Flamingo Road Nursery Farmers Market – Update

UPDATE: July 2014 – The Farmer’s Market at Flamingo Road Nursery was remodeled around Christmastime 2013 and the new layout is inviting and attractive to be sure. Within the last few months, a fresh seafood counter has been added, too, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only with a variety of fresh fish. We always find something new, or something you just don’t see elsewhere, along with quality produce and fruit. Visitors enjoy freshly squeezed juices, ice cream, smoothies, and a large selection of desserts and cookies, along with the friendly service. If you haven’t been in a while, stop in and see the upgrades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What was a good farmers market has been transformed to what I’d call a gourmet farmers market with a dizzying display of high-end and different choices in sweets, pasta, condiments, breads, even farm-fresh two-yolk eggs. They’ve sourced fresh produce from farmers in Okeechobee and the freshly-picked corn we had the other day was outstanding. Absolutely worth stopping in for a look. Southbound side of Flamingo Road, a mile or so south of 595, you can make an easy U-turn if heading north on Flamingo.

Dr. Phillip Mann – Everglades Artist & Much More

Phillip Mann in front of his gallery of work

Arguably the World’s Most Interesting Mann, local artist and Barry University leader Dr. Phillip Mann was a featured exhibitor at the opening evening ceremonies for the Pembroke Pines “Florida Bounty” exhibition, located at the Pines City Hall, and running through July 21, 2014. Featuring several artists and photographers, the exhibit features different perspectives on local nature scenes including the Everglades.

Dr. Mann has been an artist virtually his entire life, taking up watercolor at the age of eight, and painting oil on canvas scenes actively for over 40 years. While his early works included industrial subjects, the bulk of his recent work is nature-oriented with a strong focus on the Everglades. His style evokes a sense of Monet and Van Gogh, and in fact, he’s been described by at least one art critic as the “Van Gogh of the Everglades.”

The eighteen or so works presented at the Florida Bounty exhibition represent a fraction of Mann’s current inventory of 80 or so paintings and he relishes the opportunity to have them on view for the public to enjoy. Having sold hundreds of works over the years at various shows, none of his pieces on display were available for sale, at least for now. He has turned down offers of up to $5,000 for some of his work, preferring to hold and display them for public enjoyment. Adding to the beauty of his paintings are hand-selected frames, specifically chosen for each painting.

As the Director of the Entrepreneurial Institute at Barry University, Dr. Mann is constantly encouraging students to reach beyond their perceived boundaries to achieve more than they imagined, including community involvement, and a the institute has a focus on addressing the needs of low and moderate income communities and the reduction of economic disparity among communities through business development and job creation.

R. L. Lewis

Phillip is also a U.S. Navy Veteran and accomplished antiques collector and dealer, with a prominent space at the Cooper City Antique Mall where a large assortment of art glass and figurines are on display and available for sale.

His work, along with other contributing artists, is on display through July 21, at the Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10100 Pines Boulevard at the southwest corner of Pines and Palm Avenue.

Exhibit Entry

The opening reception also featured a live painting demonstration by the Highway Man, R.L. Lewis, with his very colorful and evocative style. He painted the scene shown to the right in front of an appreciative audience.

Cooper City Founder’s Day Sights

Cooper City Founder’s Day activities were held under clear skies and warm temperatures this year. From the early morning run/walk to the 90th Avenue parade followed by the AACA Car Show, baseball and softball games, vendor arts and crafts, and much more, attendees were treated to a variety of sights and sounds to commemorate Cooper City’s 55th anniversary.

Among dozens of classic and antique cars on display, this 1979 Chevy Camaro Z28 owned by Frank T. of Rock Creek caught my eye. Bought several years ago, Frank restored the car to identically match the Z28 he had as a teenager, a gift from his father that was subsequently stolen. Several years ago, Frank saw this car on the Internet and bought it, then restored it to match his old car. Such are the stories of the car enthusiasts found at this and other car shows. Here are a few more car photos and vendor area pictures.

 

 

 

 

Newly Published: STREAMS TO FORD

Check out the new book of free verse poetry by the author of this blog. Streams to Ford is a collection built over many years and the book contains author’s notes that give insight into each work. Available on Amazon.com and link to the book blog to learn how to obtain a signed copy or to preview the book.

Philippines Relief – Americares & Red Cross

From www.Americares.org: On April 4, 1975, a U.S. jet carrying 243 Vietnamese orphans crashed into the jungle outside Tan Son Nhut.

A third of the children burned to death, many of the remaining victims were critically injured. Soon after, the Pentagon announced that it would not have the resources to rescue the children for 10 days.

The world received the news of the crash with dismay, shock and a widespread sense of helplessness. One individual decided to take action. Robert C. Macauley, a paper broker from New Canaan, Conn., immediately chartered a Boeing 747 to rescue the young survivors. Within 48 hours, the children were safe in California.

That’s how AmeriCares got started, and they’ve aggressively helped at disasters and critical needs worldwide since, due to Bob’s vision, drive and contacts. 97% of your donation goes directly to those in need. 97%.

Oh, Bob mortgaged his home for $200,000+ to rent the 747 needed to pick up these kids. How audacious of him and his wife… and now you know the rest of the story.

From RedCross.org: Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. Barton first heard of the Swiss-inspired global Red Cross network while visiting Europe following the Civil War. Returning home, she campaigned for an American Red Cross and for ratification of the Geneva Convention protecting the war-injured, which the United States ratified in 1882.

By the way, although mandated to operate by Congress, the Red Cross was not given any funds. They depend entirely on donations.

Do something audacious yourself…help Americares or the Red Cross help the Philippines. The need is great.

From now through Thanksgiving, SML Treasures & More, at the Cooper City Antique Mall will donate 20% of your purchase price to help typhoon relief in the Philippines. Buy anything at the SML booth at regular tag price. Thank you.

SML Treasures & More – Cooper City Antique Mall

Now open at the Cooper City Antique Mall is SML Treasures & More, a booth space in the main aisle devoted to old cameras and photos, mid-century modern housewares and furnishings, militaria, collectibles and other oldies but goodies. Stop in 7 days a week to see what’s new. Inventory changes all the time so come back often.

SML Treasures & More Booth

1940’s cabinet or hutch, right out of “A Christmas Story” era.

Cooper City Antique Mall – Something For Everyone

The well established Cooper City Antique Mall – 9800 Griffin Road – has been serving customers for about two decades. The Mall features a number of vendors who unearth some very neat treasures for you to take home, place in your office, or to use as very neat, one of a kind gits. From the very old to mid-century modern, you’ll find something to treasure at Cooper City Antique Mall. Some new vendors have just opened up shop so if it’s been awhile since your last visit, stop by. They’re open seven days, from 10 A-M to 6 P-M Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 P-M on Sunday. Check their web site for more information at www.coopercityantiquemall.com and like them on Facebook to keep up with the latest news and special offers.

Resume Killers: “Responsible for…”

Take this phrase out of your resume vocabulary forever:

“Responsible for…”

In terms of resume writing, it’s a kiss of death and absolutely should never be used. You may ask why. Isn’t it a perfectly normal way to express what you did on your past job? Allow me to go into Lewis Black mode for a moment…”no…NO…..NOOOOO!!!!” Don’t you EVER use that phrase again. Why? Because it’s LAME, that’s why.

Let’s say your last job was a project manager for a travel industry company. Let’s say your current resume looked like this:

• Responsible for scheduling and conducting meetings between users and software developers.
• Responsible for assuring projects stayed on track throughout the system life cycle.
• Responsible for gathering requirements and building an Access database to track projects.

Well, so what!? If you were a project manager, the person reading your resume already KNOWS what the job entails. And if you’re applying for a new project manager position, the person reading your resume already KNOWS what the job requires. You’re not telling the reader ANYTHING they don’t already know.

What you need to do is very briefly describe the job and the company and then tell the reader what you ACCOMPLISHED so they can visualize your success in helping them fill their position. The purpose of a resume is to get an interview, not list your responsibilities.

• Marshaled experts from each developmental area to create a clear and decisive road map for project success; established project scope and rules and enforced through continuous communications and peer review.
• Obtained written buy-in from senior management for all projects, assuring the chain-of-command clearly supported project goals; publicized progress reports through the employee web newsletter, driving accountability for each project team member.
• Managed an average of 3 concurrent projects to on-time, on-budget completions with zero interruptions to existing operations and processes. Recognized by board of directors with performance award and merit bonus.

It’s not WHAT you do, it’s HOW you do it and what you achieved. Show results using numbers, dollars, time saved, improved processes . . . show how you add value  to the bottom line, not just your list of responsibilities, and keep it brief, be concise, hit hard on the top half of page one. And ALWAYS adjust your resume to the targeted job – yes, it takes more work but it’s absolutely necessary. Use the keywords from the position description where possible to match to your experience and accomplishments. There’s so much more to winning resumes and cover letters but if you remember nothing else, remember what you’ve read here today.

Mark Holmes
Master Federal Resume Writer (MFRW)
Master Military Resume Writer (MMRW)
Master Federal Career Advisor (MFCA)
Winner (3rd Place) Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) Award, Military Resume 2010

First United Church of Christ – Hollywood

Well yes, H.G. Wells, time travel is possible simply by visiting First United Church of Christ in Hollywood. I had the pleasure of visiting there today and having grown up in a United Church of Christ organization years ago in Connecticut, today was like a trip back to the sixties. I was warmly greeted by members and Pastor Jack Branford, and as the very skilled pianist played a selection of pre-service classical music, I was taken back to that sanctuary in Danbury, CT where the same music was played on a large pipe organ decades ago.

The program, the service, the songs, the benediction were all familiar and comforting, if steeped in tradition. At First United Church, you don’t just sit through a service that’s presented to you as you might find in many contemporary churches, you are part of the service – through spoken passages, hymn singing and through fellowship before, during and after service. It occurred to me that this level of participation is what may be missing for me at other local churches where I may feel more like an attendee than a participant. It was a good feeling. Pastor Jack’s messaging is crisp and to the point, affirming and inclusive. Today’s message was in fact, exactly what I needed to hear. Timing is everything.  The approach taken by the First United Church of Christ is according to UCC doctrine – Communicating God’s Love by Encouraging Faith through Respect and Service, and the UCC motto – that they may all be one – is Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the church.

Everyone is welcome and the overriding premise is one of inclusion and trust. As their mission states, The UCC has three Core Values – continuing testament, changing lives, extravagant welcome! We are a community of faith that seeks to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in work and deed.  We are open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

If you are looking for a church that welcomes one and all and is guided by Grace rather than selective and sometimes punitive ancient doctrine, I strongly suggest a visit to see for yourself. It’s worth the small investment in time and you’ll definitely be welcome.

IF YOU GO:  Services are at 10:30 AM on Sunday, and the church is located at 200 North 46th Avenue in Hollywood, an easy 15-20 minute drive from Cooper City. Simply go east on Stirling Road past 441, turn right on 46th Avenue and proceed past Johnson Street a few blocks. The church is on the right between Polk Street and Tyler Street. Visit their busy thrift shop Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

AmeriCares

AmeriCares is a non-profit emergency response and global health organization. In times of epic disaster or daily struggle, they deliver medical and humanitarian aid to people in need worldwide, including the U.S. Their efficiency ratio is the highest I’ve ever seen – 97% of donated funds go directly to those in need and their proven security process and people on the ground ensures relief items get delivered, not stored, stolen or diverted by local officials. Their worldwide network of providers and partners means that every $1 donated yields $20 in actual relief. www.americares.org