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Published by Vero Beach 32963 Media, 2019-08-29 15:43:43

08/29/2019 ISSUE 35

VB32963_ISSUE35_082919_OPT

Jones’ quest for new attorney
may delay trial start. P9
Endangered Species
Act changes opposed. P7

FPL hardening grid to reduce
tropical storm power outages. P8

MY VERO For breaking news visit

BY RAY MCNULTY School Board’s
search firm has
Where are candidates for a shaky record
Vero Beach City Council?
BY FEDERICO MARTINEZ
We’re almost to September Staff Writer
and, as the week began, only
one person – perennial can- Rockitcoin Bitcoin ATM (left) at CR Food Mart, 310 27th Ave. SW, and Bitstop Bitcoin ATM (right) at Kwik Stop, 1005 21st St. The search firm that the
didate and longtime political School Board hired to lead
gadfly Brian Heady – had filed Bitcoin ATMs offer criminals new way to get your money the effort to find a new su-
to run for the two seats up for perintendent for Indian River
grabs on the Vero Beach City BY GEORGE ANDREASSI River County, providing local machines where you can buy County has previously recom-
Council. Staff Writer residents an easy new way this little-regulated crypto- mended candidates accused
to acquire relatively small currency mostly offer crimi- of sexual harassment, bid fix-
Another potential contend- Two Bitcoin ATM com- amounts of this new kind of nals a new way to scam you ing, lavish spending and lying
er, local attorney Joe Graves, panies have set up currency money. out of savings while making about their qualifications, a
picked up a candidate’s pack- exchange machines in con- an untraceable getaway. review of the firm’s previous
et from City Hall last week but, venience stores in Indian But local law enforcement assignments disclosed.
as of Monday, hadn’t yet filed officials are concerned that CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
the necessary paperwork. The board voted 4-1 at its
Aug. 13 meeting to hire and
The entry deadline, how- pay Chicago-based Hazard,
ever, is Sept. 6, which means Young, Attea & Associates up
there’s still plenty of time for to $40,000 to help the district
Graves and others to jump into find a new superintendent.
the race. But will they? Is any- The board would like to have
one else planning to run? a new superintendent hired
by January.
If so, these yet-to-file can-
didates have successfully kept “There are numerous in-
secret their intentions, be- cidents where HYA did not
cause the off-year election is properly investigate candi-
just two months away and no-
body is saying anything. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 State report: Drinking water source
for Vero Beach ‘in pitiful condition’
Vero High swim team
worries about closure PHOTO BY KAILA JONES BY LISA ZAHNER “The water source for the
of Leisure Square pool Staff Writer system is in pitiful condition,”
wrote inspectors Jocelyn Lab-
BY RAY MCNULTY More than six months after be and Zachary Shulman at
Staff Writer a poor inspection by the Flor- the conclusion of a two-day,
ida Department of Environ- systemwide inspection of Vero
Vero Beach High School mental Protection, the results Beach Utilities in February.
swim coach Gavin Ross showing the sad state of Vero’s
said Sunday the swimming drinking water infrastructure Widespread leaks. Heavy
program’s future could be are finally coming to light. Corrosion. Missing pumps.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

August 29, 2019 Volume 12, Issue 35 Newsstand Price $1.00 Taking it easy
does it at
News 1-10 Faith 38-39 Pets 40 TO ADVERTISE CALL Hawaiian Luau. P16
Arts 23-26 Games 41-43 Real Estate 61-72 772-559-4187
Books 34-35 Health 45-49 Style 51-53
Dining 54 Insight 27-44 Wine 55 FOR CIRCULATION
Editorial 32 People 11-22 CALL 772-226-7925

© 2019 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved.

2 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

My Vero rather not seek another term – a pub- paign for a two-year term that de- Remember: There’s a constant tug-
lic declaration that could seriously mands a significant investment of o-war in this community between
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 dent any re-election bid if he changes time and energy to serve on an often- those who want to Keep Vero Vero and
his mind. “I don’t really want the job, divided council subject to annual those who want to make Vero better.
The only folks who’ve been talking but I’ll do it if I have to” isn’t exactly an power shifts that make it difficult to
about running, in fact, are the two inspiring campaign slogan. accomplish anything meaningful, all “My experience has been that, if you
incumbents who say they won’t run for an annual salary of $10,000? want to fix anything in government
again – Mayor Val Zudans and two- Of course, if nobody else files, he and make it better, everyone fearful
term Councilman Harry Howle. might not need one. Why would anyone want to endure of change will vigorously oppose you,
the council’s marathon meetings that question your motives, create false ru-
Actually, Zudans has said he will file Which begs the question: Why move at the speed of erosion and, mors and often attack you personally,”
for re-election only if he’s convinced haven’t more Vero Beach residents more times than not, result in action Zudans said.
his presence on the council for anoth- expressed interest in running for City being postponed?
er two years is needed to accomplish a Council? “I’m surprised we get any good can-
specific and compelling task, such as Why would anyone want to expose didates,” he added. “I have asked sev-
plotting the future of Centennial Place. Or should we be asking: Why would themselves to the public criticism and eral people with great life experiences
anyone want to? derision that too often accompany the and success in running businesses if
Otherwise, Zudans has said he’d council’s votes? they would consider running. They
Why would anyone put themselves laugh at the question because they
through the grind of a political cam- know it is a thankless job that is paid
in ridicule and $800 per month for a
serious commitment of time.”

Howle echoed Zudans’ sentiments,
saying the political gridlock caused by
staggered, two-year terms and annual
elections dissuade many would-be
City Council candidates from running.

“If you’re a first-time council mem-
ber, you spend the first six months fig-
uring out how it all works, then have a
year to do the job before you have to
start campaigning again,” Howle said.
“That first term, you’re really effective
for only a year.

“Then, there are dynamic changes
because you have an election every year
and power can shift,” he added. “So
there’s no continuity, no momentum,
and the direction of the council can
change completely. It’s so hard to get a
consensus on anything. You have to run
twice and win to get anything done.”

A referendum to extend City Coun-
cil terms to three years – after an initial
pitch to go to four years – was defeated
by voters in 2017.

People opposed to extending the
terms point to unqualified and wrong-
headed candidates that have been
elected here in the past, saying four
years is too long to suffer the conse-
quences of bad decisions.

Proponents of going to four-year
terms say many of those who want to
stay with two-year terms belong to the
Keep Vero Vero crowd, which knows
shorter terms make it more difficult to
effect change.

Both arguments have merit, and so
does this: Councilwoman Laura Moss,
a former New York executive who de-
scribed her stint as Vero Beach’s mayor
as the “best job of my life,” said she
believes longer terms and higher pay
would attract more candidates, in-
cluding younger ones.

“You’re not going to get them for
$10,000,” Moss said. “If you’re in your
peak earning years, there’s no way we
can expect you to devote all the hours
necessary for that kind of money.
That’s why we tend to get older people
who are retired.”

Howle said his council pay would

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 3

NEWS

“average out to less than minimum “As far as why we chose Vero Beach, cated a currency exchange machine ally purchase them through a broker.
wage” if he were paid by the hour. we started in Miami and we’re working at the Citgo service station and Quik A bitcoin recently was trading at more
our way up both Florida coasts,” Phil- Mart at 1005 21st St., Vero Beach. than $10,000 U.S. dollars. Their value
“It’s difficult when you’re trying to lips said. “A sales rep of mine indicated fluctuates daily. In the past two years,
earn a living, have a personal life and be this gas station would be willing to According to the latest statistics, they have traded at anywhere from a
a council member,” Howle said. “It also host a machine. At the time, no com- there are now more than 5,000 stand- little over $3,000 to just over $20,000.
makes it hard to find good candidates.” petitors had anything near there so it alone bitcoin ATMs in countries
was kind of a no-brainer.” around the world. ATMs like the ones in Indian River
Or any candidates. County that offer the opportunity to
“There are people running,” Moss Miami-based Bitstop, which oper- Serious investors in bitcoins, how- purchase fractions of a bitcoin for as
said, “but they’re running the other ates 56 bitcoin ATMs in Florida, lo- ever, seem unlikely to use ATMs to ac-
quire this cryptocurrency and gener- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
way.” 

Bitcoin ATMs Exclusively John’s Island

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Refined architecture and direct Intracoastal frontage converge in this palatial 5BR
Gem Island masterpiece sited on 1.41± acres. Enter to a majestic stateroom with
Up till now, bitcoin-related crimes gallery-lit murals and indulge in the mahogany media room with adjoining bar. A
in Indian River County are believed to chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry flows to an enclosed veranda with pool, river and
have been relatively rare, but recently sunset views. The 14,212± GSF home boasts a master wing with morning room and
there has been more reason for con- fitness area, and a spacious 2nd level accessible via elevator hosts a lounge and
cern, said Sheriff’s Major Eric Flowers. three guest suites. This is an exclusive retreat made for the most discerning buyer.
131 Gem Island Drive : $12,950,000
One of several scams that has
cropped up involves a phony FPL rep- three championship golf courses : 17 har-tru courts : beach club : squash
resentative telephoning utility cus- health & wellness center : pickleball : croquet : vertical equit y memberships
tomers and threatening to shut off
their electricity for unpaid bills unless 772.231.0900 : Vero Beach, FL : JohnsIslandRealEstate.com
they immediately make a payment us-
ing bitcoin, Flowers said.

“When Vero made the switch from
Vero Electric to FPL, we actually had
several businesses get the scam call
saying that their electric was going to
get cut off and they needed to pay in
bitcoin over the phone,” Flowers said.

Both Bitcoin ATMs in Indian River
County have warning signs advising cus-
tomers to be wary of scams and never
use the currency exchange machines to
get bitcoins to pay utility bills. Both ATMs
require cellphones and government
identification cards for transactions.

Rockitcoin, a Chicago-based bit-
coin ATM operator with 33 outlets in
Florida, placed a currency exchange
machine early this year at the Caraf
Oil service station and CR Food Mart,
310 27th Ave. SW.

Ben Phillips, founder of Rockitcoin,
said another ATM in Vero is in the
discussion stages as the company ex-
pands its network.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
are gaining popularity for transac-
tions and investments, Phillips and
other bitcoin advocates said.

“This is the future of money,” Phillips
said. “It’s a money transfer network, it’s
a bank account and an investment all
wrapped up in one. It’s got a nice pri-
vacy factor for people as well.”

Hundreds of retail websites accept
bitcoin, including Overstock.com,
eGifter, Newegg electronics, Shopify,
CheapAir and a variety of merchants
around the world.

Cables, phones, email and web-
sites have also been used for fraud
and other crimes over the years, said
Phillips and other bitcoin advocates.
Rockitcoin said it uses a variety of se-
curity measures to combat the use of
its bitcoin ATMs for crime.

4 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Bitcoin ATMs someone claiming to be a Social Secu- School Board’s search firm For example, in August 2018, Den-
rity official threatened to have him ar- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ver Public Schools, on the recommen-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 rested if he did not send money in the dation of HYA, hired Max McGee as
form of bitcoin. dates,” said School Board member superintendent. But the district soon
little as $20 tend to be used for other Jacqueline Rosario, who argued vig- terminated McGee after learning he
purposes. Officials determined they would be orously with her peers before casting had been fired from his previous su-
unlikely to solve the case, which they the lone dissenting vote. “I think the perintendent position in Palo Alto for
Check Cashing USA principal Bri- believe involved interstate and inter- board should take its time and inves- mishandling sexual assault cases, ac-
an Socolow said his branch at 5445 national suspects, sheriff’s records tigate some of these allegations before cording to the North Denver News.
20th St., which used to sell bitcoins show. voting to hire HYA.
using a financial website but stopped HYA-recommended Floyd Williams
earlier this year, sold the cryptocur- In March, a Vero Beach couple re- “These incidents include incidents Jr. resigned as superintendent of El-
rency to some people who “used it to ported receiving an anonymous email of nepotism, the firing of one admin- ementary District 62 in Des Plaines,
make purchases overseas because of threatening that embarrassing mate- istrator after nude photos were found Illinois, in November 2017, after be-
exchange rates.” rial would be sent to their business on their laptop, and a company presi- ing accused of sexually harassing five
contacts unless they paid $1,200 to a dent who was fired from his previous female employees. Williams, who
“A bitcoin that’s worth $6,000 here, bitcoin account, sheriff’s records show. position for sexual misconduct.” worked for the district just one year,
is worth $6,000 in India,” Socolow said. The couple did not pay, and the black- collected the remainder of his annual
“There are some companies that are mail case is inactive because no sus- Interim Superintendent Susan salary, about $127,000, according to
online to sell certain products in other pect could be identified. Moxley informed the board on Aug. the Chicago Tribune.
countries that will only take bitcoin.” 9 of more than 10 newspaper articles
Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans, citing problems other districts have The Tribune and other newspapers
So far, none of the bitcoin machines who oversees major fraud cases on the had with candidates and employees questioned why HYA didn’t know, or
has been involved a criminal complaint Treasure Coast, said cryptocurrencies recommended by HYA. Many of the reveal, that Williams had been forced
in Indian River County, Flowers said. can be used for a variety of illegal trans- problems have occurred during the to resign from his previous superin-
actions, including drug deals. past three years. tendent position in Wisconsin when,
But a cryptocurrency investor here among other instances of miscon-
reported losing $68,000 last Novem- Evans questioned why consumers Despite Moxley’s warning, the other duct, nude photos were found on his
ber when hackers emptied his online would risk losing their money by mak- four board members – Chairman Lau- district-issued computer.
account, Flowers said. The crime re- ing purchases with bitcoin, instead of ra Zorc, Vice-Chairman Tiffany Justice,
mains unsolved. using traditional payment methods. and board members Teri Barenborg In 2015, Minneapolis school board
and Mara Schiff – downplayed the members picked Sergio Paez to lead
The most recent complaint in Indi- “In my mind, playing the bitcoin controversies and voted to hire HYA. the city’s district, based on the recom-
an River County about bitcoin-related market would be legitimate if you’re a mendation of HYA officials. The offer
fraud involved a bitcoin ATM in Mi- gambler, or a high-risk investor,” Evans Board member Mara Schiff blamed was rescinded days later amid allega-
ami, records show. said. “But to buy and sell things using the media for the reports of miscon- tions that staff members abused spe-
bitcoin, it seems like the only reason to duct. cial education students at a district he
A 50-year-old Vero Beach man told do so would be to ensure secrecy and led in Massachusetts, according to the
deputies on Aug. 4 he fed $28,000 into “Context is everything,” Schiff ar- Minneapolis Star Tribune.
a currency exchange machine after why do you need secrecy?”  gued during Aug. 13 meeting. “I know
we’ve all been misquoted by the media Paez had recently lost his job there
at least once. We’re only getting a par- when the state took control of the
ticular side of a story from the media. under-performing district, the Boston
We’re getting their bias.” Globe reported.

HYA Vice President Bill Adams is- In 2015, HYA selected John Cov-
sued a written statement claiming the ington as a finalist to lead Nashville’s
company has improved its vetting ef- public schools, even though he had
forts but not explaining how. resigned from his previous job in De-
troit amid criticism for lavish spend-
“With regard to the negative articles ing on travel and furniture, the Ten-
reflecting a significantly small num- nessean reported.
ber of searches over the last 35 years,
we offer kudos to the Board member HYA recommended Walter Milton
who did her due diligence,” Adams Jr.’s application for the Flint School
wrote in an email to the Board. “As in- District which included degrees he
dicated during our presentation, HYA had not earned. In 2005, he got the job
conducted over 1,400 successful edu- anyway but was later criticized for hir-
cational leadership searches over the ing a school administrator convicted
last 35 years. of child molestation and leaving the
district with financial problems, the
“A few of these searches have re- Flint Journal reported.
sulted in controversy. The controversy
has been centered on complex urban In 1999, Gary Smith was an HYA fi-
communities in which high-profile nalist for North Allegheny School Dis-
candidates and politics were often a trict superintendent, even though he
part of the landscape. While ultimate- had been charged with fixing bids for
ly it is the Board of Education that a technology contract at his previous
determines the applicants to be inter- school district in South Carolina. He
viewed, it is the HYA team’s responsi- resigned from his job at that district
bility to ensure that those applicants and the charges were dropped, ac-
have been thoroughly vetted. It is also cording to the Sun-Sentinel newspa-
HYA’s responsibility that, if there are per in Florida.
items of potential controversy, that
the board be informed before they are Anthony Trujillo was fired from an
asked to make a decision.” El Paso school district for several rea-
sons, including receiving improper
But as Rosario pointed out, that benefits from district construction
hasn’t been the case, especially in re- contractors and supporting a board
cent years. member’s re-election bid, state re-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 5

NEWS

cords show. Shortly after that resigna- for the opportunity to lead the superin- they were impressed by a presentation were published on thick, slick paper,
tion, in 1999, HYA recommended him tendent search, including HYA and the given by HYA representatives during a than with material presented by FSBA.
as a finalist to lead Dallas’ school dis- Florida School Board Association. The special board meeting on Aug. 8. They also believed HYA had more ex-
trict, but he didn’t get the job, the Sun- FSBA conducted the interim superin- perience conducting national searches.
Sentinel reported. tendent search for the district that re- Zorc, Justice, Barenborg and Schiff
sulted in the hiring of Susan Moxley. all said they were more impressed with The FSBA’s bid to do the job was
The Indian River County School HYA’s colorful and “professional-look- $27,000, including advertising costs.
Board had two consulting firms vying But several board members said ing” brochures and booklets, which
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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6 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

School Board’s search firm tion challenges that would be difficult Council to decide during its budget Director Lenny Jankowski said he’s
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 to overcome for many of the team’s 45 workshops in July to close the pool. monitoring the situation and already
swimmers, who began practice last But the decision ignited a social- is considering options, even though
HYA’s base bid was $23,500 with ad- week and were scheduled to open media firestorm and produced an the proposed closing of the Leisure
ditional fees for advertising tiers rang- their season on Wednesday. impassioned response from more Square pool would not impact the
ing from $1,900 to $6,300. They also than 100 protesters who packed the current swim season, which con-
tacked on another $4,000 for travel “We’d have a significant fall off chamber for the City Council’s July 16 cludes in early November.
expenses and offered to advertise the in the number of swimmers or, in a meeting.
job in academic publications geared worst-case scenario, the team would Of the high schools along the Trea-
toward African-Americans and Lati- simply fall apart – because the school The council responded by saying sure Coast, only the private St. Ed-
nos for an additional $500. district provides bus transporta- its decision wasn’t final and could be ward’s School and Martin County
tion, and I don’t know if we could reversed before the 2020 budget is ap- High School have on-campus pools.
The district would also have to pay still make that happen if we have to proved in September. Confronted by
the firm $1,000 for each visit to Indi- travel to Gifford or the North County save-the-pool proponents again at “Leisure Square has been great for
an River County – after the first four pools,” Ross said. last week’s meeting, council members us, and it would be a shame if the city
instructed the city staff to recommend closes the pool, but we use it only for
visits.  “Most of our kids swim year-round funding options that would enable the practices,” Jankowski said, adding
for one of the swim clubs in the area, city to keep the pool open. that Vero Beach does not schedule
Vero High swim team and they’d simply continue to swim home swim meets because the facili-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 for their clubs,” he added. “But we’d “I don’t want to close the pool, but ty does not meet the criteria required
probably lose as many as 20 of the we’ve got to find ways to make it fi- by the Florida High School Athletic
in doubt if the City Council decides kids who swim only for the high nancially feasible,” City Councilman Association.
to shut down the Leisure Square pool, school team. Harry Howle said. “It needs to operate
where the team trains for its meets. more like a club, perhaps with annual “There are some options we can
“The good news is that it appears memberships, or offering monthly look at, but transportation could be a
Closing the city-owned pool, Ross the city is determined to find a way to and per-use rates. struggle if the team needs to travel to
said, would force the team to move keep the pool open.” Sebastian or even Gifford,” he contin-
its practices to the county-operated “Also, any cash the school district ued. “The times the swimmers need
Gifford Aquatic Center on 43rd Av- According to the city’s Recreation could kick in would help,” he added. to get to practices would conflict with
enue or the North County Aquatic Department, only 400 to 500 people “More than 50 percent of our proper- the regular school bus routes.”
Center in Sebastian. per week use the Leisure Square pool, ty taxes go to the school district, and
which costs nearly $195,000 per year as far as I know, they don’t pay any- Ross, who also coaches a swimming
Both options present transporta- to maintain and operate while gener- thing for the high school swim team club at Vero Fitness, said he’s hoping
ating revenues of only $25,000 annu- to use the pool.” local philanthropists will come for-
ally. ward with donations to help the city
Vero Beach High School Athletic
Those numbers prompted the City keep the Leisure Square pool open. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 7

NEWS

Changes to Endangered Species Act threaten lagoon wildlife

BY SUE COCKING Environmental groups – including Of particular concern to Dr. Kate may not see that reflected in the nest-
Staff Writer the Center for Biological Diversity, Mansfield, director of the Marine Tur- ing numbers for two or three decades
Natural Resources Defense Council, tle Research Group at the University of – and by that time, it may be far too
Local environmental scientists and EarthJustice, Defenders of Wildlife, Si- Central Florida (UCF), is the status of late to recover the population."
conservationists are pushing back erra Club, and Humane Society of the green sea turtles, which UCF has been
against proposed changes to the U.S. United States – quickly joined together monitoring in the lagoon near Sebas- The proposed changes to the En-
Endangered Species Act that they con- to sue the U.S. Department of the In- tian Inlet for more than 35 years. dangered Species Act, if enacted,
tend will roll back more than 45 years terior to block the rule changes, which could potentially hamper efforts by
of conservation gains for animals that are slated to take effect next month. Those animals – once listed as en- Vero Beach marine scientist Dr. Grant
live in and around the Indian River dangered – have seen their nesting Gilmore to protect eight species of
Lagoon, such as sea turtles, manatees Dr. Duane DeFreese, executive direc- numbers soar in the past decade or so, freshwater fish that reproduce only in
and scrub jays. tor of the Indian River Lagoon Council, and the Florida population was down- the St. Sebastian, St. Lucie and Loxa-
says the plaintiffs' concerns are justi- listed to threatened in 2016. But the hatchee rivers.
TheTrump administration announced fied. federal government failed to designate
the changes to regulations governing their Treasure Coast and Space Coast Gilmore is working on a petition to
implementation of the Endangered Spe- "The concerns are legitimate – es- nesting beaches as critical habitat, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to list
cies Act earlier this month, promising to pecially when you start taking eco- which leaves them vulnerable to devel- the fish as endangered or threatened,
reduce regulations and make the listing nomic factors into consideration opment and other human impacts. due to loss of habitat along grassy riv-
process more transparent. when you are trying to determine the erbanks from herbicide spraying and
status of a rare, threatened, or endan- "These are very late-maturing, predation by exotic species.
The overhaul ends blanket protec- gered species," DeFreese said. "First long-lived animals," Mansfield said.
tion for animals proposed for new and foremost, endangerment of a "It's taken 30 years plus for these Gilmore says he has little faith in the
'threatened' designations. It would species should be determined by the animals to get back the momentum feds to protect the fish, but hopes pub-
allow economic impacts to be con- best available science." [for survival]. If it becomes easier lic outcry will do the trick.
sidered in the listing process, would to develop or modify these critical
limit designations of critical habitat Currently, more than 1,650 species habitats, it could do damage to these "I look at this as another crazy thing
deemed vital to a species' survival, of animals and plants are listed as en- animals and their recovery. If we do coming out of Washington," he said.
and would not factor in the effects of dangered or threatened in the United something that affects their popula- "I believe in the power of the people
climate change. States. Of those, the Indian River La- tion and hatchlings don't survive, we to get things done. A lot of people
goon region is home to more than 50.” love manatees and bald eagles"– two

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

8 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

FPL hardening its grid to reduce tropical storm outages

BY NICOLE RODRIGUEZ additional poles and possibly placing investments have benefited custom- have inspected 7,863 poles, company
some segments of lines underground. ers by enhancing service reliability by representatives said. The company
Staff Writer more than 30 percent in the past de- also plans to build a new distribution
Hardened power lines perform 40 cade. Wilma ravaged roughly 12,400 substation at the southwest corner of
Even before Tropical Storm Dorian percent better in day-to-day opera- power poles, while Hurricane Irma in the intersection of 17th Street and In-
began making its way through the tions than power lines that are not 2017 damaged only 4,600 poles, ac- dian River Boulevard, which should be
Caribbean, Florida Power & Light Co. hardened, translating into fewer out- cording to the company. completed in May.
announced it was working to improve ages, according to the company.
its system locally in hopes of averting Since purchasing the city’s electric “The new substation, equipment
mass power outages in the event Vero “We’re looking to beef up the poles and system, the company has installed and power line poles are designed to
is hit by a hurricane. wires that are part of the main lines that nearly 31,000 smart meters in the Vero provide customers with more reliable
serve all of the customers in this com- area FPL spokesman Matt Eissey said energy,” Eissey said. “A substation steps
Representatives from the state’s larg- munity,” Andy Stark, FPL’s area distribu- in an email. down high voltage electricity so that it
est utility – which in December bought tion manager told the council on Aug. 20. can be safely distributed to residential
the city of Vero Beach’s electric system “Along with our smart meters, our and business customers.”
for $183.3 million – outlined plans at Since Hurricane Wilma hit Florida smart switches also provide enhanced
a recent City Council meeting to hard- in 2005, blacking out power to 3.2 mil- reliability by reducing or preventing FPL also plans to build a solar cano-
en its grid, install smart meters and lion customers, FPL has spent nearly outages from occurring,” Eissey said. py at the Vero Beach Dog Park, located
switches that assist in avoiding outages. $3 billion strengthening its system. “More than half of the 472 planned at 3449 Indian River Drive East. It will
Upgrades included clearing vegetation smart switches in Vero Beach have be capable of producing 7 kilowatts
It also announced it was undertak- from more than 150,000 miles of power been installed and we expect the rest of clean solar energy, which is enough
ing an aggressive tree trimming strate- lines, strengthening nearly 860 main to be installed and operating by the energy to power an average classroom.
gy near power lines, since wind-blown power lines and placing more than 450 end of September.” Company representatives did not pro-
branches and debris are a major cause main power lines underground. vide a cost estimate or specifications
of power outages during a storm. Smart meters allow the company for the canopy, which will require ap-
The company inspects its 1.2 mil- to predict power outages before they proval from the City Council.
FPL, which serves more than 5 mil- lion power poles every eight years and happen, while the switches help pre-
lion customer accounts in 35 counties upgrades or replaces those that no vent prolonged outages. “We hope the canopy will pique the
across the state, plans to harden six longer meet the company’s standards curiosity of visitors and encourage dis-
main power lines in Vero Beach next for strength. The strongest concrete Vegetation trimming in Vero Beach cussion about sustainability, while pro-
year and harden all main power lines poles are made to withstand 145 mph is already underway. Trees around viding shade from the sun,” Eissey said.
in the city by the end of 2024. winds. FPL also installed nearly 5 mil- main lines are trimmed every three
lion smart meters and 83,000 intel- years, while trees near lines in neigh- Council members praised FPL for its
Hardening consists of installing ligent devices to help predict, reduce borhoods are trimmed every six years. plans and cheaper electric bills.
wooden or concrete power poles that and prevent power outages, and re-
can withstand major hurricane-force store power faster if outages occur. By the end of this year, FPL will have “We’re getting about 30 percent
winds. The process includes shorten- will trimmed vegetation from 413 lower electric rates,” Mayor Val Zudans
ing the span between poles by installing The company claims the energy grid miles of power lines countywide and
said. 

Broad public involvement sought in planning for Centennial Place

BY NICOLE RODRIGUEZ In its plan, DPZ CoDesign suggest- in homes, instead directing Planning easier to steer . . . the public will be
Staff Writer ed formation of a steering committee Director Jason Jeffries to alter the given canned projects like canned
to guide the design team throughout contract with DPZ – expected to be flight plans with limited choices and
The Vero Beach City Council has the process. The small group would presented to the council sometime this is moving too fast,” island resi-
underscored the importance of likely consist of the city manager, next month – to have open commu- dent Phyllis Frey said.
transparency in planning for rede- planning director and a few key ad- nity meetings at a public place.
velopment of the former city power ministrative staff familiar with deci- Centennial Place includes the sites
plant site following public com- sion-making and city protocols. Jeffries suggested the meetings of the former city electric plant, the
plaints about the process proposed be held and videotaped at the Vero current wastewater treatment plant
by a Miami-based consulting firm. The company also proposed cre- Beach Community Center on 14th and the former postal annex.
ation of a committee of community Avenue.
The City Council at its Aug. 20 ambassadors consisting of 10 to 12 DPZ CoDesign is offering to for-
meeting discussed at length a members representing residents and “A steering committee making a mulate five redevelopment con-
$144,000 proposal by DPZ CoDesign civic leaders on the mainland and lot of key decisions is not transpar- cepts for the prime riverfront site
for consulting services meant to the barrier island who would host ency,” Councilwoman Laura Moss that the public can choose from,
guide redevelopment of the 35-acre small groups in their homes to solicit said. “A lot of these meetings should ranging from a mostly undeveloped
riverfront property at 17th Street input and encourage engagement. be held publicly, right here. They site to one that incorporates the
and Indian River Boulevard known could be videotaped. We’ll invite wishes of immediate site neighbors,
as Centennial Place. “Community members who host everybody. A lot of what I’m read- the greater Vero Beach population
these small groups will become cham- ing is behind closed doors in small and elected officials, according to
The six-month plan included time pions throughout the process, helping groups. It’s people who are not city documents.
to analyze the site, hold a “kick-off” carry the plan through adoption and elected – they are self-selected and
presentation to the board in mid- implementation,” documents from that’s not good. I don’t buy that.” The City Charter prohibits a
November, formulate a public sur- DPZ stated. change in the use of the property
vey, hold a series of public meetings A series of public speakers shared unless voters approve it. The coun-
in January and present a final report But council members and mem- Moss’ reservations. cil’s hope is to present the public
summarizing the community’s wish- bers of the public questioned the idea with a range of choices and then
es in May. of a steering committee and vehe- “This is being done is small groups put the issue on the ballot during the
mently objected to private meetings because they break up the com-
munity and these small groups are 2020 elections. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 9

NEWS

Vero drinking water sponses – which appear to have been “I felt that this was important and River Shores was weighing whether to
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 buried, or at least not showcased, by needed to be discussed publicly,” Au- renew its water-sewer franchise with
city staff – this Tuesday. Utilities Com- waerter said. Vero, or switch to Indian River Coun-
Thirteen wells out of service, some for mission member Bob Auwaerter, who ty Utilities for service for the next 15
many years. That’s just a sampling of also sits on the Indian River Shores The documents from the February years.
the comments on the inspection re- Town Council, placed the matter on inspection may also come into play on
ports and non-compliance notice the the agenda. Thursday when Indian River Shores’ Of note in those reports was that the
city received in March. Utilities Direc- and Vero’s attorneys meet for closed city draws the bulk of its water from
tor Rob Bolton responded partially to Auwaerter obtained the inspection mediation in the ongoing breach of 26 shallow wells under the Vero Beach
the notice on April 12, saying staff was report not from city staff, but from a contract dispute prompted by a dis- Regional Airport near a closely-mon-
working on rehabilitating wells or re- concerned citizen. Not remembering agreement over reuse water rates be- itored decades-old dump site. The
placing non-compliant components. the inspection report coming up for ing charged by Vero. Shores officials city treats the water from the shallow
public discussion, Auwaerter asked claim Vero has violated its utility fran- wells and blends it with water from
An example of the types of bureau- town staff to research city meeting chise agreement with the town. the Floridan Aquifer. Bolton has told
cratic answers provided to FDEP by minutes over the past six months to elected officials on multiple occasions
Bolton: “The city is reviewing the cost see if the inspection had been pre- Issues with the water supply the that this blend enhances the taste and
to repair vs. replace and will add the sented to the Vero Beach City Council. city taps were reported by Vero Beach
project to the 5-year capital plan. Once 32963 throughout 2012 when Indian quality of the city’s water supply. 
the study is completed the City will for- No evidence of any presentation
ward it to the Department.“ or discussion could be found, so he
asked for it to be looked at by the Utili-
The Vero Beach Utilities Advisory ties Advisory Commission. Commis-
Commission was set to discuss the sion Chair Jane Burton is a water-sew-
inspection report and the city’s re- er utility expert who worked decades
in the field.

JONES’ QUEST FOR NEW LEGAL TEAM
MAY DELAY START OF MURDER TRIAL

BY LISA ZAHNER Assistant Public Defender Stan-
ley Glenn, Assistant Public Defend-
Staff Writer er Dorothy Naumann and Assistant
Public Defender Shane Manship
If accused killer Michael David have all been working Jones’ case,
Jones succeeds this week in his with Glenn in the lead chair.
quest for new a defense attorney
who isn’t urging him to take a plea The State Attorney’s Office con-
bargain, it’s safe to say that jury se- firmed that as of Monday afternoon,
lection for Jones’ trial on first-de- no plea deal had been offered to the
gree murder charges will not begin defense. Judge Dan Vaughn was set
on Oct. 1 as planned. to consider Jones’ request to change
attorneys this Thursday morning.
Last week, after a hearing where Jones has the right to represent him-
Jones’ three-attorney legal team was self and try to convince the judge
clearly outgunned by State Attorney how and why he has lost confidence
Bruce Colton’s prosecutors, Jones and trust in his defense team.
filed a hand-written, pro se motion
to fire his appointed attorneys from In his motion, Jones said he
Public Defender Diamond Litty’s of- wanted to testify at a pre-trial hear-
fice and get new representation. ing and he was told he was not
permitted to do so, but found out
Jones claims his lawyers have later that he could have testified.
been manipulating his family mem- Jones also claims that he was de-
bers and their contributions to his nied the opportunity to have out-
jailhouse commissary account to side research done to help prepare
pressure him to accept a plea deal. his defense. Jones, who holds a law
degree, argues that he wanted to be
“Defendant’s counsel do not wish more closely informed about and
to have a trial. Defendant and his involved in his own defense.
counsel vehemently disagree on
his trial strategy,” Jones wrote in the “Defendant’s relationship with
seven-page motion. “Defendant’s his counsel is tenuous at best,
counsel strongly wish to resolve and he no longer trusts them for a
this matter via plea bargain con- number of reasons,” Jones said in
trary to their client’s wishes. There his motion.
has never in fact been a plea offer.”
If convicted by a unanimous jury,
After qualifying as indigent, the Jones could face the death penalty
former financial advisor at PNC for the pre-meditated killing of his
Wealth Management on Ocean Drive girlfriend Duve, a nurse at Sebas-
in Vero Beach was assigned a team tian River Medical Center who had
of three attorneys to handle his de- been in a tumultuous romantic re-
fense in the strangulation slaying of
26-year-old Diana Duve in June 2014. lationship with Jones. 

10 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

New extended-stay hotel to open this fall on Route 60

BY NICOLE RODRIGUEZ Management Group, which will own fer a fitness center, pool, business cen- need for extended stay with the corpo-
Staff Writer and operate the hotel, said construc- ter and free hot breakfast. rate business Vero currently has year-
tion is expected to be completed by round, plus a place to offer for the
A 109-room, three-story Staybridge the end of October. “We selected this site as it was lo- people visiting Florida in the winter
Suites hotel – an extended-stay and cated close to the airport and historic months rather than finding a short-
corporate brand that is part of the Staybridge Suites’ rooms will range Dodgertown, between downtown and term lease in a condo or apartment.”
InterContinental Hotels Group – will in size from studios to two-bedrooms, Interstate 95 with close proximity to
open on Route 60 this fall just east of and come with 49-inch televisions, full several support services from shop- Michael Yurocko, vice president and
the Walmart. size refrigerators, microwaves, cook ping at the mall, dining and gas,” broker of Vero-based SLC Commer-
tops, dishwashers, garbage disposals, Densmore told Vero Beach 32963. cial, agrees the hotel could work in the
Neil Densmore, founder and presi- pots and pans, and full table settings, area.
dent of Wisconsin-based Great Lakes Densmore said. The hotel also will of- “There was not an extended stay
hotel in the Vero market and we felt a “Some people who want to come
to Vero might not want to stay out by
the interstate – they want to be closer
to town,” Yurocko added. “They may
like to stay on the beach, perhaps, but
they don’t want to pay the rates.”

The hotel is part of Vero Beach
Square, a 10-acre, $40 million retail
and hospitality project developed by
Konover South Development Corpo-
ration of Deerfield Beach. Konover,
which CEO David Coppa said last
year specializes in shopping centers
in Florida, closed on the parcel in No-
vember 2017, paying $2.51 million for
9.66 wooded acres between Sonny's
Barbeque and Applebee's Restaurant
on the south side of Route 60.

Much of the retail component is
already built and occupied. Already
open are Tire Kingdom, Dunkin Do-
nuts, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Super-
cuts, Express Nails and 1000 Degrees
Pizza Salad Wings. Two storefronts in
the strip mall are still up for lease. One
undeveloped outparcel will likely be-
come a fast food restaurant, while the
other is slated to become a Murphy

USA gas station. 

Endangered Species Act
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

species that have recovered under
the ESA.

Dr. Richard Baker, president of Peli-
can Island Audubon Society in Vero
Beach, said that with more species
than ever threatened by the effects of
climate change, "this is not the time to
remove protection of our species."

Baker said migratory birds are vulner-
able because they travel from one end
of the climate spectrum to the other.

"They have to have food at both ends,
and it might not be there," he said.

And birds like the threatened Flor-
ida scrub jay are in danger, he said,
because changes in the new law don't
protect their dry, sandy habitat – which
is very sought after by developers.

"Terrible, irresponsible," Baker said
of the ESA revisions. “It's for compa-
nies wanting to exploit our habitats

and our animals for money." 

Thomas, Ellie
and Isobel Reynolds.

LEISURE SQUARE IS ‘FITTING’ VENUE
FOR DELIGHTFUL CENTENNIAL DAY P. 19

12 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Pulp nonfiction: Celebrating local citrus’ juicy history

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Michaela McLean and Brian Holmes. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE
George Hamner, Heather Stapleton and Dan Richey.

Barbara and Pat Rice. Barbara Tenedine.

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF the 1960s, when Indian River Citrus Citrus Museum provides the Heri- the Vero Heritage Citrus Label Tour
Staff Writer garnered world-renowned recognition tage Center with an opportunity to squeezed out quite a bit of atten-
for its flavorful goodness. celebrate Indian River Citrus – an im- tion from the crowd. The project will
Citrus enthusiasts got juiced – that’s portant part of our local history,” she showcase “larger than life” citrus la-
orange juiced – last Thursday eve- “Indian River fruit can only be continued. bels around the county.
ning during the second annual Night grown and harvested in a thin 200-
at the Indian River Citrus Museum at mile stretch of land near the Indian The scent of orange blossoms filled The citrus tour is being funded by
the Heritage Center. From oranges to River Lagoon, from just south of Fla- the air as guests viewed George Ham- private donors and a Tourism Devel-
grapefruits and every variety in-be- gler Beach to West Palm,” explained ner of Indian River Exchange Packers opment Grant. While the project is
tween, the evening overflowed with Heather Stapleton, Vero Heritage ex- vintage Indian River Citrus labels – still in the planning stage guests were
deliciousness. ecutive director. “Only fruit from this the most extensive private collection able to view a prototype of the label
area may be legally referred to as ‘In- in the state, shopped citrus-themed sign and learn more about the proj-
The history of citrus in Indian River dian River Fruit.’ Just like champagne items from local vendors, chatted ect. Think art in public places meets
County is a juicy one which guests were can only come from the Champagne with Miss Florida, who just happens cultural heritage endeavor. Each label
able to learn more about in the Indian region of France. Our fruit is that spe- to also have worn the crown as Miss will have a QR code which links to in-
River Citrus Museum adjacent to the cial.” Citrus, snacked on citrus-infused formation about the citrus labels and
Heritage Center. Artifacts on display beers and hors d’oeuvres while jam- interviews with local citrus legends.
trace the industry from the 16th cen- Stapleton noted that of the approxi- ming to the toe-tapping sounds of the
tury, when it’s believed Ponce de Leon mately 4,000 guests that visited the bluegrass music of the JAM (Just Add On Sept. 21 and 22, the Heritage
introduced the seeds of the succulent, Indian River Citrus Museum this past Music) band. Center will host the Vero Beach Bridal
pulpy fruit to Florida, and through to fiscal year, most aren’t aware of that Show and Tour. For information, visit
important distinction. “Night at the The much-anticipated unveiling of veroheritage.org. 



14 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Toni Hamner with Barbara Russell and Betty Pippin. Owen and Emily Barrie.

The Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peshke is pleased to announce Chris Sexton, Doris Limbeek and Gail Levasseur.
that Brittany A. Beatty is associating with the Firm. Ms. Beatty Frank Hansen, Larry Birchmeyer and Kathleen Cunningham.
will focus her practice on: probate and trust administration as
well as guardianship and family law matters.

She may be reached at 772-231-1233
or [email protected]

LAW OFFICES OF

JENNIFER D. PESHKE, P.A.

www.peshkelaw.com • Tel. No. (772) 231-1233
4733 North Highway A1A, Suite 303 • Vero Beach, FL 32963

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 15

PEOPLE

Louis Schacht and Jake Fojtik. Marty Zickert and Arlyne Zorc.

Rick Berry with Tony Young and Mark Wygonik. Janie Graves Hoover, Judy Graves and Laura Moss.
Jerusha Stewart and Bob Stanley.

16 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

The Big Chill-out: Taking it easy does it at Hawaiian Luau

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF each summer that attracts a full house
Staff Writer year after year and rain or shine: the
White Party to kick off the summer,
Tropically clad guests said aloha to Liz Rincon and Sly Rincon. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE and the End of Summer Luau to close
summer during the 4th annual Ha- it out. Folks kicked back, sipping
waiian Luau at Heaton’s Reef at Vero drinks from coconuts and basking in
Beach Hotel and Spa last Friday night. the last rays of sunshine as they envi-
Guests gathered at the oceanside ho- sioned lying on the sandy beaches of
tel to say mahalo (thank you) for a safe Hawaii before returning to their hec-
and happy summer. tic lives now that the kids are back in
school.
After donning kahiko (traditional)
Hawaiian leis, guests were swept away Attendees were a harmonious blend
to an island paradise as they sipped on of locals and malihinis (newcomers)
the evening’s signature drink – Tropic staying at the hotel. Locals mingled
Like It’s Hot – as balmy breezes, the and caught up with friends, shar-
smell of the salty ocean and tropical ing favorite summer memories while
music, accompanied by the sound of hotel guests imagined what it must
waves crashing along the shore, set be like to live in a paradise like Vero
the tone for an evening of island rev- Beach as they danced under the stars.
elry.
“Vero Beach is a close-knit commu-
Guests enjoyed ono (delicious) nity,” said Liz Rincon, Kimpton Flor-
tropical delights as they lounged ida director of public relations. “We
poolside, including Huli Huli chicken wanted to give guests and Vero Beach
satay, ahi poke, ramen noodle salad, residents a way to celebrate the end
island-style fritters, coconut cake and of the summer season before life gets
the evening’s featured guest, a whole hectic again.”
Kahlua pig roasted to perfection.
For a schedule of upcoming events,
The hotel hosts two signature events visit cobaltrestaurant.com. 

School ’s In Session! Let’s Go FISHING!

772.562.7922 : 12 Royal Palm Pointe • Vero Beach : www.veromarine.com
Award Winning in Sales, Service and Waterfront Ships Store!

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 17

PEOPLE

Marco Fanelli and Bo Brown. Bill Ripley and Barbara Wilson. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Carmen Townsend and Teddy Niedzwiecki.

Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Betancourt Jr. and Tim Dacko. Kathy Ditton, Jane Peters and Dorace Peters.

Nila Moylan, Edward Freeman, Elizabeth Twohy and Dana DelPriore.

Reza Vuan, Ryan Troutman, Kyle Kozak and Deanne Campopiano.

18 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Linda Osborne, Seth Bernstein and Dianne Moore. April Song and Liz Sozio.
Gayla Eastman and Sharon Bastide.

Michelle Bouchard with Mia.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 19

PEOPLE

Leisure Square is ‘fitting’ venue for delightful Centennial Day

usual pickup games on the basketball Committee co-chair. “Leisure Square
court, a Turkey Shoot contest sent win- is an incubator of creativity and ath-
ners home with actual turkeys along letics. Look at the dads and the moms
with bragging rights for their excellent that are here with their little ones and
3-pointers. Feeding more than their teenagers. This is community.”
need for all things fitness, visitors en-
joyed hot dogs and shaved ice for their The annual Aerial Antics Holiday
efforts as well. Drama will take place Dec. 8 at the Vero
Beach High School PAC. For more in-
“Just like the Dodgers, athletics is a formation, visit covb.org. To learn more
part of who we are,” said Tony Young, about Centennial Celebration events,
COVB vice mayor and Centennial visit verobeach100.org. 

PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF
Staff Writer

There wasn’t a parking space to be Jeff and Liz Matthews. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE
had as a steady stream of Vero Beach
residents stopped by to join in on the young and old. Members very nearly
fun during Centennial Day at Leisure represent a century with children as
Square last Saturday. young as 6 months of age in the Diaper
Daredevil class to the ranking senior, a
“Today is about ‘community,’ it’s all 94-year-old water aerobics participant
about people getting the opportunity that Matthews noted has been working
to recreate and have a good time,” said out at Leisure Square since he began as
Rob Slezak, COVB Parks and Recre- a lifeguard just after graduating from
ation director. “It’s all about families college.
and enjoyment. It’s about smiles and
good times. And with what’s going Guests partook of the facility’s ame-
on with the world right now, mental nities and joined the water aerobics
health and physical health go hand in class, did a few yoga poses, were treat-
hand.” ed to an exceptional performance by
participants of the Aerial Antics Youth
The people that pass through Lei- Circus, worked out in the gym and
sure Square are a microcosm of the even played a little racquetball.
Vero Beach community. Almost ev-
eryone has spent some time there, Adding a bit of excitement to the
whether working out in the fitness
center, taking a class or bringing their
children for gymnastics and dance. It’s
a place where families can be healthy
together.

“Today is a retro community day and
summer is the perfect time to spotlight
recreation,” said Jeff Matthews, Leisure
Square manager. “This is more than a
place for fitness. It’s a place where peo-
ple come to interact. This is their com-
munity and that has benefits that you
can’t quantify.”

For members, it was business as
usual at Leisure Square. They came in,
worked out, and visited with friends

20 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

John Sammartano leads a water aerobics class. Rob Slezak and Patty Howard. Raiyana Richardson.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 21

PEOPLE

Mary Powell. Hazel Holbrook. Alex Richardson and Tammy Richardson.

Angie Holshouser and Aubrie Belanger. Laura Moss.
Hayley Lekniskas, Sophia Osgood and Chelsea Meader.
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FUNK TEXTILE MUSEUM
ENHANCES HANDS-ON EDUCATION

24 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Funk textile museum enhances hands-on education

BY LISA ZAHNER into costume, quilts and other cre-
ative textiles are starting to come into
Staff Writer their own as a respected art form.

Admire, but please don’t touch. To satisfy children’s urges for tac-
That’s the general rule for every tile play with the textile arts, “we do
museum, but docents at the Ruth usually have children’s classes for ev-
Funk Center for Textile Arts have a ery exhibit,” said Kitty Drew of Mel-
particularly tough time keeping visi- bourne Beach, a docent since 2015.
tors from putting their hands all over The Funk Center youth workshops
the enticing display pieces in their teach kids of all abilities a new tech-
gallery at Florida Institute of Tech- nique so students can make a master-
nology in Melbourne. The artwork piece to take home. But until recently,
is soft and warm, silky or sometimes adults did not have the same enrich-
fuzzy, it can be fluffy or itchy, feath- ing and even therapeutic opportu-
ery or even rubbery. It simply begs to nity.
be handled.
“It’s our instinct to touch every- This summer’s powerful art quilt
thing in our galleries,” said Donna exhibit, “Forced to Flee,” which closed
Sewell, manager of visitor services for on Saturday, seemed like the ideal op-
the Funk Center. “I think textiles are portunity to develop an adult work-
something everybody can relate to. shop program that, like the youth
We all wear clothes, we use blankets. classes, would follow the theme of the
It’s something everybody always has exhibit.
in their existence.”
Despite that extreme familiar- Quilter and fabric artist Susan
ity, and the fact that there are only a Rienzo of Vero Beach was selected to
handful of museums dedicated to tex- teach a no-sew fabric art workshop
tile arts, Sewell said, the sheer beauty last week in the Ruth Funk Mezza-
and serious craftsmanship poured nine, near where two of her quilts had
previously been part of the center’s
exhibits, curated by Studio Art Quilt

Donna Sewell and
Susan Rienzo.

PHOTOS BY PAMELA STIMPSON

Susan Rienzo teaching the
no-sew fabric art workshop.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 25

ARTS & THEATRE

Marilyn Morrison
and Linda Dobson.

Coming Events at the Ruth Funk Center for the Textile Arts:

Catherine Sullivan. Sept. 21 – A new, exciting exhibit, “Rooted, Revived, Reinvented: Basketry in America,”
opens for public viewing through Dec. 14. With 70 to 75 objects, this exhibit visually
chronicles the history of American basketry from its origins in Native American, European
and African traditions to its contemporary presence in the fine art and craft worlds. The
exhibit has two primary goals: to model how to look at, talk about and analyze baskets
aesthetically, critically and historically; and to contextualize American basketry within art
and craft history specifically and American culture generally.

Oct. 7 – Woven Holiday Ornament Workshop for adults with basket weaver Dean Brown.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ruth Funk Center Galleries & Mezzanine. Cost is $20 Friends of
Textiles Members, $25 for the public. Pre-registration required.

Oct. 8 – Friends of Textiles Lecture Series Gallery Tour by exhibit co-curator Dr. Jo Stealey, Sarina Rostek.
University of Missouri. Reception 5:15 p.m.; Lecture 6 p.m. at the Ruth Funk Center
Galleries. Cost is $10 per person fir the public, FREE for Friends of Textiles members and er Dean Brown. The take-home will
Florida Tech faculty, staff and students. be their very own woven Christmas
tree ornament.
Associates through a juried process. Oct. 8-12 – Spinning & Weaving Week in the Ruth Funk Mezzanine; local basket weavers
The center doesn’t have dedicated will be onsite during business hours demonstrating a variety of weaving techniques. Admission to the Ruth Funk Center for
classroom space, but Sewell said a the Textile Arts is free. For more informa-
little rearranging of furniture frees Nov. 2 – Kids’ Woven Ornament Playshop with basket weaver Dean Brown, 10 a.m. to tion about programs and events, visit
up space to accommodate a dozen 12:30 p.m. in the Ruth Funk Center Galleries & Mezzanine, for ages 9 to 14. Suitable for www.textiles.fit.edu, contact textiles@
students. beginners, all materials and tools supplied. Cost: $5. Pre-registration required by Oct. 18. fit.edu or 321-674-8313. 

On class day, the mezzanine filled Feb. 1, 2020 – The exhibit “UbuhleWomen: Beadwork and the Art of Independence” opens,
with swatches of brightly colored running through April 25.
fabric as far as the eye could see – a
rainbow of florals and prints, end- with a special double-stick material.
less possibilities for creating a still- Some gravitated toward favorite col-
life collage. Rienzo conceded that ors, while others took chances with
the project could easily be done with wild hues and combinations of pat-
scraps of fabric, upcycling them into terns. Rienzo’s own artwork started
art, but for her shopping the fabric the creative juices flowing. “I brought
store is a source of inspiration. some of my own pieces so they could
see what was possible,” she said. “But
She grew up amongst the sights, the I believe everyone is creative and
sounds and the excitement of New can do their own thing. I want them
York’s garment district where her fa- to have the confidence that they can
ther worked and her grandfather was create something without a pattern.”
a tailor. “I love looking at fabric and
buying fabric,” she said. “I have a Rienzo’s workshop sold out, so go-
whole room of fabric.” ing forward the adult-level workshops
will be a regular accompaniment to
The ladies creating art at Rienzo’s the exhibits. The next set of work-
workshop, about half of them quil- shops, one for kids and one for adults,
ters, adored the fabric selections she will feature the talented basket weav-
brought for them to carve out flow-
ers, leaves and other shapes and affix

26 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

COMING UP! No dearth of mirth at Heritage’s ‘Comedy of Errors’

BY SAMANTHA ROHLFING BAITA the monthly street party Downtown
Staff Writer Friday. It’s always a fun family eve-
ning with live music, tons of food
1 Hey, let’s party like it’s 1594. and other vendors to check out. And
This coming Wednesday, Sept. you can bring not only the kids but
also the family pooches. (Don’t for-
4, the Heritage Center is where to be get those handy plastic bags.) Music
this month is by Shovelhed (nope,
as the (renowned poet) Laura Rid- no ‘a’), filling the air with classic
rock all evening long. You can hang
ing Jackson Foundation presents out and enjoy the music; dance if
you feel the beat; shop; or just dig
Shakespeare’s most farcical com- the fun street party vibe. Time: 6
p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: free. 772-
edy, “The Comedy of Errors.” (Spoil- 643-6782.

er: many, many errors.) This not-to-

be-missed evening of hilarity will

be performed by CAST – Cambridge

University Stage Tour – and reimag-

ined as Antipholus’ birthday bash. 1 At Heritage Center Wednesday, Sept. 4.

So, here’s the gist, as explained on and a fair amount of cake.” See why
you shouldn’t miss this? Says the
the CAST website: After being sepa- Cambridge Facebook page, CAST is 4 A beloved classic French fairy
Cambridge U’s largest international tale; a hit Disney animated
rated as babies, two sets of identi- touring show and has been packing
houses since 2000. This fab show is
cal twins, with identical names, free. And you can donate to the LRJ pole barn) from Wabasso to its new musical film; a new classic Disney
Foundation should the spirit of the home at the Mueller Center, on the
find themselves in the same place Bard move you. The foundation has Vero campus of Indian River State
recently moved the entire Jackson College, BTW. Showtime: 7 p.m.
– at the same time. (Still with me?) homestead (two-story house and Admission: free. You are invited to
wear a party hat. So, as the CAST
So, half of both sets – Antipholus of cast says, “There is only one thing
left to do! Get this party started!”
Syracuse and his servant Dromio 772-569-6718.

arrive in Ephesus, which happens

to be, unbeknownst to them, the

home of their long-lost siblings.

However, “standing in the way of

their reunion is a chaotic series of

mistaken identities, confusion – 2 This very weekend: Did you
know “Howl at the Moon” is

in nightclubs all over the country?

The very same let-your-hair-down

experience we get to have all year

long right here in Vero at Riverside

Theatre: This Friday and Saturday,

Aug. 30 and 31, three uber-talented, 4 At Henegar Friday, Sept. 6

very funny, high-energy musicians musical: “Beauty and the Beast”
opens at the Henegar in Melbourne
(two pianists and a drummer) will this coming Friday, Sept. 6. Based on
Disney’s Oscar-winning animated
play pretty much any tune from any feature, the stage version includes
all those wonderful Alan Menken-
decade you ask for. As always, they Howard Ashman songs, plus new
songs by Menken and Tim Rice. (Re-
dare you to stump them. Tip: don’t member the romantic “Beauty and
the Beast” and the charming, hum-
bet on it. (Riverside calls them “hu- mable “Be Our Guest”?) And enjoy,
once again, the delightful, motherly
man jukeboxes.”) You are free to sit teapot, Mrs. Potts, and her teacup
son Chip; the tightly wound, rather
and listen, sing along, even dance. stuffy mantle clock, Cogsworth; the
suave and debonair candelabra,
Meanwhile, outside, it’s the local Lumiere; and all the other magi-
cal characters. The original Broad-
hot spot “Live in the Loop” – River- way production ran for over 13
years (5,461 performances); grossed
side’s great full bar and grill plus an more than $1.4 billion worldwide,
according to Wikipedia; and was
evening of free, live music. This Fri- nominated for nine Tonys, includ-
ing Best Musical. “Beauty and the
day it’ll be Big Coque, a classic rock Beast” runs through Sept. 22. Cur-
tain: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.;
cover band; and Saturday brings to Saturdays, Sept. 14 and 21, 2 p.m.;
Sundays, 2 p.m.; Tickets: $19 to $29.
the stage Cyndi Rapp and Rappture, 321-723-8698. 

playing hits from the ’60s, ’70s and

’80s. Restrooms and the air-condi-

tioned lobby are available for every-

one. Don’t BYO food, bevs or pets.

Times: Howl, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

(Your seat is saved for the whole

evening, so you can come in when-

ever you want.); Live in the Loop, 6

p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets: Howl, side

seats, $12; table seating, $16-$22;

special group rates. 772-231-6990 or

w w w.r iversidet heat re.com.

3 More opportunities to par-TAY!
Head for Vero’s Historic Down-

town District this Friday, Aug. 30, for



28 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT COVER STORY

An IBM scientist checks some
of the hardware involved in the
company’s quantum computer.

BY JEANNE WHALEN | WASHINGTON POST

SHANGHAI – More than a decade Pan Jian-Wei, a physics professor known as China’s perhaps unprecedented challenges,”
ago, Chinese physicist Pan Jian-Wei re- “father of quantum,” is helping lead the country’s the Center for a New American Security
turned home from Europe to help over- quantum-science drive from his base at the Uni- wrote in a recent report about China’s
see research into some of the most im- versity of Science and Technology of China. quantum ambitions.
portant technology of the 21st century.
Beijing is pouring billions into re- administration that some types of sci- Quantum technology seeks to har-
At a conference in Shanghai this search and development and is offer- entific collaboration with China may ness the distinct properties of atoms,
summer, Pan and his team offered a ing Chinese scientists big perks to re- be aiding the People’s Liberation Army photons and electrons to build more
rare peek at the work he described as turn home from Western labs. China’s and hurting U.S. interests. powerful tools for processing informa-
a “revolution.” drive has sparked calls for more R&D tion.
funding in the United States, and has “The United States must be prepared
They spoke of the hacking-resis- helped trigger concerns in the Trump for a future in which its traditional tech- Last year, China had nearly twice
tant communications networks they nological predominance faces new, as many patent filings as the United
are building across China, the sen- States for quantum technology overall,
sors they are designing to see through a category that includes communica-
smog and around corners, and the tions and cryptology devices, accord-
prototype computers that may some- ing to market research firm Patinfor-
day smash the computational power matics. The United States, though,
of any existing machine. leads the world in patents relating to
the most prized segment of the field –
All the gear is based on quantum quantum computers – thanks to heavy
technology – an emerging field that investment by IBM, Google, Microsoft
could transform information pro- and others.
cessing and confer big economic and
national-security advantages to coun- Helping oversee China’s program is
tries that dominate it. To the dismay Pan, whom Chinese media call the “fa-
of some scientists and officials in the ther of quantum.” From his labs at the
United States, China’s formidable in- University of Science and Technology
vestment is helping it catch up with of China (USTC), in Shanghai and He-
Western research in the field and, in a fei, the 49-year-old leads a team of 130
few areas, pull ahead. researchers. In 2017, the journal Nature

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 29

INSIGHT COVER STORY

named him one of “ten people who IBM scientists examine the inner workings of a quantum computer. The gold-colored said in an email. “Therefore, our team
mattered this year,” saying he had “lit a cables resembling a chandelier are a common feature of quantum computers took the initiative to send students to
fire under the country’s efforts in quan- that use superconducting circuits. top research groups abroad to learn
tum technology.” related technologies,” he said. “Fortu-
search. The former National Security University of Vienna in 1999 and con- nately, they later returned back to work
Pan occasionally gives lab tours Agency contractor’s revelations about ducted further research at the Univer- in China.”
to President Xi Jinping, who takes a NSA eavesdropping led China to pour sity of Heidelberg before moving home,
keen interest in his work, according money into developing more secure along with several Chinese colleagues. Most of the Chinese researchers
to Chinese media. Pan is also oversee- communications, Pan has said in pub- speaking at the Shanghai conference
ing plans for a new national lab for lished interviews. China’s work on quantum technolo- spent years studying overseas. Their
quantum research in Anhui province, gies at the time was “relatively back- PhDs or postdoctoral credentials came
which he said had drawn about $400 Pan received his doctorate from the ward” and needed outside help, Pan from universities such as Stanford, the
million in government funding. Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Cambridge and the University of To-
Quantum bits, or qubits, which are ronto.
often atoms, electrons or photons, can
exist as zeros and ones at the same While their talks didn’t focus on mil-
time, or in any position between, a itary applications, much of the tech-
flexibility that allows them to process nology they’re pursuing would have
information in new ways. Some physi- clear uses in both the commercial and
cists compare them to a spinning coin defense realms, scientists say.
that is simultaneously in a heads and
tails state. Quantum computers might some-
day be able to crack all existing forms
At the event in Shanghai, Pan detailed of encryption. Quantum sensors
how China is harnessing qubits to safe- could help the Chinese military track
guard its communications from hack- and target enemy troops with greater
ing – one of the fields in which China precision. The university where Pan
appears to have a lead over the West. works, USTC, has established several
quantum-research partnerships with
Pan and his team are aiming to state-owned defense companies in
launch a constellation of satellites and recent years, with aims that include
a nationwide fiber-optic network that enhancing the combat capability of
use qubits to securely transmit infor- naval vessels, according to Chinese
mation. An almost 1,300-mile fiber media reports cited in the Center for a
link connecting Beijing, Shanghai and New American Security paper.

China’s drive to domi- “China’s national advances in quan-
nate a field with big tum communications and computing
economic and military … will be leveraged to support military
applications outpaces purposes,” according to the paper’s
authors, Elsa Kania and John Costello,
some U.S. strides who reviewed hundreds of Chinese-
language media, government and
other cities is already up and running. technical reports.
So is a satellite China launched in 2016,
which has conducted several promi- Scientists who have discussed the
nent experiments, including facilitat- field with U.S. government officials say
ing a hacking-resistant video confer- the Trump administration has recently
ence between Beijing and Vienna. expressed concern about the number
of Chinese students pursuing studies
When the network is complete, it in the United States in sensitive areas
could complicate U.S. efforts to eaves- such as quantum science.
drop on China’s government or mili-
tary communications, some Western “We’ve always encouraged the best
scientists say. and brightest to come from overseas,
and it’s always served our nation well,”
“I predict China will go black in two said John Preskill, the Richard P. Feyn-
to three years – we won’t be able to man Professor of Theoretical Physics
read anything,” said Jonathan Dowl- at the California Institute of Technol-
ing, a physics professor at Louisiana ogy, who has advised the government
State University who spends part of on quantum-tech issues. “But there is
the year as a visiting faculty member concern in government about how we
at USTC in Shanghai. are training all these people, and a lot
of them are going back to China and
If the technology gains traction competing in technologies that have
globally, China could be in a strong implications for national security. And
position to sell it, given the large num- we’re talking about what to do about it.”
ber of patents its universities and
companies have registered for devices Pan said he believed collaboration
and technology relating to quantum would bring only rewards in quantum
communication and encryption, ac- science.
cording to Patinformatics.
“The academic exchange benefits
Pan has credited Edward Snowden both countries,” he said via email.
for motivating China’s quantum re- “I see no reason whatsoever that the
United States government should be
concerned and discourage normal
academic activities.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

30 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 INSIGHT COVER STORY Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 the National Quantum Initiative Act,
which authorized an extra $1.2 billion
Asked whether his group contrib- A ground station in Xinglong, China, that in research funding over five years.
utes to research for the Chinese mili- exchanges hacking-resistant information The Energy Department is on tap to
tary, Pan said his university and team with China’s quantum satellite, which was receive a big chunk of that money,
are “by nature, for fundamental scien- launched in 2016. which it plans to use to set up several
tific research and education.” quantum-focused research centers.

“We publish our fundamental re- For now, China is lagging behind the
search results in international jour- U.S. tech industry in perhaps the most
nals which are available to read from important race in the field: building a
all around the world. From reading quantum computer.
our papers, other people, who can be
from the United States, Europe, Ja- A fully functioning quantum com-
pan, or China, might be inspired and puter has the potential to be trans-
further develop ‘immediately useful’ formative. The exponentially greater
technology or products for industry or calculation power could help identify
commercial or military use,” he said, new chemical compounds to treat in-
adding this was “out of our control.” tractable diseases, and eliminate traf-
fic snarls by predicting and managing
Some corners of the U.S. govern- the flow of vehicles.
ment are restricting collaboration
with China. In June, the Energy De- However, the possibility that the
partment, one of the main agencies machines could eventually crack all
funding physics and quantum-sci- existing forms of encryption is a major
ence research, prohibited its employ- worry for militaries, governments and
ees and contractors from responding businesses that handle sensitive data.
to certain foreign countries’ talent-
recruitment programs, including Chi- To get a fully functioning computer
na’s Thousand Talents. – a goal still a decade or more away,
most scientists agree – researchers
“What we have said in shorthand is, must coax a large number of qubits
you cannot work for the Department into working together efficiently.
of Energy and for one of these foreign That’s difficult because qubits are
talent recruitment programs,” Chris finicky and have the propensity to
Fall, director of the agency’s Office of stop functioning at the slightest dis-
Science, said in an interview. turbance, such as a minor change in
temperature.
In part motivated by China’s prog-
ress, Congress late last year passed

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 31

INSIGHT COVER STORY

Google and IBM are at the fore- More important than the number of atoms, performed more complex cal- The leader of that work, USTC pro-
front, using superconducting circuits qubits is how effectively they work to- culations with greater accuracy than fessor Zhu Xiaobo, presented his team’s
to manipulate qubits. Google last gether, said Chris Monroe, a University any rival machine. results at the Shanghai conference.
year unveiled a quantum proces- of Maryland physicist and co-founder
sor with 72 qubits, surpassing IBM’s of the start-up IonQ. The company re- Chinese researchers so far have re- “We are now working on 24 qubits,”
previously announced 50-qubit com- cently reported that its prototype com- ported a 12-qubit processor, using su- Zhu said. “We hope next year we will
puter. puter, using 11 qubits made of ionized perconducting technology similar to go to 50, and maybe sometime we will
Google’s and IBM’s. go to quantum supremacy.” 

32 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT OPINION

Nervous retirees: Too many are too scared to spend

The U.S. economic recovery, the longest in recorded so much uncertainty about investment returns, hold wealth completed every three years, shows only
history, has increased Americans’ wealth by $52 tril- medical costs, and longevity. “The reason they don’t one age group saw its median net worth completely
lion, according to the Federal Reserve. Wall Street is spend in retirement is because they worry about recover from the great recession by 2017: families
bursting with new money. U.S. stocks trade near re- running out of money,” says David Lau, founder and headed by someone 75 or older.
cord highs. Private equity firms search high and low for CEO of DPL Financial Partners.
places to deploy more than $1 trillion of investor cash. “Affluent folks who are adequately prepared” often
Banks, enjoying a glut of deposits, pay savers interest Yet Liz Miller, president of Summit Place Financial need to be encouraged to enjoy their retirement, says
rates that are minuscule from an historic perspective. Advisors, says that even truly wealthy retirees, who Marguerita Cheng, a financial planner at Blue Ocean
have more than enough assets to cover any eventual- Global Wealth. Meanwhile, she adds, “there are peo-
All these riches should generate lots of economic ity, often ignore her advice on what’s safe to spend. ple who are woefully ill-prepared for retirement. Per-
activity. The well-off could be buying themselves lit- “They keep denying themselves today for fear of haps they didn’t save enough, but job loss, illness, di-
tle luxuries or doing something more productive, like what could happen tomorrow,” she says. vorce, and family situations compounded an already
starting new businesses or expanding old ones. Or precarious situation.”
they could donate more to charity. At the very least, Many clients think they’re doing something wrong
the extra financial cushion should make Americans if they spend money in a way that causes portfolio bal- While many current retirees can rely on defined-
feel more secure. ances to drop.“Never touch the principal” is classic ad- benefit pensions to produce income that supple-
vice that’s a relic of an era of double-digit interest rates. ments Social Security and protects against longevity
If only. Many of the recovery’s biggest beneficia- risks, most future retirees won’t be so lucky. They’ll
ries feel anxious. And financial advisers say even Despite ultralow interest rates, advisers say it can end their careers with just a 401(k) or other retire-
very rich clients often have a crippling reluctance to be difficult to persuade retirees to tap savings rather ment account, a pot of money they need to make
fully enjoy their money. than just live on their tiny bond coupons and divi- last.
dend checks. “By spending their wealth, they’re los-
If well-off retirees are more frugal than neces- ing some of their identity.” Fellowes says. “There’s an Meanwhile, trillions of dollars sit in bank accounts
sary, they end up denying themselves the fruits of aversion to seeing their balances go down, even if it’s and conservative investments that struggle to keep
a lifetime of hard work. Their heirs eventually ben- excess wealth” that they’ll never need. up with inflation.
efit, but the vitality of the American economy suf-
fers. “Wealth is getting more and more concentrated Age is a crucial factor. The older people are, stud- Individual giving as a percentage of disposable in-
among households that are averse to spending it,” ies have found, the less risk they’ll take. And today’s come has been roughly flat for more than a decade,
says Matt Fellowes, chief executive officer of United wealth holders are older than the affluent of previ- according to the Giving USA Foundation, and it ac-
Income, a retirement planning startup. “It’s trillions ous decades. The Fed’s most recent Survey of Con- tually dropped 3.4% last year in terms of inflation-
and trillions of wealth that is not benefiting anyone sumer Finances, its comprehensive study of house- adjusted dollars.
except asset managers.”
The biggest beneficiaries of the wealth generated
Americans’ combined net worth is $109 trillion, over the past 10 years may be the children of the rich.
according to the balance sheet for all individuals The more conservatively their parents spend, the more
and charities tallied by the Fed each quarter. That’s they’ll inherit. There’s one complication, though: The
up from less than $57 trillion during the worst of the gap in life expectancy between the average American
recession 10 years ago. and the wealthy and well-educated is growing.

The money disproportionately flowed to the rich. While longevity is flat and even falling for many in
Of course, some of these people have no problem the U.S., the well-off can expect to live well into their
spending their fortunes on luxury real estate, private 80s and 90s. In other words, if the next generation is
jets, or generous philanthropy. Your more typical mil- waiting for an inheritance check, it could take quite
lionaire, though, is often tightfisted. Retirement ex- a while to arrive. 
perts and financial advisers disagree on exactly why.
This column by Ben Steverman first appeared on
Some caution with money is rational when there’s Bloomberg. It does not necessarily reflect the views of
Vero Beach 32963.

ORTHOPEDICS, PART IV � Risedronate (Actonel) © 2019 VERO BEACH 32963 MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
� Zoledronic acid (Reclast)
TREATMENT FOR OSTEOPOROSIS  VITAMIN / DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
� Calcium
Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” This disease occurs when the � Vitamin D
body loses too much bone and/or makes too little bone. As bones  HEALTHY DIET
become fragile, brittle and weaken, they break easily, usually as a � Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and calcium-
result of a fall or, in serious cases, from something as simple as a fortified cottage cheese
cough, sneeze or minor bump. � Green leafy vegetables, like broccoli, kale, collard greens,
dried figs, turnip greens and mustard greens
While healthy bone under a microscope looks like a honeycomb, � Fish, especially canned salmon and sardines with the bones
tissue taken from unhealthy osteoporotic bone that has lost den- � Nuts, such as almonds and Brazil nuts
sity or mass looks structurally abnormal with larger holes and  WEIGHT-BEARING EXERCISE
spaces in the honeycomb. � Walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, gardening and
other gentle weight-bearing exercise are recommended.
Previously learned that bone density tests, blood tests, urine tests  DISCONTINUE/LIMIT SMOKING, ALCOHOL AND ANTACIDS
and a risk assessment tool called FRAX (fracture risk assessment � Quit smoking.
tool) help doctors diagnose osteoporosis. Another way to track � Limit alcoholic drinks to two or three a day.
bone loss is to have your height checked without shoes every year � Switch from bone-robbing antacids that contain aluminum,
at the same healthcare provider’s office once you turn 50. which causes an excessive loss of calcium from the body.

For many people, the cause of their bone loss is never discovered. Ask your doctor what treatment is best for you.

TREATMENT SECONDARY OSTEOPOROSIS
Several types of health providers care for patients with osteopo- For some people, tests identify a separate medical condition
rosis, including primary care providers (PCPs) such as internists causing bone loss called secondary osteoporosis. When the
and family practitioners, orthopedic surgeons, geriatricians, endo- primary condition is identified and treated, their bone health
crinologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, physical therapists and improves.
nutritionists.
Next time we’ll discuss prevention of osteoporosis, including how
While treatment can help, the condition is not curable. The goal to lower the risk for falls. Until then, visit the National Osteo-
in treating osteoporosis is to stop bone loss and rebuild bone to porosis Foundation’s website to learn more about osteoporosis
prevent breaks. and to download “bone healthy recipes.” You’ll find recipes for
spinach and ricotta cannelloni from cookbook author and host
Treatment options include medications and positive lifestyle changes. of the “Cooking with Nick Stellino” PBS television series; smoked
 MEDICATION Gouda Alaskan king crab mac n’ cheese from New York City’s Del-
Some medications slow bone loss; others rebuild bone. Hormone- monico’s Restaurant; and more from other top chefs from NYC
like medications can be used as treatment or for prevention. and Washington, D.C. Go to www.nof.org/preventing-fractures/
Common medications include: nutrition-for-bone-health/recipes/. 
� Alendronate (Fosamax)
� Ibandronate (Boniva) Your comments and suggestions for future topics are always
� Raloxifene (Evista) welcome. Email us at [email protected].

34 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BOOKS

We know better than to believe that the crumbled around him. THE LIBERATION OF PARIS
war against Nazi Germany in Europe came to In this last assignment, von Choltitz proved to be
an end 75 summers ago with the Allied land- BY JEAN EDWARD SMITH | SIMON & SCHUSTER. 242 PP. $27
ings on the Normandy beaches of France. not just a man of conviction but also a man of wile. He REVIEW BY CHARLES TRUEHEART, THE WASHINGTON POST
The war went on for nearly another gruel- had no illusions about Germany’s impending defeat
ing year, of course, there and in the Pacific. and Hitler’s derangement, and had to operate by his region. He was a true believer until that moment.
Yet Operation Overlord, on June 6, 1944, is own wits and lights. By evasion, omission and bureau- But, Smith writes, “as soon as he saw the Führer, von
rightly memorialized – for its audacity, its cratic sabotage, he defied Hitler’s heated commands Choltitz realized the war was lost.” Before him was
consequences, its enormous sacrifice on be- to topple the Eiffel Tower, torch Notre Dame and the “an old, bent-over, flabby man with thinning grey
half of a beleaguered ally and an embattled Invalides, blow up the 65 bridges of Paris, turn its mu- hair – a trembling, physically demolished human
principle – as the turning point. seums and palaces to rubble, and shatter its electrical being,” von Choltitz recalled. As Hitler ranted about
and water networks. the perfidy of the generals’ July 20 plot to kill him, “I
Some of that climactic finality clings to witnessed the terrible eruption of a hateful mind. …
D-Day’s inspiring coda, 11 weeks later: the Hitler probably never yelled “Is Paris burning?,” the He spoke in bloodthirsty language with froth literally
surrender of Nazi-occupied Paris to Allied phrase that became the title of a famous book (and coming out of his mouth. … Sweat was running down
and French forces. The liberation of Paris in movie) about the liberation, on which Smith draws. his face while he spoke excitedly about the hanging
the last days of August was a near-miracle But the Fuhrer did cable von Choltitz urgently on Aug. of the generals. I saw in front of me someone who
of orderly capitulation that left nearly all of 23: “Paris must not fall into enemy hands except as a had lost his mind. ... The fact that the life of our na-
the venerated city and nearly all of its people field of ruins.” The general silently pocketed the mes- tion was in the hands of an insane being who could
unharmed. The liberation represented not sage. no longer judge the situation or was unwilling to see
just the end of the city’s darkest hour, with it realistically depressed me immensely.”
rapturous pent-up joy in the streets, but the Von Choltitz’s courage and cool head are all the
very birth of modern France, the founding more remarkable given that he faced more than the The derangement of the supreme leader was sel-
moment of the era that Charles de Gaulle perils of insubordination. To rivet the loyalty of his dom far from his mind as von Choltitz tried to man-
would define and dominate. And it thrust military, Hitler just days before instituted a new policy age the occupation’s final days, and a peaceful sur-
Dwight D. Eisenhower, not for the last time, called Sippenhaft, a form of official hostage-taking. render, from his headquarters suite at the Hotel
into the role of diplomat and political crisis Family members were now to be held responsible – Meurice on rue de Rivoli.
manager. that is, subject to arrest and execution – for the trans-
gressions of men in uniform. Von Choltitz’s wife and “The Liberation of Paris” is a slender book: terse,
The loathing that President Franklin Roo- three young children were in Baden-Baden. authoritative, unsentimental. The author is an Amer-
sevelt, and to a slightly lesser extent British ican historian and constitutional scholar long associ-
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, held for In retrospect, the decisive moment for the fate ated with the University of Toronto, and an esteemed
the self-appointed leader of the Free French of modern Paris may have come a few weeks before biographer of Roosevelt and Eisenhower, as well as
is no secret and no surprise. Jean Edward Eisenhower’s acquiescence to de Gaulle in approv- Ulysses Grant, John Marshall and George W. Bush.
Smith’s portraits of de Gaulle and Eisenhow- ing the Allied recapture of Paris, led by the illustrious
er, the Supreme Allied commander, suggest French 2nd Armored Division. “What the hell, Brad, I In the closing paragraphs of this book, almost as
a different atmosphere on the ground, where guess we’ve got to go in,” Ike told Gen. Omar Bradley. an afterthought, Smith raises the question of what
it counted. In his new book, “The Liberation the military diversion to liberate Paris cost the Allies
of Paris,” Smith presents a more modulated relation- That moment was when von Choltitz was sum- in the drive toward Berlin – the price of victory post-
ship of mutual if often grudging esteem and uneasy moned to the Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s redoubt in East poned. He puts it at six months, but he says the im-
collaboration toward common objectives. Prussia, on Aug. 6, just before he took up his sudden perative of Germany’s “total defeat” made the price
assignment as the Reich’s commander of the Paris worth paying. “Her total defeat,” Smith writes, “has
Those two familiar characters, both future chiefs meant there has been … little nostalgia for Hitler or
of state, naturally loom large in Smith’s brisk new the Nazi regime.” This was probably a door better
recounting of those late-summer days. De Gaulle’s left unopened. 
objective was to establish personal authority as the
leader of France, transform the motley resistance
he had led from London into a government, share
as little of the power and spoils as possible with
the French Communist Party, and thwart American
forward planning for an occupying government in
France. Taking Paris, and leading the incursion, were
essential to those aims.

Eisenhower’s priority, and carefully crafted battle
plan, was to skirt the French capital and push Al-
lied forces toward the German border. British and
American leaders feared civil insurrection in Paris
and wanted to avoid the risks of pacification, pos-
sibly by force, and then feeding and running a city of
4 million, all delaying the assault on Germany itself.

Smith reveals how much discretionary power de
Gaulle and Eisenhower (and their lieutenants) exer-
cised in the field, making momentous decisions that
their political masters had little choice but to accept.
The same could said of the third and more obscure
general in this triptych, the Reich’s military com-
mander in the Paris region, Dietrich von Choltitz.

While Eisenhower and de Gaulle butted heads,
von Choltitz was only just arriving in Paris, for the
first time, to take charge of a deteriorating situation.
He was one of the few senior generals of the Reich
not implicated in the botched plot to assassinate
Adolf Hitler just two weeks before. He was a Nazi’s
Nazi, with a reputation for never questioning orders,
an essential attribute for the Fuhrer as his empire

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 35

INSIGHT BOOKS

Among the love stories in American literature, one DEAR SCOTT, DEAREST ZELDA casionally living with Scott and Scottie but mostly
that is most enduring did not unfold in a novel but in hospitalized in sanitariums in the United States. Their
real life. SCRIBNER. 432 PP. $22 letter-writing was as much a lifeline for Scott as it was
REVIEW BY PAUL ALEXANDER, THE WASHINGTON POST for Zelda. When his fourth novel, “Tender Is the Night,”
In 1918, Lt. F. Scott Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, the failed, Fitzgerald found solace in their relationship.
18-year-old daughter of a judge, at a country club in Switzerland from June 1930 until August 1931. The “[W]e haven’t been happy just once,” he wrote, “we’ve
dance in Montgomery, Ala., where he was stationed. letters they exchanged were poignant. “We ruined our- been happy a thousand times. … Forget the past …
That chance encounter led to a 22-year romance that selves,” Fitzgerald wrote. “I have never honestly thought and turn about and swim back home to me.” That she
would become the subject of biographies and movies, that we ruined each other.” Zelda countered: “Please could not was heartbreaking to them both. “[S]ince we
accounts told from an outsider’s perspective. But in don’t write to me about blame” – and soon told him he first met,” Zelda wrote, “I have loved you with whatever
“Dear Scott, Dearest Zelda,” a collection of more than should “start whatever you start for a divorce immedi- I had to love you with.” Sadly, other – uncontrollable –
300 letters they exchanged, the reader hears their own ately.” But Scott’s very next letter declared: “I love you forces intervened.
distinctive voices. Zelda writes in direct yet passion- with all my heart because you are my own girl and that
ate prose, Fitzgerald with a poetic flair reminiscent of is all I know.” Zelda acquiesced. “I am better. It’s ghastly By 1937, Fitzgerald was out of money. To finance
his fiction. The result is an engrossing account of their losing your mind.” their way of life – clothes and travel, Zelda’s hospital-
love story – full of longing and ardor, heartbreak and ization, Scottie’s private school and thenVassar College
betrayal. Upon her release, Zelda spent the next five years oc- – he returned to Hollywood. He began dating Sheilah
Graham, a gossip columnist, but his love for Zelda
On first meeting, Fitzgerald was smitten with Zelda’s remained. “Oh, Zelda,” he wrote. “Once we were one
charm and beauty, but the letters she wrote him deep- person and always it will be a little that way.” Zelda
ened his affection. Discharged from the Army in 1918, reflected: “And I love, always your fine writing talent,
Fitzgerald settled in Manhattan to realize his dream of your tolerance and generosity. … Nothing could have
becoming a writer. Zelda wrote from Alabama: “You saved our life.”
know I am all yours and love you with all my heart.”
And: “[O]ur fairy tale is almost ended, and we’re going The last time they were together, on an ill-fated,
to be married and live happily ever afterwards.” Her alcohol-fueled trip to Cuba in April 1939, ended with
letters reveal that if there was any trepidation about Scott hospitalized in Manhattan and Zelda having to
their union it did not come from her but her mother, find her way back to her sanitarium in Asheville, N.C.
who feared Fitzgerald could not support her. “Momma Returning to Hollywood, Fitzgerald barely scraped by
gave me this today,” Zelda wrote in May 1919 – yet an- as studios balked at hiring him because of his drinking.
other newspaper clipping about a failed writer.
A nadir came in 1940. “[M]y God,” Fitzgerald wrote
But Fitzgerald’s 1920 novel, “This Side of Paradise,” to Zelda, “I am a forgotten man. ‘Gatsby’ had to be tak-
was an immediate bestseller. A week later, Scott and en out of the Modern Library because it didn’t sell.” Still,
Zelda were married. Over the coming years, they ex- he forged ahead on a new novel, “The Last Tycoon.” “I
changed few letters because they were almost always am deep in the novel,” he wrote to Zelda, who, having
together. In an often turbulent lifestyle that included been discharged, lived in her family home in Montgom-
constant drinking, occasional infidelity and intermit- ery.
tent quarreling, Fitzgerald published a second bestsell- In a letter in early December, Fitzgerald mentioned
er, “The Beautiful and Damned”; they had a daughter, a heart problem. “This is not a major attack but seems
Scottie; and, living on the French Riviera, they became to have come on gradually.” Another letter: “The car-
part of the smart set surrounding Sara and Gerald Mur- diogram shows that my heart is repairing itself.” But,
phy that included Pablo Picasso, Dorothy Parker and on Dec. 21, 1940, as he visited with Graham, Fitzgerald
Ernest Hemingway. collapsed from a heart attack. He died before an ambu-
lance could arrive.
When his third novel, “The Great Gatsby,” met with Over the years, myths have emerged around their ro-
mixed reviews and poor sales, Fitzgerald descended mance – Zelda drove Scott to drink, Scott pushed Zelda
deeper into drinking and Zelda lost herself in an ob- into madness – but their letters portray something else:
session with becoming a ballerina that culminated in a singular, enigmatic connection. 
a nervous breakdown, causing her to be hospitalized

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38 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ON FAITH

Back to school? In your own way, you too can be a teacher

BY REV. DRS. CASEY AND BOB BAGGOTT
Columnists

As fall rolls in, kids everywhere are
back to their routines. They are back to
school. Do the words “back to school”
bring back any poignant memories for
you from your childhood? In our rec-
ollections of so many years ago, the
feelings associated with going back to
school were mixed, but we can read-
ily tally the good and the bad. On the
negative side of the ledger we could list
the loss of freedom as summer ended,
the resumption of homework, and the
heavy obligation to be responsible and

productive for months on end. But
there was plenty to list on the posi-
tive side of the ledger, too. When
school recommenced in the fall we
could look forward to new clothes
and new school shoes, a fresh box
of crayons, reconnecting with
friends, and best of all, that vague
but exciting premonition that new
and intriguing ideas were going to
be revealed to us.

Across the years, as our edu-
cation rolled on, the anticipa-
tion that came with going back
to school never subsided. School
granted us windows into worlds
unknown, the acquisition of excit-
ing information, and the slow but

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 39

ON FAITH

steady shifting of the line that marked probably name several truly forma- good sense. They became examples of willingness to learn the lessons of char-
the limits of our understanding. All in all, tive teachers. Did they manage to make the possibility of developing and apply- acter portrayed there.
the balance sheet associated with going geometry comprehensible or history ing these qualities to our own lives. We
back to school was heavily tilted toward memorable or French pronounceable? learned so much from these formative Where are you going to school? Are
the positive. Learning things was an es- Maybe. But chances are, they were for- teachers because they had themselves you still learning to be more temper-
sentially good experience. mative because they gave you more than been so well formed. They were people ate, more compassionate, more gen-
an appreciation for the material they of character and they taught us more erous, more faithful, more hopeful,
But what we didn’t really appreciate taught. Chances are they gave you some- than they ever knew. more loving? Then you’ve found some
until decades after our formal school- thing significant of themselves. formative teachers. And here’s a pro-
ing had ended, was that it was not just Of course the school of character ex- vocative thought: you just may be the
the raw data stuffed into our vacant but We remember the teachers whose en- tends beyond formal classrooms. We’re most important teacher in the world
receptive brains that ultimately made thusiasm and inquisitiveness sparked mindful that character formation can for someone else. Even now, someone
school so valuable. In retrospect, one of our own.We remember those whose per- continue throughout life as we watch may be learning from observing you
the most significant aspects of our edu- sistence was steadying, whose kindness and emulate great teachers in our midst. and absorbing what your life and your
cation related not to the curriculum at was healing, whose encouragement was Our parents, our friends and our col- character reveals. For somebody some-
all, but to the teachers. essential to us. One modeled patience, leagues can all teach us. We can even where, you may be far more important
another good humor and another solid read the stories in our holy texts with the than you knew! 
If you are anything like us, you can

T. Grayson Screws

T. Grayson Screws, age 87, of Palm
Bay, FL passed away on Monday,
August 19, 2019 at William Childs

Hospice House.
He was born on June 12, 1932 in

Wrightville, GA.
T. Grayson Screws was a United

States Air force Veteran.
He will be deeply missed by his
wife Sandra Screws; daughter,
Pamela Rusnak; son, Donald
Screws; five grandchildren and

eight great grandchildren.
Ammen Family Cremation and

Funeral Care, 321-724-2222.
Condolences at www.afcfcare.com

40 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PETS

Bonz honored to meet Deputy Doc, a classy K-9

Hi Dog Buddies! partner’s commands. No mat- involved, too. There were patrol cars
an ambulances. It was Crazy Kibbles.”
This week’s innerview was with a K-9 ter how big an strong an scary we
officer who has devoted his entire life I was speechless.
to Serve an ProTECT! Me an my assis- are, our partners are always the “Then,” Doc continued, “a few
tant met up with Deputy Doc Joerger at months ago we gotta call about anoth-
the Sheriff’s compound, in this very big One-an-Only Boss of Us. All seven er human driving drunk, being pur-
building called a hanger, where there sued by Brevard County officers. Me
were three helly-copters. It was also Sheriff’s Office teams are like a an Dad an lotsa other units responded.
headquarters for Special Ops and the K-9 We put those pointy Stop Sticks on
Unit, and there were classrooms, where brotherhood: Dep. Reimsnyder the highway to slowly deflate the guy’s
we waited to meet Deputy Doc. tires. But even with two tires gone, he
an Kobi; Dep. Adamson an Bud- just kept going. Then he tried to cross
I’d never met a K-9 officer in the fur, an over and go the other way. Our lanes
I was very excited an a liddle nervous. I D; Dep. Henson an Falko; Dep. were closed but there were lotsa cars still
stood up straight and put on my Serious going north. We hadda stop him so me
Face (which isn’t easy when you have Curby an Bane; Dep. Holly an an Dad rammed his vee-hickle. Then we
long curly ears). We heard toenails click- jumped out and started toward the sus-
ing down the hall, and into the room Ruckus; Sgt. Mathisen an Marco; pect. (That’s what we call ’em, The sus-
burst this BIG, hansome, black German pect.) That’s when he started shooting.”
Shepherd, 100 pounds of muscle, wear- an me an Dad. “Wha-aat?”
ing a collar and olive-green uniform hal- “We took cover and returned fire.
ter, on a lead held by his human partner. “I’m originally from the Neth- DeDpaeupntudPyHtOyhSTOih:sDKaApoInLAcaeJOrJNJtEonSoeeerrrgg,eerr. (That means shooting back.) The sus-
erlands: Born an raised for law pect got off about 10 rounds before we
“G-Good afternoon,” I gulped. “I’m enforcement. My name back grabbed him.”
Bonzo, an this is my assistant. I greatly then was Okar. When I was 1, I I took a breath. “What do you do off
appreciate your agreeing to an innerv- got my shots an my passport, an duty?”
iew.” “Dad says I’m a Big Bowling Ball. We
traveled to Southern Coast K-9 take walks; I hang out with Mom, she’s
Doc was carryin’ a long red stuffed Bethany; I play with my human sisters
something-or-other, which he later ex- here in Florida, where they supply dogs the windows automatically open.” Ellie, 1, and Zoey, 6. When Dad’s home,
plained is called a ‘Tug.’ (I think it’s us guys stick together.”
something to keep his mouth busy when for law enforcement. Me an my class- Doc looked me right in the eyes. “It’s Heading home, I thought about Doc
he’s not apprehending bad guys.) He an the other brave K-9s who devote
peetoo-ied it out. “How’s it going, Bonzo? mates started training right away. I’m hard to describe the bond between a their lives to protecting the rest of us. I
This is my partner (an my Dad), Deputy was moved. An I decided I’d swim more
Shane Joerger. We’re happy to meet with what’s called a dual-purpose dog, cuz I K-9 an his partner, Bonzo. We always laps, eat less bread and go for a daily run.
you. Most pooches aren’t aware of what Maybe every other day. Or weekly. 
we do. Please, have a seat.” do regular patrol and also bomb or drug have each other’s backs. We know each
The Bonz
We all sat. “I’m honored to have the detection.” other like nobody else does. We do regu-
opportunity to share your story,” I told Don’t Be Shy
him. “I’m intrested in how you got into “Woof!” lar stuff like patrol, tracking and search
law enforcement and how you an your We are always looking for pets
partner got together.” “My Dad was at Southern Coast K-9 warrants, but we’ve also gone through with interesting stories.

“First,” Doc said, “I must tell you that lookin’ for a partner: a dog with lots of some scary stuff together.” To set up an interview, email
dogs like myself do not socialize much [email protected].
with the general pooch population. None energy, enthusiasm an the right attitude; “What sorta stuff?”
of the usual stuff like tumblin’ around or
that wag-an-sniff thing. We have to be an I was hopin’ for the same thing in a hu- “Well, earlier this year, we were on
laser-focused and always ready for our
man partner. We found all that an more patrol in the truck. We’d stopped a driver

in each other. At first, we worked for the for DUI …”

VBPD. My name got changed to Doc be- “Um, DUI?”

cause a nice human, Dr. Ioannides, do- “Sometimes humans drink stuff that

nated the money to buy me. (We usually makes ’em act goofy, if they have too

cost about $7,000 to $10,000.) When Dad much. Then they do things they usu-

went to work at the Sheriff’s Office, I was ally wouldn’t, like talk real loud or drive

concerned that we’d be split up. Dad was real fast. It’s called Driving Under the

the most important person in my life. Influence or drunk driving. Dangerous,

But I shouldda known Dad couldn’t do dumb an against the law.”

that. He bought me from the pleece de- “Why do they do that?”

partment so we could keep bein’ a team. “I’ve never understood that. It’s a hu-

We went through 3 months of training man thing. So, we’d pulled this guy over

– sniffing, tracking, apprehending, bite- on the side of the highway. Dad was

work – 480 hours, for certification. givin’ him a ticket, an I was waiting in

“The K-9 teams’ vee-hickles have the truck. Then, BLAM! this other DUI

special a/c, fans an electronics so our guy slammed into the back of the truck.

partners can monitor the tem-puh-chur Totaled both vee-hickles. I got knocked

when we’re inside waiting for them. If it around pretty good (an was off duty for

gets to a certain level, alarms go off an a while). Then another DUI human got

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 41

INSIGHT BRIDGE

NORTH

HOW MANY CHOICES EXIST AT TRICK ONE? 8754

By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist AK652

J.K. Rowling said, “Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic AJ
consequences.”
WEST J3
In this deal, South has choices at trick one. He is in seven spades, and West leads the 62 EAST
diamond king. How many options does South have, and what would happen after each? —
K Q 10 9 4 —
South also had choices in the auction. After North opened one heart, South reasonably Q 10 8 7 5 2
chose to respond five no-trump, the Grand Slam Force, asking his partner to bid seven with J 10 9 8
two of the top three heart honors. When North did exactly that, South converted to seven
spades. North then contemplated bidding seven no-trump based on his diamond ace, but it 876532
was lucky that he did not.
K94
South had three choices at trick one (if we ignore the absurd play of ruffing the diamond
ace). He could win with the diamond ace and discard either a club or a heart, or he could SOUTH
play low from the board and ruff in his hand.
A K Q J 10 9 3
When I run this deal in a class, (almost) everyone discards the club five and can no longer
make the contract when the hearts are 4-0. Q743

Much better is to throw a heart on the diamond ace. Then, after drawing trumps and turning —
to hearts, South can ruff the fourth round, cross to dummy with a spade and pitch his club
five on the heart six. A6

My preference, though, is to ruff at trick one. Then, when the bad heart break is revealed, Dealer: North; Vulnerable: East-West
declarer will see the necessity to discard a heart, not a club, on the diamond ace.
The Bidding:
Carefully consider your choices.
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
1 Hearts Pass
5 NT Pass 7 Hearts Pass LEAD:
7 Spades Pass Pass Pass K Diamonds

42 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™
SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (AUGUST 22) ON PAGE 60
INSIGHT GAMES

ACROSS DOWN
1 Memorandum (4) 2 View (7)
4 Athletic (6) 3 Summon (5)
9 Sausages in rolls (3,4) 4 Method (6)
10 Gain access to (5) 5 Function (7)
11 Wear away (5) 6 Entirety (5)
12 Facilitates (7) 7 Garden cart (11)
13 Swimming costume (6) 8 Reliable (11)
15 Grassland (6) 14 Titular (7)
18 Course of treatment (7) 16 Sketch (7)
20 Seat (5) 17 Bulb vegetables (6)
21 Frequent (5) 19 Hinged barriers (5)
22 Largest living bird (7) 20 Dove or pigeon houses (5)
23 Sacred songs (6)
24 Exhale (4)

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Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 43

INSIGHT GAMES

ACROSS 101 Henie on ice 43 Tester Pavlov The Washington Post
102 Norma, for one 44 Uncool one
1 Ball-team transit 104 Leaves at 4? 46 Pulitzer playwright Akins FRANK’S PLACE By Merl Reagle
4 Senate VIP 105 Seiji of the concert hall 47 Start of a proximity musing
8 Word before in, 109 Start of a famous kid’s song 49 Harley owner TofhCe Aosrmte&ticSScuierngecrey
111 ___ curiae 50 Bit of nightclub eqpt.
out, or eye 51 Rich soil
12 Do a gardening chore (friend of the court) 52 Like garage rags
16 Short 113 Ogled 55 Letter not used in words like
17 Thelma in 115 Latin abbr.
118 Straighten your drawers “colourise”
Thelma & Louise 120 Coupon-redeeming estab. 58 Swapped in a deal with
18 Prelude to space 121 Funny Johnson 59 Mayberry Marine
19 Concerning, 122 It’s all in your head 63 Second afterthought
123 Silk Degrees 65 “Already?”
in contracts 67 Throat soother
20 Harriet’s TV partner guitarist-singer 68 Do-it-yourselfer’s buy
22 Pump feature 126 Bottle amt. 70 Tube pasta
24 City ENE of Casablanca 129 Latin abbr. 72 Extremists
25 Invalidate 130 Mice, to wolves 74 “Adios, Antonio”
26 Type of mil. base 131 Out on ___ 75 Bill of Rights org.
28 Tucson rarity 132 Secluded valley 77 Ballistics, for one: abbr.
29 British ref. 133 Gilmore Girls daughter 79 In ___ (stunned)
30 Big Mac lettuce 134 Part of a baseball 81 Assistance
32 “For example ...” 135 “___ Only Just Begun” 82 Soccer ___
34 109 Across rival 136 Dawn goddess 83 Singer Pinza
36 Lose on purpose 84 Loretta of country music
37 Pollution police: abbr. DOWN 86 Top 40 maven Casey
39 Troy beauty 1 ___ beater 88 Yogi, in Yucatán
41 Speedy Prost 91 Goya subject
45 Gypsy star, familiarly (last-second shot, 92 Like our numerals
48 Declare free from guilt in basketball) 93 Opaque theater backdrop
50 Coaching great, 2 William Tell’s canton 96 Level, as buildings
3 Apple co-founder 99 Pipe cutter
Amos ___ Stagg 4 Fuse (together) 100 City on the Sava River
53 However, briefly 5 “___ got the whole 103 Hypothetical land mass that
world ...”
54 Kermit’s sidekick 6 Turkish statesman Ismet split 200 million years ago
56 “L’état, c’est ___” (anagram of UNION) 106 Astaire and Hugo
57 Beekeeper protection 7 Flamboyance 107 Part of a train?
60 Iffy, as an excuse 8 Droop 108 Completely
61 It may be untimely 9 Car with a police escort 110 Dice game
62 Lobster feelers 10 Constellation critter 112 Useful
64 Lover boys 11 Elixir 114 Had the special
66 Trash 12 1978 musical, 115 Hair care’s Jose
69 Eddie Fisher hit, The ___ 116 Dorothy’s dog
13 Ferrari or Stuarti 117 Drug or energy official
“Oh! ___” 14 Della’s creator 119 Ugly character
71 Comment from this 15 Proof of ownership 121 “Don’t look ___!”
16 Prague talk 124 Sneaky
puzzle’s honoree, perhaps 17 Counter man 125 Periodic table abbr.
73 Beethoven’s Third 20 Get the worst ___ 127 Louis who said 56 Across
76 Who’s-working-when 21 A conjunction 128 Mr. Ziegfeld
23 At third, e.g.
sheets 27 Storage space SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
78 Escort back from the 31 Brought into this world • Minimal Incision Lift for the
32 Fish, Japanese-style
concession stand 33 Let Face, Body, Neck & Brow
80 New York city 35 Pig • Breast Augmentations & Reductions
82 Mad Max man 38 ___ the test • Post Cancer Reconstructions
85 Bottle part 40 Jesus’s home • Chemical Peels • Botox
87 Infuriating driver 42 Away from the wind, at sea • Obagi Medical Products • Laser Surgery
89 Former ringmaster? • Liposculpture • Tummy Tucks
90 Shelley’s vain tyrant • Skin Cancer Treatments
94 Pay extra?
95 Burial sheet
97 Mosque tower
98 Durante’s nickname

Celebrating Over 26
Years in Vero Beach

3790 7th Terrace
Suite 101

Vero Beach, Florida

The Telegraph 772.562.5859

www.rosatoplasticsurgery.com

Ralph M. Rosato
MD, FACS

44 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BACK PAGE

‘Tired’ and true response when you’re not up for socializing

BY CAROLYN HAX Hi, Carolyn: A group of us moms has been friends
Washington Post
since our sons, now 30, were young. We moms still get

together, but it’s tough because of “Cyndi.” She only

Dear Carolyn: I recently started wants to go out for lunch at terrible restaurants she

working longer hours, and it gets chooses; her picks have no healthy choices, bad service,

exhausting. I used to hang out with and are sometimes dirty.

my friends – who are very dear to We feel sorry for Cyndi because her husband died

me – every day after work, but now when our kids were in high school, and her son coped

I’m too tired to stay up late like be- with drug abuse. Despite interventions, he remains

fore. They are aware my hours changed but continue addicted, can’t keep a job and disappears for months.

to call, text and even come by my house. We suggest inexpensive, healthy alternatives, taking

I often tell them I have more work to do – I don’t – turns choosing, but Cyndi refuses.

because I don’t want to offend them by telling them I Some of us work, so a group lunch out takes effort.

would rather watch “The Office” and go to bed than She doesn’t have money issues. We went without her

hang out with them. once, and she was crushed.

Is my lying and laziness justified, or should I just get After lunch yesterday, I got sick from the greasy food

over myself and go with them? (again!).We feel like she’s taking advantage. Help!

–Lazy Liar – Nauseous

Lazy Liar: The laziness is so justified that it’s not tations (“Sorry, wiped out”). Consistency is a stealth Nauseous: That’s because she is taking advantage
even laziness. It’s called fatigue, and it deserves re- defense against hard feelings. – of your pity-based unwillingness to say no.
spect.
You can give the people who drop by the same Whoever’s turn it is picks a restaurant, and that’s
Your “very dear” friends deserve respect, too, so go I’m-wiped-out answer, or you can invite them in for where you go. No debate. Including when it’s Cyn-
out or don’t go out – whatever you need to do – but short visits. Rest is essential, but letting friendships di’s turn. If Cyndi opts out of others’ choices, then
either way, stop lying to them! Please. languish is a health risk of a different sort, so there is that’s on her.
an argument for the occasional “get over myself” ral-
“Sorry, I prefer reruns to your company” is hardly ly. Just make sure you’re good at drawing and hold- It has nothing to do with grease or guilt. There’s
the only way to deliver an honest “no.” ing lines on when it’s time to get your sleep. no drama in a cheerfully unyielding, take-or-leave-
it, rotating system of date, restaurant, time – which
Just have a general, ground-laying conversation You could also turn! off! your! phone! since ev- you introduce as a way to cut the planning work-
where you make it clear you value them, miss them, eryone should be doing that anyway. But that’s a load, and support for which you obtain from the
but on workdays have no energy left to see them. rant for another day. rest in advance. 
Then echo that language to respond to specific invi-

CARDIAC REHAB:
IMPROVING HEART HEALTH

AND LIVING LONGER

46 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Cardiac rehab: Improving heart health and living longer

BY TOM LLOYD words of advice: cardiac rehab.
Staff Writer Celano has been involved with car-

If you’ve had, or are about to have, diac rehab in Vero Beach since the early
heart surgery brought on by acute myo- 1990s, and since 2006 he has been a
cardial infarction (heart attack), a by- medical director of what he calls “a very
pass or the placement of a stent, or an robust program” that includes cardiac
arrhythmia or maybe congestive heart surgeons Dr. Cary Stowe and Dr. Mark
failure, you’re probably wondering Malias, as well as registered nurses Car-
‘What’s next?’ ol Alvarez, Matthew Weese and Cynthia
Brognano, exercise physiologist Morgan
Dr. Charles Celano with Cleveland Ball, respiratory therapist Lynn Rams-
Clinic Indian River Hospital has two dell and others.

Dr. Charles Celano.

PHOTOS BY DENISE RITCHIE

Why so many specialists? Because, as statement for cardiac rehab programs.
Cleveland Clinic’s website says, a top- “Cardiac rehabilitation,” it says, “is
notch cardiac rehab program “studies
each patient’s needs and designs an in- individually designed to help you im-
dividual program just for him or her. prove your health and help you recover
from a heart attack, other forms of heart
“The best cardiac rehabilitation pro- disease or surgery to treat heart disease.
grams are multidisciplinary with doc- The goals of cardiac rehabilitation in-
tors, nurses, exercise physiologists, psy- clude establishing an individualized
chologists and dietitians either on the plan to help you regain strength, pre-
premises or in direct contact with the venting your condition from worsening,
program staff.” reducing your risk of future heart prob-
lems and improving your health and
The Mayo Clinic wholeheartedly quality of life.”
agrees with Cleveland Clinic’s mission

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 47

HEALTH

Not surprisingly the American Heart Celano says “hospitals two or three times in the hospital by which people get auto- hab will visit them and explain the ben-
Association, the American College of the size of this one don’t have that many matic consults for rehab,” Celano says. efits of the program in person.
Cardiology and the National Heart, participants” in their rehab programs.
Lung and Blood Institute at the Nation- In other words, while patients are still The ever-candid Celano does point to
al Institutes of Health all recommend “We’ve instituted some mechanisms in their hospital beds, someone from re- one hiccup he and his team come across
cardiac rehabilitation programs for getting heart patients into rehab, and
heart patients. that is dealing with private insurers.

These programs “include exercise While Medicare patients face no pay-
training, education on heart-healthy ment problems, Celano says “with pri-
living, and counseling to reduce stress vate insurance, we sometimes run into
and help you return to an active life,” ac- trouble because they don’t understand
cording to the National Heart, Lung and [the difference between] cardiac rehab
Blood Institute. and physical therapy.

That’s especially important for those “In cardiac rehab, there’s 36 sessions.
suffering from congestive heart failure Unfortunately, private insurances don’t
(CHF) because, according to the Centers always distinguish between a physical
for Disease Control, “the prevalence and therapy visit and a cardiac rehab visit, so
incidence of CHF are increasing each they’ll ask the patient for 36 copays and
year due to the aging of the population some of those copays could be 50 to 100
and currently cost the U.S. healthcare hundred bucks. That’s a lot of money.”
system an estimated $32 billion each
year for the 6.5 million people in the That problem aside, the American
United States with the disease and the Heart Association says medically su-
more than 650,000 new cases diagnosed pervised cardiac rehab programs are of
each year.” Those are big numbers but great value to patients.
the cardiac rehab program at Cleveland
Clinic is putting up some big numbers of “Cardiac rehabilitation,” it states,
its own – especially considering the size “doesn’t change your past but it can help
of the hospital. you improve your heart’s future.”

On any given week the Vero rehab Dr. Charles Celano is a cardiologist
program can be working with between with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hos-
80 and 100 patients, a range Celano calls pital. His office is at 3607 15th Avenue,
“almost unfathomable” at a hospital the Suite A in Vero Beach. The phone number
size of Cleveland Clinic Indian River. is 772-562-8522. For more information
on the Cardiac Rehab program call 772-
567-4311 extension 2410. 

48 Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Your gym is teeming with invisible members – germs

BY SCOTT DOUGLAS
The Washington Post

After swimming one day at a neigh- most potent prevalence-danger com- Fit boxes (also 62.5 percent), weight it only when their immune system is
borhood recreation center in New bination. plates (56.3 percent) and treadmill compromised or they have surgery.
York, Allison Goldstein noticed that handles (50 percent) were the most
the walls in the shower were starting A 2019 study of 16 gyms in north- common surfaces to carry it. Of areas Although a 2006 study found virus-
to buckle inward. “It looked like a gi- east Ohio focused on one strain of tested, toilet handles had the lowest es on almost two-thirds of hand-con-
ant air bubble was pushing out of the staph bacteria, S. aureus, and its incidence, 18.8 percent. tact surfaces in a military gym, most
wall,” the Jersey City resident said. variant, methicillin-resistant S. au- were rhinovirus, the main source of
“Over time, the section where the wall reus (MRSA), which is resistant to How does bacterial presence in the common cold. A Canadian study
met the ceiling started to peel back, antibiotics and is estimated to result gyms compare with other public set- found that rhinovirus placed on sur-
and lo and behold, there was some in 11,000 deaths a year in the United tings? “I would say these rates are po- faces in a 50-percent-humidity envi-
delicious-looking brown and black States. Of 288 samples taken in the tentially higher or on par with most ronment (typical for gyms) can begin
sludge back there.” gyms, 38 percent contained S. aureus. surface contamination,” says Mark to disappear within minutes. Com-
Medicine balls (62.5 percent), Cross- Dalman of Kent State University, the bine that with the fact that rhinovi-
Granted, this is an extremely visual lead researcher on the Ohio study. rus is usually transmitted person to
example of the grossness that can grow person, and your chance of catching a
in gyms. But out of sight shouldn’t be One reason: S. aureus and other cold at the gym is low – unless you’re
out of mind when it comes to work- bacteria thrive in “warm, moist, nu- in a class full of sneezers.
ing out in public places. Studies have trient-plenty areas,” Dalman says.
found that the surfaces of treadmills, Combine that with their ability to Also, though the high prevalence
weight machines and other typical withstand what researchers call “high of bacteria in gyms certainly suggests
gym equipment are teeming with saline environments” and the rest of the possibility of widespread infec-
bacteria and other infectious germs. us call pools of sweat, and it’s not sur- tion, there are no data showing a di-
Here’s how to lower your exposure to prising that bacteria like hanging out rect cause-and-effect relationship be-
the most dangerous and prevalent in gyms at least as much as exercise tween gym attendance and illness in
germs without freaking out so much addicts do. individuals, says Nabanita Mukherjee
that you stop going to the gym. of the University of Memphis, who led
If this makes you want to swear off the Memphis gym study. That was the
If asked where you’re most likely to gyms for good, here’s a little perspec- case when she published her research,
encounter infectious agents such as tive. and it has remained the case since.
staphylococcus (aka staph, responsi-
ble for a range of potentially fatal in- “We are a symbiont of bacteria, Researchers have found a sug-
fections) or salmonella (which infects fungi and human cells all hanging gestive relationship between gyms
the intestinal tract), you would prob- out together,” Dalman says. Indeed, a and infection. For example, after an
ably think of public bathrooms, hos- third of the population carries S. au- outbreak of MRSA in rural Alaska
pitals or office kitchens. You might reus; most people become aware of
be surprised to learn just how many
germs are in gyms.

Consider research published in 2014
on fitness centers in Memphis. Staph
bacteria were found on the surface
of every piece of exercise equipment
tested, including free weights, weight
machines, ellipticals, stationary bikes
and treadmills. In all, 25 types of
bacteria were found in the four gyms
tested. In this study and others, staph
stands out as the bacteria with the

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 29, 2019 49

HEALTH

in 2000, a study found that infected your workout shoes and a typical gym restaurant. “You want to ensure that pensers in his 4,000-square-foot gym.
people were three times as likely to locker room perfect environments. the facility is minimizing the bacterial The industry standard for wipes and
have used a MRSA-colonized sauna Appropriately enough, tinea pedis, load to reduce the possibility of trans- sprays is a solution that contains qua-
than healthy people. The association or athlete’s foot, is the most common mitting a potential antibiotic-resistant ternary ammonium, an anti-bacterial
was particularly strong, researchers fungal infection picked up in gyms, bacterium,” he says. compound. If there’s not a publicly
wrote, because more than 60 percent according to Fullem. maintained cleaning schedule, ask
of the skin infections were below the Gyms aren’t subject to health de- the facility manager. And never be shy
waist, and 20 percent were on the but- “It’s a good idea to wear some sort partment inspections, so the onus is about approaching gym employees if
tocks. MRSA infections are generally of foot gear at a public pool or locker on patrons to learn about cleaning the facility doesn’t seem clean.
distributed equally between the arms room,” Fullem says. As an extra pre- schedules and practices. Pribish’s fa-
and legs and rarely occur on the but- caution, apply an over-the-counter cility is cleaned daily with a surface Of course, gym-goers need to do
tocks. antifungal spray to your shoes and feet disinfectant and decontaminant, is their part. Pribish has occasionally
after gym workouts. vacuumed and mopped daily, and gets posted signs reminding patrons to
Mukherjee and Dalman agree that a spot cleanings throughout the day. wipe down equipment. If you see
little effort can go a long way toward All of these recommendations work someone not doing unto others in this
reducing your risk of infection. For best in well-maintained gyms. Dal- There should be spray bottles and regard, talk to a gym employee rather
your and others people’s sakes, clean man says to expect the same cleaning towel dispensers throughout the gym; than take up the matter yourself. 
all equipment before and after you standards as you would of a hospital or Pribish has five bottle-and-towel dis-
use it with the gym’s provided materi-
als, either wipes or sprays. (Remember
from above that “all” includes non-
machinery equipment such as medi-
cine balls and dumbbells.) Bacteria
are easily transmitted by hand, so try
not to touch your eyes, mouth and
nose with your fingers or palms while
in a gym. Do any mid-workout wiping
with the back of your hand.

In the sauna, sit on a (clean!) towel
and wear sandals to lower your ex-
posure to others’ dripped sweat. Opt
for a dry (low-humidity) sauna if you
have a choice. The infected ones in
the Alaska study were traditional
steam baths. Saunas heated by wood
or electricity provide a less-favorable
environment for moisture-loving
bacteria.

More steps: Chris Pribish, owner of
Momentum Performance and Well-
ness in South Portland, Maine, en-
courages his patrons to use the hand
sanitizer near the entrance on their
way in and out. You could also fol-
low Pribish’s lead and avoid handheld
food during and soon after gym visits.

As Goldstein’s shower-wall story in-
dicates, the need for vigilance doesn’t
stop just because your workout is over.
“There is virtually no circulation,”
she says of her gym’s locker room, “so
it always feels damp and sticky, and
there are perpetually pools of water
everywhere on the floor, with globs of
hair and other unidentifiable detritus
floating in them. I developed a very
complex way of putting on pants so as
not to ever let them touch the ground.”

Brian Fullem, a sport podiatrist in
Clearwater, Fla., says bacterial infec-
tion via feet is unlikely unless you
have an opening in the skin, such as
a blister. In addition, a 2015 study on
bacterial variability in gyms found
that “shoe” surfaces (floors, mats) are
much less likely than “hand” surfaces
(machine rails, free weights) to host
rapidly evolving bacteria, which are
more likely to cause infections.

Fungal infections, however, are an-
other matter. “Fungus needs three
things to grow – darkness, warmth,
and moisture,” he says, making both


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