Full Service Catering for Breakfast, Brunch/ Lunch or Dinner. Large room with beautiful golf course views. WEDDINGS SHOWERS PARTIES MEETINGS EVENTS For Information & Reservations Call 772.281.2520 2601 SE Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie CATERING HALL AVAILABLE Full Service The Sandpiper Room at the Saints Golf Course 12/21/23 To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | CASUAL AND FINE DINING December 7, 2023 B15
B16 December 7, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | CASUAL AND FINE DINING www.stlucievoice.com 14” Long 1/2 lb. BLACK ANGUS CHILI DOG $12.50 includes fries or onion rings 2838 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie • 772-333-2408 Mon, Tues, Thurs-Sun 7am - 3 pm • Wednesday 7am - 7pm (Burger Night Specials) AmericanRestaurantPortSaintLucie.com BREAKFAST EGG SPECIAL $6.95 2 eggs (any style), 2 slices bacon or sausage patties or links,choice of potatoes or grits, choice of toast W/ this ad only. Not to be combined. Exp. 1/4/24
To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | COMMUNITY December 7, 2023 B17 SHOPPING LOCALLY PAYS OFF WITH THIS NEW APP Everybody loves rewards. Now they can get them by shopping locally thanks to Open Rewards, an initiative offered by the City of Port St. Lucie. “Open Rewards is a program the city is providing to support our small businesses,” explained Elijah Wooten Jr., economic development administrator. “Residents that are participating … can get 5 percent cash back (on purchases).” That is, 5 percent back on purchases at participating local businesses. The program is offered through a national vendor. “It’s brand new to Port St. Lucie,” Wooten said. “The company has offered it in other cities.” The company is Blue Dot. Among the cities with Open Rewards programs are Arlington, Va., Littleton, Colo., Las Vegas and Miramar, Fla. The company claims the program exists in more than 150 cities across 29 states. It’s an app people can load on their phones from either the App Store, for Apple, or Google Play, for Android. “The participating businesses are in the app,” said Wooten. “Once (participating customers) open the app, they’ll see the participating businesses.” Businesses register at open.bludot.io/cities/portstlucie/ list-my-business. The city can remove businesses it deems inappropriate. Wooten said once businesses have registered, their work is done. Customers with the app and Blue Dot take it from there. “It doesn’t take any effort on the company’s behalf,” remarked Wooten. There are a few ways for customers to claim rewards. Among them, they can link their credit or debit cards to the app. Other means for claiming the rewards are explained at bludot.io/ claim-rewards. Shopping with local-owned businesses has a positively lopsided effect for the area economy. It’s commonly called the multiplier effect. Basically, when customers spend dollars at local businesses, the businesses, their employees, and the owners spend them again in the same community. So those dollars end up benefiting the local community repeatedly. This has sometimes unexpected downstream benefits on things such as home values and broadening the tax base so tax rates can stay lower. How much multiplier effect there is for each dollar residents spend at locally owned businesses varies among studies, but it’s always in the positive. Wooten said the more local businesses join the Open Rewards program, the better for customers. The more businesses, the broader the shopping options. “I think the focus is really supporting our local businesses and bringing tools to help them,” he said. “Open Rewards is one of those tools.” BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent U.S. veteran Ray Glasberg turned 102 on Nov. 17 and the occasion was worthy of a joyous celebration. His son Peter Glansberg and Jennifer Smith helped him cut the cake after he blew out the candles during his party at the Palms of St. Lucie West. Glansberg served in the Army and was with Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army. He helped to liberate the concentration camp at Buchenwald in 1945. PHOTOS: LINDA KLOORFAIN Much ado about 102!
B18 December 7, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | COMMUNITY www.stlucievoice.com The Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and City of Port St. Lucie are teaming up to take youngsters on monthly adventures. “I know it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said CJ Keester, recreation manager at the city’s parks and recreation department. “Very interactive.” The first Outdoor Adventure will be “Feathered Friends,” a look at local birds. It will be on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon. The program is for children 5 and older. The cost is $10. Space is limited. Registration is available at the Robert E. Minskey Gym at Whispering Pines Park, 750 SW Darwin Blvd. Residents can also register at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center or Port St. Lucie Community Center. Online registration is at pslparks.com. That website also has a calendar of programs and events at city parks and facilities. Keester said there will be monthly Outdoor Adventures. So far, the only scheduled program is January’s. “(The Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens) have an education group,” Keester said. “A lot of them are former teachers. They’re going to help with providing the instruction.” The city parks and recreation department is looking to expand its educational offerings, Keester said. That’s how Outdoor Adventures came about. “We kind of met up (with the Friends of the PSL Botanical Gardens) and talked about what we were looking to do, and that’s how we got there,” he explained. “The Friends are doing the lesson plan; if you will, the curriculum. Parks and Recreation is helping with the marketing, taking the registrations, and doing the set-up.” Those interested in sharing program ideas with the city parks and recreation department can call 772-344-4142. “We’re always looking for new recreation instructors to add new programs,” Keester said. The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is at 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd. It is normally open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and closed on Mondays. The suggested entry donation is $5. While the park is city-owned, the Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens runs it. Information about the park and organization is at pslbg.org. Sudoku Page B12 Sudoku Page B13 Crossword Page B12 Solutions from Games Pages in November 23, 2023 Edition Crossword Page B13 (Wow, Mom!) BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent CITY’S NEW ‘OUTDOOR ADVENTURE’ PROGRAM TAKES FLIGHT JAN. 10 The 2024 John and Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series Spring Series is kicking off in early January. “This is actually Harbor Branch’s longest running outreach program,” said Gabby Barbarite, director of outreach and engagement. The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (located at 5600 U.S. 1, Fort Pierce) is part of Florida Atlantic University. The series will be every Wednesday at 4 p.m. from Jan. 10 to March 6. The lectures will be at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center. Additionally, all the lectures will be streamed live at that website, then archived for on-demand viewing. “We have years of lectures archived on our website,” Barbarite explained. The first lecture, Jan. 10, will be about a remarkable marine animal that’s been around since the Ediacaran period. An animal most of us give little if any thought to. “The scientist giving the lecture is Shirley Pomponi,” said Barbarite. “She spent her entire career (at Harbor Branch). She’s a sponge biologist.” Yes, sponges. The humble sponges are multicellular, heterotrophic creatures that are probably among the first to branch from the last common ancestor of all animals. They lack circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems, but filter feed on bacteria and other microscopic foods. Although, some have evolved ways to ambush prey on small crustaceans. “They come in all different shapes and sizes,” Barbarite said. Sponges’ ancient origins make them candidates for revealing biological secrets that have medical applications for humans. That’s part of Pomponi’s research. “She’s gone down on dives with our Johnson Sea Link submersible,” said Barbarite. The research submersible is named for the founder of Harbor Branch, Steward Johnson, and inventor Edwin Albert Link. Pomponi’s work has extended to space. Barbarite explained that she has helped train astronauts for living and working in enclosed, rigorous environments for extended times. “She’s a world-renowned ocean explorer,” said Barbarite. Other lectures this year will include a look at clams, corals, bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon, and – you know it’s coming – sharks, sharks, sharks. “I’ve seen this lecture,” Barbarite said. “It’s a good one.” On Jan. 24 Matt Ajemian will talk about sharks, rays and people. “One of the projects he’s working on is, sometimes anglers when fishing will catch a fish and a shark will come take it off their line.” Which can get dangerous for sharks and people, especially saltwater kayak fishing enthusiasts. A quick look at videos on YouTube makes that point. For commercial fishers, sharks swiping their catches are economic shrinkage eating into profitability. “He did a whole study on (that),” offered Barbarite. “They’re looking at deterrence to keep those sharks away. “He’s a really great speaker and sharks and rays are really cool.” A new program at Harbor Branch will start in February called “Exploring Florida Aquaculture.” Those workshops will be the second Saturday of each month until May. “The first one’s focused on Florida seafood as a whole,” offered Barbarite. Seafood is, of course, an important industry in Florida. The state’s commercial fishers catch almost 90 percent of the nation’s supply of grouper, pompano, mullet, stone crab, pink shrimp, spiny lobster and Spanish mackerel according to the Florida Department of Agriculture. Admission to the 2024 John and Barbara Ferrera Ocean Science Lecture Series Spring Series is free, but registration is required. It is available at fau.edu/hboi. BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent Harbor Branch lectures dive deep into marine topics PHOTO COURTESY OF HARBOR BRANCH OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE, ABOVE; FILE PHOTO, TOP
To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | CALENDAR December 7, 2023 B19 17 Ribbon-cutting for Sunlight Community Church’s new campus. 12:30 p.m. 8555 Commerce Centre Dr., Port St. Lucie. You are invited to join in celebrating the grand inauguration of our new campus, representing not just an extension of our church community, but the church’s commitment to serve the people and DECEMBER address the city’s educational needs as it experiences significant growth. Opportunities for photos will be available throughout the event, and light refreshments will be served. RSVP by Dec. 10. For more information, please contact: Nicole Vasco, Pastoral Assistant, Sunlight Community Church, [email protected]. 11 Yoga Mondays at Pierced Ciderworks. 6:15 p.m., Pierced Cider, 411 n 2nd St., Fort Pierce. Bring your own mat if you have one. Sharing mats are limited. 1st come 1st served. This will be a basic beginner yoga class, building our foundations for a fun yoga flow. 9 Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Marina Square in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce. For residents and tourists alike with live entertainment and delicious food.
B20 December 7, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | PETS www.stlucievoice.com Hi Dog Buddies! Honey Bunn and her sweet pups melt Bonz’s heart I had So Much Fun innerviewing Honey Bunn Grigley, I kept forgettin’ I was On The Job. Buh-leeve me, you wudda, too. Miss Honey Bunn is not only a pretty, vuhVAY-shus liddle Havanese, she’s also a Bran New First Time Momma! Miss Honey Bunn an her Mommy greeted me an my Assistant at the door. She esschewed the traditional Wag-an-Sniff cuzza her puppers still drinkin’ lotsa duhlishus Mommy Milk, but she was very cord-jull. “Welcome, Mr. Bonzo! Come IN! This is my Mommy Laurie. My puppers call her Gran-Nina. My Daddy’s Roland. They call him Papa Roro. You can call me Bunny! Come in an meet my babies!” We followed her to the padio an Cool Kibbles backyard, which hadda lake an lotsa grass an marshy places. Miss Bunny told me it’s called a Audubon Pruh-SERVE. I heard puppy noises, then six liddle fluffballs wobbled out from under a table. Gran-Nina scooped ’em up an plopped ’em into a nice roomy puppy playpen in the grass, where they continued puppyin’ around, tumblin’ all over the place, makin’ squeeky puppy sounds. At 7 weeks old, they still had that irresistubble New Puppy Smell. “That’s a Cool Kibbles playpen,” I observed. “Nice an roomy, fresh air, but they can’t wander off.” “True,” Miss Bunny replied. “However, we NEVER leave them alone out here cuzza hawks an owls. My puppers are still snack size. We’re always On The Lookout. Papa Roro an Uncle Ken plop right down in there with ’em an play.” Just then, a man appeared on the padio. “See! THIS is Uncle Ken,” Miss Bunny said happily. He friffled her ears an, just like she said, began playing with the puppers. While they happily bounced around with their uncle, Miss Bunny an I got settled on the padio. I opened my notebook, an she curled up on her Mommy’s lap an began her Tail. “About 5 years ago Mommy had lost her Havanese, Lexie, an she really wanted another Havanese cuz we’re such a Great Breed. So she did her Doo Dilly-gents and found ME. I was a Super Cute 8 weeks old fluffball. “When I was young, my great-gramma, MA, lived with us. She’s The Best! Although Mommy-an-Daddy NEVER allowed it, MA usta sneakily sneak tidbits to me at the dinner table. Now she doesn’t live with us but, when we visit, she still does. Here, I always sit by the table Just In Case. So far, no luck, but Hope Springs Eternal, right? “Anyway, when I was old enuff, Mommy an Daddy decided I could be a Mommy one-time-and-one-time-only – if I wanted to – which I totally did. So I met this hansome, laid-back, very puh-lite mini-poodle, Jamie. We hit it off right away. An the rest, as humans say, is HISS-try. “When I was still preg-NUT, the doctor took a speshull pickshure and said I was havin’ 3 puppers. So, when I was ackshully havin’ ’em, the first arrived in 1 hour. Two hours later I had 2 more. Mommy an Daddy thought that was IT! But 5 minutes later, guess what? Another pupper! So I was restin’ with my 4 babies when, an hour-anna-haff later, out popped 2 more! I was fine cuz us pooches know what to do. That’s IN-stink! I’m sure Mommy an Daddy were more suhprized that me. I was just POOPED!” As her Mommy picked up each pupper (3 grrrls, 3 boys), Miss Bunny introduced her wiggly offspring. “We named ’em after characters in a Very Popular Movie called ‘The Hunger Games,’” explained Miss Bunny. “So, this,” (a white fluffball) “is Katness, she’s super playful. This (brownan-white) is Hamish, he always wants to be held. An he’s the only one with blue eyes. Finnick (black-an-white) is the biggest, 3 pounds. He’s my loudmouth. Always wantin’ cuddles.” Miss Bunny’s Mommy held another black-an-white fluffmuffin aloft. “JayJay has a heart design on his head. See?” The final two puppers were plucked outta the pile. “These are my Primrose grrrls,” said Miss Bunny proudly. “Prim (black-anwhite). She’s the youngest; laid back like her Daddy. An Rose (light reddish gold). She’s a bit feisty. Always ready to pounce.” “Woof, Miss Bunny. What a splendid Honey Bunn and pups. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS
To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ADVICE December 7, 2023 B21 Sue Canavan is moving into a senior living facility. But before she does, ADT wants $2,089 from her. Q. Last summer, my ADT alarm was not working correctly. My husband was not well and died in mid-August. I scheduled a service call with ADT shortly thereafter. The technician told me the system needed an upgrade. Being newly widowed and in shock (and feeling that I needed the alarm), I signed a fiveyear agreement. I sold my house recently and have moved to senior housing, where I no longer need an alarm system. I have been hit with a $2,089 fee for canceling. I admit I signed the contract one week after my husband’s death, but I do believe that had I been thinking clearly, and not totally overwhelmed with grief, I would not have signed such a long-term agreement. I have spent a lot of time on the phone trying to get this fee waived and have hit an immovable wall of “you signed the contract; you owe us.” I found the email for ADT’s CEO and sent him an email last week pretty much outlining what I have told you. I have not heard anything. I value my good credit reputation and am on the verge of giving up and sending them the check. What do you think? A. I’m so sorry about your husband. You’re absolutely right, you should have taken some time to grieve before signing a long-term contract. And ADT is absolutely right, too – you signed the agreement, and you owe them. But there’s also a time for compassion, and I think this is one of them. Under ADT’s contract, you have a sixmonth trial period. If you decide to end your contract within that time, it will bill you 75 percent of the monthly service charges due for the balance of the contract term. There are no special circumstances in the contract under which a full refund would be warranted – but there should be. Sending a brief, polite email to one of the executive contacts for ADT that I publish on my consumer advocacy site was a great idea. The company should have responded to you and tried to work something out. Instead, it did nothing. As I look at the contract you signed, I’m struck by how one-sided it is. If customers cancel for any reason, they face penalties and charges, with no possibility of appeal. ADT lets itself off the hook for all kinds of reasons, including “if it is impractical” to continue delivering service. Imagine if you could do the same thing? These one-sided “adhesion” contracts are not fair to consumers. I contacted ADT on your behalf. A representative called you to apologize. The company withdrew its $2,089 bill. Get help with any consumer problem by contacting Christopher Elliott at http://www.elliott.org/help. ADT wants to charge me $2,089 for early termination The Bonz famly you have. You must be SO proud!!” I exclaimed. “I AM! Also a liddle tired. They love hidin’ in the bushes an playin’ in the DIRT. Of course, me an Mommy an Daddy are always watchin’.” “They get baths in the kitchen sink, THEN dried off in a speshull kennel with a heat lamp. Come’on, Mr. Bonzo. Come see their Puppy House. WE call it The Shower.” A tad confused, I followed her. “It’s our guest bathroom. Doesn’t get used that much,” she explained. It was pawsome! There was a big walk-in shower, all glass front. A thick mat covered the entire floor. At one end was a very large cozy dog bed. A handy P Pad was placed across the other end. BRILLIANT, I thought. “My puppers are learnin’ fast,” Miss Bunny said with pride. “They only P in the designated area. An they hardly ever POO in here; they’re learnin’ to POO outside. When they’re not in their playpen, they’re HERE! They’re up at 7, in bed by 9:30. I sleep on the couch. I’d love to sleep with Mommy An Daddy,” she confided, “but There Are ROOLS.” Me an my Inner Puppy couldda stayed there all day! Headin’ home, I was smilin’ rememberin’ the Adorable Haff-Dozen an sweet Miss Honey Bunn, an remindin’ myself of the joys of bein’ a Happy Bachelor. Till next time,
B22 December 7, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | SERVICE DIRECTORY/COMMUNITY www.stlucievoice.com AIRPORT & CRUISE TRANSPORTATION Retired UPS driver with over 25 years safe driving experience. CALL or TEXT John Polinice 954-709-0785 You have a Choice when it comes to Medicare! ILDIKO INSURANCE ADVISORS, LLC LIFE • HEALTH • MEDICARE 772-221-0882 www.ildikoinsurance.com OFFICES IN ST. LUCIE & PALM CITY Security for Your Future “We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.” Your Source For Precious Metals & Rare Coins Michael O’Higgins Numismatist / Art Appraiser (954) 826-0456 • (954) 491-4423 [email protected] Tradition Resident Rare Coins • Bullion • Collectibles • Gems Jewelry • Estates • Trusts • Gold Jewelry Florida Art • Florida Highwaymen Paintings DYSLEXIA * ADD * ADHD TESTING www.JimForgan.com 561-625-4125 Ages 5 - College School Neuropsychologist (772) 878-8227 LOSE 30 POUNDS in 6 WEEKS! Safely, no drugs. Regain that youthful energy! PharaTaylor.com TRAINING, SETUP & SUPPORT FOR: Smartphones, Tablets, Computers, Smart TVs, QuickBooks, Google, Windows, Microsoft & Apple Mac Books Ginger Kirila: 724-699-1836 [email protected] technigaltech.com ST. LUCIE VOICE SERVICE DIRECTORY: ADVERTISING LOCAL SERVICES Our directory gives small business people eager to provide services and products to the local community an opportunity at a very reasonable cost. Lisa Crawford can help you to reach this audience. Call Lisa at 516-721-0848 or email at [email protected]. BOARDING & DROP-INS Licensed • Insured • Pet CPR & 1st Aid • Very Experienced! 772-777-8030 AGLOW IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AT HEATHCOTE’S GARDEN OF LIGHTS BASH Heathcote Botanical Gardens took on a Florida holiday vibe Nov. 29 at their Ninth Annual Garden of Lights VIP & Sponsor Night. The evening celebrated this year’s sponsors and included local dignitaries, donors, and the creative volunteer illuminators whose handcrafted displays can be found throughout the Garden. The Garden of Lights event runs every Friday and Saturday night 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. through Dec. 30 and is the Treasure Coast’s premier holiday light event that shouldn’t be missed. Heathcote Botanical Gardens is located at 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce. – BY VICKI HOYOS/CONTRIBUTED Garden of Lights party attendees, from left, Mimi Brown, Vicki Hoyos and Mike Brown; Allie Comer and Judy Salmon. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARYANN KETCHAM
To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | BOOKS December 7, 2023 B23 To write 38 novels, have them all published, and have many of them become No. 1 bestsellers is quite a feat. The phrase “it’s not work if you love it” comes to mind. To create two respected, long-running main characters in those books who each became the subject of films and television is more icing on the illustrious career of author Michael Connelly. In his latest effort, “Resurrection Walk,” we get to enjoy the return of criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller (“reasonable doubt for a reasonable price”) and Detective Harry Bosch (“everybody counts or nobody counts”) – and it’s delicious. Connelly is a skilled writer, and his books show it. After he graduated from the University of Florida (1980) with a degree in journalism (minor: creative writing), he became a real-life journalist, first at newspapers in Florida, then at the Los Angeles Times, where he worked the crime and criminal courts beat. He got to know the criminal/courts/lawyer scene there through total immersion. After three years in that job, he wrote his first published novel, “The Black Echo,” which won a national award for best first novel. After a few more, he quit journalism and became a full-time writer. This latest is a “Lincoln Lawyer novel,” which focuses on Haller and one of his cases. Bosch is now working for Haller in a meaty secondary role as a driver (it’s now a Lincoln Navigator) and investigator. The book opens with Haller savoring a major win in a new area of practice for him: exonerating a man wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit. When that man walks out of prison, free at last, Haller calls that the “resurrection walk”; hence, the title of the book. Haller has never felt better – as a lawyer – so he sets up an in-house “Innocence Project” to deal with all the letters he is getting from other convicted prisoners requesting his assistance, and Bosch is in charge of reviewing them for possible new cases in this most difficult area of practice. Bosch, of course, finds a case which catches his attention (few detectives can match his skills and instincts), and the book is off and running. Lucinda Sanz was not convicted of a crime; she pled nolo contendere to the murder of her husband, a sheriff’s deputy, and got an 11-year prison sentence. Once Haller and Bosch meet her, get her story and investigate the facts, they are fully committed to helping her overturn her conviction. The Haller team, including Bosch, Lorna and Cisco, will use all of their considerable talent, skills, connections and creativity to get her out of prison through a habeas corpus action in federal dourt, where Haller has not ventured often, because the state courts are much easier and more lucrative for him. Throughout this case, Connelly infuses Haller with the spirit of the highest-level, most honorable lawyers: In every decision he is forced to make, he chooses what is best for his client. As an effective contrast, Lucinda’s original lawyer in the case five years ago, Frank Silver, had a dearth of ethical considerations, and sold her out with the nolo plea. Once we get the background, construct, players, facts and circumstances of Lucinda’s case (about the first third of the book), Connelly gives us a David vs. Goliath case in a federal court in Los Angeles presided over by a federal, no-nonsense judge with 30 years of experience on the bench. Petitioner: Lucinda Sanz vs. the State of California (represented by the California Attorney General’s office and its hundreds of employees, attorneys, investigators, plus allied law enforcement agencies such as the Sheriff’s Office, etc.). The government, and particularly the lead prosecutor Mr. Morris, will need all the help they can get because Haller is as crafty, creative and fearless as any defense attorney can get without crossing over the ethical and legal lines of courtroom practice. And don’t forget that Bosch and Cisco are bloodhound-level investigators with multi-level skillsets; there is no lead they cannot track down. The Haller team’s efforts reveal a gang of several sheriff’s deputies in the Antelope Valley office who have gone off the reservation into criminal activities – Los Cucos, as they call themselves (secretly, of course). Lucinda’s husband, one of them, had approached the FBI to inform on them; they killed him, and Lucinda was framed for that murder. Because they are active deputies and because it’s all so secret, it is nearly impossible to prove any of these facts, and that is one of the major challenges for Haller and company. Other challenges come in the way of courtroom sparring. Haller’s use of an expert witness who uses a new software program containing some artificial intelligence features is ruled inadmissible due to the AI feature. Haller’s attempt to use crime scene DNA is also ruled inadmissible because it is not “new evidence,” which this type of hearing requires to be successful. Connelly, Haller, Bosch and company take us right up to the point where the judge gets it. She’s seen enough – especially when Haller is held in contempt for a courtroom outburst and held in jail overnight – and announces that she will give her decision on the case. It is held-breath, clenched-fists, showtime in a story so well crafted by Connelly. Her decision? Sorry, no spoilers here, as usual. When you get to that point, like Haller and company, you will be able, finally, to settle back and breathe normally again. Connelly’s authorship in terms of language and sentences and words, etc., is geared to make his stories flow more easily, with unhindered, non-stop, effective communication. The reader might note that he jumps back and forth between a third-person perspective (looking in on all characters), and first-person perspective from Haller’s point of view (his interior thoughts, feelings and fears which motivate his actions and decisions). It all works perfectly in this unified, gripping, always interesting story in which the efforts of a few, in pursuit of truth and justice, gives us a most satisfying reading experience. Michael Connelly is in top form here. Larry David Allman is a resident of PGA Village Verano. His next book, a legal thriller, will be published in June 2024. His prior books are available on Amazon and other platforms. He is a former lawyer and currently a Broker Associate with Branca Realty Professionals. He can be reached at [email protected]. BOOK REVIEW BY LARRY DAVID ALLMAN
B24 December 7, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | GAMES www.stlucievoice.com The Telegraph How to do Sudoku: Fill in the grid so the numbers one through nine appear just once in every column, row and three-by-three square. The Telegraph SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (NOVEMBER 30) ON PAGE B11 ACROSS 1. Rule (5) 4. Sweetheart (4) 8. Rotten (3) 9. Realistic (9) 10. Rip (4) 11. Fondness (8) 12. Boy (3) 13. Stay (6) 14. Elder (6) 16. Insane (3) 17. Ragged (8) 18. Burden (4) 20. Story (9) 21. Cover (3) 22. Ray (4) 23. Elegance (5) DOWN 1. Cock (7) 2. Provocative (12) 3. Snoozes (4) 4. Prejudiced (6) 5. Devoted (8) 6. Sometimes (12) 7. Conspiracy (4) 11. Skillet (3) 12. Learned (8) 14. Unhappy (3) 15. Remainder (7) 16. Average (6) 17. Diminutive (4) 19. Minus (4) Practice areas Main Headquarters: 2940 S. 25th Street, Fort Pierce, FL 34981 The Estate, Trust & Elder Law Firm,PL_SPEC 4_PR561 COMPLIMENTARY 1 Hour Nursing Home Consult* *Provided that our firm is a good fit for your goals Do you have a loved one in a nursing home? Are you a family caregiver? Do you have a loved one paying out of pocket for in-home, assisted living, or skilled nursing home expenses? Does your spouses income go to the nursing home? “ETELF got my husband’s nursing home bill paid!” Kathy Graham, Wife of actual client Prospective clients may not obtain same or similar results Don’t wait until your family is out of money and options! Your family has questions and we have over 60 years of experience combined. Visit www.ETELF.com WesLey r. Harvin ii, j.d., LL.m. micHaeL d. FoWLer, j.d., LL.m., b.c.s Board Certified Elder Law Attorney Of-Counsel • Long-Term Care Medicaid • Estate and Trust Planning • Senior Exploitation • Probate & Trust Administration RSVP to An Upcoming Seminar (772) 828-2588 Additional Offices In Port St. Lucie And Stuart PREVIOUS EDITION’S SOLUTIONS, SEE PAGE B18
To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | GAMES December 7, 2023 B25 ACROSS 1 Zodiac zoo member 5 Work well together 9 Roadie’s load 13 It lured away Letterman 16 Cupboard feature 17 Funny Johnson 18 Like a rock 20 At lunch, e.g. 21 What a team hopes its front line is against the Buccaneers? 23 Fish prized for its scales and found mainly in the Keys? 25 Some TVs 26 Speech problem 27 Fluctuate 28 ___ room 30 Menu fish 31 Outlaw 32 Author of The Deep Pockets? 34 Gets lucky in the Irish Sweepstakes? 38 Trans-Siberian Railroad city 39 Compass pt. 40 Carol addition 41 Theater magnate Marcus 42 Funny Louis 43 Part of 55 Down 44 Early industrialist who sniffed at his competition? 49 Mr. Sedaka 52 Bridge bid 53 Amazement 54 Comic Sykes isn’t performing tonight? 58 Apocalypse Now setting, briefly 59 Lush 61 Glass-of-water request 63 Printer buys 65 1980s apple-crop spray 67 Orville Redenbacher? 71 Zeno’s home 72 Bluster 74 Greek letters 75 “Yada, yada, yada ...” 77 Moon lander 78 Ethel Merman’s motto? 80 Monsters, ___ 82 A hard ___ follow 84 Headline-reading headliner 85 Song about not wanting eggs for breakfast? 89 Approximately 92 Abbr. on ships 94 Drinks gingerly 95 Len Deighton thriller 96 See 22 Down 97 Trail mix 99 Why Mrs. Zebra’s kids won’t play with the kid next door? 104 Ready to dance? 108 Curtain support 109 Big name in news 110 Week, to Juan 111 Twist 112 Manipulative one 114 It has its functions 115 See how Paul’s diet is going? 117 Type of bird that can talk and sing, but only in one key? 119 Dancer Miller 120 Slippery as ___ 121 “Check it out!” 122 Copycats 123 D-Day craft 124 Does a no-no 125 Robert Culp series 126 Chromosome choice DOWN 1 Baio on Happy Days 2 Are left 3 Brenner Pass site 4 Writer’s deg., perhaps 5 Boat basin 6 Winged youth 7 With 86 Down, a Kwik-E-Mart rival 8 11 Down founder, to friends 9 Have ___ (quarrel) 10 Shearer of The Red Shoes 11 Bunny empire 12 Sloth, e.g. 13 Tussive topic 14 Inept one 15 Least original 16 Barn bedding 19 This half of the clues 22 With 96 Across, play roulette, for example 24 Little bloodsucker 27 Opinions 29 Tuber buds 31 Guitar cousins 32 “Not guilty,” e.g. 33 Make scholarly corrections 35 Ireland’s ___ Féin 36 Like a snail 37 Soliloquy start 42 Rights grp. since 1909 43 By itself 44 Guy with a great fish story 45 Like a bump ___ 46 Blood prefix 47 Roman orator 48 Minnesota ballplayers 50 Patronize, as a bistro 51 Equal prefix 55 Orch. funder, often 56 The Man Who ___ Earth 57 Motel come-on 60 First name in daytime talk 61 “What’s ___ like?” 62 “... good witch ___ bad witch?” 64 Pago Pago’s place 66 Joe Buck’s pal 68 Thanksgiving dessert 69 Winter ailments 70 Quick kiss 73 Give ___ whirl 76 Roughed it 79 Book-jacket hype 80 Playful ones 81 Shuttle acronym 83 Surrender 86 See 7 Down 87 Knotted 88 Urge 89 Sapporo sashes 90 Policy decision? 91 Flower parts 93 Salmon, at times 97 Crew 98 Insurance city 100 Decrepit 101 CNN founder 102 Buzzing location? 103 Temperature extremes 105 Francis was one 106 Creator 107 Some tests 112 Strange sightings 113 Pig chow 114 Misprint 116 Hex ending 117 She’s Jenny in Love Story 118 Limit, briefly The Telegraph The Washington Post ...What is it about that last R sound? Accent on New Yawk By Merl Reagle
B26 December 7, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | GAMES www.stlucievoice.com More adventures and a sizable swing By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist Today, we look at the other table on Board 46 of the Spingold Knockout Teams final in Providence, Rhode Island. As we saw yesterday, the pair playing East-West for the Street team scored 600 for five diamonds just made. They might have been apprehensive because seven notrump — the obvious contract! — was cold. However, perhaps their opponents would reach seven diamonds, which could be defeated by a spade lead. Declarer would have discarded three hearts on the high clubs, but when he took the heart finesse, South would have ruffed. Note also that seven clubs would fall to a heart lead. This deal has been rotated to make South the declarer. Michal Klukowski (West) opened one Polish Club, showing a balanced 11-4, or natural with 15 or more points, or any 18 or more points. Two diamonds indicated a game-force with five or more diamonds. After that, the auction almost looked like it would never stop! West didn’t trust his partner’s six-diamond bid. Then East was understandably worried about the trump suit in seven clubs. Surely West wouldn’t have passed over four spades with completely solid clubs. Finally, North decided not to risk a massive swing by passing. He sacrificed in seven spades doubled at favorable vulnerability. West led the diamond king, and the defenders took their six tricks: one spade, two diamonds and three clubs. Plus 1400 to East-West, and 13 international match points went to Zimmermann, back in the lead by 3. Dealer: West; Vulnerable: East-West NORTH 7 4 K J 8 7 2 5 3 2 J 6 2 WEST A 5 9 5 3 K A K Q 10 9 5 3 SOUTH K Q J 10 9 8 6 3 — 7 6 8 7 4 EAST 2 A Q 10 6 4 A Q J 10 9 8 4 — The Bidding: OPENING LEAD: K Diamonds SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1 Clubs Pass 2 Diamonds 4 Spades Pass Pass 6 Diamonds Pass 7 Clubs Pass 7 Diamonds Pass Pass 7 Spades Dbl. Pass Pass Pass
To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | SPORTS December 7, 2023 B27 THE ‘IN’ CROWD 3 more make aces KEVIN’S KURES By Kevin Perkins Golf is such a wonderful game, but it is also an amazingly difficult and unforgiving one. It has amazing highs and bitter lows. To help you navigate its many perils and challenges, you must have some fundamental keys and cues to help you along the journey. I believe a great cue to help you play better is found in a wonderful golf cliché coined by the great golf instructor Bob Toski. He said, “You must feel the force, and stop forcing the feel.” Let’s unpack that saying in more detail and give you a number of “Kures” to help you really appreciate and feel its meaning: 1. Feel the weight of the clubhead. One of the most important things to feel as a golfer is the weight of the clubhead. In order of importance, is it probably No. 4 in the sequence of things to learn. Understanding ball flight, proper set-up and a proper grip are the first ‘YOU MUST FEEL THE FORCE, AND STOP FORCING THE FEEL’ Another fortnight, another trio of holes-in-one at PGA Golf Club! Lynn Rasmussen, above left, made a holein-one on the Ryder course’s 16th hole, knocking in a 6-hybrid shot from 112 yards. Diane Pelose made her ace on the Ryder’s 10th hole, achieving perfection with a 5-wood shot from 123 yards. Finally Leigh MacKay, 74, aced the 11th hole on the Wanamaker course, dunking an 8-iron shot from 145 yards. It was his 15th (yes 15th) career hole-in-one. Wow! Congrats Lynn, Diane and Leigh! Erik J. Ugi Call Erik, your LOCAL AGENT TODAY AUTO HOME LIFE cell 561-714-5588 Complimentary Insurance Review Protect what YOU VALUE most! [email protected] three. The clubhead is the heaviest part of the club, so it should be very easy to feel. Remember, it is the clubhead that must strike the ball, so you must have, at the very least, a subconscious awareness of the clubhead, and at times under great stress and pressure even a conscious awareness of the weight of the clubhead. Believe me, if you are going to strike a nail with a hammer, you must feel the weight of the hammer to become efficient at finding the nail. It is a sensitivity and awareness of the object you are swinging, which allows you to become good at directing force to the ball successfully. I have often asked professional baseball players if they feel the weight of the barrel of the bat, and they wholeheartedly confirm that they have great feel and awareness of the weight of barrel of the bat. 2. Feel the weight of your arms, shoulders and chest. Again, body awareness is critical to feeling the force. Your arms represent approximately 15 percent of your body weight. Relax, and let your arms swing and begin to feel the outward pull of the swinging action. Also, allow your shoulders to turn and pick up the rhythm of the swinging action, along with the chest turning in concert with the swinging arms and turning shoulders. You will then be tapped into the swinging force and so many nice things will happen as a result of a natural swinging force. 3. Feel your connection to the ground. To initiate the swinging motion, you technically have to create a push/ friction through your feet into the ground and, at the same time, the movement of your ankles, knees and hips encourages this. However, you may feel that this movement is initiated through the upper body’s swinging force. The important thing here is to feel a nice transfer of rhythm, force and motion between the upper and lower bodies. Allow the upper and lower bodies to work with each other, resulting in a beautiful, smooth, swinging force that has great pace and passes force and rhythm easily from one part of the body to the next. Kevin Perkins is a PGA Master Professional and operates his Golf Academy at Sailfish Sands Golf Course in Stuart. Kevin is a longtime resident of PGA Village and has hosted and produced his own television and radio golf shows, and co-authored the instructional book “Golf Everyone,” published by Hunter Textbooks. He may be reached at 561-301- 3783 or via email at [email protected], or visit his website at www.kevinperkinsgolfacademy.com.