PLA July 2015 by Our City Media

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photo bY grace umlauf / our citY media

Going Nutz for YoNutz Feature Story pg. 10

Your LocaL communitY news magazine!

juLY 2015

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Publisher’s Page

Can You Feel the Heat?

he heat is on for parents to keep the kids entertained. It seems their level of summer boredom is soaring along with the heat and humidity. While we struggle to find meaningful things for our kids to do, we should not forget that summers are meant to spend quality time together as a family. All of us are busy in our career and professional lives and sometimes we simply need to sit back and remember why we are working so hard. Our children are the core of our family life and their bored expressions these days remind us to head out for one of those great American traditions -- the family summer vacation. So let’s turn off the smartphones, tablets and laptops for a few days, disconnect from the internet, and instead spend some time together. Whether you enjoy a picnic at the beach, take an airboat trip into the Everglades, play a board game, see a movie together, or simply jump in the pool and just chill out in the back yard, the important thing is to do it as a family. Those quality moments together are what we and our kids will remember for years to come. So let’s enjoy the heat and each other.

Publisher/Owner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SVEN BUDZISCH Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill Sharpe sales manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Koval Account Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Joyce Bak, Mariem Garcia, Ada Rivera, Patricia Maiello, Marcela Fuxman Office manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabriela Moscoso Graphic Design & photographY . . . . . . . Barry Stock, Grace Umlauf Web Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grace Umlauf

Visit us online: www.OurCityPlantation.com

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Ph: 954-306-1007 • Fax 954-306-1008

editorplantation@ourcitymedia.com • graphics@ourcitymedia.com Our City Media, Inc. publishes FREE monthly, local community news magazines covering Weston, Davie/ SW Ranches/Cooper City, Sunrise, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Miramar and Hollywood & Hallandale. Total circulation is 20,000+ per edition or a total of 140,000+ copies per month. Our City Magazines are direct mailed monthly to affluent single-family homes, condos and businesses in their respective communities covering all of Southwest Broward County. Monthly mailings are verifiable by USPS statements available

Have a great summer!

at www.OurCityMedia.com. Additional free copies are available at selected locations throughout their respective communities and upon request by contacting this news magazine. Opinions expressed by

Sincerely,

the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our City Media, Inc. reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our City Media, Inc. is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyrighted 2014 by Our City Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part is

Sven Budzisch Publisher/Owner

forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

Contents

Feature Story 10 Going Nuts for YoNutz

Calendar July 2015 6

SCHOOL NEWS

July 2015

12 Seniors Thank Tech-Savvy Students for Bridging the Digital Divide

COMMUNITY NEWS 8

18 South Plantation and American Heritage High School Students Honored at South Florida Theatre Awards

Local Business Celebrates its 20th Anniversary By Giving Back to the Community

20 South Plantation High School Students Recognized as Scholar Athletes 22 Plantation High School Students Rocket to Success

Sports NEWS 14 Plantation Divers Are Making Quite a Splash in the Diving World

INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL 16 Plantation Resident Plans to Bike Ride Across The Country

14 4

July 2015 | OUR CITY PLANTATION

to Raise Awareness About Mental Health Issues

It’s their Business 24 Kiddie Academy of Plantation Offers a Caring and Nurturing Learning Environment for Infants and Preschoolers

ask the expert 25 The Advantages of Credit Union Loans

pet of the month 26 “Daisy”

phot0 of the month 27 “The World’s Favorite Newspaper™”

Seen On Scene 28 Community Snapshots

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Calendar July 2015

4th Salute to Freedom – The City of Plantation presents the 2015 Independence Day Celebration starting at 9 a.m. with the annual parade which begins at the intersection of Broward Blvd. and N.W. 46th Avenue and heads west to 69th Avenue continuing onto 4th Street, ending at City Hall. A free concert will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Central Park ball fields. Refreshments will be available for purchase or bring a picnic dinner and lawn chairs or blankets. At 9 p.m., Zambelli International presents one of the best fireworks displays in Broward. Fireworks, sparklers , alcoholic beverages and animals are not permitted within the park.

division of the United States Treasury Department. The lecture is free and open to the public but reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, please call 877-670-0889 or visit www.CovenantFlorida.org.

18th

5:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Ages 6-10. 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation.

August 1st Summer R.E.A.D.ing Program Finale – Gordon Gumshoe: “Fairy Tale Detective” presented by Fantasy Theatre Factory! Plus prizes, book giveaways and lots of fun. West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation.

Ongoing Ceramic Creation – Create your own ceramic creation with Ceramics on Wheels. Required preregistration begins on July 1. Ages 6-11. 11 a.m. 11:45 a.m. West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation.

20th

Remembering WWll 70 Years Later – The Plantation Historical Museum presents an exhibit commemorating the anniversary of the end of World War ll. Exhibit features military artifacts and items from WWll, memories of Broward County doing WWll, recreated U.S. Army communications bunker, special displays of local WWll veterans, special programs during exhibit (to be announced). The exhibit runs through October 24, 2015.

9 week course is free of charge and open to adults and children over 13 years of age who live, work or have an affiliation with the city of Plantation. The course includes a K-9 demonstration, firearms safety and tour of the range, information on the Explorer program, gangs and organized crime, crime scene investigation and forensics, participation in a D.U.I scenario, viewing a robbery scenario, and much more. Not only does this create a partnership between the public and the police department and its operations, but promotes an interest in children who are looking to pursue a career in law enforcement. Space is limited. Refreshments will be served. To register, or for more information, please call the Plantation Police Department Outreach at 954-916-5601. Bedtime Stories – Stories and crafts, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. All ages, every Tuesday, West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Fizz! Boom! Read! – Stories, science and crafts. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Ages 6-10. Every Wednesday. West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation.

Tween Book Club – Book discussion, crafts and treats. Required preregistration. West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Call 954-765-1585.

11th Going on an Alligator Hunt! – Sight and Sound show. 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Ages 3-6. West Regional Library, 8601 West Regional Library.

14th The Rosenbergs – Former criminal defense attorney Stephen Singer will explore the spy case and trial that captured the world’s attention during the 1950s. “The Rosenbergs” is the topic of this month’s Nova Southeastern University Lifelong Learning Institute lecture from 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. at Covenant Village of Florida, 9215 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, married with young children, were accused of delivering nuclear secrets to the USSR in the midst of the Cold War. Both were found guilty and executed. Singer will discuss the case and address the question. “Was the couple guilty?” A New York criminal defense attorney for 44 years, Singer also worked as a freelance journalist for Newsday; was an associate attorney at the Legal Aid Society of New York City; and served as a special agent in the intelligence

25th Superhero Game Day – Come to the West Regional Library from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. for super games and super prizes, ages 3-10. 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation.

27th

Evening Movie – Bring your friends to the West Regional Library to watch a movie. Popcorn and drinks served.

July 2015 | OUR CITY PLANTATION

T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) – TOPS is a nonprofit, noncommercial, weight-loss support and wellness education organization with thousands of chapters in the US and Canada. TOPS doesn’t pay celebrities to endorse them and they don’t promise quick fixes or promote unrealistic images of the “perfect body”. Instead the focus is on health. Meets at Plantation Community Church, 6501 W. Broward Blvd., Saturdays, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m., moving to Mondays 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. starting July 6th. For more information call Karen Frodge at 954-797-7769 or the church at 954-581-5276.

Family Citizens Police Academy – Every Monday from September 21 to November 16, 2015, from 6 p.m.8:15 p.m. at the Plantation Police Department, 451 NW 70th Terrace. This

Kids’ Corner – Stories, songs & crafts. Caregivers may enter during the craft portion. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m., Ages 3-6. Every Thursday. West Regional Library, 8601 West Broward Blvd., Plantation. Storytime Fun – Stories, songs and crafts. Caregivers may enter during the craft portion. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Ages 3-5. Every Thursday. West Regional Library, 8601 West Broward Blvd., Plantation.

PLANTATION

The unpretentious entrance to this residence obscures the elegance that awaits you within! Master suite is 1,900 SF! Dine on a Tuscany patio overlooking exotic waterfalls, custom pool with grotto, bar & summer kitchen. Guest house has custom kitchen, living room, dining area, 2bedroom, 2bath, gym. Offered at $3,900,000 Call Sharon Shortt 954-605-8590

SuNrISe

Resort style living in this top floor with volume ceilings 2/2 corner condo in Artesia. Offered at $275,000 Call Kay Conageski 954-336-2166

PLANTATION

This 4 bed, 2 ½ bath home is nearly 3000’ under air with a pool. Circle driveway and 2 car garage. Formal dining and eat in breakfast area. Double sided fireplace. Tiled throughout. Covered patio, 2 renovated bathrooms access the pool. Offered at $469,900 Call Kay Conageski 954-336-2166

PLANTATION

Amazing price for this pretty Bridgewater home with 3 beds, 2.5 baths on the water. Tons of storage, family room, 2 car garage, fenced yard, eat-in-kitchen, patio and all appliances. Nestled on a tree lined street in a sidewalk neighborhood, with nearby park and great schools. Offered at $300,000 Call Beth Nathanson 954-675-9997

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Stunning custom 3/2 condo for boating enthusiastsup to 50’ yachts at $2.50/FT/MO Offered at $335,000 Call Kay Conageski 954-336-2166

PLANTATION

Beautiful 4bedroom/3bath home on cul-de-sac. Large patio and pool area, overlooking a lake. Eat in kitchen. Wood cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances. Laminate floors thru out. Cabana bath. Hurricane shutters and alarm system. Offered at $415,000 Call Nancy Aiesi 954-684-9830

PLANTATION

Open and spacious 4 bed 2 ½ bath, Jacaranda Lakes home with serene views of pool and canal. Offered at $439,980 Call Kay Conageski 954-336-2166

PembrOke PINeS

Immaculate 3 bedroom, 3 bath, lake view home. Brick paved driveway. Open kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Side island and built in cooler. One bedroom and full bath on first level. Two bedrooms and full baths on second level, with walk in closets. Offered at $349,000 Call Sharon Shortt 954-605-8590

dAvIe

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SECTION HEAD COMMUNITY NEWS

Local Business Celebrates its 20th Anniversary By Giving Back to the Community BY JILL SHARPE

o celebrate it’s 20th anniversary, e-Builder, the pioneer in fully integrated cloud-based construction management software, announced at the beginning of June that it will be giving away $20,000 to charity. The company has asked their clients to nominate a deserving charity. An internal e-Builder committee is reviewing the nominations and will select 20 charities to each receive a $1,000 donation. “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 20 years than by giving back to the community and our clients,” said Ron Antevy, president and CEO of e-Builder. e-Builder was founded in 1995 by Ron’s brother Jonathan Antevy, an architect and recognized leader in the field of construction management software, following his master’s thesis research on the application of technology and the Internet to improve the construction process. Antevy quickly became an industry leader in the development and deployment of cloud-based capital program management software. In 1998, Jon teamed up with his brother Ron. Under Ron’s leadership, e-Builder has consistently grown in both profitability and revenue. “Few companies have been able to build a viable business marrying technology with the needs of the construction industry,” said Ron Antevy. “We have a meaningful purpose,” said Jon Antevy. “e-Builder exists to help facility owners improve construction project execution - making construction faster, less expensive and more reliable, thus freeing up time and energy for society’s higher priorities.”

(L-R: e-Builder’s Jonathan and Ron Antevy)

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Why Wait! Lose Weight! Call Now! (954) 613-5777 OUR CITY PLANTATION | July 2015

Going Nuts for YoNutz By Beverly Perkins

SECTION HEAD Feature Story

rotate other fruits like pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, banana and other fruit flavors. It is also dairy, fat and gluten free. Do you serve any other gluten/dairy free items? Yes, we have gluten/dairy free mini muffins. These muffins are made with coconuts, carrots, apples, pecans, walnuts and dates. Smoothies can also be made gluten and dairy free.

pouring soft serve in between it like an ice cream sandwich. How do your gourmet donuts differ from other area competitors? Besides being made from scratch fresh daily, YoNutz, customers can combine their favorite gourmet donut with any soft serve treat to have a YoNutz in a cup or a donut shake. You certainly cannot do that anywhere else!

What are some of the most popular flavor gourmet donuts? Customers love the unique flavors of maple bacon and guava & cheese as well as crème brulee, s’mores, strawberry cheesecake and white chocolate coconut.

ocated in Sunrise, in front of Ikea, and just reaching their first birthday, local family business, YoNutz, has perhaps found the recipe to success. Offering a balanced selection of treats, made with quality ingredients, served in a warm and inviting setting with a heaping of a family’s love is why patrons are flocking to this delicious destination. Owners and sisters, Sophie Amer & Sarah Sobol answer some frequently asked questions about YoNutz.

How did the name YoNutz come about? Our family had a lot of fun coming up with a name. We wanted it to be catchy and represent the combination of two concepts that don’t normally go together. After lots of brainstorming and laughs, we came up with “Yo” for the frozen yogurt and soft serve and the “Nutz” for the gourmet donuts. We then put them together and “YoNutz” was born! The feedback has been great. People are having lots of fun with it. They walk in the door and say, “I’m here for some YoNutz!” or they walk by and just love saying “YoNutz!” out loud. Are your products made fresh daily? Yes, our gourmet donuts, including all of our fillings, are hand-made from scratch every morning in an offsite kitchen. We make one batch daily, so when the donuts are gone, unfortunately, they’re gone. This is why we encourage customers to come early or call ahead for their favorite donut.

What soft serve treats can one find at your store? We serve a wide selection of frozen yogurt (FroYo), ice cream, frozen custard, gelato, Italian ice, soft serve fruit, smoothies and shakes. Tell us about soft serve fruit. We proudly feature Chloe’s soft serve fruit which is made with only three ingredients: real fruit, water and a touch of organic cane sugar and nothing else. We always have mango and

July 2015 | OUR CITY PLANTATION

Do you have daily specials? We have rotating donut and soft serve flavors. We also have a seasonal selection which, of course, always varies. What new products have you recently added to your menu? We just introduced gourmet European style hot chocolate, just under 70% cocoa. It’s rich and silky drinking chocolate made to be paired with any of our baked goods and it can even be poured over ice cream. We are also now serving 100% organic vanilla tart frozen yogurt and fresh squeezed orange juice. Tell us about the unique offerings you have such as “YoNutz in a Cup” and any other different products customers can find at YoNutz. We are excited to offer 2 ultimate YoNutz combo creations that you can only find at our store: “YoNutz in a Cup” and “YoNutz Donut Shakes”. There are so many fun combinations! For customers in the mood for a fun frozen combo, we make Gourmet Donut Shakes. We recommend a PBJ donut smothered with Strawberry Gelato or a Maple Bacon donut paired with Sea Salt Caramel frozen yogurt. Additional finds include Cinnamon Bun frozen yogurt and Cake Batter gelato or Tiger’s Blood Italian ice which is made with coconut, strawberry and watermelon.

How does one combine donuts and soft serve? YoNutz in a cup is quite popular. Customers choose their favorite donut which we place in a cup and then they top it with their favorite soft serve/s selection and add toppings of their choice. We also offer the donut shake which blends the customer’s favorite donut and soft serve into a milkshake in which they can still taste the donut. The YoNutz sandwich can also be created by slicing any donut long ways and

What are your hours of operation? We are open Monday-Thursday 7:30am-10:00pm, Friday 7:30am-11:00pm and Saturday-Sunday 8:30am-11:00pm.

Please share anything else you think readers should know about.

We are a locally owned small family business that prioritizes using local vendors and services while offering a great and original product that you can actually taste the difference. We provide a fun atmosphere to bring the family and friends to enjoy your treat. YoNutz - Your Sweet Retreat - 121 NW 136th Avenue, Sunrise 33326 - (954) 8461115 - www.yonutzfl.com – facebook.com/ yonutzfl

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OUR CITY PLANTATION | July 2015

Seniors Thank Tech-Savvy Students for Bridging the Digital Divide BY JILL SHARPE

SCHOOL NEWS

esidents at Covenant Village of Florida, a faith-based, notfor-profit continuing care retirement community in Plantation, recently met with St. Thomas Aquinas High School juniors and graduating seniors at the end of the school year to thank the students for volunteering each Saturday as part of the eSeniors program. The eSeniors program, in its seventh year at Covenant Village of Florida, connects residents with the school’s tech-savvy students so they can learn all aspects of computer use, including email, FaceTime, Skype, Word and Excel. Students help seniors navigate their smartphones, televisions, and digital cameras. “Residents tell me every day how much these students have helped them,” said Covenant Village resident and eSeniors facilitator Marjorie Vannais. “There aren’t enough words to say how much we appreciate their kindness, their patience, and their computer know-how.” Two boards showcased residents’ homemade thank you cards, several of them created on computers. Resident Billy Kinsey played the keyboard while students mingled with residents and provided some last minute computer tutorials to residents with laptop computers. Students received certificates and tote bags, and enjoyed pizza and ice cream with residents and Executive Director Ian Lee Brown. Brown thanked the students and reminded them how their Saturday visits impacted residents’ lives and, hopefully, their own. “We appreciate you and your work with our residents,” he told the group. “This type of intergenerational programming enables you to share your gifts with seniors, and it also enable residents to share their gifts with you.” St. Thomas showed its continued support for the program by donating two laptop computers to the community. These will be used when the program continues in the fall.

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Plantation Divers Are Making Quite a Splash in the Diving World

SPORTS NEWS

BY JILL SHARPE

he Plantation Dive team is with the kids and seeing rising to the top, with both them grow up,” he said. the team itself, and sev“It’s a lot of hard work, but eral individual members, being we’re lucky enough to have recognized for their outstanding kids with God-given talent. achievements. One member of Diving is like any other the team has already qualified type of athletics in that it to compete in the Olympic trials mirrors life. You have to in Indianapolis and the team has learn from your mistakes, been having repeated success deal with success and against national and statewide failure and overcome your competition. fears.” The team finished in first place Floyd echoed the notion at the International Dive Meet at that members of the team the Plantation Aquatic Complex are driven to win, but still at Central Park on May 2nd. The maintain that team atmoAquatic Complex also hosted the sphere. “The best part is Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) just working with the kids,” National Qualifier this past March, she said. “They have the where the local team was ranked natural ability, but they number one at the time. The work hard, practice four or group of about 25 people includes five times a week and just divers as young as 4 years old show a lot of dedication. through high school students and We’re like a big family. We adults. While they are used to traveling all over south and central Florida for meets, the team will also be sending an astounding fifteen representatives to the AAU Nationals competition in Riverside, California July 17th through the 26th. Karlee Price of Plantation is a rising sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and will be taking part in this year’s Olympic trials. Price has been diving for (L-R) Teammates Gabriella Comunale, Logan Downey and Karlee Price. eight years and is a two-time nerves make me excited, all pull for one another. It’s a great group of kids and Florida champion Comunale said. “It’s we want to teach them life lessons like being humble Karlee Price (foreground and Gabriella Comunale diver. Despite her never boring.” prepare for a synchronized dive. when we win but also accepting when we lose.” individual accolades, One thing that Price Price enjoys the and Comunale agree on is Breitfeller and Floyd also teach swimcamaraderie of the dive team. “Our team is really the value of their mentors, head coach Paul Breitfeller ming and diving lessons at Plantation’s close, just like a family,” she said. “Even though I and assistant coach Jennifer Floyd. “Our coaches Central Park. They cover the basics of mostly dive with people my own age, we all support are the best and we love learning the different dives swimming and diving from April through each other regardless.” and just the thrill of it all,” said Price. “Our coaches September on Tuesdays and Thursdays Teammate Gabriella Comunale is also a made us love the sport even more as they always from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and from Plantation resident but just graduated from St. have something positive to say to us, no matter what.” 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.. Information on Thomas Aquinas and will be attending the University Comunale said, “Our coaches push us. We push each the park’s Aquatics Complex and their of Wisconsin on a diving scholarship. While other since we all want to learn new skills. If we see entire range of classes and lessons can Comunale and Price both share a desire to succeed, one person learn a new dive, we all want to learn it, be found at http://www.plantation.org/ they differed on how competing on these big stages too.” Parks-Recreation/City-Facilities/aquataffects them before a meet. “I don’t get nervous, said The team’s tone of mutual admiration and respect ics.html. The center is located at 9151 Price. “If I know that I trained 100%, I can go out there is set by Breitfeller, who has been working in swimNW 2nd Street and can be reached at with no regrets.” Comunale said that she does get a ming and diving for 34 years. “I really like working 954-452-2525. little nervous but the nerves help her do well. “The

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INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL 16

Plantation Resident Plans to Bike Ride Across The Country to Raise Awareness About Mental Health Issues BY JILL SHARPE

llen Giese of Plantation may be known for the financial planning business he runs or the band he occasionally plays violin for, but his most important role is as a father. As the father of a son who lives with schizophrenia, Giese has dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds around mental health issues and will be embarking on a cross-country bicycle trip in September through his newly-formed Ride to Awareness organization. Giese, leading a ten-person team, will be riding from St. Augustine to San Diego from Labor Day through November 15th. The group will hold events in 10 cities along the way to educate the public about mental health and raise funds for agencies like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America. The tour will cover approximately 3,000 miles, or about 50 miles each day, no matter what the weather holds, through eight southern states. While his bicycle has long been a hobby for Giese, his family’s experience with mental health spurred him to tackle another long trip with a philanthropic aspect to it. “I’ve always enjoyed riding bikes and envisioned a long tour as a mid-life crisis,” laughed Giese. “I rode from Key West to Maine before and it was two months of awesomeness. My son has got a better understanding of his disease now and my wife and I talked about making this ride for charity.” Giese noted that more than 13 million Americans live with some form of mental health concern and wanted to do something about it. “There’s a stigma with mental illness that does not exist with something like cancer or diabetes,” said Giese. “No one thinks anything if someone takes medication for diabetes but if you take meds for your brain, it’s like there’s something wrong with you. It’s fear-based and there’s no reason for it. Mental illness affects so many people and it’s unfortunate that the standard policy is not to treat mental illness until it’s serious. If we don’t focus on screening and wait until someone has a psychotic break then the treatment is often just incarceration.” Since incorporating as a non-profit organization, Ride to Awareness has been

July 2015 | OUR CITY PLANTATION

busy seeking community support to make the trip a reality. RV Sales of Broward donated a 32-foot motor home that will act as a support vehicle for the riders. NorthStar Financial Planners, a Plantationbased business, is underwriting the journey and Mimi’s Ravioli is providing 240 pounds of pasta for the team. All of those carbohydrates and support will come in handy for what will surely be a challenging journey. Members of the group recently rode 56 miles between Dania Beach and West Palm Beach to get comfortable being on a bicycle for long periods of time. “It takes a lot of training and pedal time,” said Giese. “The conditions are hot so you have to learn how to deal with the heat and manage calories. Everything is about taking care of your body when you’re on the road.” The journey begins with a launch party for the ride on Sunday, September 6th at Markham Park in Sunrise. Held one day before Giese’s 55th birthday, activities will include a 10-mile family-friendly bike ride, live music and food. Ride to Awareness will also receive a portion of the proceeds from the Florida Marlins’ “Mental Health Awareness Day” game versus the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, July 12th. Discounted tickets are now available for purchase at www.marlins.com/ specialevents. As an entrepreneur, Giese knows the importance of proper funding, and ideally would like to see the trip raise $100,000 to support various mental health organizations. However, raising money is secondary to raising mental health’s profile as an important public health issue. “It comes down to awareness of mental illness, that’s our primary objective,” he notes. “This ride is an awesome way to make our megaphone even louder.” Giese plans to blog three times a week during the journey to keep people informed about the trip itself and mental health issues in general. He is very active on social media and the public can stay updated through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by using the search term “RideToAwareness”. For more information, or to sign up to join the bicycle team, visit https://ridetoawareness.org/.

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OUR CITY PLANTATION | July 2015

South Plantation and American Heritage High School Students Honored at South Florida Theatre Awards school news

BY JILL SHARPE

heatre productions and theatre students at two Plantation High Schools took home eight awards at the 13th Annual Cappies Awards gala held on May 19th at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Cappies, short for critics awards program, recognizes outstanding achievement in high school theater. Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the gala awards show featured production numbers and dramatic scenes from many top nominated shows including South Plantation High School’s production of The Addams Family. In addition to the awards, $500 scholarships were given to each of the students who were recognized as Senior Critic, Lead Actor in a Play, Lead Actress in a Play, Lead Actor in a Musical and Lead Actress in a Musical. South Plantation High School’s production of The Addams Family won for Best Musical and Best Orchestra for Cousin It’s Pits. Kelly Walsh received an award for Best Costumes while Ashley Cador and Sydney Wheeler took home awards for Best Marketing and Publicity. American Heritage received an award for their production of Completeness and Rachel Banach won for Best Sound. Katrina Hickey took home the award for Best Comic Actress in a Play. Award winners were determined by votes from the students themselves through Photos by Ian Ibbetson

a weighted peer-review voting process. Each participating school selects three to six student critics, one faculty member and one show for review and rewards evaluations by critics from other schools. Typically, a show being considered for the Cappies is attended by thirty to fifty student critics. These critics discuss the show before, during and afterwards under the guidance of two teacher mentors. Following each show, critics list and score their Critics Choice in each category. Upon returning home, critics write 300-400 word reviews, which they then e-mail to mentors. The mentors select the best reviews for publication in local media outlets. All critic reviews are also forwarded to, and read by, the cast and crew of the performing school. “The Cappies showcase the exciting work happening in our high school theatre programs,” said Lori Sessions, program director for the South Florida Cappies. “In addition to furthering their performing arts training, these students are learning valuable skills that will help them in any career they pursue such as responsibility, cooperation and goal setting.” The awards ceremony was presented with support from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which has hosted the event since the South Florida Chapter of Cappies was founded in 2002 as a part of the national non-profit organization honoring high school theatre programs.

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South Plantation High School Students Recognized as Scholar Athletes

SCHOOL NEWS

BY MARISSA STEINBERG, STUDENT WRITER

s if school isn’t crazy enough with an abundance of classes, preparing for standardized tests, and college, many students have the capability and determination to add sports into the mix. Practices after school can last for hours, leaving students tired, and unmotivated to do school work. However, some students are able to excel academically and maintain highly involved in sports, being deemed as what Broward County calls, a Scholar Athlete. The Broward County Athletic Association, or otherwise known as the BCAA is a unit of the School Board of Broward County, which oversees and operates over 24 sports within the county. Being a student based athletic organization, the BCAA’s primary focus is helping students succeed on and off the field. South Plantation was lucky enough to Fasheba Funeus have seven students win the Scholar Athlete award from the county. Seniors Fasheba Funeus, Molly Gilchrest, Shelby Mariano, Michael Mele, PJ Schwab, Aaron Sigal, and Jessica Trana were recognized on behalf of their commendable performance in sports and in athletics. Fasheba Funeus plays five different sports at South Plantation. She is captain of the volleyMichael Mele ball team, captain of the basketball team, President of the 2015 class, along with being president of the club Women of Tomorrow. Funeus is proud that she is able to play that many sports, along with being able to keep her grades up. She has full intentions of playing sports in college, but has not officially committed to a school. “I was pleasantly surprised to be awarded Scholar Athlete. It was a true honor and I’m proud to be recognized for my success,” said Funeus. Molly Gilchrest was involved in soccer all four years of her high school career. She was the captain of the soccer team. Gilchrest is able to manage her time very effectively, and be able to succeed on and off the field. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the Fall. “It was an honor to to be a candidate for the

July 2015 | OUR CITY PLANTATION

award. I love sports, and being recognized for my accomplishments is amazing,” said Gilchrest. Shelby Mariano is the captain of the Varsity soccer team, a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), an active member of the National Honor Society, and the assistant soccer coach at Seminole Middle School. Mariano maintained a high GPA throughout her high school years, and enjoyed volunteering for different organizations

University of Florida next year. “I am honored to receive the award of being a scholar athlete. It means a lot to me that my hard work has paid off, and I am being recognized for such a prestigious award,” said Schwab. Michael Mele is the captain of the varsity football team, and was voted as the most valuable player this year. He was an active member of the varsity football and baseball team throughout high school, and plans to continue in college. He is attending Saint Vincent University in Pennsylvania, and is playing both football and baseball on the Saint Vincent teams. “It was a great feeling to be recognized for this award. Sports is something I love, and to be recognized for it, is an awesome feeling,” said Mele. Aaron Sigal served as the baseball captain this year. PJ Schwab He has played baseMolly Gilchrist ball all four years of high school, and is proud to say that he will be attending St. Edwards college in Texas next year to continue his passion. His ability to maintain high grades, and be thoroughly involved in extracurricular activities, and sports has made being a scholar athlete possible. “Sports is something that I am extremely passionate about, and the recognition was Jessica Trana Aaron Sigal greatly appreciated,” said Sigal. whenever she had free time. Sports is a major part of Jessica Trana has played softball all four years her life, and she plans to continue playing club sports of high school, and was the softball captain this year, at the University of West Florida, in Pensacola. along with being the Vice President of the digital arts “It was a great feeling to be a candidate for this media club. Trana not only puts in work for sports, but award. School and sports is something I take very spends countless hours each day studying, and sucseriously and it’s great to see that hard work pays off,” ceeding in school. As softball is a major part of her said Mariano. life, Trana received a scholarship to play at Florida PJ Schwab is the captain of the Cross Country Southern College. team at South Plantation. He recognizes his ability “I’m so grateful, and excited to have been a candito successfully lead and support his team mates at date for this award. This was a validation of my sucmeets, practices, and school. Schwab is the opinions cess in high school, and I can’t wait to see where my editor of the school’s newspaper, The Sword and academics, and sports takes me,” said Trana. Shield, along with earning very high grades. Although he does not currently have any plans to partake in Marissa Steinberg is a rising senior at sports in college PJ does plan on running throughSouth Plantation High School and is the out his life. He is continuing his education at the News Editor of her school’s newspaper.

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The Children’s Services Council of Broward County funds programs and services that impact one in every three Broward children. Learn more about the work of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County by visiting our web site at www.cscbroward.org. Children’s Services Council of Broward County 6600 West Commercial Boulevard, Lauderhill, FL 33319 Call us : (954) 377-1000 • Email: info@cscbroward.org • www.cscbroward.org OUR CITY PLANTATION | July 2015

Plantation High School Students Rocket to Success

SCHOOL NEWS

BY JILL SHARPE

ive teams from the Aerospace Engineering program at Plantation High School (PHS) worked all year to design, construct, and fly custom payloads carrying rockets for the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), the world’s largest rocketry competition. This year, the challenge, given to more than 700 teams across the nation had the students hitting exactly 800 feet, landing between 46 and 48 seconds, and not cracking a raw chicken egg as a payload. All five of the PHS active teams made the cut-off score to compete at the National Finals in The Plains, VA just outside of Manassas. Due to a last minute rule interpretation change, the event organizers limited Plantation High to only three teams. These three teams endured an 18 hour overnight bus ride, little sleep and challenging weather to compete in this annual event. PHS Aerospace had two teams make the second round fly-off. They had to adjust their rockets to fly to a different altitude with drastically changing weather. This presented a challenge but the students did the best they could and moved up from 42nd to 24th in the nation. “We scored better than any other school in the state,” said PHS Principal Alona DiPaola. “Our ranking qualifies the team to participate in NASA’s Student Launch, a milehigh scientific payload rocket, next year. Plantation High has competed in TARC for 12 years straight, winning six top ten and five special awards. Their top tier performances have secured 15 NASA Student Launch contracts.

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OUR CITY PLANTATION | July 2015

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Kiddie Academy of Plantation Offers a Caring and Nurturing Learning Environment for Infants and Preschoolers By Stacey Bomser

s parents we want the best for our children, and nowhere is that more important than when selecting a preschool or daycare provider. You want a place where your little one will flourish. Kiddie Academy of Plantation keeps both parents and children happy by providing a warm and caring learning environment. Through its developmentally appropriate curriculum, beautiful facility and experienced staff, Kiddie Academy of Plantation makes sure every child’s day is packed with learning and fun, in a safe and structured setting.

Recently Judy Meair, the owner of Kiddie Academy of Plantation, answered a few commonly asked questions about her business.

lum gives your child a full day of learning no matter what he or she is doing. Some of the best learning happens without your child knowing it.

What sets you apart from other child care learning centers? We

realize that there are many childcare and daycare options available. Only Kiddie Academy provides the kind of care that focuses on days filled with learning and fun, the key ingredients of our Life Essentials® curriculum. We are partnered with Kindermusik International, the world’s most trusted name in musical learning, to offer Music & More, a fun, active and engaging multisensory experience for your child. Furthermore, we have just implemented a new communication tool called Tadpoles. The Tadpoles program allows teachers to capture special moments and take photos which can be sent right to the parent’s email along with his or her child’s daily report. Kiddie Academy is also a nationally networked franchise, which ensures strict standards and a consistent experience for your child.

What is your facility like? Our facility has

Kiddie Academy of Plantation Owner Judy Meair and Director Rose Mary Rodriguez.

What is the Kiddie Academy of Plantation?

Kiddie Academy of Plantation offers a warm and nurturing learning environment. The smiles you’ll see on our children’s faces will delight you. The advancements these children are making here will impress you.

What programs do you offer? We currently

offer child care starting from six weeks through VPK (pre-kindergarten).

What is the educational philosophy at Kiddie Academy of Plantation? Every experience is an opportunity to learn. Life Essentials® is an overarching philosophy that includes our programs and techniques. From family style dining to character education, our developmentally appropriate curricu-

July 2015 | OUR CITY PLANTATION

Do you offer extended hours for families with different work schedules? Kiddie

Academy of Plantation is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am - 6:30pm.

Why should parents start their child’s educational experience with Kiddie Academy of Plantation? Well, there are several reasons.

Our core philosophy, Life Essentials®, empowers children to make great choices by giving them the opportunity. Our teachers are highly trained, extremely attentive and enormously admired. Lastly, we never stop thinking about your child’s safety, so you don’t have to think twice about it.

been open for just over two years and is equipped with top-of-the-line technology, from our safe security system to WatchMeGrow cameras in every classroom and playground. You can take pride in knowing you’ve come to the best place for child care.

Please tell us about your team? As owner, I

have worked within the school system for over 16 years and have volunteered for various organizations including the theatre, police, and fire department. Rose Mary Rodriguez is the academy director and brings over 14 years of experience. In addition to her Master’s degree, Rose has obtained her Director’s Credential from the State of Florida.

What training do you require of your teachers and staff? The

continuous training we provide for our staff always meets, and often exceeds, the standard for childcare services. We require staff to participate in ongoing professional development programs.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know? We encourage children to

explore and progress at their own pace, in their own style. When your child learns and plays in this manner, he or she is empowered to learn and grow socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually. Kiddie Academy of Plantation is centrally located at 9621 West Broward Boulevard. For more information visit www.kiddieacademy.com/plantation; call (954) 476-9706; email plantation@kiddieacademy.net; or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KAPlantation.

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▸▸ C ommon sense approach-You are not just a credit score ▸▸ Flexible loan terms ▸▸ Lower processing fees than banks ▸▸ Excellent member service Many credit unions offer a free auto buying/leasing service to their members. This free service allows credit union members to shop for their dream car without visiting a car dealership! All the hassle and some of the fees are eliminated! It’s simple...you get pre-approved for the auto loan at your credit union, let the car buying/leasing service know exactly what you are looking for, then just sit back and relax. You are in good hands while the service finds the auto for you, negotiate the best deal and deliver it to you at your convenience.

ask the expert

tart your day strong with a delicious cup of fresh brewed coffee and some credit union facts.... Since 1844, credit unions have been known for their great savings and now free checking accounts. However, did you know they offer an array of competitive loan products as well? Whether for a car, a mortgage or a home remodel, personal loan or a credit card, chances are you’ll be shopping for a loan at some point. It can be overwhelming. However, knowing the advantages of a credit union loan verses a bank loan can help you make the right decision. If you’ve never used a credit union, you may think they’re the same as banks...not so! Credit unions are notfor-profit cooperatives owned by their members. Profits are distributed to members instead of shareholders. This fact makes all the difference....profits are returned to the members in the form of competitive interest rates on depository accounts and loans.

Can I refinance my car loan at a credit union?

Yes, credit unions offer competitive rates, flexible refinancing terms and low processing fees. Refinancing your existing auto loan at a credit union can possibly save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Whatever your reason, your local Credit Union has money to lend and a helping hand to make your dreams come true. For more information about credit unions please call us at 954335-5100; visit our website at www.priorityonefl.org or stop by one of our branches conveniently located in Sunrise, at 3000 North University Drive; in Fort Lauderdale, at 1900 West Oakland Park Boulevard (in the U.S. Post Office building); or Coral Springs at 1700 North University Drive; Suite 100. (Next to Chili’s)

Turn Your Home into a Power

Renovation. Education. Consolidation. A PriorityONE home equity line of credit gives you the power to do it all.

Tool!

Power up with this special offer: • NO closing costs* • Incredibly LOW rates • FAST closings You’ve got the power to apply for a home equity line of credit your way: • Log on to www.priorityonefl.org – or – • Call 954-335-5100 – or – • Stop by any of our offices Sunrise 3000 N. University Drive Coral Springs 1700 N. University Drive, Suite 100 (next to Chili’s) Ft. Lauderdale 1900 W. Oakland Park Blvd. (in the Post Office building) *Includes drive-by appraisal fee of up to $300 which will be reimbursed at closing. If Home Equity Line of Credit is paid in full and closed before 24 months, member will refund all closing costs paid by PriorityONE.

Federally insured by NCUA OUR CITY PLANTATION | July 2015

pet of the month

Time for a change?

“Daisy”

No previous experience in advertising required. Tired of real estate, banking, pharmaceutical sales? We provide salary and training for outgoing, professional and goal oriented individuals.

Sell display advertising to existing account list and prospect to develop new accounts. Create ideas for marketing campaigns. Exceed assigned monthly goals, make more money and have more fun.

Our office is seeking talented goal oriented, positive sales individuals interested in a solid opportunity to earn a $60,000+ income in first year. If you are outgoing and able to communicate in person, in writing and by phone with business owners and managers on a consultive sales approach, you belong with us!

Strong presentation and communication skills. Reliable transportation a must. Newspaper or media background a plus, bilingual helpful. No Phone Calls Please! E-mail resume to: publisher@ourcityweston.com

Daisy is a four-month-old Goldador (a Golden retriever/Lab retrieve mix). Her favorite people are her two human sisters Ashley and Emily. Her favorite toy is a big Alligator stuffed animal. Daisy is a huge Gator fan! GO GATORS! She likes road trips, giving kisses and high-fives, playing fetch, sun tanning by the pool, taking baths and long walks on the beach. She does not like the blender. Daisy’s favorite thing to do is to ride in the car with the windows rolled down! She was last seen stretched out on her puppy bed watching animal planet.

Your Pet Could Be Our Pet of the Month! Every month Our City Plantation randomly picks a pet of the month winner. Enter your pet today!

www.BoydInjuryLaw.com

Personal Injury Attorney

• Vehicle Accidents

• Medical Malpractice • Slip And Falls • Dog Bites

• Homeowner’s Insurance Claims

• Property Damage • Wrongful Death • Brain Injuries

Email entries to editorplantation@ourcitymedia.com. Please send a high-resolution photo with your entry. Tell us a little bit about your pet… Animal name & breed:______________________________________ Age and gender of animal:__________________________________ Favorite person:___________________________________________ Favorite toy:______________________________________________ Likes & dislikes:____________________________________________ Favorite thing to do:________________________________________ Last seen:________________________________________________