09/17/2020 ISSUE 38

Natural gas not coming soon
to the barrier island. P16
Vero police suspend
parking enforcement. P8

Domestic violence spiked here
after start of the pandemic. P10

Sebastian River For breaking news visit
hospital fights to
fill patient beds COVID-19 cases
on island drop
to summer low

BY MICHELLE GENZ BY LISA ZAHNER
Staff Writer Staff Writer

As Sebastian River Medical Vero’s barrier island com-
Center braced for the finan- munities have had the lowest
cial strains of a pandemic and number of new coronavirus
tried to finish a much-delayed cases for a three-week stretch
$65-million addition, the hos- since the beginning of June.
pital was also fighting for an in-
fusion of its own financial life- The 32963 ZIP code has add-
blood – patients in the door. ed only 10 new positive COV-
ID-19 cases since the last week
Figures just released by the of August, and the island’s to-
state to Vero Beach 32963 show tal at press time since the start
Sebastian River Medical Center of the pandemic is 108 cases.
continued to see a drop in pa-
tient volume through the end By comparison, the main-
of 2019. That is despite assur- land area of Vero Beach just
ances last fall from then-CEO across the causeways – ZIP
Kyle Sanders who predicted code 32960 – surpassed the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Cut in state funding Beachside salons,
reduces services to spas hoping for a
special needs adults surge in October

BY MARY SCHENKEL BY STEPHANIE LABAFF
Staff Writer Staff Writer

The Arc of Indian River Coun- 32963 REAL ESTATE HAS RECORD SUMMER When salons and spas were
ty, a nonprofit that provides job finally allowed to reopen af-
training, group homes and other BY STEVEN M. THOMAS ironically, by the pandemic 57 percent compared to the ter stay-at-home mandates
services to special needs adults, Staff Writer itself, which has motivated busy summer of 2019, accord- were lifted for the industry,
has been forced to cut services buyers to flee densely popu- ing to data provided by Mike clients flocked to their stylists,
due to pandemic conditions The summer of 2020 has lated big cities and relocate to and Kim Thorpe, broker-as- barbers, nail techs and es-
and reduced state funding. been the busiest ever for 32963 small, “safer” locales like the sociates with ONE Sotheby’s theticians to have their roots
barrier island real estate – a re- Vero Beach. International Realty. done, hair trimmed, eyebrows
A day program operated cord-breaking spree of home plucked, and nails painted.
by Arc that provided job and buying and selling fueled, Between May 1 and Labor New contracts, a leading
life skills to 110 clients before Day, island home sales were up But after the initial flurry
the pandemic has been cut CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 died down, things settled into
by half, and the group’s trans- the typical summer slowdown
portation services have been for some beachside salons

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

September 17, 2020 Volume 13, Issue 38 Newsstand Price $1.00 Super Sebastian
fireworks display
News 1-16 Editorial 28 People 17-22 TO ADVERTISE CALL ‘Labor’ of love. P20
Arts 37-40 Games 31-33 Pets 54 772-559-4187
Books 30 Health 41-45 Real Estate 57-68
Dining 50-53 Insight 23-36 Style 46-49 FOR CIRCULATION
CALL 772-226-7925

© 2020 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved.

2 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Record summer for real estate said John’s Island Real Estate Broker “We have already broken our re- “The difference this year compared
Bob Gibb. “We came out of the COVID cord for the number of new contracts to last is stunning,” said Mike Thorpe.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 shutdown expecting the worst, but it has signed in September,” Sherry told Vero “I can’t remember a summer this ac-
turned out to be the best summer ever.” Beach 32963 on Sept. 10. tive in the 39 years I have been selling
indicator of market volume, jumped real estate in Vero Beach.”
almost off the charts, with inked deals Gibb’s brokerage wrote $92 million In another example of the block-
up by more than 125 percent com- in contracts between May 1 and Labor buster market, Dale Sorensen Real Sally Daley of Daley & Company Real
pared to the same period last year. Day, an 80 percent increase over the Estate handled 125 transaction sides Estate said the hottest sectors this sum-
$51.5 million in deals the company se- amounting to $103.5 million in busi- mer included “anything priced from
The number of homes priced at $1 cured last summer. ness between Memorial Day and La- $700,000 to $1 million, anything on
million or more listed as sold in the MLS bor Day, according to Broker/Owner navigable water, and homes perceived
between Memorial Day and Labor Day The island market has been “Hot! Matilde Sorensen. That was up from as move-in ready.”
surged from 39 to 54, with the dollar vol- Hot! Hot!,” said Marsha Sherry, bro- 77 transaction sides and $48.9 million
ume of those sales more than doubling, ker at The Moorings Realty Sales Co., in sales in 2019. Daley said her company broke re-
from $62 million to $130 million. which set records every month over cords all summer “by a mile,” with
the summer, with business up 40 per- “Needless to say, we are very proud dollar volume up 48 percent between
“In what is normally our quietest cent for June, July and August. And it’s of our sales associates and support May 1 and Labor Day.
time, we have had record levels of sales,” not slowing down. staff,” said Sorensen.
Island-wide MLS data compiled by
Daley shows the dizzying pace of new
deals written throughout the summer.
Between May 1 and Labor Day, 414
home sales contracts were signed on
the island – more than double the 184
written during the summer of 2019.

Sales have also been fueled by the
lowest mortgage rates in modern Amer-
ican history.

This astonishing upsurge in real es-
tate activity amidst a worldwide eco-
nomic and social crisis culminated in
August, when the number of new con-
tracts was up 163 percent compared to
August 2019, according to Daley’s data.

“Summers are usually slow for real
estate on the island,” said Debbie Bell,
a top producer at Berkshire Hathaway.
“Normally we might see five proper-
ties go under contract in a week in the
summer, but this summer we are see-
ing as many as 30.

“When COVID came along, I
thought it would be the end of my
business, but I decided to redouble my
efforts and work really hard and I have
done very, very well!”

“Typically, August and September
are our slowest months,” said Buzz
MacWilliam, broker at Alex MacWil-
liam Inc. Real Estate. “But this August
was the single best month we have
ever had in the history of the compa-
ny, going back to 1949.”

MacWilliam was not able to break out
his island sales separately, but county-
wide his company “wrote 64 new sales
contracts for $29.9 million in sales vol-
ume. Both of those numbers literally
doubled what we did in August 2019.”

New homes and homes priced at $1
million and more kept pace with the
rest of the market.

Between Memorial Day and Labor
Day, 28 homes on the island sold for
between $1 million and $1,999,000,
along with 21 homes priced between
$2 and $4 million.

Four home sales closed for more
than $4 million, including a $25-mil-
lion oceanfront compound listed by
Premier Estate Properties broker-
associates Cindy O’Dare and Richard
Boga that was the most expensive
home ever sold on the island.

“Things are moving and shaking,”

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 3

NEWS

said ONE Sotheby’s Realtor broker-as- has ever been,” said Bell. “There wasn’t added O’Dare. “For the first time since The lack of inventory itself is another
sociate Janyne Kenworthy, who has a much on the market after the hurri- I’ve been here, we are sitting on a pool incentive brokers hope will motivate
portfolio of 20 new luxury waterfront canes in 2004, because so much was of ready, able and willing buyers.” potential sellers. With so little on the
homes listed at Orchid Cove, one of damaged, but there is even less now. It market, prices for island homes are up
the largest new home developments blows me away.” “Some people didn’t list in recent compared to a year ago – 5.2 percent
on the island. months because they didn’t want peo- for homes under a million and 4.3 per-
“We have a number of clients we can’t ple in their house during the pandem- cent for those priced between $1 mil-
“I have five homes under contract seem to place,” added Dan Downey, a ic,” said Kenworthy. “But I am hopeful lion and $2 million, according to data
and I’m working with four or five more Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway. that those who were COVID scared provided by Boga – and presentable
buyers. The buyers we are seeing are will loosen up and begin to list their
more serious. They are not browsing. “We have buyers coming by the homes as we go into fall.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
COVID has pushed people to do what droves but not much to show them,”
they have wanted to do – to get out of
the big, congested cities up north, to
retire earlier and get more living space
– and they are taking advantage of the
interest rates to make a move.”

“Everything is turning out very pos-
itive,” said Bill Handler, head of GHO
Homes, which is building the other 37
homes in the 57-home Orchid Cove
community.

GHO has sold 12 of its homes so far,
which puts it well ahead of company
projections.

“Based on what we thought when
COVID shut things down, we are doing
far better than expected,” said Handler.
“But even if you took COVID out of the
equation, I’d say our sales are still out-
pacing what we would have expected
for this summer.”

Along with local families, brokers
say buyers are coming from Vero’s tra-
ditional feeder markets – the New York
City area, including parts of Connecti-
cut and New Jersey, Dade and Broward
counties in South Florida, other big
cities like Chicago and Boston, and,
increasingly, from California.

“COVID was a tipping point for
many of the people flocking to Vero,”
said Boga. “A lot of them were al-
ready planning to move here and
had enough good reasons to do it but
hadn’t pulled the trigger. COVID was
the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“We have low density, low crime, good
value in real estate and relatively few
cases of COVID,” added O’Dare. “Our
restaurants and stores are open, and the
beaches are beautiful. People perceive
Vero as a safe, happy environment and
want to bring their families here rather
than get stuck in an apartment in a big
city if the virus flares up next winter.

“Here people can get outside and
enjoy life even if there is an outbreak.”

O’Dare and Boga, who sell homes
priced at $1 million and up, had a 20
percent increase in number of transac-
tions this summer and saw the dollar
volume of their business jump dramati-
cally, due in part to the $25-million sale.

For the most part, island agents and
brokers expect the good times to con-
tinue into fall and the coming winter
season, but there is one cloud in the
sunny sky that worries them – a lack
of inventory, with supply tightest “be-
tween the bridges.”

“I have been doing this a long time
and this is the lowest our inventory

4 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Record summer for real estate usually carries Pfarr through the sum- are coming to the spa to escape from top service currently being booked,
mer, but she saw fewer of those cus- the virus, the stress and the anxiety of with nail services a close second and
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 tomers this year. it all. We want people see that we’re facials making a slow comeback.
taking all of the precautions that we
homes that are priced right sell almost Tanja McGuire, owner of A Pam- possibly can while still offering the Chris Walker, Studio Gabriel Salon
instantly, often with multiple offers. pered Life, a cosmetics store that pro- services people need.” and Spa owner, used social media to
vides skincare and massage services, keep in touch with her clients during
“I just did a study for a builder cli- and Polished, a mani-pedi lounge, C/Spa at Costa d’Este was closed for the shutdown. The stylists provided
ent and found that there’s only a hair studio and boutique, has fared six weeks, when the hotel was closed, but “how-to” hair survival suggestions and
4.3-month supply of homes in 32963,” better. While she lost revenue during has been open since May, seeing a steady sold color kits and retail items curbside.
said Mike Thorpe. “Six months is con- the shutdown, she said June sales were increase in business over that time, ac-
sidered a balanced market, so we are substantially higher than last year. cording to Jessica Milton, regional di- Ironically, Walker says her business
definitely in a strong sellers’ market!” rector of public relations at C/Spa. was so busy last season she consid-
“A lot of our seasonal residents stayed ered expanding hours from six to sev-
Data provided by Boga shows that longer than normal, and we’re seeing Milton says many of the spa’s regu- en days a week before the pandemic.
the supply is tightest on the island people purchasing more at-home spa lar local customers have returned, Now, with business down 40 percent
in the under-a-million sector, where and self-care stuff. People are opting to along with hotel guests. Massage is the compared to this time last year, the
there is only a 2.69-month supply. buy locally instead of online.”
Best time of the year for surf anglers
“Inventory is getting very low,” said McGuire, who has been in business has arrived with the ‘mullet run’
Sherry. “If you are thinking of selling, 15 years, says “we’ve been able to sus-
this is an excellent time to list your tain through this crazy time ... [but BY SUE COCKING outfits loaded with up to 300 yards
it] is the worst thing I’ve ever been of 20-pound-test line or something
property.”  through from a business standpoint.” Staff Writer like a 10-weight fly rod with inter-
mediate line that sinks a bit.
Salons and spas On a positive note, McGuire says sea- From now through mid-October
sonal clients who went north are start- is the best time of the year if you are However, the annual mullet run
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ing to call to book appointments for Oc- a nearshore or surf angler fishing a is anything but consistent. On any
tober, November, December and some along the coast of our island. given day, anglers may come upon
and spas. The overwhelming consen- even in January, a promising sign that vast schools of bait, or nothing at
sus among spa owners is that October this season will be a healthy one for her We are currently in the exciting all. The movement patterns of the
– the start of the preholiday mini-sea- business. throes of what fishermen call the fish change hour to hour, day to
son – can’t come too soon. “mullet run”: the annual southward day.
At the James Geidner Hair Studio, migration of millions of forage fish
Salon Salon owner Heather Berlin Geidner says “it was just insanity [after – mullet, pilchards, bay anchovies “You gotta go out there and search
says she was closed for nearly three the shutdown was lifted]. We worked and glass minnows – spurred by for them,” said Sebastian angler Pe-
months. A cancer survivor, she closed for 19 days straight,” noting that many cooling water temperatures along ter Hinck. “You may not see any-
before mandated spring shutdowns of his clients stayed two or three the South Atlantic coast. thing, but an hour later, there they
occurred, erring on the side of caution. months longer than in past years. are. You have to put your time in.”
These bait fish are being chased
“It’s been difficult because I lost Besides existing customers return- by legions of hungry predators – As an example, one day last week,
my entire season. Within those two ing, Geidner says he had an onslaught sharks, king and Spanish mackerel, hordes of bay anchovies and a few
months (March and April), you make of new clients when he was able to re- tarpon, jacks, snook and ladyfish mullet swarmed the surf line along
enough to live on. I’ve been in my sa- open – a trend that continues, which he – that just about everyone likes to Riomar. In one exciting hour at mid-
lon for 30 years, so I’m well aware that attributes to new people moving toVero catch. And those larger fish gener- morning, surf casters caught and
I have to put away for the summer,” Beach. ally swim within casting range of released two nurse sharks, a whiting
says Berlin. the beach or just outside the surf and a tarpon, using live mullet and
Bonnie Stansel, Oceanside Salon break. artificial lures.
She took safety protocols seriously owner, says she feels like it’s her duty to
when she reopened, going so far as hav- provide the safest spot she can for her “There’s no way to get bored out The next morning, the water off
ing a client leave when she mentioned clients without passing on the cost. “I’m there,” said Vero Beach angler and Riomar was quiet, completely devoid
that she had just flown into town from doing the best that I can do, but some fly-fishing expert Bill Grady. of bait fish. But just to the north near
New York. “Everybody’s head in the en- clients have decided to let their hair col- Jaycee Park, some small schools of
tire salon turned,” recalls Berlin. “We or grow out and see what Mother Na- For those who have never wit- bait appeared, and anglers caught
asked her to leave and sanitized every- ture’s offered them; but everyone’s hair nessed the mullet run, it looks like snook and jacks.
thing.” still grows, so they still need haircuts.” somebody set off a depth charge
right off the beach, with thousands Vero anglers are hoping for a
Rhonda Martin, the owner of Hair The White Orchid Spa at Vero Beach of small brown and silver torpedoes bountiful nearshore mullet run
Biz and Company, has been in busi- Hotel and Spa had a rolling start, ex- exploding into the air and larger this season, which they didn’t have
ness on the beach for 35 years. “We plains Brittany Nuzzi, spa director, torpedoes flying and splashing hot last fall or in 2018. Last September,
lost a lot of revenue,” she says. “I don’t because of the variety of services they on their tails. Hurricane Dorian’s strong winds
know how a lot of the small businesses offer – massages, facials, medical spa and rough waves scattered the
are going to come out of it.” services, and brow and lash. Each is Surf fishers launch lures of live mullet and other bait fish offshore.
overseen by a different state agency. bait that they’ve caught in cast And the previous year, red tide
Martin says things are notably slow- nets at the foamy chaos while boat ruined the bait migration off our
er since her seasonal clients headed On June 1, the spa began offering its anglers maneuver their craft just coast when it should have been at
north, but she expects things to start full slate of services, but several thera- ahead of the traveling schools and its peak.
picking up in October when they be- pists were unable to return to work throw their baits and lures back
gin to return. due to fear, family health concerns into the middle of the mayhem. So, when is the best time to get in
and loss of childcare. on this year’s mullet run? High tide,
Over at the Beach Barber Shop, where Success in hooking large quarry low tide, dawn, dusk, midday?
island residents have been having their Upon reopening, says Nuzzi, “we like a tarpon or shark in the middle
hair cut since 1984, owner Janine Pfarr started with a boom. I think people of the mullet run requires medium- Said Grady: “Regardless, the bait
says the summer has been a series of were looking to get back to normalcy. heavy fishing tackle – large spinning
stops and starts. After the initial flurry We definitely had hotel guests because, is going to be somewhere.” 
of business when she reopened, things if they were willing to travel and put
came to a screeching halt when Florida themselves in a hotel, there’s no differ-
had a spike in coronavirus cases. ence at that point coming into the spa.”

Walk-in business from the hotels, Nuzzi says White Orchid has in-
people shopping on Ocean Drive and corporated sanitization protocols,
folks visiting year-round residents including masks and touchless tem-
perature scans, among others. “People

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 5

NEWS

Ocean Drive location is open only four in November for the election,” which she She keeps her doors locked at all number of clients as last year; we’re
days a week and the north location only hopes will boost business. times to manage client interaction, al- just spreading them out throughout
two days a week. lowing only clients with appointments the whole day,” explains Keller.
Sur La Mer Salon manager Cathie to enter. By extending the salon’s hours,
On the plus side, Walker says she is Keller says she returned from the she is able to accommodate clients Over the last few weeks, she adds, she
hearing from seasonal clients that they’re shutdown to a slew of messages from while taking extra precautions. has been taking calls from clients set-
heading back to Vero early this year. “We clients checking in to see how things ting up their standing appointments for
have a lot of people who are coming back were going. “We’re probably doing the same
the season. That’s good news. 

6 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Sebastian River hospital ing 200 fewer inpatient discharges than The latest 2019 figures show Cleve- patients, a move that may have influ-
the prior year, with a total of 4,497 in land Clinic Indian River with a 5.7 per- enced non-COVID patients deciding
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 2019. cent rise in inpatient discharges over where to go for treatment while mini-
the previous year, as compared to Se- mizing exposure to the virus.
an “astonishing turnaround” was un- Emergency room visits last year fell to bastian’s 4.2 percent drop. Since 2016,
derway with an anticipated 9 percent 14,244 from 15,720 in 2018. Ambulatory Indian River has experienced a 15 per- And while volumes were dropping
increase in patients by year’s end. services dropped to 4,623 from 6,144. cent increase in inpatients. at Sebastian River, Steward apparently
had little choice but to forge ahead with
Instead the 2019 figures show a 4 per- Steward Health is the nation’s largest Cleveland Clinic Indian River showed expansion plans. The 24 rooms that fi-
cent decline in inpatients; a 9 percent for-profit privately held hospital sys- a gain of 230 ER visits in 2019 over 2018 nally opened this summer – four years
drop in emergency department visits; tem, with 35 hospitals, including three – 51,182 compared to 50,921. after the project started – brought the
and a 24 percent drop in ambulatory in Florida. The company reported a to- hospital’s acute care bed capacity to
outpatient services. tal of $600 million in operating losses in Indian River’s ambulatory visits in- 145, according to AHCA.
2017 and 2018, according to a public fil- creased by 6 percent over the previous
While figures for 2020 will not be ing cited by a state health information year, to 17,179. That’s up 26 percent In rosier times, rather than furlough-
available for several months, this past agency in Massachusetts, where the since 2016. ing workers, Sebastian River would
Sunday, Sebastian River showed only health system began. have been hiring staff for the new wing.
69 of its patient beds filled; only 10 Palm Bay Hospital, a nonprofit like Instead, by mid-July, as completion of
more were staffed and available be- Those losses occurred as Steward Cleveland Clinic but owned by the the wing was announced, the hospital
yond that. That accounts for just over undertook a major expansion, includ- Health First system, showed a slight was only staffing 87 of its beds, accord-
half the hospital’s licensed beds. ing a takeover in May 2017 of eight hos- drop in inpatient discharges in 2019. But ing to state reports.
pitals owned by Community Health it was still a 12 percent increase over 2016
The downward trend, which began Systems, Sebastian River among them. – the precise percentage that Sebastian Since Steward took over, Sebas-
in 2017, the year Steward Health Care dropped over the same four years. tian River has been late filing its prior
acquired the hospital, has brought When compared to 2016, the last year report. Twice, it has been fined by
patient utilization to its lowest point full year under the Sebastian hospital’s The numbers all mean that when AHCA: a $4,000 fine last September,
since 2012. prior owner, ambulatory services at Se- COVID-19 began scaring more patients and a $2,040 fine from the year before.
bastian River have declined 33 percent. away from local hospitals than it drove It was also fined $1,100 for the late filing
Sebastian River was apparently nev- Emergency room visits have fallen 25 in, Sebastian River was already strug-
er able to recover from a dismal first percent over the same four-year pe- gling, with only weeks to turn around of its ambulatory outpatient total. 
quarter in 2019 that saw volumes fall riod. Inpatient discharges, a key state a four-year downward trend before the
sharply year over year – with 18 percent measure of inpatient volume, fell by 12 pandemic threw it into “seismic finan- Special needs adults
fewer inpatients, 35 percent fewer out- percent. cial shock,” as a corporate statement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
patient procedures, and nearly 25 per- described it.
cent fewer ED visits. That first quarter, At the same time, competitors Cleve- eliminated. In addition, up until last
January through March, is typically the land Clinic Indian River Hospital to the First-quarter figures won’t be avail- week, five group homes here were on
county’s busiest for healthcare. south and Palm Bay Hospital to the able for another year, but by the end lockdown for months, with residents
north showed upward trends in utiliza- of March, Steward Health Care was isolated from friends, family and resi-
Sebastian River ended the year show- tion. furloughing workers, including at Se- dents in other group homes. Now, lim-
bastian. It was among the first systems ited visitation is allowed but with no
in the nation to do so. physical contact.

At around the same time, Steward Even before the coronavirus out-
announced it would let patients decide break, Florida ranked dead last nation-
with their physicians whether to post- wide in terms of reimbursements to
pone non-emergency elective proce- the organizations that support special
dures, effectively finding wiggle room needs adults, and the situation has only
in the CDC’s guidelines and Gov. Ron gotten worse during the pandemic.
DeSantis’ March 20 executive order urg-
ing hospitals to postpone unnecessary “It’s hard enough to provide ser-
elective procedures. vices normally, before something like
covid comes along,” said Heather
Those services are a major source of Dales, CEO of the Arc IRC, which sup-
hospital revenue, but they can sap PPE ports more than 220 clients in total.
supplies and occupy beds that might “We have to go to the community to
be needed in a COVID-19 surge. meet normal operating expenses or to
do capital improvements [because of
“Our interpretation of this order is sparse state funding].”
that the ultimate authority still rests
with the medical decision making of State funding comes from the Cen-
individual physicians,” said Darren ters for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Grubb, Steward’s vice president of and passes through the Florida Agency
communications, in an email. for Persons with Disability, but Florida
eliminated all funding for day pro-
DeSantis’ order was lifted May 4, after grams like the Arc runs effective Aug.
the first wave of cases had peaked, and 1, unless the programs fully reopened.
so far, it has not been reimposed even
through the summer second surge. That was impossible for the Arc,
with its group homes, where half the
Whether increased numbers of pa- day students live in a state-mandated
tients actually sought elective pro- lockdown similar to the nursing home
cedures at Sebastian River won’t be lockdown.
known until the next batch of ambu-
latory procedures figures are released “The state was paying us to keep the
next year. program running after COVID, even in
a limited way, as long as we kept the
But there was another decision on direct care staff,” said Dales, who so
Steward’s part that may have sup- far has been able to keep the agency’s
ported Sebastian River’s volume in the 15 day-program staff employed.
pandemic. It placed COVID-positive
patients at its Rockledge hospital.
That left hospitals in Melbourne and
Sebastian essentially free of COVID in-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 7

NEWS

“That was to ensure there would be tation,” according to a pre-pandemic its behavior, supported employment er County nursing homes and assist-
programs when covid passed. But now paragraph on the group’s website – but and residential services continue to ed-living facilities are even starting to
the state is pulling all that funding and those buses aren’t running now. operate, long-term prospects for its ebb, as limited visitation started up in
there is nothing in the wings that will day programs remain unclear. facilities that had no new cases for the
keep the programs operational.” Unlike assisted living and nursing preceding 14 days.
homes, the Arc received no funding “We’re trying to be very creative on
The cash Arc had on hand will not to for testing or PPE during the first five how to keep day programs open, but The number of positive coronavirus
be sufficient to sustain staff and facili- months of the pandemic, even though it’s going to be challenging,” said Dales. cases in Indian River County’s pub-
ties long term. its group homes are subject to the “We’ve been trying to find some posi- lic schools increased from five to 11
same quarantine requirements. tive ways to work with the state so that as kids completed their third week of
“COVID is not going away soon, and we don’t have to lay staff off and com- fall classes in-person, forcing dozens
there are not a lot of options at this point “We’re required to adhere to a lot of pletely alter programs. more students to be quarantined.
as to how to keep programs up and run- the same assisted living facility guide-
ning until COVID passes,” said Dales. lines, but we don’t receive a lot of the “This is statewide; it’s a huge issue. Bars were permitted to resume on-
same funding,” said Dales. “We still I’m on a state call every week. We’re premises service at 50 percent capac-
“We’ve already been asked to provide have to maintain a level of health, safe- trying to be positive, but the mood is ity on Monday – one of the final steps
service to another 20 individuals as ty and care, but don’t receive addition- in the phased re-opening of Florida –
soon as we reopen,” said Dales. Some al covid funding.” very challenging, disheartening.”  as the state’s death toll topped 12,000.
of those individuals were in similar
day programs in Vero Beach and Fort It wasn’t until Aug. 1 that the Divi- COVID-19 cases drop It would be easy to get complacent
Pierce that have closed permanently. sion of Emergency Management es- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 right now, to become careless with
tablished a contract with Curative Labs mask wearing and hand washing, or
“The problem is, if Arcs here and Inc. to distribute kits to adult special 800-case mark this past week. lax on social distancing, with high
around the state close their day pro- needs group homes to self-test staff ev- Hospitalizations have generally re- school and college football back, at
grams, where do people go?” said Dales. ery two weeks. least in partial swing.
mained in the single digits locally,
The Arc of IRC continues to provide On the plus side, only one staff mem- with Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing So, are group outings and parties
modified day-program activities for ber has tested positive and there have that hospitalizations are down 73 per- OK? Is it safe to catch the latest movie
clients living in its group homes, keep- been no incidences of coronavirus cent statewide as compared to the July at the theater? To go to a theme park
ing different group home clients sepa- among clients. When the staff mem- peak. or outdoor festival? Can the kids start
rate. But clients who live at home with ber tested positive, the Department of having sleepovers and birthday par-
their families, on their own or in other Health was experiencing testing delays The percentage of emergency room ties again? When can families begin
group homes are out of luck. of several days, so the Arc tapped its visits nationwide for COVID-like ill- having traditional funerals with loved
own funds to test everyone the em- ness has decreased for eight consecu- ones present?
Transportation services have been ployee had come in contact with. tive weeks, according to the Centers
cut, too. for Disease Control and Prevention. Those are big decisions individu-
The Arc of Indian River County has als must make based upon their own
“The Arc of IRC owns and operates provided support to adults with spe- New COVID-19 cases in Indian Riv- risk factors, considering who else they
21 vehicles, [and is] the only agency in cial needs for the past 45 years. While
the county that provides people with CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
special needs door-to-door transpor-

8 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Vero police suspended enforcing beachside parking limits

BY RAY MCNULTY and the impact it’s had on local busi- PHOTO BY BRENDA AHEARN oceanside shopping district is a major
Staff Writer nesses,” Vero Beach Police Chief Da- attraction for visitors and residents of
vid Currey said. “We’ve been talking to been getting many customers, and our little piece of paradise.
Vero Beach police have stopped en- merchants, who’ve told us they haven’t some businesses have been struggling
forcing time limits on parking spaces to stay open. “We do need the parking regula-
in the beachside business district and tions enforced for the retail stores, so
downtown, ostensibly in an attempt to “So, we’re trying to be understand- their customers have easy access and
help struggling merchants during the ing and make it easier for their cus- they can stay in business. If the park-
pandemic. tomers [by making it more convenient ing regulations are not enforced, the
to park], especially during the sum- spaces are taken by non-shoppers for
But the lack of enforcement of time mer months, which are typically slow- long periods of time.
limits has actually made the beach- er, anyway.”
side parking problem worse, some “With recent lack of enforcement,
merchants said. Currey said the citywide suspension we see less available parking for cus-
of parking enforcement – the action tomers in certain areas along Ocean
If you’ve been to the Central Beach was approved by City Manager Mon- Drive.”
or downtown Vero business districts te Falls – does not apply to violations
the past few months, you might’ve no- pertaining to the use of handicapped Asked if police told the business as-
ticed unticketed vehicles parked for spaces and fire lanes. sociation that enforcement of parking
longer than the allowed two or three time limits was being suspended dur-
hours. Currey said he expects to resume ing the pandemic, Benkert declined
ticketing time-limit violators when comment.
That’s because the Vero Beach Po- Vero Beach’s busy season unofficially
lice Department hasn’t been enforcing begins on Nov. 1, unless public-health Main Street Vero Beach Executive
parking time limits during the coro- conditions prompt an extension. Director Susan Gromis said her orga-
navirus pandemic, which prompted nization supports and appreciates the
a state-mandated shutdown of busi- “It all depends on the circumstanc- city’s efforts to make parking down-
nesses deemed unessential and the es,” Currey said. “We’re doing this to town easier for shoppers and diners
restricted operations of those permit- help the merchants.” during the pandemic.
ted to remain open.
But is it helping? “We haven’t exactly been swarm-
“We’re in an extraordinary situation Some merchants said they’ve seen ing with people the past few months,”
because of COVID and the shutdown, beachgoers, including people from Gromis said. “We very much appreci-
out of town, park for hours in spaces ate any help we can get.”
along Ocean Drive, especially at Sex-
ton Plaza. Gromis said she and her staff no-
Currey says he hasn’t heard any ticed the parking officer’s absence
complaints from merchants about in recent months but weren’t aware
the suspension of time-limit enforce- of the enforcement suspension until
ment, but Al Benkert, former presi- Currey visited their office three weeks
dent and a current vice president of ago.
Vero Beach’s Oceanside Business As-
sociation, said beachside merchants Currey said his department’s park-
want the city’s parking ordinances ing officer was temporarily reassigned
enforced. to beefed-up beach patrols responsi-
“The parking regulations were put ble for enforcing virus-related, social-
in place to provide convenient park-
ing for customers of the retail stores,” distancing requirements. 
Benkert told Vero Beach 32963. “Our
COVID-19 cases drop
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

might infect at home, at work or at
school should they become ill.

When can we start living normal
lives again without being afraid?

Not quite yet, said the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. The
CDC still has Florida – along with Tex-
as, California and Illinois – listed as
trouble spots on its COVID-19 map for
the number of new weekly cases.

Public health officials are still urg-
ing everyone to do what they can to
protect our vulnerable populations
of people age 65 and older and those
with serious underlying health con-
ditions.

Though the numbers look fairly
good right now, Indian River County
has still lost way too many people to
COVID-19, 106 people as of press time

Monday. 



10 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

MY DeSantis seeks details of local pandemic restrictions
VERO

BY RAY MCNULTY Florida’s cities and counties were too Don’t be surprised if he does. provided to businesses, enforcement
diverse for him to issue any statewide True, it would be a 180-degree pivot guidance given to police, the penalties
Staff Writer mandate. from his previous position on state- imposed for violations, citations issues
wide orders regarding masks. It also and fines collected, and the dates when
Two weeks ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis The result has been a mosaic of lo- would be a blatant infringement on the orders expire or must be renewed?
sent letters to the leaders of all of Flor- cal orders and ordinances with restric- home rule, which has long been a
ida’s 67 counties and their municipali- tions and penalties that vary from one point of contention between Tallahas- Why force already-challenged local
ties, asking them to provide him with jurisdiction to another, oblivious to see and local governments. governments to divert manpower and
detailed information on any emergency the reality that many people in more- DeSantis, though, has said repeat- money to produce such comprehensive
orders, local restrictions and civil pen- populated areas commute from mask- edly that the orders and restrictions reports in the middle of a pandemic?
alties they’ve imposed on residents in mandated communities to those gov- put in place to combat the pandemic
response to the coronavirus pandemic. erned by mask deniers. shouldn’t be permanent, citing their Why now?
negative impacts on the state and lo- All we can do is hope the specula-
He didn’t say why he wanted it, only Has DeSantis changed his mind? cal economies, as well as on the men- tion about reversing local mask orders
that he wanted it by Sept. 15. Even if he has, there’s no real chance tal and financial health of residents. is wrong and that DeSantis sees how
he’d go all-in on masks now, given And he has made it obvious from much wearing masks in public has
When contacted last week, both Florida’s downward trend in the rate of the moment the pandemic arrived in contributed to the reduction in new
County Administrator Jason Brown and new COVID cases and his infections- Florida that he would not take drastic virus infections in our state, especially
Vero Beach City Manager Monte Falls be-damned push to reopen the state. measures – including many that were in larger cities and counties.
said they were puzzled by DeSantis’ Perhaps you’ve seen news clips of implemented by governors in other But I don’t think it is.
request, so much that neither would DeSantis traveling the state recently, states – and is determined to return to I don’t think he does.
even venture a guess as to the gover- spreading a sunshine-and-beaches mes- normalcy as soon as possible, even if And while we don’t have a mask
nor’s motivations, saying only that their sage and promoting tourism, hospitality doing so puts the public’s health at risk. mandate here, we’ll feel the effects of
staffs were preparing the requested pa- and professional sports as if COVID-19 Clearly, DeSantis is up to something – his actions if he does reverse course –
perwork, which they didn’t expect to be were nothing more than a bad memory. why else request from the counties and because people from all over the state,
extensive. He allowed bars to reopen at 50-per- cities the text of all coronavirus-related particularly South Florida, continue to
cent capacity this week, and he said orders, any clarification of those orders find their way to Vero Beach.
“We really haven’t done a whole lot,” last week restaurants will be back to If they are sick when they come here,
Brown said. full capacity “very soon.”
You might’ve noticed, too, that he people here will get sick, too. 
Truth be told, our local governments was not wearing a mask during several
have done next to nothing in terms of of these events. cDooumnetsytiscinvcioelsetnacrethoafspsapnidkeedmiinc
emergency orders, opting instead to Then there’s this: According to the
merely encourage us to behave respon- Tampa Bay Times, DeSantis’ letter to BY MARY SCHENKEL “They continue to suffer in silence
sibly – wash our hands regularly, socially counties and cities was sent one day Staff Writer at the hands of the abuser,” said Albi-
distance when possible and voluntarily after St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Krise- zu. “This is a very, very serious issue.”
wear masks in indoor public places to man “called out the governor on Twit- Domestic violence has spiked in
slow the spread of the virus. ter for not wearing a mask when at a Indian River County since the start of The COVID-19 shutdown en-
roundtable” in the city on Sept. 3. the coronavirus pandemic as a result hanced a social isolation tactic al-
Unlike some other Florida cities and It’s no wonder, then, that statewide of stress caused by job losses, financial ready employed by violent domestic
counties, we don’t have a mandatory speculation was rampant as last week instability, eviction threats and people abusers.
mask order, which explains why no one came to a close with DeSantis’ office not stuck at home together, according to
in our community has been cited for responding to phone calls and emails SafeSpace, a nonprofit that serves vic- “By isolating victims from friends,
violating one. from the news media. tims of domestic violence. family or any outside contacts – teach-
Specifically: Is the governor plan- ers, healthcare clinics or employers
So why should anyone here care ning to use his emergency authority to Aimee Markford, the county Sheriff’s even – the abusers are able to exert
about DeSantis’ directive, which he override local governments, shut down Office’s CFO and a SafeSpace board more control over the victims’ entire
also posted on Twitter? all mask orders and ordinances around member, said the sheriff’sVictim Advo- environment,” Albizu said.
the state, and forgive the civil penalties cates Unit reports showed a slow rise in
For the past six months – despite re- issued by counties and cities? domestic violence cases in March and “When you think about it, severe
sponding to the COVID-19 pandemic April 2020 that accelerated dramatical- and persistent isolation, which is what
with emergency orders that have im- ly in May and has remained high since. we’re seeing now, can cause victims to
pacted businesses, schools and travel solely rely on their abusers. That feeds
– DeSantis has allowed local govern- SafeSpace CEO Teresa Albizu said re- the cycle of abuse, and it’s very diffi-
ments to decide for themselves wheth- ported cases are “just the tip of the ice- cult to escape from it.”
er to require face coverings, saying berg. What happens is a lot of these in-
stances go unreported. So, when you’re While SafeSpace has remained fully
VOTE hearing these large increases, you can operational, its only emergency shel-
only imagine what’s going on behind ter, located in Martin County, serves
MATT ERPENBECK closed doors [that is not reported].” the entire tri-county area, including
St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
For Mosquito Control, Seat 3 Albizu said that while most calls To comply with social distancing dur-
November 3rd to law enforcement are from the vic- ing the pandemic, the number of resi-
tims, other victims are held hostage at dents was cut in half, from about 40
Matt Erpenbeck Campaign - Mosquito Control home, with access to the Internet or adults and children to around 20.
telephone forbidden, making it diffi-
Paid for and Approved by Matt Erpenbeck for Mosquito Control cult for them to seek help. Despite that constriction, Albizu
said, “we do not deny access to any-
What the heck, vote Erpenbeck one. If we are at full capacity, we have

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 11

NEWS

sister agencies to whom we refer for just receiving them and giving them “That’s a staggering number for In- from this situation,” said Albizu, stress-
shelter,” Albizu said. safety for a number of nights; it’s how dian River County,” said Albizu. ing the importance of recognizing the
do you help them move forward with signs of physical as well as emotional
SafeSpace offers a range of outreach their lives,” said Albizu. “We all have a responsibility to ad- abuse.
services to help women and children dress the issue of domestic violence in
move away from an abusive relation- In Indian River County, 728 individ- our community. We cannot turn our Physical signs of abuse are more
ship and into an independent life. uals made hotline calls asking for help backs if we see certain signs that alert obvious, such as black eyes, bruises
between June 2019 and June 2020. us or suggest that someone is suffering
“That is where the impact is. It’s not CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

12 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Domestic violence spikes receive not only the human care but
also the professional care that they
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 need in order to transition to an inde-
pendent life free of violence.”
or breaks to arms and legs, along with
strained wrists – “a big one” according According to Albizu, COVID-19 has
to Albizu. Emotional signs include ag- only escalated an already deadly seri-
itation, anxiety, fear, development of a ous problem. In the United States, she
drug or alcohol problem, depression said, one in four women has been a
and suicidal thoughts. victim of some sort of domestic abuse
in her lifetime, and three women are
“We can make an intervention and murdered by their partners every day.
say, ‘Listen, is there something go-
ing on?’” said Albizu. “Without judg- “That is a really staggering number
ment, we need to tell them that there’s ... and often children are involved. The
an agency here that can help. I know problem is the emotional and psycho-
they’re difficult conversations, but we logical effects that this environment
do have a responsibility to not say ‘oh has in children,” Albizu said, noting
poor thing’ but have a little bit more that nationally, 15 million children are
of a conversation and let them know, either recipients of violent aggression
‘You are not alone.’” or witnesses to it.

Albizu, who joined SafeSpace as That reality became all-to-evident
CEO three months ago during the last month, when a local man was
pandemic, said the organization has charged in the death of his girlfriend’s
top-notch advocates and staff. 2-year-old daughter, who died of se-
vere physical injuries at her home
“They are excellently trained and while her mother was at work.
have an incredible interest in helping
these victims,” she said. “Victims will The SafeSpace Hotline is 772-569-

7233 and website is safespacefl.org. 

FIRST COVID-ERA FOOTBALL GAME AT
BILLY LIVINGS FIELD WON’T BE SAME

BY GEORGE ANDREASSI players were among 46 Vero Beach
High students quarantined in late Au-
Staff Writer gust after a student tested positive for
COVID-19, school officials said.
Vero Beach High’s vaunted football
team prepared to kick off its first sea- As a result, the Fighting Indians’ game
son of the COVID-19 era Friday night scheduled for Sept. 11 against another
at Billy Livings Field as several players powerhouse program, Venice High
returned from quarantine. School, was canceled.

But the 7,000-seat Citrus Bowl won’t Football players were among the
be packed with fired-up fans for the VBHS students returning to class in
traditional “Friday Night Lights” fes- person last week after two weeks of vir-
tivities because of social distancing tual schooling via computer while they
requirements, warned Schools Super- were quarantined, Moore said.
intendent David Moore.
“They’ll be able to come right back,
Instead, the crowd will be limited to get into the groove of things,” Moore
1,750 people with tickets going main- said. “To this point, it has been relative-
ly to students and families of play- ly seamless, the coming and going.”
ers, cheerleaders and marching band
members, Moore said. Football coach Lenny Jankows-
ki’s methods for maintaining social
“It will not be the‘Friday Night Lights’ distancing during practice routines
that Vero Beach is used to,” Moore said. could serve as a model for other teams,
“We’re going to be using a plan where Moore said.
it’s only 25 percent of capacity.
Overall, a total of 11 students have
“We will provide tickets to the fami- tested positive for COVID-19 in eight
lies first,” Moore said last week. “We’re public schools in Indian River County,
going to put the band on the field, so records show. A total of 189 students
they’re away from everybody to con- who came in close contact with the
tinue to maximize social distancing.” infected students have been quaran-
tined, some of whom have now re-
Ticket will be sold in advance of the turned to school.
game to eliminate lines at ticket win-
dows, Moore said. Concession stands Two staff members have tested
will offer grab-and-go snacks and drinks. positive and a third was quarantined
after coming in close contact with an
“We want to provide the season,” infected student.
Moore said. “I think students are look-
ing forward to it.” So far, none of the COVID-19 out-
breaks has been serious enough to
A substantial number of football

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 13

NEWS

consider closing a school, Moore said. senior who plays shortstop on the to go one last time. Go Fighting Indians!” Shane Fleming, also a senior, said
“Right now, we’re very comfortable Fighting Indians baseball team, said The pandemic halted the spring he and his friends are surprised more
he planned to attend the home open- students haven’t caught the virus.
with what we’re doing,” Moore said. er for the football team. baseball season, leaving the seniors
“We’ve been relatively lucky regard- to dream of what could have been.” “We all expected to be a bunch of
ing the extent, or time students have “I always go to the football games,” cases in the first two weeks,” Fleming
been away.” Aracena said. “I felt their pain when our season got said. “I’m surprised more kids aren’t
cut short, so I know it hurts,” Aracena
Timo Aracena, a Vero Beach High “It’s exciting. I’m a senior, so I want said. showing symptoms yet.” 

14 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

St. Ed’s starts football practice but cancels season opener

BY RAY MCNULTY cision, however, Eagle’s View was pre- did the right thing,” Lamscha said. “Our were required to fill out COVID-related
Staff Writer sented with an opportunity to sched- priority is the kids’ safety.” questionnaires last week and continue
ule another opponent, and Lamscha to have their body temperatures taken
The St. Edward’s football team’s sea- agreed to cancel the game. The FHSAA’s Sports Medicine Advi- before practices. They’re also wearing
son-opening home game on Sept. 25 sory Committee recommended that masks during warmups and using the
has been canceled because Athletic Di- “We were still deciding when we’d teams not start practice until after locker room in shifts.
rector Jeff Lamscha couldn’t assure the start football, and they needed to know schools open, so the panel could col-
opponent the Pirates would be ready whether we’d play,” Lamscha said.“They lect data and analyze trends related to Coaches, who also are wearing masks,
to play after they delayed the start of had another school that wanted to play the impact of students returning to in- are cognizant of social-distancing pro-
fall practice for two weeks because of on that date, and I didn’t think it was fair classroom learning on the spread of tocols, limiting close contact to less
coronavirus-related concerns. for us to prevent them from playing COVID-19. than 15 minutes for the team’s 24 play-
when we weren’t sure. ers.
Lamscha said Sunday he was still Lamscha said St. Edward’s adminis-
searching for an opponent to replace “It was a mutual agreement.” trators abided by SMAC’s community “We’re operating within all the rec-
the Eagle’s View Academy of Jackson- The cancellation leaves St. Edward’s benchmarks – they included a rate of ommended guidelines and protocols,
ville, which dropped St. Edward’s from with only four regular-season games new COVID-19 cases below 5 percent which is what we need to do to play a
its schedule when the Pirates couldn’t – the Sunshine State Conference play- for 14 days – before approving the start complete season,” Lamscha said, adding
commit to playing the game. offs are scheduled to begin Nov. 6 – so of fall practice. that he knew of no students who chose
Lamscha said he’s “doing everything to not play because of the pandemic.
If Lamscha is unable to find an op- he can” to fill the open date. The FHSAA also required teams have
ponent, the Pirates will open their “The kids want to play, and we’re at least two weeks of practices before “This is going to be a day-by-day
season Oct. 2 at home against Cedar trying to give them the opportunity,” their first games. thing, but we’re not going to take any
Creek Christian, another Jacksonville Lamscha said. “We want them to have
school. as much of a season as possible.” Lamscha said St. Edward’s players unnecessary chances,” he said. 
Still, Lamscha defended the school’s
St. Edward’s administrators met decision to postpone the start of fall Vero Beach City Council decides to
shortly before the Labor Day weekend practice, which the Florida High School focus on riverfront development costs
and decided it was safe for the football Athletic Association allowed to begin on
team to start fall practice on Sept. 8 – Aug. 24. BY LISA ZAHNER The city’s volunteer recreation ad-
two weeks after classes began on cam- “We were aware of what other schools visory committee is also scheduled to
pus – giving the Pirates enough time to [that started practice in August] were Staff Writer look at potential recreational uses of
prepare for their first game. doing, but, as far as I’m concerned, we the riverfront parcels when that group
Vero Beach officials have decided meets in October.
Before administrators made that de- to nail down many of the costs of the
city’s planned riverfront development Over the next few weeks, City Man-
project sooner instead of later, and to ager Monte Falls and Planning Direc-
get a more concrete idea about the tor Jason Jeffries will meet with local
commercial viability of the plan. and regional developers to gauge their
interest in building hotels, restau-
Up till now, the council and the proj- rants, shops, boating facilities or even
ect steering committee have moved far multifamily dwellings on the site. Falls
down the line with planning a major said he would report back to the coun-
waterfront development without tabu- cil about those meetings in October.
lating or analyzing the costs of the vari-
ous components or the overall project. NEWS ANALYSIS

Front-loading analysis of the fi- “Our intent is to never take some-
nances and the development market thing to a referendum until we as staff
as newly proposed might drag the and council know what the impact
process out a few months, but it would is going to be to the city financially,”
likely result in a more realistic and fea- Falls said.
sible plan in the end.
Vero has $21 million in proceeds
Now, the council is expected to from the sale of the city’s electric utility
start talking about project infrastruc- to FPL, a portion of which the city could
ture costs and recurring maintenance spend on riverfront site improvement,
costs – and how to fund those costs – roads, trees, pavilions, a fishing pier, day
at a council meeting or workshop in docks and other features. But Falls said
October that will be devoted to finan- he’s intent on making the project pay
cial concerns. for itself via developer fees and leases.

Councilman Rey Neville asked for a But the city’s hired planner says it’s
workshop. He said the process followed not realistic to expect to pay zero dol-
by the council up till now of coming lars for a massive riverfront redevelop-
up with a plan, floating a referendum ment. He said developers are not go-
and then, after it passes, performing ing to pay for everything.
the due diligence required to make the
plan work is “totally backwards.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

“So, let’s say we can’t do what the
plan calls for? Then we’re going to be
stuck in the mud here.”



16 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Riverfront development costs port in the current economy – a boat spectrum of Vero residents and busi- impact the next 50 years is awesome,”
barn, for example, appeared in the nesspeople. Mayor Tony Young said.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 post-pandemic design after a devel-
oper pushed for it. Specifically, the council seemed to In response to statements that the
Project architect Andres Duany has agree that more young people need to council did not tackle the financial
assured the city that he’s collaborated Acknowledging that the task of envi- weigh in on the major waterfront de- aspects of the project in a timely way
with credible and deep-pocketed de- sioning the so-called “Three Corners” velopment the community will be liv- and ask money questions earlier in the
velopers every step of the way as he design and the task of figuring out the ing with for many decades. process, Graves defended the council
presented five different versions of the cost, viability and sustainability of the saying that several members did in-
riverfront plan. He said he designed it vision are two separate jobs, the City A resolution formally removing the deed raise financial concerns early on.
around developers’ interests, often Council has decided to remove itself five council members from the steering
getting inspiration from developers from the project steering committee committee and opening five spots to But they were told not to worry about
on elements the market would sup- and encourage new members to join, others was set for approval this Tuesday. finances at that juncture – that the de-
representing a broader demographic sign meetings were “a dream session,”
“Having the young generation’s
input on how we move forward and Graves said. 

Natural gas won’t be coming soon to Vero’s barrier island

BY LISA ZAHNER currently has no firm plans or timeline cal communities and our company. Then “we expect it will take a year
Staff Writer for running gas lines down A1A. “If we decide to pursue the neces- for the extension to the barrier island
from the mainland after permits are
Residents in Indian River Shores re- The official statement said “Florida sary approvals for this project, gas lines approved, and then the overall project
cently found questionnaires in their City Gas is actively exploring the po- would likely be installed along the A1A build in the island will most likely take
mailboxes asking if they would sign tential for extending natural gas ser- corridor from Windsor south, serving three years,” he added.
up for natural gas service if it was vice to the barrier island. To gauge po- the residential communities and the
available, raising hopes a gas pipeline tential interest from the community, Central Beach business district, and Seagrave said on the mainland, natu-
might be coming to the island soon. FCG mailed information and a survey then southward to at least the 17th ral gas is generally available throughout
to all island residents.” Street causeway area,” Soriano said. the commercial areas in Fellsmere and
But while Town Manager Joe Griffin Sebastian; in central Indian River Coun-
said he had “heard there was a great re- Spokesperson Bianca Soriano said Marc Seagrave, director of strategy ty along U.S. 1; in Vero Beach business
sponse in the affirmative” to the survey, FCG received a “strong initial re- and business development for FCG, districts up and down U.S. 1 and east to
which was mailed to all residents of the sponse” from island residents. “That said “if the project moves forward, west along SR 60; in the airport area; and
barrier island, Florida City Gas said it is a good indicator in helping us de- there will be federal, state and local
cide what is in the best interest of lo- permits required.” in residential areas along Oslo Road. 

U.S. SUPREME COURT ASKED BY COUNTY
TO HEAR LAST-DITCH BRIGHTLINE APPEAL

BY GEORGE ANDREASSI The county argues DOT improperly
Staff Writer allocated highway project bonds to
the passenger rail project.
Indian River County’s legal chal-
lenge against the Brightline passenger “The critical fact is that DOT allocated
rail extension is an “excellent vehicle” bonds to a project that did not receive –
for the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve and was not eligible to receive – federal
legal issues concerning when federal assistance under Title 23 (Highways),”
courts can rubber-stamp government Lamken wrote.
decisions, the county’s appellate coun-
sel argued last week. Indian River County’s appeal is
among the cases the Supreme Court
“It concerns one of the most impor- justices are scheduled to discuss at their
tant issues before the federal courts Sept. 29 conference, records show.
– when judicial deference to informal
agency interpretations of statutes is The high court’s decision on wheth-
appropriate,” wrote Jeffrey Lamken, in er to hear the county’s appeal could
a legal brief filed last Tuesday. be handed down as soon as Oct. 5, re-
cords show.
Indian River County is challenging
U.S. Department of Transportation au- The odds are heavily against the Su-
thorization of $2.1 billion in tax-exempt preme Court accepting Indian River
bonds to help finance the extension of County’s appeal, records indicate. The
the Brightline passenger railroad from high court hears about 80 cases per
West Palm Beach to Orlando. year, a little more than 1 percent of the
7,000 to 8,000 appeals filed.

Brightline plans to start running 34
passenger trains per day through In-
dian River County at speeds up to 110
mph by late 2022 after the comple-
tion of 170 miles of high-speed rail-
road tracks between Orlando and West

Palm Beach. 

‘HONOR THE FALLEN RUCK’:
A SOLEMN 9/11 REMEMBRANCE P. 21

18 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Impact 100’ determined to win the numbers game

Connie Dominianni and June Fitzgerald. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES MaryAnn Miskel and Barbara DiMarzo. Pilar Turner and Judy Peschio.

BY MARY SCHENKEL
Staff Writer

When Indian River Impact 100 Brenda Lloyd and Mary Ellen McCarthy.
hosted its annual meeting on Zoom
last April – during which its members pact 100 members have collectively Watson-Mesley, CEO of Kris Rohr and Barbara DiMarzo.
voted to award five $100,000 trans- contributed $4,659,000 to local non- Big Brothers Big Sisters,
formational grants to area nonprofits profit organizations. who shared her own ex- She explained that the process can
– the hope was that life would have periences. be especially helpful to smaller and/
returned to normal by now. It has not. Simply put, increased membership or fledgling nonprofits to help them
equals increased grant potential. Additionally, they begin thinking “bigger and better. I
Not only are many of the local non- learned about the op- think that’s what our process helps
profits faced with growing numbers “There are a lot of funders that portunity to meet with them to do.”
of people in need of their services; do team philanthropy, but the rea- the Impact Visioning
the fundraisers they rely on to subsist son that we are different is that our Team, for assistance This year will hold its challenges,
were curtailed in the spring, and are members actually choose who re- formulating and fleshing but the ladies are forging ahead with
unlikely to resume any time soon. ceives a grant,” said board president out their ideas. Mary Ellen McCarthy, ways to keep both their membership
Gladys LaForge. “Our process is pret- who heads that team, said they have and the nonprofit community en-
Impact 100, a nonprofit itself, has ty unique. We do everything in our already met with 26 different organi- gaged.
also been affected. Their annual Fall power to make sure every organiza- zations since January and are avail-
Brunch, meant to encourage contin- tion that applies has an opportunity able to meet with others. “We’ve planned out to the end of
ued support and entice new members to succeed.” the year and then we’re going to eval-
into the fold, cannot go on as previ- Proposals will now fall under five uate,” said LaForge. “This group does
ously planned. And yet, keeping the At last week’s Nonprofit Informa- focus areas. Arts and Culture has not lack for creativity; we’ll come up
membership momentum increasing- tion Session, 45 nonprofit represen- been established as a stand-alone with a way.”
ly robust is more critical than ever. tatives attended a virtual meeting this year, joining Children and Fami-
led by grants chair Mary Blair, where lies, Education, Environment, and For more information about mem-
“It is a huge challenge because they received guidance on the appli- Health and Wellness. bership or the grant process (applica-
without our membership we don’t cation process, which is now entirely tions are due by Nov. 11), visit Impac-
have the money to give away,” said online. “Our process is all about making t100ir.com. 
board member and marketing chair every applicant successful,” stressed
Kris Rohr. “So, it’s really important “We’ve also refined the application LaForge. “One thing I learned from
to us to keep the numbers up. Obvi- itself to make it easier for the non- some of our Community Partners
ously, the best thing is when you can profits to answer,” said Rohr. “We’re is that by applying for one of our
get people together and we can share still very diligent in terms of what grants, even though it’s tough and
our mission and triumphs.” we want from them, but we’ve taken our criteria are more stringent than
great pains to make it easier.” some other funders, they become a
Current plans call for a Virtual better organization.”
Brunch on Nov. 18 featuring guest Potential applicants also heard
speaker Debbie Ritchie, a founder from 2020 grant recipient Stacey
of the Pensacola chapter, who will
speak about the power of team phi-
lanthropy.

The Impact 100 model is based
on each woman contributing $1,000
(annual dues). Funds are pooled and
members vote to select the nonprof-
its that become that year’s Commu-
nity Partners as recipients of $100,000
grants.

The other finalists receive equal
shares of any remaining funds. Over
the past 12 years, Indian River Im-



20 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Super Sebastian fireworks
display was a ‘Labor’ of love

Labor Day weekend, which
traditionally marks the end of
summer, isn’t usually highlighted
by firework displays. However,
considering that this has been
anything BUT a normal summer,
it was only fitting that the City of
Sebastian chose to close things
out with an outstanding fireworks
display.

By boat and lined up all along
the Sebastian riverfront, thou-
sands of residents watched as the
skies were lit up over the Indian
River Lagoon. Sebastian was one
of many Treasure Coast towns
forced to cancel or postpone their
July 4th festivities for safety’s sake
during this summer’s coronavirus
shutdowns.

Sebastian generally goes all
out on July 4th. The day begins
with a Freedom Run 5K to ben-
efit Substance Awareness Center
programs, followed by an impres-
sive 4th of July Parade, which last
year drew more than 5,000 specta-
tors who watched 60-plus parade
groups walk along the 2-mile
route. There were also Sebastian
Skydive parachuters who descend-
ed with enormous American flags,
a Freedom Festival at Riverview
Park with vendors and all-day
entertainment, and fireworks at
dusk. Maybe next year. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 21

PEOPLE

‘Honor the Fallen Ruck’: A solemn 9/11 remembrance

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF
Staff Writer

In a pre-coronavirus life, River- Kim and David Kiernan with children Kaylin, Connor, Thomas and their dog Mako. Allison Zukowski with Nick and Debbie Timmes.
side Park on the Saturday closest to
September 11 was always filled with Whether we lost family members ing the fallen who sacrificed their
participants in the Tunnel to Towers there, or it put us in the direction of lives.”
Run & Walk. The annual event pays serving in the military. It’s impor-
homage to the nearly 3,000 individu- tant to keep the tradition of honor- For more information, visit doyou-
als who lost their lives during the givearuck.com. 
horrific September 11, 2001 terrorist PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
attacks against the United States, as Jimmy Lee Jackson, Charles Jackson and
well as the men and women of the Sean Laughlin. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES AND STEPHANIE LABAFF
military who continue to make sac-
rifices every day in the line of duty, Among them were 343 New York City
carrying on the promise – We Will firefighters and 70 law enforcement/
Never Forget. EMTs, all of whom, like Siller, ran to-
ward danger to save lives.
This year, the Stephen Siller Tun-
nel to Towers Foundation canceled The event also paid homage to
all in-person events nationwide, and the thousands of American service-
instead hosted a Never Forget Virtu- men and women who perished in
al Challenge that began Aug. 14 and Iraq, Afghanistan and continuing
runs through Oct. 19. To participate, conflicts, as well as those who have
visit https://tunnel2towers.org/nev- come home with debilitating physi-
erforgetvirtualchallenge/. cal and mental injuries.

When members of Do You Give a “The Global War on Terrorism has
Ruck, a group of local, like-minded been running for almost 20 years
military veterans and supporters, now,” said Jimmy Lee Jackson, Do
learned that there would not be an You Give a Ruck founder. “A lot of us
in-person gathering here to honor watched the Twin Towers collapse
the victims, they decided to dedicate when we were children. That was
their morning ruck in their memory, a pivotal point in a lot of our lives.
dubbing Saturday’s walk ‘Honor the
Fallen Ruck.’

The mission of the group is to im-
prove the lives of veterans by raising
public awareness and fundraising
for organizations whose programs
and activities support them. They
host biannual fundraising rucks in
the spring and fall, and hold practice
rucks several times a week for fel-
lowship and to stay in shape.

This special ruck honored victims
of the 9/11 attacks, and those who
have given their lives to our coun-
try since that profound date during
the Global War on Terror, explained
Charles Jackson, the group’s vice
president.

Despite early-morning storm
clouds and the threat of down-
pours, the group was joined by first
responders, veterans and civilians,
who biked, ran and walked to honor
the fallen. Many participated in full
gear, just as Stephen Siller did when
he headed into danger, running
through the Brooklyn Battery Tun-
nel and to the World Trade Center
buildings, where he perished.

All who participated Saturday did
so to ensure the remembrance of the
2,977 people who died at the World
Trade Center site, the Pentagon and
a field outside of Shanksville, Penn.

22 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Laura Kennedy, Pam and Gene O’Donnell and Deb Avery. Tom Morgan and Brandon Parkerson.
Amanda Barsano, Emma Barsano, Nicole O’Neill and Allison Zukowski.

Susan and Robert Johnson.

Sheri Searle with Matthew and Emma Barsano.

Brandon Parkerson and Joseph Slack.
Jill Hayes and Kent Valencia.



24 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT COVER STORY

THEROBOTSARECOMINGduring deep recessions as companies
seek ways to save on costs.
“Labor market research especially has
been showing over the last three reces-
sions that automation constantly hap-
By Rachel Lerman | Washington Post pens, but it’s cyclical,” said Mark Muro,
a senior fellow at the Brookings Institu-

Every day at Sharp Grossmont Hos- drive toward automation across the portation, where authorities are snap- tion. “It doesn’t occur only at a steady

pital, custodial teams wheel two boxy U.S. economy – this time, not just with ping up new technologies aimed at gradual pace. It deploys in bursts.”

robots down the halls from one patient the goal of having machines more ef- automating cleaning, from floor scrub- In a Brookings Economics Studies

room to the next, using ultraviolet light ficiently do the work of humans but bers to disinfecting drones. That poses report, researchers found 88 percent of

to disinfect them from the coronavirus also eradicating germs and limit- long-term risks to the low-wage work- job loss in routine occupations, such as

and bacteria. ing human contact due to the public ers who usually do janitorial work. some clerical or manufacturing work,

All covid-19 patient rooms and a health threat. Already, working-class people face occurs within 12 months of a recession

few break rooms – about 30 spaces in The trend is being most strongly felt heightened risks of losing their jobs to – and much of that results from an in-

total – of the San Diego County-based in airports, stadiums and public trans- automation throughout the economy crease in automation. Meanwhile, sev-

hospital get disinfected each day by en months after the coronavirus began

the robots, a marvel to Neil Mandalia, spreading in the United States, 29 mil-

the environmental services director. ULTRAVIOLET CLEANING lion people are receiving unemploy-
He asked administrators in the ear- ROBOTS AT AN AIRPORT. ment compensation.

ly days of the pandemic if he could The technology deployed can range

spend $250,000 on two robots that are from more basic automation, like self-

capable of disinfecting an operating checkout stands at a store, to more com-

room in 12 minutes, something that plicated robots or drones. And while

takes a worker 90 minutes. In patient robotics hasn’t progressed as quickly as

rooms, the mobile lights disinfect developers or sci-fi novels would have

more thoroughly than most humans. us believe, robots have taken on food

“On our discharge, we would need to delivery, warehouse work and other

clean the walls, the ceilings, every inch jobs typically performed by humans.

of the baseboard, everywhere a patho- Retail stores and warehouses have

gen could live. That’s not necessarily been early adopters in the crisis. Ware-

being done in every room every time,” house robots have become more im-

he said. “But a robot does do that.” portant as facilities across the country

The hospital’s purchase of the UV try to function in a socially distanced

robots underscores how the corona- environment, which means workers

virus pandemic is accelerating the take more time to complete tasks.

XENEX LIGHTSTRIKE
ROBOT DESTROYS
CORONAVIRUS IN
JUST MINUTES

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 25

INSIGHT COVER STORY

American Eagle Outfitters last month Kindred wrote, and maintain a “safe system uses computer vision to track other store workers face danger and
bought 26 warehouse robots to help working environment.” customers throughout stores. exhaustion during the pandemic.
the apparel company sort through
mounds of clothes people ordered Earlier this year, Amazon said it would When they’re done shopping, cus- At least two companies are adapting
online, robot-maker Kindred said start licensing its cashierless shopping tomers walk out of the store without drones to fly inside sports stadiums
in a news release. The robots help software to other stores as retailers seek ever scanning and paying for items. and spray disinfectant solution onto
maintain social distancing standards, to limit face-to-face contact and cut That technology has sparked more the thousands of seats in the hope
wait times in line. The “Just Walk Out” interest from retailers as grocery and of making the areas safe for crowds
EAGLEHAWK DRONE again. One company, EagleHawk, said
INSIDE A SPORTS STADIUM it spent months researching a method
SPRAYING DISINFECTANT to spray huge arenas in a way that can
SOLUTION ONTO THOU- both disinfect from the virus and be
SANDS OF SEATS done quickly. Otherwise, it might be
too costly and time-consuming to ful-
ly disinfect such huge spaces.

“Along with a public health crisis
and epidemic of illness, the virus may
well prompt a new spike of automa-
tion and lasting changes to an already
rapidly evolving job market,” Muro
and Brookings researchers Robert
Maxim and Jacob Whiton wrote in a
report about the initial effects of the
virus on automation.

An early example – driven by neces-
sity as companies work to keep facilities
and public spaces clean and safe – is
the huge spike in demand for cleaning
and disinfecting robots from hospitals,
nursing homes, airports and hotels.

The LightStrike robot in use at the
San Diego hospital is a box on wheels
with a mushroom-shaped light stick-
ing out of it. It’s so powerful, the com-
pany says, it can disinfect a space of
99.99 percent of the virus that causes
covid-19 in less than five minutes.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

ROSSIE AND ZACH
ARE THE LIGHTSTRIKE
GERM-ZAPPING ROBOTS

ROBOTIC MIG UV-C LIGHT EMITTING
WELDING MACHINE ROBOT BY BLUE

OCEAN ROBOTICS

26 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 INSIGHT COVER STORY

People can’t be in the room while man help. Robotics researchers at the The robot came together in about a the software, or the “brain,” that goes
the machine disinfects, so workers in- school deployed the robot with Ava month, Rus said, though it was based into many of the machines, some-
stead set up the LightStrike, leave the Robotics in June at the Greater Boston on more than a decade of research into thing that allows them to map a room
room, and then come back after the Food Bank as more and more people mobile robotics. Now her department and learn the route within a day. The
first cycle to reposition chairs, flip sought help as unemployment num- is fielding several calls each week from robots are being used about 24 per-
over mattresses and turn the call but- bers skyrocketed. The robot learned others interested in trying it out, and cent more this year than last year,
ton around to get ready for the second the outline of the food bank’s main she expects the product will expand. Izhikevich says.
cycle. They run it about three times. room and moves around at night,
showering it with disinfecting light. Other cleaning robots are used in tan- That’s largely to keep facilities as
Its maker, Xenex, said sales have dem with workers, ideally to speed up clean as possible during the pandemic.
shot up 600 percent this year alone as “By knowing the geometry of the cleaning. Big, automated floor scrub- It’s also to keep employees away from
hospitals, airports and hotels scramble space – usually represented as a map bers – which drive themselves and look each other.
to disinfect rooms of the coronavirus. – the robot can compute a patrolling like small Zambonis off the ice – are be-
trajectory and speed to expose all sur- ing used more often this year than in Before the pandemic, employees of
The Metropolitan Transportation Au- faces to the dosage that neutralizes the past, said Eugene Izhikevich, CEO Flagship Facility Services, a contractor
thority (MTA), which runs mass transit the pathogens,” said Daniela Rus, di- and co-founder of software company cleaning airports around the country,
in New York City, is also testing out ul- rector of MIT’s computer science and Brain Corp. would use the hour while the floor
traviolet light as a way to kill the coro- artificial intelligence laboratory. scrubber worked to detail-clean cor-
navirus on trains and buses, hoping to The San Diego company makes ners and edges. Now they each work
make them safer to ride as the pandem- in a separate area, usually away from
ic continues. each other, said Gustavo Solis, direc-
tor of operations at Flagship, and dis-
The MTA started using 150 lights infect “touch points” such as electri-
from Puro Lighting, a company that cal outlets and door handles that are
says its sales are already up 700 per- heavily used.
cent from all of last year because of
the pandemic. Puro is working on a “During covid, we shifted that labor
fully robotic disinfecting light that will to be cost-competitive with clients,”
map and navigate a room entirely on Solis said.
its own without needing an opera-
tor. Right now it sells lights that are But not everyone sees automation
stationary or are mounted on rolling as worth the money.
bases that can be pushed.
Juan Padilla, owner of Spotless Clean-
“The nice thing with a robot is no ing Chicago, said the scrubbers would
one has to press a button,” said CEO have to save him three hours of human
Brian Stern. “You don’t have to pay for labor every day to make it worth the price
another employee.” tags of between $30,000 and $50,000.

Using UV lights to disinfect bacte- “Companies that are selling this
ria has been around for decades, the equipment are making it seem like,
Food and Drug Administration points ‘Hey, this is the best thing ever,’ but I’m
out. Mounting them to mobile and not seeing much implementation of it
autonomous robots is an invention to be honest,” said Padilla, whose com-
that has mostly developed over the pany works mostly with office build-
past decade and is facing a jump in in- ings.
novation as a result of the pandemic.
Companies are probably right to be
The Massachusetts Institute of Tech- a little cautious, said Françoise Carré,
nology has already created software for a research director at the University
a UV disinfecting robot that moves by of Massachusetts at Boston who has
itself, though it still needs some hu- been working with UCLA researcher
and professor Chris Tilly on a wide-
UV ROBOTS ranging study for more than two years
looking at technology across retail.

“One thing we do know is that it takes
a fair amount of time to train these ro-
bots,” Tilly said. In some cases, the re-
searchers heard of robots still struggling
to learn shelf inventory after being in
stores for nearly a year.

Big tech adoptions could certainly
risk job losses for retail and custodial
workers, which would disproportion-
ately affect women and people of col-
or, who hold the jobs in greater num-
bers, said Tilly.

But exactly how that will play out is
unclear. Even though the pandemic
has caused demand for cleaning robots
to surge, there are also a lot of employ-
ees out of work who might be willing to
do the jobs at low wages.

But the cleaning robots are also do-
ing some psychological work – con-
vincing customers, travelers and pa-
tients that spaces are clean and orderly
during the pandemic.

Brain Corp.'s Izhikevich said two-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 27

INSIGHT COVER STORY

thirds of the increase of usage he’s are usually turned on at night when cleaned nearly constantly, he said. the disinfection robots, will persist
seeing in the automated floor scrub- buildings are mostly empty. “I think the first maybe two months and expand into more hotels, hospi-
bers is due to robots operating during tals and warehouses.
daytime hours, a fairly uncommon A lot of customers asked for in- people were really afraid,” he said, not-
time for the big machines to run. creased day work during the early ing customers have since backed off “Wouldn’t you feel safer being in a
Daytime usage hours have more than months of the pandemic said Padilla daytime cleaning a bit. space that has not only been dusted
doubled since last year, he said. They from Spotless Cleaning. They want- and swept, but is also certified to be
ed touch points such as doorknobs The pandemic won’t last forever,
but Rus says the robots, especially virus-free?” she asked. 

28 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT OPINION

With Bahrain’s decision to join the fused with a Palestinian-Israeli peace The administration is courting oth- demn the Emirates. Although Haitham
United Arab Emirates in establishing agreement – which looks as far away er Arab states to join the process. Brian is still gaining his footing, his country
diplomatic relations with Israel, domi- today as ever – but it’s still a significant Hook, the State Department official has already hosted Israeli Prime Minis-
noes are falling in the Middle East in achievement. who has worked closely with Kushner ter Benjamin Netanyahu, which makes
the right direction for a change. on the normalization process, said the an eventual move toward full normal-
Kushner noted the symbolism that discussions are shaped by the fact that ization easier.
Bahrain’s move is a second solid gain the Bahrain agreement was announced a younger generation of leaders – such
for the Trump administration’s efforts on the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11, as Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Morocco, which has a large Jewish
to bridge the gap between Israel and 2001, terrorist attacks: “On 9/11, there Hamad al-Khalifa – is taking power in population and for decades has main-
Arab states. Jared Kushner, the presi- is no stronger counter to extremism the Arab world. tained secret contacts with Israel, is
dent’s son-in-law and senior adviser than bringing countries together for another likely prospect. But the pro-
on the Middle East, said during an in- tolerance and peace.” That statement Sudan appears to be close: Lt. Gen. cess is complicated by Morocco’s de-
terview that the move shows that “a lot makes a good political sound bite in Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of sire that the United States recognize its
of the leaders in the region are tired this election year, but it’s also true. the ruling military council that re- controversial claims of sovereignty in
of waiting for the Palestinians” before placed then-president Omar Hassan the contested Western Sahara region.
recognizing the reality of Israel. Bahrain took a first step toward Fri- al-Bashir, is said to support an agree-
day’s announcement when it hosted a ment with Israel now, but Prime Minis- The dilemma for the Palestinians –
The significance of Bahrain’s action meeting in June 2019 between Israeli ter Abdalla Hamdok and other political whose suffering is largely ignored amid
is partly that it wouldn’t have happened and Arab leaders to discuss economic factions apparently aren’t convinced. the celebrations of diplomatic progress
without the blessing of Saudi Arabia, aspects of Kushner’s thus-far stalled – is how to influence a process that is
which is joined by a causeway to the plan for the Palestinians. Because of In Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, accelerating despite their bitter oppo-
small Persian Gulf state. The Saudis have this earlier public engagement with Is- who took the throne in January, has pub- sition.
historically exercised what amounts to a rael, Bahrain was seen as a likely next licly supported the UAE-Israel deal and
veto over Bahraini policy. In this case, the country to follow the UAE. rebuffed Palestinian attempts to con- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas
Saudis silently endorsed their tiny neigh- failed to win Arab League endorsement
bor’s decision, rather than vetoing it. last week for a resolution condemning
the UAE normalization decision. That
Kushner believes the Saudis are was another sign that Palestinians have
waiting to see how the normalization lost their veto power over Arab deci-
process plays out before making the sions concerning Israel.
move themselves. He thinks an even-
tual Saudi normalization is inevitable, The decision by two wealthy Gulf coun-
if not imminent. The Saudis gave tacit tries to recognize Israel doesn’t help the
approval to the UAE’s decision last shattered nations of the Middle East, such
month by publicly announcing they as Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Libya. And
would allow commercial jets traveling it doesn’t represent Middle East peace,
between Israel and the Emirates to fly whatever may be said at theWhite House.
over Saudi territory.
But for a region that sometimes seems
President Trump had a prized photo to be in slow-motion collapse, it’s a build-
opportunity this week when he hosted
Bahraini, UAE and Israeli leaders at a ing block for a better future. 
White House ceremony to celebrate
the agreements. This shouldn’t be con- This column by David Ignatius first
appeared in The Washington Post. It
does not necessarily reflect the views of
Vero Beach 32963.

During the coronavirus crisis, our Pelican Plaza off ice is closed to visitors. We appreciate your understanding.

© 2020 Vero Beach 32963 Media, all rights reserved Implantable Devices who receive medication intrathecally only need about 1/300th
of the amount they would need if taken orally in pill form.
When conservative back treatments fail to provide sufficient The pump is a round metal device about the size of a hockey
pain relief, your doctor may recommend implantation of a spinal puck. The neurosurgeon implants the pump in a “pocket” be-
cord stimulator or intraspinal infusion using a “pain pump.” tween the muscle and skin of your abdomen. He or she con-
nects it to a catheter (a tiny plastic tube) placed into the intra-
thecal space that carries the medication to the spinal cord and
 Spinal cord stimulator nerves. A reservoir inside the pump holds the medication.
The pump can be programmed to slowly release medication
This device sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal over a period of time or different amounts at different times.
cord or into specific nerves to block pain signals from reaching Patients can increase dosage (to a point) through an optional
the brain. The surgeon looks at real-time X-rays or ultrasound remote control, if needed. When the reservoir is empty (usu-
as a guide to make sure the device’s thin wires (electrodes) and ally every three to six months), the doctor refills the pump by
generator (similar to a small pacemaker) are implanted in the inserting a needle through your skin into the fill port on top of
area that will offer maximum pain relief. The electrodes are the reservoir.
placed between the spinal cord and the vertebrae in the epi- There are two types of pain pumps:
dural space; the generator is implanted under the skin, usually o Fixed rate pumps do not require a battery; they operate
near the abdomen or buttocks. A remote control, which can mechanically, powered by a gas pressure chamber
be used as needed, sends electrical impulses that replace pain surrounding a flexible inner reservoir.
sensations with a light tingling feeling. Spinal cord stimulation o Variable rate pumps have a battery and integrated micro-
can reduce the need for pain medicine and is typically used electronic circuits that control drug delivery. This allows
with other pain management treatments, such as exercise, the delivery rate to be altered, if needed. Since variable
medications, physical therapy and relaxation methods. Most rate pumps are battery operated, they may need to be
devices feature a rechargeable pulse generator system easily replaced over time.
charged through the skin.
While the majority of patients have the pump for the rest of
 Intraspinal infusion (“pain pump”) their lives, it can be removed if the condition improves to the
point it is no longer needed. 
Known by many names including intrathecal drug delivery sys- Your comments and suggestions for future topics are always
tem (IDDS) and infusion pump therapy, a pain pump is an im- welcome. Email us at [email protected].
planted medical device that delivers medication, such as opioids
(morphine, Dilaudid®, etc.) and/or anti-spasm drugs, directly
into the space inside the spinal canal that contains the cere-
brospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the spinal cord. Most patients

30 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BOOKS

When Elias Demetracopoulos died in Athens in Richard Nixon In the United States, Demetracopoulos began
2016 at 87, the Washington Post described him as an working as a Wall Street political adviser with a
“enigmatic’ expatriate.” In its obituary, the New York oned that, if he did it growing reputation as a bon vivant who “dated om-
Times chose similar language, calling him an “enig- well, he could even be nivorously.” When Nixon’s 1968 running mate, Spiro
matic journalist.” more famous than the Agnew, made a surprise endorsement of the Greek
people he covered. He junta, Demetracopoulos suspected dark motives and
The man had been so many things, and accused wanted to make news started contacting sources. The story he pieced to-
of being many more, that it was difficult to sum up by getting news.” gether was explosive: He laid out a tale of the military
his story. Journalist, Nazi resistance fighter and Wall dictatorship secretly funneling $549,000 to the Nix-
Street consultant were among his callings; spy, ego- Demetracopoulos, on campaign in a drachma-to-dollars transfer that
tist and “dangerous gadfly” were among the accusa- while reporting for a probably included CIA black-budget money.
tions. His life was so complicated it was hard to tell series of Greek and
where one version of Demetracopoulos ended and American newspapers, Rather than informing reporters, Demetracopou-
another began. cultivated connections los sought a path to President Lyndon Johnson. He
to powerful figures, reg- shared his findings with Larry O’Brien, Democratic
In “The Greek Connection,” James H. Barron seeks ularly blurring journalis- Party chairman and campaign manager for presiden-
to put the pieces together – but the Demetracopou- tic boundaries. He would tial nominee Hubert Humphrey. Demetracopoulos’
los puzzle was not the one he originally set out to spend decades combat- hope that Johnson would urgently confirm the story
solve. Barron was researching allegations of a trans- ing CIA, FBI and State with the CIA and then leak it (the election was less
fer of funds from Greece’s intelligence agency to Department reports that than three weeks away) proved naive. The would-be
Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign, which maligned and discredited Nixon scandal was a “stillborn October Surprise.”
he believed formed an underexplored chapter of Wa- him. The list of countries
tergate. During a chance encounter with Seymour alleged but never proved The scandal outlined by
Hersh, the investigative journalist suggested that to have hired him as a spy Demetracopoulos’ sources
Barron contact Demetracopoulos, a Greek expatriate included Israel, the Soviet lacked incontrovertible evi-
living in Washington who once tried to expose the Union, the United States dence, and it’s painful to read
money scheme. “I quickly realized,” Barron writes, and Greece. More than of his reliance on the Hum-
“that this episode was but part of Elias’ much larger once, government officials phrey campaign to prove it.
and even more compelling life story.” A biography pressured newspapers into severing ties with him. Why didn’t Demetracopou-
was born. los take his story elsewhere,
Demetracopoulos specialized in exclusive inter-
Barron, a journalist and lawyer, delivers a richly views with government officials and fancied the including to U.S. journalists
sourced work. He spoke with Demetracopoulos for nickname “the Scooper.” But a desire for political with whom he had relation-
five years, sometimes daily, until his death in 2016. influence seduced him and ultimately undercuts ships? An answer is elusive.
He gained access to Demetracopoulos’ personal pa- the author’s claims for him as a model for modern All Barron can say is, “Not
pers and government records, and interviewed those journalists. Barron recounts that as a young reporter, doing so was a fatal miscal-
who had known him both in his native Greece, which Demetracopoulos obtained a secret memorandum culation.”
he fled after a 1967 military coup, and in Washington, discussing the overthrow of the Greek government.
his adopted home until his final months. “Rather than writing about it,” the author reports, “Was my information
“he quietly showed his copy of the memo to the accurate?” Demetraco-
The story that emerges is at times cinematic, start- American political-affairs counselor.” poulos would later write
ing with a moving account of 12-year-old Elias’ resis- in the Post in 1997. “The
tance efforts during the Nazi occupation of Athens. This tension between journalism and activism sits campaign of intimida-
The boy was imprisoned, beaten and moved to an at the heart of the book’s inquiry into a corner of the tion that the Nixon White
asylum before being released. Later, stricken with tu- Watergate story. Demetracopoulos undertook his
berculosis and homebound, Demetracopoulos relied investigation of Nixon’s financial misconduct with House subsequently
on newspapers as a link to the outside world and as Greece after fleeing his homeland for Washington in launched against me
the source of a possible career. “He didn’t want to be the wake of the military junta’s takeover. He decided convinced me that I
a doctor, lawyer, businessman, or engineer. He want- it was “time to join the resistance,” but not within wasn’t wrong.” It wasn’t
ed to be a journalist,” Barron writes. “He also reck- Greece. “He wanted to fight to restore democracy until Nixon had left the
from outside his country,” Barron writes. White House that firmer
evidence emerged, what
even Demetracopoulos
called “more definitive
corroboration.” This in-
cluded Hersh’s reporting that a former U.S. ambassa-
dor to Greece gave secret House testimony about the
transfer of funds from the junta to Nixon’s reelection
coffers.
For the rest of his life, Demetracopoulos nursed
his disappointment over his lost chance for a place
in history. In the book Barron plays out the woulda-
coulda imaginings about a world where the block-
buster allegations were made public. In that sce-
nario, the story costs Nixon the election and there is
no Watergate. Instead of Woodward and Bernstein,
the reporters who break the story of the junta’s ille-
gal payments become journalistic icons. And Elias
Demetracopoulos, not Daniel Ellsberg, is the “inter-
national poster boy for whistleblowers.” 

THE GREEK CONNECTION

THE LIFE OF ELIAS DEMETRACOPOULOS

AND THE UNTOLD STORY OF WATERGATE

BY JAMES H. BARRON | MELVILLE HOUSE. 482 PP. $32.99
REVIEW BY ANN MARIE LIPINSKI, THE WASHINGTON POST

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 31

INSIGHT BRIDGE

TRUST PARTNER’S CARD AND SOUTH’S BIDDING WEST NORTH EAST
KJ876 54 AQ32
By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist 732 KQJ5 10 9 4
J4 A 10 9 8 3 K2
George Eliot wrote, “There are men whose presence infuses trust and reverence.” 10 7 4 AK 9863

If your bridge partner is one of those, lucky you. But regardless, you must be able to rely on SOUTH
your partner’s bids and plays. Trusting the opponents is a tad more dangerous because they 10 9
might intentionally be trying to mislead you; however, most of the time, they are dependable. A86
Q765
This deal was played at Bridge Base Online last month. It looks so easy to defeat three no- QJ52
trump, but it made seven times and failed only thrice. Why?
Dealer: East; Vulnerable: North-South
As a secondary issue, what is the best contract for North-South, and how do they get there?
The Bidding:
After West led the spade seven, almost every East won with the ace and returned the spade
two, low from three remaining cards. (Two Easts sensibly led back the spade queen, which SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
worked perfectly.) Pass
Pass Pass 1 Diamonds Pass LEAD:
At every table where the contract made, West took the second trick with his jack and cashed 1 NT Pass 2 Hearts Pass 7 Spades
the spade king, under which East failed to unblock the queen. 3 Diamonds Pass 3 NT All Pass

One East realized that throwing away the queen was safe. If South had started with four
spades, he would have responded one spade, not one no-trump.

Each West should have used that same deduction and, at trick three, led the spade six. East
would have overtaken with the queen and continued with the three.

The best North-South contract is four hearts, which here would have made easily. But I do not
see an obvious way to get there.

32 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT GAMES

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (SEPTEMBER 10) ON PAGE 56

ACROSS DOWN
1 Loft (5) 1 One of the seasons (6)
4 Perplex (7) 2 Browned bread (5)
8 Sport’s shoe (7) 3 Refectory (7)
9 Heather genus (5) 4 Looking-glass (6)
10 Nacre (6-2-5) 5 Doze (5)
11 Dried plum (5) 6 Copy (7)
13 Frequently (5) 7 Annually (6)
18 Global (13) 12 Hideaway (7)
21 Foe (5) 14 Comrades (7)
22 Jogging (7) 15 Abandon (4,2)
23 Design (7) 16 Rabbit burrow (6)
24 Lustre (5) 17 Catchphrase (6)
19 Verse (5)
20 Inexperienced (5)

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

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 33

INSIGHT GAMES

ACROSS 94 Bronze place 47 Satisfied sounds The Washington Post
96 Nickname of Captain 48 Go to all that trouble
1 Barbecuing place 50 “... over ___ milk” PILGRIM’S PROGRESS By Merl Reagle
6 Colorado Springs inits. Standish? 51 Not-very-gregarious type
10 Supports 102 Bikini saison 52 Apple cover
15 Back book flap blurb 103 Indiana team 53 Ton, for one
18 Oscar acceptance-speech 106 CIA counterpart, once 54 African Nobelist
107 Following 55 Charged particle
word 108 Pilgrims’ worries about rocks 56 Hovering mysteries
19 Proscribed items 60 Periodic payment
21 Jane Curtin TV role and shallow water? 61 Actress Bullock
22 Place for the night 111 Work the lifeboats 62 Booker T’s band
23 How Pilgrims always 113 Watery retreat 64 Western Europe’s longest
114 Hurling stat
pack their clothes? 115 Particular moment river
25 Nary a soul 116 Character in Rebecca (or 65 Streisand film
26 Gallaudet College lang. 66 Neverland pirate
27 She’s a Lennonist what 69 Capshaw and Winslet
28 Woodpile tool no Pilgrim does 70 Tea preference
29 Pilgrims’ arrival bash? during de summer?) 71 Lock fed by the Oich
32 Top spot 120 Existential extension 72 Mattel dolls
34 ___ de deux 121 Overact 75 “___ Wiedersehen”
36 Balances 122 Practice piece 78 Clay for porcelain
37 It’s got the gold metal locked 123 Send a chill through 80 Falklands War nation: abbr.
124 One lift or squat, 81 Ducklike bird
up for ex. 82 Play beginning
38 Pilgrim’s remark after one day 125 Shipboard denial 83 Get ___ out of (enjoy)
126 Iowa city 85 3 Down is on it: abbr.
in the New World? 127 Actress Annie 86 Practice
42 Poodle or pencil follower 87 Way off the parkway
44 Slayer of Hotspur DOWN 88 Remark to be
45 How the Amazon flows,
1 Torpedo craft wary of
generally 2 Play ___ (guess) 89 Scout’s brother in To Kill a
46 Song of India star 3 City near Mt. Rainier
49 Titleist 1 holder 4 Drowning in red ___ Mockingbird
50 Noisy takedown 5 Musical’s first half? 93 Nudging part
52 Pilgrims’ sighting from 6 Oust 95 Fighter in gray
7 Lawn patch 96 Neither male nor female
the Mayflower? 8 Spanish year 97 Wall St. hotshot,
56 Second word of The 9 Ducks and geese
10 Robber for short
Raven 11 Dr. Alzheimer 98 Goes along (with)
57 Effortlessness 12 Double you? 99 Anne’s vampire
58 Our, to Orozco 13 Midas and Minos 100 Authority
59 Light touch 14 Ooze 101 Long looks
62 Chigger, for one 15 French resort 103 TV teaser
63 Hudson and Ford 16 From both parents 104 “So long from Sonora”
67 Violinist Bull with an apt first 105 Rocky composer Bill
at once? 108 King-in-waiting, e.g.
name 17 “At the low, low 109 Tournament type
68 Discussing recipes? 110 Sp. miss
73 Do an alteration price of ...” 112 Trace of smoke
74 Virus variety 20 ___ attention (straightens up) 117 Amount
76 Unreturned bullets on a court 24 Force out 118 White House monogram
77 Author Caldwell 30 “___ can manage, thanks” 119 Sgt., for one
79 New news about old news 31 Fine and dandy
81 He and Pacino once 33 Refrigerant gas
35 Engraved pillar
played brothers 39 Yosemite ___
84 It means “before” 40 Gives, as odds
85 Favored a particular type of 41 Salinger girl
42 Pleasure carriages
Pilgrim humiliation? 43 Dix, in Dixie
89 Jennifer Grey’s dad 46 Diaphanous
90 Talk-show topic
91 Finds fault with
92 Roast lamb, in French,

agneau ___
93 Conger

The Telegraph





36 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BACK PAGE

He had no inkling that his wife would get a tattoo

BY CAROLYN HAX do something like this seemingly out of nowhere, It takes some wishful thinking to
Washington Post spin that into “randomly.”
annoyed that she didn’t bother to tell me first and
Dear Carolyn: My wife and I What really happened, I’d venture,
have been married seven years worried that maybe something’s going on that I is that her finally doing it knocked off
and she’s the smartest and most your filter, the one through which you
practical person I’ve ever met, don’t know about? ran all of her tattoo talk so you could
and I love her and her way of see- tell yourself she’d never get one. She’s
ing the world. I’ve always seen I’ve been distant since she showed me. How do I too sensible, you told yourself. She’s
her as very logical person who’s not prone to ran- too professional. She was just joking.
dom flights of fancy. deal with this?
She has talked about liking tattoos for a long You wanted to see her this way, so
time, but never gotten one because she always said – Tattoo Trouble that’s what you saw.
it’s a big decision having something on her skin
forever. Tattoo Trouble: How can you say it “seems so But, all along she was someone
I hate tattoos. I’ve never wanted one and never unlike her” and “out of nowhere” when every- who’d get a tattoo eventually. Then
wanted her to have one. She’s a teacher, so her pro- thing else you say proves it’s something she al- “eventually” eventually came.
fessional image is very important to her. ways wanted?
I was away for business last week and when I Your frustration with the timing is
got home, she showed me a tattoo on her wrist. We She thought about it for a long time, openly, valid. She obviously knew you’d ob-
talked every night while I was gone but she didn’t with you, and then did it. ject, so she went at it sideways vs.
even bother to tell me she decided to do this. head-on.
It’s small, and she said it’s the only one she wants, That is on her. She owed it to you to be open
but I’m still flabbergasted and ticked off. I haven’t about her choice.
told her yet, but I hate it. It seems so unlike her, like But you owed it to her to see her for who she is
she just got bored and randomly decided to mark and not spin her into someone you liked better.
herself for life. I know she had mentioned wanting Regardless of what you think of all of this, she is
one for a while, but she always acted like it was who she is. As-is. If it were my marriage, I’d look
just a joke. past the tattoo to the bigger issue of valuing di-
Now it’s on her body forever, and I’m concerned, rectness more and, toward that end, pledging to
annoyed and worried. Concerned that she would judge less.
By the way, the days of tattoos being an issue
professionally are, if not dead, then at least on life
support and furrowing the brows of onlookers. To
single out teachers seems almost quaint. 

‘ASOSHUOPWBOOWFLH’ APNODTTSEFROSR FULL-HEARTED

38 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

A SHOW OF HANDS FOR FULL-HEARTED ‘SOUP BOWL’ POTTERS

BY MARY SCHENKEL | STAFF WRITER Members of Indian River Clay: Bev Swatt, Patty Wright, Linda Thiessen, sis, co-founder, board chair and resident
Ginny Piech Street, Marilyn Kanner and Carol Petterson. PHOTOS BY KAILA JONES artist at the nonprofit clay studio.
This year’s 28th annual Soup Bowl
fundraiser to benefit the Samaritan merous COVID-related difficulties bers stepped up to offer its facility for They implemented myriad safety
Center, a transitional residential fa- faced by local restaurants over the production, taking the place of the Vero precautions and dedicated August and
cility for homeless families, will take past six months. Beach Museum of Art, which has re- September to the Soup Bowl, spread-
place a little differently as a result of mained closed since March. ing the process over two months rather
coronavirus limitations. Happily, though, thanks to the cre- than two weeks.
ative talents of local potters, people will “We were approached by the Samari-
This year’s aptly themed “Empty still be able to get their hands on this tan Center toward the end of July, which “It has always been a homecoming
Bowl; Full Hearts” event will occur year’s crop of handcrafted soup bowls is when they decided that they wanted for all of us. Everybody gets together
Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Heritage Cen- that some 30 artists have been working to go through with it, and they realized and it’s kind of like a big party in a way,
ter, but without the delicious soups on for the past two months. that it wasn’t possible to have the bowls and that’s just not possible this year,”
prepared by restaurants and business- made at the museum,” said Maria Spar- Sparsis explains.
es, as organizers recognized the nu- Additionally, Indian River Clay mem-
On the plus side, Indian River
Clay moved this past year into a new

Carol Petterson.

Linda Thiessen.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 39

ARTS & THEATRE

4,000-square-foot facility on 16th Street. Marilyn Kanner. feet workspace, where they can keep
In addition to the space being consid- their own equipment, and have full use
erably larger than the museum’s, stu- but they’re symbolic of the event. of the rest of the studio.
dio members have 24/7 access, which People buy them to support the char-
helped limit the number of people at ity, often seeing one and saying, ‘Oh I This year’s Samaritan Center Soup
any given time. want that,’ and not necessarily think- Bowl will take place from 9 a.m. to
ing about it for soup.” 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 ONLY at the
“It’s been really low key, but I was Heritage Center. The number of people
amazed at how many people showed up Sparsis says she gets her creative juic- inside at any given time will be lim-
and did their thing,” says Sparsis. “Some es flowing by making a new bowl design ited, and masks are required. Bowls
people chose to get the clay and work at with each bag of clay. ($15 donation per bowl requested)
home, and I don’t blame them, but it’s must be paid for by check or exact cash
never been crowded. We’ve never had to “So my bowls tend to come in sets of amounts. Some bowls will be sold as
get closer than 6 feet from each other.” 16, because that’s how many bowls we sets of four and eight.
get out of a bag of clay. So it’s 16 of this,
Ginny Piech Street, a co-founder and 16 of that, 16 of the next thing, because For more information, visit Indianriv-
their part-time studio manager, said otherwise I just get bored,” says Sparsis, erclay.org or call the Samaritan Center at
they appreciated the chance to show off who has so far crafted 97 bowls. 772-770-3039. 
the “fabulous new space” with potential
new members, adding, “We’re tickled Included in her sets are little bean
to death that all of these people have pots with handles, and ramen noodle
stepped up. It’s no surprise, because bowls that can hold chopsticks, with a
they do it every year, but we’re glad we turtle-shaped cutout on one side and a
could facilitate it this year.” rest on the opposite rim.

She and Sparsis agree that the spurt Husband Randy Hagood, who Sparsis
of creative energy has given everyone taught to throw during the shutdown,
a boost. produced three bowls.

“I’m not happy with the whole COVID “They look really nice but that’s how
thing, but it’s caused us to move out of many he could produce this year so
our comfort zone and look at things in a that’s how many he made,” says Sparsis.
different way,” says Piech Street. She also partnered with him on a set of
16 shallow white bowls, into which Ha-
“A lot of us sort of went into this in good has painted fish designs. “He can
a state of decline, because you’re not draw but I cannot, so he drew all this
motivated to make anything when you marine life in the bowls that I made.”
don’t have an outlet for it. And right now,
there is very little selling anywhere,” “Clay people are the best people in
says Sparsis. “So this has really brought the whole world. I don’t know what it
a lot of enthusiasm back into the studio. is, but my theory is that the clay comes
Everybody was excited about it; every from the ground and working with clay
member has participated to whatever just makes you a very grounded per-
extent they could.” son. That’s my story and I’m sticking
to it,” said Piech Street. “The people in
As in prior years, contributors have the studio, the people who have come
multiple levels of abilities and skills. in for Soup Bowl and the people who
are working independently are all just
“I think that’s one of the nicer things amazing people. They have given so
about this event. People that can pro- much of their time and creative energy
duce 100 bowls and are experienced to contribute to this over the years.”
potters will produce 100 bowls, but
we’ve got potters who can make two,” Sparsis says Indian River Clay plans
says Sparsis. “And they’ll do the best to restart a limited number of classes in
they can with the two that they make, October, each with limited participants.
so everybody feels like they’re contrib-
uting. So, if the bowl you get is not per- “It’s just not the same but it’s the best
fect, just think of it as being support for we can do right now,” she says. “We
a potter that’s really trying and will po- used to have two classes at the same
tentially be a famous artist.” time; things like that just aren’t hap-
pening right now.”
The process has been a literal trial
by fire. In addition to regular memberships,
they have four resident members; two of
“We have four kilns and we’ve been those are currently available. Resident
firing pretty often; each bowl gets fired members have their own 8-feet-by-10-
twice. It’s been a fun challenge to get
everything fired and glazed and re-
fired. It’s been a great exercise for us,”
says Piech Street.

Some bowls are routinely sought out
by fans, such as the little ‘turtle’ bowls
made by Linda Thiessen, who annually
crafts the same number of bowls as her
age. We’re not telling.

“We have hand-built bowls and
wheel-thrown bowls. The hand-built
bowls lend a whole new approach to
it; it’s fun to see what people come
up with,” says Piech Street. “We have
some that will by no means hold soup,

40 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ACROTSM&INTHGEAUTPR!E

‘IRISH REP’ STEPS UP WITH
UNIQUE ONLINE OFFERINGS

BY PAM HARBAUGH been regaling art lovers with a series
Correspondent of up-close-and-personal looks at se-
lect pieces from the museum’s collec-
1 Grab your Guinness and get tion or exhibition. Visitors to Anke’s Art
ready for something truly won- Moment series have learned about Sol
LeWitt, Milton Avery, Romare Bearden,
derful – the Irish Repertory Theatre’s William Wegman, Sharron Quasius
and just so many more artists. They’re
unique digital fall season. The three- all online, six months’ worth’ in fact.
While you are on Museum Extras,
month run begins Thursday, Sept. be sure to look at its Flick Pick series.
These are smartly curated films, which
17 with violinist Gregory Harrington can be streamed free or sometimes
rented for a tiny fee. There’s also about
performing his interpretations of tra- six months’ worth of weekly selections,
including documentaries on celebrities
ditional and contemporary songs, such as opera singer Maria Callas and
choreographer Merce Cunningham,
juxtaposing Bach and Bob Dylan, smart narrative films such as Dustin
Hoffman’s “Quartet” and “A Man
Beethoven and Leonard Cohen, Ra- Called Ove,” and classics such as Orson
Welles’ “The Magnificent Ambersons”
diohead and Johnny Cash. His an- and “The Sunshine Boys” with Walter
Matthau and George Burns. In a dif-
nual sold-out spring concert had to ferent section, you’ll find Cork, Canvas
& Company, a Zoom gathering where
be canceled this year due to the pan- you’ll sip wine and make art. Remain-
ing sessions begins 6 p.m. Oct. 22, Nov.
demic. Instead, it will be presented at 5 and Nov. 19. The cost per session is
$25 non-members and $20 museum
7 p.m. this Thursday. Joining him on- members. Get all this by visiting VB-
Museum.org.
stage will be cellists Eleanor Norton

and Philip Sheegog. But that’s just the

start of what has got to be some amaz-

ing offerings by the award-winning,

New York City-based Irish Rep. The

lineup for the Digital Fall Season also

includes Geraldine Hugh’s “Belfast

Blues,” filmed at the Lyric Theatre in

Belfast, which will be presented Sept.

22-27. “Give Me Your Hand,” starring

acclaimed actors Dermot Crowley

and Dearbhla Molloy on a poetic stroll

through the National Gallery of Lon-

don, will be presented Oct. 13-18. Eu-

gene O’Neill’s “A Touch of the Poet” has

an all-star cast and creative team and 3 If you’re in a mood for a drive and
an actual visit to a museum, head
will be presented Oct. 27-Nov. 1. You

will not want to miss Bill Irwin in his south to the A.E. Backus Museum &

celebrated, award-winning concept Gallery. This is the place where you can

piece “On Beckett/In Screen,” which discover the Highwaymen artists – self-

will be presented Nov. 17-22. There’s so taught African-American artists who

much more, including a concert pre- created vibrant works of early Florida,

sentation of Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s ripe in bloom and moonlight. Backus

Christmas in Wales” to be streamed guided some of the Highwaymen artists

in December. Tickets to these are free, such as Harold Newton and Alfred Hair

but the theater would certainly ap- in starting the art movement and creat-

preciate a donation, with suggestions ing these Florida masterpieces. By the

running from $10 to $25 per viewer. way, a new movie called “The Highway-

You need to make a reservation in or- men” will begin production after pan-

der to get access. The shows will be demic restrictions lift. The film, by an

streamed at various times. For more independent Orlando company called

information or to make reservations, Stars North, will tell the true story of the

visit IrishRep.org and click onto “Digi- group of painters as they painted their

tal Fall Season.” way from hard labor in citrus groves.

So, in the meantime, brush off your

2 If you have not taken advantage knowledge base about this important
of the Vero Beach Museum of
art movement by visiting the A.E. Back-

Art website, then you’re really miss- us Museum & Gallery at 500 North In-

ing out. On its home page, you will see dian River Dr., Fort Pierce. Admission is

links to numerous offerings, including $5 with discounts for seniors, veterans,

“Museum Extras.” There you will find members of AARP and AAA. It’s free for

Anke’s Art Moment, hosted by Anke current museum members, students

Van Wagenberg, the museum’s senior with I.D., active duty military person-

curator. During the pandemic, while nel and children under 18. Call 722-465-

the museum has been closed, she has 0630 or visit BackusMuseum.org. 

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
CAMPAIGNS FOR

NEW PROGRAMS P. 42

42 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Orthopedic surgeon campaigns for new programs

BY TOM LLOYD Dr. Clay Greeson. In this case, “old” is something of an cally lasts between three to five
understatement – it also rhymes with months.”
Staff Writer PHOTOS: KAILA JONES a word that’s the very definition of the
therapy. Cold. Iovera’s devices, according
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Clay Gree- player to be considered a sports medi- to the company’s website are,
son is actively promoting one idea he cine patient. It should be across the age As the University of Kansas Health “used to destroy tissue during
came here with when he arrived less spectrum, which is what’s exciting for System points out, “using cold to relieve surgical procedures by applying
than a year ago – a systemwide Cleve- me. I enjoy that part of it. But yes, we pain is a practice that’s been around freezing cold. It can also be used
land Clinic “sports medicine” program want to absolutely go after those tar- since Hippocrates first noted its heal- to produce lesions in peripheral
– while also advocating a second idea, geted ages of the young folks and get ing properties in ancient Greece,” but nervous tissue by the applica-
hoping to convince the hospital group them into the clinic as well.” whether or not a newer generation of tion of cold to the selected site
to look into testing a pain-killing pro- treatments to harness the power of “fo- for the blocking of pain.”
cedure for patients with osteoarthritis. Whether or not Vero has a large cused cold” will succeed is still being
enough potential patient population debated. If that sounds a lot like “cryo-
Both could be “tough sells.” to warrant establishing a systemwide therapy” to you, you’re quite
On the surface at least, the demo- sports medicine program here remains “Iovera works,” says the University correct. “It is,” says Greeson, “a
graphics of Vero Beach don’t seem ide- to be seen. of Kansas, “by applying targeted cold form of cryotherapy.”
ally suited to support a major sports to a peripheral nerve. A precise cold
medicine program. Meanwhile, on a different front, zone then forms under the skin – cold For patients with osteoarthri-
While Johns Hopkins Medicine does Greeson is hoping testing can con- enough to immediately stop the nerve tis-related knee pain, Greeson
say “almost one-third of all injuries in- vince the hospital that a very old pain- from sending pain signals while avoid- claims the Iovera treatment
curred in childhood are sports-related relieving technique does, indeed, have ing damage to the surrounding tis- “temporarily stuns the sensory
injuries,” Vero’s largest age group has a place in modern medicine in general, sue. Pain relief from this process typi- nerves around the knee.”
long since left childhood behind them. and in treating pain from osteoarthri-
Nevertheless, looking at Indian Riv- tis in particular, through a system pro- “If it does that,” he continues,
er County overall, Greeson sees “three vided by medical device manufacturer “it could likely have a positive
very good [high schools] in a very small Iovera. influence on things like hospital
locale, along with a community col- stay, length of stay and recovery
lege, which would be a great footprint time.”
for a program. If you add all those kids
up, it would be over 4,000 kids.” And, if it does perform as ad-
Just to our south, however, St. Lu- vertised, this modern-day cryo-
cie County – where Cleveland Clinic therapy could have a big impact by
has two hospitals – boasts five times reducing the use of pre- and post-oper-
the number of public and preparatory ative opioid prescription drugs.
schools with nearly 10 times the num- That said, Greeson freely admits,
ber of students. “we need to know if this works and
Perhaps Greeson’s stronger argu- whether or not it is an effective treat-
ment for a sports medicine center rests ment and what the adverse events are.
on Vero’s seniors. With golf, tennis, “This hasn’t been studied in a ro-
pickleball, running, hiking, sailing, bust, randomized controlled trial
gyms and a host of other exercise-relat- fashion,” concludes Greeson. “I know
ed options available, Vero’s seniors are that the Cleveland Clinic is hoping to
often just as active – or possibly even initiate that, and we would love to be
more active – than their counterparts a part of it.”
in rest of the county.
Greeson says, “I think we can pro- Dr. Clay Greeson is an orthopedic
vide a lot of options to keep people surgeon and sports medicine physi-
doing the things they want to do. You cian with Cleveland Clinic Indian River
don’t have to be a high school football Hospital. His office is in the hospital’s
Health & Wellness building at 3450 11th
Court in Vero Beach. The phone num-
ber is 772-794-1444. 

A Moment’s Notice DR. KEITH KALISH

HEALTH CARE OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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• As the Saying Goes, “There’s No Place Like Home” Same Day
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www.amnhc.com License Number HHA20007095 772-978-9092
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VERO BEACH I 1285 36TH ST I SUITE 203

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 43

HEALTH

What does ‘DO’ after a doctor’s name stand for?

BY FRED CICETTI Manipulative Treatment (OMT). many of the approaches of their col- or even harmful. In response, Dr. Still
Columnist Osteopathic therapy follows a leagues. developed a philosophy of medicine
based on ideas that date back to Hip-
Question: In my HMO’s provider holistic (whole body) approach to Osteopathic physicians who wish to pocrates, the father of medicine. That
directory, some of the doctors have a health care. specialize may become board certified philosophy focuses on the unity of all
“DO” after their names instead of an in much the same way MDs do by com- body parts.
“MD.” What exactly is the difference Osteopathy takes advantage of the pleting a 2- to 6-year residency within
between these two? body’s natural tendency to strive for the specialty area and passing board- Dr. Still identified the musculo-
good health. DOs often say that the certification exams. skeletal system as a key element of
DO stands for Doctor of Osteo- best drugs are within the body’s im- health. He recognized the body’s
pathic Medicine. MD is the abbre- mune system. Civil War Surgeon Andrew Taylor ability to heal itself and stressed pre-
viation for Doctor of Medicine. Still, MD, DO, founded osteopathy in ventive medicine, eating properly
Over the years, the gap between 1874. Dr. Still believed that many of the and keeping fit. 
MDs and DOs has narrowed as physi- medications of his day were useless
cians in both categories have adopted

Here is a brief dictionary defini-
tion:

os•te•op•a•thy n. A system of med-
icine based on the theory that dis-
turbances in the musculoskeletal
system affect other bodily parts,
causing many disorders.

Osteopathic medicine is a safe,
established practice. Like MDs, DOs
must pass a state medical board
examination to obtain a license to
practice. There are about 15 MDs
for every DO in the United States.

Both DOs and MDs are fully qual-
ified to prescribe medication and
perform surgery. Like a medical
doctor, an osteopathic physician
completes four years of medical
school and can choose to practice in
any medical specialty. However, os-
teopaths receive an additional 300
to 500 hours in the study of manual
medicine and the body’s musculo-
skeletal system.

An osteopath will often use ma-
nipulation – hands-on techniques
to make sure the body is moving
freely so that all the body’s natural
healing systems can function prop-
erly.

The osteopath is trained to feel the
body’s flow of fluids, motion, tex-
tures and structure. The DO applies
precise force to promote healthy
movement of tissues, eliminate ab-
normal movements, and release
compressed bones and joints. This
process is called Osteopathic Man-
ual Medicine (OMM) or Osteopathic

44 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

A neighborhood walk is an easy, fun way to keep fit

BY JILL U. ADAMS ganizations – such as the American
Washington Post Heart Association, the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention and the
I’ve taken to walking the streets of American Diabetes Association – pro-
my neighborhood during the corona- mote walking for exercise. For good
virus pandemic. It’s a way to get out of reason, too; walking can help people
the house when most of us are spend- manage their weight and reduce their
ing more time at home than ever be- risk for heart disease, stroke, Type 2 di-
fore. It’s a simple and effective way to abetes, depression and some cancers.
get exercise.
People who promote walking for ex-
Many doctors and public health or- ercise emphasize how easy it is – no

gym membership or pricey equipment or stiffness as you start on a walk, but
required. you may just need a warm-up period,
Vincent says. “Give it a few minutes,”
And yet, walking is not completely she says, if you’re doubting the wis-
free of discomforts or barriers to ac- dom of pushing on in the face of spe-
cess. For instance, certain conse- cific sensations – a stitch in your side
quences of walking may dissuade or an achy knee.
people from a regular practice, such as
blisters. Also, physical problems, such As you walk, your blood is flowing
as arthritic knees, may keep people to joints and muscles. Keep breathing
from taking it up even though walking deeply. Those early twinges should let
can help joint problems. up soon enough, Vincent says. “Walk-
ing is wonderful for chronic aches
The easiness of walking poses an- and pains.”
other paradoxical problem.
A 2015 review of 26 studies found
“A lot of people don’t consider that in people who have chronic mus-
walking to be exercise,” says Jessica cle or joint pain, those who walked for
Schwartz, a New York-based physical exercise had less pain and better mo-
therapist and spokeswoman for the bility than those who didn’t exercise.
American Physical Therapy Associa-
tion. In her practice, Schwartz often Vincent says, however, it’s a red
sees more injuries after a walkathon flag if you start moving and the pain
than after the New York City Marathon. worsens in intensity, especially if it’s a
That’s because people don’t think they sharp or radiating type of pain. “That’s
need to train for a 5- or 6-mile walk. something that probably needs to be
checked out,” she says.
If you are one of the 80 percent of
Americans who don’t get the recom- The benefits of walking go beyond
mended 150 minutes of physical activi- arthritis pain. “Walking is probably
ty per week, it’s best to work up to those the best exercise you can do,” says Lo-
distances gradually. “Walk up and retta DiPietro, professor of exercise sci-
down your street several times. Then ence at George Washington University.
add an extra block,” Schwartz says.
It’s aerobic, which is good for car-
“Physical and psychological barri- diovascular health. It’s weight-bear-
ers are a normal part of getting started ing, which is good for bone health. It
with exercise,” says Heather Vincent, works your muscles, which helps with
a specialist in sports medicine and leg strength and stability. It benefits
director of the UF Health Sports Per- your brain and your mood, making
formance Center at the University of you feel better.
Florida. This is true for any exercise,
she says. “If you’re currently seden- And it helps you control your blood
tary, you may experience some dis- sugar. DiPietro conducted a study of
comforts.” inactive people 60 and older with a risk
of diabetes. When participants took a
It’s not uncommon to feel twinges 15-minute walk after eating a meal,

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 45

HEALTH

Wear sunglasses and a
brimmed hat to protect

from the sun.

Wear comfortable-to-you shoes. And carry hand sanitizer.
Air quality, heat and humidity: Al-
their blood glucose levels came down
quickly. lergens and air pollution can trigger
shortness of breath in sensitive people.
Schwartz talks about dosing – how Avoid air-quality problems by using
far you walk and at what intensity. indoor spaces, keeping a safe distance
There’s a huge range that can satisfy from others and wearing a mask. Those
the novice to the extreme athlete. with exercise-induced asthma should
carry inhalers.
And if you run into obstacles, here
are some ways to deal with them. As for those hot summer days, Vin-
cent says, “the best times to get out are
Blisters: “Footwear is important,” early or late.” Wear sunglasses and a
Vincent says. Wear comfortable-to- brimmed hat for further protection
you shoes – and lace them properly. from the sun – and find routes with lots
Lacing should be snug, she says, “but of tree shade.
not so snug that you can’t squeeze a
finger under laces.” A good fit means Hand swelling: Some people find
some space around the toes, and your their fingers swell on long walks, par-
heel should not slide against the back ticularly on warm days. It’s not clear
of the shoe. For other foot problems, why this happens, although that
a podiatrist may be able to assess and doesn’t keep people from theoriz-
treat with orthopedic insoles. ing everything from blood pooling to
low salt levels. The only study on the
Gastrointestinal problems: If you phenomenon found that 29 percent
fear the sudden urge to go while out of women and 16 percent of men no-
walking, plan a route around lavatory ticed some swelling of their hands af-
access, such as in public buildings, but ter walking. Anecdotal reports on hik-
check for good ventilation in advance. ing forums suggest that using trekking
poles helps prevent swelling. Some
doctors advise stretching and fisting
your hands while you walk.

Motivation: Vincent calls this the
biggest barrier: “The drive to get out
there and do it.” Fitness trackers help
many people set and keep goals.

Schwartz says that socially distant
walking with a buddy or a family mem-
ber can help with motivation. And, she
says, if buying a new pair of sneakers
helps you start a walking program,
then go ahead and do it. 

46 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Style Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

How the Kardashians changed fashion, from beauty to bottoms

BY MELISSA TWIGG
The Telegraph

The Kardashians have influenced the her romance to Kanye West in 2012, he As Kim became one of the most pho- weight of the Kardashian-effect.
way we all dress. You may look at that introduced her brands like Balmain tographed women in the world, curve- Bridget Jones – that other famous thir-
sentence, snort and think, ‘Well, not me.’ and Mugler – having apparently told enhancing, corseted dresses were sud- tysomething – once described padded
But the big-bottomed, corset-wearing, her she had “bad style” on one of their denly everywhere, and Latex moved panties designed to make bottoms
Latex-loving, makeup flogging sisters early dates. Clearly she didn’t mind too from sex parties into the mainstream. look bigger as a “glorious deception
from L.A. have shaped the current much, as in 2013 the couple appeared Many of the trends of the last decade to be in need of.” Well, 20 years later
aesthetic in more ways than one. on the Met Gala red carpet, Kim’s baby – cycling shorts, perspex heels, under- many of us do need them, as the ideal
bump resplendent in those much-ma- wear as outerwear and bodies – can be female physique has changed. Ac-
Last week Kim announced on In- ligned Givenchy florals. traced back to our Kim. cording to the British Association of
stagram that “Keeping Up With The Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, four out
Kardashians” would come to an end The rise of the Kardashians went The Kardashians wouldn’t be the of five doctors in the industry have
in early 2021. Given the enormous im- hand in hand with that of Instagram Kardashians if they weren’t making seen “a wild increase in demand …
pact the family has had on fashion and and along with her sisters, Kim’s ev- money from all this. Kim’s shapewear for gluteal augmentation.” Otherwise
culture, it’s odd to think that when they ery fashion move was documented, line, Skims, sold out within minutes of known as butt implants.
shimmied onto our television screens dissected and copied. They were a its launch, earning her an impressive $2
13 years ago they were known only for tsunami and their fashion choices million from her first week alone. Khloé “One of the biggest trends worldwide
Kim’s sex tape and Bruce Jenner’s athlet- flooded the industry, influencing ma- co-designed a body-positive denim last year was for big buttocks,” says Dr.
ic career. It was 2007 and skinny blondes jor designer names like Riccardo Tisci brand called Good American which Renato Saltz, a leading plastic surgeon.
were everywhere; Scarlett Johansson as well as fast-fashion favorites such as made her $1 million on its first day, “It’s a trend entirely started in Latin
and Jennifer Aniston were voted Peo- Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing (Kourt- while Kanye’s brand Yeezy made nearly America and for a while it was con-
ple’s most beautiful and Lindsay Lohan ney collaborated with the latter last $1 billion in sales last year. With the re- tained there. But it’s fascinating to see
was Maxim’s Sexiest Woman Alive. year). In February 2019 Kim even sued lease of her KKW Beauty and KKW Fra- how widely it has been exported to the
Missguided for plagiarism and won grance lines, Kim earned nearly $100 rest of the world. The cultural divide be-
Then the Kardashians slowly be- nearly $3 million in damages. million in 2019; and then there are the tween what women wanted in the West
gan their world domination. When sponsored partnerships on Instagram, and in Latin countries used to be very
the show first aired, Kim was no style for which Kim reportedly makes up to strong, but thanks to celebrities like
icon, appearing in a series of question- $1 million per post. Kim Kardashian, we have seen a real
able thigh-high boots, furry shawls globalization of beauty, as people from
and glittery camouflage dresses that The appetite for her fashion choices is around the world aspire to one look
looked more like an early-years Chris- insatiable and yes, mere mortals prob- rather than many.”
tina Aguilera tribute act than anything ably shouldn’t emulate her most talked
resembling high fashion. about outfits – remember the wet-look Young women undergoing a painful
Theirry Mugler gown at the 2019 Met and often dangerous surgery to emu-
But as she got a stylist and learned Gala? Or her near-naked vintage Mu- late a shape that’s impossible to attain
which cuts suited her body and the gler black dress? Or the velvet leggings, any other way is wrong on many levels.
camera, Kim began to represent a re- lace bra and suit jacket from a Man- But the end of “Keeping up with the Kar-
freshingly new, wonderfully simple hattan night out? But if you’ve worn a dashians” represents the end of a fash-
concept: a woman with hips and thighs dress over the last few years that is cut ion era that brought a lot of good, too.
– and most importantly a bottom! – in all the right places, and leaves space Yes, Kim’s fashion choices were ridicu-
that weren’t being dieted into submis- for normal-sized hips and thighs, then lous at times, but they almost single-
sion or hidden under bulky clothes. In- there’s a good chance that you’ve got handedly brought down the ultra-skin-
stead they were front and center of her Kim to thank for it. ny, ultra-white look of the noughties,
look, and making her a lot of money. and finally made curves cool again. And
Although it’s not just fashion and for that she should be applauded. 
Kim’s ever-more hourglass silhouette beauty that has buckled under the
was soon being poured into gowns by
Tom Ford, Versace, Jean-Paul Gaultier
and Galliano. After she went public with

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 47

4 chic autumn trends you can wear working from home or the office

BY KRISSY TURNER
The Telegraph

The new season is upon us, and
with it comes an influx of new ‘in’
pieces that have taken inspiration
from the autumn/winter catwalks.

However, not all trends are trans-
ferable for everyday life (corsets and
veils, we’re looking at you), but the
majority are wearable and can be
worn in small doses should you want
to pepper new pieces in to update
your wardrobe for autumn.

Of course, it’s worth noting that
this isn’t just any old change in sea-
son. In a post-lockdown world, we’re
not yet back to day to day life as we
knew it. Whether you’re still work-
ing from home or have made a return
to the workplace, these four trends
can be adapted to suit both environ-
ments.

Plaid the androgynous dressing spotted on
Plaid, in various guises, dominat- the catwalks at Givenchy, Max Mara
ed the autumn/winter catwalks. At and No. 21 serves as handy inspira-
Christian Dior, flannel checked midi tion.
dresses were worn with matching
jackets, while Miu Miu’s checked leg- To take it to the workplace, it’ll re-
gings were worn with clashing print- quire a tailoring spin. Handily, suit-
ed cardigans. ing is a key component in the trend,
Typically, plaid falls on the casual but should you be keen on the slouchy
end of the dressing spectrum, so knits and oversized shirts that fea-
naturally it’s ideal for working from ture heavily, wear them with jewelry
home attire. Wear a checked shirt and ballet pumps or mules, rather
open over a ribbed vest or T-shirt, or than brogues or trainers, to add a
pair plaid wool trousers with a fine smart touch.
knit.
For the office, it requires a little Ladylike
more consideration, but Dior offered Victoria Beckham, Altuzarra and
the ideal inspiration: Dresses and tai- Celine all tapped into the ladylike
lored trousers can be worn with con- trend, offering midi skirts and coor-
trasting jackets if you’re feeling brave, dinating jackets, modern yet modest
or neutral versions for the wary. dresses with silk and tweed galore.
This trend lends itself well to of-
Color block fice-attire: Think smart but flatter-
While it’s not a trend for the faint- ing belted blazers, frothy blouses
hearted, color blocking makes a styl- and slick pencil skirts, all worn with
ish statement, and you needn’t go mules or colored loafers and top han-
bright to tap into the look. Note Pra- dle tote bags. So far, so chic.
da’s camel and pale yellow combina- From home, focus your attention to
tion which is the ideal entry point, your top half, and opt for softer fab-
while Oscar de la Renta’s tomato red rics and roomy silhouettes. A pretty
and fuchsia pairing made the case for pussybow blouse or satin shirt is per-
a striking look. fect for nailing Zoom-call style. 
Block shades lend themselves well
to Zoom calls, so opt for a punchy hue
on top and a slip skirt on the bottom.
For the office, bright trousers and a
muted knit are the perfect combo.

Androgynous
When working from home, over-
sized silhouettes, roomy cuts and
minimal styles are no-brainers, so

48 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Style Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

How to master the art of flexi-dressing

BY LISA ARMSTRONG of your chair to slip into for those video more outlandish, Insta-worthy, new- primarily at the red carpet, they’re
conferences? Or are you reveling in the new-for-the-sake-of-new product. evolving from the ground up, out of
The Telegraph chance to wear flannelette PJs 24/7? Then marking it down when it didn’t necessity or genuine emotional re-
sell. Trends aren’t exactly dead. But sponses to the situations we find our-
No longer a matter of trends or occa- Apart from the 24/7 PJs (come on, rather than being artificially set by selves in, or even a TV show that made
sions, the new way of dressing will take they can’t be making you feel good), some panicked designer who needs us cry – that silver chain Connell wore
you from sofa to meeting to smart sup- there’s no judgment here. The fashion ‘content’ for their next show, or aimed in Normal People, the floral face masks
per and back again. police have been permanently fur- that make pandemic measures more
loughed, along with school drop-off bearable, or the kind of velvet mules
There are six questions you need dressing (hard to believe that was ever you can slip into and out of easily as
to ask yourself on the path to happy a thing, isn’t it?) and 4-inch heels. you journey from sofa to kitchen and,
clothes wearing. How many ways can maybe, to the office some days.
I wear it and layer it? Is it comfortable? Anything that works now is likely to
Does it look good? Does it make me feel be flexible and, in every sense, giving. With horizons opening up again, it’s
good? Was anyone or thing exploited in Those are positives – not just for us, but time to revisit our wardrobes and think
its production? Can I wear it with train- for designers, who in private (and oc- about what we want from them – i.e.,
ers, sandals and, should the time ever casionally via very public meltdowns) clothes that read well in real life and not
come, a small heel? have for years been quietly buckling just on Zoom. Are there items you can’t
under the pressure to produce ever wait to be reunited with? Ones you can’t
Sounds relatively straightforward, imagine wearing again? High heels are
but to answer the first four you need done right now – for some a symptom of
a thorough knowledge of your habits how overblown and removed from re-
and preferences, and for various rea- ality fashion had become. But let’s not
sons (nostalgia, cockeyed optimism, throw out the kitten heel with the Pole-
marketing, fashion’s narrative of as- Dancing shoe. Actually, let’s not throw
pirations, celebrities, whatever) that’s anything out. Better to sell, donate or
not always a given. even rent them out.

Yet, among the sacrifices and sadness As long as dress ‘codes’ remain as
of the past five months, let’s not forget fluid as they currently are, there is no
the wonders. The chance to reset was, one capsule-wardrobe-fits-all proto-
for many of us, something we thought type. Truth be told, there never was,
we’d have to wait until retirement for. although wall-to-wall catwalk cover-
All that time we used to spend commut- age often made it seem that way. In-
ing or queuing for a flat white has given stead, I think we may see more expres-
us time to think about things that mat- sions of individual style and a drilling
ter. That includes the way we live, work down on details that make classics
and dress. They’re all bound up. special and lovable.

What you currently wear for work When it comes to jogging pants, for
is, in all likelihood, very different from instance, how about some pretty ankle
what you wore a year ago. It could be
joggers, it could be one of those volu-
minous dresses that have proved so
divisive this summer – sack-like, but
oh-so-comfortable. It could be Board-
room Extra from the waist up. Perhaps,
like Alexa Chung, you’ve been rotating
your favorite, for-best dresses (hell, it’s
your very own party for one). Or maybe
you’ve adopted a louche silky pajama
routine that works for you night and
day. Do you keep a blazer over the back

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 49

ties? Mules? Think long and hard about ultimate throw-on piece that pulls ev- all year round – the detailing provides
the most flattering shape. Too pointy erything together – make sure they can interest without actual pattern, and
can look odd. A refined almond is bet- be layered. I like to wear sweaters over they’re lovely in winter worn with thick
ter. As for bags, you want something a dress. And on the subject of sweaters, knits, satin or tweeds.
that’s practical at weekends, on days quality counts, as do contrast stitching,
when you’re working near or at home stripes or other patterns that make them By the way, much as I love a draw-
but can stretch a little when you need easy to coordinate. Maybe you prefer to string waist, I think it’s wise to get a
to travel further. Not those silly min- slip a polo-neck underneath your dress. rear-mirror view before you leave the
iaturized bags of a year ago. But not a Choose the fit and cut of your sweaters house, because they can be so unfor-
sack, either. You’ll never use it. Look and dresses accordingly. If you want to giving on the bum. Enter the longer
for subtle, elevating details – a contrast make your dress a year-round deal, a sweater or blazer.
trim, top-stitching, a tassel – that will silky fabric with some wool in it will feel
take it into evening. cozier in December than cotton. A hand-knitted tank (or one that
looks hand knitted) is another useful
Map out a rota of flexible items that Don’t rule out skirts, either. I know layering piece that adds structure and
will lift your game whether you’re go- they can seem more effortful than a shape to a blouse-trouser combo. Wear
ing to friends for supper or embark- dress where all the thinking’s done for it with those leather (or coated) leg-
ing on face-to-face business meetings. you, but they offer so much versatility. gings from six years ago and you’ve got
This is about ensuring all your clothes Silky bias skirts feel pretty much like another ideal flexi-look.
get regularly worn and the confusing, wearing silky pajamas, but look less
distracting flotsam that somehow ac- boudoir. This winter, I also like ’70s Try to create a palette of no more
cumulated finds its rightful home – i.e., A-line midis which work as well with than six colors (multicolored, pat-
not in yours. sweaters and cardigans as they do with terned dresses are different as the
a blouse, cropped jacket or blazer. Team coordination has been done for you)
You’ll probably have many of the with navy sneakers, and you’ve got and use jewelry and scarves to lift a
pieces you need for flexi-dressing al- yourself the modern iteration of a suit. neutral outfit. But don’t be tempted
ready, although some may be lurking by heavy earrings or clanky bracelets
forgotten in your wardrobe. Others you When it comes to jackets, a pop of – you won’t wear them. Look for some
can rent or buy second hand. bright color, a texture, pinstripes, cord, eye-catching gold chains with light-
checks, velvet – anything that throws weight charms – I’m always partial to
Start with your feet. Sneakers have up a few colors to coordinate bottoms a gobstopper pearl, or a gemstone to
become a universal classic, but there’s with, gives you much more leeway than add interest. Choose hooped earrings,
all the difference between an ugly plain navy or black, which can be im- in some punchy colors, that are a lot
pair and ones that flatter your ankles possible to find the exact match with. lighter than the chandeliers we used
because they’re cut away at the sides, to shackle on to our ears. Comfort and
give you a good 2 inches of height and Hybrids that defy pigeonholing can impact: the new flexi-dressing philos-
maybe some metallic action to lift an be incredibly useful, assuming they’re ophy in a nutshell. 
evening look. If metallic’s too brash, not Frankenstein pieces. A wool Goat
color match them with the rest of your waistcoat/tunic – plus skirt – is an-
outfit to create an ultra-smart, stream- other modern spin on a suit, but also
lined effect. looks good worn back to front, open
over a shirt or T-shirt with jeans. A
Come winter, you’ll need boots too thick shirt-jacket, aka the shacket, is a
– probably not knee boots if you’re horribly named piece of brilliance that
still spending most of your time you can throw over the top of anything
working from home. Better to get to sleek it up.
chunky tractor-sole loafers or ankle
boots. I like lace-ups because you Think contrasts. A fancy silk blouse
can adjust the ankle for trousers or with some jersey, silk or canvas sneak-
dresses and loosen them up so they ers is a wonderful slippery, day to night,
feel like sneakers when you’re pad- country or urban combination that’s
ding around the house. hard to pigeonhole, making it ideal for
these hard-to-pigeonhole times. I also
When it comes to jackets and dresses like broderie anglaise blouses worn
– yes, I still believe in the jacket as the

50 Vero Beach 32963 / September 17, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

Vero & Casual Dining

Zagat Rated Celebrating 20 Years of
2013 - 2020 serving our customers
Wine Spectator Award
2002 – 2020 Our Dining Room, Patio and our Bar are
open for dinner. Seating remains limited, and

reservations are strongly suggested.
Enjoy lunch al fresco on the patio.
Order ahead online or over the phone,
and pick up your food at the bar.
Open Tuesday through Saturday

Lunch: 11:30am to 2:00pm
Dinner: 5:00pm to 8:30pm
Go to www.TidesofVero.com for
our specials and online ordering.

(772) 234-3966

3103 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach, FL
tidesofvero.com