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Casino @ Dania Beach.....................6B Classified.........................................5B Community Events...........................2B Elite Auction.............................3A & 5A

Hallandale Beach.............................4A Health...............................................4B Lifestyle......................................1B-3B Fresh & Wild Seafood......................4A

J A N U A RY 3 0 , 2 0 2 0 • 1 4 PA G E S • V O L U M E 1 7 • I S S U E 1 8

AVENTURA • BAL HARBOUR • DANIA BEACH • HALLANDALE BEACH • HOLLYWOOD • NORTH MIAMI BEACH • PEMBROKE PINES • PEMBROKE PARK • SURFSIDE • SUNNY ISLES BEACH

Traffic Driving You Crazy? What Is Being Done To Ease Congestion

Traffic and traffic accidents are a part of life in South Florida, but what is being done to ease the congestion?

We travel each day and tell ourselves at a busy familiar intersection, this is an accident waiting to happen, then one day it does.

By Austin Torres

As winter progresses and temperatures remain low up north, traffic continues to become more congested in

South Florida. Being the tropical state that we are, makes us one of the most popular tourist destinations, not just in our country, but in the world, especially dur-

ing this time of the year. Our year-round warm and consistently sunny climate is a major draw to northerners who wish to escape the brutality of the winter

time cold. But statistics have shown that traffic accidents increase by up to 4.9% during winter time as a result of the weather changes and the

increase in congestion.

Although we love visitors and tourism as it is a driving force Congestion, Page 7A

Plant-based Festival To Be Held February 9th At Gulfstream Park

We all want to live a long and healthier life, right? If you haven’t already started this journey, now is your time. And, if you already are on track, you have an oppor-

tunity to enrich your trip. So, get your taste buds ready! With more vendors and more flavor than before, the 2nd Annual PlantBased Festival will be held at

Gulfstream Park Village, South Florida’s premier entertainment destination, on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The event will showcase the latest in

food, drink and plant-based goods coming to The Village Center. The festival, located in the Gulfstream Park Village shopping area, will feature a

main stage for presenters, music, giveaways from merchants, 60+ plant-based vendors, and contests for the kids. The event is family-friendly and free to attend.

The 2nd Annual Plant-Based Festival might be the gamechanger that points you in the right direction for your health. “It will be a day of food, drink and fashion that can direct people to live happy, fulfilled lives while making positive contributions to the community,” says Alex Schreer, Director of Experiential Marketing for Madison Marquette who represents Gulfstream Park Village. The Village Center at Gulfstream Park will be transformed into a village of food trucks, consumer goods, and some surprises still in the works.

Food vendors will be serving Plant-based, Page 2B

Famed Serbian Virtuoso Misha Dacic Performs At Aventura Arts And Cultural Center February 16 Classical Sundays at Five Continues on March 22 with the Return of Russian Pianist Ilya Itin.

All recitals are in memory of Miami International Piano Festival co-founder Edith Sorin who passed away recently at age 103. A scholarship fund has been established in her name to enable gifted pianists to attend the Miami International Piano Festival Academy this summer at Nova Southeastern University.

Visit www.miamipianofestac ademy.com to learn more.

If you are only to experience one music festival a season, the Miami International Piano Festival is a great choice. The festival lines up international stars, up-and-comers and programs that feature different ideas and concepts. One of those international stars is Misha Dacic.

After his stunning American debut at the Discovery

Series of the Sixth Miami International Piano Festival in May 2003, Misha Daci quickly became a sought after soloist throughout the USA and was

Dream Car Classic, “Be Mine” Dog Show And Much More, 1B

featured at Ravinia’s Rising Stars Series in Chicago, followed by performances at the Gilmore Keyboard Festival Rising Stars Recital Series in Kalamazoo, the

Xavier University Classical Piano Series in Cincinnati, The Golandsky Institute International Piano Festival at Princeton University, Frederic Chopin

Valentine’s Day Weekend Is For Music & Comedy Lovers, 3B

Society’s Concert Series in Minneapolis and the Leschetitzky Piano Series in New York.

Cultural Center, Page 3B

Kodner Galleries Antiques and Much More, 2A

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The Hallandale Symphonic POPS Orchestra

By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper

Recently, my dear friend Phyllis Broconne called me to invite me to the Halladale Symphonic POPS Orchestra’s concert on February 10th. After inviting me she sadly informed me that this may be their final concert. Hallandale Beach has been home to the POPS Orchestra for nearly 30 years.

The orchestra was the brainchild of Lottie and Gil Stein. The duo resided right in our wonderful City on Golden Isles Drive. Their goal was to further expand the arts in our City. I was fortunate to have known both, Lottie and Gil Stein, who graced our City with their goodwill and desire to make our City a better place to live. Gil served as the Mayor of Hallandale Beach from 1989 to 1991. What started as a vision became a reality with the help of many individuals that shared the understanding of how important cultural arts is to a community such as ours. Mayor Educe Steinberg, Mayor Dottie Ross,

and Mayor Joe Scavo also became major influences for the POPS Orchestra. When I moved to Hallandale Beach, Eudyce introduced me to many of the individuals of the Orchestra and we all worked hard to raise money to build awareness for the POPS Orchestra.

To those new to Hallandale Beach, the current location that is now known as the Diplomat Mall Shopping Center was an indoor mall back in its early years. During its prime, it was surely the place to go. The POPS started its legacy by playing free concerts inside that very mall.

Eventually, they grew and the mall audience started to dwindle due to the Aventura Mall.

Therefore, the POPS needed a new place to play. Mayor Eudyce was a wildly smart businesswoman from Chicago that shared Gil’s vision and helped to lobby for the building of our Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center. The goal was to house the POPS Orchestra in our great

City. Regretfully, the Commission cut the budget and the building was not designed for a large orchestra. While they could play there, it wasn’t ideal for the audiences therefore the space was not able to accommodate the following of the POPS Orchestra.

Sadly, Lottie passed away and not much longer Gil followed shortly after. I always believed it was from a broken heart. Mayor Dottie always loved the POPS Orchestra and attended almost every show before her untimely death. Mayor Joe Scavo died suddenly a day after being appointed mayor. He was an amazing retired Police Officer from New York City with the biggest heart. My son, Matt will never forget him as he gave Matt a copy of his badge. Even though these leaders passed, their hard work still shows today as we have taken over the mantle of running the POPS Orchestra. We continued the tradition of volunteerism. Conductor Peter Fuchs leads the orchestra

with such talent and years of experience. The board is chaired

by Armin Lovenwirth, who works at City National Bank, and virtually knows everyone in the city.

Also, Georgia Winfrey, who served as a Postmaster, worked hard for many years along with other board members to ensure that the POPS remained successful. Mayor Dottie Ross, Vice Mayor Fran Schiller, a wellknown real estate broker, Vice Mayor Bill Julian of Julian Stables, and myself were all staple volunteers as well as honorary board members. For years the City and many businesses large and small contributed to the success.

As south Florida grew so did the entertainment options. With the new growth and demand for performance space, the costs of performance venues grew. I worked with Gulfstream Park to offer the Sport of Kings venue to house the POPS Orchestra. The last few years the Orchestra moved to the Hollywood Arts

and Cultural Center. As Arts and Cultural grew around us the population of our audience aged and never rebound. The world of music has also changed over the past 30 years. Our city budget for years supported many cultural programs but was cut over the past few years. This also impacted the POPS budget. This year they offered two concerts instead of five.

I could speculate about all the reasons, but the reality is next year there may not be a POPS Orchestra.

While I certainly hope this is not the last concert it may be the last time you can see them.

Tickets are only $25. The concert will be held Tuesday, February 10th at Hollywood Center Performing Arts Center located at Federal Hwy and Monroe Street just south of Hollywood Circle. This concert will be featuring the music from Gershwin and jazz vocal form the University of Miami Florida International University Jazz. For info and tickets: 954-624-6829.

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Sunny Isles Beach State of the City 2020

During the 1950’s and 1960’s more than 30 motels sprang up along Collins Avenue including the Ocean Palm, the first two-story motel in the U.S. Designed by Norman Giller in 1948, it was developed and owned by the Gingold family for the next 45 years and provided the springboard for Sunny Isles economic development. Tourists came from all over to vacation in themed motels of exotic design along “Motel Row.”

By Sunny Isles Beach Mayor George “Bud” Scholl (sibfl.net)

Citizens of Sunny Isles Beach, I am pleased to present the 2020 State of the City address. This year, I am delivering my sixth State of the City address.

However, 2019 has been one of the busiest years the city has experienced in quite some time.

I am going to start on a solemn note, wishing farewell to former Commissioner Roslyn Brezin who passed away in February 2019. Roz lived in our city for close to 50 years, served on the City Commission for seven years and remained an active voice in our community right up until the time of her passing. We will miss Roz and her seemingly boundless energy.

Our two newest commissioners, Jeniffer Viscarra and Alex Lama, completed their first full year of service. Given the myriad of issues we faced as a community and commission in 2019, they learned quickly what it takes to make objective decisions in difficult situations. Last year, also brought a newly outsourced legal department which provided additional expertise and positive economic benefits to this important area of our staffing.

Once again, I want to highlight the excellent financial condition we have maintained. Our city’s assessed taxable value increased by approximately 4% from $11.1 billion to $11.5 billion with $919.5 million coming from new construction being added to the tax rolls. Our millage rate remains the fourth lowest municipality in Miami-Dade County at 2.2 mils per $1,000 of assessed value.

In 2019 we made progress on our multi-year Utility Undergrounding and Streetlight Enhancement Project. As one of our biggest undertakings, this is the most visible project to our residents and often the most frustrating.

Decorative streetlight installation continues and provides a noticeable improvement from 178 Street north to the William Lehman Causeway. While FPL is currently running underground wiring on the south end of the city, the overall completion of this project is mostly dependent upon FPL and the Florida Department of Transportation.

As I pointed out last year, this is a long process that will continue to require lane closures and other frustrations, but the benefits to the city will be numerous once this work is completed. At the end of August, we spent days watching, waiting and preparing for Hurricane Dorian as the predicted path looked certain to come within our proximity. We were fortunately spared the wrath of Dorian, however many of our residents participated in a citysponsored donation drive for victims in the Bahamas.

This year’s preparedness received positive feedback

with the addition of a sandbag distribution program, a re-entry card program in the event of an evacuation, and our first emergency utilization of the SIBAlert system to communicate directly with residents and business owners with storm updates. In late December, we were not so lucky when an epic rainstorm drenched our area. Golden Shores experienced severe flooding prompting us to accelerate the pump station design and bidding process that had already commenced. Debris and build up inside the outflow pipe to the bay hindered the functionality of an existing high-powered pump, which significantly slowed our ability to remove the water quickly.

Temporary pumps are in place to enable us to mitigate these types of events in the future. The Golden Shores Undergrounding Project is currently in the design phase including surveying of all properties.

System design work will continue throughout 2020 with the cooperation of neighborhood utilities: FPL, AT&T, Atlantic Broadband and TECO natural gas.

Pedestrian safety remains a top priority and a lot of progress was made in 2019 to further several strategic safety initiatives.

Bus shelter replacements resulted in wider sidewalks in some areas, while we continue to widen sidewalks and illuminate crosswalks wherever possible.

Our two pedestrian bridge initiatives saw significant progress this past year.

Design of the 180 Street Government Center pedestrian bridge continues. This has been a long process of multiple reviews by the Florida Department of Transportation and we are now nearing design completion. In 2019, land was secured for the 174 Street/Collins Avenue pedestrian bridge, a study was completed, and the request for design, engineering and building services is out to bidders with a plan for award in spring 2020.

Resiliency efforts continue to drive important considerations for coastal communities. We have two studies underway that will assist in planning for the future environmental needs of our city. The first is a citywide Flood Adaptation Assessment, awarded to us through a competitive application process with the American Flood Coalition. The second is a stormwater retention study that analyzes the Florida Department of Transportation stormwater retention areas for additional storm water capacity. We are coordinating with county, state and federal governments to ensure the long-term health of our beach. Sixty thousand cubic yards of sand was added to our beach from three private developments in 2018/19, with another 24,000 cubic yards expected in JanuaryMarch of 2020. This year

we will also begin coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers for a federally funded renourishment of the entire span of our beach, which will include the rehabilitation of the submerged breakwater structures that were installed at the north end of the city by the Army Corps in the early 2000s.

Maintaining and improving our citywide drainage system is an ongoing effort and a top priority. The first phase of the Central Island Drainage project is nearing completion, with most of the work performed in 2019. We will be adding two new wells on 172 Street and installing specialty valves on several pipes to mitigate water from coming into our city from the Intracoastal Waterway.

Our short-term rental program was officially implemented in 2019. By February 2019 we had received approximately 600 registrations for shortterm rentals. During the year we encountered unit owners circumventing both our registration requirements and their actual condominium regulations in those buildings that do not allow short-term rentals. These experiences resulted in a modification of our ordinance to require inspections of proposed units to be used as shortterm rentals. Additionally, we requested all internet platforms that advertise short-term rentals to post the city license number online.

At the beginning of 2019 it was discovered that a portion of our land use regulations had been misinterpreted for several years, resulting in six existing buildings being deemed non-conforming.

This led to a series of some of the most contentious public commission meetings and social media campaigns in the history of the city. We ultimately imposed a building moratorium in the Town Center District, created a new southern Town Center district and passed a comprehensive plan amendment that was reviewed favorably by the state to bring the six buildings into conformity. Moving forward, we are going through a public process to decide how best to treat the land uses in the remaining northern portion of the Town Center District.

Everyone involved in these issues received an education in the finer aspects of land use regulations and zoning.

It would be apt to coin 2019 the year of citizen engagement. We saw our highest levels of resident social media usage via Twitter, up 10%, Instagram, up 41%, and Facebook, up 22%. Our commission and workshop meeting attendance also experienced upticks. And our SIBAlert subscribers doubled in 2019 to over 2,000. Our Cultural Master Plan guides most of our cultural event programming and provides support to our volunteer Public Arts

Advisory Committee (PAAC). The PAAC reviews the art component of zoning applications as well as other city projects by utilizing experts in art curation. Then they present their recommendation to the Commission. The conceptual design of the Meditation Garden at Town Center Park has been approved and is moving forward. The PAAC also reviewed the conceptual designs of the two pedestrian bridges under development. Given the success of the PAAC’s process, as we closed 2019, the Commission agreed to fund seed money for additional PAAC projects. They now have the opportunity to apply for grants and other funding sources to continue to improve our quality of life.

Our city has become known for a high level of entertainment throughout the year. 2019 brought us some of the highest quality programs in our region through the Gateway LIVE! series. Chinese Acrobats, Dueling Pianos, and a Broadway style concert, What a Night, were among these popular events. We renamed the Jazz Fest to “Music in the Isles,” which featured Jon Secada at Gateway Park. The annual City Anniversary Celebration was also hosted at Gateway Park for the first time this past year.

This was all in addition to continuing our tradition of regular free concerts from rock and roll and doo wop, to full orchestras at various parks as well as free movie programs for all ages.

The Oil Painting club took off as a free program for residents and brought people with similar interests together. Our teens only events expanded to feature interesting and interactive activities such as an Escape Room and Sushi Making. This year we saw a surge in healthy senior living with increased interest in the bocce club and pickleball programs as well as Tai Chi. Full Moon Yoga continues to attract the largest crowd each month on the beach for

yogis of all skill and age.

We also began building out the long-awaited center at Gateway Park, which is expected to be completed later this year.

Soccer remains the most sought-after sport in town. Enrollment is consistently at max capacity and our one soccer field is always in high demand.

The city offers three soccer programs to fit all skill levels: recreational soccer, select academy and travel soccer for the more advanced players. Last year our youth soccer team participated and won their division of the ESPN Memorial Day Soccer Tournament at Disney.

Our Sister City initiatives were quite active in 2019. In March of this past year I led our first sister city visit to Hengchun, Taiwan with Vice Mayor Larisa Svechin and Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra along with residents, Keith and Fang Oliver. Then in early December, we had the honor of hosting Hengchun Mayor Lu and their delegation. This year we plan to welcome our third international intern by extending an invitation to Taiwan.

Media and technology played a big part in our safety and communications strategy. In addition to the double-digit increases in social media utilization mentioned earlier, we also launched the city’s official YouTube page with 78 public videos posted to date. We were featured on the cover of Public Management magazine highlighting our various digital initiatives including our free Wi-Fi on the beach, which utilizes solar panels on the lifeguard stands. We initiated an expansion to add more License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras to the city-owned roads starting with 189 Street south to 185 Street.

We completed phase 2 of the security camera project throughout the city’s parks and public spaces, ensuring complete surveillance coverage for our police department.

And speaking of our

police department, 2019 brought the first full year of stepped-up visibility and enforcement along Collins Avenue. From this, we have seen noticeably less speeding and a safer environment for pedestrians and motorists. Our PD partnered with other agencies to host a major Put it Down campaign on Collins Avenue following the passing of House Bill 107 regarding distracted driving. Officers will continue to be highly visible both along our major thoroughfares and neighborhood streets. Mother’s Day 2019 brought us a tragic event involving a shooting and the accidental death of a long-time employee of a Sunny Isles Beach car rental shop. Our police department was on the scene immediately and their rapid response was credited with preventing additional casualties and injuries.

Our city is always growing, and in 2019 we saw the substantial completion of Parque Towers and Armani Casa. Under construction during this past year has been Marina del Mar, Aurora Tower, Milton Tower and the Chabad of Lubavitch. The Milton Tower office building will be substantially completed in early 2020 and has attracted some high-profile clients from the northeast that brought us positive press in 2019. The Monaco was demolished in 2019 making way for construction of a new low-rise boutique hotel by Dezer Development.

Once again, I have the pleasure of reporting to our citizens a myriad of initiatives, events and improvements that might seem to simply appear in our city throughout the year.

However, none of these would be possible without the dedication of our city staff. These full and parttime dedicated professionals do a fantastic job at carrying out the vision that the City Commission and you, our residents, provide to them. There is also a legion of volunteers that assist at many of our city events making them possible. I would like to personally thank everyone who keeps the momentum moving forward in all that gets accomplished. In the end, a real community is made up of civic-minded residents who participate and enjoy the lifestyle their community gives back.

2019 demonstrated that our citizens are passionate about their community and willing to spend time and energy expressing their views. On behalf of myself, Vice Mayor Svechin and Commissioners Goldman, Lama and Viscarra, thank you for another great year and may God bless you.

A-SECTION Congestion From Page 1A responsible for keeping our economy strong and healthy, it’s important to be extra careful this time of the year and consider your neighboring commuters.

Luckily for us, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working overtime to mitigate traffic accidents and keep the public safe, especially during this busy time of the year.

To get more information on what FDOT is currently doing to ensure road safety we spoke with Communications Manager Guillermo Canedo.

Canedo informed us that FDOT has Regional Traffic Managements Centers in place across the state to monitor and disseminate traffic information to the public. Across Florida, there are 7 districts with corresponding Regional Traffic Management Centers (RTMC). District four for example has two RTMC’S, one of which being the Broward SMART Sun Guide. The RMTC is fully staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, and is constantly up to date with ongoing traffic and accidents. FDOT is constantly working each day to lessen traffic on it’s roadways to keep the flow moving. For up to date traffic information before you hit the

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road, you can dial 511 from your mobile phone or go to fl511.com to decide on your best route.

Operators at the RTMC monitor closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) that are located along I95, I-595 and I-75 to post messages to the Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) to inform commuters of changes in traffic as well as construction.

“We have cameras on all the major highways and interstates,” says Canedo.

FDOT also provides the Road Ranger Service to help stranded motorists. The Road Rangers provide a variety of services to help alleviate traffic and assist commuters who might run into car troubles while traveling on the highway. Services that the Road Rangers provide may include; changing tires, jump starting vehicles, clearing debris from the road, minor repairs, supplying emergency gasoline or water, as well as monitoring abandoned vehicles. The Road Ranger Program has caused a reduction in accidents as well as a reduction of road debris.

For more serious situations FDOT deploys The Severe Incident Response Vehicle (SIRV) Team. The SIRV unit provides an immediate response to major

traffic incidents along the Florida Expressways such as overturned trucks, fatalities or full highway enclosures.

SIRV’s quick response time and training provide substantial relief to our roads.

With this many systems and precautions in place, you can

With Cell phones and the advent of new smart technology we are constantly distracted.

Whether you are receiving a text message, call, or need to input an address into your GPS, technology is always diverting our attention from the road. It is important to resist the temptation

three traffic points. With this new law in place we hope drivers will be more vigilant and aware of their environment on the road.

As you commute to your destinations during this time of the year, we encourage you all to be aware of potentially dangerous drivers, check your tires, avoid

rest assured knowing that FDOT is using every resource as well as the most up to date technology to keep the roads and our commuters safe during this congested time of the year. But even with all of the precautions it is important for us commuters to make sure that we are patient and fully engaged with the road.

“I encourage everyone to drive safely and to leave with plenty of time to reach their destination,” says Canedo.

to text or make a phone call. The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States.

Recently Florida has passed a new law which bans texting and driving in an effort to mitigate traffic accidents. The new law, which is active as of Jan 1, will fine first-time offenders with a $30 fine and second-time offenders with a $60 fine as well as

tailgating as this can lead to accidents, drive the speed limit, avoid trying to squeeze into narrow spaces, and please use your turning signals. The road can be a frustrating place for many drivers, and naturally, everyone wants to get to their destination as soon as possible. Although traffic is brutal, with the help of FDOT and a little bit of extra preparation, we can all enjoy a much less stressful experience on the road.

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SOUTH FLORIDA SUN TIMES

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LIFESTYLE Dream Car Classic, “Be Mine” Dog Show and Much More At the ArtsPark in Downtown Hollywood The week ahead is full of family fun at the ArtsPark at Young Circle. Check out these events coming up and make plans to enjoy your week in Downtown Hollywood.

Funtastic Friday Friday, January 31 Funtastic Friday is a weekly event at the ArtsPark at Young Circle in Downtown Hollywood where kids can kick-off their shoes and bounce the night away in inflatable bounce houses. Funtastic Friday is free and runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the ArtsPark at Young Circle, located at US-1 and Hollywood Boulevard, weather permitting.

Free Gardening Classes Join your neighbors to learn how to grow your own fruits and vegetables. Classes will take place the first and last Saturday of each month through September. The next class will take place this Saturday, February 1st at 10 a.m. at the Oak Lake Park Community Garden, 3190 N 56th Avenue in west Hollywood. Please RSVP your attendance by calling 954.921.3404.

Dream Car Classic Sunday, February 2 On Sunday, February 2nd, the monthly Downtown Hollywood Dream Car Classic takes place along Hollywood Boulevard between 19th and 20th Avenues from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dream Car Classic features dozens of classic cars, trucks and other one-of-a-kind vehicles on display. There will be a special appearance by International Face Art artistic face painting and glitter tattoos! Attendance is

free. There is a $20.00 charge for those who wish to have their vehicles on display.

To pre-register for the Dream Car Classic, email Joe Bevelacqua at jbevsr@msn.com and include your vehicle’s make and model. Vehicles will also be registered the morning of the show as space permits.

Participation is limited to 85 vehicles with awards for the Top 30 vehicles and the People’s Choice Award. For more information on the Dream Car Classic, please call 954.825.1027.

Save the Date 5th Annual “Be Mine” Dog Show Scholarship Fundraiser Saturday, February 8 Bring your prized pooch, your human friends and family for a Valentine’s celebration full of furfriendly fun. The 5th Annual “BE MINE” Dog Show will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stan Goldman “Hollywoof” Dog Park at 800 Knights Road in Hollywood.

Dogs will compete in categories such as: Best Trick, Best Dress/Look-A-Like, Most Obedient, Best Talent and more.

The free family event will have raffle prizes, vendors and a silent auction with proceeds to benefit the Hollywood Council of Civic Associations’ Pete Brewer Scholarship Fund for graduating Hollywood high school seniors.

There is an entry fee of $5.00 per dog, per category and proof of current vaccinations is required. Donations, vendors and volunteers are still needed. To volunteer or for more information on the event, visit hccacentral .org, call 954.662.3612 or visit the Facebook page: Be Mine Annual Dog Show.

CanadaFest Friday, February 7 through Sunday, February 9 Canadafest, the popular musical festival and trade show is taking place at the ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood in February.

Festivities kick off at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening and continue from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Attendees can enjoy an impressive list of performers and artists and discover the Canadian culture through music and dance.

For more information, please call 954.921.3500.

and banquet, raffles, auction, and more. The shotgun start at Orangebrook Golf and Country Club 400 Entrada Drive is at 8am.

Find out more at www.sbhs dawgpound.com Mardi Gras Sunday, February 23 “Let the Good Times Roll” as Mardi Gras returns to Downtown

African American Advisory Council invites high school students to participate in a poetry/ spoken word night at Hollywood City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday, February, 25th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Refreshments and networking in the City Hall 2nd floor lobby begins at 5:30 p.m.

Students are encouraged to write their poems based on the

Chris Hixon Memorial Run/Walk Saturday, February 15 The Chris Hixon Memorial 5k, will honor the memory of Chris Hixon: a friend, Coach, Father and great human being. All proceeds will support the Chris Hixon Athletic Scholarship foundation.

Bring your prized pooch, your human friends and family for a Valentine’s The race is from 7 a.m. to celebration full of fur-friendly fun. The 4th Annual “BE MINE” Dog Show 10 a.m. at Charnow Park at will be held on Saturday, February 9th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

300 Connecticut Street on Hollywood Beach. Register for 5K, virtual 5K or kids fun run Hollywood on February 23rd. topic “African Americans and the at runsignup.com This family friendly event will fea- Vote.” Students will recite their Immediately following the ture a walking krewe parade, poems during the event in front race medals will be awarded to crawfish boil, king cakes, plenty of the community audience. First all finishers followed by a of beads, King and Queen cos- place winners will receive an Celebration of Life. tume contest, live music, artisan “iPad Mini,” the second place vendors, children’s activities and winner will receive a “Samsung The Bulldog Golf Tournament much more. Mardi Gras takes Tablet,” and the third place winSaturday, February 22 place from 1 to 7 p.m. in ner will receive a “Kindle Tablet” Sponsors and golfers wanted Downtown Hollywood at 1920 courtesy of the Liberia Economic for the Bulldog Golf Tournament Hollywood Boulevard. and Social Development and AT& that benefits the athletics proT Pioneers. Poems must be subgram at South Broward High Talented 10th Poetry Slam mitted prior to the event. For School. There will be prizes, bev- Tuesday, February 26 Poetry Slam details and contest erages and snacks, luncheon The City of Hollywood’s rules, visit: hollywoodfl.org

LIFESTYLE

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Plant-based From Page 1A unique, delicious organic food.

Eco-products and plant-based clothing, as well as oils, soaps, plants, and hemp products will be available. Healthy drinks will be accessible at several sites.

Aventura Hospital’s Nutrition and Diabetes Educator Michelle Larea will be introducing the event and discussing why plantbased diets and lifestyles are positive for human health and the Earth.

Attendees should come ready for fun and ready to eat by bringing their own reusable water bottle, cup or cutlery to cut down on waste. Alternatives will be available, but every little bit helps!

Inspired by the City’s Plastic Straw Ban, Gulfstream Park Village will be giving away multicolor stainless-steel reusable straws to the first 500 attendees.

Why an emphasis on Plant-based living?

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) International Medicine in 2016, high animal protein intake was positively associated with cardiovascular mortality, whereas high plant-based protein intake had just the opposite effect, especially among individuals with at least one lifestyle

risk factor. Many studies since then have shown that modification in a diet that reduces red meat shows a marked decrease in cardiovascular incidents, resulting in an increase in longevity. As far as the environmental impact of a meat-based society, the Hippocrates Institute, named in honor of the ancient Greek physician who recorded the first medical case studies, printed a report back in 2012 stating that “Greenhouse gases attributed to livestock are more than double that of transportation emissions.”

The report also noted that livestock are fed 35% of the world’s grains, while large pockets of the world go hungry. And that was back in 2012.

There are countless books and a myriad of literature available online to know more about plant-based living and the positive effects of vegan diets; you can start with the International Vegan Association website.

There also are many podcasts and software avenues that educate and assist in resources and competitive pricing for vegan foods and plant-based products.

But, as a real starter, you can begin face-to-face with experts, information and resources right at your fingertips on February 9th at Gulfstream Park Village. Join your friends and neighbors on a day that may impact your life, but most importantly, improve your health.

COMMUNITY EVENTS If you would like to submit an announcement for our “Community Events” listing in the print and digital edition, please call our office at: (954) 458-0635 or via e-mail: SFSUNTIMES @aol.com. The cost per week is: $25.00 for approximately 5 lines. For a complete listing of all Community Events, please check out our web-site at: southfloridasuntimes.com.

• Casting Call 4 Snappy Seniors 50+: Dancers, Singers, Comedians, Musicians Try Out Date Feb 3rd, YMCA 3171 Taft Street Hollywood, Fl. Time: 12pm at West Studio. Call Edina (954) 296-9030.

• Coin & Collectibles Show Sunday 02/02/20 at Hollywood Rotary Club, 2349 Taylor Street.

10AM - 3PM. (954) 558-5108.

• Hallandale Symphonic Pops Orchestra - Gershwin & Jazz Vocals March 10th, 7:30pm. The performances will be held at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center 1770 Monroe St. Hollywood. For Tickets call (954) 624-6829.

• Scholarships Available - For Hallandale Beach residents, graduating high school seniors -

hallandalescholarshipfund.org.

• Jewish Social Club for retirees and seniors - back by popular demand! The Café Chai Winter Series will take place every month from now through April, on the first Thursday. Exact dates are: Jan 2, Feb 6, Mar 5 and Apr 2. It will begin at 12:30 PM at the Hallandale Cultural Community Center – 410 SE

When: Sunday, Feb. 9 from 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Where: Gulfstream Park Village 901 S. Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 - just two miles east of I-95. 954-454-7000 Cost: Free to attend About Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack.

Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing, but is also home to an exciting array of adult and family3rd St. Admission is free, donations are welcome. Reservations required, email reserve@unitedj ewishgenerations.com or call 305-770-4540.

• Annual Carnival March 5th thru March 8th - Mark your calendar for the hottest spring event in Hollywood, Little Flower Catholic Church & School’s 20th Annual Carnival, including Midway carnival rides for all ages, carnival games and prizes, auction tent, raffle, live entertainment and delicious international food court and bar. Free admission. Session ride bracelets and ticket sheets for sale on-site. Little Flower Catholic Church, on US-1 just North of Hollywood Blvd. 1805

friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, nightclubs, two casinos, art galleries, fashion retailers, sports bars, state-of-the-art bowling alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Newlyadded venues include Color Me Mine, and PlugIN — with 18 private karaoke rooms. Gulfstream Park is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I-95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information, visit www.gulfstreampark .com or call 954-454-7000.

Pierce Street, Hollywood, FL 33020, (954) 922-3517.

• Rotary Club of Hallandale Beach Aventura - The group meets every Wednesday at 12:00 at Blu Bar & Grill at the Hemispheres Oceanside. Please call for information and events 954-454-2080 (leave a message) or email RotaryClubHallandaleAventura@ gmail.com.

• Kiwanis Club of Hallandale Beach - The group meets the second and fourth Thursday at Noon at Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine at 1727 East Hallandale Beach Blvd. Join in their efforts to support our local youth. For more info, please call: (954) 907-2392.

LIFESTYLE

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Famed Serbian Virtuoso Misha Dacic Performs At Aventura Arts And Cultural Center February 16 Cultural Center From Page 1A His recitals and recordings have been acclaimed internationally: “ Mischa Dacic’s formidable Lisztian reputation is completely borne out by the stunning virtuosity and passionate, fearless embrace of the composer’s idiom that he displays throughout this disc” ( Jed Distler, classics today.com), “It is one thing to be able to play every single note of Liszt. It is another thing to have the interpretive vision to communicate Liszt’s grandeur and scope. Dacic, with his effortless technique and ability, is completely at home with Liszt” (Kang Sang Woo, American Record Guide), “A pianist in the Gyorgy Cziffra tradition of virtuoso, volcanic Liszt, pianist Misha Dacic celebrates the Liszt bi-centennial in the grand style.”

(Gary lemco, Audiophile audition.)

Misha Daci holds his current posts as professor of piano at the Academia Internacional Galamian in Málaga, and at Escuela Internacional de Musica Alberto Jonás in Valencia, Spain.

Edith Sorin was born in Calgary, Canada. After attending the University of Toronto and Royal School of Music In London, she received a full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York, the first Canadian to do so. She remained at Juilliard for ten years as a faculty member and also taught at Manhattanville College.

After moving to Florida, Mrs. Sorin continued private teaching, guiding many pianists who have since have achieved successful careers. both music and life. She is the co-founder of Patrons of Exceptional Artists and served actively on the board since 1997.

Edith Sorin’s Thoughts On The Piano Festival (2019): “It was in 1997 that Patrons of Exceptional Artists was created and 1998 when we first started our concerts and presented The Miami International Piano Festival. We didn’t want to just present recitals, but we wanted to get in touch with the most exceptional talent that it is in the world and I am proud to state that we have done that and helped launch several careers

Misha Dacic February 16 internationally. In today’s world, it is extremely difficult for an artist to have a career.

Many of the artists we presented made their debuts here in America and thanks to Giselle’s wonderful two ears and mine at times, we brought exceptional talent here. Giselle, who is our Artistic Director, has done the most wonderful work for our organization, she is innovative, smart and she really has converted this organization into an organization known all over the world.

This organization must go on and live for a long time and this will be Giselle’s job. I am hopeful that with the recent creation of its Academy, our legacy will continue and our artists inspire and guide a whole generation of young aspiring concert pianists in the future.”

Upcoming In Aventura: Ilya Itin (Russia) March 22 At 5:00 PM Featuring Tchaikovsky “The Seasons” And Musorgsky “Pictures At An Exhibition”.

“Itin’s is a rare and exciting artistry indeed ... Poised, pure, and ravishing in its range of

Ilya Itin (Russia) March 22 color, Itin’s playing is a prime example of a superb technique put at the service of an inquiring and imaginative mind.” Daily Telegraph, London.

Since capturing the Gold Medal, BBC Audience Award, and Contemporary Music Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition, Ilya Itin has performed throughout the world to rave reviews and sold-out houses. His unique artistry has long inspired the admiration of colleagues and audiences throughout the music world. His repertoire and artistry are wideranging, garnering abundant praise from music critics. He is equally at home playing music from Bach to Cage. “I’d go to hear him play the phonebook,” remarked BBC TV’s Ian Burnside. International Piano Magazine heralded Itin’s playing as “borderline unbelievable in its combined power and accuracy, which is achieved with the minimum amount of effort…” [It is] “remarkable, which all readers should experience at least once.”

Ilya Itin resides in Tokyo, Japan and New York City. He is on the teaching faculties of the Musashino Academy, Tokyo, the

Graduate Program at CUNY, and the Golandsky Institute at Princeton. He is a frequent guest teacher in the piano department at the Juilliard School and Peabody Conservatory.

Upcoming Discovery Series At A New Venue: Daniel Lebhardt (Hungary) February 23, 7:30 Pm At The Wolfsonian Museum In South Beach. Tickets For Lebhardt: Www.eventbrite.com

MISHA DACIC PROGRAM RACHMANINOFF (9 Selections) MEDTNER Fairy Tale Op.51 No.1

SCHUMANN Humoreske Op.20 CHOPIN 5 Mazurkas

QR CODE FOR DACIC TICKETS Miami International Piano Festival

ENESCO Rhapsodie Roumaine Op.11

QR CODE miamipianofest.com facebook.com/miamipianofest

Purchase Online: aventuracenter.org PHONE: 877-311-7469 TICKETS: Aventura Arts and Cultural Center 3385 N.E. 188 St. Aventura, FL 33180

Valentine’s Day Weekend Is For Music, Theater And Comedy Lovers

The Outlaws come to Parker Playhouse on Friday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.

In a Valentine’s Day event for those who love to laugh, Patton Oswalt, Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Parker Playhouse present a Valentine’s Day weekend when you can rock your heart out with The Outlaws, set sail on a romantic voyage with Yacht Rock Valentine’s Fling, enjoy the boy-meets-girlmeets-girl-again musical comedy Groundhog Day The Musical, laugh to your heart’s content with Patton Oswalt’s I Love Everything tour and celebrate with the music of “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin.

The Broward Center and AEG Presents bring The Outlaws to Parker Playhouse on Friday, February 14 at 8 p.m. Formed in Tampa in 1972 and known for their triple-guitar rock attack and three-part country harmonies, The Outlaws became one of the first acts signed by Clive Davis (at the urging of Ronnie Van Zant). The band’s first three albums The Outlaws, Lady In Waiting and Hurry Sundown – featuring such rock radio favor-

ites as “There Goes Another Love Song,” “Green Grass & High Tides,” “Knoxville Girl” and “Freeborn Man”– would become worldwide gold and platinum landmarks of the Southern Rock era. Tickets are $37.50 – $77.50 with $127.50 VIP tickets available which include a meet and greet and premium seating.

Valentine’s Day features a boatload of superstars from the ‘70s and ‘80s when the Yacht Rock Valentine’s Fling anchors in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center on Friday, February 14 at 8 p.m. Playing their greatest hits in a night to remember are Ambrosia (“Holdin’ On To Yesterday,” “How Much I Feel,” “You’re the Only Woman” and “Biggest Part of Me”), Stephen Bishop (“Save It For a Rainy Day,” “On and On” and “It Might be You”), John Ford Coley (“I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,” and “Nights Are Forever Without You”), Player lead singer Peter Beckett (“Baby

Ambrosia, Friday, February 14 at 8 p.m.

Come Back,” and “This Time I’m In It For Love”). Tickets are $29$69 with $119 JetBlue Flight Deck on the Club Level tickets.

Fall in love and then fall in love all over again when JetBlue presents Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of Groundhog Day The Musical sponsored by American National Bank on Valentine’s Day weekend with performances Friday and Saturday, February 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees Saturday and Sunday, February 15 and 16 at 2 p.m. This winner of 2017’s Olivier Award for Best Musical on London’s West End, is based on the movie in which a jaded metropolitan weatherman is stuck on assignment in rural Pennsylvania for the annual groundhog sighting only to discover there is no way out as he is relives the same day again and again. Always ready with a oneliner or clever quip about the alltoo cheery people of Punxsutawney, he is about to discover

during this extraordinary day that maybe the joke is on him.

Groundhog Day The Musical features a book by original coscreenwriter Dan Rubin and music and lyrics by Tony Award® - winner Tim Minchin (Matilda the Musical) and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Tickets are $49-$65.

In a Valentine’s Day event for those who love to laugh, Patton Oswalt I Love Everything brings the standup comic, actor and writer Patton Oswalt to the AuRene Theater at the Broward Center on Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m. As a comedian, Oswalt has shot seven TV specials and released six critically acclaimed albums, including his Grammy® winning Talking for Clapping (which TV special of the same name earned him an Emmy®) and Grammy-nominated Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time that debuted in 2014. Finest Hour also received a Grammy nomi-

nation for “Best Comedy Album.”

Audiences will also recognize him from his memorable film roles and guest appearances on his favorite TV shows including Parks and Recreation, for which he received a TV Critics Choice Award. This event is not appropriate for children under 12.

Tickets are $30-$65 with $125 JetBlue Flight Deck on the Club Level tickets.

Rekindle an old romance and snap your fingers to Mack is Back, The Music of Bobby Darin and More! at Parker Playhouse on Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m. Chaz Esposito stars in this high energy show celebrating the vast musical repertoire of Grammy® Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, singer and songwriter Bobby Darin and other contemporaries that Darin wrote, produced and/or collaborated with including Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Dean Martin and the Lovin’ Spoonful. The show features such hits as “Beyond the Sea,” “If I Were a Carpenter,” “Artificial Flowers,” “Dream Lover” and “Splish Splash.”

Tickets are $37.50-$57.50.

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center and Parker Playhouse. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org, ParkerPlay house.com or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222 or in person at the Parker Playhouse box office Tuesday - Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

The Parker Playhouse, located in Holiday Park at 707 N.E. Eighth St. in Ft. Lauderdale, is an affiliated venue of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

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HEALTH

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN TIMES

Your Health is very important.

If you are a Health Professional and have a topic you would like to publish please contact us at (954) 458-0635.

Is Your Aging Body Sending Distress Signals? Save It From A Diabolical Enemy - You If we neglect our bodies, misuse them, or otherwise fail to treat them with proper respect, they have an effective means of expressing their dissatisfaction.

We feel pain – in our joints, in our muscles, in our backs; pretty much any place where there exists a nerve that can fire off an urgent distress signal to the brain.

And as we age, those distress signals seem to become more frequent, with the simplest of movements, such as bending over to pick up a fallen object, creating anguish and instant regret.

“Unfortunately, pain and aging are facts of life,” says Nicky Snazell (www.painreliefclinic.co.uk) , a physiotherapist, expert in pain management, and author of The 4 Keys to Health and other books.

“The good news is that, ultimately, our quality of life doesn’t have to be ruled by age and pain themselves, no matter what we might think.

Instead, our quality of life is determined by how we handle age and pain.”

In many ways, we’re our bodies’ own worst enemies.

But Snazell says those who want to treat their bodies the right way can accomplish that by making changes in four key areas: • Mindset. Your mindset affects all aspects of your health, Snazell says.

“Without a positive, longterm commitment to health, you will not eat and drink well, you will not get regular and adequate exer-

Without a positive, long-term commitment to health, you will not eat and drink well, you will not get regular and adequate exercise, and you will not be able to control your stress.

cise, and you will not be able to control your stress,” she says. “Without first getting your head in the right place, how can you expect to make all of these changes to your life?”

• Nutrition and hydration.

It’s no secret that most of us don’t have the best diets, Snazell says. “We eat too much of the food that enhances pain,” she says, “and too little that reduces pain.” Our ancient ancestors had the right idea, she says. They ate fresh meat, berries, roots, and fruit and vegetables high in antioxidants, and they had no processed foods. Perhaps more surprising, Snazell says, is

that many people also aren’t properly hydrated.

“Water is necessary for mental agility, the immune system, healing, cleansing, and detoxing,” she says, “so it is definitely not something we should ignore.”

• Fitness. Televisions, computers and smartphones helped turn us into a sedentary society selfimprisoned on our sofas.

“The lack of physical activity causes emotional and physiological imbalances,” Snazell says. “Improving your fitness changes your chemistry, acts as a powerful antidepressant, promotes mental clarity, and reduces the likelihood of cancer.” Being disciplined

about getting exercise is your key to longevity, she says, so exercise regularly and effectively. Running, for example, helps you lose dangerous belly fat that causes inflammation and aids stress. If running proves too difficult or isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other aerobic exercises, such as golf, walking, swimming, rowing and cross country skiing, among others.

• Lifestyle. “If you want to start changing your lifestyle right now to improve your mental and physical health, there are several small, simple things you can do to get headed in the right direction,” Snazell says. Here are just some of

them: Get a regular massage; meditate daily; set purposeful goals; do something nice for a stranger; watch less TV; study something every day; spend time with inspiring and funny people; sing in the shower.

“As we age, we need to put even more care into our diet, our exercise, and our workload,” Snazell says. “It sounds simple, but many of us fail to even acknowledge that we have to change the way we use our bodies as we get older.

“We need to remember that so much of this is a choice. We have the power to change ourselves by transforming the way we think, what we eat, how we move, and what kind of

Joe Biden invoked a risky — and familiar — phrase to sell his health care plan. At an AARP event in Iowa, Biden told voters he would create a government insurance plan to compete with private ones called a public option. It would give consumers, Biden said, another choice.

“If you like your employer-based plan, you can keep it,” Biden said . “If you have private insurance, you can keep it.” Haven’t we head this before?

Do You Like Your Health Plan?

You Can’t Keep It Under a Public Option

By Janet Trautwein

Nearly two in three Americans support the creation of a governmentsponsored health plan to compete against plans offered by private insurers, according to the most recent survey data from the Kaiser Family

Foundation.

This “public option” sounds reasonable enough -- at least initially. Those who like their insurance don’t have to buy it. And who could be opposed to giving consumers more insurance choices?

But the public option

would not allow the millions of people who like their insurance to keep it.

In short order, the public option would destroy the private health insurance market and force everyone into a one-size-fits-all, government-run health insurance system.

The majority of Americans have and like private health insurance.

About 180 million people receive coverage through their employers, according to data from the U.S. Census. Most of them -about seven in 10, according to polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation - are “content” with that insurance.

But that coverage could

disappear under the public option, according to new research from KNG Health Consulting. Nearly one quarter of Americans with employer-based coverage would lose their plans by 2023 under the Medicare for America Act, a prominent public option proposal introduced in the House of Representatives last year. By 2032, nearly one-third of all workers, and more than half of workers at small businesses, would lose their employer-sponsored plans.

Here’s why.

A government-run public option would have the power to dictate the prices it would be willing to pay doctors and hospitals for

care. Most public option proposals envision paying rates similar to Medicare’s or Medicaid’s.

Those rates are typically less than the costs providers incur treating patients covered by the programs.

Hospitals receive about 87 cents from Medicare and Medicaid for every dollar they spend on care for their beneficiaries. In 2017, underpayments from the two programs totaled $76.8 billion.

Private insurers don’t have that kind of pricing power. They can’t simply name their price; providers would refuse to see their patients. Doctors and hospitals further ratchet up their rates for private insur-

lifestyle lead.”

we

choose

to

About Nicky Snazell: Nicky Snazell (www.pain reliefclinic.co.uk), author of The 4 Keys to Health and other books, is director of Nicky Snazell’s Wellness & Physiotherapy in the United Kingdom. She is a physiotherapist and pain specialist. Snazell is the founder of three health companies and still treats patients, embracing holistic physiotherapy, healthy living, and new technology for joint repair. After 30 years of treating patients, including about 14,000 at her clinic’s Midlands location, Snazell has seen a huge success rate.

ers to make up for underpayments from Medicare and Medicaid.

Private insurers can’t compete with the government’s lower cost structure. So, their premiums would almost certainly be higher than the public option’s.

From the get-go, some consumers would cancel their private plans and jump to the cheaper public option. Employers, particularly small ones with the least ability to absorb new costs, would do the same - and push their employees into the new public plan.

Indeed, the share of employers that sponsor coverage would fall from 88 percent today to 60 percent by 2032, according to the KNG report.

This process would repeat. Providers would raise rates for commercial plans to compensate for the public option’s underpayments. Those plans would hike rates for consumers. And yet more people would flock to the public option.

Eventually, the public option would be the sole remaining health insurance “option.”

Some proponents of the idea are rooting for this outcome.

Democratic presidential hopeful Mayor Pete Buttigieg has even touted his public option plan as “a natural glide-path to Medicare for All.” In other words, the public option and Medicare for All result in the same thing -- a government-run health insurance system.

Many Americans believe they’d be able to keep their current plans under the public option. As people discover that’s not the case, support for the public option declines.

Janet Trautwein is CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters (www.nahu.org).

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