2022-05-19 E-Edition

MISSING

Lauren Dumolo has been missing since 2020. She’s not the only one.


THE MERE THOUGHT that a loved one could go missing would strike unease into most people’s hearts. Yet, unlike other emergencies that could affect a household, no one offers a “do this if they’re missing” course, equivalent to the readily available community first aid and CPR training classes. Further compounding the issue is the abundance of out-of-date or complete misinformation […]

Tree diversity important to Florida’s urban areas



If you look at trees, especially in Florida’s urban areas, you’ll generally see southern live oaks or cabbage palms. Makes sense. Those are the two most common species in the Sunshine State’s cities. Indeed, most of America’s cities rely on a half-dozen species for the majority of their street and park trees. But there are so many more kinds of […]

Mortal music

GUEST COMMENTARY

Do you know the high B on a violin? Not just any B, but the one on the second finger in third position on the E string? The one exactly 15 notes higher than middle C. It’s the sweetest note in the world. On the warm April evening my father died, my brothers and I took turns sitting in his […]

Scalia was right — again

COMMENTARY


Justice Antonin Scalia was among the most prescient Supreme Court justices in American history, and the firestorm over the leak of Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion overturning Roe is a reminder of it. In Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the 1992 Supreme Court decision upholding (and amending) Roe v. Wade, the justices in the majority believed that they […]

When you disturb nature, be prepared for a load of crap



Note: Capt. Kirk is on leave for a while. Meanwhile, enjoy this classic from 2018. This is the time of year for all of nature to be renewed with a new generation. Birds are hatching, animals are being weaned and sea creatures are being born and hatched. For those of you who are nature lovers and get out into the […]

Take nature personally — and make a difference, one small step at a time

GUEST COMMENTARY


I work at Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (commonly known as CHEC) and, through years of conservation, I’ve learned several universal truths — the first of which is that nature is not separate from home. Somehow, we’ve been made to think that nature is other. It’s not. Nature is your yard. It’s your commute. It’s the undeveloped lot down the road. […]

Training techniques: Three things to teach your dog



Training is more than teaching a reliable sit, stay and come. It builds and improves your relationship with your dog; challenges his brain so he doesn’t get bored and decide to find his own fun; and enhances communication. Incorporating these fun training exercises into your daily routine can help you get started creating that bond. ¦ Say please. Who doesn’t […]

Pets of the WEEK

LadyBug is a sweet young girl looking for a new fur-ever home. She’s got a good amount of energy, but she’s on the smaller side. If you have other dogs, LadyBug needs to meet them first — but, other than that, she’s 100% love, wrapped up in a dog. These animals are available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League, […]

OnSpot Dermatology mobile clinic makes getting annual skin cancer screening easy



Summer isn’t the only time of year that brings sunburns to South Florida residents. However, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, since it’s when the rest of the country sheds their sweaters to get sunshine. While it’s a good month for a sun safety refresher, it’s a great time to schedule a skin cancer screening. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends […]