Volver LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF BROWARD COUNTY By Mónica Elliott The link between Florida driver's license/identification card and voting. As I write this, the Election Integrity Bill (HB 991/SB 1334) has just passed both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. It will go into effect unless vetoed by the Governor. In the meantime, let's examine the current and potential relationship between your Florida driver's license/ID card and voting. Your Florida driver's license/ID is a REAL IDENTITY! The REAL ID Act went into effect nationwide on May 11, 2008. Florida began issuing REAL ID-compliant credentials after January 1, 2010. The new credentials have a star in the upper right corner of the card. Florida is a REAL ID-compliant state, and all Florida driver's licenses should be accepted nationwide. As of May 2025, over 99% of Florida driver's licenses/IDs are REAL ID compliant! Let me reiterate: Only REAL IDs are issued in Florida. There are no other types of driver's license/ID cards. How to get your REAL ID You probably don't remember what you had to do to get your REAL ID. If you were a U.S. citizen , you had to provide primary identification (e.g., birth certificate, passport, etc.)—the same documents that will be required if HB 991/SB 1334 goes into effect. If you had changed your last name from the one on your birth certificate, you had to provide documentation to prove it (e.g., a marriage certificate). Again, the same documents required by these laws. If you were not a U.S. citizen, you were required to present another form of primary identification, depending on whether you were an immigrant , non-immigrant , or Canadian . Everyone, whether U.S. citizens or not, also had to present: proof of social security and proof of address; for the latter, two different documents were required. Now, do you remember how complicated it was the first time you did it, unless, of course, you had a U.S. passport? With a U.S. passport, you were in luck, because you didn't have to submit those hard-to-find documents, like birth and marriage certificates. You'd already obtained them to get your passport! FLHSMV has its legal status registered! Therefore, if you possess a Florida driver's license or identification, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) already has your legal status recorded in its (hopefully secure) database. They already know whether you are a U.S. citizen or not. In theory, that means Supervisors of Elections (SOEs) can easily consult the FLHSMV database to determine if you are, in fact, a U.S. citizen and eligible to register to vote and then vote, as required by HB 991/SB 1334. Easy peasy! Can't US citizens vote? The problem, of course, will be for those U.S. citizens who don't have a Florida driver's license or ID. Currently, it's possible to register to vote using only a Social Security number. While the Elections Office may take longer to process the application, they can still do it. If HB 991/SB 1334 becomes law, the State Office of Elections (SOE) will have to verify the citizenship of every new voter registration applicant before processing the application by consulting the FLHSMV database. Simply checking the "yes" box to the question "Are you a citizen of the United States of America?" will no longer be sufficient, even if an affidavit is signed at the end of the form stating that "all information provided in this application is true!" For those already registered to vote, the state (i.e., our overburdened state offices) must verify your citizenship. How? By using official government databases, with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) being the first option. If the state office cannot find a database confirming your U.S. citizenship, you will need to provide your primary identification documents to prove it—the same documents you must submit to the FLHSMV to obtain your Florida driver's license or ID. This means that a 90-year-old woman, married twice, who no longer drives and has neither a driver's license nor a Florida ID, but who has voted every adult life, will NOT be allowed to vote without presenting her primary identification documents IF they cannot determine, through a database search, whether or not she is a citizen. It's not that simple! And then they changed the driver's license/identification numbers. To increase security, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) began issuing new driver's license and identification numbers in August 2024. This wouldn't pose a problem, except that the new number doesn't match the one on the driver's license or identification in the voter registration database. Voters began experiencing difficulties accessing their voter registration online or requesting a vote-by-mail ballot online. As more people obtained the new, more secure document of identity (DL/ID), and more voters complained about the failure in their voter registration file, people working at DL/ID service centers have begun asking people at the start of the RENEWAL process if they want to UPDATE their voter registration file. Some people believe they are required to re-register to vote when they update their voter registration. This appears to be the case because, essentially, the entire voter registration form must be completed when changing your name, address, political affiliation, and now, your driver's license or identification number. Another NEW ID card/driver's license If HB 991/SB 1334 becomes law, by July 1, 2027, the state will begin replacing our current driver's license/identification cards with NEW ones that will indicate legal citizenship status directly on the card. One more thing The bill, passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, includes a provision that reduces the number of valid forms of identification for in-person voting. Debit or credit cards, student IDs, retirement center IDs, neighborhood association IDs, and public assistance cards will no longer be accepted. However, a Florida driver's license or identification card will still be valid. Confused? Help young voters! Probably, but don't worry, rejoice! We can lament, bite our nails, and complain bitterly. Instead, encourage all voters to get a Florida driver's license or ID card. This is especially important for young voters, as only about 56% of them obtain a driver's license. Their perfectly valid logic is: if you don't drive, you don't need a driver's license. But they do need a Florida ID to easily register to vote and then vote! If you know any young people, help them get a driver's license or ID, whether by providing them with funds or helping them obtain the documents. Just like with voting, just do it! For others, such as people with disabilities and seniors who don't have a Florida driver's license or ID, the process will likely be more complicated. If you know someone who doesn't have a Florida driver's license or ID, ask them. Don't hesitate to ask: voting is important to them, and we need to know if they have a driver's license or ID. If they don't, determine if you can help them. Voter registration Currently, to register to vote online, you need to provide a Florida driver's license or ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This remains unchanged following the passage of HB 991/SB 1334. This is the information we must communicate to voters who use the paper application when they register to vote for the first time or when they update their information, such as name, address, political affiliation, or signature. Stay tuned as we continue to determine exactly how HB 991/SB 1334 will be implemented.

Soccer, distraction of crowds Share By Carlos Madama Hernandez Buenos Aires, Argentina A few days before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, in a television interview they asked the Minister of Labor of the Argentine Nation Raquel “Kelly” Olmos how she was going to solve the immense number of problems that there was in the country and she answered "No, now the priority is the World Cup and for Argentina to win." That premonition, not by chance stopped being very useful to the government, which more than three months after that final between Argentina and France, still continues to take advantage of the cloud of glory that Lionel Messi and his boys formed . It is known that the more distracted the people are, the more garbage can be swept under the rug. President Alberto Fernández and his cabinet have taken due note of these circumstances and have taken the opportunity to try to go unnoticed in the face of a situation that is becoming more difficult every day for those of us who have the joy of living in this beautiful country. To the immense rift within the ruling party itself between President Fernández and Vice Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, those who respond to one another have joined, generating uncertainty a few months after a new election and where the ruling party already feels like a loser. . These people have neglected the reins of the country and everything has spilled over. Annual inflation of 107 percent placed Argentina in the fourth worst place in the world, behind Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Lebanon. And the consequences of this economic disaster is reflected in the costs of mass consumption products that have increased beyond the foreseeable values. The failure of the new economic plan implemented by the super minister Sergio Massa (Will he be the next presidential candidate for Peronism?) has sunk the country even more; the lack of dollars (which at a private level is close to 400 pesos), the terrified flight of companies in search of new winds, the recession in every sense, the high rates of robberies and murders just because, have turned the country into one of the most uncomfortable places to invest and even to live. Some notes ago we said that Argentina is the only country where you wake up in the morning and open your eyes, you do not need to consult the newspapers or watch the news to know that you are worse than yesterday. For this, the opposition does not add in the least. They lose their opportunity fighting among themselves for the vacant positions on the lists that they must put together to compete and try to save the situation. And meanwhile, the town continues with the festivities that hide the misery. They continue to shout about Messi's goals, the saves by “Dibu” Martínez and the tributes paid to them anywhere in the world, as well as enjoying the praise for having been awarded as the best fans in the world cup. All very pathetic.

Share Diane Kelly Andreou, MD, is a clinical psychologist and director of the Boys Town Center Behavioral Health Clinic in South Florida. She is also the mother of a teenager. She is very interested in providing quality interventions to ensure that today's children become successful adults. Our children and adolescents are facing a mental health crisis. They sleep less and are less physically active and spend less time in person with their friends than previous generations. The pandemic has intensified these factors. Mental health during childhood and adolescence includes reaching developmental milestones, developing social skills, learning to regulate emotions, succeeding in school, and learning to cope with challenges. Mental and behavioral disorders cause distress and can significantly change behavior, the way of learning and managing emotions. A common childhood mental health problem is anxiety. Anxiety is not a disorder; Fears and worries, such as the dark, storms, or an upcoming exam, are typical during childhood. When fears and worries interfere with school, family life, and relationships, an anxiety disorder may occur. Here are some ways anxiety can interfere with functioning: * Fear of being away from parents, excessive crying or worry at the thought of separation, and fear regarding the health or safety of the parents. * Having an extreme fear of a specific thing or situation. * Being afraid of school or situations where there are people. * Having many worries such as the future, school or bad things happen. * Having repeated episodes of sudden, intense fear and physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, tremors, or sweating. Many children have no words to express their anxiety symptoms. Fear or worry may take the form of trouble sleeping or going to bed alone, fatigue, irritable/grumpy mood, difficulty concentrating, refusal at school, or stomach aches or headaches. Many anxious children are calm, obedient, and eager to please others. Anxiety can benefit from behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Another common childhood disorder is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is a persistent pattern of behaviors that interfere with development or functioning in different settings, such as home and school. Children with ADHD often have other problems, such as speech and language delays, poor writing, social rejection, and learning difficulties. Symptoms of inattention include careless errors, difficulty sustaining attention, poor follow-through, avoidance of tasks that require sustained mental effort, loss of items needed for tasks, and distraction. Hyperactive/impulsive behaviors include fidgeting, leaving seat frequently, excessive talking, blurting out responses, difficulty taking turns, and interrupting. ADHD can benefit from behavior management strategies at home and behavioral interventions and adaptations at school. Behavioral intervention is often combined with medication. Almost everyone has mood swings. Many may experience sadness with losses or setbacks. Depression interferes with the ability to sleep, eat, and handle daily responsibilities at home, school, or work. It can occur at any age, but it often first appears in the teens or early 20s. In the case of children and adolescents, the following behaviors may be symptoms: * Persistently feeling (for more than 2 weeks) sadness, irritability or hopelessness. * Not being interested in doing the things you previously enjoyed. * Having changes in appetite (loss of appetite or eating too much) or not achieve the expected weight gain. * Sleeping too much or not being able to sleep. * Suffer changes in energy level, fatigue, laziness, tension, restlessness. * Present feelings of worthlessness or guilt. * Present difficulty concentrating, paying attention and making decisions. * Thinking repeatedly about death or in agony. * Self-injuring or displaying self-destructive behavior. Major depression can lead a child or adolescent to think about suicide. Sadness is not always observed by others. Irritability, withdrawal, and lack of motivation may be more apparent. Interventions help control mood and distress, manage eating, sleep, and activity, and improve social support. Suicide is the second leading cause of death from early adolescence to young adulthood and most who attempt suicide have shown early warning signs before their attempt. The signs include: * Make direct or indirect threats, spoken, sent by text message or posted. Take statements such as "I'm going to kill myself" seriously, even if someone says they are joking or "didn't mean it." Passive statements like "they'd be better off without me" should also be taken seriously. * Have made a previous attempt. The risk of another attempt is significantly higher in the year following an attempt. * Suffer from behavioral changes. Worry about death, lack of interest in activities, lethargy, [changes] in eating and sleeping patterns, and withdrawal. * Depression that regularly presents itself more as irritability than sadness. * Plan death or have a defined plan. Access to a means to carry out the suicide. Give away all belongings. Show sudden, brief energy and encouragement once someone feels they have peace or comfort in their plan. * The phenomenon of suicide contagion. There is evidence that media coverage of suicide leads to a higher rate of subsequent suicides. Factors such as repetition of information, sensationalism surrounding suicide with excessive detail and imagery, and glorification of the positive side of suicide (sadly, including the person's positive traits) can increase risk. Without early diagnosis and treatment, children with mental disorders can have problems at home, at school, and in building relationships. These problems can continue into adulthood. Treatment in childhood or adolescence can prevent more serious or long-lasting problems. Dr. Diane Kelly Andreou is a clinical psychologist and director of the Boys Town Center Behavioral Health Clinic in South Florida. She is also the mother of a teenager. She is very interested in providing quality interventions to ensure that today's children become successful adults. We thank the Children's Services Council for allowing us to use this article from their Family Resource Guide publication.

Biography of Mercedes Moresco Volver MERCEDES MORESCO ARTICLE Mercedes Soledad Moresco was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied Literature at the UCA and practiced teaching in different secondary schools in the city. In 2001 she emigrated to the United States. She completed a Master's in Linguistics in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and in 2004 founded a school called "Educando a América" that currently offers programs for learning the Spanish language and Latin American culture. She is the author of a critical essay on Julio Cortázar's poetry titled "La Distancia Próxima", published in May 2014. She has directed literary workshops in Argentina and the USA. Since 2003, she has been a permanent contributor to the EnUSA newspaper. She is also a member of a group of artists and writers called Nostalgias de Bidé.

Volver Broward County By En USA news Tamarac presents its Food and Wine Festival for the first time Chef Sayles will be a guest, presenting exquisite bites in the VIP tasting area. The event will feature a performance by BUSY SIGNAL, an internationally renowned Reggae artist. Experience the ultimate VIP culinary experience! The city of Tamarac will debut an exciting new event combining culinary creativity, live entertainment, and community celebration. The Tamarac Food & Wine Festival, taking place at the Tamarac Village Amphitheater, located at 9090 NW 57th St., will bring together foodies, music lovers, and residents for an unforgettable evening filled with flavors, wines, and vibrant entertainment. The inaugural festival will feature select wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, and a wide variety of gastronomic offerings from local chefs and popular food trucks. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample diverse dishes, discover new culinary talents, and enjoy a lively outdoor atmosphere designed to showcase Tamarac's burgeoning food scene. The evening will also feature live entertainment throughout the night, culminating in a stellar performance by internationally renowned reggae and dancehall artist Busy Signal, whose electrifying stage presence and global hits will transform the amphitheater into a vibrant concert experience under the stars. City leaders say the festival represents a new chapter in Tamarac's event programming. "This is about creating a unique experience for our residents and visitors," said Vice Mayor Marlon D. Bolton. "The Tamarac Food & Wine Festival will showcase exceptional culinary talent, highlight our small businesses, and bring the community together for an evening of great food, good music, and unforgettable memories." For guests seeking a more exclusive evening, the festival will also feature a VIP experience designed to offer a luxurious culinary atmosphere within the event. VIP guests will enjoy access to a private lounge with cocktail tables, reserved seating for live performances, and entry to an exclusive tasting area with at least six carefully curated tasting stations. The VIP experience also includes two specially designed wine tastings and on-site parking for seamless arrival and departure. Tickets are available at tamarac.gov/foodandwine

SUNRISE CITY HALL By En USA news Sunrise inaugurates its new City Hall With the presence of Mayor Mike Ryan, his commissioners, elected officials, officials who held positions in the city in the past, residents and the general public, Sunrise inaugurated its new city hall on January 20. The city's first magistrate offered an account of what Sunrise had been and has become with renowned companies and projects, while its commissioners Individually, they made a historical journey since its foundation and the evolution it has experienced to the pride of its community. The spacious and modern five-story building unites various departments, their staff and respective services, under one roof. Additional to the municipal complex will be built a garage with capacity for 500 vehicles, as well as the expansion of its amphitheater. Sunrise City Hall is located on Oakland Park Blvd. in the area where other institutions are concentrated such as the library, its senior center, the city police, its civic center with its various facilities, the amphitheater, the ballroom, and its hall. of cultural exhibitions, among others. The inaugural event offered live music, food, a tour of its new facilities, information on city services for its residents, and gifts. Congratulations!

Share Some libraries will now open six days a week starting August 6 The Broward County Library increases service hours at 12 locations About Broward County Libraries The Broward County Library Division, named 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is Florida's largest library system by square footage. The Broward County Library Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that meet the changing information, education and recreation needs of the people of Broward County. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries at Facebook and Twitter. The Broward County Library is expanding the service by twelve libraries by adding an additional day of service, beginning August 6, 2021. The hours of the additional day will be from 10 am to 6 pm "We are responding to public demand for more open hours," said Broward County Acting Library Director Allison Grubbs. "Fridays and Saturdays are in high demand because many customers love spending their free time at their local branch and taking home great readings and movies on the weekend."

Share With large participation from residents of Margate and adjacent municipalities St. Vincent Catholic Church joined to his community in honor of Hispanic With the purpose of uniting and establishing a link with commerce, institutions, its community and adjacent municipalities, the Catholic Church of St. Vincent in Margate, organized, as every year, its business exhibition in honor of Hispanic heritage. Food, beverage, health and wellness service businesses, various institutions, as well as an animated public eager to share and support people from their own community participated in this great celebration. The event took place on Sunday, October 23, on the grounds in front of the church.

Our Mission To provide a deep understanding of the American way of life, its regulations and laws, to help Hispanics adapt, integrate and love this great country.

BROWARD SHERIFF OFFICE By En USA news Gregory Tony, a Sheriff who wants to be seen like a true human leader Mission and vision They will open the Research, Development and Training Center, the first in the institution's 109 years. 21.11% of Broward Sheriff's Office employees are Hispanic, and the county is home to a 32.5% Hispanic population. I want my employees to have the training, tools and resources they need to achieve the mission, vision and objectives of our institution. “There are times when you need to lead with a strong hand and other times you need to show compassion.” and empathy, but never compromise your integrity.” “This means of communication has been fundamental in reaching our Spanish-speaking residents.” What would you like Broward County residents to know about the Sheriff's Office? and his role as Sheriff? As Sheriff of Broward County, I am committed to leading by example and ensuring that the men and women who work with me have the training, tools and resources they need to achieve the mission, vision and goals of our agency. I want to ensure that we continue to provide the highest level of public safety services to the residents and visitors of Broward County. What achievements are you most proud of since your tenure five years ago? Our commitment to training and education is high on the list of achievements. Since I have been sheriff, we have raised our training standards. We have also partnered with local universities to offer advanced education opportunities to our employees. We have had many successes with our Real-Time Crime Center, which uses technology to help investigate potentially dangerous threats and assists first responders with calls for service as they occur, maintaining vigilant surveillance in several areas of Broward County. On the horizon is the long-awaited opening of our new Research, Development and Training Center, which will open later this year. For the first time in our agency's 109-year history, we will have a dedicated on-site training center. I have also worked with my staff and community leaders to create a more transparent, inclusive and accountable sheriff's office while providing public safety that all residents can trust. Looking to the future, what are your goals? Remain at the forefront of public safety. We have a well-crafted strategic plan that serves as a guide to inform our daily decisions and actions. It is designed to encourage our employees to explore new approaches that address public safety, measure our progress, and engage communities. We want Broward County to be a safer, more vibrant place to live, work and thrive. What are some of the obstacles you face in meeting your goals? I would call it challenges. For any law enforcement agency it is the ever-changing public safety landscape. We must be well trained and prepared to respond to any incident at all times, mitigate the damage and return to normal. What kind of information on social media or in the media irritates you and how do you respond? Or do you just try to ignore it? Social media is a great tool when used for good and to inform the public. What can be frustrating is inaccurate and irresponsible reporting, especially when it divides communities. You combat misinformation by being a credible source that people can trust. I invite your readers to connect with us on our website: sheriff.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @browardssheriffsoffice and on X and TikTok @browardssheriff. Do you have a shortage of bilingual staff, particularly Spanish-speaking staff? If so, what initiatives can be implemented to increase recruitment and participation? We have remained proactive in engaging the Hispanic population in Broward County. I am the first sheriff in agency history to promote two Cuban Americans to the rank of Colonel/Executive Director. We also have a bilingual, Spanish-speaking public information officer who serves as our agency's liaison to the news media and the Hispanic community. That way, they stay informed about issues affecting their community and we can foster our relationship with the community in their language. Additionally, your publication has been instrumental in allowing us to reach our Spanish-speaking residents. We have published safety tips ads in Spanish in your newspaper. Currently, Hispanics make up 32.5% of the population in Broward County and at BSO, 21.11% of our employees are Hispanic. We strive to reflect the communities we serve, and that number will continue to grow, just as our efforts to stay connected to our Hispanic community will continue to grow. We are always recruiting and welcome diversity in the organization. Which image do you think is more important to project: that of a kind and benevolent public administrator aimed at the law-abiding community at large, or that of a tough and strong person against targeted crime? I think it's important to be seen as an authentic human leader. There are times when you need to lead with a strong hand and other times you need to show compassion and empathy, but you never compromise your integrity. Although each of us has probably been a victim of crime at various times throughout our lives, for most of us it tends to be rather random. But something that has become more common, especially in recent years, is chaos on our roads, especially that experienced by older drivers. Any street or highway can sometimes suddenly transform into some version of Indy 500 racing. Is there anything that can be done, including technological advances, to calm the situation? The dedicated men and women of the Broward Sheriff's Office work diligently to protect the public from harm; This includes providing them with important information and safety tips so they do not become victims. I want to remind all motorists not to encounter reckless drivers. Instead, stay calm and let them pass. Let law enforcement officers deal with traffic violators and hold them accountable for their illegal actions. Questions original in English: David Crocker Report in Spanish: Judith Crocker

Share The charming Sorrento Peninsula and the captivating Isle of Capri Sorrento is a very popular tourist destination, and is located on the Sorrentine Peninsula at the southeastern end of the Circumvesuviana railway line, with easy access from Naples and Pompeii. It is a destination widely known for its small pottery, lace and marquetry (woodwork) shops. The Sorrentine Peninsula has views of Naples, Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri. The Amalfi Drive, which connects Sorrento and Amalfi, is a narrow path along the high cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ferries and hydrofoils connect the city with Naples, Amalfi, Positano, Capri and Ischia. Notably, apart from its rich food, the Limoncello drink, a digestif made from lemon peel, alcohol, water, and sugar, is produced in Sorrento along with citrus, wine, nuts, and olives. Capri, la isla italiana que tanto atrae y cautiva, está ubicada en el mar Tirreno hacia el sur del Golfo de Nápoles, y frente a la Península de Sorrento. Su belleza imponente es un centro de paseo y de inolvidables vacaciones. Este pasado agosto, En USA continuó su recorrido por Sorrento y Capri, mientras visitaba Nápoles, ciudad a la que Capri pertenece administrativamente. La isla tiene dos municipios: Capri y Anacapri. Igualmente posee dos puertos antiguos: Marina Piccola y Marina Grande (el puerto principal de la isla) En los años 50, Capri se convirtió en un destino popular para la jet set internacional. La piazzeta central de Capri tiene ahora la presencia de tiendas lujosas, restaurantes costosos, pero siempre conserva su modesta arquitectura urbana. Para los residentes de Nápoles y Sorrento, Capri está allí, en su propio patio. Hay muchas conexiones por barco y ferrys desde el Golfo de Nápoles y la Península Sorrentina