Sun Times 02 19 26

Dental Options

CONVIVA

Same-day appointments for current patients, 3A

By Merilee Kern, MBA

SOBEWFF does not simply host events. It redefines Miami for four days.

Every February, Miami becomes something more than a destination. It becomes a stage. For four days, the city transforms into a living, breathing celebration of food, culture, music, and creativity as the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival presented by Capital One returns with unmatched scale and energy. In 2026, that transformation carries extra weight. SOBEWFF is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, marking a milestone that reflects how far the Festival has come and how deeply it has shaped the national culinary conversation.

What began as a regional food gathering is now one of the most influential experiential platforms in the country, drawing more than 500 chefs and celebrity talent and tens of thousands of attendees annually. It is also a powerful engine for education, having raised more than $45

and the

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

of the 2025 touring production of MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL.

Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for Murphymade

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of MiamiDade County (@arshtcenter) and Broadway Across America (@bwayamerica) are proud to continue the 2025 - 2026 Broadway in Miami series with the anticipated Miami premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical (@moulinrougebway), playing a limited engagement Tuesday,

March 17th - Sunday, March 22nd, 2026 in the Ziff Ballet Opera House. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of ten 2021 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, two Drama League Awards including Outstanding Production of a Musical, five Drama Desk Awards and ten Outer Critics Circle Award Honor citations including New Broadway Musical. Adding a hometown connection to the production, Hialeah native and Barbara Goleman Senior High School graduate Danny Burgos stars as Santiago in the national tour.

Tickets to Moulin Rouge! The Musical are $52-$198* and may be purchased now at: www. ArshtCenter.org. Or at the Arsht box office by calling: (305) 9496722. All Broadway in Miami ticketholders have access to Arsht Plus, a series of interactive preperformance experiences such as artist conversations, dance lessons, cooking demos, live music and family fun offered on select performances. For Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Arsht Plus takes place on opening night, Moulin Rouge!, Page 4A

of

welcomed donors, partners and community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the

est YMCA Family Center and adjacent Broward

Emergency Department (ED) at Holiday Park in Fort

Rooted in Holiday Park’s more than 75-year legacy as Fort Lauderdale’s “backyard,” the new Y will honor the park’s rich history while building a healthier future for generations to come. This transformational project, with a combined 60,000-SquareFoot YMCA and Broward Health ED, will sit on a 3.5-acre site, donated by the City of Fort Lauderdale. Located adjacent to The Parker, this unique hub is designed to build a healthier community for all ages and bring new programs and services to east Fort Lauderdale. Not only will Fort Lauderdale be the first city in South Florida to have two YMCA locations, but

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Third Annual Visit Lauderdale Science Festival Returns To Museum Of Discovery And Science

A full day of hands-on, interactive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) exploration.

The Third Annual Visit Lauderdale Science Festival returns to the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, offering a full day of hands-on, interactive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) exploration, experiments and learning through play for all ages. The free indoor and outdoor festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Designed to make science fun, accessible, relevant and unforgettable, the annual festival brings families, educators and science enthusiasts from across the region to explore interactive

exhibits, live shows and emerging technologies that reveal how science shapes everyday life.

The festival also highlights how STEM connects to real-world careers, environmental challenges and everyday problemsolving, making science relevant, approachable and fun for learners of all ages.

“Science has the power to spark imagination, build confidence and bring people together through shared discovery,” said Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of MODS.

“The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival invites everyone to explore and experiment side-byside, connecting them to inspiring, hands-on STEM experiments that make learning feel like play.”

Throughout the day, MODS and the surrounding outdoor festival areas will come alive with

live science shows, high-energy demonstrations and hands-on activities designed to engage curious minds of all ages.

“The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival reflects our destination’s commitment to education, innovation and family-friendly experiences,” said Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “Supporting events like this helps showcase Greater Fort Lauderdale to visitors as a place where curiosity, creativity and discovery come together.”

Some of the Festival highlights include: Amazon: Prime Air - Get up close with Amazon’s electric Rivian vans and celebrate the future of green transportation. Families can help create a large, collaborative community mural that brings art, sustainability and

innovation together in one colorful experience. International Game Fish

Association: Learn to Fish Like a

Pro - Little learners can cast into science with this hands-on fishing clinic featuring knot-tying, tackle basics, conservation, and

safety stations. It’s a fun, interactive way to explore outdoor science, stewardship and skills that last a lifetime.

Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans: Microscope Flower

Discovery, Page 3A

A Community-Driven 5K In Fort Lauderdale

15th Annual UKG & Salah Foundation Hero’s Pride Move With MADD & MADD Dash

Drunk driving deaths have increased by 31% over the past decade, with someone being killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 78 seconds. Two out of three people will be impacted by drunk driving in their lifetime. Drunk driving is a 100 percent preventable crime, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)’s goal is to end impaired driving.

In the ongoing fight against drunk driving and drugged driving, MADD Southeast Florida will host the 15th Annual UKG & Salah Foundation Hero’s Pride Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Presented by the Florida Panthers & the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County on Sunday, April 26. Thousands of walkers, runners, strollers, wheelchair athletes, dogs and supporters of all ages will come together in downtown Fort Lauderdale to take steps to raise awareness and funds to end impaired driving for good. The inperson race will start near Huizenga Plaza at 7:30 a.m. Awards will be given for top fundraiser, top team (private and corporate), as well as overall and agegroup awards for 5K finishers.

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, the annual event will debut its rebrand as Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K in 2026, reflecting expanded momentum in the fight against impaired driving and deepened community engagement. Heather Geronemus founded Move With MADD and MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Founder and Chairperson after her late father, Dr. Robert Perry Geronemus, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.

Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K is a community-driven 5K that raises awareness about drunk and drugged driving and underage drinking while uniting community members around MADD’s mission. Since it was established in 2011, Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K has raised more than $4.2 Million that stays in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving, making it the most successful grassroots fundraiser in the history of MADD. Every dollar donated remains in South Florida to provide victim services and prevention education at no cost.

Festivities will include children’s activities, an awards ceremony, live musical performances, and vendor/ educational booths. The event will be attended by dignitaries, including Move With MADD and MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Founder and Chairperson Heather Geronemus; Honorary Chairperson Colonel Nichole Anderson, Undersheriff of Broward Sheriff’s Office; Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony; Sgt. Ryan Clifton from Broward Sheriff’s Office; Sgt. Trevor Thomas from Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s DUI Unit; and Lt. Indiana Miranda from Florida Highway Patrol.

MADD is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Law that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim services specialists and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line.

“What began as a local walk for awareness has grown into one of the most impactful events in South Florida and the most successful grassroots fundraiser in MADD history. We have united thousands of people who refuse to accept impaired

loved ones, empowered survivors, educated youth, and raised the critical funds that fuel MADD’s mission to end impaired driving once and for all.”

“As we celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Move with MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K, we also recommit to the work still ahead. This year’s event is about movement in every sense: moving forward as a community, moving toward a safer future, and moving people to choose a safe ride every time. Whether you walk, run, roll, glide, volunteer, donate, or sponsor, your participation helps ensure no one else has to endure what my family, and so many others, have experienced.”

Event sponsorships are available and range from $1,500 to $50,000.

Event sponsors include Signature Sponsors UKG and The Salah Foundation; Florida Mission Hero Sponsor Hero’s Pride a World Emblem Company; Presenting Sponsors Florida Panthers and the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County; Road Guardian Sponsor Craig Zinn Automotive Group; Corporate Champion Sponsors Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Durée & Company, JM Family, Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Florida

System and Rick Case Automotive; Spotlight Sponsors Aetna, Broward College; Westway Towing; and David Geronemus and Mitzi Lyman; MADD Milestone Sponsors City Furniture and Holman Motorcars.

When: Sunday, April 26th, 2026, at 7:30 a.m.

Where: Across from Huizenga Plaza Southeast 1st Avenue and Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301

Cost (In-person and Virtual): Adult 5K Runner and Walker: $40 Youth 5K Runner and Walker (ages 5-18): $35 Dogs: $10

How: To register for the 15th Annual UKG & Salah Foundation Hero’s Pride Move With MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Presented by the Florida Panthers & the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, please visit: https://give.madd.org/event/ 2026-move-with-madd-and-madd-dashfort-lauderdale-5k/e733214. Event sponsorships are available and

For the most up-to-date event information, visit: www.facebook.com/ MADDDashFortLaud. Or please contact Development Director Cameron Patasnik at: Cameron.Patasnik@madd.org.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national NonProfit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by nearly 40%, saved more than 475,000 lives, and served more than one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Act that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to provide support services to victims and survivors of impaired driving at no charge through victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line: 1 (877) MADD-HELP. 1 (877) 623-3435 For more information or to donate, visit: https://madd.org/ - And follow MADD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Lab - Explore the hidden structure of flowers in this hands-on microscope experience. Visitors can examine petals, pollen and other flower parts up close while learning how each piece plays an important role in plant growth and reproduction.

Math Happens: Play Your Way Into Math - Math comes alive with open-ended play using pattern blocks, bubble tiles and Geometiles. Guests can explore hands-on math challenges, turning problem-solving into an engaging, playful experience for all ages.

Environmental Documentaries in the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater – Experience a breathtaking, FREE IMAX® documentary screening of Lost Wolves of Yellowstone, made possible by IMAX®. This powerful film explores wildlife conservation, ecosystem balance and the science behind restoring nature.

Festival Headliners Bring the Science to Life

These featured performers are just a few of the many interactive experiences guests can enjoy throughout the day.

Science Bob - YouTube star, science teacher and maker “Science Bob” Pflugfelder brings fast-paced experiments, big reactions and plenty of wow moments. He turns everyday science into unforgettable, laugh-out-loud discoveries that inspire children and adults to try science.

Chemistry Colleen: Black Marker Ate a Rainbow - A quick, colorful demo with Dr. Colleen Kelley reveals the hidden rainbow inside a black marker. Using paper chromatography, families discover how colors separate and mix, turning everyday materials into a wow-worthy science moment.

School of Rock - Students from School of Rock bring the energy with a live performance that blends rhythm, sound science and teamwork, proving that learning hits harder when you turn up the volume.

WeFlip Science Acrobats - This highenergy duo turns physics into a full-body experience, flipping, climbing and testing gravity in real time. It’s part science lesson, part stunt show and all wow.

In addition to festival programming, MODS is seeking student showcases, exhibitors, sponsors, food trucks and volunteers to help make this community celebration unforgettable.

The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival is expected to attract more than 11,000 attendees, including families, educators and science enthusiasts from across the

region. Students with STEM projects, local organizations interested in exhibiting, food vendors and volunteers are encouraged to participate.

Sponsors of the Third Annual Visit Lauderdale Science Festival are Visit Lauderdale (Presenting Sponsor); Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans (Platinum Sponsor); Amazon (Gold Sponsor); Centuric Technology Solutions, Save Our Seas Foundation and UKG (Silver Sponsors); Broward MPO and CTS Engines (Copper Sponsors); AARP and BankUnited (Krypton Sponsors); ABA Centers of Florida and Walmart (Titanium Sponsors); 4ocean Foundation, Allini Water Filters of Florida, Blue Frontier, IKEA, JetBlue, Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, Universal Waste and Xpress Entertainment (In-Kind Sponsors).

The festival is rain or shine, with activities located both indoors and outdoors at MODS. For more information and to reserve free tickets, visit: https://mods.org/sciencefest. Questions may be directed to: sciencefest@mods.org.

About the Visit Lauderdale Science Festival

The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival brings together STEM leaders, educators and families to celebrate science, showcase innovation across the region’s major industries. Powered by the Museum of

Discovery and Science, the free, one-day festival features live shows, films, exhibits and demonstrations designed to make science interactive and accessible for all ages. Learn more at: https://mods.org/sciencefest.

About the Museum of Discovery and Science Opened in 1977 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 Square Foot facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) NonProfit Organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades. MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 21 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service.

The Museum welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. MODS is located downtown at 401

Southwest Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit: https://mods.org. Or call: (954) 467MODS. (954) 467-6637.

Like us or follow us on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/modsftl X (formerly Twitter): www.x.com/modsftl Instagram: www.instagram.com/modsftl

About Greater Fort Lauderdale With 24 miles of beaches and more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America and the Yachting Capital of the World. The destination is home to 31 municipalities and a diverse population representing more than 170 countries. Visitors enjoy arts and culture, dining, shopping, outdoor recreation and easy access from Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport.

About Visit Lauderdale Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area to leisure and business travelers worldwide and supports convention and group travel. Learn more at: https://visitlauderdale.com.

Photos courtesy of the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 beginning at 6:30 p.m. For guests with accessibility needs, the Arsht provides accessible seating and complimentary assistive listening devices for all performances, along with sign language interpretation, open captioning and audio description at select shows to ensure an inclusive experience for all guests.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical continues the 2025 - 2026 Broadway in Miami season presented by Florida Theatrical Association in association with the Adrienne Arsht Center, with generous support from presenting sponsor Bank of America.

Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Pop the champagne and prepare for the spectacular spectacular…Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Baz Luhrmann’s iconic film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and - above allLove. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is more than a musical; it is a state of mind.

As in the film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical celebrates over 160 years of music – from Offenbach to Lady Gaga. The stage musical features many of the iconic songs from the movie, and also includes recent hits released since the movie premiered 21 years ago.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical opened to critical acclaim at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in the summer of 2019 and reopened in September 2021 following the shutdown of Broadway due to the pandemic.

“Spectacular! Euphoric! In Moulin Rouge! The Musical, life is beautiful,” raves The New York Times. “Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a fabulous new musical. The high begins the instant you walk into the theatre,” said the New York Post. Entertainment Weekly concludes that “it’s easy to believe that Moulin Rouge! The Musical could run for 50 years.”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers and with a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan, choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh and music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine.

The design team for Moulin Rouge! The Musical includes Tony Award® winner Derek McLane (sets), Tony Award® winner Catherine Zuber (costumes), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting), Tony Award® winner Peter Hylenski (sound), Drama Desk Award winner David Brian Brown (wig and hair design), Sarah Cimino (Make-up design) and Tony Award® winner Matt Stine (Music Producer). Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Stephen Kopel. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is produced by Carmen Pavlovic and Gerry Ryan OAM for Global Creatures and Bill Damaschke. General management is by Foresight Theatrical.

Co-producers of the touring production include Aaron Lustbader, Hunter Arnold, Darren Bagert, Erica Lynn Schwartz/Matt Picheny/Stephanie Rosenberg, Adam Blanshay Productions/Nicolas & Charles Talar, Iris Smith, Aleri Entertainment, Sophie Qi/Harmonia Holdings, CJ ENM, Len Blavatnik, Ambassador Theatre Group, Endeavor Content, John Gore Organization, Spencer Ross, GiladRogowsky/InStone Productions, AF Creative Media/International Theatre Fund, Nederlander Presentations/IPN, Cody Renard Richard, Jujamcyn Theaters, Eric Falkenstein/Suzanne Grant, Peter May/Sandy Robertson, Tom & Pam Faludy, Triptyk Studio, Carl Daikeler/ Sandi Moran, Desantis-Baugh Productions, Red Mountain Theatre Company/42ND.CLUB, Candy Spelling/ Tulchin Bartner, Roy Furman, Andrew & Ruby Ryan, Brent & Sarah Deboer and Michael Ryan.

Released by 20th Century Studios, Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! Tpremiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. At the 74th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two.

The Moulin Rouge of Paris, managed by Jean-Jacques Clerico (CEO), is a dazzling and spectacular universe, the symbol of the Parisian way of celebrating since 1889. Starting life as a popular cabaret and dance hall, the venue became an iconic music hall in the Roaring Twenties, and then a theater where numerous famous French and international artists stepped out into the limelight. Today, the Moulin Rouge and its 60 artists present the Féerie revue show: two hours of amazement between cabaret and music hall styles where dance scenes and surprise acts intersperse – without forgetting the Moulin Rouge’s most emblematic dance, the French Cancan! Since its creation, the Moulin Rouge of Paris has always been an invitation to live and share all the emotions and effervescence of a unique party extravaganza. http:// www.moulinrouge.fr/

The Grammy-nominated Moulin Rouge!

The Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording, produced by Baz Luhrmann, Justin Levine, Matt Stine & Alex Timbers, is now available by Baz Luhrmann’s label, House of Iona, and RCA Records. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Cast Album chart.

The book Moulin Rouge! The Musical: The Story of the Broadway Spectacular, a glittering backstage pass to Moulin Rouge! The Musical and its journey to Broadway, is now available from Rizzoli.

*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Ticket prices include fees. Visit: https://ArshtCenter.org for up-to-date information.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, and the state of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.

Since opening in 2006 in the heart of downtown, the Arsht proudly serves as the cultural pulse of Miami – the heart of magical live arts experiences that spark the imagination and connect people to one another. Whether on our stages or in your neighborhood, the Arsht is alive yearround with international artists, innovative programming from resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and more than 100 culturally diverse and impactful learning experiences for 80,000 children every year. The Arsht, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization, has been recognized as a leader in Miami’s cultural transformation, producing more than 400 annual events that generate 11,500 local jobs and $125 million in economic impact. The Arsht is home to a robust series of touring Broadway musicals, star-studded jazz and classical music concerts curated for South Florida, an award-winning Miami-based theater program and numerous historic and televised events. Free annual Arsht events, such as Gospel Fest Miami, Art + Mind Day, Heritage Fest and our LGBTQ+ Pride celebration bring together people from all corners of our community. For more information, visit: www.Arsht Center.org. The John Gore Organization is a leading presenter, distributor, and marketer of Broadway theater

worldwide. Under the leadership of 25time Tony-winner and owner John Gore, its family of companies includes Broadway Across America, www.Broadway .com, The Broadway Channel, www. BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. The company presents shows in over 45 cities across North America as well as on Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, Japan, and China. It has won Tony Awards in every producing category as well as numerous other Drama League, Drama Desk, and Olivier Awards. The John Gore Organization is committed to supporting theater access and education programs that introduce Broadway to the next generation of audiences and theater professionals. Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes: www.Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, www.BroadwayBox .com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands. Led by 25-time Tony Award winner John Gore (Owner & CEO), Broadway Across America pioneered the Broadway subscription touring model and is a leading presenter of first-class productions across more than 45 North American markets. Since inception, Broadway Across America has produced and/or invested in hundreds of Broadway, touring Broadway, and international productions.

“We

Holiday Park and honored to partner with Broward Health,” said YMCA of South Florida President and CEO Sheryl A. Woods. “We couldn’t do this without our partners and supporters, including the City of Fort Lauderdale. With their support, this new, State-Of-The-Art YMCA will be a destination for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. It will be a real community hub, filled with healthy living, learning and community options and activities.” The 48,000-Square-Foot YMCA will offer a full-service health and wellness facility, including an aquatics center with a six-lane pool, indoor basketball court, State-Of-The-Art Fitness Center, youth sports, summer camps, after school programs, health and wellness programs and community rooms and will annually serve more than 15,000 children and families, including seniors and teens. The adjacent Broward Health 12,000-Square-Foot freestanding Emergency Department will bring full emergency services closer to home for residents including on-site imaging, such as CT scans and X-rays, and lab work and exam treatment areas staffed by boardcertified emergency physicians. Broward Health will also occupy 2,000 Square Feet on the wellness floor of the new YMCA. Together, Broward Health and the YMCA will deliver community health education and programs designed to improve the quality of health and lives of residents.

“This is a momentous occasion as we expand our geographic footprint with a much-needed freestanding Emergency Department to support the City of Fort Lauderdale’s rapidly developing population,” said Shane Strum, President & CEO of Broward Health. “With the YMCA and the City of Fort Lauderdale as partners, we will broaden access to highquality care and help shape the future of our community’s healthcare landscape.”

Spanning more than 90 acres, Holiday Park has long been a central gathering place for Fort Lauderdale residents, offering a variety of amenities such as walking paths, a dog park, pickleball courts, numerous sports fields and more. The addition of the YMCA builds on this legacy and will serve as a gateway to the community and create a comprehensive destination for community engagement and recreation.

The General Contractor for the project is Gulf Building, LLC in Fort Lauderdale and the architect is Stratus Team, LLC, formerly Zyscovich, in Miami.

Completion is slated for 2027. For additional information and updates, please visit: www.ymcasouthflorida.org/ location/holiday-park-ymca.

For more information about the Y, visit: www.ymcasouthflorida.org. For more information about Broward Health, visit: www.BrowardHealth.org.

About the YMCA of South Florida

For more than a century, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of the

ening community through more than 200 programs serving everyone from six months old to 100 years young. Our Family Centers and programs are inclusive, vibrant hubs of community life, offering a diverse array of classes, cuttingedge fitness facilities, life-saving aquatics, exciting community events, unforgettable camps, supportive afterschool care, and holistic health and wellness programming. At the Y, there’s something for everyone. Join the movement by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or:

About Broward Health Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and

physician practices covering virtually Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 12,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.8 Billion and annually provides almost $500 Million of charity and uncompensated care. For more information about Broward Health, visit: www.BrowardHealth.org.

Million to support Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. This year’s programming is bigger, louder, and more immersive than ever, stretching across Miami Beach, the mainland, and beyond.

In a crowded festival landscape where many events feel interchangeable, SOBEWFF stands apart because it has never treated food as a silo. From its earliest years, the Festival has understood cuisine as culture, a connective force that brings together entertainment, travel, philanthropy, and education in ways that feel authentic rather than manufactured. That philosophy is especially visible in this 25th Anniversary Edition, where the programming feels less like a retrospective and more like a forward-looking snapshot of where food, hospitality, and live experiences are headed next. SOBEWFF 2026 is not resting on legacy. It is using it as fuel.

If you love food, travel, culture, or simply being where the energy is, here are ten reasons SOBEWFF 2026 belongs at the top of your calendar.

1. It is not just a festival.

It is a full-scale cultural takeover.

SOBEWFF does not simply host events. It redefines Miami for four days. From sunlit beachfront tastings to late-night DJ sets and chef-driven spectacles, the Festival blurs the lines between culinary celebration, entertainment, and destination travel. The 25th Anniversary ampli fies that ambition, expanding the Festival’s footprint and layering food with music, pop culture, and nightlife in a way few events can match. With more than 105 events on the schedule and talent spanning food, television, fashion, and music, SOBEWFF feels less like a weekend festival and more like a citywide experience that rewards curiosity and appetite in equal measure.

2. Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash is a legend for a reason.

Thursday night’s Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash presented by Schweid and Sons is more than an opening event. It is a rite of passage. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Burger Bash brings together top restaurants from across the country, each vying for ultimate burger brag ging rights. Hosted by Rachael Ray, with Brooklyn Peltz Beckham join ing as co-host and debuting a spe cial dish created exclusively for the event, the evening blends competi tion, indulgence, and star power. A judging panel that includes Gayle King, Ashley Graham, Bert Kreischer, and Nick DiGiovanni ensures the stakes are real. Thousands of burgers later, one chef walks away with the coveted title, and guests leave knowing they just witnessed one of the most iconic moments in American food festivals.

3. Wine Spectator Trade Day sets the tone for what comes next.

that ripple far beyond the Festival weekend. It is polished, purposeful, and quietly influential, reminding attendees that SOBEWFF is as much about shaping the future of food and drink as it is about celebrating the present.

4. Guy Fieri turns competition into pure spectacle.

Friday night’s Coca-Cola presents Tournament of Champions hosted by Guy Fieri delivers Food Network adrenaline at full throttle. This is a culinary competition designed for a live audience, complete with high-energy judging, bold flavors, and theatrical flair. The addition of a live performance by Rev Run elevates the night from cooking show to cultural event. It is loud, fast, and unapologetically fun, capturing the spirit of Miami while showcasing the intensity and creativity that define modern food entertainment.

5. The Grand Tasting Village is the beating heart of the Festival. Saturday and Sunday afternoons belong to the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village featuring Publix Culinary Demonstrations sponsored by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove. Hosted by Sofia Vergara and Manolo Vergara, the Village is a sprawling culinary playground where guests can wander, taste, sip, and discover at their own pace. Live demonstrations, brand activations, and endless bites create a choose-your-own-adventure experience that rewards curiosity. Saturday’s addition of a Ja Rule perform-

7. Masters of Fire taps into something primal.

Saturday night’s Masters of Fire hosted by Tyler Florence celebrates cooking at its most elemental. Live-fire techniques, bold flavors, and dramatic presentations come together in an event that feels both ancient and modern. Flames flicker, chefs push boundaries, and guests experience food in its rawest, most visceral form. It is a standout moment that proves why firedriven cuisine continues to captivate chefs and diners alike.

8. Tacos and tequila take over the Miami Design District.

Saturday night’s Tacos and Tequila presented by Tequila Cazadores hosted by Aaron Sanchez brings the Festival into the heart of the Miami Design District. This ticketed event combines bold Mexican flavors with flowing pours and a late-night vibe that feels effortlessly Miami. It is social, celebratory, and perfectly timed for those who want to keep the energy going long after the sun sets.

9. Sunday’s finale honors legacy and celebration.

Sunday evening’s BACARDI presents 25 Years of Legendary Bites and Iconic Sips hosted by Andrew Zimmern is both a look back and a toast forward. The event celebrates the Festival’s history while embracing its future, pairing thoughtfully crafted food with expertly mixed cocktails. DJ CASSIDY’s performance brings a high-energy soundtrack that feels cele-

ance on the Only in Dade stage underscores how seamlessly SOBEWFF blends food with music, turning a daytime tasting into an all-out celebration.

6. FoodieCon adds global flavor and travel inspiration.

Friday afternoon’s Wine Spectator Trade Day hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits offers a sophisticated counterpoint to the Festival’s more raucous moments. Designed for industry insiders, this event is where conversations happen, palates are challenged, and trends begin to crystallize. Producers, distributors, and professionals gather to taste, connect, and exchange insights

Saturday’s FoodieCon presented by The Islands of The Bahamas brings a distinct sense of place to the Festival. This immersive experience blends culinary storytelling with travel inspiration, spotlighting island flavors, culture, and creativity. It is a reminder that food is one of the most powerful gateways to understanding a destination, and that SOBEWFF is as much about exploration as it is about indulgence.

to thrive. Few cities know how to host a spectacle the way Miami does. Its energy is visual, sonic, and social all at once.

SOBEWFF harnesses that spirit and amplifies it through food, bringing together chefs, artists, brands, and audiences in settings that feel inseparable from the city itself. In 2026, the Festival’s expanded footprint and layered programming make Miami not just the location, but a co-star in the experience.

SOBEWFF 2026 is not simply a food festival. It is a milestone moment, a destination experience, and a cultural event that captures Miami at its most vibrant. With tickets already on sale and more talent announcements still to come, this 25th anniversary promises to be one for the history books.

Merilee Kern, MBA Entrepreneur Leadership Network member Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary

bratory rather than nostalgic, closing the weekend on a note of collective appreciation and joy.

10. Every bite supports the future of hospitality.

Perhaps the most meaningful reason to attend SOBEWFF is its mission. One hundred percent of net proceeds benefit FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and more than 1,500 students gain hands-on experience each year working alongside world-class chefs, winemakers, and brands.

SOBEWFF is not just an event. It is a training ground, a scholarship engine, and a living classroom that ensures the next generation of hospitality leaders is ready

THE POLITICS OF HATE

Weaponized Discord Is the Deep State’s Most Effective Tool

This country was built on the radical idea that the government exists to serve the people—not to control them, monitor them, manage them, or rule over them.

That idea is being systematically dismantled by a Deep State determined to entrench its power at our expense by keeping the nation divided, distracted, and perpetually at war with itself.

This is what happens when those in power discover that a divided people are easier to manipulate than a united one— and that hate is not a byproduct of politics, but one of its most effective weapons.

This nation is being destabilized by forces that masquerade as political movements, but dig down deep, and you’ll find that power and greed work the same no matter which party hat they wear.

The “politics of hate” is a bipartisan tool.

The division that is tearing this country apart is not an accident. It has been cultivated, weaponized, and exploited.

As a result, life in America has become a gut-wrenching, soul-sucking, miserydrenched existence.

“We the people” are being subjected to crackdowns, clampdowns, shutdowns, showdowns, shootdowns, standdowns, knockdowns, putdowns, breakdowns, lockdowns, takedowns, slowdowns, meltdowns, and never-ending letdowns.

We’ve been held up, stripped down, faked out, photographed, frisked, fracked, hacked, tracked, cracked, intercepted, accessed, spied on, zapped, mapped, searched, shot at, tasered, tortured, tackled, trussed up, tricked, lied to, labeled, libeled, leered at, shoved aside, saddled with debt not of our own making, sold a bill of goods about national security, tuned out by those representing us, tossed aside, and taken to the cleaners.

We’ve had our freedoms turned inside out, our democratic structure flipped upside down, and our house of cards left in a shambles.

We’ve been locked down, shut in, fenced off, fined, cited, censored, silenced, surveilled, tracked, traced, coerced, mandated, ordered, threatened, and punished in the name of “public health,” with our rights treated not as inalienable, but as conditional privileges— granted, suspended, or revoked at the whim of governors, bureaucrats, and unelected officials.

We’ve been told that as citizens we have no rights within 100 miles of our own border. Now those “Constitution-free zones” have expanded far beyond the nation’s borders, as federal agents stop, question, detain, raid, and surveil Americans in a profit-driven quest to fill quotas and establish a “papers please” society.

We’ve seen the police transformed

from community peacekeepers to point guards for the militarized corporate state. We’ve been pushed around, prodded, poked, pried at, spied on, scanned, shot and intimidated by the very individuals— police—hired to safeguard our rights.

We’ve been sodomized, victimized, jeopardized, demoralized, traumatized, stigmatized, vandalized, demonized, polarized and terrorized, often without having done anything to justify such treatment. Blame it on a government mindset that renders us guilty before we’ve even been charged, let alone convicted, of any wrongdoing.

We’ve been railroaded into believing that our votes count, that we live in a democracy, that elections make a difference, that it matters whether we vote Republican or Democrat, and that our elected officials are looking out for our best interests. Truth be told, we live in an oligarchy.

We’ve gone from having privacy in our inner sanctums to having nowhere to hide, with wearable devices and biometric trackers monitoring our bodies, apps logging our movements and interactions, homes that spy on us through smart meters, cameras, and remotely controlled systems, and cars that listen to our con-

willing to let us go or allow us to defend ourselves.

We’ve seen families ripped apart by militarized ICE raids, homes entered without judicial warrants, asylum seekers caged, long-time residents disappeared into detention centers, and entire communities terrorized by quota-driven enforcement schemes that trample due process and treat human beings as collateral damage.

We’ve been silenced, censored and forced to conform, shut up in free speech zones, gagged by hate crime laws, stifled by political correctness, muzzled by misguided anti-bullying statutes, and pepper sprayed for taking part in peaceful protests.

We’ve had our tax dollars burned on no-bid emergency contracts, bloated surveillance programs, militarized policing grants, mass detention facilities, endless foreign wars, and government handouts to private corporations tasked with censoring speech, tracking behavior, enforcing mandates, and building databases on the American people—while roads crumble, schools fail, and basic needs go unmet.

We are no longer just being governed. In many parts of the country, we are being occupied—by our own government.

More than exhausted, however, you should be outraged at what has been done to our country. I’m outraged at what has been done to our freedoms.

This is not a culture war. It is not a partisan feud. It is not a battle between left and right, red and blue, believer and nonbeliever.

It is a power struggle between a ruling class that governs through fear, division, and exhaustion—and a people whose greatest strength lies not in violence, but in solidarity.

We do not have to agree on politics to see what is happening. We only have to decide whether to continue playing a role in our own manipulation.

America will not be saved by rage.

As I make clear in Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, America will be saved—if it is saved at all—by people who refuse to play by the Deep State’s rules.

Demand instead that the government play by our rules—the rules of the Constitution. And when those in power fail to do so, when they trample over the rule of the law and disregard the contract that holds them accountable, boot every last

versations and track our whereabouts. Even our cities have become wall-to-wall electronic concentration camps, with license-plate readers, facial recognition systems, and high-definition cameras recording everything that takes place within city limits.

We’ve been rendered enemy combatants in our own country, denied basic due process rights, held against our will without access to an attorney or being charged with a crime, and left to molder in jail until such a time as the government is

American cities are increasingly treated as hostile territory—patrolled by National Guard units, federalized police forces, and armed immigration agents operating with military tactics, military equipment, and military rules of engagement.

At the same time, the country has seen the quiet expansion of vast warehousestyle detention centers—human storage facilities designed to make so-called “undesirables” disappear.

Are you exhausted yet?

You should be.

one of them out— peacefully, lawfully, and without exception.

Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead’s commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org

LEGAL NOTICE

As of March 1, 2026, physicians and other providers at Conviva Care Centers and Clinical Care Medical Centers in Broward will no longer be accepting MEDICAID patients. If you are a MEDICAID patient who receives care from one of these centers, the following address may be contacted for assistance with a medical records request: 1380 S Hiatus Rd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025,(954) 432-1511.

Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary By Entering The America250FL Essay And Art Contests

To honor the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s founding, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invite all Florida students in grades K-12 to participate in the America250FL art and essay contests. The essay and art contests provide an opportunity for students to pause and reflect on our nation’s past and honor Florida’s contributions to America. Students should submit an original artwork or essay with the theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Contributions to America” by Monday, March 16th, 2026.

“As America approaches its 250th Anniversary, the America250FL contest offers students a meaningful opportunity to explore how Florida has helped shape and strengthen our nation,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “As a national leader in edu-

Celebrate

cation, I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to reading and seeing the outstanding work students will submit.”

“The Spirit of ‘76 is alive and well in Florida,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “As Chair of the America250FL Commission, I encourage all students to reflect on Florida’s history and heritage by participating in the art and essay contests.”

“America’s 250th Anniversary is a powerful opportunity to inspire the next generation to reflect on our shared history and imagine how they can help shape our future,” said Josie Tamayo, CEO of Volunteer Florida. “Through the America250FL essay and art contests, students are encouraged to celebrate Florida’s contributions to our nation and

The 145th Birthday Of

continue that story through service and civic engagement.”

About the Student Art Contest

The America250FL art contest is open to all Kindergarten through grade five students in Florida. Each student should submit an original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Six winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

About the Student Essay Contest

The America250FL essay contest is open to all students in grades 6-12. Eight winners will be selected: three middle school students (grades 6-8) with each winner receiving a 2-year Florida College

Pioneering

Educator And Philanthropist Ivy Stranahan With Special Tea Event At History Fort Lauderdale

History Fort Lauderdale, invites the community to celebrate the life and legacy of pioneering educator, philanthropist and Founder Ivy Stranahan during its Ivy Stranahan Birthday Tea at noon on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 in the historic New River Inn. The tea event commemorates what would have been Ivy Stranahan’s 145th birthday and honors her lasting contributions to education, preservation, and the cultural foundation of Fort Lauderdale. Guests will enjoy an elegant afternoon of tea, crumpets and light bites in one of the city’s most iconic historic landmarks with special guest Mary Cromartie Morris.

“At age 19, Ivy Julia Cromartie Stranahan became our city’s first teacher and matriarch,” said Patricia Zeiler, Executive Director of History Fort Lauderdale. “This birthday lunch is a beautiful tribute and celebration of life for a woman who is revered as Fort Lauderdale’s first humanitarian, ecologist and suffragist.”

As an outspoken advocate for the Seminole Tribe, Stranahan taught them English, was responsible for building their first school and instilled practical skills such as how to use a sewing machine. Her humanitarian efforts eventually helped the Seminoles to set themselves up as a business, allowing them to organize themselves as the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. in 1957. In 1911, she helped to found and initially lead the Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club. In 1916, Stranahan served as the first president of the Women’s Suffrage Association of Florida and later founded the local Audubon Society and was active in the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club continuing to oppose the growing commercialization of her beloved city. She organized the first group of Camp Fire Girls in the city and was a member of the exclusive 1919 Study Club. She is credited with founding the first Broward Red Cross Chapter in 1918 and was treasurer for Provident Hospital which served the Black community before Broward General was integrated. She was also a founder of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society in 1962.

Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to view a curated selection of objects and artifacts from the Stranahan Collection, including photographs, personal papers and letters, ledgers, clothing and accessories, books, and ephemera donated by Ivy Stranahan to History Fort Lauderdale. The display offers a unique and intimate glimpse into her life, work, and enduring legacy. Mary Cromartie Morris, Ivy Stranahan’s niece, will provide attendees with a meaningful family connection to the woman whose

influence continues to shape the Fort Lauderdale community.

In honor of Ivy Stranahan’s birthday, all gifts made through February 24, 2026, will be matched, doubling the impact of donations in support of History Fort Lauderdale’s mission to preserve and

“Fort Lauderdale – the Early Years,” “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” “From Dugouts to Dream Yachts: The Story of Boatbuilding Along the New River,” “Seminole Arts & Culture,” “New River Archaeology,” “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art &

walking tours are available upon special request. Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military personnel, and children aged six and under. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets. Tickets for the Ivy Stranahan Birthday Tea are $125 each and include a Sustainer Individual Membership to History Fort Lauderdale with free entrance to the 1905 New River Inn Museum, free entrance to special exhibit opening and programming events, four free museum guest passes, a 10% Museum Store discount, an annual Southeastern Reciprocal Membership and a North American Reciprocal Membership for family (includes free admission to hundreds of museums nationwide). Attendance is limited. RSVP at: bit.ly/IvyBirthdayTea2026 - Or contact Patricia Zeiler at: pzeiler@ flhc.org. Or: (954) 463-4431. For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauder dale.org.

About History Fort Lauderdale

Since 1962, History Fort Lauderdale has been committed to preserving our collective heritage, promoting historical literacy, and fostering a sense of pride and stewardship for the vibrant tapestry of our region’s history. Through dynamic exhibitions, engaging educational programs, and meaningful community initiatives, we strive to connect individuals of all ages and backgrounds with the stories, artifacts, and experiences that shape our shared past, present, and future. Guests to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city’s rich past that is housed in historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus - the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1907 Pioneer House Museum, the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Museum and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida’s foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910 - present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints. History Fort Lauderdale is located at 231 SW Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are available online at HistoryFortLauderdale Tickets. History Fort Lauderdale is a nonprofit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions. For more information, call (954) 463-4431 or visit historyfortlauderdale.org. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ ftlhistory, on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at youtube.com/user/FTLhistory.

Business For The Arts Broward To Host Inaugural Art Walls Mural Fest

Business for the Arts Broward (BFA), in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), hosts the inaugural BFA Art Walls Mural Fest, presented by Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, a free two-day, community-driven celebration of art, collaboration and impact on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 and Sunday, March 1st, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at History Fort Lauderdale, 231 Southwest Second Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312.

Twelve local NonProfits will be paired with one of 12 established and emerging artists to create 8-foot-by-8-foot murals inspired by each organization’s mission. Additionally, youth from the participating nonprofits will paint their own murals as an interactive experience designed to foster creativity and artistic self-expression.

The festivities kick off with a special BFA Art & Spirits presented by BBX Capital celebration on Thursday, February 26th, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the BBX Capital Gallery, a showcase of participating artists and organizations, with an exclusive liquor tasting and art exhibition with BFA’s sponsors and supporters. Tickets are available at: https:// www.bfabroward.org/programs/art-andspirits.

“The BFA Art Walls Mural Fest is more than just an art show. It’s a platform where artistic expression intersects with community service,” said BFA Executive Director Robyn Vegas. “In a rapidly

changing society, there is a vital need to expand access to the arts. By pairing talented artists with our local nonprofits, we are not only creating beautiful public art but also amplifying the missions of the organizations that make Fort Lauderdale thrive.”

The selected NonProfits and artists are:

• Art and Culture Center/Hollywood with Surge (Sergio Quinonez)

• Art Prevails Project with Ashlee Sanford

• Developing Dreams Foundation with Stefan Smith

• Florida Children’s Theatre with BK Foxx

• Inside Out Theatre Company with Luis Valle aka El Chan Guri

• Museum of Discovery Science with Stephanie McMillan

• New City Players with Private Murals

• Old Davie School Museum with Gabby Shepherd

• South Florida Pride Band with Mongo Art (Michael Andress)

• South Florida Chamber Ensemble with Samara Ash

• Stonewall National Museum & Archives with Nate Dee (Nathan Delinois)

• Pompano Beach Arts Foundation with Ivan Roque

In addition to the presenting sponsor, Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, BBX Capital, Crown Residential, Cathy and James Donnelly Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward, FPL, Broward Health Hospital, Transworld Business Advisors, Fort Lauderdale DDA, History

bfa-art-walls-mural-fest/.

Fort Lauderdale, Leadership Broward, MAD ARTS and Hoffman’s Chocolates are all sponsors.

Participating artists will gain increased visibility and opportunities for professional growth, and participating organizations will be on hand to share information and opportunities to volunteer.

For additional information, contact BFA’s Executive Director Robyn Vegas at: (954) 940-4933. Or: rvegas@bfa broward.org. Full event details are available at: https://bfabroward.org/programs/

Cox Automotive Presents Rita Case With 2026 Barbara Cox Woman Of The Year Award

Cox Automotive announces Rita Case, President and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, as the 2026 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year. The award recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to the automotive industry, championed community advocacy and demonstrated leadership. Case is widely recognized for her leadership in the automotive retail space, operating the nation’s largest auto group owned and led by a woman. Her 12 dealerships across South Florida and Atlanta generate more than $2 Billion in annual sales and are consistently recognized for setting national salesvolume records. The Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award includes a $10,000 donation to a charity of the honoree’s choice and a $10,000 Barbara Cox Memorial Scholarship awarded to a Northwood University student. Case has designated the $10,000 to benefit the Rita and Rick Case Vocational Scholarship Fund at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

This year’s scholarship recipient is Breanne Pratley, a rising senior in the nation’s leading Automotive Marketing and Management program at Northwood University. Pratley is a student ambassador, softball athlete and leader in the university’s annual International Auto Show. The scholarship helps support her continued academic and professional growth.

“The Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award celebrates extraordinary female

pioneers who embody transformative leadership and unwavering philanthropic vision within our industry,” said Steve Rowley, President of Cox Automotive.

“We are honored to recognize Rita Case, President and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, whose remarkable achievements and enduring commitment have made an indelible mark on the automotive industry.”

The honor was presented by Rowley during the Northwood University Dealer Education Awards on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at the NADA Show in Las Vegas.

“I am so honored to receive the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award,” said Case. “I am also thrilled for Breanne, who will be part of the next generation of women leaders in the automotive industry.

And thank you to Cox Automotive for the donation to our scholarship fund at the Boys & Girls Club, an organization near and dear to Rick’s and my heart. It is so important that as business leaders we support our local communities. Our loyal customers allow us to give back, and we are very proud to do so.”

A Lifelong Automotive Leader Case’s parents opened the first Honda car dealership in the U.S. in 1968, where she worked throughout grade school.

After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in economics from the University of California, Davis, she returned to the family business, determined to prove that a woman could thrive as a dealer. While

managing the dealership, she met Rick at a Honda car meeting in 1977; the two married in 1980 and went on to build Rick Case Automotive Group.

Rick Case Automotive Group and its Community Impact

Beyond its business accomplishments, Rick Case Automotive Group is deeply rooted in community impact – having helped raise more than $125 Million for South Florida organizations through philanthropic initiatives supporting youth, education, housing and health-related nonprofits. Signature programs include the long-running Rick Case Bikes for Kids, which has collected more than 122,000 gently used bicycles donated by the community to gift to underserved children each holiday season since 1982.

Learn more about the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award: https://www.coxautoinc.com/about-us/ diversity/barbara-cox-woman-year-award/

About Cox Automotive Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book® ,

Manheim

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation Receives $30,000 Donation From MLB Shortstop Zach Neto

The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation received a $30,000 donation during a visit from South Florida native and Major League Baseball shortstop Zach Neto, who recently spent time with pediatric patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

The donation represents proceeds from Neto’s Annual Zach Neto Bowling

lies facing serious medical challenges.

During the visit, the Los Angeles Angels shortstop interacted with patients in the hospital’s Child Life Zone and formally presented the donation. The contribution supports the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts to fund programs, facilities and resources that enhance patientand family-centered care at the hospital.

To learn more or to support this initiative visit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation at: www.jdch.com/give-back.

About Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is

one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. The level one pediatric trauma center combines advanced technology, the expertise of some of the region’s most diverse, boardcertified specialists, and a patient and family-centered focus to heal the body, mind, and spirit. Part of Memorial Healthcare System, the pediatric hospital in Hollywood, Florida, recently doubled in size, adding four floors, including a comprehensive cardiac care floor, an intraop-

erative MRI, an inpatient rehabilitation gym, family and staff support areas, and the 14th Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Child Life Zone, among other offerings. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation focuses on philanthropy to positively impact patients, families, and underwrite programs, facilities, and equipment that support the pediatric facility’s mission. To learn more, visit: www.jdch. com and connect with @jdchospital on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

of Joe

(Photos

Children’s Hospital Foundation)

Predicting The Likelihood Of Complications During Cardiac Procedures For Children?

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital-Based Database Does That, And Helps Doctors Prepare Accordingly

Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, but its life-saving impact extends far beyond South Florida.

The Catheterization RISk in Pediatrics (CRISP) registry is a database of more than 10,000 procedures performed at 20 Congenital Cardiac Centers in the U.S. where complications occurred. For each child, an internal score that quantifies risk factors (age, weight, diagnosis, etc.) now helps guide the treatment plans of Interventional Cardiologists performing Transcatheter-based procedures on their own Congenital Heart patients.

“CRISP assists in predicting when a serious adverse event is likely to occur in the catheterization lab, allowing the team to hopefully avoid the event or be prepared if it does occur,” said Dr. Tom Forbes, a Pediatric Cardiologist and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Services at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. “We’re sav-

outcomes.”

The registry also helps determine whether the riskier cases are better resolved in the cath lab, through a hybrid procedure that combines a Cardiac Interventionalist and surgeon or through traditional surgery with a surgeon alone.

Dr. Forbes founded the CRISP registry in 2007 and brought the database with him to Joe DiMaggio in 2022. The registry is the fastest growing of its type in the world, with 20 centers already participating and another 30 currently being enrolled.

While the CRISP registry is assisting physicians in predicting complications that may be encountered in the catheterization lab, it has, since 2018, also collaborated with an affiliated consortium, FDA and industry to assist in developing and attaining earlier approval of medical devices in the U.S.

“This important work benefits every child having a Cardiac procedure here at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and in children’s hospitals around the world. Being part of the majority of U.S. clinical trials allows our patients to receive earlier access to State-Of-The-Art Equipment, care and allows us to lead and contribute to advancements in the field,” said Caitlin Stella, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Because of registry data, the first stent approved to open narrowed vessels in the pulmonary artery was approved in the U.S. More recently, the registry allowed for another device to be introduced in the U.S. that helps close a vessel in infants that are born prematurely, with Joe DiMaggio currently the highest enroller in America for this trial.

“Collaboration with both the FDA and industry through the registry has allowed Joe DiMaggio to be seen as the epicenter for Pediatric Cardiovascular device research in the U.S.,” said Dr. Forbes.

“We’re seeing devices being approved in half the time it used to take using CRISP registry data. I’m very blessed to be at Joe DiMaggio, an institution that has the capability and desire to truly further care and make a difference in the lives of critically-ill children.” Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals, offering a comprehensive scope of healthcare services and programs in a caring, compassionate setting designed specifically for children. A level one trauma center, the hospital, part of Memorial Healthcare System, combines advanced technology, the expertise of one of the largest and most diverse groups of board-certified pediatric specialists in the region, and a focus on patient and family-centered care to heal the body, mind, and spirit.

To learn more, visit: www.jdch.com and connect with @jdchospital on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

Trash, Recycling And Responsibility

By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper

Recently, I’ve received calls about our Recycling and Waste Removal Services as I like to say working towards a “Cleaner and Greener” city. The Code Enforcement is increasing for right of ways and neglected buildings and we’re maintaining streets, but there’s still confusion among residents and business owners over city versus individual responsibilities.

Thirty years ago, our community was one of the first to adopt commingled recyclables with Waste Management. I recall moving here 34 years ago when trash went into large green bins and collected once weekly. As a mother of two young children, waiting a week for trash pickup, especially in summer heat, was challenging.

I worked with Mayor Eudyce Stenberg to implement alternative options, including twice-weekly pick-ups and the ability to purchase an extra bin. At the time, Waste Management operated a sorting station on the outskirts of Pembroke Pines until about 15 years ago. The plant was sorting everything. The rest was composted. When they stopped processing a lawsuit followed involving five cities. We did not settle and ended up winning the case with a $350,000 judgement.

Now, we use blue and green bins for waste, collected by two types of trucks and have been recycled until this year. If Recyclables are contaminated, they are combined with regular trash and sent to the landfill, resulting in wasted resources.

Hallandale Beach has extremely limited authority over waste disposal. This function by state statute is managed at the county level. The county has acknowledged the inadequacies of the current system. In response, a solid waste authority was established. The goal was to pursue a unified strategy for Recycling and Solid Waste Management across the region alongside the cities.

Recycling programs have become increasingly ineffective for several reasons, including contamination and market forces. When market demand does not offset the costs of Recycling, continuing the practice becomes unsustainable. As a result, we have made the decision to temporarily suspend Recycling Services.

While we remain committed to environmental responsibility, it would be fiscally imprudent to impose additional costs on our customers at this time. Recycling will remain on hold until a cost-effective solution can be implemented.

The plant I mentioned is reopening out west, but we have no contract with them. Breaking our current contract would incur costs and more than likely a lawsuit. My colleagues and I have monitored this for three years and are seeking better options. Currently, some condominiums have been advised they are able to secure independent contracts. This decision should be made collectively by the board and unit owners, with clear understanding

Hollywood Invites All to Celebrate at “Party on the J” International Festival

The City of Hollywood invites residents and visitors to experience a vibrant celebration of culture, music and community at Party on the J, an International Music, Food and Art Festival taking place Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Johnson Street between 58th and 59th Avenues. The event was previously scheduled for an earlier date and was rescheduled due to weather.

The free, family-friendly event is presented by Memorial Healthcare System in collaboration with the Johnson Street Business District and the City of Hollywood.

Party on the J highlights the diversity, creativity and energy of the City’s westcentral neighborhoods, transforming Johnson Street into a lively street festival featuring international flavors, live music, local art and activities for all ages.

Live entertainment will fill the afternoon, headlined by Miamibloco, bringing highenergy rhythms and global sounds to the stage. More than 40 local vendors will be on site offering international cuisine, handmade goods and unique finds, while kids’ activities and interactive art elements add to the festival’s welcoming, communityfocused atmosphere.

Local businesses along Johnson Street will also be featured, giving attendees the opportunity to explore and support shops and services in the district while enjoying the festivities.

Party on the J is open to the public and supported through Property Tax dollars.

Attendees are encouraged to bring family and friends and enjoy an afternoon celebrating Hollywood’s rich cultural heritage, local businesses and community spirit.

For those looking for great food, lively music and a true neighborhood celebration, Party on the J offers something for everyone.

IGNITE Broward 2026 Lights Up Hollywood

South Florida’s immersive light and sound art festival returns to Broward County this February and Hollywood’s ArtsPark at Young Circle will once again be one of its featured destinations.

Now in its fifth year, the 2026 festival is the most ambitious yet, featuring more than 25 large-scale installations, projection mapping experiences, interactive sculptures, sound-based works and live performances created by local, national and international artists throughout Broward.

Location: ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood

Address: 1 North Young Circle, Hollywood, Florida 33022

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 6:00 - 11:00 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Free concert on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., featuring performances by Spam Allstars and Dav Julca.

Find out more at: https://the.eventbrite.com/e/ ignite-broward-2026-live-spam-allstarsdav-julca-tickets-1981391253577?aff= oddtdtcreator.

of each party’s responsibilities. Even then they need to work with the collector that has a franchise agreement with us.

Trash pickup for single-family homes is managed by the City. Multi-family residences like duplexes, quads and condominiums also receive City Trash service. Commercial properties needing compactors may contract services as needed. Keep trash and bins out of sight until the evening before collection. If bins are overfilled, you may need to request more bins. Bulk items and landscaping waste

are only collected on your scheduled day, which rotates each Tuesday by quadrant; place them outside no earlier than the night before. Landscaping waste covers basic yard debris—no large tree removals or heavy wood bricks. Bulk collection excludes electronics, hazardous waste, and construction materials. Construction debris requires a designated container from our C&D contractors, called Coastal Waste or Waste Pro. For smaller jobs, regular junk pickup may be a costeffective option.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!

Uniting Fashion And Philanthropy For Youth Literacy

Monica’s Runway - Fashion For A Cause

Shines Aboard Celebrity Ascent

Against the striking backdrop of Celebrity Ascent, fashion and philanthropy came together in powerful form on Monday, February 2nd, 2026 as Monica’s Runway: Fashion for a Cause returned for an elegant afternoon dedicated to impact, empowerment, and education. Hosted by philan thropist and style visionary Monica Taylor, the event welcomed more than 60 women leaders, changemakers, and community advocates from across South Florida for a purpose-driven experience unlike any other.

Docked at Port Everglades, the luxury ship transformed into an immersive runway and gathering space where couture met cause. Guests enjoyed a curated fashion presentation, VIP luncheon, and silent auction, all in support of The Jason Taylor Foundation’s Reading Room program, a vital initiative advancing youth literacy and academic development for underserved middle school students. By the end of the afternoon, more than $60,000 was raised to directly support the program’s continued impact.

Founded on the belief that style can spark meaningful change, Monica’s Runway continues to redefine modern philanthropy by blending fashion with missiondriven impact. Now regarded as one of South Florida’s most anticipated charitable events, the annual gathering highlights the power of community leadership in creating tangible outcomes for local youth.

Presented in partnership with Celebrity Cruises and Cruise Planners, the event embodied a seamless blend of elevated style and heartfelt mission. From the runway moments to meaningful conversations shared onboard, the afternoon celebrated the collective power of community coming together to drive real change.

Defensive End, Jason Taylor, established the Jason Taylor Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education

“Monica’s Runway is about more than fashion; it’s about creating opportunity,” said Taylor. “Every element of this event represents access, encouragement, and belief in the potential of our students. When women come together with purpose, the impact is extraordinary.” Proceeds from the event directly benefit the Jason Taylor Foundation and its Reading Room program, now in its 19th year. The free after-school initiative provides students with tutoring, mentorship, and literacy resources in a safe, supportive environment, at no cost to families. Funds raised will support educators, instructional materials, books, and essential resources that help students build confidence, reading proficiency, and lifelong learning skills. By setting the event aboard the luxury vessel, Monica’s Runway underscored a shared vision of modern philanthropy, one where luxury experiences are leveraged to uplift communities and invest in the future. With strong attendance, compelling storytelling, and a mission that resonated throughout the ship, Monica’s Runway: Fashion for a Cause once again proved that style, when paired with purpose, can create lasting impact.

About Monica Taylor Mother, wife, model, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Monica Taylor serves as Vice President of the Jason Taylor Foundation, working alongside her husband to empower children across South Florida. From mentoring students at the Jason Taylor Reading Room to supporting the Foundation’s Louder Than a Bomb Florida poetry festival, Monica’s commitment to youth and education runs deep. A Miami native and former Miami Dolphins Cheerleader (2013–2017), she holds a Communications degree from Florida International University and is the founder of Monuit Sleepwear. Blending her love of fashion with her passion for giving back, Monica created Monica’s Runway: Fashion for a Cause, the Foundation’s newest fundraising initiative. For more info, visit: https://monicasrunway.org/.

About The Jason Taylor Foundation In July 2004, Miami Dolphins legendary

and quality of life.

Since opening its doors, the Jason Taylor Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of children through innovative programming including The Jason Taylor Reading Room, Cool Gear for the School Year, the Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center, Jason Taylor Scholars, the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, and the Jason Taylor Careers in Sports Network, among others. For more information on the Jason Taylor Foundation, please visit: www.JasonTaylorFoundation.org - Or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasontaylorfoundation - Or Twitter and Instagram: @jtfoundation99 or @bluapplepoetry #LTABFLA.

About The Jason Taylor Reading Room

The Jason Taylor Reading Room, located at New Renaissance Middle School and presented by StevenDouglas, is a free, comprehensive afterschool program designed to address academic challenges among educationally disadvantaged youth, particularly in the area of literacy. Middle school students participate in the program for two hours per day, throughout the school year, and are navigated through a rotating academic focus calendar with assistance from a full-time Educational Director, certified teachers and teachers’ aids. The program’s curriculum addresses vocabulary development, reading comprehension, language arts, creative writing skills, oral reading fluency and novel study, as well as ninety minutes of weekly math instruction per grade level. The Reading Room also provides individualized computer assisted learning opportunities and homework support. blending fashion with mission-driven impact.