09/14/2023 ISSUE 37

News 1-12 Arts 37-40 Books 30 Dining 52-55 Editorial 28 Games 31-33 Health 41-47 Insight 23-36 People 13-22 Pets 56 Real Estate 59-72 Style 48-51 September 14, 2023 Volume 16, Issue 37 Newsstand Price $2.00 TO ADVERTISE CALL 772-559-4187 FOR CIRCULATION CALL 772-226-7925 My Vero: Intolerance seems to be gaining a foothold here. P11 Skyline Academy lands new director. P12 Tracey Zudans launches bid for County Commission. P11 Mental Health event’s a Par-Tee favorite. P14 © 2023 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. For breaking news visit A post-midnight fight between two groups in the Humiston Beach parking lot early on Sept. 3 led to gunplay that sent a 19-year-old Vero youth to the hospital and shattered windows at Corey’s Pharmacy and Nino’s Café. But police said Monday that while charges will be forthcoming for some members of the two groups – one from Vero, the other from Okeechobee – involved in the 2 a.m. fight, the 17-year-old Okeechobee youth who gunned down the Vero man will not be charged in the shooting. Police and the state attorney’s office determined Sticker stinker: New utility plant may cost $250M Remember how just a year ago, the number being tossed about for building a new Vero sewer plant at the airport was $82 million? Well, the September Shock for Vero Beach water and sewer ratepayers is that over the next 30 years, the total cost of moving Vero’s sewer operations off the Indian River Lagoon is going to be more like a quarter of a billion dollars. That’s right. Billion with a “B.” Documents obtained from the city, confirmed by city staff, show that the state-ofthe-art wastewater treatment facility that the city is now calling its “One Water Campus” is expected to cost approximately $132 million to design and construct. Financing $132 million over 30 years could be expected to cost another $120 million, bringing the total BY LISA ZAHNER Staff Writer Good news for hungry visitors to Jaycee Park – and this time, we are assured it is for real. With a shiny new roof, a refreshed blue-and-white exterior and a dolphin mural under way on the patio, the Seaside Grill, closed for the past year and a half, could at last begin welcoming its eager fans back in just a few weeks. Vero Beach City Manager Monte Falls said the new operator of the city-owned eatery “anticipates an opening the first week of October.” While so many promises have been made of an imBY SAMANTHA BAITA Staff Writer Oft-delayed Seaside Grill reopening now said imminent CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS Seasonal rental picture surprisingly rosy Great news for snowbirds who want to spend the winter season on the barrier island but haven’t booked a place yet. In contrast to this time last year, when rental prices were much higher than before and properties were booked fairly solid, a good selection of houses and condos are still available for lease on the island for JanuCONTINUED ON PAGE 8 The hostile and threatening phone calls and emails have slowed to a trickle, but School Board Chair Peggy Jones said she’s still enduring the sickenBY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer Sick threats on School Board continue BY STEVEN M. THOMAS Staff Writer ing aftermath of an intimidation campaign launched by followers of a Moms For Liberty operative. “The calls and emails are still coming in, and the Sheriff’s Office says it’s still trackCONTINUED ON PAGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Shooter in fight at Humiston Park won’t be charged BY NICK SAMUEL Staff Writer PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS CDC’s explanation on hospitalizations is as clear as mud BY LISA ZAHNER Staff Writer Barrier island residents will have no idea, going forward, how many people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 illness in Indian River County if they rely on the arcane way the Centers for Disease

2 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Seaside Grill reopening minent reopening – almost from the moment the Seaside Grill closed in April 2022 – that it has become a bit embarrassing, Falls said: “The roof is complete, the hood system will be completed this week, and they are replacing the gas line (an issue that just arose). Final inspections will be conducted by the Building Department.” And, Falls added with significant understatement, “the city is anxiously awaiting the grand opening!” The tenants, partners Andy Studebaker and Wiley Wong as GC Ventures, hold an initial 10-year lease, and two 10-year renewal options, at a starting fixed monthly rental of $8,000. They received the keys to the popular 2,500-square-foot breakfast-andlunch restaurant overlooking the beach in Jaycee Park in July 2022, and immediately began what they initially expected to be “more of a facelift.” “We at first estimated it’d take about six weeks,” Studebaker said at the time. “Now it looks like 11 as we found more we needed/wanted to do,” which, he added, is pretty normal for this kind of project. That was the first postponement of the reopening date. But other issues presented themselves which would add time and cost to the project. And then there were the challenges of getting materials on site, installed, inspected and signed off on. In the face of the delays, the City Council subsequently voted to forgive lease payments until the restaurant was able to open to customers and generate income once again. Councilmember Ray Neville commented at that time, “Nothing has been their fault,” and Councilmember Linda Moore added, “Let’s not forget that they’re spending their own money to fix our building.” The restaurant’s footprint remains virtually the same as during the 30 years Dan and Rose Culumber ran it, as will the seating capacity: 65 outside, 35 inside. One of the most immediately obvious changes will be the absence of the concrete tables and seats on the patio. Significantly more comfy and colorful seating will reflect the updated restaurant’s beachy white and blue color scheme, inside and out. As in previous years, restaurant patrons will continue to have access to the city’s nearby Jaycee Park restrooms. A major change will be the hours of operation. Previously open from 7 a.m. until mid-afternoon, Studebaker has said that for the first week or two, during the “very soft” opening, “it’ll be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’ll see how the flow goes.” Then when all the little wrinkles are smoothed out, the eatery plans to add a dinner menu and remain open until 9 p.m. As GC Ventures, Studebaker and Wong intend to operate the Vero Beach business themselves, while staff handles their several South Florida restaurants. Both grew up in the restaurant business. “My family’s in the business. I’ve worked in restaurants since I was 14 or 15,” Studebaker said. In recent weeks, the outgoing Studebaker has been understandably reluctant to discuss the progress of the project, but spends a lot of time on site and has joked he already knows a lot about “what former customers ordered and where they sat,” as they pause, passing by on the boardwalk, to say hello. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 School Board threats ing them, but I don’t know if anyone will be arrested,” Jones said on Sunday. “From what I’ve heard, the threats need to be specific and direct – that someone actually says they’re going to kill me – for them to rise to the level of a crime. “Just saying someone should kill me or they wish I was dead isn’t enough, apparently, even if they use vile language and a menacing tone, as most of them do,” she added. “But we’ll see what happens. “The investigation is still ongoing.” Sheriff’s Office public information officer Joe Abollo did not return messages seeking updates on the status of the investigation Sunday and Monday, nearly two weeks after Jones received the first threatening voicemail on her School District phone. The barrage of calls and emails – most have targeted Jones, but School Board members Teri Barenborg and Brian Barefoot also have received some – began the morning after a North Carolina-based, culture-war agitator disrupted a board meeting. Pastor John Amanchukwu, known for stirring up controversy at public gatherings across the nation, attended the School Board meeting here on Aug. 28 to punctuate an obviously scripted effort by the Moms group’s local chapter to have objectionable books removed from on-campus libraries. The group’s tactic was simple: Send a parade of supporters to the publiccomment podium to read sexually explicit excerpts from school library books and force the board to stop them, which, under a new state law, requires that those books be permanently removed from shelves. Amanchukwu, however, didn’t stop reading, despite repeated requests by

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 3 on its public Facebook page Sunday: “We won’t give up on the children for a few ridiculous liberals! Vote out Peggy Jones.” Jones, though, said she was a longtime Republican who opted for noparty-affiliation status after being elected to the School Board in 2020 because she believes partisan politics have no place in public education and she doesn’t want to be beholden to any party or ideology. “My decisions are based on what’s in the best interests of our kids and our district,” she added. The closest the local Moms chapter came to showing even a hint of remorse was sending a letter to another local news outlet, which reported that the correspondence included a statement that the group did “not condone threats of violence of any kind to anyone, including elected officials.” As of Monday morning, however, the group had not condemned the threats. Also, in an email to School Board members last week, the local Moms chapter wrote that it hoped the SherNEWS CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Jones, who refused to tolerate his belligerence and ultimately asked sheriff’s deputies assigned to the volatile meeting to remove him from the chamber. After the meeting, Amanchukwu, who had attended at the invitation of the Moms group’s local co-founder, Tiffany Justice, a former School Board member, posted a video of the incident on his social-media accounts, which have more than two million followers. Amanchukwu also appeared on popular national conservative news broadcasts and political podcasts where clips from the meeting were played. Following this wide exposure, the venomous calls and emails began. Jones said Schools Superintendent David Moore immediately notified the Sheriff’s Office, which coordinated its efforts with the FBI, because most of the threats came from outside Florida. The threats were arriving in such troubling numbers that detectives told Jones, who was understandably concerned about her safety, to stop listening to the calls and reading the emails. “I’m no wimp, but some of them …,” Jones said. “They were really bad.” That’s why, Jones said, any absence of criminality is of little consolation. “Just because nobody gets arrested doesn’t mean it’s over for me,” she said. “It takes only one idiot to do something stupid – and that could be someone who didn’t even threaten me. It could be someone who sees the video and it sets them off.” Jones said she and her husband plan to go back and review the calls and emails they hadn’t yet heard or read to make sure there are no threats that could put the safety of family members in jeopardy. The past two weeks have been difficult, Jones admitted, and she blames Justice and the Moms group’s local chapter for bringing in Amanchukwu and sending him to the podium, knowing his reputation for rabble-rousing. In fact, Amanchukwu was a guest on Justice’s “Joyful Warriors” podcast in May. “This hasn’t been fun,” Jones said, “but this is what Tiffany Justice and her group did to me.” Vero Beach 32963 sent the Moms For Liberty’s media relations office an email seeking a response from Justice to accusations that she and her group were responsible for the threats. A spokesperson replied she was unable to meet the newspaper’s deadline Monday. Jones said she had not received anything resembling an apology from Justice or anyone associated with the Moms group’s local chapter. Neither had Barenborg or Barefoot. To the contrary, the Moms group’s local chapter doubled down, posting

4 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ iff’s Office would track down the perpetrators of any “acknowledged legitimate threats concerning this matter.” The next sentence, though, stated, “We understand that many people are angry over the removal of these books,” wrongly implying that the threats were prompted by the board’s unanimous vote at the meeting to take more than 30 books off the library shelves. The threats sent to Jones and the other board members were not in response to the books being removed. They were prompted by the videos posted on social media of Amanchukwu being removed from the meeting. “They don’t want to admit they did anything wrong – they never do – but I did receive threats because they brought that man to our meeting,” Jones said, referring to the Moms group and Amanchukwu. “It was no coincidence that he was there,” she added. “They knew what he was going to do, because that’s what he does. He disrupts.” As stressful as the past couple of weeks have been for her, Jones said she’s more concerned about the impact this episode will have on public participation at School Board meetings and the willingness of people to run for seats on the board. “Forget what they did to me,” Jones said. “Look at what they’ve done to our community. People have told me they NEWS PremierEstateProperties.com 225 Riverway Drive $7.5 Million Info: www.V270422.com Talley | Hendricks 772.559.8812 Explore More Of Our Exceptional Vero Beach Collection CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 School Board threats

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 5 bill for the new plant to $250 million. Mayor John Cotugno blurted out the new cost estimates on Sept. 1 during a Vero Beach City Council candidate forum where he answered questions about the city’s pressing issues, along with challengers Honey Minuse and Taylor Dingle. “There is no choice. The wastewater treatment plant has to move. It has to be moved because it’s past its useful life and it’s in a critical phase for potentially having a catastrophic failure,” Cotugno said, adding that the previous city council under Mayor Harry Howle began planning to move the sewer operations off the lagoon prior to the pandemic. “Yes, the costs have grown. I think we’ve all admitted reality the past year, past five years that costs have skyrocketed. The costs of this project are now somewhere in the $130 million to $150 million range but it’s a necessity. It has to happen,” Cotugno said. NEWS CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 DISCLAIMER: Information published or otherwise provided by Premier Estate Properties, Inc. and its representatives including but not limited to prices, measurements, square footages, lot sizes, calculations and statistics are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed and are subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. All such information should be independently verified by any prospective purchaser or seller. Parties should perform their own due diligence to verify such information prior to a sale or listing. Premier Estate Properties, Inc. expressly disclaims any warranty or representation regarding such information. Prices published are either list price, sold price, and/or last asking price. Premier Estate Properties, Inc. participates in the Multiple Listing Service and IDX. The properties published as listed and sold are not necessarily exclusive to Premier Estate Properties, Inc. and may be listed or have sold with other members of the Multiple Listing Service. Transactions where Premier Estate Properties, Inc. represented both buyers and sellers are calculated as two sales. Cooperating Brokers are advised that in the event of a Buyer default, no commission will be paid to a cooperating Broker on the Deposits retained by the Seller. No commissions are paid to any cooperating broker until title passes or upon actual commencement of a lease. Some affiliations may not be applicable to certain geographic areas. If your property is currently listed with another broker, please disregard any solicitation for services. Copyright 2023 Premier Estate Properties, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your Trusted Advisor for Vero Beach Luxury Real Estate 772.234.5555 675 Beachland Boulevard OUR INCOMPARABLE GLOBAL NETWORK 8760 SEACREST DRIVE $2.995 Million Info: www.V270967.com Lange Sykes 772.473.7983 990 CARIB LANE $1.325 Million Info: www.V271112.com Ritter | Talley 772.532.6619 3 WEST SEA COLONY DRIVE $1.95 Million Info: www.V267725.com Hendricks | Schwiering 772.559.8812 618 LANTANA LANE $3.995 Million Info: www.V266562.com Brown | Talley 772.633.0407 3160 NE 233RD TRAIL $17.459 Million Info: www.V270584.com Lange Sykes 772.473.7983 1025 ANDARELLA WAY $2.799 Million Info: www.V250160.com Brown | Talley 772.633.0407 UNDER CONTRACT COMING SOON SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE | 1 -3 PM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Utility sticker shock want to speak at board meetings, but they’re fearful. “This kind of behavior also discourages good people who might want to run for the board but they disagree with the Moms group and don’t want to put up with this nonsense,” she added. “That shouldn’t happen, and it especially shouldn’t happen here. “We should be better than that.”

6 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ “Three Corners doesn’t happen unless the wastewater treatment plant moves, I don’t think I want to stay over at a five-star hotel that overlooks a wastewater treatment plant. Somehow, I don’t find that to be the most appealing thing ever,” Cotugno said. “They have to happen together.” With the city admittedly over another proverbial negotiating barrel, Cotugno said the final price tag is “very much a moving target.” Vero Water-Sewer Utilities Director Rob Bolton confirmed that the “$132 million plus” is simply the latest estimate for construction, plus some design and permitting services. The city hopes to bring in a general contractor later this fall to work with engineers to finish the design, then to bid the project out in the spring and begin construction next summer. Eventually the city will have a not-to-exceed cost figure in hand, but that’s at least six months away. Bolton said the city has applied for three grants totaling $40 million to help with costs of moving the sewer plant, and added that no changes to the planned utility rate structure approved in 2022 are on tap at this point for Oct. 1, which is the start of the city’s next fiscal year. Meanwhile the Town of Indian River Shores continues litigating a breach of contract lawsuit against the City of Vero Beach over allegations that Vero has not honored its 2012 promise to charge Indian River Shores customers utility rates that match Indian River County Utilities’ published rates. The matter has been through the circuit court, the Fourth District Court of Appeals, and is now awaiting word on whether the Florida Supreme Court will take up the case. The Shores sued over a dispute arising about reuse irrigation water rates back in 2020, but since Vero also increased Shores’ customers’ water and sewer rates and Shores customers are paying higher rates for water and sewer than Indian River County published rates, town officials admit that they will likely need to initiate a second lawsuit over the water-sewer rates as well. Shores Councilman Bob Auwaerter, who sits on the city’s Utilities Commission, said the new cost estimate has not come before the Utilities Commission, and that Cotugno’s statements at the candidate forum were news to him. “The thing I’ve questioned is where NEWS The Finest Pre-Owned Rolex Watches Le Classique Jewelers and Watchmakers Every Rolex watch comes backed with our 1 year warranty. All Rolex service and repairs are done on premises. Get the Best Price For Your Pre-Owned Rolex We are proud to deliver exceptional customer service and high value offers for your pre-owned Rolex. As your trusted and reputable local jeweler, we make selling your watch a smooth experience with our guaranteed offers. Prices Upon Request 3001 Ocean Drive # 105, Vero Beach, FL 32963 772-231-2060 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CDC explains bizarre data CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Utility sticker stinker are they gonna stop with this thing, and do they intend to go forward with it no matter how high the cost? Is there even a ceiling or a cap on how much they are willing to spend?” Auwaerter said. South Beach residents who live in the unincorporated county are also among the ratepayers who will ultimately fund the entire cost – aside from what’s covered by grants – through their monthly utility bills. Control and Prevention reports these numbers. On Sept. 7, Vero Beach 32963 published an analysis of CDC COVID hospitalization statistics around Florida and in major metropolitan areas out of state showing numbers that seem to bear no relation to reality. The CDC listed 70 people hospitalized in one week in Indian River County, when we knew first-hand from hospital officials that there were only six people hospitalized. Brevard County to the north had the exact same 70 hospitalizations that week, according to the CDC, which would be more than amazing since Brevard County has roughly 3.5 times the population of Indian River. Then last week the latest numbers for Indian River County showed 101 hospitalizations, up 44 percent from 70 the previous week. But the number straight from a local physician who visited the hospital on Friday was eight COVID-positive patients in isolation on the regular floors, plus another two patients in the ICU, as confirmed by the hospital administration. So the CDC’s number inflated the actual count by 91 patients, or 900 percent! How could this happen? “Per COVID-19 Surveillance After Expiration of the Public Health Emergency Declaration ― United States, May 11, 2023, here is how county-level hospital data is calculated. This has been the methodology since the end of the Public Health Emergency back in May,” said CDC Public Information Officer Lisa George on Monday. “County-level hospital data, including new hospital admissions levels, are derived using calculations performed at the Health Service Area (HSA) level. An HSA is defined by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics as a geographic area containing at least one county that is self-contained with respect to the population’s provision of routine hospital care. Every county in the United States is assigned to an HSA, and each HSA must contain at least one hospital. Data presented represent admissions and bed use among hospitals within the selected HAS,” George explained. We asked in a follow-up query, “What are the geographic boundaries of the health service area (HSA) which includes Indian River County?” to which George answered, “Brevard and Indian River.” So apparently, if the CDC is reporting 101 hospitalizations for Brevard and 101 hospitalizations for Indian River, that 101 number is an average for the two counties? Or the total for both counties? The explanation was about as clear as mud. The Indian River County Health Department was presumably unaware of the CDC’s reporting strategy, as local officials could not answer our questions. “I wanted to let you know that I sent your request to State Communications on Thursday and have not received a response,” Indian River County Department of Health Public Information Officer Stacy Brock said on Monday, in response to a request for comment from Director Miranda Hawker. We also contacted Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office last week about how the CDC’s data reflects on Florida’s COVID situation. His staff did not respond.

8 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ ary, February and March. What’s more, seasonal rental rates have stabilized after doubling in some cases in the past couple of years – with rents flat or up a mere five or 10 percent above this time a year ago. The change doesn’t indicate a weak rental market, according to top agents on the island, but rather a slight increase in rental inventory and a later start for the renting season. There are variations in availability and price movement from neighborhood to neighborhood, and rental agents largely agree activity is brisk and getting better. Because renters are showing up “later this year, we currently have some properties available for multiple months [in season], but this may end very soon as we have seen an increase in requests just this past week,” ONE Sotheby’s International Realty rental manager Carol Makolin said Friday. “I don’t remember a September this busy, so I am not sure how long we are going to have properties available. Last week alone, we placed more than $60,000 in rentals.” “We are expecting another strong season,” said Moorings Realty Sales Co. broker Marsha Sherry. “All of our single-family homes are currently booked for the season. Most of the condos are booked, too, but there is some availability, and new properties are still coming on the market. “Overall, we have about a 5 percent increase in our seasonal inventory this year. That isn’t a big increase but still – the words inventory and increase haven’t been seen together very much lately!” “There are 60 three-plus bedroom homes and condos showing as available on the island for January, February, March and April,” Dale Sorensen Real Estate manager Angela Waldrop told Vero Beach 32963 at the end of August. “They range from $7,000 per month to $40,000 per month. There are others that have been rented for a part of the 2024 season, but this is the number of the homes and condos that are still showing as vacant for that time period. “[In addition], there are 48 twobedroom homes and condos, from $3,500 per month to $15,000 per month, showing vacant for that period, along with six remaining onebedroom places, ranging from $2,900 per month to $7,000 per month. “Based on my personal inventory, there are more properties available now than there were at this time a year ago,” Waldrop said. NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Seasonal rentals The increase in properties new to the rental market is being driven by the same economic forces that continue to push prices higher in many cases, even as the market takes something of a breather from the pandemic boom in rental demand and lease rates that mirrored the massive runup in home prices. “We think there are several cost factors influencing homeowners to put their properties in the rental pool for the first time,” said Sherry, whose brokerage manages 60-some seasonal rental properties in The Moorings and elsewhere on the barrier island, from Shorelands to Grand Isle. “With increased insurance and association fees, some owners have decided to rent to help manage the increased costs.” At the same time, people who typically rent their properties are inclined to raise monthly rates to cover the higher costs of ownership, including a 1-cent increase in the county bed tax that goes into effect on Oct. 1, at the start of the next fiscal year, raising the combined state and county bed tax to 12 cents. One cent on the dollar doesn’t sound like much, but for a $50,000-a-month property, it amounts to $500 more per month and most landlords will want to pass that cost on to renters. The increased availability of seasonal rentals this year comes with a few caveats. “While the inventory seems higher than in the past few years, many of the properties still available have a threemonth minimum preventing oneor two-month tenants from renting them,” said Waldrop, who manages about 100 rental properties. “To come to Vero for just the month of February or March is really hard to do, and it gets more difficult every year,” said Sherry. “People putting their property in rental pool are looking for a longer lease. They don’t want to do the work of getting the house ready for just one month of rental income and they don’t want three different renters in there during the season.” Condo association rules further limit short-term stays in many instances. “Within the Moorings, there are 15 different condo associations and they all have their own rules and regulations for rentals,” Sherry said. “Some have a minimum stay of three months, while others require two months or 30 days.” The difficulty of securing onemonth rentals during the prime winter months “is a trend I don’t see ending,” Sherry added. “You probably need a minimum of six weeks. Or you might have to adjust your plans and

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 9 NEWS do January and February instead of February and March.” Sherry, Waldrop and Makolin have finely honed systems to minimize hassles for homeowners who want to rent their homes during the season. “We market the property, negotiate the lease, and run everything through the associations to get their approval,” Sherry said. “We collect the monies and file and pay the taxes. “We check the condition of the property before the tenant moves in to make sure the hot water is turned on and everything is available and working. After the renters leave, we check the property again to make sure we can release the deposit, and we have licensed, bonded, insured cleaning companies ready to come and clean the house – unless the owner wants their own cleaner to do it. If there are any disputes between parties, we handle them.” “We do the complete move-in and move-out package,” said Makolin. “That consists of marketing the propCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

10 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ erty through various websites and multiple listing services, finding the right tenants, moving forward with a lease and collecting whatever fees and taxes are applicable. “We also coordinate with the HOAs in order to ensure the owner is compliant. While occupied, we handle all calls and issues that may arise. When tenant moves out, we inspect the property to ensure there’s no damage or issues.” Island rental agents are just as helpful to tenants as they are to owners. “We always have a welcome package for renters with information about trash days and locations, recycling and what the internet codes are,” Sherry said. “We have a nice Moorings bag and usually give them some Indian River citrus, along with a list of restaurants and activities – what to do in Vero. “In season, we have a fulltime director of personal services, who is kind of like a concierge for the renters. If a lightbulb burns out or the toaster won’t work or the garage door clicker malfunctions, we are on site and we take care of it promptly. “The TV remote is the biggest things people have problems with and we are happy to help with that!” Sherry added. “We take very good care of our renters. We want them to be happy. We want them to come back and rent our properties again next year.” Agents have another reason to do all they can to give renters a positive Vero Beach experience. “Many of the tenants are seeking to purchase a home in Vero permanently,” said Makolin. “Vero is growing at a rapid pace and is projected to continue. If our rental clients want to move toward permanent ownership, we are happy to help them with that as well.” “Many of our renters have become homeowners over the years,” agreed Sherry. “That has always been a path to sales. It is a great opportunity for renters to see if they like it here and would like to live here.” As for prices, even though the rate of increase has slowed, island stays are far from cheap. “The highest priced rentals I have secured so far for the 2024 season are $300,000 for a six-month lease and $55,000 for a one-month lease,” Waldrop said. “The highest priced active listing that I have is $40,000 per month.” Sherry and Makolin both said rental prices are continuing to go up at NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 Seasonal rentals a moderate pace. Waldrop said they may dip slightly this season compared to last – but not by much. ‘I think that these increased rates are the new normal,” said Waldrop. “They will fluctuate slightly during the coming years but we are blessed with an extremely active rental market. “I find that the renters that I work with chose Vero Beach for all of the reasons that I could not wait to return after college: no high-rise buildings, a strong sense of community, locally owned businesses, and postcard views everywhere that you look! I am truly in awe of this community.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Humiston park shooting the Okeechobee teen was defending another person and was justified in shooting the Vero youth under Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law, according to police spokesperson Kelsea Marty. The Vero teen who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen underwent surgery and remained in stable condition Monday morning at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, Marty said. “He was awake and talking,” Marty said. “After a full review of the incident and all evidence, investigators have concluded that the juvenile acted in defense of another at the time of the shooting,” police said in a statement. “The incident remains under investigation with criminal charges pending for other individuals involved.” The overnight gunfire struck and shattered a window at Corey’s Pharmacy located at the entrance of the Humiston Beach parking lot, Marty said. A bullet also pierced a hole in the window at Nino’s Cafe. Marty said there were more than a few people in the two groups that fought before shots rang out. Police recovered the gun used in the shooting. Marty said No other weapons were found at the scene. Drugs were not involved in the fight, police said.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 11 I’d like to think that some of what we’ve been seeing here recently is merely a rough stretch for a still-special community – and not that our poetically described “Mayberry by the Sea” is losing its small-town charm and neighborly feel to inevitable growth and development. I want to believe we’re not becoming Port St. Vero. But are we? Just in the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen: Gunfire at Humiston Beach Park during a 2 a.m. dispute that involved at least one juvenile, who police announced Monday would not be criminally charged because he “acted in defense of another” when he shot a man in the stomach. School Board Chair Peggy Jones, a longtime educator who is beloved in the community, receiving hostile phone calls and emails – even death threats – after the local Moms For Liberty chapter brought in from North Carolina a known culture-war rabble-rouser to stir up trouble over library books. Another School Board member, Gene Posca, using social media to post or share fiercely partisan and antagonistic memes, including one that ignorantly compares Democrats who wore surgical masks during the COVID-19 pandemic to KKK members who wore white hoods, masks and robes to terrorize Blacks in the 1900s. We’ve even seen graffiti spray-painted on the Barber Bridge. That’s not the Vero Beach that welcomed me when I arrived in 1980, just out of college, to launch what has become a 40-year-plus newspaper career. That’s not the Vero Beach to which I returned in 2002 to become the Treasure Coast’s sports columnist. That’s not even the Vero Beach of 2014, when I joined this newspaper amid an abundance of civility, courtesy and consideration for others in the community. Until a couple of years ago, most longtime residents couldn’t imagine someone throwing anti-Semitic messages on their neighbors’ driveways. But recently, it happened. Now, we’ve got neighbors who earlier this year successfully pushed for the repeal of the School Board’s racial equity policy – a crushing blow to the county’s Black population, which saw its adoption in 2020 as a stand against institutional racism. Only last month, a few Sebastian River High School students’ parents complained to the principal because they believed the parking decals, which were tie-dye colored, too closely resembled the rainbow-colored pride flag of the LGBTQ community. The principal caved, despite the small number of complaints, and the school spent more than $1,000 to replace the decals. Intolerance won again. Compassion and understanding lost. Clearly, something has changed here. Perhaps, it was inescapable, given the spike in the county’s population over the past few years, particularly during the COVID boom, when our warmer winters and low density made Vero Beach an attractive destination. Truth is, we had been hearing for decades that we could fend off the South Florida sprawl for only so long, and that Vero Beach would eventually be overrun to the point where it would lose its sleepy ambiance. We’re not there yet, of course, but we’re on our way. New housing developments, along with the new businesses needed to serve an increasing number of newcomers, are being built or planned. And our roadways are more crowded than ever, especially when our seasonal residents and visitors are here. The result is that more people from more places are now living amongst us, and many of them don’t know – and don’t care – who we were or how things used to be. The mix has changed. Less than halfway through her first two-year term on the Vero Beach City Council, Tracey Zudans has announced that she is running for the County Commission’s District 5 seat next year. Why now? Zudans, 52, said she has already accomplished the mission that drove her to run for City Council – moving the Three Corners project into a position where it is poised to become a reality – and she’s ready to take her fiscally conservative principles to the county government. In a statement Zudans publicly released Friday, after filing the required paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections Office, she said: “Serving on the Vero Beach City Council has been such a rewarding experience, and I believe my vision of common-sense, efficient, accountable and limited local government will work at the county level.” She went on to add: “We must keep all the communities in our county safe and secure, limit government interference in our lives and businesses, and continue to fight for a clean and healthy lagoon. We must be vigilant not to ruin our county with excessive government control of our lives.” Zudans is seeking the District 5 seat currently held by first-term County Commissioner Laura Moss, who served four years on the Vero City Council, including stints as mayor and vice mayor. District 5 includes the barrier island from the Wabasso Causeway to the St. Lucie County Line. Moss wrote in a text message to Vero Beach 32963 that she plans to file for re-election “shortly,” probably this month. “Through my second term on the County Commission, I look forward to continuing implementation of positive practices that I have maintained and espoused since serving as mayor and vice mayor of Vero Beach and on the Vero Beach City Council for two terms,” she wrote. “For example,” she added, “great outreach to our community and increased collaboration among city, town and county governments in service to the public good.” Zudans’ announcement states that she has worked hard to “improve the city’s local economy, natural resources and overall quality of life,” adding that she has “never failed to put the citizens first” and would do the same as a commissioner. During a phone interview last weekend, Zudans didn’t mention her presumed opponent by name. Instead, she said, “I’m running my own race,” and that she believes she’s the better candidate to address the issues and challenges confronting the county at a pivotal time. “I’ve built good relationships with people in both the city and county, and a lot of the issues we’re working on in the city need to be worked on in the county,” Zudans said. “Many of those issues affect the entire community, and I’ll bring experience in dealing with them.” Zudans said she sees “too much redundancy” in spending between the county and special taxing districts, as well as a trend toward “taxpayer-funded philanthropy.” She said her agenda will focus on making the county government “more efficient and less costly.” Zudans’ decision to run for county office comes at a time when the City Council is moving forward with several major projects, including relocation of the municipal wastewater treatment plant from the banks of the lagoon to Vero Beach Regional Airport, revitalization of the downtown area and, of course, the Three Corners development of a waterfront dining, retail, social and recreational hub at the west end of the 17th Street Bridge. But she said the timing can only help – not hinder – the fate of those projects because, as a commissioner, her familiarity with them would only enhance any needed cooperation with the county. Zudans is especially excited about the Three Corners project. “That was a big reason why I ran for City Council,” she said. “Now that we’ve gotten the referendum approved and the RFPs (requests for proposals) out, I will continue to be active, making sure that this project moves forward over the next year. “By next November, at the end of my term,” she added, “it will be well underway.” Before winning a seat on the City Council, Zudans served as an elected trustee on the Indian River County Hospital District Board. She also served on the board of the Veterans Council of Indian River County. A University of Florida graduate, she has been involved with several local philanthropic efforts and served as copresident of the St. Edward’s School Parents Association. Her husband, Val, is an eye surgeon and former Vero Beach mayor, and they have four children. NEWS Intolerance sadly seems to be gaining a foothold here Tracey Zudans looking to move up to County Commission BY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer BY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer MY VERO CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

12 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ But we’ve changed, too. If we’re going to be honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we’ve allowed the political partisanship and tribalism that divides too much of America to infect our lives and our community. And if we’re serious about preserving some nostalgic remnants from the Vero Beach of yesteryear, we must stop the madness – because it doesn’t need to be this way. Not in this town. I was here in November 1980, when Ronald Reagan, a conservative Republican, won the presidency in a landslide. Locally, county residents elected Tim Dobeck as sheriff and Dick Bird as a county commissioner. Both ran as Democrats. The party didn’t matter. The candidate did. We need to get back to that. We need to recapture our sense of community – because despite the new problems and challenges we face as the county continues to grow, the Vero Beach area is still the best place to live on Florida’s east coast. Skyborne Airline Academy’s Vero Beach campus has a new managing director. The United Kingdom-based flight school announced this week that Dan Peterson, who served in the U.S. Air Force and Utah Air National Guard for 23 years before retiring as a commander in 2008, has been hired to oversee the Florida facility’s operations. Peterson replaces Ed Davidson, who retired last month after 15 months with Skyborne here. “Leading the Skyborne Vero Beach team has been the highlight of my 50- year aviation career,” Davidson said Tuesday. “Since March 2022, there has been a 220-percent increase in students, with more than 300 individuals currently in training.” He added that he was confident his successor would “make a significant impact on Skyborne’s growth and development.” Peterson, who has a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University, had spent more than 20 years in senior educational roles, most recently as president of Herzing University’s Online Division, where he rapidly grew the Wisconsin-based school’s student population and launched five new programs. During his time in education, Peterson also served as president and chief executive officer of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was instrumental in the evolution of teaching methods for the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved hybrid aircraft maintenance technician program. “Dan’s career demonstrates a track record of success and growth, focused on helping the next generation to thrive,” Skyborne Chief Executive Officer Lee Woodward said in the announcement. “At Skyborne, he will play an active role in overseeing flight training operations and enhancing our growing network of airline partners.” Peterson said joining Skyborne enables him to combine his passion for aviation and education, and apply them to the “ultimate combination – an academy that excels in developing pilots with character.” He said he was looking forward to working with Woodward and the rest of Skyborne’s leadership to “continue to open up flight training and genuine career options to the best and the brightest.” Skyborne purchased Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach in May 2021, and the academy continues to thrive amid a global pilot shortage. In June, Delta Airlines became the largest commercial carrier to establish a partnership with Skyborne, which welcomed to Vero Beach the first 20 students to the train at the airline’s Propel Flight Academy. NEWS Skyborne Airline Academy lands a new managing director BY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 My Vero

PAR-TEE FAVORITE! MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION EVENT IS A SMASHING SUCCESS COMMISSIONER SUSAN ADAMS AND JOHN HENRY

14 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The candles were lit, and the golf balls were teed up at BigShots Golf to celebrate the 65th birthday of the Mental Health Association of Indian River County at its annual Birthday Par-Tee fundraiser, promoting the message that “It’s OK to get help!” As the party got into full swing, attendees didn’t shy away from a bit of good-natured competition as they vied for bragging rights within their boxes. With each shot, guests supported the mission of the nonprofit “to provide immediate access with no barriers to mental health care.” MHA has provided mental health services in the area since 1978 and is currently the only provider of free, same-day mental health screenings in Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, and in June they expanded into Okeechobee with a Mental Health Clubhouse. Events such as the Par-Tee are an opportunity for the MHA to raise funds and awareness about their efforts to help residents improve their quality of life through access to a continuum of care, while also promoting a reduced stigma surrounding mental health issues by keeping the community informed about the subject. Mental Health America statistics estimate that “46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life.” The MHA treats depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, substance use, psychosis, adjustment disorders and personality disorders, among other mental health diagnoses, through its immediate mental health care and crisis intervention. They provide free mental health services to veterans, minors, first responders, and those clients who qualify as having incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. During the Tammy Adams, Anne Lanier and County Commissioner Laura Moss PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Staff Writer Nicki Genoni, Wilfred Hart and Amy Wagner. Rose Underkofler, Mike Block and Olivia Breen. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS PAR-TEE FAVORITE! MENTAL HEALTH ASSOC. EVENT IS A SMASHING SUCCESS Heather Roberts, Anne Posey and Vero Beach Police Department Capt. Matt Monaco.

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 15 last fiscal year, 81 percent of MHA clients were at that income level. To deal with the community-wide shortage of mental health therapists and meet the increased demand for clinical interventions and therapy services, the MHA has hired registered mental health counselor interns and has recently expanded its team by adding three new clinicians. “We can’t accommodate all of the people that are trying to get into our doors,” said Amy Wagner, MHA CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 Jan Williams and Mayor John Cotugno. Carrie Kain and Mike Johnson.

16 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ fund development manager. The MHA provided 918 free walk-in mental health screenings last year, served 3,013 students through the 2020-2021 School Violence Prevention Program, and completed 291 suicide risk assessments. For local veterans, they completed 261 therapy sessions and hosted 76 peer-topeer groups. The MHA will have an information booth at the Veterans Resource Expo, which coincides Barry Segal, Kona Cromer, Koa Cromer, Phil Cromer, Amy Dunbar and Elise Roselio. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Joe Chiarella and Dan Kross. Kenny and Kim Jeansonne. Brianna Nelson, April Chiarella and Alexandra Gonzalez.

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 17 with the American Gold Star Mothers of IRC 5th annual Walk-A-Thon for Military Suicide Awareness, beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 5 at Riverside Park. And on Feb. 17, 2024, the MHA will host its signature fundraiser, MHA Rocks the ’80s at the Oak Harbor Club. For more information, visit mhairc. org. Pierce Genoni, Avari Fleming, Lily Rhue, Annabelle St. John, Finn Genoni and Doug St. John. (Front) Sandy Brown, Maria Espinoza and Teresa Barnett, (back) Darrell Pardue, Kneli Spencer and Mahal Lacy. Jeannine Abbey with Genevieve, Skyler, John Sebastian and Dr. John Reitano.

18 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Volunteers litter-ally cleaned up during the 16th annual Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup, hosted by the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast and the Atlantic Intracoastal Florida Inland Navigation District. Since its 2008 inception, some 13,000 residents have collected almost 100 tons of trash along 125 miles of waterways in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. Families, individuals, schools and civic-minded service groups collected a wide assortment of items ranging from straws, plastic bags, cigarette butts and fishing line to appliances, derelict boats and mattresses. In Indian River County, volunteers gathered at the Riverside Park boat ramp, Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Wabasso Causeway boat ramp, Sebastian Main Street boat ramp and Sebastian Inlet Marina before disbursing to locations along the edge of the Indian River Lagoon and on the spoil islands. Locally, 141 volunteers self-reported the collection of .42 tons of carelessly discarded trash that they had removed from our waterways. For more information, visit TCWaterwaycleanup.com. ‘Clean’ living: Volunteers strive for debris-free waterways Jack Diehl and Brian Carman. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS Christopher Spagnoli. Sienna DaVila and Angela Perkins. Dominic Vasquez, Lauren Kelly and Nancy Ball. Michelle Lefebure.

20 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Guests were invited to Eat, Learn and Grow during a Community Leaders Luncheon hosted by the Hope for Families Center, followed by a tour of the facility led by Andrew WelterFrost, HFC development manager. “The mission of Hope for Families is to transition families from homelessness to sustainable, permanent housing, safe shelter, food and supportive services,” said Marty Mercado, HFC executive director, in welcome. “The two big words for me here are sustainable and supportive services.” She said the small gathering included local community leaders, law enforcement and representatives from nonprofits that provide support services for those experiencing food and housing insecurity, and under- or unemployment – all factors that contribute to homelessness. Mercado shared that her grandmother had grown up in the foster Hope for Families targets sustained support for homeless BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Staff Writer

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 21 care system in Pittsburgh and when she aged out at age 18, was homeless for two years. That family history impelled Mercado to accept the position at HFC two years ago. “We tackle affordable housing and sustainability through poverty level. That requires dedication to get through solid goal setting, strategic planning and overall control of your life,” she explained. Individually, a lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, and the lack of a support system can all spiral a person’s life into turmoil. “If you have all of it and it’s swirling, it’s a recipe for disaster. Then you add children into that mix, and our kids are very much suffering. We call them our cycle of sufferers,” said Mercado. HFC provides residents with education, counseling and other services to help them overcome these issues. The education component includes getCONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Matt Tanner and Commissioner Laura Moss. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS Marty Mercado and Andrew Welter-Frost. Meredith Egan and Jeff Francisco. Officer Kelsea Marty and Sharon Stewart.

22 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ ting a GED, job training, and instruction in financial literacy. “We realize we can’t do this alone. It’s a community collaboration,” said Mercado. She noted that, currently, 98 percent of the residents are employed, in large part due to their partnership with United Against Poverty. Mercado explained that residents enroll in UP’s S.T.E.P. (Step Training Employment Program) to gain the skills needed to obtain employment and earn a sustainable wage. Healthcare is another hurdle that can factor into mounting debt for families. Mercado said 100 percent of their families have primary care physicians, and they refer all residents to either the Mental Health Association or Tykes and Teens where they can receive mental health counseling. As a result, they have seen positive mental health care outcomes increase by 63 percent. When the families are stable and ready to move out, Mercado said the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, Habitat for Humanity, and private donors help them do so, provided they are willing to do the work. Through donations and subsidy programs, residents receive assistance with first and last month rent, security deposits, furniture, initial electric service costs and reduced rent. Hope for Families served 63 families this past fiscal year, made up of 82 adults and 115 children, and there are currently between 60 and 100 families on the waitlist. To meet the need, the center needs to double the size of the shelter. Using land gifted to the nonprofit, they will announce a $5.5 million capital campaign in the fall. “We have confirmed pledges, and we’re 61.6 percent to our goal,” noted Mercado. “Our goal here is to give sustainable hope.” HFC plans to host quarterly Community Leaders Luncheons in the future. For more information, visit hopeforfamiliescenter.org. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Lydia Lander and Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey. Marty Mercado.

First came the burnt-match smell of hot sulfur. Then, a roar from below the water. The towering undersea volcano known as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai had awakened, and on a balmy afternoon in January 2022 it began blasting its insides into the sky above this Pacific island chain with a force unmatched in recent history. People thousands of miles away heard the explosions. The plume of ash and gas blotted out the sun. Tsunamis hurtled outward, engulfing villages in Tonga’s low-lying islands and crashing into shorelines as far away as Peru. It was one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions ever recorded. And it was a wake-up call. Scientists say the event underscored the dangers posed by submarine volcanoes, which are found by the thousands in every ocean on Earth, some of them perilously close to coastlines. But more than 18 months after the historic eruption, even the most vulnerable nations are struggling to keep closer watch over these underwater behemoths. Experts estimate there are dozens of active seamounts around the globe that could, under the right circumstances, erupt like Hunga, with the potential to claim hundreds of thousands of lives and reshape coastlines. Roughly a million other submarine volcanoes exist globally, most of them millions of years old and extinct. These are some of the world’s leastmonitored natural hazards. Only a handful of the most accessible submarine volcanoes have ever been mapped in detail. Even veteran volcanologists say they know little about what goes on inside these magma-filled structures between eruptions. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai formed in early 2015 after a moderate volcanic eruption fused two uninhabited islands into a single landmass. The volcanic cone was visible above the waves. The volcano extends about 6,500 feet down to the ocean floor. 1. 2. Underwater caldera BY CHARLOTTE LYTTON, DEREK HAWKINS AND MATTHEW ABBOTT | WASHINGTON POST A view of Nukualofa, Tonga’s central hub of political and economic activity. In 2022, the French Navy patrol vessel La Glorieuse brought aid to the island in the aftermath of the eruption. Atata island was almost entirely submerged with seawater after the Hunga eruption. By Charlotte Lytton, Derek Hawkins and Matthew Abbott | Washington Post

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 25 CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 INSIGHT COVER STORY The challenge in studying them involves both cost and logistics. The specialized equipment used for monitoring is expensive – often too much of a financial burden for well-heeled research institutions, let alone small developing nations such as Tonga. Many of these volcanoes span long stretches of the ocean. Deploying the instruments is arduous, even in shallow waters, requiring skilled crews and a network of vessels and communication devices to provide real-time data. “It is difficult to say which one will be next,” said Kenna Harmony Rubin, a professor of geochemistry and volcanology at the University of Hawaii, “and when.” Volcanic activity is a fact of life in Tonga. Residents are well attuned to the risks posed by falling ash and ocean swells that can result from shallow-water eruptions – though nobody could have predicted the events of January 2022. The kingdom, formerly a British protectorate, is made up of about 170 tiny, mostly flat islands, only about a quarter of which are inhabited. Scattered throughout the archipelago are 12 active underwater peaks, including Hunga. All are part of the KermadecTonga subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another. This seismically active region of the Pacific stretches from New Zealand’s North Island to the northwestern tip of the Tonga island chain. Most of the country’s roughly 106,000 residents live on the main island of Tongatapu, a 100-square-mile atoll about the size of Sacramento. The economy is driven mainly by agriculture, along with tourism and fishing. Many Tongans rely on small plantation farming for a living, harvesting cash crops such as coconuts, squash and root vegetables. Many also depend on remittances sent from family members who work abroad. Hunga had been mostly inactive for seven years when a series of small eruptions began in December 2021. Tsunami waves – some of them topping 50 feet – crashed into Tonga’s islands within an hour of the eruption. Hours later, smaller waves reached other coastlines around the world. Submarine volcanoes around the world Shikoku, Japan +8 hours California, USA +10 hours Coquimbo, Chile +13.5 hours Eruption plume seen from space Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai (HTHH) Volcano Nukualofa Ha‘apai group Vava‘u group Tongatapu group Sydney, Austrailia +4 hours The eruption generated two types of tsunamis. One was most likely caused by the caldera collapse displacing a huge volume of seawater. The other may have been caused by atmospheric shock waves from the eruption. Its caldera, the craterlike depression at the summit, dipped roughly 500 feet below sea level prior to the 2022 eruption. 3. Hunga Tonga 4. Caldera Dike (vertical) Hunga Ha'apai SEA LEVEL Approx. 6,500 ft SEA LEVEL As the magma churns through this system, gases can build up, increasing the pressure inside. Eruptions can happen when the internal pressure becomes too strong for the rock to hold back. Sill (horizontal) Magma resorvoir Population Axial Seamount Located about 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, and one of the most studied submarine volcanoes in the world. Marsili The largest submarine volcano in the Mediterranean Sea, sitting about 100 miles south of Naples. Submarine volcano HTHH volcano

26 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 INSIGHT COVER STORY An ash plume became visible from Tonga’s capital city, Nukualofa, about 40 miles away on Tongatapu’s north coast. Sulfur dioxide drifted across Tonga’s other island groups, while bursts of steam and ash spilled over the volcano’s edge. On Tongatapu, people would sometimes gather for drinks and watch the volcano bubble. Virginie Dourlet, a French teacher who until recently lived in Nukualofa, said she remembers wondering, “Is the baby island going to survive?” By early January 2022, the activity seemed to have subsided. The Tonga Geological Services declared the volcano dormant on Jan. 11. But a few days later, the sulfuric odor wafted over the Tongan capital. The sky turned an otherworldly blue and purple, the result of fine ash particles scattering the sun’s light. “It was gorgeous,” Dourlet said, “but in an impending doom kind of way.” Soon, the water along the Nukualofa waterfront began to retreat, creating whirlpools. Locals instantly recognized this as a sign of a coming tsunami. “People completely freaked out,” Dourlet said. Sela Faitangane, a 30-year-old teacher and mother of two, was walking through a wooded part of Tonga’s Nomuka island when she heard a thunderous boom. The ground beneath her shook. She emerged from the tree line and saw friends and neighbors running inland. People were shouting frantically, some of them carrying children in their arms. Ocean water was rushing over the landscape. A boy called out to her, “You can’t go there!” “He meant you can’t go near the road,” Faitangane recalled, “because it was already flooded by the sea.” Faitangane scrambled into her car with her husband, her newborn baby and 4-year-old son, and headed for high ground. More booms came, so loud that they left a ringing in Faitangane’s ears. Speeding away, they watched in terror as a wall of water inundated their neighborhood, toppling houses. The sky darkened. Ash rained down. “On that day,” Faitangane said, “we thought it was the end of the world for us.” Southwest, on the island of Atata, Lisala Folau was out walking when the waves struck. He grabbed hold of a mangrove tree as the waters tossed his body. At one point, he could hear his son calling out to him, but he didn’t answer because he didn’t want his son to risk his life trying to rescue him. held on like that for 27 hours, he said, thinking the whole time, “I can’t lose the tree.” On another part of the island, Elisiva Tu’ivai and her grandmother also clung to mangroves for hours as the sea rocked them. They struggled to keep their heads above water. “I was scared I would die,” Tu’ivai said, as “the water washed me in and out.” In the brief respite between wave swells, they managed to wade back to land. They clambered to the island’s highest point, the path strewn with broken trees and rubble that had been her neighbors’ homes. As the night went on, other survivors emerged from the water. In total, the Hunga eruption spanned from the afternoon of Jan. 15 to the next morning. The shock wave propagated around the planet, felt more than 7,000 miles away in India. The tsunamis ravaged Atata, as well as Tonga’s smaller Mango Island, about 60 miles away. Four people died. Some 84 percent of the country’s population was affected by the blast, either by being displaced or suffering damage to their properties and plantations. Tonga went dark for days. Cables that supplied the island nation with phone and internet connectivity were severed. The volcanic plume was the biggest and highest ever viewed by satellite, rendering the country unobservable from the sky and leaving people around the world worried about the severity of the damage. “We couldn’t see the impacts on the ground. Was the island just gone? Had the entire population died? Even when the ash cloud disappeared, we still didn’t know because the undersea cables were severed,” said volcanologist Sam Mitchell of the University of Bristol. “The satellite images were coming out and we still hadn’t heard from them. It was traumatizing.” Faitangane spent a day on the hill on Nomuka with her family and others waiting for the waters to recede. “When we came down, there was nothing left for us,” she said. “Not even our house, our clothes, no food.” Rescue boats arrived and provided some relief, she said. The family initially lived in a tent, then moved into an old house that withstood the tsunami. In late 2022, the Tongan government relocated residents from Atata and Mango islands to the country's main island of Tonatapu and the smaller island of ’Eua. The devastation in Tonga has renewed focus on the dangers of underwater volcanoes around the world and has sparked questions about which one might be next to blow. But experts caution that even comparatively wealthy nations will struggle to keep tabs on threats lurking offshore. “The current state of monitoring is simply that almost none are monitored at all,” said David Clague, a volcanologist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California. “This lack of monitoring is not neglect, but simply that there are many such potentially active submarine volcanoes, and even a single seismometer is expensive to install and to maintain.” The Western Pacific is now the prime area of concern, said Bill Chadwick, a research professor at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. Explosive activity is common in subduction zones. A 1,740-mile stretch starting near Japan and extending south in the Western Pacific is a particular danger point. The same is true for the subduction zone that links Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, as well as for the one near the Aleutian Islands, a chain of large volcanic islands in Alaska that are geologically similar to Hunga. Some of the known submarine volcanoes could pose a significant hazard to nearby populations. Marsili, a 1.8-mile-tall volcano beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea, sits a mere 109 miles south of Naples. Recent models have shown that activity there could trigger a tsunami with potential waves of alChildren play on Uafu ’Amelika, or the “American wharf,” a popular recreation spot in Nukualofa. Waterfront homes and buildings in Nomuka township that were destroyed by the tsunami. Lisala Folau sits near the mangrove tree he clung to for 27 hours to survive the tsunami. The Vakaloa Beach Resort, a tourist destination on Tonga’s main island, was destroyed by the tsunami. On Nomuka island, residents are rebuilding, at the mercy of the surrounding sea. Sela Faitangane and daughter outside Nomuka’s only hospital, which was destroyed by the tsunami. Folau and his family make their way to Atata island, where they used to live before the tsunami. Residents from Atata and Mango islands were relocated to Tongatapu and the smaller island of ’Eua. Elisiva Tu’ivai relocated to a two-bedroom unit with her family after leaving her home on Atata island. Produce stalls line the capital’s main street.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 27 most 100 feet, swallowing the Sicilian and Calabrian coasts. The challenge is that “submarine volcano monitoring is in its nascency,” said Rubin, of the University of Hawaii, “well behind the state-of-the-art for volcanoes on land.” Scientists must constantly monitor for rapid changes at the surface that can indicate accumulation of magma below, as well as the buildup of toxic gases and increased seismic shaking that can indicate an increase in pressure. Real-time monitoring requires telecommunications between instruments deployed on the seafloor and a laboratory, with either a cable connecting the instrument to the lab, or a buoy wired to a device capable of transmitting acoustic data via satellite. “For the several hundred known submarine volcanoes, such a network is simply too expensive to contemplate,” Clague said. In the long term, Rubin says more affordable solutions for monitoring submarine volcanoes may be on the horizon, such as swarms of inexpensive next-generation sensors that could collectively send data back to shore for computers to analyze. “We aren’t there yet as a global scientific community,” Rubin said, “but hopefully the next decade of technology advances allow this to occur.” On Tonga, last year’s epic blast has heightened the urgency of all kinds of volcanic monitoring, and geologists are now working to new instruments to monitor the land-based volcanoes along the main island chain. Thermal infrared detectors will help experts watch for temperature changes at vents and fissures that can signal eruptive activity. Sulfur gas monitors will track the release of dangerous volcanic fumes. Tonga is also being outfitted with synthetic aperture radar, which scientists can use to identify whether there have been changes such as ground swelling due to magma rising closer to the surface. Half of eight planned new seismographs are currently running, though Cronin, of the University of Auckland, noted there is a “lack of long-term seismic records in the area to provide a background of what is normal and what is heightened activity.” “Volcano monitoring for eruption prediction in general is a difficult business,” Rubin said. Even with lots of monitoring equipment installed, sometimes warnings come just days or even hours before a blast. And advanced warning can’t always prevent the long-term repercussions of a major eruption. INSIGHT COVER STORY 2. The pressurization initiated the eruption and expelled molten rock with such force that it caused a downward collapse of the caldera. 4. Steam and magma blasted through the volcano’s narrow fissures, while also tearing open new cracks and allowing more magma to froth upward. 6. Volcanic material shot up at hypersonic speed, forming a plume that stretched 36 miles into the sky. 1. The Hunga eruption appears to have started with a mixing of different types of magma inside the volcano, which may have caused a rapid buildup of gas, Cronin’s team found. 3. The surrounding ocean rushed in over the hot molten rock rising through the structure. 5. The result was a chain reaction of explosions as the water drained into the volcano and encountered fresh magma. Caldera collapse Atmospheric waves Tonga’s geological survey team discusses tsunamimapping at the country's Geological Services office in Nukualofa. “We need to upgrade our equipment, especially for detecting volcanic eruption,” said assistant geologist Pupunu Tukuafu (second from left).

28 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ INSIGHT EDITORIAL During the coronavirus crisis, our Pelican Plaza office is closed to visitors. We appreciate your understanding. Ten years ago last week, China’s leader Xi Jinping began laying the tarmac for what would become his signature foreign policy. He began with vague suggestions of reviving the Silk Road, an ancient network of trade routes linking China with Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. When the plan was given an official name – “One Belt, One Road” – it suggested that China was putting itself back at the center of the world. Later it would be softened, for the benefit of foreign audiences, to the “Belt and Road Initiative”, or BRI. Mr Xi modestly hailed it as the “project of the century.” In many ways the BRI has lived up to the hype. More than 150 countries, accounting for almost 75% of the world’s population and more than half of its GDP, have signed on to the scheme. China has doled out hundreds of billions of dollars in loans and grants for railways, roads and other infrastructure that might otherwise have gone unfunded. Its projects have spanned the globe, from Brazil to Kenya to Laos. Over the past decade China has become the largest creditor and a crucial source of investment in many developing countries. Much of this has been good: many countries badly need better roads. But time has also exposed the BRI’s flaws and China’s self-interest. A number of recipient countries have struggled with debt repayments. China is now adjusting the project, seeking better returns and changing an economic plan into a normative one. Even as it pours less concrete, it is posing a greater challenge to the West. The BRI’s troubles are no secret. For years Chinese banks used dodgy criteria to lend to dirty regimes. Unsurprisingly, many of the infrastructure projects the banks financed have not succeeded. Some have become white elephants; others have been abandoned. Burdened with debts (not all from BRI projects), several countries have teetered on the brink of default. China has made things worse, by shunning other lenders and multilateral institutions, instead conducting debt negotiations bilaterally, secretly and with apparent stubbornness. In some ways China seems to have learned a lesson. Its banks have changed their practices. Its lending has become more targeted – not least because China’s own struggling economy has sapped public enthusiasm for the BRI. Mr. Xi has urged Chinese investors to focus on “small but beautiful” projects, with higher standards and better returns. There is increasing talk of a “digital silk road,” with a focus on industries like telecommunications and cloud computing. Yet problems remain. China shows few signs of becoming more transparent. Nor has it become any less hardnosed. Although it worked with other government creditors to restructure Zambian debt, largely owed to China, it did not agree to a haircut. China is also harnessing the BRI as a vehicle for its plans to remake the rulesbased order. The Communist Party has always sought to use the scheme to enhance its own image and boost its weight in the world. Increasingly, however, it is also being used to rally the global south around China’s democracy-free model of development. Recipients of China’s largesse face no Western-style fussing about human rights or corruption. Ports and power stations appear, clearly labelled as Chinese-backed projects. What, locals wonder, do preachy Westerners offer that compares? The West needs to push back by presenting a better alternative to the BRI. At a meeting of the G20 last week, the United States was expected to call for beefing up the role of the World Bank and the IMF in helping poorer countries. Last year the rich democracies of the G7 unveiled a $600 billion plan to boost investment in infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. Now they need to honor their commitment. Earlier such promises mostly went nowhere. There are reasons to be gloomy now, too. Westerners are dealing with their own economic struggles. But they are wrong to think of this as charity. Rather, it is an investment in the rulesbased order – or, if it sells better, part of a campaign to counter China. As a decade ago, poor countries face an enormous shortfall in funding for needed construction. If China and its friends are the only ones making an offer, they will shape the future. A version of this column first appeared in The Economist. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Vero Beach 32963. China’s Belt and Road Initiative keeps testing the West

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 29 When Mary Anne Morgan booked a room at a boutique hotel through an online travel agency, she would up paying twice. Can she get one of the payments back? QUESTION: A few months ago, I stayed at the Rigdon House, a boutique inn in Cambria, Calif., where we reserved a room through Booking.com. I indicated I would pay for our accommodations at the time of arrival. I paid the hotel when I checked in. Then I got a second charge on our bank statement that was generated by Booking.com. I've spent five weeks trying to get Booking.com to refund the $1,057 that they billed me. I've communicated via emails, chats, and phone calls, all with different sales reps who requested we send the same documentation. I've sent the documentation three times now. Booking.com assured me a manager or supervisor would get back to me. No one did. I've talked with someone at the hotel numerous times as well, and they even contacted Booking. com on my behalf. Booking.com told the hotel that my refund had been processed. But it hasn't. I want to be refunded for the $1,057 that Booking.com incorrectly charged me. Can you help? ANSWER: Clearly, you shouldn't have been charged twice. Equally clearly, you were. Someone at Booking.com should have reviewed this and fixed it quickly. Instead, the process has dragged on for months, and you're still out $1,057. How did this happen? You can make a reservation on Booking.com and pay when you arrive. But in your case, it looks like someone – it's not clear who – made a second reservation in your name. Both reservations were in the Booking.com system, and Booking.com charged you for both. Although your case is complicated, a knowledgeable agent at Booking.com should have probably resolved this quickly. But as far as I can tell, Booking.com sent you a series of possibly automated responses in response to your complaint. The representatives did not fully understand your problem. In the end, Booking.com sent a refund to someone else's credit card. To break through the automated emails and the AI customer service, you have to appeal your case to someone who can help. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the top Booking.com executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. I also have a detailed explanation of the Booking.com refund process to help you get through it. I contacted Booking.com on your behalf. Less than a week later, you received a full refund. Get help with any consumer problem by contacting Christopher Elliott at http://www.elliott.org/help BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT I was billed twice for my Booking.com hotel room. How do I fix this? INSIGHT OP-ED

30 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ INSIGHT BOOKS The tech industry loves trying to convince us that this next thing is going to be the real deal, transforming society and generating billions in the process. Sometimes, as with personal computers, the Internet, smartphones and social media, the hype is justified; other times – remember NFTs? the Metaverse? – not so much. It’s easy to get lost in the daily froth of gadgets and gimmicks, booms and busts, winners and losers. Take ChatGPT, for instance. It swept the world, setting the record for fastestgrowing app in history and spawning countless clones. But less than a year after its initial release, cracks are surfacing: The cost of running a chatbot has become a serious issue. The tendency of chatbots to confidently spew out falsehoods doesn’t look to be going away anytime soon. And Microsoft’s plan to reinvent web search with chatbots hasn’t even dented Google’s market dominance. Are chatbots ushering in a new era of civilization, or are they yet another overhyped, passing fad? It’s too early to tell. But when we zoom out a bit and look past the daily ebbs and flows, it’s easier to see the larger currents of technological change. Chatbots are just one application of large language models, which themselves are just one corner of contemporary AI. And AI is a prominent part of a massive technological wave that we are just beginning to experience. This “Coming Wave” is the subject – and the title – of a sweeping, thoughtprovoking new book by Mustafa Suleyman (writing with Michael Bhaskar), a co-founder of the prominent AI lab DeepMind, which was acquired by Google in 2014. I like to think of AI as data science 3.0. Traditional statistics, from means and medians to p-values and tests for significance, revolutionized science, medicine, and many aspects of government and business operations, particularly from the 19th century onward. The early 2000s heralded a second period, one more heavily reliant on computers to process large data sets (“big data”). Higher-resolution statistics became the engine of such things as tech giants’ predictions about what consumers are most likely to buy next and political campaigns such as Barack Obama’s 2008 election team, which decided how to focus its efforts using unprecedently fine-grained voter information. In the current, third wave of data science, the emphasis is moving from making predictions to automatically acting upon them, and from analyzing data to generating it. Whatever big changes to society occur in the coming decades will probably be related to data in some way. And whatever new techniques underlie those changes will probably be labeled AI – no matter how distant they may be from what we call AI today. Suleyman does not describe AI as I have here, but he does similarly see it as part of a larger technological era, one that is of a piece with genetic engineering, especially gene editing and synthetic biology. Also caught up in the currents are other potentially game-changing technologies such as quantum computing and fusion power. Suleyman convincingly argues that none of these technologies develops in isolation; they proceed synergistically, as progress in one area spurs progress in the others. Suleyman sees a striking commonality in the technologies making up his coming wave: They proliferate power, and they do this by reducing the costs of acting upon information. This, in his view, distinguishes it from the previous wave of internet-related technologies that reduced the costs of broadcasting information. While the world is too messy to fit neatly into simple summations of this kind, I find Suleyman’s framing quite reasonable and helpful: Look less at the individual technologies within a wave, he suggests, and more at what these technologies enable people to do. Suleyman makes a compelling case that tremendous progress for humanity is possible with what’s coming, but he also argues that this wave will flood us with devastation if we don’t work harder to direct it. Whether deliberate weaponization of powerful tools or accidental mishaps of unprecedented scale, there is a lot that could go very wrong. While fanciful doomsday prophesying is a popular preoccupation in some tech and tech-adjacent circles, this book provides a nicely grounded analysis. Rather than the familiar list of Hollywood robot takeovers (HAL and Skynet begone!), you’ll find levelheaded discussions emphasizing the sociopolitical and socioeconomic context in which technology develops and exists. Suleyman also diverges from the tech industry’s most common line in the ways he impressively draws from the past to help us understand the present and prepare for the future. Historical vignettes on technological progress, from the Industrial Revolution to the combustion engine to the early days of the internet, are engagingly woven throughout the book. As these examples demonstrate, technological waves are nearly unstoppable – and we shouldn’t want to stop them anyway, because technological stagnation is not the answer. As he astutely writes, “Modern civilization writes checks only continual technological development can cash.” It is particularly impressive – and welcome – that Suleyman includes a wide-ranging and thoughtful discussion on concrete, practical steps we can take. His suggestions are remarkably broad and balanced. He forcefully rejects the hyper-libertarianism of tech moguls such as Peter Thiel, and argues for strong regulation and international cooperation, but he recognizes the myopic nature of modern governments and the myriad ways regulation fails. On economic questions, he doesn’t go as far as some scathing critiques of the capitalistic underpinnings of AI, but he goes much further than most in the tech industry when he discusses the role of financial incentives in encouraging dangerous risk-taking. He also offers some intriguing ideas about tax policy and corporate restructuring that deserve more attention. Suleyman falls into some traps common to tech leaders, such as taking exponential progress as a given when it isn’t, underplaying the human cost of building AI systems and highlighting his own efforts to raise the alarm over AI while conspicuously omitting mention of the many other individuals who have been doing so for years. It is particularly egregious that not a single one of the women profiled in this recent Rolling Stone story is mentioned, or cited, in Suleyman’s book. And he takes a questionable stance on open-source software, suggesting that AI systems shouldn’t be distributed widely, even though many experts believe this is the best way to uncover their problems so we can try to fix them. But these issues don’t detract much from the book’s overall value and importance. The Coming Wave Technology, Power, and the Twentyfirst Century’s Greatest Dilemma By Mustafa Suleyman with Michael Bhaskar Crown. 332 pp. $32.50 Review by Noah Giansiracusa The Washington Post

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 31 Analyze from start to finish By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist After declarer has gone down in a makable contract, get ready for the “How could I have possibly known?” lament. However, usually the declarer could have found the right answer if only he had drawn the correct conclusions from the bidding (or lack of it) and play. Can you see the clue that South missed in today’s deal? Against South’s four-spade contract, the play began with a club to the ace, a diamond to the ace, a diamond ruffed by East and a club return. How should South have continued? West’s three-diamond response was a weak jump shift in competition, a method that is popular in tournament circles. Normally, the bid shows a good six-card suit but not enough points for a normal response. (I much prefer fit-showing jumps in competition because I dislike leaping into the stratosphere with no known fit.) At the table, South cashed the spade ace at trick five. West’s discard resulted in much wailing but — surprisingly — no reproachful grief from South. What did he overlook? East was known to have started with a singleton diamond and only four clubs. To have opened one club, not one of a major, he must have begun with 4=4=1=4 distribution. Therefore, West had to have a spade void. South should have cashed the heart ace, ruffed a heart in the dummy and led a low spade, finessing the 10 if East played low. It is important not to ignore any of the clues that are scattered about the bridge table like leaves in the approaching fall. Dealer: East; Vulnerable: Neither NORTH 7 6 4 3 5 K Q J J 10 9 8 3 WEST — 9 7 6 2 A 10 9 7 6 4 2 7 4 SOUTH A K 10 9 8 A Q 10 4 8 5 K 2 EAST Q J 5 2 K J 8 3 3 A Q 6 5 The Bidding: OPENING LEAD: 7 Clubs SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1 Clubs 1 Spades 3 Diamonds 3 Spades Pass 4 Spades Pass Pass Pass INSIGHT BRIDGE CARPET ONE CREATIVE FLOORS & HOME Creative Floors & Home has more for your entire home from the floor up! With Flooring, Tile, Cabinets and even vacuum cleaners! 772.569.0240 1137 Old Dixie Hwy • Vero Beach creativefloorscarpet1verobeach.com Professional Cabinet Design Available

32 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The Telegraph How to do Sudoku: Fill in the grid so the numbers one through nine appear just once in every column, row and three-by-three square. The Telegraph SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (SEPTEMBER 7) ON PAGE 56 ACROSS 1. In favour of (3) 3. Tin (3) 5. Numbs (5) 8. Offspring (5) 9. Happens again (7) 10. Difficult (4) 11. Balderdash (8) 13. Appeared (6) 14. Shops (6) 17. Thieves (8) 19. Pimple (4) 22. Attempts (7) 23. Go out (5) 24. A woollen fabric (5) 25. Short sleep (3) 26. Consume (3) DOWN 1. Religious belief (5) 2. Book (7) 3. Cook (4) 4. Not wide (6) 5. Down payments (8) 6. Gain knowledge (5) 7. Nurses (7) 12. Stated (8) 13. Topic (7) 15. Put back (7) 16. Jail (6) 18. A gun (5) 20. Care for (5) 21. Applaud (4) INSIGHT GAMES

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 33 NOTE: This G-force stroll down memory lane may require a little imagination. ACROSS 1 U-WAIT preceder 6 It stops traffic in Hollywood: abbr. 10 Years and years 14 In history 18 Seething 19 Lot size 20 Plaster backing 21 Popular spaghetti sauce 22 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1954) 24 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1954) 26 Cabell of baseball 27 Tic-tac-toe win 29 “___ expert, but ...” 30 Work of exaltation 31 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1954) 37 Damn Yankees character 38 Step ___ (hurry) 39 Fannie or Ginnie follower 40 Black Sea port 44 Mom ___ 46 Shorthorn’s comment 48 Commuter’s destination 50 Yogi’s team in ’73 51 Skosh of scotch 52 NASA’s Eagle, for one 54 Second Amendment org. 56 Mimic 58 Tanker tycoon, to friends 59 Video-game name 61 Carne ___ (roasted beef) 64 Actress Joanne 65 ¿Cómo está ___? 67 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1959) 71 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1956) 72 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1957) 77 Authors Stewart and Higgins Clark 78 Wedding-page word 79 Light ___ (weightless, basically) 80 Some oilmen 82 Not ___ long shot 83 Hour-gaining idea: abbr. 84 “My man” 85 Copyright cousins: abbr. 87 Intro to la-la 88 Cookbook offering 91 Actor Mineo 93 Big name in bouquets 96 Wrong 98 Ice palaces 99 Do a floor job 101 Callahan or Morse’s rank: abbr. 103 Baptism, for one 104 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1962) 109 Commotion 111 Honeymoon in Vegas co-star 112 Pilgrim’s stop 113 The Clan of the Cave Bear author Jean 114 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1954) 117 Tom Swift Jr. and His ___ (1954) 122 Anonymous admirer’s signoff 123 Spooned entree 124 Show the way 125 “___ at the office” 126 Intro to phone 127 Oscar Wilde’s country 128 History chapters 129 Miss Jane Pittman portrayer DOWN 1 Word before paint or party 2 SHO rival 3 Org. in a 1999 sports scandal 4 At a furious pace 5 Nicholas Gage memoir 6 Volcanic park in California 7 Startled reaktion? 8 Before 9 Word after Home or Office 10 Kansan Landon 11 University of Padua lecturer 12 Word origins 13 Brat targets 14 Unit of work 15 Ad ___ (type of tax) 16 Kin of “good grief” 17 Cartoonist Goldberg 23 Up ___ (in line with the latest safety laws) 25 Zero 28 Amp’s cousin 31 George Hamilton’s ex 32 “___! 2 Shows Only!” 33 Longtime friend 34 Intention 35 Lower California 36 Beyond the Valley of the Dolls star Williams 41 Pacific Rim org. until 1977 42 Throat threat 43 Out of the way 45 Actress Silverstone et al. 47 Digitally recorded, perhaps 49 Opera star Cecilia 53 John Wayne at birth and actress Ross 55 Indy entrant 57 Profess or claim 60 Towel off again 62 Shakespearean poems 63 Actress Dickinson 64 Record label founded in 1934 65 Futile 66 “G’wan, beat it!” 68 Large-screen items 69 ___ hope (reasons for a sunny outlook) 70 Extra-hours work premium: abbr. 72 Planet’s shadow 73 Stratum 74 Vestige 75 Fertilizer ingredient, ___ acid 76 Book misprints 81 Nay or sooth follower 83 Film director Vittorio 84 Spill the beans 86 Plan in detail 89 All told 90 Golf score 92 What you may already be 94 Having less resonance 95 ___ fingerprinting 97 The Godfather series, e.g. 100 Lvnch time? 102 Easels 105 Analyze (a sentence) 106 Duvalier’s domain, once 107 Acute thing 108 Raise reason, perhaps 109 Trojan War hero who really cleaned up? 110 Resist openly 115 L backers? 116 It sounds just like you 118 Abbr. on a tow truck 119 ___-relief 120 Egg starter 121 The Hollywood ___ The Telegraph The Washington Post ...Splash, boom, bam! A Boy and His Whatchamacallit By Merl Reagle INSIGHT GAMES

34 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ INSIGHT BACK PAGE Dear Carolyn: Three years ago, my sister gave me her puppy because she was in the middle of a breakup, was moving, couldn’t take the dog with her, couldn’t afford the dog and was generally overwhelmed with life. I took the dog because it was cute, I like dogs and I didn’t want it to be sent to a shelter. It’s my dog now, and I am very attached to it. My sister has since gotten her life back in order, and now that the dog is an adult, trained and easy to care for, she wants it back. I told her that I couldn’t give it back to her, because I am too attached to it and because I don’t trust that she would care for it properly. Now I am getting the silent treatment from her. It has been a month since we talked. My mom is telling me that I blew up my relationship with my sister over a dog. I told my mom that my sister is trifling because my mom never held her accountable for her actions and always bailed her out. So now I am on the outs with them both. I don’t know what my question is, but at least I have the dog, right? Can a dog really be a good reason for complete family estrangement? – At Least I Have the Dog At Least I Have the Dog: Whether it’s a good reason is moot if you’ve made up your mind already, which I suspect you have. For what it’s worth, I’d see it as technically her dog, but I don’t think I’d give it back to her, either, because it would be cruel to the dog. But, then, if I were your sister, I wouldn’t have asked for it back. If you get into another family-wide tussle over a dog, I suggest more high road, less explaining. But a dog isn’t the reason you’re estranged; your resentment is. Reader’s thoughts: I’m totally for keeping the dog, but I think the mom is off base. The letterwriter blew up the relationship (if there really was one) with the sister by judging her. The descriptions of her mom and sister made me go, “Wow!” Perhaps those were just justifications for an action that didn’t really require extensive justification – she raised the dog, and it is hers – but I got a holier-than-thou vibe going on there. Carolyn: Yes, your commenter is probably right about the holier-thanthou attitude, because I realize this isn’t just about a dog; it’s about a pattern of my sister making decisions that leave others to pick up the pieces, then wanting them to behave as if she’s a paragon of responsibility, and my mom aiding and abetting that. This time, a dog was involved, so I refused to pretend the abandonment didn’t happen. But other times, I have had to sweep it under the rug. I guess I am just tired of sweeping things under the rug. It’s OK. I have found I don’t miss my sister – or my mother, for that matter. – At Least I Have the Dog, again At Least I Have the Dog, again: Pentup truth-telling tends to come out with some velocity on it. Better it didn’t, but it’s done. Like I said, this sounded like a settled issue, and apparently it is. BY CAROLYN HAX Washington Post Sis got her life back, now wants her dog back – 3 years later

GUILD’S ‘FAMILY’ FUN ‘ADDAMS’ HIGHLIGHTS A SEASON OF UPBEAT MUSICALS

ARTS & THEATRE 38 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ It’s all about the musicals this season at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild. With email pleas for contributions, it’s been no secret that the Vero Beach Theatre Guild has been struggling financially. So, when considering its mainstage series, the decision was made to follow the money and produce mainstage shows that produce the most revenue – upbeat musicals. There is one exception: Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” “We were going with all musicals because we did a survey and people said they want all musicals,” says Lisa McNamee, president of Vero Beach Theatre Guild board of directors. In addition to looking for song and dance to raise its profile, the 66-yearold community theater has also launched a series of classes designed to hone skills for would-be actors. The push for the courses is a new series called the Theatrical Learning Center, which began in June for children and then grew into classes for all ages. “The reason for this push in our educational program is to bring in people who want to act, are too afraid to act, and who think they’re not good enough,” McNamee says. The idea, she explains, is to make the Theatre Guild a comfortable, friendly and encouraging place for everyone to follow their muse or to simply discover a talent they didn’t know they had. Adult classes include a variety of theater subjects, including audition techniques, how to deliver a monologue, basic directing, makeup, improvisation and more. Children’s classes are taught by popular children’s theater teacher Dee Rose and culminate with a “Musical Mini” revue. The newly reinvigorated children’s segment follows the tradition of robust children’s programming as a good revenue stream for community and regional theaters throughout the country. Children’s classes start at $100, with each series of classes culminating into a performance showcase. The next children’s series begins Sept. 28. A special two-and-one-half-week Theater Camp, which was inaugurated this past summer, will be held again beginning June 2024. The price will be announced at a later date. On mainstage at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild for 2023 to 2024: Sept. 29 to Oct. 15: “The Addams Family” This 2010 musical is a favorite for community theaters around the nation. It is a comical yet warm-hearted look at the ghoulish family first made popular in 1938 by cartoonist Charles Addams, and then made even more popular by the 1964 television series. In 1991, the story was turned into a BY PAM HARBAUGH CORRESPONDENT Megan Callahan, Gregory Harris, Mary Carson Barnette, Charles Suleman and Katey Altenbaumer. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS Beth Shestak. GUILD’S ‘FAMILY’ FUN ‘ADDAMS’ HIGHLIGHTS A SEASON OF UPBEAT MUSICALS John Stallings. Dee Rose.

ARTS & THEATRE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 39 Be part of Indian River County’s largest annual litter cleanup by participating Saturday in the International Coastal Cleanup Day. The event is held at more than 20 waterfront locations throughout Indian River County. Ocean Conservancy has led this cleanup event for more than 35 years, bringing in more than 17 million volunteers and collecting more than 348 million pounds of trash. It’s not all work. This is an movie starring Angelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci. The musical has book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (“Jersey Boys”), with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (“Big Fish” and “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”). It ran on Broadway for a year and a half and famously starred Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. The show received a Tony Award nomination for best original score and Drama Desk Award nominations for both outstanding musical and outstanding lyrics and music. There is a spinoff now on Netflix called “Wednesday.” Tickets are $15 to $40. Oct. 27: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” This movie and shadow cast event is an immersive experience. The socalled “shadow cast” is the term used when live performers, frequently spontaneous volunteers from the audience, get up in front of the projection screen and perform scenes simultaneously with the movie. But with “Rocky Horror,” it’s much more than that. Even audience members who remain seated get in on the act by holding newspapers over their heads while others may squirt water into the air when characters get caught it the rain, or throwing toast when a character makes a toast, or even standing up to dance. It’s all part of the fun in getting into the story of a young couple, Brad and Janet. Their car gets a flat tire on a rainy night, and they seek shelter in an eerie castle owned by strange Dr. Frank-N-Furter and inhabited by a motley group of characters, including the butler Riff Raff, the maid Magenta, and a groupie Columbia. They’re having a party where they dance the Time Warp and where Frank-N-Furter sings “Sweet Transvestite.” Add to the mix a deranged motorcyclist named Eddie and a handsome young man named Rocky, and you have a most odd concoction. But one that has been luring fun-lovers for decades. To clarify, this is not the 1973 musical, which spawned the 1975 movie starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf. This cult-classic experience is for one night only with screenings at 7:30 p.m. and midnight, Oct. 27. Tickets are free, but you are required to buy a goody bag which contains all the paraphernalia you’ll need to participate. You best get those tickets as soon as possible. These events usually sell out well in advance. Dec. 8-17: “Tinsel and Tidings: A Community Concert” This is a first-time event for the Theatre Guild, which has welcomed a variety of community groups to perform music and dance along with the Theatre Guild’s core cast of singers. Tickets are $20. Feb. 2-4: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” One of Shakespeare’s most often produced romantic comedies, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows pairs of lovers and a troupe of rustic actors as they secret into a forest inhabited by fairies. This is the play in which Oberon, King of the Fairies, instructs Puck to turn Bottom, a particularly bombastic member of the rustic actors, into an ass; and then enchant Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, to fall in love with Bottom. Tickets are $35 to $40. May 3-19: “Sondheim Tribute Revue” This is a musical tribute to one of theater’s most prolific and impactful composer/lyricists – the late Stephen Sondheim. For more than 50 years, Sondheim created some of the most enduring and most often produced shows in the American music theater canon. His many awards include Academy Awards, eight Tony Awards, a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, multiple Drama Desk Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. While Sondheim is also known for writing lyrics for both “West Side Story” and “Gypsy,” songs from those two shows will not be presented due to contract requirements by the publisher. However, there are a wealth of other shows, including “Company,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Into the Woods,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Sunday in the Park with George.” Tickets are $35 to $40. Jan. 5-14: “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” Steve Martin’s off-beat, quirky 1993 comedy involving Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein, who, in their early 20s, meet at a Parisian bar called the Lapin Agile (“Nimble Rabbit”). Ticket prices TBA. They hope to announce more Studio Theatre programming as the season progresses. The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is at 2020 San Juan Ave., Vero Beach. For more information, to buy tickets or to sign up for a class, call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com. CALLING ALL PICKER-UPPERS FOR ‘COASTAL CLEANUP DAY’ BY PAM HARBAUGH Correspondent CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 Rob Volsky and Megan Callahan. 1

ARTS & THEATRE 40 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ COMING UP! energizing event with a party and awards, food trucks and entertainment. The International Coastal Cleanup Day runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at various locations, including Humiston Beach Park, Riverside Park, Sebastian Inlet State Park, Wabasso Causeway and many more. For a full list of the locations, go to Coastal-Connections. org and click on “Event Calendar,” then click on “International Coastal Cleanup Day” and then scroll down to “Check Out Locations.” Be sure to arrive a little early because check-in is at 8:45 a.m. after which you will divide into groups to clean up, organize, and collect trash data which will be sent to an international database. The fun continues with the after party and awards which will be held 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Walking Tree Brewery, 3209 Dodge Road, Vero Beach. For more information, visit Coastal-Connections.org. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

CHECKUPS? CHECK! Why regular screenings are so important

HEALTH 42 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Many people got out of the habit of going to the doctor during COVID, putting off regular checkups – and needed treatment – for fear of contagion. But, even with a late-summer COVID-19 surge, the pandemic is long over, and Dr. Samantha Somwaru, family practitioner with Cleveland Clinic’s Indian River Hospital, said patients should get back in the habit of regular annual screenings. “Screenings are specific tests or exams designed to identify health conditions before symptoms develop,” she said. “High cholesterol feels fine until your arteries get clogged. Routine screenings can significantly improve treatment outcomes because early intervention can prevent catastrophic results later. Regular screenings are associated with each individual depending upon their age, risk factors and what medications they take. “Everyone on Medicare and most other insurances is entitled to a free annual wellness visit,” Dr. Somwaru explained. “This wellness visit can be administered by the physician, physician assistant or a nurse. It is different from your hands-on annual physical. The goal of the annual wellness check is to set your healthcare goals and suggest important screenings. Your physician will review your medical history and address any health concerns that may have arisen since the previous visit. “A hands-on physical is a head-totoe exam completed by your physician, who will address any recurring health issues like high blood pressure or diabetes,” Dr. Somwaru continued. “Everyone should have a physical at least once a year and those with ongoing health issues may find it necessary to see their physician every three to six months.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society offer guidelines for suggested health screenings based on age and risk factors that most insurances follow. Childhood and Adolescence Regular pediatric visits to monitor growth, development and immunizations. Vision and hearing screenings for early detection of sensory issues. Dental checkups to promote oral health and hygiene. Early Adulthood (20s and 30s) Blood pressure checks to assess cardiovascular health. Cholesterol screenings to evaluate heart health. Skin cancer screenings to detect abnormal skin growths. Pap smears for detection of cervical cancer starting at age 21. Middle Adulthood (40s and 50s) Diabetes screenings to evaluate blood sugar levels. Mammograms for breast cancer detection starting at age 40 or earlier depending on risk factors. Colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45. Late Adulthood (60 plus) Bone density tests to assess osteoporosis risk. Prostate cancer screenings for men starting around age 50. Eye exams for age related vision changes. “Guidelines change from time to time,” Dr. Somwaru explained. “Just recently, the guideline for colon cancer screenings was changed from starting at age 50 to age 45 because more young people were being diagnosed with colon cancer. In general, a colonoscopy is done every 10 years if the test comes back normal. If the test shows polyps, the size and amount of the polyps will determine the time of your next colonoscopy. It can vary between three to five years. In some cases, the polyps may not be clear under the microscope and you may be asked to come back for another exam in six months. “Screening ages can also be adjusted based on your family history,” she continued. “For example, if your mother was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 45, then we may start screening you at age 35. That’s why it is very important to share your family history with your family physician each year during your annual checkup, as that hisCheckups? Check! Why regular screenings are important By KERRY FIRTH Correspondent “If you don’t ask the right questions and share all your concerns and family history, you won’t get the right information about screenings and vaccinations.” – Dr. Samantha Somwaru

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 43 tory can change from year to year.” If a screening uncovers a problem, your family physician will help coordinate appropriate care with a specialist. “Cleveland Clinic physicians act as a multidisciplinary team, so family physicians work very closely with other specialists,” Dr. Somwaru said. “We are the patient’s first point of contact and we see them over the years. We’ve developed a trust and good rapport, so when we recommend a specialist, the patient feels comfortable knowing we are recommending the best doctor for their condition. If a patient prefers a specialist outside of our organization, we can orchestrate their care with their chosen physician as well.” When patients need hospitalization, a hospital nurse will follow up with them about a week after release. During this transition care visit the nurse will connect with the patient’s primary care team to bring them up to date on what happened in the hospital. The goal is to bridge the gap between someone who has been hospitalized and their primary care team to prevent them from being re-hospitalized. “In addition to regular health screenings, everyone should consult with their primary care physician about what vaccines they should have,” Dr. Somwaru said. “Many diseases can be prevented with a vaccine. Some of the more common vaccines are Tetanus, HPV, Hepatitis B, pneumonia and shingles. Then there are the vaccines that change each year like the flu and covid vaccines. Your primary care physician can advise you on the frequency of each one.” Dr. Somwaru stressed the need for patients to be their own advocate and to feel comfortable talking to their family doctor. “If you don’t ask the right questions and share all your concerns and family history, you won’t get the right information about screenings and vaccinations.” You probably take your dog for annual wellness checks. And your car for regular tune-ups. So why not do the same for yourself? Embracing regular checkups empowers individuals to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their wellbeing, according to medical experts such as Dr. Somwaru. Dr. Samantha Somwaru received her medical degree from Windsor University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Howard University Hospital. She is accepting new patients at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital’s Health and Wellness Center, located at 3450 11th Court, Vero Beach. To schedule an appointment, call 772- 794-3364. Dr. Samantha Somwaru. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS

HEALTH 44 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ If you suffer from shoulder pain, you aren’t alone. Shoulder pain is one of the most common regional pain syndromes, affecting between 18 percent and 26 percent of adults, according to studies. Shoulder pain can be minor and infrequent or persistent and disabling, making it difficult to carry out daily activities at home and in the workplace. The good news? Dr. Jacob Connelly of South Florida Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, which has offices in Tradition and Stuart, says treatment for shoulder problems and pain has improved dramatically in recent years. “The new technology for shoulder replacement surgery is fantastic. Both the implant technology and technical skill have made for much better outcomes,” he says. Computers now provide 3D images to show exactly where the shoulder implant should be placed – a major difference over how it was before. This allows the surgery to be tailored specifically to the individual patient. “Shoulder replacement is a whole new operation compared to what medicine could offer in the past,” according to Mayo Clinic. “Advances include contemporary replacement implants, individualized planning and execution, and comfortable recovery. “Shoulder replacement is one of the most successful orthopedic surgical procedures today, and it is commonly performed. In fact, 258 of every 100,000 people living in the U.S. have a replaced shoulder.” In younger people, shoulder pain is more likely to be due to an accident or injury, while older people often have pain due to natural wear and tear that occurs in the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff tendon. Over time, this damage may result in persistent pain – which can be aggravated by injury. Dr. Connelly treats many patients who do not require surgery, but for patients that need surgery, the improvements can be dramatic. “We can do shoulder replacement surgery at any age; there is literally no limit,” he says. “One of the things we ask younger candidates to consider is the effect of weight limits on what they will be able to lift after the surgery is done. If their lifestyle or job is impacted by that, we encourage them to take that into account before deciding what to do. We always have our patients consider all risks and benefits carefully before making a decision.” Dr. Connelly suggests a post-surgery lifting limit of 25 pounds to his patients. “Not only is rehab time a lot shorter than it was some 20 years ago, but today’s ‘parts’ last much longer,” Dr. New tech has revolutionized shoulder replacement surgery BY JACKIE HOLFELDER Correspondent Dr. Jacob Connelly. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 45 Connelly continues. “Many surgical procedures can be done on an outpatient basis, with a return to your previous life in a mere three months. The new shoulders are a lot more stable than they used to be.” Data from British medical journal The Lancet shows that approximately 90 percent of shoulder replacements last longer than 10 years and patient-reported benefits are sustained. Earlier this year, the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute estimated that there are about 80,000 total shoulder replacements performed each year in the U.S. Your shoulder is made up of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerus), your shoulder blade (scapula) and your collarbone (clavicle), according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, which notes that most shoulder problems fall into four major categories: Tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis) or tendon tear Instability Arthritis Fracture Other less-common causes of shoulder pain are tumors, infection and nerve-related problems. For those who would like to avoid surgery if possible, WebMD has these suggestions: Listen to your body. If your shoulder gets sore after any activity, don’t ignore it. If it doesn’t go away, see your doctor. Stay in shape. Keep your body in good physical shape with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Exercise the right way. Warm up before you work out. Start slowly if you haven’t done a sport or activity in a while. Be careful at work. Use good posture, follow the rules for safe lifting and take a break for a couple of minutes every hour. If you work at a desk, make sure your workstation is set up so that you can comfortably use your computer. Don’t strain to reach what you need. Dr. Connelly says people needing care for a shoulder problem should look for a doctor who is “very experienced in the field and has had specific shoulder training. If it’s been a while since medical school graduation and the end of training, be sure the doctor has kept up with the latest technology and literature,” he says. “The goal should always be to have the patient get back to doing whatever it is they want to [as soon as they safely can]. Every surgeon should be excited about the patient doing well.” Jacob Connelly, MD, is an Orthopedic Surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He earned his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He received additional specialty training in the field of arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery as a fellow at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Los Angeles. Dr. Connelly is accepting new patients at South Florida Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Tradition at 9401 SW Discovery Way, Port St. Lucie, 772-288-2400. “The new technology for shoulder replacement surgery is fantastic. Both the implant technology and technical skill have made for much better outcomes.” – Dr. Jacob Connelly

HEALTH 46 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Q: I love playing pickleball but am worried I might get injured. What’s my injury risk when I play? How can I prevent getting hurt? A: As more people pick up the paddle, pickleball injuries are becoming an increasingly common sight – both in emergency rooms and in sports medicine offices like mine. I’ve seen more injuries from pickleball than walking and swimming. But don’t let that deter you from playing. The benefits – moving, having fun, building a community – far outweigh the risks. So what should you watch out for? In pickleball, we see repetitive-use injuries, especially in the wrist and elbow, and sudden injuries from quick ballistic movements. Injuries commonly occur when lunging forward for a low shot, which can cause strain to the calf or hamstring. Here’s what to know about common injuries from pickleball and how to treat them. Calf strain: Also known as “tennis leg,” calf strain is often described by patients as feeling like being kicked in the calf. It commonly occurs when lunging forward for a low shot. Once you hobble off the court, By JORDAN D. METZL, MD The Washington Post What’s my risk of injury playing pickleball?

HEALTH Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 47 check with your doctor to make sure this is a calf strain, which heals without surgery, and not an Achilles rupture, which is more serious. The age-old adage of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) to treat injuries has been updated to MICE (movement, ice, compression and elevation) in the first 24-48 hours after injury. Although there’s some controversy about the use of ice with acute injuries, it does reduce pain, so I tell my patients to ice the sore muscle for five to 10 minutes. Once you’re through the initial stages, ice doesn’t seem to help as much, but gradual movement and compression do. Depending on severity, calf strains can take anywhere from one to four months to heal. Hamstring strain: This usually also occurs when lunging forward for a low shot, but it takes longer to heal than a calf strain. The treatment depends on the location of the injury. The top of the hamstring where the tendon comes off the ischial tuberosity (sit bone) takes months to heal, while an injury in the middle of the muscle can heal in weeks. In all cases, starting some gentle movement like riding a stationary bike and starting a graduated strength program can help speed healing. Wrist injury: These occur with pickleball due to the twisting of the wrist, similar to ping pong. The most common injuries are tendinitis in the wrist, best treated initially with a wrist splint and rest for a couple of weeks. If the pain persists, get it checked out. Elbow injury: Pain around the elbow (commonly known as tennis elbow) is less common in pickleball than in tennis, but it can still happen. This is generally tendinitis on the outside part of the elbow and is best treated with backing off playing for a week or two. A physical therapist can prescribe wrist and forearm stretches. Achilles’ tendon rupture: This is among the more serious types of pickleball injuries. Tendons, which connect muscles to bones, are difficult to heal because they have a poor blood supply. This injury is often treated with surgery, followed by physical therapy. It can take months or even a year to heal. With pickleball, the key to staying on the court and not in physical therapy is recognizing the warning signs. Small muscle cramps often precede a more serious injury, as does an overall sense of fatigue. If this is happening to you, back off for a bit and rest until you feel ready. Before starting a game, do dynamic warm-ups – like jogging in place, jumping jacks, walking lunges and air squats. Stronger and more pliable muscles mean less injuries. In addition to warming up the body, I have my patients bring their foam roller or massage gun to the pickleball court and use it before they play. Prioritize strength training. I prescribe strength training for all of my patients, from 10-year-olds to 80-year-olds. But this is especially important for aging players. As we age, our muscles get weaker. For this reason, a quick lunge to the left to get a shot in a 20-year-old player may go unnoticed, while the same shot in a 60-year-old can result in a two-month injury from tearing a calf muscle. Getting out to play pickleball is great for your health, and I’d rather see you on the court than in my office. To make pickleball as safe as possible, it’s important to understand your body’s limits and to employ strategies to keep yourself from getting injured. Jordan D. Metzl is a sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He is the author of five books on the intersection of medicine and fitness, including “The Athlete’s Book of Home Remedies.” Pickleball injuries are becoming more common. But the benefits of playing far outweigh the risks.

48 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style If you want to look fabulous in later life, take some lessons in style and beauty from this grande dame. Dame Helen Mirren has an instinct for picking the perfect project at the right moment that makes staying relevant – at 78 – look easy. If you’ve previously been unaware of Du Jour’s existence, you’re not now. The U.S.-based luxury publication, founded in 2019, got quite the scoop with its Mirren pictures, not least because it treads where other shoots with septuagenarians haven’t previously had the imagination to. This isn’t cringe territory. There’s no out of control retouching. No pretending 78 is the new 28 (fine if you believe in fairy tales, but not if you’d like a version of growing older that’s a bit more grown-up). Dame Helen’s eyebrows and jawline suggest that, at the very least, she’s been commendably diligent with her gua sha. For my money, of all the glamagenarians (the 70 and 80-year-olds who, like Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart and Candice Bergen who are helping to redefine ageing), Mirren’s approach looks by far the most fun. Whether she’s on a red carpet or a magazine cover, she always looks glossy and fierce – yet recognizably herself. She seems not only at ease with the ageing process but to enjoy elements of it – such as the fact that the older she gets, the more in demand she is as a totemic cover star and beauty ambassador. Could this be the pay-off for a lifetime of being a cheery pragmatist rather than a woe-is-me-ist? A highly respected Shakespearean actress, she took on nude roles, including in ‘Caligula,’ a mad Bob Guccione producedand-directed film, because that’s how an actress made a paltry RSC salary stretch a bit further in the 1970s. In the ’90s, she embraced television BY LISA ARMSTRONG The Telegraph How Helen Mirren looks incredible at 78

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 49 Style work, even though the prestigious work was on stage or film, because DCI Jane Tennison was a damn good role. As the 21st century (and her 50s) beckoned, she played Queen Elizabeth II even though, as she remarked later, “the British have a very complex relationship with the monarchy” and it could have backfired badly. Now she’s reveling in strong fashion statements as she never did when she was younger. For Du Jour, it’s all bigshouldered vintage Jean Paul Gaultier trouser suits, feathered black Dolce & Gabbana coats and a metallic Angelo Tarlazzi trench. This may not be for every older woman – and God forbid there should be a single template for “older women.” But it’s an object lesson in finding your comfort zone – and pushing beyond it. Mirren enjoys dramatic clothes and experience has rewarded her with the poise and presence to carry them off. Why wouldn’t she max out? Since joining forces with stylists Lee Harris and Rachel Fanconi, her cinch-it- and-lift approach has been honed into something more sophisticated, where precision tailoring involving Isambard Kingdom Brunel levels of cantilevering trump cleavage and thigh-flashing. Think shoulder pads, flounce and capes. In the past year alone she’s worn a floor-length fuchsia cape over a black catsuit and stiletto ankle boots; a Vivienne Westwood tartan coat with mountainous patent shoes and, because she doesn’t take herself too seriously, blue hair to match her blue custom-made, wasp-waisted Daniel del Core gown at Cannes in May. The color came courtesy of L’Oréal Paris Colorista Spray in Blue Pastel. Should you get hold of some, you’d be wise to get a really good professional to spray it evenly. And there’s another lesson. If you’re going a bit rogue in your mature years, it needs to look slick. None of the experimenting and the kook overwhelm her. Without compromising style, she prioritizes comfort. Sole Bliss, the favorite footwear brand of Queen Camilla, features prominently in the Mirren wardrobe. Knowing there can be no elegance where there is niggling pain is another Mirren nugget. So is maximizing what you have as opposed to what you had. Never mind implausibly huge pillowy mouths where color has been drawn so far outside the natural lip line it’s practically invading Australia. Val Garland, the make-up artist who, like Mirren, has a contract with L’Oréal Paris, told NewBeauty that she avoids using lip liner on mature or smaller mouths, opting for an eyebrow pencil instead. For Mirren, she uses an ash-colored brow pencil and lightly traces it along the outside of the lip line. She then blends it, creating a shadow around the outside of the lips which makes them look plumper. The key here is a lot of blending. Since heavy make-up is ageing, even in strong light, Mirren’s red carpet beauty is relatively lighttouch. Makeup artist Jo Strettell, who took charge of Mirren’s beauty look at the 2020 Golden Globes, used L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Moisturizer, Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF50, Radiant Concealer with Hydrating Serum on her skin, Voluminous Original Mascara and Color Riche Satin Lipstick. Mirren loves a pinky red. The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Anti-Feathering Lipliner in Rich Cranberry, with a coat of Age Perfect Luminous Hydrating Lipstick + Nourishing Serum in Perfect Burgundy complemented her platinum hair and matched her Dior dress. Between roles she follows a no-nonsense, twelveminute daily routine developed by the Canadian military in the 1950s for personnel stationed on bases with no gym. Incorporating push-ups, high jumps, sit-ups, along with stretching exercises such as arm circles to maintain functional mobility, Mirren swears it keeps her trim and flexible and ready for more intense gym training when roles require it. Add in some glasses of red wine (in moderation), chips (ditto), combined with sensible eating – I’d happily have some of what she’s having.

50 Vero Beach 32963 / September 14, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style Tired of staring into your closet despairingly every morning? Here’s how to stop. Each morning, as we stand in front of our wardrobes, wrapped in a towel or in the comfort of our pajamas, many of us wonder: “Why don’t I have anything to wear?” It’s a universal problem that fashion brands have taken upon themselves to solve, namely by producing more variations of the same things. We’re intrigued – perhaps we would find it easier to get dressed if we had denim in a darker shade? Each time, we think a new purchase will be different from the last and that it will draw us one step closer to finding our personal style. But if that really were true, wouldn’t we have stopped spending money and feeling dissatisfied by now? So, what is the real reason we have a chair in the corner of our room heaving with clothes, a full load in the washing machine, and a stuffed closet, yet we still feel as if we have nothing to wear? The answers are hung up on rails and folded in the drawers of our homes right now. As the creator of the Mindful Monday Method and the author of “Why Don’t I Have Anything to Wear?,” I’d suggest you ask yourself these questions to help you shop smarter and spend less. Question 1: What do I already own? Fling open your wardrobe doors and take a look at what’s there. Are all of your garments packed together and barely discernible? A highly underrated but integral part of feeling confident about the contents of your wardrobe is actually auditing it. Take everything out and separate what you want to keep from what you don’t. You need to be able to see what you’ll be wearing for that season. Everything else can be packed away and out of sight. My preference for this is using vacuum storage bags. Immediately, this reduces decision fatigue and you’ll be able to see what you own, which reduces the risk of buying duplicates. No one needs yet another floral wrap dress, thank you. Question 2: Does it pass the everyday test? Sometimes when we struggle to get dressed it’s because we feel pressure to wear something that we don’t feel comfortable in. This is normal when thinking about an outfit for something extraordinary, such as a black-tie event, but it doesn’t need to be the case every time we’re picking out a simple look for drinks with friends. What we want to reach for each day is what we call “wardrobe staples.” Your basics may be different from someone else’s, depending on your style, but your everyday items should make up about 70 percent of your clothes and be trans-seasonal. If you find that you have far less than this and mostly own statement pieces or garments that don’t support your everyday life, this is a clear sign of what’s missing in your wardrobe. Question 3: Does it fit? One of the most practical answers to why we feel we have nothing to wear is because many clothes don’t fit us properly. Instead of browsing the “new in” section of your favorite retailer, make a pile of all the clothes in your wardrobe that you feel don’t fit you well (or need some repair). Then, every time you are tempted to buy something new, turn to this pile and choose one thing to alter. Question 4: Is this good quality? No one wants to waste their money on clothes that won’t last a few washes, or that bobble and fade. Check the composition label (natural fabrics typically last longer than synthetics), and examine the garment for snags, stitching coming undone and variations of color across the fabric. Also turn it inside out. If it’s as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside, this is a positive sign that it’s made to last. Question 5: Do I really want this? Do you shop when you’re feeling bored or stressed? Self-soothing behavior leads to impulse purchases, which results in a wardrobe full of clothes (maybe some still have tags on) that we really don’t know how to work with. On your next shopping expedition, go with a goal and look for one thing at a time – for example, one trip for one search for summer sandals. Can’t find the ones you like? Another common pitfall is attempting to find “the next best thing” because you can’t find what you were looking for at the first attempt, or going for the alternative that you like less just because it’s on sale. Being focused will help you to resist browsing and buying things that you really don’t need and maybe don’t even want. BY ANDREA CHEONG The Telegraph The reason you have nothing to wear – and how to solve it Vernon Scott reSort WeAr 818 Beachland Blvd 772-231-3733 • Mon - Sat 10 to 5 RENOVATION SALE UP to 70% oFF Storewide