into the national system.
Its reinsurance. Why we have insurance is to spread the risk. You
and I and a whole bunch of people can say, “Well you know, one of our
houses is going to be robbed or is going to be blown away so we’re putting
all our money into a fund so that when a big disaster comes whoever gets
hurt is going to be paid.” That’s what we need, but we need to do it on
a federal level as a reinsurance program and that will bring
premiums down, that’s the way to do it. I’m going back to
Washington; I filed a bill like the one that came out after hurricane
Andrew, I saw this coming but I had no idea it was going to be as bad
as it is, but we need to correct the system and we don’t need to correct
the system by feeding federal dollars into a broken system, we need
to fix the system, and we need to fix it with a national CAT fund.
Kornreich: what kind of support do you think you’ll have for it?
Shaw: After what’s happened on the gulf coast and with this
being high on everyone’s mind, I think the people in Louisiana,
Texas, Alabama and Mississippi, as well as Florida, Georgia and
South Carolina are ready to say – “Hey we’ve got a problem out there.
Our people can’t get affordable insurance” It’s will have a huge impact
on the economy of the state of Florida if we don’t have this passed.
President Clinton’s former FEMA director endorsed this bill, so we
need to work together. This is not a republican nor a democratic
issue; it’s a people issue. One we should solve. A state system is not
going to work. We need to make our state insurance commission
elected. It used to be and the Florida legislature voted not to have it
elected. We need to change that. Another thing that is tremendously
important is a national goal of solving the problem of cancer by
2015 and being sure it is properly funded. I can’t think of a better
use of federal dollars than finding a cure for cancer. We need the
attitude that Kennedy had in regard to sending a man to the moon
and bringing him back safely. It’s more important to advance this,
to set this as a national goal and to reach it.
Kornreich: Clay, we can’t thank you enough for again making the
time to visit with us and share your views on our world.
Shaw: It’s always my pleasure.
the PARKLANDER
13
One of America’s Top Dentists In Our Own Backyard
Congratulations to Dr. Keith L. Schwartz who
has been nominated as one of the top dentists in
the entire United States of America!
And, to comfort the most skittish of patients, Dr.
Schwartz offers a waiting room/reception area that is
inviting and even offers movies and satellite television.
And in the chair, you can actually take a video tour of your own
mouth and watch it on TV.
Dr. Keith Schwartz
and his wife, Toni
Dr. Schwartz is a graduate of Boston University
and he completed his general residency at Kings
County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. He is also a graduate of the
prestigious Las Vegas Institute of Cosmetic Dentistry (“LVI”),
many of whose dentists have been featured on the popular TV
show, Extreme Makeover.
“I want to thank the residents of Parkland for letting me be part
of, and grow with, this wonderful community,” says Schwartz.
Dr. Schwartz is also a fellow of the Academy of General
Dentistry (“AGD”). Becoming a fellow is a rigorous process,
requiring three years membership in AGD and passing an
oral exam. The Academy of General Dentistry and its
members are dedicated to improving patient care through
lifelong learning.
“Striving to keep up with the most innovative techniques and
technology has always been a passion for me,” says Schwartz.
For Dr. Schwartz, his nomination by Consumers Research
Counsel of America means inclusion in the 2005-2006 Consumer
Guide, a publication that is now
available to corporate human
resource departments and conParkland Smiles is
sumers via a downloadable format
Proud to Introduce
at
www.consumerresearchcncl.org.
To ensure an unbiased selection, Randy Goldfarb, DMD,
Specializing in
the organization accepts no fees,
sponsorships, donations or
advertising from dentists, dental Teeth Done In A Day.
treatment facilities or dental
Call for Details.
referral organizations.
5
5
The selection, made by Consumers’ Research
Council of America (an independent research
company based in Washington, DC that evaluates
professional services throughout the U.S.), is
based on a point value system that awards points
for education, years in practice, affiliations with
professional associations and board certifications.
And if you take a look around his office, you’ll
see what he’s talking about. On the cutting edge of
dentistry, it is equipped with intra oral cameras (which
provide magnification for each tooth for proper
diagnosis, digital radiography (which reduces the
amount of radiation patients are exposed to),
equipment for laser treatments and much more. The
latest breakthroughs in lasers mean there is less need
for needles and stitches, and less risk of infection.
Parkland's Original Dentist
CREATING A BEAUTIFUL YOU
Want To Look Younger?
Let the Artistry of
Dr. Keith Schwartz Create Your
Complimentary Tri-On Smile
C O S M E T I C & F A M I LY D E N T I S T R Y
954-42-SMILE (427-6453)
www.parklandsmiles.com
6746 North State Road 7
FALL SPECIAL
$89.00
for comprehensive exam code (150)
and full set of x-rays code (210)
Expires 10/31/06 | New Customers Only
Conveniently located on the northeast
corner of Holmberg and 441 (next to Carls).
FREE tooth whitening sample with every cosmetic evaluation
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payments or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or
treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.
14
the PARKLANDER
Florida homes are tropical and inviting by design.
For many Parklanders, our roots began someplace
north such as Boston, New York, Chicago; few of us
grew up in Parkland. I am a native Montrealer with a
great appreciation for the warmth of a home visible by
the care and attention given to ‘the front door entrance’.
If you are like me, you grew up with familiar door
shapes, dressed in layers upon layers of colorful paint,
brass kick plates, basic to ornamental doorknobs and
playful doorbells. Let’s not forget our favorite seasonal
wreaths and front entrance planters that took on the
season’s bright, colorful flowers or perfectly trimmed
topiaries standing majestically next to wall plaques that
gave a home its identity, sometimes even a name such
as “Father’s Rest”, or “The Nose Family, established
1973” telling the world with love and pride who resided
behind the front door.
The flavor of a Florida lifestyle is based on
simplicity and design with great splash and open
living appeal. Our Florida homes are very much our
castles and our entrances rise to new heights and
décor that thrill our senses. My favorite time of year
to take in the beauty of our great castles is Halloween;
when it seems every neighborhood gives extra care and
attention to detail creating that perfect entrance
that says “Welcome to My Castle” with
open arms.
With neighborhoods structured as
planned communities that keep to
Welcome to
My Castle
By RoseMarie LaCoursiere
pre-selected exterior color schemes, doors, trims and
lighting fixtures, our ability to create a style and look
that is unique can be a challenge to many. Parkland is
home to many architecturally stunning homes that very
much resemble modern castles. Most every front door I
come across these days is breathtakingly beautiful and
inviting causing me to wonder with a smile “Who lives
behind that front door?”
As we prepare for Halloween and Thanksgiving that
bring about great cheer and exterior décor, let’s make
our windows sparkle, our doors smile with polish and
turn on what we used to call ‘the porch lights’ at night to
tell the world “You Are Welcome Here”.
By RoseMarie LaCoursiere
The beauty of
youth comes in
many different forms.
Children have this wondrous charm
about them in their ability to imagine
without limitations. They color outside the
lines in the most brilliant colors and find magic in everything
they do. In giving thought to writing a story based on Parkland’s
talented youth, I reminisced about my own childhood and that of my
daughter’s childhood. I gave thought to the similarities parents of these
two generations share in seeking to expose the very young to the
Arts, sports and developmental activities. Our elders didn’t have
the many options we hold today with regards to signing our
children up for ballet classes to trumpet lessons, acting
classes to voice lessons…our children have every
opportunity through community sponsored
programs, music schools
and Fine Arts institutes to
excellent introductory and
advanced programs offered in
our public and private schools to
explore, discover and develop their
individual talents.
with desires to earn her way to the
U.S. National Swim Team, I advise
parents that in the best interest of our
children, regardless of their chosen
art, sport or activity, we should always
encourage them to ‘Think BIG!’
Children are true gifts that
n
Brow
keep giving when nurtured.
ntha
a
m
a
S
The greatest gift we can extend
to each child throughout our great community is the gift of
encouragement to ‘Play Outside the Box!’ The beauty of youth
is that for Aaron, his journey began at the tender age of 5. He
was exposed to his sister ’s singing lessons that influenced him
to belt out his own renditions. Aaron’s love of singing lead to
acting and both lead to creative thinking already budding in
every young child discovering their talents. Key word:
TALENTS. Every child is born with talent. Samantha Brown,
15, a fellow 10th grader at North Broward Preparatory School is
a trumpet player, dancer, color guard member…she is also a
gymnast and jazz band singer. Samantha began her journey at
the age of 2 with gymnastics tumbling her way into the hearts
of many. Believe it or not, Ariana Grande-Butera, 13, a 7th
grader at North Broward Preparatory School says she began
singing, dancing and acting when she was born! Ariana was
8 years old when she started performing at local theatres.
She adds, “The first time I sang publicly was on a cruise
ship, Gloria Estefan was there, she told me I should never
stop singing”. Ariana’s personal dream is
to perform at the famed NYC Radio
City Music Hall.
I was reminded of the innocence of
youth so vital in finding his place in
life during a light-hearted chat
with a North Broward Prep
Aaro
n Ri
Fine Arts senior, Aaron
cciar
di
Ricciardi. I recall being
17, filled with ambition
and drive…yet the moment Aaron
began to answer a few basic
questions, it became evident the
young gent was genuinely passionate
Talent is theirs to discover and to craft
about his life, his art and hopes to attend
through our guidance and our desire to
Northwestern University to become the
provide them with greater opportunities now
greatest actor, director, playwright, stage
that we are parents. There comes a time in every
manager and composer he can be! Aaron was
child’s life, wherein personal decisions are made
very clear, candid and serious in expressing his
to pursue special dreams; Aaron said it best
Ar
ambitions. You might ask, shouldn’t he be
“Every second I am not in school, I’m thinking of
ian
aG
satisfied with ambitions of being an actor
my loves which are writing, singing, song
ran
de(first)? As a parent of a talented student athlete
Bu
ter
(Cont. on pg. 20)
a
18
the PARKLANDER
the PARKLANDER
19
enjoying and being able to
express yourself”.
As with most young talents,
they recognize the importance
of their mentors, teachers and
coaches. Aaron expressed a
deep appreciation for Ms. Nicholle
Garrison for her endless energy and
devotion to his experience at NBP.
(Cont. from pg. 18)
writing and theater.” Aaron is
a performer and loves the
stage; it is fair to say the stage
loves him back. Samantha
chimes in with advice; “My
advice for kids who love what
they do as much as I do is to
not let anything or anyone
stop you!” Samantha adds,
“Get involved as much as
possible to display your
talent, to get others interested
in participating. Sometimes,
practicing may get stressful but
never forget to have fun! That’s
what the arts are all about;
The interesting fact of the Fine Arts is that there is
such opportunity to excel at more than one interest.
Bravo Aaron! Bravo for trusting your gut instincts to pursue
your passions for the stage and performances. My hat is off to
your parents, family, friends, teachers and fans for it does take
a village to raise a child. I asked Aaron if he had an idol;
needless to say his answer said it all. Without hesitation the
following flowed effortlessly “I idolize director Sam Mendez
(American Beauty) and singer Andrea McDonald”. When I
asked Aaron who would he most enjoy having lunch with, he
answered “Meryl Streep”. Need I say more? Ariana’s idol and
inspiration is closer to home, she said, “my brother plays a
huge part in influencing me to sing my heart out, dance my legs
off, and act like it’s my last performance”. As for Samantha’s
idols, “I idolize my parents because neither of them received a
Aaron Ricciardi in performance.
20
the PARKLANDER
(Cont. on pg. 22)
(Cont. from pg. 20)
full college education,
but they continue to
constantly work hard
to provide for me and
all of my interests”.
Samantha adds, “I also
idolize terminally ill
children; I have had a lot
of experience playing
concerts for the Make-aWish Foundation and
whenever we play for
these
kids,
they
constantly try to stay
positive and have a
good time; they forget
about their disease and
From left to right: Samantha Brown, continually enjoy life”.
Aaron Ricciardi, Ariana Grande-Butera. It didn’t surprise me to
learn Adriana and Samantha share something very special
through their love of performing: Compassion. An excited Ariana
adds, “I’m a member of a group of friends who love to sing, act,
and dance”. “We're called "The Kids Who Care", we perform at
charity events to help raise money for very good causes”.
22
I instinctively asked if they get nervous before performances
Aaron answered “Everybody does, I feel more excitement than
nerves… I’m very selfish when performing”. Being a parent who
was once a top ranked swimmer very much aware of what a case of
nerves means to any kind of performance, the parent, mentor and
coach in me replied to him saying “No, Aaron that’s not at all selfish
– that feeling you get is what makes you brilliant on stage and
draws the audience into your experience”. As for Samantha’s way
of managing butterflies, she has a lucky charm, “It is a camouflage
sailor’s bracelet (rope braid) that my
trumpet teacher Mr. Sagarese gave to
me”. Adding, “I wear it all the time
because it reminds me of how
much people love and care
about me, and I am
lucky to have that
kind of place in
people’s hearts”.
the PARKLANDER
the PARKLANDER
23
Top Dozen Movies
not to be missed for
Halloween
by Larry Zwerin of
Media Design Concepts Inc.
Being in the Home Theater business I
thought it might be fun to write
about the movies this month instead
of the equipment. After all it is the
experience while watching that is
equally important.
I recall being traumatized on Friday
nights growing up, I had sleepless
nights after watching The Mummy,
The Wolfman, Creature from the
Black Lagoon, and I couldn't
take Frankenstein beyond the
laboratory scene when the
monster first twitches to it's
hideous after life. But their
always remained a ghoulish,
burning curiosity, and a
perverse desire to be
scared witless. A desire which
24
the PARKLANDER
was to be fulfilled by three movies in
particular that had a tremendous
impression and were the cause of
many a sleepless night. Movies that
had one checking "behind the bush"
and in the back seat by habit of self
preservation and of course films
that had one's heart leaping out
upon seeing a shadow lurking
underwater while swimming it didn't matter that I
happened to be swimming in a
public pool, such was the
irrational fear that had been
created by mere pieces of celluloid.
By far and away the three most
terrifying movie experiences I
have had were watching The
Exorcist. That experience of watching
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The Exorcist was for me the most
horrifying movie watching experience
that I have ever had...and I had to wait
five years or so later to enjoy a similar
terror-ride. This time it was John
Carpenter's Halloween.
The third film that left a distinct impression
on me was a very clever little cheapie called
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Here was a
film that was devastatingly up front and had a
cheap docu-feel to it lending it an eerie
authenticity. My most Memorable Moment:
one of many is Leatherface's first appearance - pure
shocking majesty.
Watch the video
and face the wrath of Sadako!
4
5
Night of the Living Dead (1969)
6
Psycho (1960) - Alfred Hitchcock - The
"Mother" of modern horror
7
8
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Wes Craven
Poltergeist (1982) Steven Spielberg
The RING (1998)
Creepy, Very Creepy
9
The Amityville Horror (1979)
10
The Haunting (1963)
Robert Wise's terrific black
and white masterpiece.
11
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
(This version not the 1956 version)
12
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
the PARKLANDER
25
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section
26
the PARKLANDER
find approprite button for
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South Florida Housing Bubble Refuses to Pop
by Alan Milner
D
espite dire predictions in the media to the contrary, the
housing bubble in South Florida doesn’t appear to be
anywhere near popping.
A spate of stories have appeared, based on press releases from
local real estate industry analysts, predicting a significant reduction
in real estate values.
An examination of the facts doesn’t support these dire predictions.
In Palm Beach County, for example, the number of homes for sale
tripled from 7,000 in July of 2005 to more than 22,000 in July of 2006,
while the number of homes sold during the second quarter of 2006
fell to 2,733 from 4,932 in the same period in 2005, a 36% decrease in
sales, according to figures from Florida Association of Realtors.
None of that sounds good….but the selling prices on the most
recent sales are holding steady. The median price of a single family
home in Palm Beach County increased from $389,500 to $394,100
during the second quarter of 2006, a one percent increase. In
Broward County, the median price fell from $384,200 to $380,400,
a one percent dip, but nothing like the 10% decline some analysts
have predicted.
Should these numbers be a source of concern for the average
home owner?
Veteran Parkland realtor Debby Hofmann, of Hofmann Homes,
doesn’t think so. She has a theory about what’s happening in the
residential housing market.
“What happened was that, a few years ago, when the
dot.com bubble burst, a lot of the people who made money in the
dot.com boom decided to invest in real estate….in the places
where they wanted to live, places like New York, Las Vegas, and
here in South Florida. Just as they did in the dot.com boom, these
people got in early, in 2004 and the beginning of 2005, and got out
again within a few months, making 30% and 40% profits on their
properties.”
“Now, we are back to a ‘real’ real estate market, one where the
actual values of the properties aren’t being artificially inflated by the
influx of investment capital from speculators. And, despite what
you may hear, houses are selling, and they are selling at their real
values according to their appraisals.”
“A lot of the houses on the market right now are ghost houses.
These houses seriously overpriced because the homeowners think
that if they paid $500,000 a year ago, that they should be able to sell
for $600,000 today. After some months on the market, they finally
drop the price down to where it should be, and the house sells.
Then, they go to a dinner party and complain that they had to drop
their price by 10%, getting $540,000 instead of $600,000, when the
house was only worth $540,000 in the first place.”
And if they don’t drop their prices? “Those are the houses we
call the ‘stale bread in the bakery,’ houses that have been on the
market for so long that everyone simply assumes that there’s
something wrong with house itself, when the problem is really
with the homeowner.”
Marta Dupree agrees with Hofmann. The 28-year real estate
veteran, now with the Keyes Company in Coconut Creek, sees the
fact that values have remained strong as indication that we are
moving from a speculative market to an investor’s market.
28
“A lot of the concerns about a real estate bubble are being created
by reporters who are looking for a story where there isn’t one. The
real estate market in South Florida is very strong because there is a
constant demand from people who want to move here and, with the
baby boomers beginning to think about retirement, that demand is
just going to increase.”
Recent changes in the local market are good for new homeowners,
according to Dupree, because prices have stabilized, and bad for
short-term speculators, many of whom are losing money renting
properties they can’t sell at rates that don’t cover costs.
Another realtor, Grace Noethen, has been a real estate agent for
more than thirty years, so she’s seen the boom and bust cycle over
and over again through the years.
“My business hasn’t suffered, but properties are staying on the
market longer and, while there have been some reductions in
asking prices, the actual selling prices have remained pretty stable.
Last year, I might have had ten to 15 houses on the market at any
one time. Today, that number has doubled.”
Noethen attributes sluggish home sales to a combination of
circumstances, including a stronger stock market that pulls
investment money away from real estate and the one-two punch
delivered by the recent hurricanes.
The brakes, according to Noethen, went on in January, normally a
high traffic month for Florida real estate offices. “Brokers I’ve
spoken with all say the same the thing, that we hit a wall in January
of this year.”
Noethen, and other realtors, attribute much of the slow-down to
alarmist stories appearing in the media predicting serious price cuts.
Other factors include runaway insurance premiums, and the tax
consequences involved in moving up to a more expensive property,
all of which have discouraged potential buyers from taking on more
debt to purchase more expensive homes.
“Where you see a lot of problems is with new construction. In many
cases, clients who signed purchase contracts before they sold their
current homes are now unable to sell those homes, and can’t afford to
carry both homes.”
In some cases, move-up buyers (and even some move-down
buyers) have tried to rent their old homes, in order to enable them to
complete the purchase of their new homes, only to find that tenants
are just as scarce as buyers.
Generally, more inventory should mean lower prices. That doesn’t
seem to have happened because many sellers are unwilling to reduce
the prices on their homes. At the same time, however, according to
ReMax broker Lance Sherman, buyers are sitting on their wallets
because they are waiting for prices to come down on the strength of
the predictions they’ve seen in various news programs.
The result is a stagnant market, which is bad for realtors but better
than a depressed market for homeowners. The statistics say that
values have remained stable, despite the large number of properties
on the market because the buyers are taking a time-out to see what
happens over the next few months.
This market is also bad – very bad – for the investors who were
buying up condominiums at what they thought were bargain
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basement prices, only to find themselves now unable to sell and
often renting out their investment properties at a net loss.
now taking delivery on homes that they can’t sell for as much as
they paid for them.”
“A year ago,” explains Sherman, “brokers were lining up with
investors to place offers on condo conversions in the belief that the
market could only go up. Now, a lot of those investors are losing
money because they are upside down on those properties, and
can’t even rent them for enough to cover costs.”
Laura Halprin, a fourteen year veteran, now with Premier Estate
Properties in the Shops at Boca Center, specializes in $1 million plus
properties. She reports that her business is picking up. There seems
to be a genuine interest from buyers looking for homes – in a
category where buyers are less likely to be struggling to put
together a down payment.
The reversal in the condominium market can be traced, in part, to
the conspicuous absence of first-time home-buyers and “move-up”
buyers from local real estate offices. The move-up buyers are waiting
for prices to come down, while the first-time home buyers are
finding they have been priced out of the market.
David Dweck, founder of the Boca Real Estate Investment Club
and a ReMax agent, is even more pessimistic. This 14-year veteran
realtor sees an ongoing correction extending over the next 12 to
eighteen months, but that doesn’t mean there’s going to be a big
bubble burst.
“Prices are coming down…Prices are getting more
realistic……Sellers are gaining a better perspective on the actual
values of their homes and not on that continual push for the rise in
sale price and the ability to get the highest sale price. They are just
happy to sell. And, therefore, buyers will be willing to buy.”
So, what’s the bottom line: Low priced homes – under $250,000 –
are moving briskly, and the high priced homes – over $1 million –
appear to be picking up steam. The mid-range market, however,
remains stagnant, with a lot of inventory and few serious buyers.
“There are many homes that are significantly off the previous pace,
especially in the $500,000 and up homes. In some cases, I’ve seen
sellers being forced to reduce their asking prices by a much as 20%
on more expensive homes in order to get them sold.”
All of the real estate agents and brokers contacted agreed that
the long-term prospects for Florida real estate remain strong.
“People want to come here,” explains Sherman. “They want to
live in the sun.”
“There are some segments of the market that are going to remain
strong – entry level homes, and properties under $500,000, if they are
priced properly, but people aren’t going to be moving up to more
expensive homes. They are going to wait until the correction plays
out and prices stabilize.”
Several, however, had strong words of advice for people who find
themselves in a position where they have to sell. Be reasonable.
Don’t set unrealistic prices on your homes. If you don’t believe your
broker’s market survey, have your home appraised and go by the
results of the appraisal, because your buyer’s mortgage company
will be basing their decisions on the appraisal, not the asking price.
Dweck sees this market as a great one for home buyers and even
for investors because of the sheer volume of properties on the
market, which will keep prices reasonable for the foreseeable future.
”The people who are getting hurt are the speculators, people who
bought properties at preconstruction prices 18 months
ago who are
If, on the other hand, you’re in a position where you have to buy
right now, and you’re concerned that you may be buying at the
top of the market, make sure you buy the house you really want.
In the long run, the chances are that your home will continue to
increase in value, and that likelihood
increases as you get closer to the water.
But make sure that you really want to
live in that house, because you may be
in it for awhile. Florida real estate is
rather like musical chairs. There
are only so many chairs and,
when the music stops, you
want to be firmly seated
in the chair of your
choice, instead of
being left standing
out
in
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29
Alleviating the After-effects of Katrina
Lauren Ehrlich Inspires Volunteerism
She is just an ordinary
home-maker, mother of two
children and resident of
Parkland. Well, maybe not so
ordinary. Lauren went to New
Orleans to build a house for
someone else. That’s right she
built it with her own two
hands, getting down and dirty,
laying a cement foundation,
putting
up
the
frame,
hammering in the nails. She
was safe at home in Florida
when Hurricane Katrina
lashed out at New Orleans.
“We lost a few roof tiles and a
few trees, and we went a few
days without electricity”, she said, but that was nothing compared
to the devastation suffered in the city famous for jazz clubs and
sultry nights. “I wanted to do something”, with emphasis on the
“do”. She did what many of us did: we made donations. That just
wasn’t enough for the very active Lauren who got on line this
summer while her two children, Max 16 and Cloe, 12, were away at
Summer camp. She located a Habitat for Humanity program of
week-long trips to help re-build an area
known as Musicians Village in the 9th
Ward. She joined the foundation crew
with other volunteers from around the
country and they built an entire house
for a Katrina victim.
as we do. We
have the moral
obligation to give
some-thing back”.
She calls New
Orleans
the
“seedy
underbelly
of
the
country”.
Lauren Ehrlich
is also a volunteer speaker for the Make a Wish Foundation, an
organization which she says “changed my life”. When her daughter
was five years old she was diagnosed with cancer and the
foundation helped her in many ways although, at first, she was
reluctant to admit that her family even needed that help. Her
daughter is now 6 years cancer free and Lauren is an avid supporter
of yet another charitable program known as Give Kids the World.
Children between the ages of 2 1⁄2 and 18 who are suffering from a
life-threatening illness are eligible for this program which grants
almost any wish, the most popular being a trip to Disney World.
These children stay with their families in a fully furnished house,
with a stocked refrigerator, gifts awaiting them in the living room
and free tickets to the park.
How are things one year after Katrina?
Lauren responded that “things are still
very bad there. You see street after street
of gutted homes and people are living in
tiny, tin, FEMA trailers in their
front yards. There is mile after mile of
devastation. The people have been Lauren Ehrlich, top right in USFC shirt, and other
forgotten. We live such fortunate lives, volunteers who helped re-build an area of New
but most people in the world don’t live Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina.
30
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Presently Lauren speaks at schools,
businesses and at special events to inform
the public about the Make a Wish
Foundation and Give Kids the World
activities. When this Rockland County,
New York native isn’t busy donating her
time and effort to these organizations she
can be spotted training with the marines
at the Boca U.S. Fitness Corps under the
watchful eye of Major Billy Hodge.
Lauren has been married for 19 years to
Attorney
Howard
Ehrlich,
who
specializes in personal injury cases, and
who is a member of the Rotary Club of
Coral Springs.
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Alzheimer’s Family Center seeks vendors
The Alzheimer’s Family Center is holding its “20th Anniversary
Founders’ Luncheon” on Friday, November 3rd at Diamante’s
Banquet Center, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd., in Tamarac. Over 600
people attend the festivities. We are seeking vendors for our
“Shopping Boutique” to be held from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. during
this event. Spaces are available for 12-15 vendors. For more
information call The Alzheimer’s Center at 954-971-7155.
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33
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Décor Tips to Create a
Senior-Friendly Home
F
ew things matter more to an aging parent than maintaining their
lifestyle, safety and independence. “The goal to achieve in
designing in-home living space for senior use is to
enable and to maintain freedom within a safe, comfortable and friendly living
environment that makes
an ageing parent or relative
feel welcome” advises Davis
Remignanti, Furniture.com’s
lead design consultant.
Remignanti, offers practical
advice to make any living space “Senior-friendly”.
Clear the path: Remove items, small home accessories, plants and
magazine racks that clutter pathways. Allow at least 36 inches
between walls or objects to accommodate wheelchairs or walkers.
Create a sanctuary: seniors who share a family home, often have
only their bedroom as personal space. You can create a calm ‘sanctuary’ by allowing space for favorite pastimes, enjoying personal
media, or to simply enjoy quiet time. Choose a bed that offers easy
access along with appropriate support and comfort.
Color their world: Color can open-up small spaces! Whites and
light neutral colors, along with blues, greens and violets help rooms
appear larger. To assist with visibility, consider home furnishings in
hues that contrast against their backgrounds.
Make it bright!: Ease eyestrain with great lighting options.
Give special attention to areas used for detailed work, reading
and hobbies. Use wall switches at room entry points to control
lighting.
Easy storage: Provide adequate, easily accessible storage that doesn’t require reaching, bending or straining. Choose dressers and
wardrobes with large or D-loop handles that
don’t require fine finger dexterity. Many children’s dressers feature easy-rolling guides and
built-in safety stops.
Work the kitchen: Create a seated work area for food
preparation tasks. A small table and chair in a comfortable
location, with nearby access to utensils, is a good solution.
Support at dinner: Consider investing in dining
chairs that provide good back support and have
strong, sturdy arms. Seat cushioning adds comfort, but should be
securely fitted to the chair.
Blend and compromise: Respect is the watchword when integrating any relative’s home furniture into your own home design.
Compromise when faced with the question of placing a well-loved
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36
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Parkland Horse Lovers Unite!
The begining of September was the opening show of the 2006/2007
Parkland Horseman’s Association season. Shows are held every second Sunday of the month at the Equestrian Center from September
through April.
This month, Jesse Schlinkmann, a second grader at Park Trails
Elementary, made her walk/trot debut. She rode her pony Breezy
and came home with 2 firsts, 1 third and 1 forth, winning Grand
Champion in her riding division.
Jesse has been riding for 2 years at Wattland, a boarding and training facility located in the Ranches.
That’s a big accomplishment. Congratulations Jesse!
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A
ttention Parkland residents! We have terrific merchants and
restaurants within our fair city. Lets be a supporters of our
local businesses. Here are a few suggestions to enjoy:
• Enjoy our neighborhood Starbucks located at 7091 North State
Road 7. Starbucks is now serving fall beverages! My favorite is
the Pumpkin Spice Latte with Pumpkin cream cheese muffins.
Very good! This Starbucks staff is all about community spirit
and fun. So, for a quiet reprieve from the daily grind, or to pick
up some coffee to grind at home, stop at Parkland’s favorite
coffee spot today.
• For a sophisticated ladies lunch date, look no further than the
Carriage Light Tea Parlor and Gifts at 6682 Parkside Drive in the
Parkland Town Center. If you crave elegance at it’s best you must
make a reservation today! The Carriage Light Tea Parlor serves a
variety of delicious light lunch delicacies along with
traditional teatime treats. You will most definitely be swept right
out of your white gloves at Carriage Light Tea Parlor and Gifts!
• The next time you need to make a quick stop for a newspaper,
snack or grocery run, go Parkland Food & Beverage at 7391
North State Road 7 in the Riverstone Shoppes of Parkland. They
boast a friendly “old time” corner store and deli atmosphere that
fits right in with our Parkland way of life. You can find great
Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses, coffee and cappuccino as
well as your basic grocery needs. The staff is always looking
forward to serving you. Check their weekly specials for food and
beverage buys.
This column is contributed by a Parkland resident who, for obvious
reasons, chooses to remain anonymous. Neither the contributor nor the
Parklander receives any consideration from the establishments reviewed.
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39
Sex & the City of Parkland
By: Jeb Niewood
L
et’s agree, the title of any article with the words "sex" and
"Parkland" is going to attract your curiosity and those hidden, behind closed door thoughts not stirred by headlines
that reads Parkland Library Events of the Month. Most of us have
the same visceral reaction when we see that particular three letter
word: SEX. If you don’t have a great sense of humor, don’t read further. Somewhat like Sex & the City, this is a story about a single
father’s misadventures as he raises his son and attempts to find
romance. Unlike Sex & the City and The Courtship Of Eddie’s
Father, whose story lines take place in the Big City where opportunity and luck can be found on almost any avenue, I have been adding
chapters to my story in the suburban haven of Parkland, USA.
Landlord (Jack Kehler): You’re getting a divorce?
Frances (Diane Lane): It shows?
Landlord: These are furnished short term apartments… that’s what we
get. Your neighbor in 2B … he’s an attorney … nice guy … he gives free
legal advice to the other tenants. If his crying gets on your nerves just
bang on the wall … he’ll stop… So what do you do?
Frances: I’m a writer.
Landlord: So you can help the others with their suicide notes.
From the movie, Under The Tuscan Sun
Two of life’s most negatively altering events both start with the letter “D”. Death and divorce. The former is the end and the latter just
seems like the end when you’re going through it. When I appeared in
court as the final tick on my marriage clock struck, something
became very clear to me. From birth through every other event in my
life I was always surrounded by family and friends. But as I waited
for the judge to sign the divorce decree, I was completely alone. Like
Diane Lane’s character in Under The Tuscan Sun, I emerged from the
physical fetal position far sooner than the emotional fetal position.
Divorce makes you question so many things. Judgment and ability to
trust were the two biggies that I was wrestling with. And starting
over as a single parent was definitely a challenge.
I moved to Parkland shortly before my divorce became final. As
the parent of a 5 year old, finding the right elementary school was
very important and as a single parent, logistics were important as
well. That was how I found Parkland in 1995. I picked a newly built
house in a nice neighborhood that was a short walk to the best elementary school in Broward County. It also helped that Parkland
reminded me so much of the town that I grew up in, in New York. I
was convinced that this would be the perfect place to raise my son.
Our new adventure would begin here.
Being the son of Jewish parents there is a dynamic that takes place,
at first subtle and then not so subtle. And it didn’t matter that I was an
adult because I was still my parents’ son. “You should meet a nice girl
and settle down again.” This became my mother’s mantra. To my
mother if I wasn’t in a committed relationship it was because of a lack
of effort. And more often than not my response was “Ma you’re right.
I’m goin’ right down to the wife store, squeeze a few and pick me out
a good one.” Being the first person in my family to ever get divorced,
this became a group learning experience. What my mother had a difficult time understanding was that Parkland was hardly the happy
hunting ground for divorced dads. It seemed women I met wore on
their fingers the biggest rocks I had ever seen. I was starting to think
that there should be a sign at the city limits that read ‘Welcome to
Parkland … Please Park Your Diamonds in Assigned Spaces”
Sara (Diane Lane): Is that why you’re all here, the whole family …
everyone has a picture for me.
Dad (Christopher Plummer): This is an intervention Sara. A beautiful
girl like you can’t just give up. There’s life after divorce you know.
Meg the Lawyer (Mary Kay Place): They’re either married or gay and if
they’re not gay they’ve just broken up with the most wonderful person
in the world or they’ve just broken up with a jerk who looks exactly like
me. They’re in transition from a monogamous relationship and they
need more space or they’re tired of space but they just can’t commit or
they want to commit but they just can’t get close. They want to get
close but you don’t want to get near them.
From the movie, Must Love Dogs
From the movie, The Big Chill
40
the PARKLANDER
It can be tough out there! Everyone is a little dysfunctional but
Kurwa mac (Polish, pronounced curva matsh) some people are really
out there. Let’s see, there was the elementary school teacher who I
spoke to casually for a year before we went out for the first time.
Who knew that behind that pleasant, nurturing, take charge, I’ve
got it all together facade lay an angry, aggressive, obviously injured
soul. I felt like Bambi lost in a strange forest whenever I was with
her. Then there was an on again off again relationship; I knew it was
time to move on when after two years I was introduced at an
informal gathering as “her friend”. I guess I was a friend with
benefits (if you don’t know what that expression means, ask a teenager).
Marva, The Sister-In Law (Frances Sternhagen): Don’t hurt her Phil.
Phil Potter (Burt Reynolds): What are you talking about?
Marva: She’s a terrific woman. She’s an extraordinarily gifted nursery
school teacher. She’s gone back to school to get her masters in
child development. She’s getting it together and I for one don’t want
her hurt.
Phil: I’m not even sure that I’m going to ask her out.
Marva: Why, because she doesn’t have big breasts?
From the movie, Starting Over
I discovered women believe every other woman is brilliant and
gorgeous. It’s really a remarkable sorority that all women belong to.
Many of my married female friends would set me up with women
they knew. Each one of them was convinced they knew the Ms. Right
who would be perfect for me. Yet women I met appeared to be very
nice but the music just wasn’t playing. Upon reporting back to my
friends I sensed disappointed and annoyance. I would thank them
and say I was sorry that it didn’t work out. Then wondered what was
I apologizing for? My married friends got married because they fell
in love. That just didn’t happen for me “yet”. On the positive side, at
least the experiences moved me further down my new path.
Lenny, Sara’s date (Josh Stamberg): I’ve been on 17 first dates
this year…
Sara (Diane Lane): Well, we’re almost through the salad … that’s
a good sign
So, where has this all led? At my last Starbucks “date”, I met a
woman who was obviously into her horse. I knew this because she
spent the better part of 15 minutes talking about her horse. In fact,
she was so into her horse that I guess she wanted to share this first
meet and greet with her horse and she invited me over to the stable
to pitch some hay. Since it appeared that she was speaking literally
and not figuratively and since I was sensing a bit of unease about
her horse enthusiasm, I declined. Now I know Parkland is a horse
friendly community and I don’t want to be politically incorrect or
impugn horse owners or horses. I love animals, but it just wouldn’t
occur to me to invite a first date over to meet my dogs … you know
what I mean?
From the movie, Must Love Dogs
To get right to the point, I haven’t hit the salad course yet. Now
just so you know, I am realistic. I’m not Brad Pitt and for that matter
I’m not Brad Pitt’s father. I love, appreciate and am grateful for all
my married friends, especially the ones who have not given up on
me. But now every acceptance of an invitation to meet a woman
comes with an acknowledged disclaimer that they won’t be upset if
things don’t work out. And at least now I have a system. I
discovered you only need a short time to determine if there’s going
to be an emotional, intellectual and physical spontaneous
combustion and the perfect setting to test the engines is Starbucks.
It is informal, relaxed, you can meet and talk and if things work out
… great! If they don’t, they don’t. If you ever see me in a Starbucks,
feel free to come over and wish me luck.
My most recent dating excursion was a unique story even for me.
A female friend gave me the name and phone number of a woman
she knew. This woman was not “the date”, but she was an
intermediary for another woman who was the “the date.” All I was
told about the real date was that she was an attractive Israeli
woman who managed a restaurant. After a few missed connections
I get a hold of the intermediary on the phone. My smile during
the earliest part of our conversation turned into a frozen smile when
I realized that I was answering a series of questions better suited
for a job interview rather than a social connection. I don’t know,
maybe the Israeli lady was with the Mossad and I just had to go
through a security check but needless to say the process just didn’t
work out for me.
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Continued on page 42
41
Continued from page 41
Senor Martini (Vincent Riotta): Between Austria and Italy there is a
section of the Alps… It is an impossibly steep, very high part of the
mountains. They built a train track over these Alps to connect Vienna
and Venice. They built these tracks even before there was a train in
existence that could make the trip. They built it because they knew
someday the train would come.
From the movie, Under The Tuscan Sun
The greatest thing about life is that you never know what’s going
to happen tomorrow. If the train does come, I’ll be ready to get on.
And from the movie, Pleasantville:
Bud’s Mom (Jane Kaczmarek): I’m 40 years old… it’s not supposed to
be like this.
42
Bud (Tobey Maguire): It’s not supposed to be like anything
Bud’s Mom: How did you get so smart all the sudden?
Bud: I had a good day…
George (William H. Macy): So what’s going to happen now?
Betty (Joan Allen): I don’t know. Do you know what’s going
to happen now?
George: No I don’t
Bill (Jeff Daniels): I guess I don’t either
Fade To Laughter …
Jeb Niewood is an 11-year Parkland resident and single father to his
son Kevin, a junior at Stoneman Douglas High School. Jeb is an attorney
who enjoys volunteering at Stoneman Douglas High School and for the
City of Parkland.
the PARKLANDER
Can
You See Yourself
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in This Dress?
One of our featured brides-to-be will win a beautiful
wedding gown from the Demetrios Destination
Collection! If you’re engaged to be married, let us
know — and be entered for a chance to win!
Name of Couple: _____________________________
___________________________________________
Wedding Date Set For: _________Phone: ___________
Email: _____________________________________
Location of Wedding:
__________________________________________
email us at: publisher@theparklander.com
Deadline to enter: October 6, 2006
Winner Will Be Announced In Our November Issue!
the PARKLANDER
43
Singlehood
by Cara M. Roberts
S
inglehood. It’s part of the developmental
cycle. First comes infancy. Then
childhood. That develops into those
notorious teenage years followed by the
(hiccup sound effect) college years. It graduates
into adulthood and then, before you know it,
adulthood has morphed itself into singlehood.
You wake up one morning and realize you are
single, and that means something to you. What
it means is up for discussion because you are
out of answers.
Why does the problem have to lie with the
ladies? Why is being witty, and confident
intimidating? I am not going to change who I
am for someone else. Does that mean it’s a
lifetime in singlehood? No – it means I haven’t
found my complement. And there is no better
place to be than in singlehood – doing the
things that I like to do with the people who
like to do those very same things.
For some, singlehood is a good thing. It’s the
sigh and relief that this bad relationship is
finally over and you can start a new life,
enjoying what you love most and do it all the
way you desire (aka as “me time”). For others,
it’s a period of doom and gloom which haunts
your every thought as you ponder the answers to questions like
“why are they (men) like that?” or “will I ever meet someone?” or
if we dare to admit that we ask “what’s wrong with me?” You’ve
had enough “me time”. What you want is “we time”.
For me, singlehood is a choice and it’s mine to make. If it is part
of the developmental cycle, then it’s mine to develop. I’ve always
said that I am going to spend my life doing the things that I like to
do with the people who like to do those very same things. And if I
should meet someone who complements my life and he in turn feels
that I complement his life, then I’ll leap into married bliss. And not
a minute before.
I will admit that finding my complement isn’t getting any easier.
I went to a single’s outing, shall we say. And yes, there was someone
there that was trying to reel in my interest. He cast a few lines to see
if I would bite. Dabbling in the water a bit.
All I can say is that if I want to go fishing, I’ll get my own boat.
Don’t tell me…well, that’s the way it works. In whose world I ask.
Yours? –Maybe. Mine? –No way! Really, what am I –a fish?!? Cast
some bait to see if I bite? If I have to be a marine species, I’m going
straight for the top. Look out Shamu – here comes Cara the Killer
Whale. Top of the oceanic food chain. It’s my ocean and you’re
fishing in it!
So, did I take his bait? Nope! I got my own boat and cast my own
lines. Now we’re in uncharted waters. Can his boat withstand the
tide? Will this fish get lost in the undercurrent of my yacht? That’s
another thing. I don’t do fishing boats – I do yachts.
The end result – he didn’t ask me for my number. Why? Well, the
obvious reason is that I didn’t play the game. What was I…too
witty, too confident, too intimidating? Probably. I’ll admit that.
Would you expect any less from Shamu? My reason…fish have fins
and not fingers and thus cannot hold a pencil to write down a
phone number! Think about that!
44
To follow are the words of every single
woman…NEXT. Like we’re in a fast food line
and the cashier, upon finishing with the
female fisherman before you, calls out
“NEXT!”. You step up to the counter to place
your order…”yes, I’d like the fried grouper
sandwich, please with extra tartar sauce”….
Is there hope? –Yes. As my mother always told me, every pot has a
cover. I told her well then, I must be a frying pan!!! You don’t see too
many frying pans with covers do you? And then it all changed. I’ll
never forget it. It happened in a department store. My eyes gazed
upon the most beautiful creation I had ever seen. It took my breath
away. I rushed over to get closer. Ah, my wish had come true. I found
a frying pan with a cover in the housewares section! It’s true – EVERY
POT DOES HAVE A COVER. Frying pans of the world unite!
On my yacht! This is my perspective and it works for me. Would
it be nice to have someone to share my life? Yes. But the operative
word is SHARE. And if that’s what needs to happen for me to be
with someone, well until then, me, myself and I will have a great
time in singlehood.
Now I know that there are many of you who enjoy fishing. It’s all
about the chase. It’s ALL about the chase. And then what happens
when you get caught? You’re taken off the line and thrown back out
to sea. Is that where the expression “there’s plenty of fish in the sea”
came from? But if that works for you, then that’s great. Get yourself
a fishing pole and go get ‘em!
My yacht, (remember I don’t do boats) floats by someone who
knows exactly who he is and what he’s about. I don’t want him to be
something that he’s not, I want him to be everything that he is. And
if everything that he is, is still not my complement, then how happy
would we both be if we really didn’t, honestly and truthfully,
complement one another and went for it anyway?
It’s not about pondering the answer to the
question “what’s wrong with me?” or answering
“what’s wrong with them (men)”. The question to
answer is “what is it that I am really about” and then
finding that complement. I’m trading in my yacht for
a golf cart. I love golf and I’d rather do that than fish.
After all, golf is about knowing exactly what you want and
then making it happen. And if the golf shoe fits…
the PARKLANDER
October’s Singles
Simon, age 26. Single - never married. BritishAmerican High School teacher. Enjoys tennis,
basketball & soccer. Looking for a woman who
is a real person, who he can hang out with, be
himself with, be totally comfortable with...like a
best friend.
Michelle, 37, 5'9 1/2", 143 lbs. Business marketingHealthcare /hospitals. Looking for someone that
enjoys life to the fullest & doesn't take himself or
anything too seriously. Must have great sense of self
confidence, independent, family oriented, into physical
activity & like children.
Send e-mail to: simon@theparklander.com
Send e-mail to: michelle@theparklander.com
Lori, 43, Single mom of 2. Looking for someone
that likes kids, the beach, football and soccer.
Rene, He is a 22 year old French single guy who
has never been married. He works as a consultant.
He likes to play guitar, enjoys literature and
sports. He is looking for someone who is
intellectual, attractive, likes predictability but can
still appreciate spontenaity.
Send e-mail to: lori@theparklander.com
Send e-mail to: rene@theparklander.com
J.T., He is a 28 year old former military single guy.
Never married. Right now he is a full-time student
pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. He enjoys
reading, movies, country music, boating and
motorcycles.He is looking for a woman who can hold an
intelligent conversation and shares his same interests.
Melanie, I am a local business woman with a dynamic
personality. Am looking for my soul mate to enjoy
dancing, golfing, and cooking!
Send e-mail to: jt@theparklander.com
Send e-mail to: melanie@theparklander.com
Nick, 45.Wholesale sales. Must like motorcycles,
kids, and dogs.
Send e-mail to: nick@theparklander.com
Deadline for new submissions is on the 1st of every month.
Submissions will run, as space allows, for 3 consecutive months unless requested to cancel.
*All contact information is kept strictly confidential and all initial
communications are made through the Parklander.
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Materialism and Godliness
By Reverend George Faragi
H
ave you ever taken one of those Inter-Coastal Waterway cruises
and seen all those magnificent homes—or should I say
mansions—lining the edge of the water? A few times with
family and friends, I have; and I’ve always asked myself, "What in the
world do those people do for a living and who are they?"
Many of the homes have their own docks with their private yachts
tied up to them. They have beautiful swimming pools and some even
have their own tennis courts. You can only imagine what the house
looks like on the inside.
As I look at these virtual palaces, I wonder if the people inside are
really as happy as the picture the outside tends to project. I wonder if they
have peace and happiness with all the material wealth that they have.
It reminds me that God doesn't see or judge in the same way
humanity does. People always look at the outside
appearance and qualifications, but God always looks
at our hearts. God evaluates our inner disposition and
our characters.
Don't get me wrong. It’s wonderful to have
everything we need in life and a real blessing to be
able to have almost everything we want. At the same
time, we must be very careful not to put possessions
before God, because God's first commandment is,
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
We need to understand that humanity instinctively
believes in and worships a higher power. We also need
to understand that we were created incomplete and we
cannot be at rest until we find satisfaction of the deepest
hunger that comes from the yearning of the soul.
The danger involved with having many possessions
is that we can pervert this “worship instinct” and
make for ourselves false gods, such as wealth, fame,
pleasure, power and even knowledge.
While most of us never have any idea of becoming
rich, we’re also never satisfied with what we can
reasonably possess. That dissatisfaction that drives us
to succeed might be good, except when it obscures our
feelings for God and diverts us in our search for God.
We can become so interested in what we have that we
forget the needs of our souls.
St. Augustine said, “My soul is restless until it finds
it can rest in thee, O God.”
H.G. Wells said, “Until a man has found God, he begins at no
beginning; he works to no end.” How profound and how true!
No false god can satisfy the longing of the soul and that is why we
must be careful we don't squander our lives seeking satisfaction from
false objects like possessions, and that we don’t begin to worship our
material wealth.
To worship God first leads us to act like God, think like God, and
speak like God. Worshiping God helps us become good like God and
helps us to walk in the paths of right living.
Worshiping the one true God and having no other gods before Him
gives rest to our souls here and now and more importantly later, in the
hereafter, where we shall all meet Him face to face. God bless you richly
as you place Him first in your life.
Reverend George Faragi is Senior Pastor at Cornerstone Christian Center in
Boca Raton, www.cornerstoneboca.com.
46
the PARKLANDER
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the PARKLANDER
47
By Carol Jones
With the advent of the terrorist threat all over the world, cruising
has become a 30 billion dollar industry. Money making cruise lines
such as Carnival have purchased several other lines. Both
employees and passengers of these lines are distressed at the
changes being made. Passengers, who have been very loyal to
certain lines, are searching for the right line for their comfort level.
A knowledgeable travel agent is more important than ever, since
the agent can provide the latest correct information to you.
SUMMARY:
Cunard:
R
omantic. Relaxing. Invigorating. Rejuvenating. The adjectives
that can describe cruising are numerous, however, there is one
universal word and that is “Wonderful“.
Quiet elegance, British atmosphere, delicious lamb and
specialty cheeses, great ballroom dancing.
Celebrity:
Spectacular ships, 5 star elegance
On a cruise, you can do everything from ice-skating and wall
climbing, to absolutely nothing! There are enrichment and craft
classes. There are also complete gyms and spas.
Carnival:
Ship sponsored tours at the ports are favored by many. One of my
favorite things is the absence of telephones and the luxury of time
to read. However, if you do need to keep in contact with people,
ships have business centers to check your e-mail complete with
Internet Cafés. The food is of primary importance, as is the level of
pampered service. One thing is, the more you cruise and the more
you speak with others, the more you realize the vast differences in
the cruise lines, the prices and the services you receive.
Italian ambiance, budget minded
Guided by other people, you might decide to book through the
Internet, often confusing and always impersonal. Or, perhaps
someone has clued you into the name of their wholesale cruise
agency - again impersonal and usually not informed enough to give
you much information to help your selection.
Royal Caribbean:
Recently, we booked directly with a favorite cruise line, and were
extremely disappointed with several things. We found that the
newest, largest, most spectacular ship, which had been heavily
promoted, had been designed with more cabins in proportion to the
public space. They had also blocked the spa area from the adjacent
pool area in order to sell private couples spa packages. The tranquil
atmosphere for reading or conversation around the two main pools
was bombarded with loud, unpleasant music. This was especially
distressing to people who did not have their own balcony so people
who love to socialize often choose inside cabins.
We love to have our own balcony, but we were very disappointed
that the Queen Mary 2 balconies have a solid wall as opposed to a
see through rail. The advantage of the Queen Mary 2 is that it is
very fast and you can reach the Southern Caribbean and the
picturesque Dutch Islands of Curacao and Bonaire, much faster
than on most ships.
Club Med on the sea. Action-oriented, not tranquil
Costa:
Holland American:
Very mature market, quiet elegance
Norwegian Caribbean:
Casual, enrichment seminars
Regent Seven Seas:
Luxurious, small ships
Headline entertainment.
Seaborn:
Ultimate luxury and expense with a consistent
following.
We love the food and personal choice dining featured on Princess
cruises - our questions now are “Do other lines have this feature?
“How far can we go in a week or ten days without flying?”
I posed these questions to Phyllis Gordon, professional cruise
consultant and owner of Environ Travel for 16 years. Environ Travel
belongs to a consortium - so sometimes tickets through them are
priced less than a wholesaler or the Internet, or directly from the
cruise line. More importantly, the mantra of Phyllis Gordon is value
for your money and personal service dedicated to each client.
Phyllis replied, “Norwegian Cruises has freestyle dining, similar
to Princess. From South Florida, the furthest you can go in ten days,
without flying, is the Panama Canal.
I just though of another question for Phyllis. “What cruise line is
apt to have the most interesting, informed passengers?” I’ll ask that
tomorrow - when I book another pre holiday cruise!
Curaçao
48
the PARKLANDER
the PARKLANDER
49
by Alan Milner
The American beauty pageant has much in common with
America’s other national pastime, baseball. There are two separate
major leagues, The Miss America Pageant and the Miss USA Pageant.
Each pageant has its own minor league system that prepares
prospects for the big leagues, and a spreading network of little
leagues that prepare kids to play in the pros. -It’s also big business.
The first Miss America pageant was held in Atlantic City in 1922,
and the Miss USA pageant started its run in 1952. The crowned
Miss America goes on to compete in the Miss World pageant, while
Miss USA goes on to compete for the far more prestigious Miss
Universe title. There’s also a senior league called the Mrs. America
pageant which crowned its first beauty queen in 1977. (The Miss
and Mrs. America pageants are separate corporations.)
Donald Trump and the NBC network currently own The Miss
USA/Miss Universe pageant, and there are rumors that Trump is
shopping for the Miss America/Miss World operation.
Why in the world would Trump want to own a beauty pageant?
Well, for one thing, the beauty pageant industry is, in fact, a serious
multi-million dollar business.
There’s money to be made in
televising the pageants, in the endorsements and representation
agreements, hook-ups with the fashion industry…and there’s
tremendous growth potential if the pageants are marketed with the
muscle that Trump’s organization can flex.
With Trump becoming a player in the beauty pageant industry,
chances are beauty pageants on the state and local levels will start
picking up steam.
How do you get into the beauty pageant business?
Most of the people we spoke with started out in the beauty
pageant business as contestants themselves, or grew up in families
where competing in beauty pageants was part of their family
history. Having learned the ropes as a contestant or a family
member, it’s a natural progression from contestant to promoter.
But there are unusual circumstances. One of the most interesting
stories in the beauty pageant business revolves around the
establishment of the Mrs. America Pageant.
Mrs. America pageant founder David Marmel started his pageant
without ever having been to a pageant himself. The New York native
got the idea for the pageant when he realized that married women
were ineligible for either the Miss USA or the Miss America pageant.
Marmel reasoned that, while the Miss pageants were for women who
had great aspirations, a Mrs. America pageant would showcase
younger adult women who had proven themselves in the world.
In the contest between aspiration and accomplishment,
accomplishments carry more weight. In the 29 years since the
pageant was founded, the contestants have run the gamut from
homemakers to doctors, dentists, engineers, naval officers, lawyers
and accountants.
Marmel acknowledges that he was
in the right place at the right time.
Today, launching a new pageant
label from scratch would be
extremely difficult. While there are
many pageant franchises, only the
Big Three get national exposure
on television, but that
doesn’t mean
that you can’t
break into the
industry on the
local level.
In
fact, that’s the best
place to start.
National pageants
license state pageants
to pageant directors,
who have the option
of issuing licenses
for regional and local
competitions. The pageant
promoters are careful not
to use the term franchise,
which has legal implications.
The license grants the state
directors the right to use the
trademarked names of the
pageants for specified periods of
time, but most state pageant
directors have been associated
with their brands for many years.
While no one is willing to reveal the
actual cost of a state license, which
varies from state to state, rumor
puts the annual licensing at up to
$100,000 or more for a major pageant
in a Top Ten state. Smaller states are
discounted according to size.
The state pageant directors make
that money back from sponsorships
of their events by corporations that
have ties to the apparel and beauty
industries, product endorsements,
and marketing arrangements. They augment their income through
a wide range of other licensing activities, the most important one of
which is the sales of licenses for the local pageants.
If you’re interested in starting a pageant, the first step is to find a
locale that doesn’t already have a pageant. Some communities are
more receptive than others, so factor that into your decision. In some
cases, a locale may be so enthusiastic they will offer you a free venue,
and help you to market your event. Others may be less receptive.
Once you have identified the locales where you want to hold your
pageants, your next step is to get in touch with the state director for
that pageant and make a deal. State directors tend to be protective
of their license agreements. Expect to be required to answer some
pretty personal questions about your background and experience
before you get a license. Everyone in the pageant world is very
protective of their girls (which is how the women in the
competitions are referred to), and make sure that everyone who
comes into contact with the pageants is a solid citizen.
Local pageant licenses run anywhere from $750 to $1500 per
locale, and the price depends on the size of the market. Above and
beyond that, costs include advertising and public relations fees,
printing costs, photographic services, insurance, the cost of the
venue where the competition will be held, equipment rental (which
covers everything from sound and lighting equipment to stages and
chairs), down to the bouquets for the stage and crowns for the
winners. Expect to spend around $5,000 per venue.
For local pageant directors, the offsetting income comes from
entrance fees (around $350), admission tickets (around $25) and
program guides, product placements, and sponsorship fees which
are the most expensive part of running a pageant.
Halavin Productions, which runs Miss USA and Miss Teen USA
pageants in Pembroke Pines, Boca Raton, Homestead and the
Florida Keys and Broward County, is working with Fierte
Cosmetics, a Fort Lauderdale spa and cosmetics firm.
Halavin, run by husband and wife team Henry and Angie
Halavin, have been in the pageant world for 18 years, beginning
when their daughter first got bitten by the bug as a pre-teen.
They’ve been producing pageants for three years now, gradually
building up their competitions as they head toward the Holy Grail
of a statewide championship.
Henry Halavin recommends starting with one pageant, just to get
your feet wet, but suggests that you plan to build your business
over time, because one pageant won’t generate sufficient cash flow
to insure financial viability. When you bid on the Miss Pageant, you
should also bid on the Miss Teen pageant for the same community
Fierte’s commitment to the pageants includes an $8,000 prize package
that includes $5,000 worth of beauty treatments and services, package
that includes 12 coaching sessions, make-up consultations, hair styling
sessions, work out sessions with a personal trainer, studio photography,
free cosmetics, and public relations and marketing assistance. All this is
aimed at preparing the girls for the statewide competition. And, if one
of Havalin’s local pageant winners happens to bring home the
statewide crown, she will get a $30,000 personal services contract to be
Fiere’s public spokesperson for the duration of her reign.
While Halavin pays the state pageant entrance fees for the
winners of each of their pageant, any of the top five runners up
from any sanctioned pageant can enter the statewide competition
on their own initiative.
If they do, they would be well advised to purchase the same
services the winners get, because not doing so would put them at a
competitive disadvantage. Girls should expect to pay at least $50 for
a preliminary evaluation, and $60-75 an hour for coaching services
in walking, stance, posture, appearance, and coaching on the
question and answer segment of the competition. On average,
expect to spend another $400-$500 for these services and make sure
the coach has good credentials.
If you are thinking seriously about getting into the pageant world,
you should consider finding a good pageant coach because the key
to success in the pageant business is winning the state title and
going on to the national pageants and that’s true for both the girls
and the pageant directors. For the girls, the reason is obvious
enough. If you win, you’ve won, but the reputations of the pageant
directors rise and fall on their ability to win the statewide titles.
And, since the girls can enter any competition in the state where
they live, regardless of where they live in the state, it stands to
reason that the best prospects will seek out the best pageants.
When you go shopping for a pageant coach to partner with, look
for someone like Gregory Yap Sam, the CEO of Fierte Cosmetics,
Halavin’s partner in this year’s pageants.
Sam, who comes from a family of beauty contest winners and has
coached several recent winners of state-wide pageants, is a down to
earth, no-nonsense, beauty industry professional whose firm is
marketing his own brand of cosmetics. Rather than focusing on
appearance per se, Sam’s focus is on the all-important question and
answer sessions that the contestants go through, and requires his
candidates to maintain their grade point average in school.
As a pageant promoter, you will have to maintain your
impartiality toward the girls. Sam is under no such inhibition, and
works intensively with the contestants in the local competitions.
However you approach it, bear in mind that running a pageant isn’t
a once a year thing. From the preliminary casting calls to the state
championships, it’s a year-round activity and, while it might not be a
full-time occupation, bear in mind that the girls themselves are very
serious about the competitions and, of course, you should be too!
U2 with 2U and UV!
By Todd McFliker
Over forty tribute bands in the States alone mimic U2’s beautiful ways.
Each musician dresses the part, while utilizing equivalent instruments,
props and lighting mirroring the Irishmen. In the ongoing quest for
authenticity, the passionate acts pay homage to U2, reenacting singles
that date back to 1979. Set-lists
regularly include popular favorites,
as well as unsung material. Even
Better Than the Real Thing is a
group that stems from New
Zealand, and An Cat Dubh from
Italy. There’s a British crew who call
themselves Elevation. Similarly, a
cover band from Chicago possesses
the same name. The Unforgettable
Fire, based out of New York plays
regular performances in Times
Square, while the Big Apple’s 2U
2U makes national appearances,
including gigs at Murphy’s Law in
Hollywood, Florida’s Hard Rock Paradise. Meanwhile, hundreds of
Irish music fans move to South Florida’s own UV.
With four years of international touring, 2U is playing more shows in
2006 than U2, they headlining Irish pubs, colleges, festivals, glitzy night
clubs and charity events. Some of the crew’s most memorable venues
include Manhattan’s Hard Rock and B.B. King Blues Club, on top of
Penn State University, where Bono made a historical speech during the
2002 graduation ceremony. In Mexico, 2U played four shows in five
days. They plan to return to the country, as well as return to Europe
later this year. In 2007, they will entertain in Dublin for St. Patty’s Day,
and the festive 25th Anniversary of Red Rocks in June of 2008.
In between two nights of jam sessions in New York, 2U flew down
to Florida to headline a couple of shows this St. Patty’s Day. One
was in the late afternoon, and the other was under the moon for
hundreds draped in Irish green hats. On the outdoor stage, an
enormous scaffold stood in the backdrop. Experienced U2
concertgoers could have anticipated singer Thomas Thornton
climbing the device, like Bono when he fell off a scaffold and
dislocated his shoulder during a 1987 engagement.
For decades, U2’s anthems have been keeping musicians around the
world off of troubled streets, pushing their artistic boundaries with pure
integrity, while providing the phenomenal experiences of playing the
role of the world’s most recognized rock group. “The songs are so well
crafted that they stand the test of time, regardless of who is recreating
the material,” said Vincent Tattanelli, 2U drummer.
During “Bullet The Blue Sky,” the singer shoots a beam of light at
the audience, as well as at the guitarist in a wooly-cap, Eddie
Steklasa. The silhouette created resembles the cover to 1988’s Rattle
And Hum. Edgy Eddie steps up for “Until the End of the World,”
as Angelico dances in the background, hopping up and down. He
then sways on his knees, singing about “Love, Love surrounding”
him and “going down” on him. The evenings’ highlights are
always during “Mysterious Ways,” when an accomplished belly
dancer parades around the stage, not unlike U2’s memorable video.
Sandy, the exotic mistress, drapes herself in green and gold,
showing off her bellybutton rings.
“We are trying to impersonate U2 as authentically as possible.
There are some trademark moments that people know and I want
to make sure we’re faithful to the real thing,” said Angelico. The
members UV are preparing to tour nationally, pelting men, women
and children with their U2 presentation.
Growing up on the classics, like the Beatles, Hendrix and
Zeppelin, each of the tribute acts can compare U2 performances to
a religious experience. The ultimate rock stars’ repertoire makes a
living for the musicians as they travel the world and play what they
love. Meanwhile, each performer has tremendous respect for Bono
as a human being. The icon simply uses his massive influence to
benefit mankind. “And that’s what this crew is all about,”
explained 2U guitarist Joseph Cumia.
”I want to do the music justice, but I also want people to think
they are watching the four lads from Dublin, themselves,”
explained Eddie. “If the audience members walk away thinking
they just saw and heard the real deal, or at least the next best thing,
we've done our job.” According to the members of UV, U2 stands
as the Beatles of the current generation’s culture. In fact, UV’s
drummer from Philly, Blair King, and Jr. also bangs percussion for
South Florida’s Beatles tribute act, Hello Goodbye. Both bands’
messages of human decency go back to each of their childhoods.
When a reporter from Blender magazine asked Bono in 2004 how
exactly does one dismantle an atomic bomb, he replied with the Fab
solution, “Love.” Love is all you need.
Todd McFliker, who recently signed a contract to publish his first book,
earned his Master’s Degree in Mass Communication. He writes about
entertainment in South Florida, reviewing films, CDs, venues and concerts
ranging from local artists to Sir Paul McCartney and U2.
Local pop stars, UV play everywhere from West Palm to Pompano
Beach and Homestead. One of the boys’ favorite venues is Revolution,
on the patio, under magnificent skyscrapers. “Revolution is an
amazing club with responsive listeners who we can interact with,”
explained front man Angelico Mysterioso. “I live off of them.”
Dressed in a familiar black hat, leather jacket, a T-shirt and
jeans, Angelico plays the role of the politician behind
sunglasses. Opening with “City Of Blinding Lights,”
Fort Lauderdale witnesses replications ranging from
U2’s first single, “Out Of Control” to their latest radio
hit, “Vertigo.” Couples can slow-dance to the
melodic “All I Want Is You” and The Joshua Tree’s
timeless “Where Streets Have No Name.” Top 40
material regularly experienced includes “Sunday
Bloody Sunday,” “The Fly” and “Beautiful Day.”
Less popular tunes usually played consist of
“Angel of Harlem” with Angelico’s uplifting
harmonica, before he steals back “Helter Skelter.”
UV
UV
South Florida’s
Whimsical
t
n
e
l
a
T
By Sandra Lewis
Four local artists bring
talent and whimsy to
South Florida.
The first talent is an orthodontist and an accomplished artist. “I paint with my right
brain and listen to dental continuing education tapes with my left brain” says Dr. Jay R
Singer, D.D.S., P.A. of Sunrise who reproduces the famous works of Monet, Rembrandt,
Cézanne, Renoir and other artists. He plays with shadows and light, inspired by the
great Dutch Masters and brings vibrant color to his canvases in the style of the French
Impressionists. He tightens your son’s braces as he contemplates the painting
techniques of Monet and Cézanne. Dr. Singer has been painting since 1972 and has been
reproducing famous works of art since 1975. His art gallery is on display at
singerbraces.com/artgallery.asp for the world to enjoy. Dr. Singer, father of Adam and
Karli, is also an experienced pilot and talented guitarist. He wiled away his
free time during college by incessant doodling, particularly a sketch of an old
wooden bucket that he saw demonstrated on the John Gnagi drawing
showing show of the ‘50s. He was so impressed by the artist’s method of
capturing light and shadow to portray convincing 3D images that the good
doctor took art history and life drawing classes in college. Although he
was enrled in aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech, he soon realized
that finding a job in that industry was, pardon the pun, like pulling teeth.
He changed his major to dentistry and went on to become an
orthodontist. Dr. Singer does not do commissioned work and his
paintings are on display in relatives’ homes and at his offices in Coral
Springs and Sunrise.
The second is David Schluss, an internationally recognized finger
painter. Of course, that is an understatement of his technique and talent.
Born in Israel, his first artistic attempts incorporated materials that were
cheap and easily available, charcoal and pencils. He migrated to Montreal
and studied at the École des
Beaux Arts and later earned
his Fine Arts degree at the
University of Sir George
Williams. Mr. Schluss began
experimenting with his novel
technique of using the palms
and fingers of his hands to
create an abstract form, then
finessing the details of the
forms to create whimsical,
graceful
and
free-flowing
images. Schluss, married for
5 years and the father of
Brooke, 24, says he “goes to
sleep thinking about art and
wakes up thinking about art”.
Adding, “Every few years I like
David Schluss
to change forms, coloring and atmospheres in my paintings”. His favorite
subjects are folklore, dancing, music, togetherness, and the “feeling of
wanting to be together; the passion between a man and a woman.” He
commented, “you can express love and passion with flowers, words, not
necessarily with diamonds.” Schluss is a true romantic even creating a
marriage with mixed media of oils and acrylics. “It’s all about a beautiful
match”, he noted in his lilting foreign accent. Recently, this artist
journeyed to the Massada in Israel where he made sketches of dancing
figures in the desert as inspiration for future sculptures. Many of Schluss’s
original works such as “Happy Dancing” and “Waltzing Partners” are
available in limited editions at www.aejv.com/schluss-ltd.htm.
The third, is Michael Altheim’s molten hot creations can be viewed at
the Boca Raton Museum of Art and at Mark’s at the Park in Mizner Park
in Boca Raton until the end of October. He has been a hot glass artist for over
35 years and got his big start at the world-renowned Corning Museum of Art
in New York. Altheim renders vibrant fusions of color and texture into
extraordinary, fluid-like forms. “My background is in retail,” says this
multitalented Delray Beach resident and owner of Tint America. Altheim
categorizes his glass techniques into three categories: combing, torch work
and Signature Series. He can often be found in his studio pulling and pushing
molten glass, molding beautiful designs in a kiln at temperatures reaching
2,350 degrees. Some of his unique glass paperweights can be purchased in the
Boca Museum gift shop and they range in price from $75 to $125. Art
aficionados can study on the web, samplings from his Signature Series
entitled "Sunfire" www.bocamuseumartistguild.org/altheim/index.html. Other
exquisite pieces include Seaweed, rendered in the potmelt method and The
Frogs and Waterlillies, examples of his combing technique.
Our fourth South Florida talent
is Brent Miller, a resident of Coral
Springs, refers to his painting style
as “Abstract Fusion” that can best
be described as a go-with-the-flow
technique that starts out with an
abstract concept and develops into a
recognizable floral
image
with
an
Michael Altheim
Brent Miller
attitude, and a
metamorphosis
from the surreal
to the barely
real. Is it a
chicken or a
flower,
or
both?
His
paintings
will give
the viewer
cause for
reflection,
to say the least.
“Flowers of the Mind” is his
latest series of paintings. Miller
recounts that as a child he had the
fortune to view a work by Dali and
that he was intrigued by art from
that moment on. Bravo! to Dali
for inspiring Miller and
bringing his exotic art into our
lives. Some of Miller’s works are
displayed at the following website
www.rembrent.com/gallery.htm.
Dr. Jay R Singer
Congregation
Kol Tikvah News
Congregation Kol Tikvah in Parkland is inviting the community
to join in a Sukkah building party on Sunday, October 8 at 3:00pm.
The Sukkoth holiday is one of the most joyous Jewish holidays
and marks the end of the harvest season in Jewish history. Today,
the holiday includes the building of thatched roof huts (called
sukkahs) to remember the temporary dwellings of the Jews as they
traveled in the desert after fleeing Egypt. Building of the Sukkah is
a fun activity in which the entire family can participate.
The Sukkah Building Party includes building the sukkah, making
decorations and enjoying music and food with the congregation
and friends. There will also be an opportunity to shake customary
lulav and etrog in the completed sukkah.
SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR YOUTH SABBATH
On Friday, Oct. 20th, Temple Beth Orr in Coral Springs at its Shabbat
Experience service at 6:30 pm, will join with congregations and other
houses of worship of all faiths in the 15th annual national observance
of Children's Defense Fund Sabbath.
Dr. Barbara Weinstein, Director of Family Central, will speak about
the urgent needs of children in our community, with special emphasis
on the needs of the nation’s nine million children without health
insurance. You will have the opportunity to put your faith into action
by learning what you can do to help and commit to helping children
throughout the year, through prayer, compassionate service, and
justice-seeking advocacy.
Come early for pre-Shabbat snacks and gather information on how
you can help the children in our community and our world.
This service is sponsored by the Social Action Committee,
Sisterhood, and Brotherhood. For more information call
Judie Goren 954-366-1517.
The party is free to the entire community, but an RSVP to the
temple office at 954-346-7878 is requested.
Several controversial ethical issues continue to be addressed
through a special adult education ethics program at Congregation
Kol Tikvah in Parkland. Guest speakers include subject matter
experts who will present current Jewish thoughts on a number of
often difficult topics.
On October 11th at 7:30pm Rabbi Michael Simon will tackle
Justice Ethics, including Jewish views on the Death Penalty. Rabbi
Simon, a former attorney and prosecutor in New York and New
Jersey, is currently the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Kodesh in
Boynton Beach. Rabbi Simon is a frequent lecturer in South Florida
on topics related to early rabbinic thought, Jewish law and Midrash.
The next program on October 24th at 8pm will be lead by Rabbi
Edwin Cole Goldberg who will cover War Ethics. Rabbi Goldberg
is the current spiritual leader of Temple Judea in Coral Gables.
Rabbi Goldberg lived three years in Jerusalem as a Hebrew
University Fellow and holds a doctorate from Hebrew Union
College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Goldberg is the
author of three books, Midrash for Beginners; Heads and Tales:
Stories of the Sages to Enlighten Our Minds; and Swords and
Plowshares: Jewish Views of War and Peace. He also has
published numerous articles and sermons. He has served as an
adjunct professor at the University of Miami in the Departments
of Judaic and Religious Studies.
Congregation Kol Tikvah also has programs as part of the Ethics
Series planned for November 8th which will cover Environment
Ethics and November 29th dealing with Social Action Ethics led by
Rabbi Mark Buchbinder.
All programs are free to the entire community, but an RSVP to the
temple office at 954-346-7878 is requested.
the PARKLANDER
57
Elaine Baker Gallery
ARTWALKS
By Terryl Lawrence
Rosenbaum Contemporary
Are you ready for “SEASON”
with its abundance of holidays
and activities? Are you prepared
for the festive celebrations, the
influx of snowbirds, and the
arrival of relatives from the
North who want to bask inn
Florida’s warmth for a few days
at your personal “hotel”?
main exhibition hall leads to many smaller rooms where you will
behold colorful and imaginative gems by acclaimed artists.
Are
you
taxing
your
imagination to find some special
excursions to make this time
memorable? Eureka! I have
some fantastic ideas for you.
The artists represented by Gallery Camino Real work in a widerange of mediums - painting, printmaking, steel, wood, bronze,
glass, ceramics, and photography. If you enjoy the primitive arts
you will also find masks, statues and other tribal artifacts. Each
corner you turn holds a dramatic visual surprise.
First, you must visit “Gallery
Center” in Boca Raton. This
premier center houses seven
major galleries in a handsome
and enormous contemporary
space. No matter what your
individual preference in art may
be - from the cutting-edge to the
antiquities - you will find upscale
examples to savor here. Stroll
with me from one gallery to the
next and let me wet your appetite
for the treasures that await you.
The Elaine Baker Gallery focuses on figurative and abstract
contemporary American and International art, with selections in
paintings, photography, sculpture and works on paper. The bright
Michel Pellus, "At The Bar VI", 42 x 108 inches, Oil on Canvas
Habitat Galleries represents today’s artists who work in many
different forms of glass from blown to hand-worked in a variety of
hot and cold processes. This unique two-story space is dazzling in
its array of fragile to massive pieces and a visit here will enlighten
you as to the new directions of this sparkling medium. Be sure to
hold your children’s hands in here!
Rosenbaum Contemporary features handsome works by modern
American and European masters, and has an impressive collection
of Picasso ceramics. If you are more interested in antiquities, the
Griffin Gallery specializes in ancient art. Pieces from Greece, Rome
and Egypt, as well as Pre-Columbian and Native American artifacts
are exquisitely displayed with the gallery’s treasures from the Far
East. Photorealism is the focus at the Caesarea Gallery. Many of the
painters represented here are from Latin America and their largescale works are inviting and often make you feel like dancing. The
Karen Lynne Gallery ends our tour. Here you will discover
works by today’s avant garde painters and sculptors.
The staff members at these superb spaces are knowledgeable and
willingly share historical information with visitors. Exhibitions
change monthly throughout October to April, and on the second
Thursday of each month from 6.30pm 8.30pm there is a lively opening reception
where one can leisurely sip wine, engage
in the ambiance of the setting, listen to
chamber music, and mingle with the art
crowd. Thursday evening, October 12th,
is the first opening this Fall. It is going to
be spectacular.
In “Season” Gallery Center is open
Monday through Saturday from
10.00am - 5.00pm., and is located at
608 Banyan Trail.
In my ARTWALKS column I select
sites that are within relative proximity
to each other though not always
walkable. I attempt to find locations
that are both child and parent friendly
and this is especially true for my next
recommendation of BOOMERS.
BOOMERS is a well-known Boca
Raton amusement park. In order to
describe it accurately I interrupted a
neighborhood basketball game with
about a dozen players between the ages
of 4 and 15 and interviewed these
enthusiastic youngsters about Boomers.
It seems that every one of them had a birthday party there. I was
regaled with tales of fun times, pizza, and tickets for rides. The staff
assisted with everything from the planning to the invitations to the
menu. The children told me about the rides that they loved best
which sounded like all of them: the Bumper Boats, Go Karts
Jorge Lujan, "Tango Seven", 52.5 x 65 inches, Oil on Canvas
tokens. If a child is under 48” tall, and wearing socks, a special area
of climbing, crawling, sliding and playing awaits them in the safe
and secure Kiddie Playland.
I wondered if there was anything for adults to do? Parents who
joined our conversation added enthusiastically that they share in all
of the attractions as well as playing miniature
golf, and savoring the Dance Revolutions
contest. Boomers is located at 3100 Airport
Road, and if you become hungry from all that
activity, there is a snack bar with hamburgers
and other fare.
Florida Atlantic University is nearby and
can be entered on Glades Road or Spanish
River Road. The University has an exciting
and active athletic program for young women
and men, and the collegiate games on campus
are open to the public (tickets may have a
minimal fee). You are eagerly invited to attend
and cheer them on. Schedules for soccer,
volleyball, basketball and all the rest are on
line at www.fausports.com.
Patrick Garbiel, "The First Time", 48 x 48 inches, Oil on Canvas
(although the older boys would have enjoyed the carts more if they
went faster), Laser Tag, and the 32 foot Rock Climbing Wall. (It is
important to note the height and safety restrictions for each
attraction). I was told about the state-of-the-art game room which
calls for imagination and interaction. Here youngsters can lead their
own starship battle group into a deep space shoot-out, or
participate in virtual reality horse racing, snowboarding and big
time sports. Tokens are awarded for winning games and “Jonathan”
proudly told me that he is the “record holder” with a total of 20,000
FAU has a popular Performing Arts
program that attracts top name performers.
The current calendar and tickets for their
productions of Headliners, Orchestras,
Musicians, Dance and Opera can be viewed
on line at www.SunsetEt.com. You will
discover several works that the whole family
can enjoy together.
As you probably know, Boca Raton has
excellent restaurants too numerous to mention
in this column. This writer wishes you a
spectacular “Season” full of family, friends
and delicious fun.
An NEH Fellow in the Humanities, Dr. Terryl
Lawrence graduated from Columbia University and
has a doctorate in art. Her paintings and
photographs have exhibited in New York and Florida
and she teaches art at FAU and the Digital Media
Arts College in Boca Raton.
Boomers!
Story and Photography By Peter F. Grom
As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons – make
lemonade!” Tropical fruit growers, packers and owners
of Fresh King Inc., for the past 11 years, Peter and
Denisse Schnebly have taken that idea to a completely
different level. The dynamic duo along with a string of
employees sell between 15,000 to 20,000 cases of fresh
fruits and vegetables a week from their Homestead
packinghouse. In so doing, they have literally thrown away a
massive fortune over the past 11 years. Perfectly good tropical fruit
that is ripe or blemished in some small way is usually discarded. The
fruit is still good to eat, but it would never make it to market. Most of
it would become fertilizer for future crops of similar fruits. A friend
of Peters clued him in to the idea of turning the estimated 20 – 40% of
the culls into tropical fruit wines. The daring and adventurous
couple along with their daughter Monica, have over the past two
years undertaken the steps necessary to legally and technically
produce a line of fine tasting tropical
wines consisting of carambola, mango,
lychee, passion fruit and guava.
To date, the Schnebly’s have invested
$1.5 million to get their winery started.
$175,000 of that is invested in machinery
alone. Peter is quick to tell you, “When I
first approached this, there were no
books or instruction manuals to read and
learn how to set up a winery using
tropical fruit!” The only fruit presses and
crushers that existed were for grapes.
Unfortunately, none of the fruit that he is dealing with can be made
into juice as easily as a grape can. In his first year of making the
juices for wines, Schnebly’s production schedule was not steady.
However, the time he spent working with the juices reflected his
willingness and patience to experiment with very costly equipment
that was not guaranteed to work efficiently.
It might seem that the Schneblys are entering an already crowded
market, since Florida has 15 established wineries. However, none of
them deals with or makes wine from tropical fruit. The Schnebly
Redland’s Winery is Miami-Dade’s first winery and is the most
southern winery in the United States.
“We had to learn the chemistry of each tropical fruit to determine
how we could modify it and make a good wine,” Peter said. “It’s not
hard to make wine. It’s just hard to make good wine! Over the course
of the first seven months we made a couple of good wines and we
made a lot of bad ones. We threw away five to six thousand gallons
of wine last year that was just no good – mostly due to chemistry –
some of it was the fruit.”
Tropical fruit is less sweet than grapes. Peter adds white cane
sugar that will lend a sweet and appealing flavor.
The carambola that I tasted was similar to that of a typical pinot
grigio. It had a sweet after-taste but balanced out any acidity.
Another carambola wine which was made last year had a taste and
aroma of a typical Chardonnay. To give it
a special taste, this wine was aged in tanks
that contained French Oak. The passion
fruit wine was very different from the
other wines. It tasted extremely tropical
and bold and was very refreshing. The
mango had a very strong mango taste and
was somewhat dry. The lychee was my
ultimate favorite, though. It is by far one
of my most favorite types of fruit and its
wine tasted true to the fruit flavor and was
very sweet. I would have loved seconds
on the lychee alone!
The idea of making the “perfect” tropical fruit wine is pretty fluid
– but with Peter’s, Denise’s and Monica’s newly-honed skills and
determination we are all in for a full-bodied
tropical taste treat! Before all is said and done
in making wine from tropical fruit – the family
will have to learn from them – live with them –
and master them. “We want to encourage
people to come out, taste the wine, buy some of
our fruit, cheese and wine and to relax,” Peter
told the Parklander. And that we will. We’ll all
enjoy the fruits of your labor!
the PARKLANDER
Peter Schnebly
61
Spiced Pumpkin Cake
This is an easy loaf cake recipe with
pumpkin and spices. Use the butter
frosting or your own favorite cream
cheese frosting.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 2 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup pumpkin purée,
canned or homemade*
PREPARATION:
Butter and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a mixing bowl,
cream butter and sugar; add eggs and continue beating until light
and fluffy. Stir in chopped pecans. Sift together the flour, nutmeg,
cloves, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Add about 1/3 of the sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture; mix
well. Stir in milk. Add remaining sifted ingredients alternately with
the pumpkin purée. Pour batter into pan; bake pumpkin cake at 350°
for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto
cake rack. When cool, frost with Butter Frosting, below, or frost with
Cream Cheese Frosting.
Butter Frosting
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
In a mixing bowl, cream butter; blend in half of the confectioners'
sugar. Mix in milk and vanilla, then add remaining sugar and beat
until smooth. Enough to frost a loaf cake.
62
To make pumpkin
purée, cut pumpkin
in half, crosswise.
Remove seeds
and membranes.
Place
on
a
greased baking
sheet, cut side
down, and bake at
325° for 1 hour, or until
tender. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove
pulp and place in blender or processor. Purée or process until
smooth. Place in a cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer or sieve and let
drain into a bowl for about an hour. When dripping has stopped, put
purée into a container, cover, and refrigerate if not using right away.
Cream Cheese Frosting
• 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
PREPARATION:
Beat cream cheese with water and vanilla; gradually add sugar,
beating until smooth and spreading consistency. Makes 1 1/2
cups, enough to frost top and sides of a 9-inch square cake or top
of a 13 x 9-inch cake.
the PARKLANDER
The Pumpkins are Coming
The 10th annual Parkland Pumpkin Patch will take
place Saturday, October 14th and will run through
Sunday, October 30th or until the pumpkins are gone! The
Parkland Woman’s Club needs volunteers to help at the
pumpkin patch daily from 10am-6pm. To find out more
information about the Pumpkin Patch, please visit
http://parklandpumpkinpatch.tripod.com. Anyone interested in
volunteering is asked to contact Linda Douglas via email
pumpkin.patch@comcast.net. Net proceeds from the Pumpkin
Patch benefit charitable organizations supported by the
the PARKLANDER
63
Carlucci’s
Italian Restaurant
By Charles Marcanetti
T
here are six Carlucci’s Restaurants in our area. All are owned by
the Troia family and, if I had to guess, I’d say that all are excellent
and worthy of your business. Here’s why. We visited the one
located at 6512 North State Road 7 (right next door to Regency Lakes
community) and the food, service, atmosphere and prices were
exceptional. The quality and quantity of the appetizers and dinners and
desserts were well balanced and the management was very sharp, well
versed and personable.
Let’s talk details. We started with a giant house salad which had the
usual lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, pepperoncini, olives,
cucumbers and bits of mozzarella cheese, topped with a most delectable
Italian dressing that we felt like eating separately with a spoon. When
we were first served, the waitress, Angelica, informed us that because of
the recent e-coli scare there was no spinach served in the salad and all
spinach items from the regular menu were discontinued until the scare
passes. That’s what I mean by “sharp”…staying current and looking out
for its customers. I could tell that Angelica was well trained because she
was attentive without being pushy and efficient without being a pest.
You think that’s obvious; all waitpersons would be like that, but here in
South Florida we have the best and the worst and so when I meet the
best I tell my readers about it. Also, Angelica “timed” our courses
perfectly, so that there were a few minutes between servings to digest
and relax but not so long as to get bored or antsy.
Next we sampled the Eggplant Rollatini Parmigiana, the Veal alla
Parmigiana and the Chicken alla Parmigiana. You should know that I
never order veal “anything” when I dine. The inhumane and cruel way
the veal calves are raised is disgusting and beyond contempt.
Boycotting veal is a noble and beneficial act. Alas, I have no right to
force my principals on you, so I tasted the veal (albeit reluctantly), and
for those of you who feel differently I am sad to say it was magnificent.
The Eggplant Rollatini was firm and tender, sweet and full bodied and
would stand up to any “homemade” recipe. The Chicken alla
Parmigiana was perfect (and may I add, makes a great substitute for the
Veal).
Giant house salad
Chicken alla Parmagiana
While most humans would be full by this time, I and my belly were
just warming up. We next feasted on two mouth-watering seafood
masterpieces: Seafood Picchi Pacchiu, which is comprised of sautéed
shrimp, mussels and clams in a sauce of crushed Roma (tangy)
tomatoes, garlic and olive oil with basil and a touch of white wine, and
Seafood Oreganate which is baked shrimp, fried calamari and
Oreganate clams and mussels topped with a lemon and tomato sauce.
These dishes are not your regular fare. It takes a professional chef to mix
the spices and blend the sauces. To do it wrong creates heartburn
waiting to happen. But, to do it right, as they do at Carlucci’s, is to
experience seafood succulence in a satisfying surrounding (ah,
alliteration).
We finished with homemade Tiramisu, Italian for pick me up, or pull
me up; and pick me up it did. It was delicious, as was the Brownie Bash,
not homemade, but who cares…it was decadent.
As I said above we visited but one of the six Carlucci’s. It stands to
reason, however, that the ethics and pride of a great Italian family which
is so demonstrated and highlighted at one great Italian Family
Restaurant would certainly carry over to the others. I’m going to visit
them all and I don’t hesitate to recommend this one and invite you to
experiment with the others. Let me know.
64
the PARKLANDER
Seafood Oreganate
Seafood Picchi Pacchiu
Hours:
Monday – Saturday
11:00 am– 11:00 pm
Sunday
12 noon – 11:00 pm
the PARKLANDER
65
66
the PARKLANDER
By Sandra Lewis
From Bach to
Black Belts
Ta l e n t e d K i d s D o I t A l l
Their names are Victoria, Christina, Samuel and Audrey and the
casual observer would note that they seem to be typical school
children. However, these talented, bright and oh-so-very-active
kids won’t be found
hanging out at the mall
after school, nor for that
matter, will you find them
scoring points with the
latest video game. They are
representative of a group of
budding musicians from
South Florida, and not one
of them is older than 13
years old.
Victoria Comulada, the
daughter of Albert and
Camela Comulada, dedicates
much of her free time to
From left to right;
playing the piano and flute.
Christina Comulada,Victoria Comulada
Her sister Christina also
plays piano and they are both enrolled at Music Makers in Coconut
Creek, a well-known music summer camp program owned by
Jamille Nogueira. The girls both perform once a year with the
National Federation of Music. Proud mom Camela says that “piano
is the foundation of any interest and it has helped my daughters in
math and to focus on getting good grades.” Victoria
and Christina have also made time in their busy
schedules to obtain
Junior Black Belts in
Karate as well.
challenge”. Samuel
has been playing for
three years and is also
a math wiz who has
won several awards
with his math group
at
Eagle
Ridge
Elementary.
Audrey Mason is the
8 year old daughter of
Sharyn
and
Audrey
is
talented
Don.
a
very
musician
Audrey Mason
from the Morla Music Academy in Coral Springs. Audrey plays
Mozart and Beethoven and has performed at concerts sponsored by
the Suzuki Association of South Florida and at the Broward Public
Library. Rosana Torres Morla, owner of the academy says music
classes “provide students with a positive environment for
exploring all aspects of music and music instruction also teaches
children to learn by ear and memory, mimicking the manner in
which they learned language. Later, they progress to reading”
David Li praised the Music Makers method and commented, “the
teachers focus on different pieces which require different skills”, as
opposed to practicing just one or two pieces until
they are performed to perfection. Sharyn Mason said
that the Morla school encourages a learning
“triangle” composed of student, teacher and parent
and she has found that that method has worked very
well for her budding artist.
Samuel Li, the son of
David and Karen is
already an accomplished
pianist at the ripe old age
of 10. He takes classes
Samuel Li
at Music Makers, and
his dad agrees with Victoria’s mom
that studying the piano has helped
Samuel to improve his math skills and
his ability to reason and “think things
through”. “Kids easily loose focus and
piano presents them with a learning
Artwork by Samuel Li
67
EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT
Held At Stoneman Douglas High School
By: Jeb Niewood
On
Thursday
August
17,
an
educational
summit for District
4 (which includes
Parkland
and
Coral Springs) was
held
in
the
auditorium
at
Stoneman Douglas
High School. The
summit
was
hosted by District 4
S c h o o l
Board
Member,
Stephanie Arma
Parkland Mayor Michael Udine and
Kraft, Esq. The
District 4 School Board Member,
purpose of the
summit was to
Stephanie Arma Kraft, Esq.
provide
elected
city officials and staff, education advisory board members,
parents and other stakeholders with updates, news and
information about the District. Among the many dignitaries to
attend were Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frank Till, Parkland
Mayor Michael Udine, Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook, and a
number of city commissioners from both Parkland and
Coral Springs.
Ms. Kraft made her feelings known that District 4 has the best
schools in the county. She proudly proclaimed that every
elementary and middle school in the district was an A school. At the
high school level, Ms. Kraft lauded Stoneman Douglas High School
for achieving an A grade and in so doing recognized Stoneman
Douglas Principal Ann Andersen-Kowalski. Ms. Kraft also
expressed her pride in Taravella, Coral Springs and Coral Glades
High Schools for achieving a B grade.
Superintendent Till remarked that the county as a whole
experienced the best school opening in his memory, and paid
tribute to the elected officials and parents of Parkland and Coral
Springs for their support, volunteerism and partnership with the
schools in the two respective cities.
Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook stated his city has made
mentoring and affordable housing two of its priorities. He noted
that on August 15 the Coral Springs City Commission passed an
affordable housing ordinance designed to keep excellent teachers
in the district. The city’s focus will be to provide mortgage
and down payment assistance as well as committing land for
affordable housing.
Mayor Michael Udine of the City of
Parkland
stated the elected officials as
Education and
well as residents have a tremendous
education related commitment to the education of their
subjects are
children. Education and education
related subjects are among the top
among the top
priorities when the city government
priorities when
meets for strategic planning. Mayor
the city
Udine made special note of the close
government meets relationship that the City of Parkland
has with Dr. Till, Ms. Kraft as well as a
for strategic
close partnering relationship with the
planning.
City of Coral Springs, when it comes to
the education of our children. Mayor
Udine also noted that Parkland has started an Educational
Advisory Board to assist in the goal of keeping our schools not only
the best in the county, but the best in the state.
Maggie Zalamea, Director, Office of Government Relations,
noted Broward County is the 6th largest school district in the
United States and that state spending will not cover the costs
needed by Broward County;
I. Benjamin Leong, CFO, gave a funding overview and spoke
about the 5 year facilities plan;
Michael Garretson, Deputy Superintendent, Facilities and
Construction Management, gave a status report on the state of our
school facilities and noted damage due to hurricanes last year
amounted to 150 million dollars and construction costs have gone
up 49%. Mr. Garretson stated that 2,400 classrooms have or will
be added to county schools in response to the class size
reduction mandate.
68
the PARKLANDER
Tom Moore, Director,
School
Boundaries,
noted that in Parkland
alone,
over
500
certificates of occupancy
will be issued over the
next year. Mr. Moore
stated
two
new
elementary schools are
planned in Parkland.
The first is scheduled to
open in January 2008
but funding does not
yet exist for the second
planned elementary
school. He also stated
that a 36 classroom
addition is planned
for Stoneman Douglas
High School.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frank Till.
Tom Coates, Executive Director, Facilities Management, Planning
and Site Acquisition, remarked that providing affordable housing
for the county’s teachers and staff is an area of close focus. He said
the Board is looking to convert land not suitable for schools and
other vacant land into affordable housing sites. Mr. Coates also
noted that the Board hosts housing expos where builders are invited
to participate to work with teachers. A comprehensive report on this
topic is due to be delivered to the Board in late 2006.
The final speaker was Dr. Joseph Melita, Executive Director,
Professional Standards and Special Investigative Unit, who spoke
on the topic of school security. Dr. Melita stated that his office is
responsible for the internal affairs of 40,000 employees and
indicated that much of his work is performed in collaboration with
area police and fire departments. As a result of these partnering
efforts, the Board has received in excess of one million dollars in
grants. Dr. Melita also spoke about a new security system being
introduced in the District known as STAR (Security Tracking And
Response). STAR is a high-speed image and data tracking system
designed to track and document visitors and employees entering
school board buildings. Visitors will be screened before clearance is
given to proceed through a campus.
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Parkland Library October Events
Friday, October 6th 1:00pm: Senior Program Film Viewing
Take a voyage back to the Titanic, enjoy dessert and watch the
movie. Registration required; ages 55+. 954 757-4200.
Tuesday, October 17th 4:00pm: Kid’s Craft and Cookies
Children, 8 and up, are invited to create a Halloween craft, hear
a Halloween story and have a treat. Parkland Library card holders
only. Registration required. 954 757-4200.
Saturday, October 21st 10:30 Family Flix:
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
See the classic Charlie Brown Halloween tale on the big screen.
All ages! Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an
adult. Treats will be served. Parkland Library card holders only.
Registration required. 954 757-4200.
Saturday, October 21st 1:00 - 2:00pm: Book Discussion
Award-winning writer Kim Edwards’s The Memory Keeper’s
Daughter is a brilliantly crafted family drama. A rich and deeply
moving page-turner, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter captures the
way life takes unexpected turns and how the mysterious ties that
hold a family together help us survive the heartache that occurs
when long-buried secrets burst into the open. Refreshments will
be served. Registration required. 954-757-4200.
Saturday, October 21st 2:30pm - 4:00pm: Belly Dance Class
Learn the sacred art of belly dance with Maja, Girl of the Nile. The
dancers will experience basic belly dance slow and fast moves, magical
70
circles, and the secrets
of the veil. No
experience required.
Parkland Library card
holders only. Registration is required. 954 757-4200.
Monday, October 30th 3:30pm: Annual Library Halloween
Storytime and Trick or Treat Walk
Come in costume and celebrate Halloween with spooky stories
and songs. We’ll make Trick or Treat bags and fill them up as we
trick or treat throughout the library and City Hall. Children ages 3
and up unaccompanied by adults are welcome. Little spooks 2
and under are invited to trick or treat with the group after the
stories and craft. Must be a Parkland Library card holder to
attend. Registration required. 954 757-4200
Sunday, November 5, 2pm:
Parkland Library Author’s Showcase
If you have published a book in the past three years, the
Parkland Library invites you to participate in an Authors
Showcase in conjunction with the Parkland Days event. There will
be an opportunity to sell and sign your books, and to discuss the
process of writing them. To apply, please contact the Parkland
Library at (954) 757-4200 or email library@cityofparkland.org.
the PARKLANDER
by Dayna Malek
In 2003 the College Academy at Broward Community College
opened its doors for the first time, accepting 130 students to be its
first graduating class.
The Academy is a full time dual enrollment program for qualified
students. Students take both high school and college classes at
BCC’s Central Campus in Davie. According to the Academy
website, students who pass the entrance test have the “opportunity
to receive a college ready diploma from The School Board of
Broward County, Florida and an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from
Broward Community College. Additionally, students are afforded
the opportunity to qualify for the State of Florida Bright Futures
Scholarship Program.”
The Academy is definitely not for everyone. It is a program for the
motivated that know they are supposed to do their homework
without anyone standing over their shoulder. It is a program for
those students who have the ability to take college classes starting
their junior year and, of course, to do well in those classes (one must
maintain a 2.5 college GPA). “College Academy is a great way to get
ahead in life if you are able to handle the pressure,” said Adam
Malek, a senior.
Qualified Broward County high school sophomores each school
year receive a letter from the Academy explaining the program and
asking them to come to an information session. Applications are
then taken and successful candidates will begin at the Academy in
their junior year. Every year, more than 600 applications are received
- less than 200 are accepted. If you are accepted and decide to join the
program be aware, this is not typical high school, so we don’t have
cheerleading, football, drama club or the like (Academy students are
welcome to join almost all BCC’s clubs other then its sport teams).
“Even though the program didn’t have as many clubs as my old
school, it was still worth it,” said Gisselle Martinez, a senior.
I am a senior at the College Academy and I love it! I applied to the
program because I was tired of being bored in honor level classes at
my old high school and I felt I needed a challenge. At the age of 16, I
was a junior in high school and a freshman at college. I was actually
taking college classes with professors, some with doctorate degrees.
For the first time in my educational experience I was being treated
like an adult, I was the one fighting to get that “A” in philosophy,
and if I failed, well it would be my fault, no one else’s.
Students who complete the senior year graduate with a high
school diploma and an AA degree; they are two years ahead of their
friends in a regular high school. Another wonderful aspect is that
these two years at College Academy are free, so if a student wins a
100% Bright Futures Scholarship and stays instate, well, she’s just
saved her parents a whole lot of money!
The teachers at the Academy are not typical teachers; all the
teachers are qualified as college professors, most have been
nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award and a few have even
won. College Academy is a great opportunity for students who are
motivated and are willing to work hard. It is a challenging program
yet it does have its perks. “I always love saying I’m a CA student, no
one really knows what it is, but once I explain everything, then they
get how amazing such a program really is. And I realize how lucky I
am to be there!” said Martinez.
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the PARKLANDER
Shape Shop Dazzles
The Shape Shop , shines with a new
look this fall. The long established, well
respected dance shop, has a newly
renovated shoe department with new
furniture, a wood dance floor and a
ballet barre, set in a stage-like feel that
will delight dancers. What is unique
about the Shape Shop is the tremendous
inventory. Little girl dance dresses line the
walls, black leotards dominate the floor racks
and, whatever the dance, they have the shoe. With
over 20 different styles of pointe and ballroom shoes, expert fitting
and, always a 10% discount, this is truly an exceptional dance
store. Mom’s can also enjoy shopping for themselves in the
fashion/fitness department. Pick up a cute, comfortable outfit by
Twisted Heart, Hardtail, or Sow Low. Or maybe, a new pair of
jeans by J& Co., David Kahn, or Blue Tattoo paired with a great top
by Yogi. From the youngest “tiny dancer” to “carpool moms”
Shape Shop is worth the trip from anywhere.
9882 Glades Rd # E7, Boca Raton, FL 33434
561-482-7009
the PARKLANDER
73
High School
the
Larger than Life
Experience
By Ujas Parikh
Summer 2006 had an end, it seemed that “fun” had been
washed away. That familiar feeling of anxiousness, nervousness
and excitement was built up; at least for the group of kids who
were about to encounter their first days at high school. High
school is a melting pot, a learning center where teens discover,
interact, and study; an establishment where groups of friends
share good and bad moments in a “larger than life” environment.
The diverse student population, the rigorous classes, and the
greater individual freedom startled many newcomers. In many
ways, freshmen may have had to adapt to high school to be
successful, both in school and out. Adaptation is a necessity for
most freshmen because of the nature of the environment.
Devan Patel, a freshman attending the International
Baccalaureate program at Deerfield Beach High School and a
resident of Parkland, encountered the new “world” of high
school. When asked what his first reactions were of high school,
he stated, “The teachers are very individual oriented which helps
each and every student. The classes are intense and well
conducted. On a more general level, there is a more diverse
population of students and a lot more freedom than in middle
school.” He added, “I could practically sit anywhere I feel
comfortable to eat my lunch, and I could talk to other students
during lunch time and in between classes.” Patel, like many
freshmen, have adapted to this change, by making new friends,
joining clubs, and joining sports. “By joining water polo at
Deerfield Beach High, teammates quickly became friends, this
gave me confidence in school and out of school”.
Melinda Stang, another freshman attending the IB program at
Deerfield Beach High School was relaxed about the first day of
high school. “I was rather used to it since I was familiar with the
campus through my friends”. Patel added, “It was kind of just
transitioning to another location.” When asked about adapting to
the new lifestyle, she responded, “I made some new friends,
along with my old friends who are in water polo and swimming.”
Many freshmen, like Stang and Patel, recognized the differences
between high school and middle school, and have made their
way into a high school lifestyle.
High school impacts a student’s life, and conversely, a student
can impact their school. It is an experience one can never forget.
Freshmen can best tackle the
intimidation by being
themselves,
working hard,
and adapting
to the new
environment.
Doing well in
high
school,
starting
with
freshman year,
will guarantee a
higher education and
a more successful life.
74
the PARKLANDER
A Wonderful Beginning!
Park Springs was honored by Florida governor Jeb Bush, as one of
the Top 100 high-performing elementary schools in our state for the
2005-2006 academic year.
Couple this with the fact that Park Springs has for the 3rd year in a
row, earned an “A” in the Governor’s A+ accountability plan. In
addition, Park Springs made the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
goals set forth by the Federal No Child Left Behind Act. "I am proud
of the commitment and dedication each and every staff member
embraces to help every child be the best they can be!" said Mrs.
Pontillo, Principal of Park Springs.
We look forward to the 2006-2007 school year. We have many
wonderful programs scheduled and we hope you will all be a part of
the excitement!
Our School Advisory Forum (SAF) presents a new speaker series.
Speakers at our monthly SAF meetings focus on topics of concern
to our parents and offers an open discussion. Our first speaker at
our September 27th meeting discussed internet safety (iSAFE).
Prevention Specialists from Broward County Schools, Jennifer
Thomas and Suzanne Edgar spoke along with our School
Resource Officer, Natalie Mocny. The SAF meeting begins at 6pm
in the school cafeteria.
Box Tops for Education
We recently launched our 2006-2007 Box Tops for Education
fundraising campaign. Please send in your Box Tops and your class
may win an ice cream party. The top 3 classes will each win.
You can join the Box Tops Booster Club at ww.boxtops4education.com.
Not only will you get the chance to help our school earn cash, but
you'll get wonderful rewards for your family! Money-saving
coupons, easy mealtime solutions, children's book reviews, and
family movie recommendations, just to name a few. -Thank you for
your support!
Park Springs Student Book Drive
Do you have books that your children have outgrown, never read or
are just taking up space on your shelves? We would love to put them
to good use. In order to establish new classroom library collections at
Park
Springs
we
are
conducting a new or gently
used book drive. Bring in books
that are appropriate for
children aged kindergarten
through fifth grades and place
them in the collection box in the
main
office.
For
more
information, please call the
school at (754) 322-7750. -We
greatly appreciate your donations!
This year's Fall Safety Carnival
will take place on Saturday
November 4th. If you would
like to volunteer time,
organizing a part of the
carnival or donate raffle items,
food, beverages, or services,
please contact the PSE PTA at
(754) 322-7750. Help is greatly
appreciated! Anyone wishing
to have a Booth at the Fall
Carnival may purchase one for
$50.00 per booth or donation of
raffle item of equal value. This offer is limited to the 1st 10
responses. Booths are subject to Broward County School Board or
Principal’s approval.
Halloween Bingo
We look forward to seeing you at our famous PSE Family Night ...
Halloween Bingo on October 25th from 6-8pm includes pizza,
bingo and prizes!
Park Springs PTA
Please support PSE’s PTA! Through their efforts, our students have
benefited tremendously. The membership drive is ongoing and
your membership can make a difference! You’ll be glad you did! For
more information contact PSE at 754-322-7750. or email at
parkspringspta@yahoo.com.
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75
Cloning Prized Plants
By Marcy DiMare
The summer heat,
humidity and frequent
rains may have you
cutting back your
shrubs and flowers at an
Rose and Peach Hibiscus
accelerated rate. Why not
turn these cuttings into new
plants to return to your garden or
share with friends? Propagation by stem cuttings is the most
commonly used method to propagate ornamental plants. Stem
cuttings of our favorite shrubs are surprisingly easy to root.
A greenhouse is not necessary for successful propagation by stem
cuttings; however, maintaining high humidity around the cutting is
vital. If rooting only a few cuttings, you can use a flower pot. Maintain
high humidity by covering the pot with a bottomless milk jug or by
placing the pot into a clear plastic bag. Cuttings can also be placed in
plastic trays covered with clear plastic stretched over a wire frame
(Figure 2). Trays must have holes in the bottoms for drainage. The
plastic will help keep the humidity high and reduce water loss from
the cuttings.
of the cutting. On large-leafed plants,
the remaining leaves may be cut in half to reduce water loss and
conserve space.
Treating cuttings with root-promoting compounds such as Schultz
“Take Root” can be a valuable tool in stimulating rooting of some
plants that might otherwise be difficult to root. Prevent possible
contamination of the entire supply of rooting hormone by putting
some in a separate container before treating cuttings. Any material
that remains after treatment should be discarded and not returned to
the original container. Be sure to tap the cuttings to remove excess
hormone when using a powder formulation. So it is “dip-dust off-and
dunk” into the planting medium.
Procedures for Rooting Stem Cuttings
Cuttings should generally consist of the current or past season’s
growth. Avoid material with flower buds if possible. Remove any
flowers and flower buds when preparing cuttings so the cutting’s
energy can be used in producing new roots rather than flowers. Take
cuttings from healthy, disease-free plants, preferably from the upper
part of the plant. Cut back at the leaf nodes. If possible have three sets
of leaves on your cutting.
Early morning is the best time to select cuttings, because the plant is
fully turgid. It is important to keep the cuttings cool and moist until
they are stuck. An ice chest or dark plastic bag with wet paper towels
may be used to store cuttings. Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket knife or
sharp pruning shears. If necessary, dip the cutting tool in rubbing
alcohol or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to prevent
transmitting diseases from infected plant parts to healthy ones. If there
will be a delay in sticking cuttings, store them in a plastic bag in a
refrigerator. Remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half
Pink Hibiscus
76
Pink Angelwing Begonia
The rooting medium should be sterile, low in fertility, and welldrained to provide sufficient aeration. It should also retain enough
moisture so that watering does not have to be done too frequently.
Materials commonly used are coarse sand, a mixture of one part peat
and one part perlite (by volume), or one part peat and one part sand
(by volume). Vermiculite by itself is not recommended, because it
compacts and tends to hold too much moisture. The medium should
be watered while being used. When you squeeze a handful of
medium only a small amount of water should drip.
Insert the cuttings one-third to one-half their length into the
medium. Maintain the vertical orientation of the stem (do not insert
the cuttings upside down). Make sure the buds are pointed up. Space
cuttings just far enough apart to allow all leaves to receive sunlight.
Cover the cuttings with plastic and place in indirect light and avoid
direct sun. Keep the medium moist until the cuttings have rooted.
Rooting will be improved if the cuttings are misted on a regular basis.
Rooting time varies with the type of cutting, the species being rooted,
and environmental conditions. But seeing roots is a good sign of
success.
Newly rooted cuttings should not be transplanted directly into the
landscape. Instead, transplant them into containers or into a bed.
Growing them to a larger size before transplanting to a permanent
location will increase the chances for survival. Experiment with
different plants, almost all of them can be duplicated. Try crotons,
shrimp plants, creeping fig, bougainvillea, hibiscus, even roses. Enjoy
cloning your prized plants and creating a lush garden that doesn’t cost
a kings ransom.
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City of Parkland
Celebrates Parkland Days
The City of
Parkland
will hold its
a n n u a l
parade and
festival on
S u n d a y,
November
5th. “Salute to
Our Veterans”
is the theme of
this year’s event,
with a spectacular
hometown
parade
beginning at Old City
Hall, 6500 Parkside Drive,
at 11:00 a.m. Following the
parade, the Equestrian Center
at 8350 Ranch Road, will once again
be the site for the Parkland Days
Festival featuring family-oriented activities
and entertainment including
games, music, fun-rides
for children of all ages, and
a variety of delicious food
and snacks.
Parade entrants such as
bands, horses and their
riders, civic groups, specialty
floats, and other unique
entries, are encouraged to
maintain a patriotic theme.
In addition, a limited
number of Parkland City
for-profit vendors and
businesses may participate
in the parade on a firstcome, first-served basis. Food and beverage fundraising
opportunities for non-profit organizations will also be available.
For parade and/or festival details, contact the Leisure Services Department
at 954-757-4129 or e-mail gdougherty@cityofparkland.org .
Let’s get together for a day of festivities to support our community,
to demonstrate patriotism to our country, and to salute our veterans!
78
the PARKLANDER
Watching Wildlife, Safely
by Robert Loewendick
T
he young boy poked and giggled at the little reptile that he found
slithering near his campsite. A stick was the boy’s chosen tool to
steer the snake closer to a clearing where the boy planned to gather
the snake into his grip. As he did this, his older sibling came running to
see what brother had found. The older boy ordered the younger one to leave
the snake alone. He didn’t.
The boy reached for the snake’s tail, but the snake was much faster. The
snake struck the boy’s hand faster than he could react. The snake hung on for
a few seconds while the young snake master screamed for help. The snake
dropped to the ground as the youngster leaped to his feet and began to dance,
running over his older brother. The screams brought the parents running
with fear and panic on their faces. After a rapid explanation from the older
brother of what had happened, the father began hunting for the snake.
One of the highlights of the outdoors that draws millions of
visitors each year to the wilds is the wildlife. Spotting a wild animal
while hiking, biking or driving is a thrill. Especially if the animal is
hardly seen any other time. It doesn’t have to be a huge critter to get
attention, but no matter what the size of a wild animal, they do
require a large dose of respect from humans.
distance
away from
the animal.
Again, this is
beneficial for both
involved. Most times
when a human and wild
animal confrontation is in the
news, the animal normally is the one who is taken away. That
is appropriate if the animal is causing mayhem, but many times
it is the human that creates havoc, but the animal pays the
price. For the best interest for both parties, keep at a distance.
Don’t feed. Don’t tantalize. Don’t touch. Simply watch, hence
wildlife viewing.
As humans infiltrate the edges of wild habitat, with housing or
other development, the numbers of wildlife sightings and
experiences will continue to increase. This brings cause for people
to remind themselves of the fact that the cute little critter walking
near the backyard fence is still a wild animal and needs to be treated
as such. When folks attempt to interact with wild animals is
normally when things go bad.
Wildlife viewing is a growing pastime and it is no wonder. But
there is a huge difference between viewing and interacting with
wildlife. Hundreds of books have been published on the subjects
recently that are the provisions for the great demand that continues
to grow across the nation. People are naturally curious about the
animals that they meet and want to know more about them. A
guidebook in hand is a safe way to learn about the behavior of the
animal being watched. It is safe for both the viewer and the viewed.
The best way to get up close to a wild animal is with a camera
lens. A zoom lens that is, one that keeps the photographer a safe
Even the best wildlife experts in the world take risks they
shouldn’t, but they understand the circumstances and
consequences that are possible. A famous, wild animal expert,
possibly the most recognized human in regards to wildlife
encounters lost his life recently. A freak accident yes, but was the
possibility of a tragic ending there all along? Absolutely.
A camper sitting nearby saw the garter snake attack. Well, it
wasn’t an attack really, simply a reaction to the situation, a natural
reaction. The neighboring camper informed the boys’ parents of the
incident, which relieved the parents in the sense of physical harm to
their child. The bite caused more mental anguish to the boy than it
did physically. A lesson well learned.
Take the time to enter the wild and natural world that intersects
ours, either on their turf or ours. Just do it sensibly. Keep your
physical distance and enjoy the actions, antics and displays of the
wild in a safe manner. Shoot several photos to share with friends
and relatives, or simply sit back and be entertained. Wildlife is a
benefit and provides a pleasant addition to the hectic lives we live
today, providing it is done with respect.
Robert Loewendick is an award-winning freelance outdoor/sports writer. E-mail
him at loewendick@theparklander.com.
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Let’s Make a Difference!
Step Up for Women in Distress
I
t’s time to put on your walking/running shoes! Women In
Distress of Broward County invites you to join us at the
Eighth Annual 5K SAFE Walk-Run. On Oct. 7, every step you
take can help a domestic violence victim take a step in the right
direction. Women In Distress’ Eighth Annual 5K SAFE Walk-Run,
is a fun way to make a significant difference in our community by
raising funds to support the agency’s programs and raise
awareness of the issue of domestic violence. The event will take
place 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Markham Park (16001 W. State
Road 84, Sunrise). Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
Emmy Award-winning Lynn Martinez, anchor of WSVN’s 7
News and co-host of Deco Drive, will once again lead the race
against domestic violence. She will be joined by Froggy from Y100’s Elvis Duran & The Y Morning Zoo Show. More than 50
corporate, university and community teams have been formed to
support the event. Participating teams include local universities,
Carpenter Contractors of America, Broward Sheriff’s Office,
BankAtlantic, American Express, Comerica Bank, World Savings
Bank and others.
This year, we are inviting high school students to establish
teams for their schools. Teens are the fastest growing population
.
experiencing
domestic
violence. Participating in the
SAFE
Walk-Run
helps
students learn about healthy
relationships and resources
available to them. South
Broward, Marjorie Stoneman
Douglas, Stranahan and
Chaminade-Madonna are
among the more than two
dozen schools already
signed up.
One in four women has a
personal experience with
domestic violence. This
year
alone,
Broward
County has witnessed five
stories of domestic violence
that resulted in the deaths
of six victims - four adults
and two children. Their
tragic deaths show the
need for Women In
Distress’ services is still in
great demand. Last year’s
SAFE Walk-Run raised
more than $60,000 to help women and their families escape
abusive relationships. The fundraising goal this year is $75,000.
Along with teams, individual walkers and runners are also
encouraged to join in the fun and support an important cause.
This year the 5K (3.1 miles) SAFE Walk-Run is a USATFcertified course and participating runners will be chip timed.
Supervised pets on leashes are welcome to enjoy the morning in
the park. Breakfasts and massages will be available upon
crossing the finish line.
Sponsors include JM Family Enterprises, Inc., South Florida
Sun-Sentinel, Memorial Healthcare Systems,
Motorola,
American Intercontinental University, Galloway Office Supply
& Furniture, Coldwell Banker, Mary Cheaney, Colonial Bank,
WSVN Channel 7 and Y-100. Underwriters include the Florida
Marlins Foundation.
Please visit www.womenindistress.org to register for the 5K SAFE
Walk-Run. The cost for an individual to participate is $20.
Participants can also register on the day of the event beginning at
6:30 a.m. for $25. Online registration and fundraising options
are available. The registration fee for members of teams who
raise $1,000 or more will be waived. All proceeds raised will
benefit Women In Distress. Each $100 raised can fund two hours
of group counseling, and $1,000 can provide 18 days of safety,
counseling, food and clothing to battered women and their
children in our shelters.
Go to www.womenindistress.org for registration information or
call Nancy Leve at 954-760-9800, ext. 1253.
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the PARKLANDER
ThinkPink!
By Claudia Barrington, RN
The most devastating loss of life for women from breast cancer
occurs between the ages of 40 and 50. Fortunately, women today
have more options available to them to help in the detection of
breast cancer than in past decades. Unfortunately, education and
awareness of these options and their effectiveness in detecting
breast cancer at different stages in life are woefully deficient.
For women under the age of 40, no accurate or cost effective
technology exists in mainstream medical practice that identifies
lesions likely to be breast cancer with reasonable sensitivity and
specificity. Given that breast cancer is the leading cause of death in
women between the ages of 40 and 44, it is obvious that a pressing
need exists for another test to identify cancers when they are just
starting to develop and still small enough to be cured.
Because most lethal breast cancers take approximately 15 years
from their beginning to the time of death, women
need reliable testing that starts when the cancer is
initially forming –in their late twenties. Even though
there is reliable technology existing today, such as
Breast Thermography, there is limited awareness
and insufficient education that has resulted in it
being greatly underused in clinical practice.
Normal
Abnormal
cancer. Clearly, clinical breast exams are important but are also late
detection, as most breast cancers do not become palpable until they
are greater than one centimeter in size. By that time 25% have
already metastasized.
Your other option, FDA approved Breast Thermography or
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging. This technique uses a heatsensing scanner to detect variations in the
temperature of breast tissue. It does this with a
high degree of sensitivity and accuracy. It’s noninvasive, 100% safe and is painless.
Women’s lives are
at stake here!
Breast thermograms identify highly specific
thermal vascular patterns in each individual
woman. Like a fingerprint this unique “thermal
signature” remains constant over years unless
there is change in an underlying condition. The
nature of tumor growth increases the amount of
blood flow and alters set patterns. Thermography offers the first
glance and earliest detection of breast changes as compared to
mammography, and self breast exams.
A better breast
test is available!
The effectiveness and shortcomings, of various
breast screening detection methods used by the
mainstream medical community are well
documented. For example, Mammograms, the gold standard exam
of today, have a false-positive rate of 89%, often resulting in
unnecessary surgery and emotional trauma. In women 40 and
under, mammography can miss up to 40% of cancers due to dense
breast tissue. Because this method is dependent on the tumor
growing to a certain size, which can take any where from 8-10 yrs
before detection is possible, it is considered late detection. In
addition, there is health risks associated with the low dose radiation
used in mammography. It is responsible for cellular DNA damage
and mutation, setting the stage for breast cancer to occur. Clinical
breast exams discover only 60% of women who actually have breast
84
D.I.T.I is appropriate for women of all ages, safe for those women
with implants and effective for chest wall evaluations in post
mastectomy patients. Come join the thousands of women who
have chosen Thermal Imaging for their annual breast-screening
exam because it is quick, convenient, comfortable and effective.
Claudia Barrington is a principal of South Florida Thermography.
Contact her at barrington@theparklander.com.
the PARKLANDER
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(N.E. corner of Wiles
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the PARKLANDER
85
Ask The Nutritionist
FLU SHOT
Q: My doctor recommended a flu shot. He said Avian
Flu and seasonal influenzas are a concern. I am 52. What
do you think?
My approach is quite different. The way to avoid becoming ill
with the flu (or colds, sore throats and other seasonal illnesses)
would be to focus more on immune system support. By
optimizing and energetically supporting immunity, your
advanced and highly adaptable body functions address
exposure to viruses. Viruses of all types are identified in this
way
- not merely what has been a focus of vaccine
manufacturers as THE seasonal threat. Viruses can be
controlled by an effective immune response along with
reasonable common sense measures such as quality hand
washing* and learning not to touch your hands to your face.
There are so many mutations; it is difficult if not impossible
for vaccine manufacturers to create a combination of viral
particles that are 100% effective against the viral threat that
ultimately appears in the population.
The additional information most important is the potential
damage done to your body with the unnatural delivery of the
viral particles – INJECTION!
In nature, one would become infected by a virus through the
respiratory tract – inhaling a virus. Or, the infection could
occur by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching
your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes.
We also need to be aware of doses that may contain more ore
less of the viral particles as they may be unevenly dispersed
throughout the multi-dose vials. Further contaminants not
desirable to be injected would be the preservatives (possibly
thimerosol – MERCURY) or other chemicals. High levels in the
body of mercury, a heavy metal, not only displace nutrient
minerals but also can be associated with neurological illness.
My suggestions to those individuals in a high-risk category
(aged, infirm, chronically ill, recent surgery patients,
chemotherapy patients) would be to follow the advice of your
86
by Janet Cimorelli
physician. Your physician is the best one to advise you
regarding how your immune system may react to the vaccine. It
is possible that your immune system is too weak to risk further
assault in a vaccine.
For all of those interested in minimizing their possibility to
becoming ill, or at least minimizing the severity of the illness
during the cold and flu season, here are some suggestions:
• Get enough rest
• Avoid sugar
• Consider Vitamin C
• Consider High quality probiotics
• Consider High quality essential fatty acids
• Consider using lemon juice and water on a daily basis
• Drink Green Tea
• Drink enough water
• Exercise
• Avoid junk foods and soda
• Avoid artificial sweeteners
• Eat your veggies!
*The recommendation to kindergartners was to wash with warm
water and quality soap (not necessarily anti-bacterial soap-more on
that later) while singing Happy Birthday To You. That song gives
approximately the correct timing to kill germs while hand washing.
Infectious disease specialists
have suggested that bacteria
mutate overcoming the effects of
anti-bacterial soaps, thus creating
more resistant bacterial strains.
Janet Cimorelli is a licensed nutrition
counselor and co-host of Healthline on
WLVJ 1040 AM radio. Email her at
nutrition@theparklander.com.
the PARKLANDER
find approprite button for
section
By Dr. Barry Kay
O
n Halloween, an assortment of ballerinas, clowns,
ghosts, and other goblins will have their eyes on just
one thing—candy. Roaming dimly lit neighborhoods is
part of the fun for children in pursuit of treats, but it can also
be dangerous.
“Trick-or-treaters and parents need to remember that on
Halloween, to be safe, you must be seen.” Studies have shown
that a child’s risk of injury or death as a result of being hit by a
car doubles around Halloween.
Incorporate these simple precautions into the evening’s
festivities to ensure Halloween safety:
• Dress children in light-colored costumes or adhere reflective
tape to the costume’s fabric and accessories. Make sure
children and adults are visible to passing cars.
• Eliminate masks from among the costume’s accessories.
Masks can get in the way of clear vision and can increase the
chances of tripping or running into objects.
• Hypoallergenic make-up is a safer alternative. Take care in
keeping make-up away from the eyes.
• No trick-or-treater should go in search of treats alone.
Children move through darkened
neighborhoods more safely if
accompanied by an adult.
• Approach only doorsteps that
have a porch light lit.
Similarly, if you plan to pass
out treats, be sure to turn on
your light.
• Pedestrians think they are more
visible to drivers than they
actually are, so remind
trick-or-treaters to look
both ways before
crossing streets and
to stay with the
group.
• If cosmetic
contact lenses are
part of your costume, make sure you obtain them from
your doctor of optometry to ensure that the lenses that fit
your eyes properly, and to learn ways to care for them.
Dr. Kay has more than 25 years of experience as an Optometric Physician in
South Florida. You can reach Dr Kay at drkay@theparklander.com or
954.923.5367.
88
the PARKLANDER
Riverglades Elementary Update
Riverglades is brimming with pride over the recent
announcement of its ranking as the #15 elementary school
for academic performance in the entire state of Florida (#4 in
Broward County) by Education Commissioner John L. Winn.
Principal Shelly Isenberg praised her students’ high
achievement and the Power of Teamwork evident at her school.
She commented, "Education at Riverglades continues to be a
collaborative partnership between the school and the home."
In addition, Principal Isenberg relayed that the American Heart
Association had presented a grant on behalf of Riverglades'
outstanding participation in Jump Rope for Heart to the
University of Central Florida for research in the area of strokes.
PTA President Julie Hurst and her Executive Committee and
Board continue to work towards improving the educational
opportunities at Riverglades. Here's what's in store for October.
Last spring’s popular Supermarket Math Night is returning
for the 2006-2007 school year. To lessen the congestion in the
supermarket aisles, two different calendar dates for this program
have been set. On October 11, third through fifth graders are
invited to visit the Publix at the Coral Creek Shops (at 441 &
Johnson Road). Kindergarten through second grade will have their
designated Supermarket Math Night in February.
Supermarket Math Night combines math skills with “real life”
shopping situations and activities that involve the entire family.
Students, accompanied by their parent(s), can stop by the Coral Creek
Publix between 6-7:30 on Wednesday, October 11 to participate. The kids
90
by Mona Steinberg
have a blast going up and down the aisles, calculating and completing
their worksheets, and visiting with friends at the grocery store.
All year, when you are grocery shopping, be sure to look for
General Mills products that show “Boxtops for Education” coupons
on the package. Clip those coupons and send them in to school. There
are collection boxes in each classroom and in the front office. This
year, all boxtop revenues will be earmarked specifically to enhance
science programs at Riverglades.
Are you feeling lucky? Roll with it, and be sure to purchase your
tickets for the 2nd Annual Roll with Riverglades, adult-only
fundraiser. This year's Casino Night will be held at the beautiful Boca
Pointe Country Club on Friday evening, October 20. Look for more
tables, a money machine, door prizes and many different party favors
that everyone will enjoy. Come join the fun and kick up your heels
with entertainment provided by Platinum Gold and Party Antics.
The Silent Auction promises to offer fantastic trips, theme park and
museum admissions, golf packages, sports offerings, restaurant gift
certificates, and more. You'll be amazed when you scan the table of
baskets at Casino Night and peruse the list of items available. To make
a donation for the Silent Auction, contact MaryEllen Hamilton at 954796-8973. To sponsor a casino table, contact Lori Wolk at 954-345-9541.
Looking ahead to the end of October, Riverglades' annual
Halloween parade will take place on October 31. Parents and siblings
are invited to view the parade from the interior sidewalks of the
campus. Arrive by 8:15 a.m. to secure a vantage point. Check with
your teachers and Room Parents for information about class parties
that will take place later in the day. Have a fun and safe Halloween!
the PARKLANDER
PGA TOUR TEAMS UP WITH AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU TO
RAISE FUNDS FOR U.S.TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Underscoring the PGA TOUR’s long-standing commitment to give
back, the TOUR’s TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs, FL will conduct
fundraising for U.S. troops and their families as part of America
Supports You (ASY) – a nationwide program launched by the U.S.
Department of Defense that recognizes citizens’ support for military
men and women and communicates that support to members of our
Armed Forces at home and abroad.
ASY fundraising activities at TPC Eagle Trace will
include a charity golf tournament, silent auction,
and pre and post golf fare on October 16, 2006 with
registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. and a 9:00 a.m.
shotgun. The event will also consist of an 18-hole
Shotgun, on-course activities consisting of a putting
contest, closest to the pin, longest drive, and more.
Proceeds raised at the TPC Eagle Trace as well as 22
other TPCs across the country will be distributed
equally to three beneficiaries:
Homes For Our Troops – a non-profit
organization supported by TOUR player Phil
Mickelson that adapts or builds new homes for
accessibility for servicemen and women returning to
America with serious injuries and disabilities.
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund – a non-profit
organization supported by TOUR player Rory Sabbatini
that provides financial
support for the
families of military
personnel lost in performance of their duty.
Wounded Warrior Project – A non-profit group supported by
TOUR player Frank Lickliter that provides unique, direct programs
and services to meet the needs of servicemen and women severely
injured in the line of duty.
“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to support the
brave men and women of our Armed Forces who perform selfless
acts of bravery on a daily basis in order to preserve the freedom of
all Americans,” said Brian Bartolec, General Manager. “We invite
the entire community to come out on October 16, 2006 and join us in
thanking our troops for the many sacrifices they make on
our behalf.”
Allison Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Internal
Communications and Public Liaison, said of the program, “We are
very appreciative to the PGA TOUR, TPCs and PGA TOUR players
for their hard work, generosity and support of our troops. This
extraordinary effort will go a long way toward assisting members of
the U.S. military both here and abroad.”
The TPC Eagle Trace is located at 1111 Eagle Trace Blvd, Coral
Springs, FL 33071 To participate in the event or for more
information, please call 954.753.7222.
the PARKLANDER
91
The Miami Dolphins
Enter The Daunte
Culpepper Era
Story and Photos by Peter F. Grom
F
or those who take note, the Daunte Culpepper era began on
Saturday, July 29th, 2006 at exactly 9 AM. It was then that the
6'-4", 265 pound Culpepper reported to the Dolphins’
Training Camp at Nova University in Davie, Florida. He joined
other team members hoping to make the 2006 season a winning and
monumental one. Moments after taking his first snap from center,
looking down-field for the receiver who was awaiting the toss, a
rogue thunderstorm halted the morning’s activities and forced
everyone into the team’s indoor training facility known as the
“bubble”. Changing playing surfaces is a difficult switch for many
players but Daunte was able to quickly adapt to the artificial surface
just as his teammates did.
The Dolphins acquired Daunte from the Minnesota Vikings on
March 15th, by giving up a second round draft pick in 2006. Critics
are calling Daunte a franchise-type quarterback of the same
material as Hall of Famers Dan Marino and Bob Griese. Everyone is
eagerly waiting for the offensive team pieces to come together this
season. The Dolphins were forced to make a critical change at the
quarterback position. This position had been held by several
players since 2000. These quarterbacks made poor decisions on the
field and ultimately their actions cost them easy interceptions and
led to even easier point scoring for the opposing team.
While some may have initially considered Daunte “damaged
goods”, (he is coming off a season-ending injury where he had three
ligaments repaired in his right knee during November), coach Nick
Saban remains optimistic about Culpepper’s progress. “We’re
encouraged by the progress that he’s made, and I think that’s a
tribute to him, the work that he’s done and the attitude that he has
in overcoming and rehabilitating his injury. We were surprised at
the progress that he had made, but we did have several medical
meetings with Dr. Andrews, who did the surgery, and felt pretty
good about the result and how, with his attitude, he could overcome
it. So, it’s all been a pleasant surprise for us, and we are happy about
it. We are going to continue to monitor him with his safety in mind,
relative to him continuing to make progress.”
After practice on the first day of camp, Daunte met with the
members of the press and related to them how the trade to the
Dolphins fits-in with the chapters of his life. “First, I want to start
off by saying one thing; I’ve been saying that I’ve been in the locker
room for the last six months. Now, halftime is officially over for me.
I’m officially starting my third quarter of my career, and I want to
say the latter half will be better than the first half. I’ve made some
great adjustments, I feel, since I’ve been in the locker room. When I
got hurt, I had visions to be here today and I still have visions to be
ready for the first game. I’m going to work hard to do what I have
to do to be ready.”
A vital chemistry has been developing between Daunte and the
receiver corps and it has been very noticeable. “I’ve been working
with these guys all off season. I feel very confident in the receiving
corps. You got Chris Chambers, Marty Booker, Wes Welker, Kelly
Campbell, and (Derek) Hagan, who’s a young guy. I’ve got five
guys who really can play football, not to mention, Randy
McMichael and Ronnie Brown coming out of the backfield. These
are guys who can really make things happen when they get the ball
in their hands. It makes my job a lot easier.”
92
the PARKLANDER
yards. However, two late interceptions
gave the Steelers a fourth quarter scoring
advantage and the win. His lapse of good
judgment showed traces of the past few
seasons where hasty decisions led to far
too many scoring interceptions. For the
star quarterback, this almost negated the
reason why he was brought in - to
ameliorate the interception problem.
To welcome Daunte officially, the
Dolfans that gathered to watch his
inaugural pre-season appearance
rose to their feet in unison and gave
him a standing ovation while
chanting his name loudly and
repeatedly. This has not happened
to a Dolphin’s quarterback since the
days that Dan Marino was large and
in charge in 1999!
Saban was judicious in the use of his new offensive weapon, only
showing him off for the first quarter. Daunte remained scoreless for
three preseason games. He rushed twice for 11 yards. His passing
game was bleak as he threw 30 times for 22 completions and
charted 218 total yards. His longest toss was for 20 yards.
Culpepper along with the other Dolphin starters did not play in the
last home pre-season game against the St. Louis Rams, because they
were afraid of any freak injuries they might occur. They wanted to
save their best players for the season opening kick-off game against
the Super Bowl XL defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Though Daunte did not shine overwhelmingly in the season’s
kick-off game against the Steelers, he did show promise early-on
when the Dolphins were 17 to 14 in the third quarter. He rushed for
8 yards on two attempts. He completed 18 of 37 pass attempts –
totaling 262 yards. His longest completion was an impressive 52
93
For the future, the pro and con of it, he is
going to be hard to bring down in the pocket because of his size,
strength and agility. However, his mobility may be limited because
of the healing going on with the three repaired ligaments in his
right knee.
Many question if the 8 million dollar quarterback is the one that
can lead the Dolphins to a Super Bowl berth in, of all places –
Dolphin Stadium. If the Dolphins do make it there in 2007 (as some
believers insist), they will be the first team in NFL history to play in
their own stadium. If they win, that will give them yet another oneup on everyone else in the NFL. Not a bad compliment to the only
team that also had a Perfect Season in 1972! Only time and the two
opposing Dolphin Stadium custom-built mega-colossal HDTV
screens will ultimately tell if Culpepper was the right ingredient the
Dolphins’ longed-for to spice-up fan interest and a blank offensive
scoring mix.
the PARKLANDER
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- for the O City of Parkland Leisure
Services Department
For more information, please contact Gerri Dougherty, Recreation Activities Manager at 954-757-4129 or email
gdougherty@cityofparkland.org, or Chris Nelson, Program Coordinator at 954-757-4142 or email cnelson@cityofparkland.org. For
downloadable flyers of all programs please go to the city website: www.cityofparkland.org, and click on Department: Leisure Services.
Registration is required for all trips. Limited Spots!
Monday, Oct. 2, 2006 - Day Off from School
Drop off and pick up location: Parkland Library (6620 University Dr)
(Year Round Camp Program)
Ages: 55+
Where: Lazer Quest in Sunrise & Bowling at Don Carters Lane in Tamarac
Cost: $20 Parkland Residents/ $25 Non-Residents (Filled/ No Spots
Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Available)
Drop off and pick up location: Parkland Library (6620 University Dr)
Includes: Museum & Show Admission, Snack, and Transportation
Ages: 6-12 (K-6 Grade)
in Air-Conditioned Motor Coach Bus
Cost: $35 Parkland Residents/ $40 Non-Residents
Includes: Admission, Snack, & Transportation in Air-Conditioned
Friday, Oct. 20, 2006 - Teacher Workday
Motor Coach Bus (Must Bring Lunch)
(Year Round Camp Program)
Where: Movies (TBA) at Sunstar Cinema and GameWorks at
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006 - Senior Program
Sawgrass Mills
Where: Miami Space Transit Planetarium & Museum Titanic Exhibit
and Monty’s Grove Restaurant
Time: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Time: 10:00am – 4:30pm
Drop off and pick up location: Parkland Library (6620 University Dr)
Ages: 6-12 (K-6 Grade)
Cost: $35 Parkland Residents/ $40 Non-Residents
Includes: Admission, Popcorn & Soda at Movies, and Transportation
in Air-Conditioned Motor Coach Bus (Must Bring Lunch)
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 - Teen Night Out
Where: Halloween Spooktacular “Frightnights” at the South
Florida Fairgrounds
Time: 5:30pm – 11:30pm
Drop off and pick up location: Parkland Library (6620 University Dr)
Ages: 12-18
Cost: $35 Parkland Residents/ $40 Non-Residents
Includes: Admission, Unlimited Rides, Snack, and Transportation
in Air-Conditioned Motor Coach Bus
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 - Teen Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting
Where: Parkland City Hall (6600 University Drive)
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Ages: 12-18
Agenda: Float for Parkland Days, Winter Wonderland Breakfast,
and Volunteer Opportunities
94
the PARKLANDER
By Jeb Niewood
The musical sounds and visual
flash that you have been hearing
and seeing from the Stoneman
Douglas parking lot since June
belong to the 2006-2007 edition
of the Eagle Regiment Band.
Band Director extraordinaire John Rusnak has
molded this remarkably talented group of musicians and color
guard members led by 17 seniors, into a cohesive force and has them poised to
compete for a 2nd state championship in 3 years.
This year’s schedule includes local competitions at Boca Raton, Flanagan and
Santaluces High Schools on September 30, October 7 and November 11
respectively and a regional competition in Vero Beach on October 14. The
season concludes with the Florida Marching Band Championships on
November 18 in St. Petersburg. If you can’t make it to a competition, come see
and hear the band at all Douglas football games. Go Eagles!
the PARKLANDER
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96
the PARKLANDER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Terrance Thomason
Darryl Sharpton
Rashun Jones
Darnell Jenkins
Jake Byrn
Ryan Lacedonia
Javarris James
Larry Coker
the PARKLANDER
97
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98
the PARKLANDER
“Out-time”
Quality Pet Care In your home
Daily Walks • Vacations & Holidays • Licensed & References
"By Gail " 954-675-1732
the PARKLANDER
99
Ask Dr. Penny
By Dr. Penny Kupferberg
Q.
A.
With the holiday season upon us, what can I do to make
sure my pets are safe from potentially harmful treats?
There’s nothing that puts a damper on the happy holidays
more than an unintentional treat that makes your favorite pet sick.
Holidays – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah are
people holidays and although festive for our animals, it’s not good
when a pet becomes ill due to over-indulging on things that were
not meant for them.
Let’s get more specific:
Halloween – treats become tricky for our four
legged friends when they get into the candy
bowl! Chocolate is tasty for us but unsafe for
dogs and cats. Other things to keep away
from pets are sticky, gummy candies
that can cause choking hazards.
These colorful candies are so
enticing to look at but are truly
necessary to keep away from pets.
Beware of ghastly costume
malfunctions… please be cautious
about stringy costumes parts that
could have glue or staples that
could cause harm to an especially
curious cat.
Thanksgiving – don’t we all look
forward to our fabulous Thanksgiving
feast? When enjoying the delicious meal with
all the trimmings, make certain that leftovers are
meant for the two legged guests and not our four legged
friends! High protein, high fat foods may not be so healthy for our pets
– especially if they are not accustomed to table-side dining. Turkey
with the fixins’ and sugary, fat-laden foods can pose problems ranging
from choking to nausea. With so much to be thankful for, it would be a
shame to allow a well intentioned guest to give your dog a treat that
could make him very ill.
Christmas & Hanukkah & Kwanza - ‘Tis the season... to
make sure that the beautiful decorations don’t ruin your cat’s
holiday. Keep your cats away from lights, plants and decorations.
Poinsettias are particularly hazardous to dogs and cats. The
beautiful colors of the season can be potentially hazardous when
ingested by an innocent animal.
Look for signs that the holiday has affected your pet in an
uncelebratory way. Any change in your pet’s usual behavior can
signal that something is wrong. If your pet is experiencing
vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy please bring him/her to your
veterinarian as soon as possible. Let the doctor know what your pet
may have potentially ingested. Avoiding holiday hazards will make
the season more fun and festive for everyone!
Dr. Penny Kupferberg is the owner and Chief of Staff at the Coral
Springs Pet Resort and Medical Center. She has been practicing veterinary
medicine in South Florida for over fifteen years and lives in Parkland with
her family, including two dogs and bird. You can email Dr. Penny at
pettalk@theparklander.com.
100
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LAW OFFICES
McFARLANE & DOLAN
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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide,
ask us to send you written information about our qualification and experience.
By Samantha Brown
To many people, a chair is an object with very little importance,
even though we use them constantly in our everyday lives. A chair
is usually a wooden apparatus that allows people to rest, or sit
while doing work, reading, writing, and so much more. But to the
saxophone and trombone players of the European Charity Tour
Band, it is a very important piece of equipment. Of course,
performing without chairs (which is a lot better than performing
without electricity) would not signal the end of the world.
However, when the head nurse of surgery at a hospital in Prague,
Czech Republic considers the fact that we even dared to ask for
chairs as an inconvenience, it is a whole different ballgame.
The fact that this particular head nurse did not want to give us
chairs was not a big deal, nor was her unpleasant disposition
towards our generous tour guide Joeri. This woman made the
judgment that all we (a very large group of American children and
adults with loud instruments and potentially dangerous swing
flags) would do at her hospital is get in the way. Without even
acknowledging that we were there to cheer up and donate to
children under her care, she acted like the group was an enormous
nuisance; and she hadn’t even seen us perform. Mr. Lieberman did
not let the situation get to him because we were provided with an
excellent performance space, a huge courtyard with great acoustics
and an open ceiling. He also realized this woman had no idea what
she was about to see, and that she was about to be blown away by
a group of teenage kids in black shirts. At this point, having chairs
would not have mattered the slightest bit because the whole
hospital was about to become a brighter place.
Before the dancers, including myself, started twirling their flags and the
band started playing, Mr. Lieberman gave us a sort of pep talk. He told us
to play with lots of energy like we usually do, and to blow that nurse out
of the water so she wished she would not have given us a hard time about
chairs. And so, our performance was better than ever. The atmosphere was
a completely different place after about a half an hour of song and dance.
Walking into the hospital, I’d be joking if I said I saw more than one
smiling face. It seemed like it was a hassle for the patients to sit in the
audience and listen to us. But then, children in wheel chairs and some with
bandanas hesitantly began waving their arms, dancers started showing off
their pom-poms and mingling with the children, people from our group
started to give out stuffed animals. Smiles started to blossom.
Throughout the entire concert, I was thinking to myself I hope
this never ends because I witnessed how music does heal.
Children’s faces turned upside down when my fellow dancers
and I coaxed them up out of their chairs to dance. Even a boy in
a wheel chair who was barely moving when we were setting up
was waving his arms around like he would live forever.
Unfortunately, though, these particular moments ended because
102
we had a bus ride to London ahead of us and we could only
repeat Respect/Gimme Some Lovin’ so many times. But in essence,
this performance is still going on. Our music is still ringing in the
ears of at first those unwilling listeners. Hopefully, it is still so
because they are starting to realize that charity and accepting
from others is okay, especially when the charity puts them all in a
better mood. Although we were there to entertain, we were there
to plant a seed of charity in a place where getting help is like
seeing the ice melt in Antarctica.
So, we say our group lives by the motto, “It’s not About Music.”
And on June 26th, that statement really became true. Sure, it’s
about the music when we rehearsed hours on end numerous
Sundays before departing for London, and it’s about the music
when we get recorded on DVD. But on that Monday morning, we
were in Prague and a part of Europe where it is not easy for the
people to willingly receive help. And why would we want to play
there anyway if they did not want our charity? I thought that as I
climbed my way up the gravelly area of the hospital under
construction leading to our performance. But, after seeing the lit up
face of a young girl I shook pom-poms with I had an epiphany.
Maybe this was the beginning of charity in Eastern Europe, the
start to providing the magic of music for children not only in
England and Holland, but here, in the Czech Republic too. That
Monday morning started out as a normal performance, but it
turned into the seed for a soon-to-be very big giving tree.
In conclusion, chairs are important for a lot of things, like sitting
down and eating dinner with your family, watching TV, and
learning in school. But chairs wouldn’t make a difference in
changing a country’s ideas on humanity, and eventually, the life of
a child. Yes, granting Leonie her wish in Vienna was one of the most
vital reasons of our trip, but so was that Monday morning in
Prague. If we played well enough, it could be the difference in tens
of thousands of smiling faces thanks to the International Make-AWish Foundation, or hundreds of thousands smiling faces because
we helped countries in Eastern Europe learn to accept charity, and
have a Make-A-Wish organization there. So it’s true; the North
Broward European Charity Tour Band really is not about the music.
We’re about providing the magic while doctors provide the
medicine, brightening up the life of a dying child and changing
humanity for the better.
Samantha Brown is in 10th grade at North Broward Preparatory School. The
school's Charity Tour Band travels to Europe each summer to entertain sick or underprivileged children and to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant a child's wish.
the PARKLANDER
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By Jack Bloomfield
I was amazed at the deep division that is often seen among people
who practice a particular religious faith. You would think that I
would be talking about one particular world religion that holds a
different view of God and the world over another. Or that of a
particular denomination within a particular world religion that
can’t seem to agree on doctrines or certain beliefs thus is creating a
divided view of faith. Well, my story today is quite incredible and I
might not have believed if I had not experienced it personally.
My wife and I were on a trip up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of
North Carolina. We had the opportunity to spend a couple of days
with some old friends who used to live here in South Florida, but
who were now enjoying a very restful and enjoyable time of their
lives in retirement, living in a small town south of Asheville.
I love to experience local religious services during my travel. I
assumed because our friends were active in their local church, that
my wife and I would be invited to attend their church with them on
the Sunday morning of our visit. They said they would rather just
go out for a leisurely brunch and that they would be OK with
skipping church because their congregation met two other times
during the week. I asked my friend which church in town he went
to and he told me the Baptist church. I had told him that I had seen
a couple of Baptist churches in town and wondered which one he
and his wife attended. He corrected me and told me that there were
four Baptist churches in town. From what I recall, he said that one
was called Baptist Southern Convention, another was Baptist Free
Will, the third was called Baptist Reformed, and the last was Baptist
Missionary. I was stunned when I heard this. Four different church
congregations from the same denomination of one religion in a
town with only 500 residents! He explained that they all held
varying beliefs of the Christian faith and the Baptist denomination.
106
I asked him if these churches ever joined together to share in worship,
fellowship or community outreach and he said that does not happen.
I am not picking on the Baptist denomination of Christianity.
There are other divided denominations within Christianity as well
as in many other religions. I bring this story to light to point out
how common it is and how this practice creates such a large barrier
to a united planet among people in general but especially for those
who follow a religious path.
The One Planet United column is always trying to expose the
many ways that human beings divide themselves from one another.
You would think one of those ways would not be through religion.
Unfortunately it’s true. Isn’t religion about loving your neighbor?
Isn’t it about prayer and asking the God of your understanding to
root out hatred, differences, and barriers that keep us from loving
our fellow man (or woman)?
Something is wrong with this thinking and I say it’s time we
recognize this as extremely divisive and detrimental to unity among
people. It is time we wake up! We will never unite all world
religions as one and that probably is a good thing since human
beings need different faith expressions to align with who they are,
how they were raised and what they believe. Can’t we at least bring
together all denominations of a particular religion, especially
different expressions of the same denomination, so we can
experience unity, love and understanding with one another?
It is time. It is time to come to a higher place. Only good awaits us
if we do. Only unity awaits us if we do. Only true love of our
neighbor awaits us if we do. Peace.
Jack Bloomfield is the co-founder and executive director of One Planet
United, Inc. E-mail him at bloomfield@theparklander.com.
the PARKLANDER
Parkland Resident
“Mark Pearlstein is the epitome of integrity
and honesty in all that he does. If you want to
go first class, your ticket is Mark Pearlstein
and Mortgage Movers!”
–Mary Cahill, Homeowner
the PARKLANDER
107
Corrective Programs
& Your Retirement Plan
By Jorge C. Garrido
Setting up a qualified retirement plan always requires thought
and analysis. In addition to tax deductions, business owners and
executives must focus on many administrative aspects and
procedures if they wish to sponsor a qualified retirement plan and
keep it from becoming “defective.”
additionally providing the employee with the information that the
overpayment does not qualify as a tax-free rollover. Other
adjustments must be made if overpayments are created on a
periodic basis. Consideration must also be taken not to reduce a
spouse’s survivor benefit.
Qualified retirement plans can unintentionally include defects,
or they may develop defects over time. Defects may be
discovered when an employee believes he or she is entitled to
recover specific benefits.
Hardship Distributions: The business owners and executives
must be certain plan participants can easily receive money when
hardship conditions exist. The IRS requires what is known as the
“Walk-in CAP” (Closing Agreement Program) in order to amend
the plan to provide for a hardship option.
Correct It Yourself
In the past, it was difficult for business executives to take
appropriate corrective measures because the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) did not always clarify the necessary requirements. Today, the IRS
has implemented specific, technical guidelines to make it possible—
and easier—for business executives to “self-correct” defects on a
voluntary basis.
By making certain that plan defects are corrected promptly and
accurately, business owners and executives may avoid receiving
potential, adverse actions and penalties from the IRS through the
use of Corrective Programs.
There are several parts of a qualified plan that can either begin with,
or develop, significant defects. Once discovered, many defects may be
“self-corrected” according to the IRS Corrective Program provisions.
Here are some of the defects and the appropriate measures that
must be followed under the scope of the Corrective Program rules:
Exclusion of Eligible Employees: The business must take a
contribution to the plan on behalf of the employees excluded from
a defined contribution plan or to provide benefit accruals for the
employees excluded from a defined benefit plan.
Vesting Failures: The business owners must make a contribution
equal to the improper forfeited amount or reallocate amounts
among all plan participants (if forfeitures are reallocated).
Section 415(B) Failures, Including Overpayment: The business
owners must return the overpayment to the employee, while
Failure to Provide the Section 416 Minimum Top-Heavy Benefit:
This situation requires a business to fund either the top-heavy
minimum allocation (in a defined contribution plan) or the
minimum benefit accrual (in a defined benefit plan).
Failure to Make a 401(a)(9) Minimum Distribution: The business
owners must distribute a payment based on a formula disclosed
under the Corrective Program rules (defined contribution plan) or
distribute the minimum payment to retirees plus interest (defined
benefit plan).
Failure to Obtain Spousal Consent: Plan sponsors have a choice
for retirees. They must provide a qualified joint and survivor
annuity, or the spouse must be informed and consent to the nonjoint and survivor payout.
Correct It Promptly
While retirement plans are essential for employees, it is essential
for businesses to be mindful of the regulations that make it possible
for them to maintain the tax benefits of their retirement plans. Since
the IRS has made it easier to “self-correct” many types of plan
deficiencies, now is the time to take a closer look at whether current
plans meet the requirements and guidelines prescribed by law.
Jorge C. Garrido is a Parkland resident and a Financial Planner with MetLife
Securities, Inc. He focuses on meeting the financial needs of individuals and
business owners. You can reach Jorge at jorge@theparklander.com.
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if
you didn’t have to
worry about your money,
what could you do with your life?
You may not realize it, but you do
have a choice.
• Perhaps you’d spend more time
with your family
• Maybe a relaxing game of golf
or a day of sailing would be
exactly that – relaxing.
• Or, perhaps, you’d be able to
enjoy everything you’ve worked
so hard for just that much more.
Spending the time to develop a
personal financial plan is essential.
Our financial planners can assess
your present needs and future
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To set up a no-charge, no obligation
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planner to determine if comprehensive financial planning will
benefit you, please give us a call.
Garrido Financial Services
Jorge C. Garrido, CLTC
5900 N. Andrews Avenue Suite 800
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33309
954-331-5119 office
954-673-3188 cell
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JGarrido@metlife.com
MetLife Financial Services, New York, NY 10010 L011285BO-M81-LD
the PARKLANDER
109
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Buy or Sell a House before
November 1, 2006 with Bilu Realty
& Receive $75Oat Closing*
Yehuda Bilu
Licensed
Mortgage
Broker
“We Do It ALL”
BILU MORTGAGE LENDERS, INC.
*Good only when presented at time of signing contract
the PARKLANDER
111
LOCAL
MARKETPLACE
Attorney at Law
Our goal is to help
you succeed!
TM
SMALL BUSINESS LAW
CONTRACTS
TRADEMARKS
START UPS
www.Businesslawyer.biz
3111 N. University Dr., #718
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Tel: 954-757-1919
info@businesslawyer.biz
D’AMICOS CUSTOM
PAINTING
AND PRESSURE CLEAN
Interior • Exterior
Commerical • Residential
Greg D’Amico
954-341-6751
Owner/President
License # 93-7056-P-X
954-782-7158
Insured
Fax 954-946-0967
~ Parkland Area Real Estate Update ~
5/4 + Den, waterfront, pool home! Custom
built-ins, Granite countertops, dark wood
cabinets, marble fireplace! $949,999
7 /41⁄2 bath. Waterfall pool ,lots of custon work
& upgrades. Oversized lushly landscaped 1⁄2
acre lot. $1,125,000
DEVELOPMENT
THE FALLS, HERON BAY
HERON BAY
GRAND CYPRESS ESTATES
TALL PINES
1
6BR Estate on ⁄2 acre! Waterfall pool, wood PARKLAND GOLF & CC
cabinets, Granite, exquisite window & wall PARKLAND GOLF & CC
treatments, hardwood flooring $1,200,000
PINE TREE ESTATES
GRAND CYPRESS
CYPRESS HEAD
PARKLAND ISLES
PARKLAND GOLF & CC
“HERON BAY, WATERFORD
TERNBRIDGE ESTATES
HERON BAY/ RESERVES
Cypress Head—4,000SF estate. Pool, spa PARKLAND ISLES
Marble flooring, designer kitchen. Country PARKLAND ISLES
PARKLAND ISLES
Club flair. Purchase at $1,399,000
SOLD PRICE
$1,925,000
$1,325,000
$1,250,000
$1,200,000
$1,157,777
$1,100,000
$978,000
$975,000
$950,000
$910,000
$900,000
$875,000
$850,000
$846,000
$750,000
$750,000
$710,000
LEASE OPTION - Lease at $4995/mo
Cypress Head - Exquisite 4 br + den;
Wood, granite. Pool - Spa - 3 car
garage! Cul-de-Sac builder’s acre.
Purchase at $1,099,000.
MEADOW RUN
TERNBRIDGE
HERON BAY
THE GLEN HERON BAY
THE GREENS HERON BAY
THE LANDINGS OF PARKLAND
HERON BAY THE COVE
PARKLAND ISLES
THE LAKES A PARKLAND
MAYFAIR AT PARKLAND
PARKLAND ISLES
CYPRESS CAY WEST
HERON BAY TUSCANY
HERON BAY VILLA SORENTO
TERRAMAR
FAIRWAYS HERON BAY
FAIRWAYS HERON BAY
$705,000
$700,000
$697,500
$695,000
$625,000
$610,000
$595,000
$560,000
$560,000
$550,000
$540,000
$517,000
$510,000
$450,000
$439,500
$372,500
$350,000
Your House Could Be Next
!
SE!
LEA
Kensington Glen/Coral Springs - 6/4 pool Whittier Oaks - 5/3, Granite & upgraded pool &
home on 1/3 acre. $699,000
spa. $610,000
Partial List As Reported by MLS 8/01/06 - 9/12/06. Information is believed accurate but not warranted.
the PARKLANDER
113
114
the PARKLANDER
Parkland Chamber of Commerce
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce, at its September morning meeting, had a special presentation by
District 4 School Board Member, Stephanie Arma Kraft, Esq. Throughout the year, the PCC plans numerous
social and business get-togethers. Its members network in a relaxed environment, and socialize with friends,
neighbors and local politicians. Meeting times are the first Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:30 PM and
the third Thursday from 7:30-9:00 AM. The meeting locations vary from month to month, so please visit the
Chamber’s website: www.parklandchamber.com. If you would like to sponsor a meeting or make use of a table
top display, please telephone the Chamber’s Executive Assistant Dana Josephson at 954-340-0005.
Speaker Stephanie Kraft, Esq.,District
4 School Board Member
(l-r) Dana Josephson (McFarlane & Dolan),
Stephanie Kraft, Stephen Sanchez and Michelle
Grace (McFarlane & Dolan)
Circuit Court Judge candidates Marina
Garcia Wood and Kenneth David Padowitz
A typical Thursday morning
Chamber breakfast line at the
TPC at Heron Bay
Two recent Stoneman Douglas High School
graduates making a presentation on behalf of
the school's Debating Team
(l.-r.) Jeff Marbach (Payday Sayroll
Services), Dan Kahn (New York Life),
Stephen Engasser (ReMax)
Photos by Rich Photo and Video Inc.
(l-r) A visitor, Dan Silver and Vivian Thomas
(Fidelity Federal)
(l-r) Debbie Beck (Parkland Womans Club),
Bob & Joan Nast (Gods Little Acres).
ALL INJURY CASES
• Auto Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Boat Accidents
• Airplane Accidents
• Slip & Fall
• Medical Malpractice
• Bicycle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
FREE CONSULTATION
Home & Hospital Visits Available
No Fee or Costs If
No Money is Recovered
STEVEN D. ELIAS
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Practicing Law in Florida Since 1987
954.227.2000
5531 University Drive, Suite 101, Coral Springs
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Before you decide, ask us to send you FREE written information about our qualifications and experience.
the PARKLANDER
115
“A Doctor’s Confession to the City of Parkland…”
and why, despite all, I still do what I do…
Dear Friend,
Confessions are tough. Real tough.
But, sometimes a confession can set the
record straight, and I want to give credit
where credit is due. Before I talk about my
confession though, let me say a few other
things first.
Let me start by explaining the photo in
this letter. You know, when I meet people
in town they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know
you, you’re Dr. Mike. I’ve seen your ad with
the two young girls.”
Twenty years ago something happened
to me that changed my life forever.
Back then I was in high school. One morning driving to school (late as usual), our car
was broadsided crossing a major intersection. I remember waking up strapped to a
stretcher. The following months were horrible. I was in constant pain. Severe neck
pain, shoulder pain and headaches, so
intense I could not even think straight.
I suffered a severe whiplash. My school
work began to suffer. I couldn’t concentrate, participate in sports, and sometimes
I couldn’t even lift my head off my pillow,
the pain was so bad. I was afraid my life
was ruined. After considering surgery (that
was the only option according to
the surgeon) I decided against it. But
there’s more.
Several times a day patients thank me
for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take the credit. My
confession is that I’ve never healed anyone of anything. What I do is perform a
specific spinal adjustment to remove nerve
pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. We get tremendous results. It’s
as simple as that! Being a chiropractor can
be tough, because there’s a host of socalled experts out there. They tell people a
lot of things that are just plain ridiculous
about my profession. But the studies speak
for themselves, like the Virginia study that
showed that 99% of patients who saw a chiropractor were satisfied with their results.
That’s just incredible!
for a lesser amount for chiropractic.
When you bring in this article
(by October 31, 2006) you will receive my
entire new patient exam for $27. That’s
including x-rays, the whole ball of wax.
This exam could cost you $275 elsewhere.
And, further care is very affordable and
you’ll be happy to know that I have
affordable family plans. You see I’m not
trying to seduce you to come see me with this
low start up fee, then to only make it up with
high fees after that. Further care is very
important to consider when making your
choice of doctor. High costs can add up
very quickly.
Forty-five million Americans no longer
have health insurance, and those who
do, have found that their benefits are
reduced. That’s where chiropractic
comes in. Many people
find that they
actually save
money on
their
Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care just because
I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get great
care at a great fee. I’ve been entrusted to
take care of tiny babies to great grandparents. I just have that low fee to help more
people who need care.
A friend of mine convinced me to give a
chiropractor a try. The chiropractor did
an exam, took some films and then
“adjusted” my spine. The adjustment
didn’t hurt, it actually felt good. I got
relief, and I could begin living again.
It worked so well that I went to chiropractic school myself.
It’s strange how life is, because now
people come to see me with their
whiplash problems. Also they come to
me with their migraines, chronic
pain, neck pain, shoulder and arm
pain, backaches, ear infections, asthma,
allergies, numbness in limbs, athletic
injuries, just to name a few.
Here’s what some of my patients
had to say:
“The relief that Dr. Mike has brought
about through his adjustments has
been phenomenal”
– Colleen Glazer
“No more back pain!”
health care
expenses by
seeing a chiropractor. Another way to
save…studies show that chiropractic can
double your immune capacity, naturally
and without drugs. The immune system
fights colds, the flu, and other sicknesses.
So you may not be running off to the doctor as much. This is especially important if
you are self-employed. And, an entire
week of care in my office may cost what
you could pay for one visit elsewhere.
– John Compagno
“Within 2 weeks the pain in my arm
subsided, and in 3 weeks I no longer
have numbness in my fingers!”
– Nelson Alegro
You Benefit from an Amazing Offer.
Look, it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg
to correct your health. You are going to
write a check to someone for you health
care expenses; you may as well write one
Great care at a great fee…
A little about my qualifications;
I received my Bachelors in Biology
at Stonybrook University in N.Y. and my
chiropractic degree from Life University in
Atlanta, Georgia. I have been practicing in
Florida since 1997.
My assistants Dr. Daniel Weber, Kim,
Inez, Debbie, Anne Marie, Dalia, and
Maryanne are really great people. Our
office is both friendly and warm and we try
our best to make you feel at home.
We have a wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called TOTAL
HEALTH and REHAB CENTER and it is
at 23057 State Road 7 (441).We are 1/2
mile north of Hillsboro Blvd. next to
Publix and Blockbuster Video.
Our phone number is 561482-7575. Call Kim, Inez or
me today for an appointment. We can help you!
Thank you.
– Dr. Mike Minett
P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am
also offering the second family member this
same examination for only $10.
P.S.S. Can you imagine not having to wait
at a doctor’s office? Well, your time is as
valuable as mine is. That’s why we have a
no-wait policy. You will be seen within
minutes of your appointment.
THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR
PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR
BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE,
EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS
A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE
ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR
REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.
the PARKLANDER
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