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With nothing more than audacity and a gmail account, con man Jimmy Sabatino ran up more than $600,000 in room charges at some of the best hotels on South Beach.

January 2015

MIAMI-DADE

The Alligator Whisperer Journey Into The Everglades

Zap The Fat New Non-Invasive

Treatments for Cellulite and Body Fat

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M I A M I - D AD E

Contents Confessions of a Con Man

18 08

THE EXPRESS LANE

12

One-On-One With Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez

You may have noticed something called TSA PreCheck lines at the airport. You pay eighty-five dollars for a background check and fingerprints. Once approved you can step through security faster. Except we found many people in the pre-check lanes actually have never had a background check or fingerprints.

When Carlos Gimenez became Miami-Dade’s mayor, he had a monumental task ahead of him. He recently sat down with CBS4’s David Sutta to discuss his progress, his plan to grow jobs and the long list of people who want his job.

Con man Jimmy Sabatino would target some of the best hotels on South Beach.

Pretending to be a Sony Music executive or a Warner Brothers producer, he would book large blocks of rooms, including villas and presidential suites, with nothing more than audacity and a Gmail account.

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The ALLIGATOR WHISPERER

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HELPING FEELS GOOD

Can you imagine swimming with wild alligators in the Everglades? It’s not something anyone would ever consider doing in their wildest dreams except for Hal Kreitman. CBS4’s David Sutta recently spent some time with Kreitman in the wilds of the Everglades.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors developed a portal, where people in need could share what they were looking for, and in the same place those that could help could share their time and talent. While there are sites like this, none were dedicated to helping just the South Florida Community.

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c b s 4 n e w s pa p e r / January 2015

The Express lane Travelers Breeze Through Security Without TSA PreCheck

by David Sutta

In 2013, 98.65 percent of passengers experienced wait times under 20 minutes.

Maureen Plainfield • Shutterstock.com

s you head to the airport to pick up loved ones or travel yourself you may notice something called TSA Pre-check lines.

You pay eighty-five dollars for a background check and fingerprints. Once approved you can step through security faster without having to take belts, coats, or shoes off. Except we found many people in the pre-check lanes actually have never had a background check or fingerprints. The TSA explained to us there is nothing to be alarmed about.

If you have TSA precheck, chances are you like it.

“I love this. It’s really good.” Raphael De Aoli, a traveler told CBS4.

He travels a lot and the lane allows him to zip through.

Precheck is the fast lane at the airport. No taking off your shoes, or belts, or coats. The laptop stays in the bag.

Cecil Butler, another traveler, was waiting in line at Miami International Airport in the general lanes.

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You pay eighty-five dollars for a background check and fingerprints. Once approved you can step through security faster without having to take belts, coats, or shoes off.

What’s it like for him?

“Tedious,” he said.

A majority of Americans are just like Butler, flying without PreCheck. Yet at Miami International Airport (MIA) CBS4’s David Sutta found there is a chance you could end up in the PreCheck lines.

CBS4 crews saw it first hand. Passengers being directed into the PreCheck lanes despite never having a background check or fingerprints.

“It’s not fair. Because you paid $85 to do something, then they bump you in with everybody else. So that’s not fair,” Butler said.

The general public being steered into a fast track lane for security could be alarming in a post 9-11 world.

The checkpoints are there to stop terrorists and weapons from getting through.

From knives, to grenades, the TSA showed Sutta some of the haul discovered at their checkpoints at MIA. When questioned about how they could let anyone into the PreCheck lanes, the TSA explained it’s not exactly what it looks like.

In a statement they wrote “At MIA, TSA conducts real-time threat assessments with Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) teams and Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs). TSA uses this during specific time periods and/ or locations throughout the day or week, depending on relative queue length in the TSA PreCheck lane and/ or the standard screening checkpoint lanes. TSA also increases the use of Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) machines when TSA PreCheck is in operation.”

And Sutta saw that test in clear view. Anyone without PreCheck status, directed into a PreCheck lane had to take the test. Only when they passed were they allowed to move on.

Does that make Butler feel a little better?

“A little bit better,” he said.

Some of those in the TSA PreCheck program though were not thrilled.

“It makes it worse for sure and I think you have

seen a lot more people also being prechecked so it makes it slower,” De Aoli said.

On average 4,000 people a day sign up for TSA PreCheck across the country.

In South Florida, you can do it very easily at MIA and a location in Fort Lauderdale.

The TSA also provided statistics about their program.

As of November 13, 2014, TSA has enrolled more than 700,000 in the TSA PreCheck application program. The program began in December 2013.

In 2013, 98.65 percent of passengers experienced wait times under 20 minutes.

With additional passengers utilizing TSA PreCheck, wait times have been reduced even with increased passenger volume. Additionally, complaints are down over 25 percent.

TSA has approximately 2,200 lanes nationwide.

Around 400 of those are TSA PreCheck lanes.

In a standard lane, TSA can process on average 160 passengers per hour. In a TSA PreCheck lane, TSA can process more than 250 passengers per hour. The goal/average for TSA PreCheck is less than a 5 minute wait.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

Carolina K. Smith MD Shutterstock.com

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Give Miami Day 2014 Raises A Record

$5.2 Million

T

he Miami Foundation set a fundraising goal of $5 million for Give Miami Day 2014. After more than 520 local nonprofit organizations participated, that goal was easily

broken.

The third annual 24-hour giving event drew 19,245 donations, reaching a grand total of $5.2 Million – a new record.

The participating nonprofits represented a multitude of categories, including the arts, animal welfare, education, health care and youth development.

The diverse group of charitable organizations drew donations from all over Miami-Dade County, the U.S. and in more than 30 countries.

“What a phenomenal day it was for Miami,”

said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. “For so long, we’ve been marked as not being a generous community. Seeing every Miamian step up, get behind this giving movement and see it through to the landmark finish is beyond gratifying. It solidifies that this new, more engaged and charitable Miami has taken root and will redefine who we are for years to come.”

In addition to the millions raised from midnight November 20 to midnight November 21, The Miami Foundation, Knight Foundation, The Miami Foundation Board of Trustees, Marlins Foundation, Health Foundation of South Florida and additional donors contributed to a bonus pool of $429,725.

Give Miami Day culminated at the Communi-

ty Block Party hosted by Marlins Park. The event highlighted 20 participating nonprofits.

“The block party was an opportunity to capture the tangible energy that Give Miami Day generates,” said Matthew Beatty, director of communications at The Miami Foundation. “By bringing people together to connect, engage and celebrate with local charities, we incited donors to volunteer with and provide ongoing support to these nonprofits after Give Miami Day.” Last year, Give Miami Day 2013 raised $3.2 million from over 10,000 donors for 407 nonprofits, nearly tripling the $1.2 million raised for 300 nonprofits in 2012.

c b s m i a m i . c o m / To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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c b s 4 n e w s pa p e r / January 2015

One-On-One With Miami-Dade Mayor

Carlos Gimenez

By David Sutta hen Carlos Gimenez became Miami-Dade’s mayor, he had a monumental task ahead of him.

His predecessor had been kicked out of office because of recall. The community didn’t trust their government. Miami-Dade was also deep in a recession and the county’s budget was shrinking fast.

Gimenez recently sat down with CBS4’s David Sutta to discuss his progress, his plan to grow jobs and the long list of people who want his job.

Gimenez shrugged his shoulders when asked about his reelection campaign.

“It’s a story and that’s the way it is. Who may run? Who may not?

Who’s a threat? Who’s not a threat? The whole thing, I mean come-on, Alonzo Mourning. He said absolutely not, but he’s on there too,” Gimenez said with a laugh.

The list Gimenez is referring to is approximately 20 names long, with people who may challenge him in re-election, not next year but two years from now.

“My reelection is two years away and no I’m not focused on my reelection yet. I don’t think the people need to be focused on reelection either,” Gimenez said.

Yet it’s what the media has been talking about in recent weeks. Perhaps it’s because Gimenez has a knack for making headlines. It’s not every day the county’s top politician suggest he may leave his own party.

“You know it was a question that was asked. I was thinking about it and I was thinking about it. I don’t think I’m going to. It’s better, as I really thought about it. If I thought the Republican Party was going too far to the right it’s better for me to work it back from the inside than versus basically leaving it,” he said.

Three years ago Gimenez came into office during turbulent times.

Property values were in a freefall. Voters had just ousted Carlos Alvarez over tax hikesand the public funding of the Marlins Ballpark. Gimenez pledged to restore trust.

“You restore trust by not over promising. Basically under promising

and over-delivering. You restore trust by also having a competent government. And you also restore trust by having an honest government. I think in the first three years I have done that.”

The first changes he made started in his office. The mayor of the eighth largest community in the U.S. cut his salary in half. Today he still pays for his car and gas.

“I drive myself. I don’t have an entourage. I don’t have a security detail,” he said.

“Why?” Sutta asked him.

“I just don’t feel I need it,” he responded.

So far he’s personally saved the county nearly a million dollars.

You restore trust by not over promising.

Basically under promising and overdelivering.”

Carlos Gimenez Gimenez penny pinching politics has caused trouble though. Steep budgets proposals have pitted him against unions at times. The threat of closing down libraries this past fall had residents furious. He eventually backed off.

“Am I competitive? Yeah, absolutely I’m competitive. Do I like to win?

Yeah, I like to win. I don’t like to lose. But can I say that might not have been the right way to do and shift mid-stride? Yeah I can do that too, but it’s very difficult for a politician to do that,” Gimenez admitted.

With the budget expected to improve in 2015, Gimenez

cbsmiami.com

now has his sights set on jobs.

“I want to make sure that our people, especially the ones that have been overlooked or passed in years past when these opportunities come around, that they are the ones who get these jobs.”

His plan calls for new jobs in construction, hospitality and of most interest to him technology.

Clutching his iPad and iPhone he explains, “I think technology will solve a lot of our problems and I think we are the brink of technological revolution that will solve a lot of our problems.”

It’s clear he’s very big on technology. He’s constantly on the iPad. He confirms it’s not angry birds.

“My iPad is a lot of e-mails. My iPad is also how I do speeches. My IPad is where I read the newspaper,” he said.

His favorite site is Realclearpolitics.com. And on the chance there is some downtime, he plays a little solitaire.

“Solitaire is actually good for the brain. And I try to do rapid-fire solitaire, so it’s like do I remember? Do I remember? Do I remember?”

He pulls up his latest game on the iPad. Gimenez proudly told Sutta his score was $68,785. His goal is $100,000.

Gimenez said if he had one thing he could pass without need-

ing approval it would be fixing the taxi cab industry.

He wants ride-sharing companies here. He said he wants the ability to dial up a ride right from your smart phone and leave the old smelly cabs, behind.

Being mayor means Gimenez is always on. However, he has made an effort to keep something of a normal life.

He does the grocery shopping. Occasionally cooks for the family.

And every Sunday morning, he sneaks in a round of golf.

“I wake up Sunday at 7 a.m. in the morning and I’m out there on the links. It’s great to hit a little ball and take out some of your frustrations.”

Gimenez prides himself in being “pretty good.”

He hopes that 2015 is a breakthrough year for South Florida.

“It’s taking off right before our eyes. We have to establish a firm foundation for greatness here, which means we have to live within our means. We have to have the right infrastructure. We have a competent government and an honest one. So that we can move forward and give our children and grandchildren better opportunities than we have,” Gimenez said.

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The Alligator Whisperer Journey Into The Everglades With Hal Kreitman

cbsmiami.com

What is crazy? Crazy is just what another person wouldn’t do. I don’t call it crazy. It’s adventurous. It’s a rush. You can take drugs or do whatever for a rush. To me that’s a rush.” Hal Kreitman

By David Sutta

an you imagine swimming with wild alligators in the Everglades? It’s not something anyone would ever consider doing in their wildest dreams except for Hal Kreitman.

CBS4’s David Sutta recently spent some time with Kreitman in the wilds of the Everglades. The former Mr. Miami bodybuilder may be the craziest person David has ever met or the most fearless man in Miami.

As he marched into water about waist high, a large alligator charged at him. It’s easily as big as him. Kreitman corrected David. “He’s about 7 and half foot.” A good two feet taller.

“He’s got more teeth too. About 80.” he added.

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Kreitman, a self-proclaimed Alligator Whisperer invited David and his CBS4 News crew to see something you never see. Wild alligators he pets like kitty cats.

As the 7-and-half foot alligator charged, Kreitman held his ground. The gator suddenly stopped.

Kreitman reached from below its mouth and took a firm grip on the alligator’s lower jaw. “Are you crazy?” David asked him. “What is crazy? Crazy is just what another person wouldn’t do. I don’t call it crazy. It’s adventurous. It’s a rush. You can take drugs or do whatever for a rush. To me that’s a rush,” he explained.

How Kreitman ended up here is quite interesting. Last year he was busted for insurance fraud.

When questioned about it, Kreitman began to explain how he was the real victim.

“Not only was I not involved in it, I didn’t even know it was going on until the FBI banged down my door with 18 assault rifles and said you are under arrest for healthcare fraud,” he said. Kreitman was working as a chiropractor for a clinic that was stag-

ing accidents. Kreitman continued, “I had no idea these people are staging accidents and putting the patients in front of me. They were coached.” A jury didn’t see it that way. At a trial this year they found him guilty. In early October a judge sentenced him.

“8 years and a 1.6 million dollar restitution,” Kreitman explained. Then he started laughing. “I just sit and laugh at the judge. 8 years? 1.6 million dollars?”

In a moment of despair he ended up in the Everglades. He denies it was an attempt at suicide by alligator. “I was going through some hard times at the time. But I don’t think that was the thought in my head. But there was something that said just get closer. I didn’t put my camera down and say come eat me. I had my camera in hand and I was nervous.

Like they say sometimes it has to pour before the sun shines.”

When the gators didn’t eat him, Hal saw the light.

He began visiting his new found friends regularly.

He explained, “It just got more and more daring over time to the point I got underwater. Snorkeled and got underwater shots and I noticed that they are not

the vicious creatures that the news and people make them out to be.”

That’s not to say their hasn’t been some close calls. He held out his cracked Samsung phone.

“I got within three inches of his eye on the side and that’s his attack spot. So he swung his head.

Grabbed my cell phone, swam back to his corner.

I was going through the pond trying to get my cell phone because I saw it sticking out of his mouth.”

That’s right. He was chasing an alligator in the water to get his phone back. Kreitman looks back on it and finally agreed. “Crazy? Yeah. And I have the video. It’s incredible.” The phone still works amazingly. He’s incredibly lucky. He could have lost more than a phone. He could have lost the hand holding it. Kreitman fired back, “Could be. I could have gotten in an accident on the way here. Could be, should have, would have. I don’t live by those rules.”

Over five months Hal has turned this into a fullfledged business called Alligator Experience. On Facebook he posts

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videos and pictures of his adventures. For $200 bucks he will take you in the water, up close, to swim with alligators. Kreitman is proud of his new venture.

“I’m giving people the chance to get closer to nature.”

David questioned whether he’s taking it too far.

“You don’t think you are harassing them?” David asked. Kreitman responded, “Absolutely not. Do you think I’m harassing? Do I go at them? Or do I sit in the water and just stay there and they come at me.

And if they get too close I can just nudge them away.

Harassing? Pulling on the tail, jumping on their back, go and swim after them and them running away,” he said. In his opinion it’s not like they are riding dolphins or anything remotely close.

As David and crew filmed his fearless moves, Kreitman appeared a bit nervous. It wasn’t the alligators. It was who was driving down the desolate road.

He could hear the noise of car traveling in their direction and asked, “What kind of car is that?” If it was an SUV he would climb out of the water and grab a still camera. He would begin to pretend to be taking photos of the alligators. It was clear some sort of cat and mouse game was being played. When pressed about it, Kreitman admitted law enforcement had a different take on his “Alligator Experience.”

As the SUV passed, he resumed his alligator whisperer skills. A pickup truck pulled up. A guy and girl hopped out and began to watch. An elderly couple, toting binoculars pulled up and began to watch. The observers all snapped photos of this wild scene. Kreitman put on a mask and snorkel.

He grabbed our GoPro camera to get a close up shot of the alligators underwater. The gators swim away though. Suddenly they are skittish. Moments later, undercover officers appeared.

An SUV came racing down the roadway. As it pulled up, police lights suddenly appeared in the grill.

An FWC officer jumped out of the car and began ordering Kreitman to come out. “Sir come here. Step out of the water,” said the officer. Kreitman, donning just his bathing suit walked barefoot over to the back of the SUV. David looked over at the passerby’s that were observing. The elderly couple had disappeared.

The young couple pulled out badges. They are exactly what Kreitman was worried about. Florida Fish and Wildlife officers. Unknown to David and crew, they had been following Kreitman since he left his house that morning.

FWC spokesman Jorge Pino explained they needed to stop Kreitman before he went any further. “We strongly believe that if he would

It just got more and more daring over time to the point I got underwater. Snorkeled and got underwater shots and I noticed that they are not the vicious creatures that the news and people make them out to be.” Hal Kreitman have continued this behavior someone would have gotten hurt.” Pino said. As they placed Hal in handcuffs for harassing alligators, David learned FWC had been on to Hal’s gig for a while via social media and finally they had had enough.

When they searched his car they found business cards and ads. Business was ramping up.

Pino explained, “We cannot condone somebody going off into the Everglades and pretend as if he’s an alligator whisperer if you will. And have other people come with him and endanger those people.” It was clear to them the alligators were not as fearful of people as they used to be. FWC worried the more Kreitman conditioned them

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to befriend humans the more risk the alligators posed to innocent people who came across them.

As investigators searched Kreitman’s car they found something quite damning. A cooler stocked with a few pounds of cut up meat. It was classic gator bait. In his defense, Kreitman said, “You never saw me feed them.” In the end, FWC didn’t need to.

The Alligator Whisperer’s gig was up.

Kreitman is looking at felonies and misdemeanors that could land him in a jail for a year if convicted. That’s on top of the 8 year sentence for insurance fraud that he’s supposed to start serving this month. To put it lightly, it hasn’t been his year.

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cbsmiami.com

By Jim DeFede

on man Jimmy Sabatino would target some of the best hotels on South Beach. Pretending to be a Sony Music executive or a Warner Brothers producer, he would book large blocks of rooms, including villas and presidential suites, with nothing more than audacity and a Gmail account.

“I would literally scratch my head in amazement that it worked, that it happened,” he said. “It defied logic.”

The SLS, the Hilton Bentley, the Eden Roc, and the Omni Hilton, all fell victim to Sabatino’s talents. Over a three month stretch, Sabatino ran up more than $600,000 in room charges before skipping out on the hotel staff before they realized Sabatino wasn’t with Sony or Warner Brothers.

In September, the 38-year-old Sabatino was sentenced to five years in prison for his latest con. Following his sentencing, he sat down in the Miami-Dade County Jail with CBS4’s Jim DeFede for his first and only television interview.

Asked if he was indeed a con man, Sabatino shrugged: “I understand why someone would refer to me as that, but it don’t define me.”

When he was 18 he called the local Fed Ex station in Broward and convinced them he was the president of the Miami Dolphins and needed to retrieve two crates of envelopes the Dolphins had just shipped.

Sabatino ended up with $268,000 worth of Super Bowl tickets. He got two years for that crime.

Sabatino said his lifestyle may seem glamorous

to some but clearly he’s paid a price – having spent nearly his entire adult life in prison.

“It was exhilarating, I’ve seen a lot of things, I’ve done a lot of things,” Sabatino said. “But it goes back to the repercussions’ and it’s not worth it. Impulse control; I don’t think it through, I don’t think the ending through.”

Over the years he’s pulled other capers. He conned Nextel out of more than a million worth of cell phones – while he was inmate in a federal prison. But his

It was exhilarating, I’ve seen a lot of things, I’ve done a lot of things. But it goes back to the repercussions’ and it’s not worth it. Impulse control; I don’t think it through, I don’t think the ending through."

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most reliable targets have always been hotels.

“It’s not as complicated as one might think it was,” Sabatino said. “The reservation manager would receive a phone call from an executive at let’s say Sony music. The conversation would be along the lines of, `This is so and so from Sony Music. I have a party coming in to Miami. We’re going to need to reserve X amount of rooms.’”

He would then send a confirmation email to the hotel’s finance department pretending to be Sony’s VP of Finance James Harvey “The whole procedure would be an email,” he said. “In the case of all the hotels on Miami Beach it was from a Gmail account.”

CBS4 News reviewed dozens of these emails. In one, it simply states: “We are requesting the direct billing of ALL CHARGES. That is room/tax and all incidentals.” Direct billing means the guest pays nothing, the bills instead should be sent directly to Sony.

The hotels were happy to comply. The reservations agent at the Hilton wrote back eagerly: “Thank you for the opportunity.”

He would invite friends to join him, including some local rappers. And wherever he went inside the hotel he was given the VIP treatment. At the Omni Hilton, he reserved seven standard rooms and three Presidential Suites for more than two weeks. Why so many rooms? To hide all of the room service charges. Receipts from the hotels reveal that in one 20 minute span, for instance, he ordered 32 bottles of high priced champagne to four different rooms under his control. And he knew no one would question it.

“You know it’s the same every time,” he

said. “It’s basically the greed that they have and I play off their greed.”

On one day alone at the Omni he ordered 144 bottles of Dom Perignon, Cristal and Ace of Spades to the Presidential Suite – the automatically included gratuity for the hotel staff on that room service charge: almost $11,000.

“How were you converting that room service into cash?” DeFede asked.

“You don’t think I was drinking 500 bottles of champagne do you?” Sabatino smiled.

“So you were reselling them?”

“I don’t drink. I don’t drink alcohol,” Sabatino said. “I’ve never done a drug in my life and I don’t drink alcohol. So if one ordered 150 bottles of champagne, maybe ten bottles would be opened up, for appearances for people that were in the room, the other 130 bottles were put to the side.”

Sabatino would then sneak the bottles out of the hotel “Some of the best clubs and high-end liquor stores in Miami were buying them at discounted prices,” he said.

“What clubs were you selling to?”

“I don’t want to name them, but very well-known clubs in Miami Beach were buying them, very well-known clubs were buying them,” Sabatino said. “Right from the back we were bringing them right to them with no problem. They were happy to buy them.”

Sabatino was caught this time around just as he has been in the past – by pushing the con too far. Two months after being cleaned out of nearly half a million dollars the general manager for the Hilton Omni

finally wrote in an email: “Can we please confirm the legitimacy of James Harvey?”

Sabatino knows he pushes it past a point of no return.

“I could have left at $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 and so on,” he said. “I kept going until I get caught and as intelligent as I am its common sense that I’m going to be caught. But I don’t stop.”

Sabatino was arrested a short time later while staying at a hotel in Coral Gables. He pleaded guilty to grand theft and organized fraud in July.

“In my entire career of being a con artist, I’ve never stolen anyone’s pension, I’ve never took anyone’s personal money, my victims have always been companies, corporations,” he said. “Again I’m not justifying it but I’m saying in my mind there was some integrity to what I have done.”

Facing another prison term, Sabatino grew reflective about his life.

“I did experience or see a lot of things that a lot of people would probably say wow,” he said. “I’ve done probably more than a lot of people have done in their entire life, but I still wouldn’t trade it for my life, which is what I’ve done. I’ve spent my entire life in prison, my adult life; I have more years in prison as a human being alive than I do as a free person.”

He says he’s hoping when he gets out in about four years things will be different “Hopefully I can channel it for good, hopefully I can figure this out and I think I will,” he said. “I think I’ll come home and be a better person this time and maybe do something that makes a difference in a positive way.”

I have more years in prison as a human being alive than I do as a free person.

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Approximate amount Sabatino spent in hotel room charges in three months

Number of years Sabatino spent in jail for his super Bowl tickets con.

Number of bottles Sabatino ordered to the Presidential Suite at the Omni in one day.

Amount in Super Bowl tickets Sabatino stole at the age of 18.

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c b s 4 n e w s pa p e r / January 2015

HELPING FEELS GOOD

N

eighbors 4 Neighbors understands first-hand that Helping Feels Good. That’s why we developed a website of the same name, www.Helpingfeelsgood.org.

Over the years, many of our non-profit partners came to us with opportunities where they needed help. We were also being contacted by individuals in the community who had talents to share.

From there the idea was born. We developed a portal, where people in need could share what they were looking for, and in the same place those that could help could share their time and talent. While there are sites like this, none were dedicated to helping just the South Florida Community and we quickly began making connections.

Now in its third year, our Helping Feels Good Site is filled with opportunities from our local non-profit partners who work each day to help the community in which we work and live. Additionally, there are hundreds of volunteers registered to help.

The concept is simple, when you sign up as a volunteer, you share with us your interests and strengths. They system automatically matches you with an opportunity near you that best fits your skills and desire to help. After that you’ll receive an email informing you of any new postings. If you are interested, then you click on the post and sign up to help.

In the New Year, we are expanding this portal to assist a vulnerable group in our community. These are people you may know already.

Maybe it’s a child in our own son or daughter’s school. It could even be a woman you work with or even possibly a decorated Veteran.

Some of them have a secret that you would never know they are hiding. They are homeless.

They are going to school each day, coming into the office, hiding on the street and at night, they have nowhere to go.

There are many organizations working diligently to assist these fragile members of our community. In 2015, we will highlight the efforts of these groups, share their stories of struggle as well as stories of hope. Most importantly, we will give you, our Neighbors a chance to make a difference in their lives, by sharing ways you can help.

In partnership with Wells Fargo, we’ll be adding new volunteer opportunities, each week. We ask that you sign up now and be the first to hear of these inspiring ways to help. Register today at www. helpingfeelsgood.org, and find out for yourself how good it feels to help.

For more information, please call us 305-597-4404.

Now in its third year, our Helping Feels Good Site is filled with opportunities from our local non-profit partners who work each day to help the community in which we work and live. Additionally, there are hundreds of volunteers Sponsored by registered to help.

c b s m i a m i . c o m / To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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Take Them Or Toss Them?

By Eliott Rodriguez ave you ever pulled a bottle of pills out of your medicine cabinet only to see that they’re expired?

Are they safe to take?

And will they still work?

Since the 1970’s, the FDA requires medications to have expiration dates. The government has looked at national stockpiles of medications and found that some

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Things like nitroglycerine for chest pain, EpiPens for allergies, insulin for diabetes, anything that’s for a life-threatening illness you want to make sure you use that product when it’s in date.”

Jan Engle

may last as long as 15 years longer.

“But the key to that program was that all of those medications were kept in environmentally controlled conditions,” said Jan Engle of the University of Illinois Medical Center.

For the medicines in our cabinets, do these dates really matter?

“Once the expiration date is passed, there’s no guarantee that the drug is as potent as before,” said Engle.

That means taking expired medicine for a headache won’t harm you. It just may not end the throbbing pain. You can also take vitamins past the date, but they may lose some nutritional value.

But there are some medications that you must absolutely take before their expiration date.

“Things like nitroglycerine for chest pain, EpiPens for allergies, insulin for diabetes,” Engle advises. “Anything that’s for a life-threatening illness you want to make sure you use that product when it’s in date.”

But even “in date,” you have to be careful with ointments.

“Your hands are all over it, and if you’re not washing your hands, it can get contaminated. It may still be potent, but

it may have bacteria growing in it, and it may not be a good idea to use it,” said Engle .

The same contamination can happen to eye drops if the bottle touches your eye.

It’s important to store your meds in the right place. Experts say the bathroom may not be the best choice, since it’s too steamy and warm. A kitchen cabinet away from the stove is better.

Experts say no matter what the date on the bottle says, be alert if the consistency of your medicine changes.

“If you see something that looks like a crumbly tablet or if it doesn’t smell right or it doesn’t look right, your best bet is to throw it out and get a new product,” said Engle .

If you have questions about expiration dates, ask your pharmacist. They can guide you as to whether it’s safe to take that medication past an expiration date.

For information about disposing of old medications, visit fda.gov.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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zap the fat New Non-Invasive Treatments Zap Cellulite & Body Fat

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“The good thing is the results are permanent because once that collagen shrinks its gets shorter,” said Baumann.

Debbie Zabludowski prides herself on eating well and staying fit. However, there are some things out of her control.

“You know that middle age spread you get in your 50’s. Exercise and diet don’t seem to work.

You try and try and then I heard about this. I thought this was the perfect solution. I wouldn’t want to do a tummy tuck or liposuction. I’m really excited about it,” said Zabludowski.

The procedure that piqued her interest is called Vanquish which has been touted as the most effective way to remove belly fat without surgery.

“What it is, is radio frequency waves being sent down to the area your concerned about.

That radio frequency creates a heat to kill some of the fat cells and those fat cells are then eliminated from your body,” said Dr. John Martin.

Martin, who is a plastic surgeon, recommends four to five treatments over a five-week period.

“We’ve seen anything from two to six inches. Some people get great results, some okay results. It works best for people with fat you would normally remove with liposuction, which is surgical procedure,” said Martin. “You have to be able to have that soft fat you can pinch it. If you have that hard belly, that’s a fat that’s deep inside the belly, that’s deep inside the abdomen and that won’t work, you have to have that superficial fat, that soft fat.”

Both The Venus Legacy and Vanquish cost about $400 to $500 per treatment.

t used to be the only way people could trim down their unwanted belly fat and cellulite, aside from dieting, was to go through some rather intense procedures which require anesthesia and liposuction.

Today there are two new procedures making waves in the battle of the bulge in which people can shed inches and firm up their skin tone without an invasive procedure.

TJ Jenkins went to the Baumann Cosmetic and Research Institute in Miami to discuss getting rid of her cellulite. In the end she decided to check out a relatively new procedure to melt it away called “The Venus Legacy.”

“Ideally the results I would like is for tighter looking skin, that tight skin we took for granted in our youth, that we thought would be there forever,” said Jenkins.

The Venus Legacy is touted as the first noninvasive, pain-free, solution to cellulite. It not only shrinks the fat but tightens as well. Dr. Leslie Baumann said this is the first cellulite removal procedure that really works.

“The way it works is your skins made of collagen and collagen is like a rope, it’s a triple helix, when you heat collagen it shrinks and we’ve known that for long time,” said Baumann. “What this machine has done, it’s figured out a way to deliver the heat that doesn’t hurt, the one that was in the past worked but was painful.”

The treatments involve radio frequency and magnetic pulse therapies to the skin.

“It’s kind of warm and felt like a massage,” said Jenkins. “It’s actually relaxing, very relaxing.”

Four to six 15-minute treatments are recommended for best results. Baumann said if done once a week, patients should see results in a month.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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Beating the

winter blues

inter is all fun and games‌until after New Years’ Eve. Christmas trees, candelabras, and holiday parties are basically traded in for cabin fever and anything black in our wardrobes.

Mix in freezing temperatures for some across the country and winter quickly becomes the most miserable time of year, with the remaining winter months turning boring, stale, and downright depressing.

Seriously, a form of depression called

c b s 4 n e w s pa p e r / January 2015

seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects millions of people and mainly occurs when the seasons change from fall to winter.

So to counter the occurrence of depression and cabin fever, here are a few things to do with those brutal months:

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Cook New Meals What better time to perfect your cooking skills than when you’re stuck indoors or bored?

Cooking offers a sure-fire way to stave off boredom, especially if you’re not that great at it. Creating a mess in the kitchen also means you have to clean it up; it’s like two boredomreducing activities for the price of one.

Host Dinner Parties (or any type of party) This goes hand-in-hand with cooking. If you’re already cooking, you might as well invite a few friends over to indulge in your amazing (or terrible) cooking. Plus, you’d be helping your friends with their cabin fever as well by forcing them out of the house. Think of it as your way of contributing to the greater good while keeping yourself entertained.

Exercise/Stay Healthy We all know it. The winter months are just

a giant excuse for staying in, sleeping and vegging out; also known as hibernation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, be smart and get a headstart on that summer body while everyone else is sitting on their couch with that jar of Nutella.

Binge-Watch TV Shows On the completely opposite spectrum is bingewatching. If you’re not feeling particularly motivated to exercise, then binge-watching a favorite or new television series is sure to keep you entertained for hours upon hours during the winter. It’s the best time to catch up on all of those seasons of “The Good Wife” that everyone keeps talking about, especially if you’ve got the CBS All Access app.

Decorate the Home You might as well make your home look the best it can if you’re going to be stuck inside of it for the winter months to come. Get a little creative and try your hand at interior design

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

and home décor by using things already sitting around your house. First, try a simple arts and crafts project and then move up to the big leagues of DIY. Before you know it, you’ll be like a Pinterest pro.

Get a Hobby With plenty of time on your hands in the winter months, you can finally pick up that hobby of yours. Whether it be knitting, photography, curating, writing, or learning a new language, the bore of mid-winter blues can be broken by keeping your mind active and sharp. Besides, it’s about time to stop putting off self-improvement.

Go Outside Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can never venture out of your home. It’s not the apocalypse, people. In fact, taking a walk or running a few errands can provide quite a lift for anyone who is battling depression or trying to keep from going stir crazy.

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A Silent Killer

by Brian Andrews

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octors say sitting for too long can kill you, or at least lead to a host of ailments.

Recent studies show between 50 and 70 percent of Americans spend six or more hours a day sitting; whether it’s at the office, in the car or in front of the TV. Dr. Eric Tepper, who practices family medicine, says being sedentary can lead to heart

disease.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States,” said Tepper. “It kills more people than all forms of cancer combined.”

According to Tepper, getting up for just a few minutes each hour and moving around can increase your metabolic activity.

“You’re getting more circulation going through your legs. You’re actually using muscles to balance yourself. It’s almost impossible to stand perfectly

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

still. We’re always moving when you’re standing, where when you sit, you’re perfectly still,” he said.

Going to the gym after work sounds like a good way of offsetting sitting all day at the office, but Tepper said it’s not enough.

“Even if you say ‘I take a jog for a half an hour a day,’ that doesn’t negate other risk factors,” said Tepper.

So keep in mind, as you are sitting there reading this you could be doing something.

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Eye Surgery Cheaters

by Eliott Rodriguez

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t happens to everyone. As we age, the internal lenses of our eyes have a hard time focusing.

“As we get into our mid-40s, everyone whether you had good vision or not when you were young, has that stiffening of the lens that causes vision problems,” explained Dr. Ralph Chu, an ophthalmologist.

The condition is called presbyopia. "It's when people like me can see things far away just fine. But when it comes time to read a text message, we can’t do it without reading glasses," said CBS4’s Eliott Rodriguez.

Valerie Martel who lives outside Minneapolis shares my pain.

“I had a whole bunch of those (reading glasses). I had one by the computer at work. I had one at home.

I like gourmet cooking, so I had one in the kitchen. I must of had 10 or 15 pairs of those,” said Martel.

But now Valerie has the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay. It’s a tiny implantable contact lens being tested by the FDA. “If something like this, a corneal inlay, can be approved by the FDA, this will be bigger than lasik in the ophthalmology community,” said Chu. Like lasik, the surgery requires creating an opening in the cornea. A tiny contact lens, just 2 milimeters in diameter is then placed inside. The procedure takes about 10 minutes. But there are some risks.

“The cornea has to be split open. A little lens has to be put in. Our concerns are will they move or mi-

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

grate, will they affect the corneal health,” explained Dr. Neal Sher an ophthalmologist.

Its been five years since the first clinical trials on the Raindrop, and so far the results are good.

“We are very optimistic, you never know when it comes to the government, but the results are excellent,” said Chu. Valerie is happy there’s no more searching for her cheaters.

“Yeah, I’m free! I can read!” exclaimed Martel.

Some European countries have already approved the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay. Clinical trials continue in the United States, and doctors are hoping for FDA approval in about two years.

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Research Delves Into After Life Experiences

By Brian Andrews

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t’s one of life’s great mysteries – what happens to us after we die.

Now thanks to a new groundbreaking study we may be closer than ever to finding out.

“I had the sudden realization of ‘Oh my God, I’m dead’,” said Dr. Anthony Ciccoria.

Struck by a bolt of lightning Ciccoria died, at least temporarily.

“It hit me right in the mouth and threw me back like a rag doll,” recalled Ciccoria.

He said what happened next was no less than astonishing.

“I had no human form,” said Ciccoria.

First, he said, he turned into a pure ball of

energy and floated above his body.

“That’s when I saw myself on the ground,”

Ciccoria said.

Then he became engulfed in what he described as a powerful light.

“This bluish, white light was some form of energy and it went through everything, it permeated everything,” said Ciccoria. “I saw and I could actually see the lines of the energy flowing and I was flowing with it. I felt absolutely at peace and loved, and I was ecstatic at where I was going.”

Ciccoria is not alone.

In a recent study, New York researchers tracked two thousand people who died and were resuscitated. Many experienced some form of consciousness about what was happening.

“Amazingly, to our surprise, almost 40-percent of people seemed to have a perception, that they

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

may have had some awareness during the period when they were clinically dead,” said Dr. Sam Parnia.

Among them, some felt they were ‘heading toward a bright white light’ or were ‘engulfed in a soothing sensation’ or saw ‘a beloved pet’. The study found the other 60-percent had no memory of anything happening.

There’s a medical explanation for what people remember, neurons still firing in the brain.

Psychologists say what we hope to be the case could also be a factor.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that wishful thinking could influence what it is that we perceive. Do I think it makes it real? No,” said Dr. Harris Straytner.

Ciccoria insists what he experienced was real and life changing.

“I have no fear of death, absolutely not.

Because I know it is not something we are supposed to be afraid of,” said Ciccoria.

Researchers say the more they study the near death experience, the more they will be able to replace fear with knowledge.

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Men Getting Reverse Vasectomies Seek Second Chance

By Cynthia Demos

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pproximately 500,000 men a year get a vasectomy and about 30,000 have a reversal. About half of those men reversing their vasectomy’s do so because they’ve gotten remarried and they are hoping for a second chance at a happy family.

Vasectomies are so popular and trendy you can even find people singing about them on the internet.

“In bad economic times they become more popular,” said University of Miami M Hospital Urologist Dr. Charles Lynne.

People know having another baby is just too expensive but there’s another group seeing vasectomy reversals on the rise – second marriages.

Miami’s Heriberto Jusino was married for seven years the first time. He had three children and he was sure he was done so he got a vasectomy.

“Then I got divorced and married again and a year into the marriage decided to have kids,” said Jusino.

But his wife Julie knew he had ‘the procedure’ nine years prior.

“I told her the doctor cut on both sides and throw away the center,” said Jusino.

Jusino was hoping for another shot at a successful marriage with children and told Julie, who’d never had kids, that he wanted to reverse that so called ‘permanent fix’.

“I was crying that day,” recalled Julie Jusino.

Her husband met with Dr. Lynne.

Dr. Lynne says the biggest focus is when the man had the vasectomy. If it was in the

past five years, there’s an 80 percent success rate. If you had the procedure between five and 10 years ago there is a 60 percent success rate and more than 10 years ago a 50 percent success rate. Jusino was in that middle range – a 60 percent chance.

“I had faith it was going to work,” he said.

Dr. Lynne said younger couples, who have a little more time to play with, and couples wanting to watch costs typically opt for vasectomy reversals while older couples who don’t have the luxury of time, or those with more expendable income, opt for Invitro Fertilization or IVF. Jusino’s reversal wasn’t covered by insurance, but Reproductive Medicine Associates in New York said insurance companies are beginning to cover more vasectomy reversals because they like reducing the risk of multiple births, a strong possibility with IVF, which also brings on medical expenses and an increase in complications for the mom and children.

For the Jusinos, the operation was a success. Three months after the reversal, their doctor tested the sperm to see if the procedure was a success.

“I was pregnant but I didn’t know it,” said Julie Jusino.

She got pregnant before the three month test even happened. The results – nine months later Nathalie who is now 11-years old and their son Edward who is six.

“We live for them that’s what we do,” said Heriberto.

With three kids from his first marriage and two with the second, Heriberto says he is definitely done having kids but this time around he’s going to skip the vasectomy.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

Success rate of a reverse vasectomy

80% if a vasectomy was done in the past five years

60% if a vasectomy was done between five and 10 years ago

50% if a vasectomy was done more than 10 years ago

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To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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Miami Restaurants Dishing Out A Solution To The Lionfish Invasion

If you can't beat them...

eat them!

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by Brian Andrews

ionfish have been devastating Florida’s aquatic ecosystem as uninterrupted predators of native species. But now Miami chefs are turning the tables, putting these invasive fish on their menus.

They hope harvesting these fish for food is one way to rid the reefs of this nuisance.

CBS4’s Brian Andrews watched as a chef at Fish Fish Restaurant Bar & Market in North Miami prepared a lionfish with some real flair.

After frying a whole lionfish, the chef

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CBSMIAMI.COM

Our fish don’t know how to eat them, don’t know how to approach the poisonous spines, don’t even know to recognize them as potential food items.” Dr. Chris Blanar

loaded the plate with fries and garnished it with a little pico de gallo.

So how did a fish native to the Indian Ocean start cropping up in our ocean?

“It happened down here, that’s the one thing we know. Florida was the epicenter,” said Dr. Chris Blanar of Nova Southeastern University.

According to Blanar, someone released their pet lionfish into the ocean in the late 80’s and they blossomed ever since.

“They curled around and have since invaded pretty much the entire Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.”

That’s because scientists said lionfish are champion fornicators.

“They’re spawning about every four days, under the right conditions, which means there are a lot of potential baby lionfish out there,” said NSU Dr. David Kerstetter.

Since they were introduced into our waters without any natural enemies the local fish are confused, researchers said.

“Our fish don’t know how to eat them, don’t know how to approach the poisonous spines, don’t even know to recognize them as potential food items,” said Blanar.

So NSU researchers decided to look for a scientific way to nip the lionfish problem. They started with an email to researchers from South America to Bermuda.

“Let’s work together, let’s pool our resources.

Send us all the fish you can catch, and they did that,” said Blanar.

Grant money helped pay for the shipping.

“If the fish are fresh, we try to dissect them right away before they get really stinky,” said Blanar.

What he and other NSU researchers are looking for is parasites.

“Do these fish have any parasites?

Did they bring any new parasites with them that might affect local fish and have they picked up any of the local parasites.

What role could those local parasites play in ultimately controlling the lionfish?” said Blanar.

What researchers found is that native parasites have already started to get into the lionfish.

“So it may act as a natural break to the population,” said Kerstetter.

Studying their diet is also key to controlling them Blanar said. It gives researchers a better idea of who the lionfish are interacting with, who they are competing with and who they are replacing on the reef.

Ultimately, scientist said the invasive lionfish may be beaten by invaders of their own.

“They might be invaded themselves by these parasites and beaten from the inside,” said Blanar.

In the meantime, if you can’t beat them, eat them.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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CBSMIAMI.COM

TIRE BEWARE Counterfeit Chinese Tires May Be Selling Under US Brand Names

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n investigation by Consumer Reports has discovered that a Chinese company may be selling counterfeit tires in the US under a brand name that consumers trust.

The discovery came when the company conducted their annual tire tests.

The three SUV tires that performed the worst are all manufactured in China, including the Pegasus Advanta SUV which seemed like a bargain at $95 a tire.

But Consumer Reports’ Jennifer Stockburger says the tires were the lowest performing among those they tested.

“These tires did not grip well in snow,” she said. “They were short in terms of tread life, when compared to the other models. And they made for a rough and noisy ride.”

API, the US-based company that owns the Pegasus brand, says it stopped using the Chinese factory that made the tires three years ago.

A letter from API’s chief operating officer says: “Many of our molds went missing … we have no idea who may have made these tires nor what they put in them.”

Consumer Reports bought the tires from the website Tires-easy.com.

Its president says the tires came from an importer.

“We contacted the importer and several government agencies and

unfortunately no one is really owning responsibility,” said Stockburger.

“That leaves the consumer little recourse should something go wrong.”

Consumer Reports tested two other inexpensive SUV tires from China – the $85 Sunny and the $114 Geostar. They didn’t perform well in the snow and ice tests and scored much lower overall than the Consumer Reports top-rated SUV tire, the Michelin Latitude Tour, which costs $168.

The least expensive all-season SUV-truck tire Consumer Reports recommends is the $135 Conti Cross Contact L-X-20 EcoPlus. Consumer Reports also recommends the Michelin L-T-X M/S-2 for $190; Goodyear Assurance C-S TripleTred All-Season for $160; Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus, also $160; and Cooper Discoverer S-R-X for $157.

“Your tires are a key safety component of your car, which is why we always recommend that people go with the best performing tire they can afford,” counsels Stockburger.

As for those Pegasus Advanta SUV tires, so far the National Highway Traffic and SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) has not gotten any complaints about them, and Consumer Reports has no information that would indicate the tire presents an immediate safety risk.

But if you bought them and are worried about their legitimacy, you can get more information on the Consumer Reports website: ConsumerReports.org.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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CBSMIAMI.COM

by Brian Andrews

i

n the world of 3D printers and smart phones, crooks could start cloning your keys.

There are several new websites and apps that allow keys to be copied by simply submitting a photo.

“This is a very big concern,” said Carmen Caldwell, founder of Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County. “Just imagine if you take your car to a valet and you leave your house key in there attached to it?”

Caldwell is concerned anyone with the wrong intentions could take photos of keys and have new ones sent anywhere they want without a challenge.

“Now you have someone walk up to a house with keys, and if a neighbor or somebody’s watching they’re going to think they got keys and must be a relative,” she said. “Who’s going to call the police?”

Lance Ulanoff, a tech expert at Mashable, said it could be hard for criminals to resist using this technology. He said the thieves can make keys for everything – from your locker to your safe.

“Once they have it, they’re kind of in business,” he said.

Al Rahimi, the founder of KeysDuplicated.com, tells us his site won’t accept photos that look like anyone could have taken them from a distance.

“We ask for both sides of the key in part to make sure the person taking the picture has enough physical access to the key to turn it over,” he said.

Alan Schissel, president of Integrated Security

Key Cloning A New Safety Concern Services in New York, said the only way to protect yourself is protect your keys at all times.

“Don’t keep them with other identification, which can tie up the connection between that key and a particular address.”

Caldwell said she plans to warn the hundreds of members of Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County about this at her upcoming meetings and in her newsletters.

“People better start paying attention and keep those keys really close,” she said.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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The federal law only applies to interstate commerce….so they generally can’t go after telemarketers calling from within your own state.” Bikram Bandy

by Brian Andrews

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any people who have been on the National Do Not Call Registry for years say at some point it started to feel like it just wasn’t working.

“I got two already today…I got two yesterday,” retired engineer Fred Parkes told ConsumerWatch.

Parkes said he gets an average of two calls a day for everything from medical alert subscriptions to solar panels.

“They’re violating the law because they are calling my number, which is on the do not call list,” he said.

But that might not be entirely true because many of the numbers are local, which means they aren’t illegal.

“The federal law only applies to interstate commerce….so they generally can’t go after telemarketers calling from within your own state,” said Bikram Bandy of the Federal Trade

Commission.

For those that do violate the federal law, enforcement is far from automatic.

“We get several hundred thousand complaints a month and obviously we don’t have the resources to investigate each of those complaints individually,” said Bandy.

In fact, the FTC has only taken action against 600 illegal telemarketers since the list’s inception in 2003.

Bandy said that the problem would likely be much worse without the registry and insisted that the agency does go after the worst offenders. However, telemarketers are using technology like voice over the internet and spoofing that allow them to make calls cheaply without leaving a trail.

“We are actively trying to get into the hands of consumers technology that will act like a spam filter for the phone,” said Bandy.

Until then, people like Parkes may continue to feel bombarded.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

‘Do Not Call’ List Doesn’t Do What You Think

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Man-made?

Lab-Created Diamonds, A Girl’s New Best Friend

by Brian Andrews

C

onsumers can now save thousands of dollars on diamonds, with a technological breakthrough that allows them to be created in a lab.

As CBS4’s Brian Andrews reported, instead of spending millions of years under ground, the lab-created diamonds are developed in a matter of weeks in pressurized containers.

“It’s a new technology for gem-quality diamonds,” said Lisa Bissell, chief executive officer of Pure Grown Diamonds.

They are created in a Singapore laboratory.

“It’s a small piece of carbon that’s placed in low-pressure microwave chamber. Hydrogen and methane gases are added to the chamber, and then the miracle begins,” said Bissell.

The ultimate result is a high-grade gem with the same properties as a natural diamond. But it costs about 30 percent less.

“They have all the optical, chemical and physical properties of mined diamonds, and they’re 100 percent carbon because they’re genuine diamonds,” said Bissell.

Robert Mooreman, the co-owner of Carroll’s Jewelers on Las Olas, started selling the new lab grown diamonds this month.

“The lab grown diamonds actually have more sparkle,” he said. “Whenever a woman gets a diamond on her finger, and her girlfriends tell her it’s beautiful, that’s the rate of return on the purchase.

She just made her girlfriends jealous,” Mooreman said with a smile.

John King of the Gemological Institute said lab-grown diamonds are essentially the same as natural ones, and it’s just a matter of educating

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consumers.

“I believe there’s a place in the market for all these different items, and it’s really through an awareness that people can choose best,” he said.

“When you can buy a spectacular diamond, at a third of the price, that makes a huge difference, especially to the person who is buying the stone.”

Lab-created diamonds do come with certification with regard to color and clarity. To keep up with the new technology, there is also equipment to test stones and see if they are natural or manmade.

Diana Jackson of Hobe Sound visited Carroll’s Jewelers to see the new stones. She couldn’t tell the difference when the lab stone and mined stone were placed side by side.

“I would be happy with this,” she said. “Nobody knows the difference and I’m not telling.”

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by David Sutta

f CBS4 Puts Smoke Detectors To The Test

irefighters say it’s the single most important item you should have in your house.

A smoke alarm. But which kind is best at detecting a fire danger? CBS4 is putting them to the test and what we found surprised the fire marshal.

An average house fire doubles in size every minute. So when seconds count it’s up to a smoke alarm to wake you up.

“65% of the time when there is a fatality or a serious injury, it’s because either the smoke detectors were not installed or were not working,” explained Fort Lauderdale Fire Department Captain Ron Tetreault.

There are three types of smoke detectors on store shelves.

Ionization detectors are typically the cheapest ones, around $10, and usually do well with sensing flames.

Photoelectric detectors cost about twice

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as much and are supposed to pick up smoke faster.

Then there are combo detectors with both technologies. They run $30 and up.

With the help of Fort Lauderdale’s Housing Authority, firefighters staged a test for CBS4’s David Sutta.

In an abandoned complex, they installed all three alarms.

Capt. Tetreault installed the alarms all at the same height just outside a kitchen.

“Captain May is going to set a small fire in the kitchen and what you guys will be able to do is film and see which one activates the quickest,” he explained.

Within seconds the room gets hot. Smoke begins to fill the room. The first alarm goes off at 30 seconds. Tetreault looks closely. “That’s your ionization smoke detector that went off first,” he said. That’s the cheapest alarm we put up.

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The second alarm, the photoelectric, goes off about 10 seconds later.

Finishing in last place? The combination ionization – photoelectric detector.

“Actually, the most expensive smoke detector activated last.” Tetreault said surprised.

The results surprising just about everyone.

“You don’t have to buy the most expensive detector but at least have one of these outside every bedroom in your house,” said Tetreault.

This year Fort Lauderdale purchased a fire safety trailer with grant money. Tetreault walked us through it. It simulates a house kitchen and bedroom. With a remote control he activates light, sound, and smoke machines. Upon pressing a button the kitchen stove begins to smoke. The sound of fire crackling can be heard.

“It will actually produce smoke. The smoke detector will go off indicating that there is an emergency.”

It’s as realistic as it gets without actually starting a fire.

He hits another remote. A toaster begins to

smoke.

“So if you ever had a toaster fire you would want to unplug it, to remove the heat source,” he explained.

While smoke detectors are important, knowing what to do when they go off is just as important.

“The primary problem that people have is they don’t practice fire safety in their home. We all do fire drills at school. We sometimes do fire drills at work. Nobody does fire drills or practices fire safety in their house,” Tetreault said.

Ultimately, Fort Lauderdale’s Fire Department says you should have a smoke detector inside and outside every bedroom in your home. Try to keep from installing a detector in the kitchen. Most likely it will go off when there isn’t a fire. The false alarms will cause you to disable the alarm in the end.

Many fire departments will install smoke detectors or change batteries at no cost to you. Contact your local fire department for more information.

For more information: http://www.nfpa.org/ safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safetyequipment/smoke-alarms.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

65% of the time when there is a fatality or a serious injury, it’s because either the smoke detectors were not installed or were not working.”

Ron Tetreault

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Experts caution that it’s important to read all that fine print to find out which perks apply to the specific card you have [ … ].

Credit Card Perks Can Save You Cash

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ost credit cards come with perks like prize points or frequent flyer miles, but did you know your credit or debit card may offer benefits that could save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars?

Savvy shopper Kimberly Rose always scours the fine print of credit cards to make sure she only applies for the ones that offer her money-saving benefits.

“Over the years I’ve saved thousands of dollars, by using the credit card benefits,” said Rose.

One such occasion was when her phone broke after the manufacturers’ warranty expired. Luckily, she bought the device with her American Express card, which offered an extended warranty.

MasterCard has a similar policy. It doubles the manufacturer or store warranty for up to a year.

“Most card holders don’t know the services and benefits that the card in their wallet or in their digital wallet hold,” said Diana Robino with MasterCard.

Like price protection. If you buy an item but

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find it cheaper somewhere else, some cards will reimburse you the difference. No trip to the store needed.

Also, if you miss a return deadline at the store, some cards allow you to fill out a form, ship the item to them and get your money back.

“We have cardholders that are actually in the store and actually call our call center to find out if that type of purchase is covered by their credit card,” said Robino.

In addition to the perks that pay, there are convenience benefits too. Some cards will help you replace a passport or find an English-speaking doctor in a foreign country. Some also come with concierge services to help make dinner reservations, find concert tickets and even locate hard to find gift items.

Experts caution that it’s important to read all that fine print to find out which perks apply to the specific card you have and, of course, you still need to watch for things like interest rates when you swipe.

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CBSMIAMI.COM

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Selling a Home in 2015: 5 Resolutions for Success Follow these tips to position your home for a quick and profitable sale.

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f you’re considering selling your home in 2015, you should know that a lot has probably changed in the real estate market since you last sold. Knowing what works today — and resolving to put the tips and advice of the past to rest — will help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar.

1) Appeal to mobile buyers Today nearly all home searches begin on a smartphone or tablet — not on the Web, and not using the newspaper.

If you want to get the right kind of buyer activity on your home, you need to make sure that you optimize your listing and your photos for mobile devices. If you use the tips and tricks of a generation past, you may miss out on today’s generation of buyers.

The right agent makes all the difference and if you have any doubt about an agent’s abilities, hold off on establishing a relationship.

2) Be ready to separate your “home” from your “investment” Many sellers make the mistake of letting their emotions get the best of them. Selling a home is not like selling a used car — it holds memories and occupies a special place in your heart.

When it comes time to sell, however, it’s important to realize that your home is also an investment. Being able to change your homeowner hat to your investor hat is crucial.

If you are too sentimentally attached to your home, you may reject a good price or fail to negotiate with a serious buyer. Don’t let your emotions sabotage your sale.

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C o n t e n t p r o v i d e d b y Z I L L O W. C O M

If you are too sentimentally attached to your home, you may reject a good price or fail to negotiate with a serious buyer.

Don’t let your emotions sabotage your sale.

3) Don’t list your home until you’re serious about selling Many homeowners think they’re ready to sell, but they haven’t fully gone through the emotional process of the decision. Do you have a place to go if you sell? Have you fully cleaned and decluttered your home? Have you taken your agent’s advice on staging and pricing?

Many sellers list their home before they are truly ready to sell, only to shoot themselves in the foot by overpricing it or not presenting it to the market in its best possible light.

4) Don’t hire just any agent The agent you used to purchase the home 15 years ago may seem like the logical choice for listing your home this time around. But are they really the best option?

With access to so much information online and so much at stake, sellers should talk to a few agents before committing. Get a referral from someone who recently sold, and use online resources to research agents’ sales activity and expertise.

The right agent makes all the difference and if you have any doubt about an agent’s abilities, hold off on establishing a relationship.

5) Make the best impression online Nothing frustrates an active and aggressive buyer more than getting an email or mobile notification alert for a new property listing only to get to the listing and not see any photos.

Buyer first impressions today are on the Internet. If you list your home without complete information — including photos, description and accurate data — not only will you turn them off, but they may simply not come back later.

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Properties Sold in Miami-Dade County

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6312 W 22nd Ln, Hialeah, FL 33016 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,029 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1986 Sold: 12/10/2014 | $195,000

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12240 SW 98th St, Miami, FL 33186 4 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,459 sq. ft. | 0.35 acre Lot | Built in: 1986 Sold: 12/3/2014 | $495,000

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7364 SW 60th St, Miami, FL 33143 4 Beds / 3 Bath | 1,948 sq. ft. | 0.36 acre Lot | Built in: 1955 Sold: 12/5/2014 | $720,000

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11911 SW 131st Ave, Miami, FL 33186 3 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,927 sq. ft. | 8,097 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1981 Sold: 12/1/2014 | $295,000

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10971 SW 136th St, Miami, FL 33176 5 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,751 sq. ft. | 0.38 acre Lot | Built in: 1989 Sold: 12/5/2014 | $585,000

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2305 Arch Creek Dr, North Miami, FL 33181 3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,250 sq. ft. | 9,365 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1960 Sold: 12/4/2014 | $800,000

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9957 NW 32nd St, Doral, FL 33172 3 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,839 sq. ft. | 4,334 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1994 Sold: 12/9/2014 | $389,500

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1148 NE 105th St, Miami Shores, FL 33138 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,902 sq. ft. | 0.34 acre Lot | Built in: 1951 Sold: 12/5/2014 | $635,000

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652 NE 105th St, Miami Shores, FL 33138 5 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 3,381 sq. ft. | 0.34 acre Lot | Built in: 1949 Sold: 12/10/2014 | $975,000

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Luxury Properties Sold in Miami-Dade County

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219 Ocean Blvd, Golden Beach, FL 33160 5 Beds / 8 Bath | 7,795 sq. ft. | n/a Lot | Built in: 1994 Sold: 12/4/2014 | $12,000,000

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4815 N Bay Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33140 5 Beds / 6 Bath | 5,100 sq. ft. | 10,018 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1935 Sold: 12/3/2014 | $5,300,000

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2534 Flamingo Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140 5 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,677 sq. ft. | 0.25 acre Lot | Built in: 1935 Sold: 11/26/2014 | $2,900,000

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4731 Pine Tree Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140 9 Beds / 8 Bath | 8,296 sq. ft. | 0.98 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1927 Sold: 11/26/2014 | $10,300,000

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268 Park Dr, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 7 Beds / 8.5 Bath | n/a sq. ft. | 0.36 acre Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 12/2/2014 | $4,075,000

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8591 N Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33138 3 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,642 sq. ft. | 0.38 acre Lot | Built in: 1955 Sold: 12/8/2014 | $2,825,000

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

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166 Palm Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 7 Beds / 7 Bath | 10,971 sq. ft. | 0.69 acre Lot | Built in: 2000 Sold: 12/4/2014 | $8,500,000

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6500 SW 94th St, Miami, FL 33156 8 Beds / 9 Bath | 9,504 sq. ft. | 0.93 acre Lot | Built in: 2006 Sold: 12/3/2014 | $3,200,000

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4901 SW 80th St, Miami, FL 33143 7 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 6,205 sq. ft. | 0.62 acre Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 12/8/2014 | $2,500,000

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Hoping to Buy a Home in 2015?

Start Planning Now Identify your wishlist, research your local real estate market and connect with the professionals who can help you find and close on your dream home this year.

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t the start of a new year, many real estate agents’ phones begin ringing with calls from potential buyers who want to get in the market. If buying a home is on your agenda for 2015, now’s the time to begin working toward your goal. Here’s a guide to the home buying experience to get you started.

The dreaming phase We are all more connected than ever, which makes researching a new home easy and convenient. The dreaming phase — which has no definitive start time or length — means thinking about what you want in a home, exploring neighborhoods and casting the widest net possible.

This phase includes looking at photos of homes online, comparing and contrasting listings or prices per square foot and understanding the price differential between two school districts.

Dreaming happens on your terms and your timing. It doesn’t require help from a real estate agent or mortgage professional. It’s a good time for you to play around with the market, start to get the real estate bug and develop a feel for what could be a reality in the future. Don’t rush, and don’t feel pressured.

To Advertise Call: 305.477.1699

When a home that matches your criteria comes on the market, get out and see the home in person. Don’t wait for an open house — go view the home ASAP with your agent.

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Search and discovery mode When you feel ready to make a reality of the dreaming phase, it’s time to move the process along. Search and discovery allows you to get the facts, build your team and begin to amass a strong approach to pushing ahead. Connect with a local real estate agent and a mortgage lender to get started.

Typically, buyers meet with a real estate agent first, who then refers them to a good local mortgage professional. Connecting with an agent means asking lots of questions about how the market works, school districts and the home buying process in general.

In the dreaming phase, you don’t know what you don’t know.

But during search and discovery, you’ll start gathering solid information. A mortgage professional will run some numbers and do a full review of your finances, including pulling your credit. They will marry that data with available loans in the market and teach you about the different loan options.

Full steam ahead After weeks or months (or sometimes even years) of dreaming, searching and discovering, you will know the market inside and out. You will have seen enough homes to know what

you like and don’t like, and you’ll have prioritized your criteria based on what you’ve learned. You’ll have seen many homes come on the market, go pending and close, which will help you understand list price vs. sale price, and why some homes sell faster than others.

When you are full steam ahead, you’ll be online 24/7 and being a home buyer becomes a part-time job. You’ll be in constant contact with your agent, who may be texting or emailing you listings throughout the day.

When a home that matches your criteria comes on the market, get out and see the home in person. Don’t wait for an open house — go view the home ASAP with your agent.

At this stage, you’ll be ready to make offers, and you may miss out on one or two homes before getting one. Or you may move forward on a home, only to find out there are inspection issues. You might even experience a little buyer’s remorse.

All of this is to be expected. When the right home comes along, it will work out because you’ve done all the prep work and have your team in place.

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Organize Your Kitchen Organizing your kitchen — which most likely is packed with too much food and cookware — can be quite the challenge. To clear your space and your mind, just follow these pointers on storage and kitchen layout.

We’ll help you find a place for everything so you’ll have easy access when you need it most.

Getting Started Your first step is to get everything out of the cabinets. Next you’ll sort it all into groups according to where it is used.

While sorting, ask yourself if there are things you haven’t used in the last few years. Decide if you’ll throw them away, donate them or store them in a less-used area.

The key to cabinet storage is to avoid stacking and to make everything accessible. There are several specialty organizers available for cabinets. Lazy Susans give you easy access to items in corner spaces. Step shelving in cabinets will help you organize canned goods, different-sized dishes and small appliances and their accessories. Wire baskets on slides will make your deep cabinets easily accessible.

Keep in mind while you’re organizing that there are three basic work areas in the kitchen: • Preparation area • Cook-and-serve area • Sink area Creating Separate Kitchen Areas

Prep Area To make working more convenient, determine where you want the prep area to be. Place any basic ingredients, mixing equipment, bowls and measuring cups here.

Cook-and-Serve Area Put pots, pans and cooking utensils near the range so they’ll be handy when you’re cooking.

Store silverware and tableware close by so you don’t have to run all over the place when putting away dishes. Also, keep your plastic ware for leftovers here.

Kitchen Work Triangle The kitchen triangle connects the three work areas in your kitchen. The distance between the areas should be no less than 4 feet and no larger than 9 feet. Don’t let the sides of the triangle total more than 26 feet.

Good to Know Try not to let any traffic patterns violate the triangle. If two people are going to be working in the kitchen at the same time, allow more than the usual 4 feet between opposite work centers.

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Storing Pots and Pans Pots and pans can take up a lot of your storage space, but they can easily be stored so they are organized and convenient. Hang a decorative wrought-iron rack on a kitchen wall or suspend one from the ceiling.

Store pot lids by adding shallow bins to the back of the cabinet doors. If you have a deep drawer, divide it into compartments.

Cookie sheets and other pans can be stored by adding horizontal dividers.

Good to Know You can also use tension rods to create dividers between pans.

Storing Your Spices It’s easy for your spice cabinet to become a jumbled mess. In order to clean it up, there are several ways to organize them.

Drawer Storage Add a spice organizer to an empty drawer. It’s best to use a drawer close to your range so they’re in close proximity as you’re cooking.

Under-the-Shelf Magnetic Storage Make the most of unused space beneath your shelves. Affix magnets to the tops of your spice jars and under the shelf where you’d like to store your spices.

Built-in Shelves Put up a small shelf to hold your spice collection. Spice bottles don’t take up a lot of room so wasted spaces can easily be converted.

Wall-Mounted Magnetic Storage Affix a sheet of metal in the area where you want your spice rack. Purchase a set of matching, clear-glass spice jars and glue magnets to the lids. You can also add these jars to your fridge.

Back-of-the-Door Solution Mount a small shelf on the back of a cupboard or pantry door.

Consider using acrylic to build these shelves, so you can easily identify your spices.

possible — within an eighth of an inch. Include dimensions of walls, windows and doors. Indicate where cabinets, lights and appliances currently are if you’re remodeling. This sketch will be the basis for developing your new kitchen.

Learn From Professional Kitchen Designers Professional kitchen designers have seen it all and they know how to deal with the most common problems. Here is some of their best advice to make your kitchen function more smoothly: • Position the dishwasher within 36 inches of the sink.

Leave about 21 inches of standing space between the side of the dishwasher and cabinets.

• Leave space near the cooking area for smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

• Leave room for more than one waste container: one for trash and another for recyclables.

• Leave 15 inches of counter space on the latchside of the refrigerator. If you have a side-by-side model, leave 15 inches on each side.

Planning Kitchen Upgrades Whether you’re modifying an old kitchen or envisioning a new one, planning is very important. Cabinets, appliances and pantries must be laid out to fit your family’s needs. Start planning by drawing a basic floor plan of your kitchen. Measure as close as

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Choose a Home Air Filter The filters used with a heating and cooling system make a big difference in the quality of air circulating throughout your house.

Air Filter Basics Home air filters (also commonly called furnace filters) keep the coils and heat exchanges on the heating and air conditioning system clean. Dirty coils and heat exchanges make the system work harder.

Keeping the filter clean helps prolong the life of your heating and air-conditioning unit.

These filters also clean the air that you and your family breathe.

The variety and amount of particles in your home’s air will depend on how many people and pets live in the house and what types of activities go on there. People with allergies or asthma should be extra diligent about keeping home air filters clean.

Depending on the type, filters are capable of capturing dust mite debris, mold spores, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, dust, pollen and more.

The most important thing to remember about home air filters is to change them regularly. Even the highest-quality filter can’t do its job right if it’s clogged with a thick layer of particles. Different filters are meant to be changed at different intervals, but once a month is a common time frame. Brand new homes, as well as homes where there is remodeling or construction going on, will need more frequent filter changes to compensate for the extra dust and residue in the air.

Size, Shape, Material and Style The first thing you need to know is the size of your air filter.

Simply check the existing filter to get the dimensions. There’s nothing worse than thinking you know it, and then getting to the store and drawing a blank. Most filters for residential HVAC systems are 1-inch thick, but some houses require up to 4-inch filters because of the volume of air circulating in the home.

Adjustable filters are available for non-standard ventilation openings. Special sizes and shapes of filters are also available

for room air conditioners, register vents and return vents in the floors, walls and ceilings.

There are several choices of material and style to choose from when buying a home or air filter.

Performance is affected by the size and density of the material used, as well as the size and volume of the particles being filtered. The least expensive filters have a layer of fibers (most often fiberglass), in some cases covered by a honeycomb-shaped grille.

Pleated filters are more efficient because the pleats provide a greater surface area to trap particles. Many pleated filters are electrostatically charged to help them attract and hold microscopic particles. Reusable filters are made of material that can be rinsed clean with water.

Air Filter Ratings Most filters are labeled with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating number, which measures a filter’s ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 microns to 10.0 microns.

Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1 to 12. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is, and the more particles it can filter. MERV is an industry standard rating, so it can be used to compare filters made by different companies. Some manufacturers also have their own rating systems.

MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) is one example of a vendor-specific rating system. MPR is a measurement of efficient capture of particulates, such as bacteria and smoke. As with MERV, a higher number indicates higher efficiency.

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Paint Primer FAQs Are you confused about when it’s necessary to prime before painting?

Use the following tips to help you understand when it’s prime time to use a primer.

When Can I Use Paint-and-Primer-in-One? Paint-and-primer-in-one formulations are best for the following projects: • For painting over previously painted surfaces that aren’t glossy • For use as a spot primer over patched or spackled areas • When transitioning between colors • For repainting interior surfaces that are in good condition • Repainting trim, windows, cabinets and doors • Painting new, uncoated drywall • Painting over previously painted metal in good condition

When Is Primer Necessary?

Paint alone has a hard time adhering to slick or glossy surfaces, which could result in peeling. Bonding primer is formulated to adhere to these surfaces, providing a sound base coat for paint.

Paint-and-primer-in-one is a good solution for some paint jobs but not all. Times when paint-and-primer-in-one won’t suffice include:

• When you’re painting over stain, you should use a stainblocking primer. Many household stains will bleed through a paintand-primer-in-one. Use a primer to seal the stain and achieve the best finish possible.

• When you’re painting bare wood, use a primer to seal the surface. This will promote an even finish by reducing the rise of the grain. In particular, woods like cedar and redwood that contain tannin require primer.

• You can use paint-and-primer-in-one to seal porous drywall if you use a two-coat system (one coat works as a primer, and the second works as paint). However, primer is still the best option because it’s more cost-effective and is better at sealing porous surfaces. The finish will be more even if you use a true primer.

• If the surface you’re painting has been heavily stained by smoke, water, tobacco or graffiti, use a primer.

• Plaster, concrete and other extremely porous surfaces will paint more easily, and the resulting finish will be smoother if you use a primer.

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Clean Surfaces in Your Home This collection of quick tips will help you make better choices about how to clean the surfaces in your home most effectively to prevent dangerous bacteria, mold and mildew from growing.

Wipe Out Bacteria With Antibacterial Wipes Not only are antibacterial wipes affordable and convenient, they are effective. Sponges and rags can spread germs around the surfaces you mean to clean, while antibacterial wipes can knock out bacteria on non-porous surfaces, including salmonella and E. coli.

• For bigger spills, use a soapy sponge or towel to remove the bulk of the material, and then follow up with an antibacterial wipe to disinfect.

• You can kill up to 99.9% of common household germs using antibacterial wipes.

• For more effective disinfecting action, allow the surface to sit for a few minutes before drying Frequently Forgotten Places to Clean It is easy to overlook certain items and areas in our homes that can be breeding grounds for bacteria, such as the light switches, door handles and the remote control. When you clean any room, a good practice is to go through the room with a disinfecting wipe and swipe the areas you might have missed the first time around.

Don’t forget about your laundry basket and hamper, which can be a breeding ground for germs. Disinfect these areas regularly. Also, your computer keyboard and the under-side of your garbage can are areas that need disinfecting. Don’t forget to wipe them down when you are cleaning.

• Make sure you remove any existing mold before you apply a new coat of paint.

Mold can eat through paint, so clean the initial surface thoroughly before painting.

• Prevent moisture in your bathroom by installing a bathroom fan. Run it for 10 to 15 minutes after showering to prevent mold from growing on the walls. Even the most mold-resistant paint will not work if you fail to remove moisture problems.

Best Practices for Dusting and Mopping Keeping up with dust seems to be a never-ending job, but it is essential to the overall health of your home, especially if you or a family member suffers from respiratory problems like asthma. One of the most important changes you can make to help your home is to stop using a dry dust rag or a dry mop to deal with dust. This

Mold-Resistant Paints Mold-resistant paints contain agents that can inhibit the growth of mildew on the surfaces to which they are applied, making them an excellent choice for painting humid areas like the bathroom or the basement.

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ineffective practice scatters dust particles around without removing them. Using a damp mop or rag will catch more dust and keep it away longer. Also, don’t forget your ceiling fan as a source of dust, and look underneath your furniture for the elusive dust bunnies hiding there.

• Toss a throw rug at your entrance, and encourage people to remove their shoes before coming in your home to prevent unnecessary dust and dirt from coming in.

• Use the beater bar on your vacuum to kick up the dust that is hidden in your carpet.

• Bathe and groom pets often to prevent pet dander adding to the dust levels in your home.

• Wash bedding and blankets weekly to keep dust mites in your bedroom at bay.

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C o n t e n t S PON S ORED & p r o v i d e d b y S U NDE K M I A M I

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Dealing With Ants Ants represent a large portion of the insect kingdom. Outdoors they assist in the decomposition of organic matter and help control many insect pests. But indoors, ants quickly become a nuisance. This guide answers common ant questions and includes a glossary of common prevention methods.

Preventing Ants Here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of an ant infestation.

• Keep trees and shrubs from touching your house. These provide a ready avenue for ants to access the home.

• Remove logs and stumps. They are an irresistible housing source.

• Fix moisture sources in and around the house.

• Seal openings (wiring, plumbing) that allow access from the outside.

Applying a bead of caulk or foam sealant is an efficient method of protection.

• Keep gutters and downspouts free of leaves.

• Clean kitchens after cooking and eating. Cleaning also removes the pheromone trail left by foraging worker ants.

• Don’t leave food out. An ant’s idea of a food source is different than humans.

A mere crumb can be a feast, so look closely.

Indoor and Outdoor Ant Control Commercial Ant baits These are designed to attract foraging ants. When the bait is taken back to the nest, it becomes contaminated. Baits only work if the area they are placed in is clean. Otherwise the ants will continue to feed on “real” food.

Sprays Sprays provide an immediate knockdown and can help deal with the infestation until the nest or source is eliminated.

Dusts, Powders and Granules When placed in direct pathways, they are absorbed by ants and brought back to the nests for direct treatment of colonies. Some of these products can be used outdoors as barriers as well.

When dealing with ants, the sure-fire way to eliminate them is to find the nest. Queens lay eggs constantly, providing a steady supply of fresh ants. Getting rid of the nest and the queen should solve your problem. To locate a nest, place a dab of jelly or peanut butter out where you’ve seen the ants. Watch the ants, (most are more active at night) and see where they go. It’s likely that they are leaving the house for a nest outdoors. Treat the perimeter of the house to keep them out or treat the nest itself. The area along the foundation is relatively protected from the elements and a good place for ants to nest.

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Ants Outdoors Ants on landscape plants or houseplants often coincide with the presence of aphids. Check houseplants for ants before bringing them indoors.

Anthills in the lawn can be treated with ant-specific pesticides.

Some choose to apply boiling water to anthills. While boiling water is a good remedy, it takes a lot of water to kill a good-sized anthill and it kills everything it touches, including grass.

If your problem is carpenter ants, control is a little different.

Carpenter or wood-boring ants will be detected by the presence of frass.

Frass is a deposit of sawdust and other tiny debris left near the nest.

Carpenter ants prefer moist wood (which may also indicate a moisture problem). They do not respond well to baits. Find the nest and apply the appropriate insecticide.

When using pesticides, make sure you choose and use them wisely. Read the label to see if the product is restricted to indoor or outdoor use. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions.

For treatment, find a product specifically for fire ants and apply as directed. If your infestation is severe, contact a licensed pesticide applicator or you local Cooperative Extension Office for help.

It’s quite tempting to “stir up” a mound before applying treatment.

But remember that ants are more likely to accept the treatment when it is applied quietly. If fire ants are sufficiently disturbed you will certainly instigate their aggressive behavior. Additionally, their natural response is to move the colony (only to reappear elsewhere on your lawn).

Flying Ants v. Termites The presence of termites can be serious. Learn to identify termites and find a professional pest control remedy if necessary.

1. Ants have a constricted or narrow waist. Termites have a broader, almost undetectable waist.

2. Both have 2 sets of wings. Ants have longer wings in front than in back. Termite wings are the same size.

3. Ant antennae are bent. Termite antennae are straight.

Fire Ants Fire ants can be very harmful as they disrupt cultivated agricultural areas and endanger livestock. Their mounds interfere with turfgrass maintenance. They are also the most notable and notorious stinging ant, therefore posing a direct human threat. When disturbed, swarming fire ants bite and sting repeatedly and in numbers. These stings at best are quite painful. Children, older adults and those with severe allergic reactions may be at mortal risk.

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10 Questions to Ask Before Buying a New Floor Your flooring options are endless. Our list of questions will help you assess your home’s flooring needs to narrow your choices quickly.

1. Will your new and existing flooring coordinate?

Consider how the new flooring will complement your overall interior style and decorating scheme. Blending materials and creating interesting transition spaces with patterns or materials may solve your design dilemmas.

4. What is the room’s use and traffic level?

If it’s an entry area for your home or a play area for pets and kids, look for flooring that can handle wear. If the floor needs to support a wheelchair, walker or cane, make sure the flooring material will allow easy, unobstructed movement.

2. Will you have to redecorate?

Color is a major consideration when buying a new floor because it impacts the entire room. Lighter flooring can make rooms feel larger but show stains and reveal wear. Darker flooring can make rooms feel cozy but show dust and pet hair. Neutral tones accommodate colorful décor easily, making it easy to change your home décor down the road.

5. Does anyone in your home have allergies?

Hard-surface flooring collects fewer dust mites and allergens. Add warmth and visual interest with easy-to-clean rugs.

3. Where is the room located?

Ground-level and basement spaces are more susceptible to moisture than those upstairs, so consider the impact on your flooring choice.

7. What level of floor care is required?

Are you willing to make the new flooring’s maintenance schedule a part of your life? Ask what is involved in cleaning and upkeep and factor things like refinishing and steaming into your decision.

6. Do you have, or plan to install, a heated floor?

Not all flooring options are compatible with subfloor heating.

Consult a flooring expert for help exploring the options best for you.

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if you can return unused boxes or pieces to the store. Some flooring may require professional removal.

10. What is your climate?

Wood can warp and buckle and carpet can mold in humid environments. Tile makes a great alternative, is easy to clean and maintain and comes in a variety of textures, colors and sizes to suit your personal style.

8. Can you refinish your existing floor?

Research your refinishing options. You may be able to bring your floors up to date with a new stain.

9. Can you install new flooring yourself?

New flooring installation is more than lining up boards and tiles. Know whether or not you can identify and repair a faulty subfloor, if you know how to safely dispose of old flooring and

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Ventilate Your Home Too much humidity in a home can cause dangerous moisture buildup that leads to wood rot, mold, paint peeling and leaks. Cut your air conditioning bill down and give your house a breath of fresh air with these ventilation tips.

Ridge Vents Ridge vents are installed from end to end on the roof and have a low profile, making them less noticeable from the street. They are the most effective non-powered ventilators available, providing uniform cooling along the entire roof deck.

There are two types of ridge vents: filter vents and shingle-over metal and plastic shingle-over vents. The external wind baffle on the ridge vent causes wind to blow over the vent, creating an area of negative air pressure low air pressure. That draws air up from the attic, effectively removing heat and humidity. Look for airvents, ridge vents with filters that protect your roof against rain, snow, dust and insects.

Power Vents Power vents forcibly exhaust heat and humidity from the attic, even on days with no wind. The air enters through intake vents (typically located under the eaves) and is pulled through and exhausted from the attic with electric fans.

Power attic vents with two-speed controls are appropriate for areas with high temperature extremes. They come with an adjustable thermostat; low speed for energy efficiency ventilation, and high speed which kicks in when the temperature reaches the extreme.

If moisture is a problem in your attic, consider adding a ventilator with an automatic humidistat. These are available in both gablemounted and roof-mounted styles.

For safety, the motor should have an overload protection to shut the fan off if the motor overheats.

Whole-House Fans Whole-house fans exchange air in your home much more rapidly

than air conditioning units, providing a fast and efficient way to lower indoor temperatures. Through open windows, cooler outdoor air is drawn indoors, especially at night and early morning hours. And even in the daytime, the air gently stirring throughout your home makes higher temperatures feel cooler.

There are two basic whole-house fan designs: direct-drive and belt-drive. With either one, you can get a variety of speed controls, including single, triple and variable. Direct-drive fans are easier to install than belt-drive because they do not require attic floor joists to be cut. Belt-driven types may take a little more work to install, because you might have to cut a joist, but they offer increased circulation and quieter operation.

For small to medium-size houses, a direct-drive fan is the choice.

The blades are mounted directly under the motor and attached to the motor shaft. Install a belt-drive fan in larger homes. A belt connects a pulley on the motor to a pulley on the fan blades. The result is a higher air flow and a quieter fan due to the steeply pitched slow-turning blades that are used.

Foundation Vents Excess moisture in crawlspaces promotes rot, mold, mildew, and invites termites to dine on the floor joists. Foundation vents are your homes first line of defense against excess moisture.

In homes with crawl spaces and dirt floors, most moisture enters the home through the crawl space. Good crawlspace ventilation circulates fresh air through the crawlspace and exhausts musty, moist air.

Check your foundation vents regularly to ensure they open and close properly.

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C o n t e n t p r o v i d e d b y M EDI A . C H RY S L ER . C O M

The FIAT Brand Continues to Expand With

The all-new 2016 Fiat 500X is the latest addition to the FIAT lineup in North America, combining the authentic Italian design and engaging driving dynamics synonymous with the FIAT brand, together with an advanced all-wheel-drive system, unmatched functionality, and a full array of safety, comfort and convenience features.

“The Fiat 500X will significantly expand the reach of the FIAT brand in North America,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America, Chrysler Group LLC. “The all-new 500X delivers the Italian design and personality that we are known for, along with an unprecedented level of equipment and technology. In addition, it will be the first vehicle in our portfolio to offer an advanced all-wheel-drive system that will provide customers with peace of mind in all driving conditions.”

With comfortable seating for five, world-class craftsmanship, and superior ride and handling, the Fiat 500X delivers driving excitement, technology, safety and functionality to the rapidly growing small crossover segment.

In the United States, the all-new Fiat 500X is available with the fuelefficient 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission, with an output of 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 engine produces 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, and is paired exclusively to a nine-speed automatic transmission on all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive models.

A disconnecting rear axle allows for reduced parasitic loss when all-wheel-drive capability is not needed, improving fuel efficiency. The Dynamic Selector system allows the driver to choose from three modes (Auto, Sport and Traction +) for the most suitable vehicle configuration for different driving conditions.

the All-new Fiat 500X The 2016 Fiat 500X offers up to 70 standard and available safety and security features, including Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Departure Warning-Plus, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection. Electronic stability control (ESC) with Hill-start Assist and electronic roll mitigation is standard on all models, as are seven air bags.

Loaded with technology and convenience, the Fiat 500X is available with features like Uconnect 6.5 radio with a 6.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen and navigation, Bluetooth streaming audio, Uconnect Access Via Mobile, a 3.5-inch color thin-film transistor (TFT) cluster display, Keyless Enter-N-Go, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

The all-new Fiat 500X was designed at Centro Stile in Turin, Italy, where designers leveraged the character and iconic features of the Fiat 500 into a larger and more mature package. On the exterior, design elements like double headlamps, a trapezoidal nose, the signature “whiskers and logo” face and the rounded clamshell hood pay homage to the original Cinquecento. The purposeful and distinct Italian design carries through to the interior with clever storage, body-color instrument panel, a circular cluster display and iconic door handles.

The 2016 Fiat 500X is available in five trim levels: Pop, Easy, Lounge, and for a more rugged look, Trekking and Trekking Plus. The Trekking and Trekking Plus models feature unique front and rear fascia designs, and satin silver accents for a distinct, adventurous appearance.

Crafted in Italy at Fiat Automobiles’ Melfi assembly plant, the all-new Fiat 500X will arrive in FIAT studios in North America in the first half of 2015. As a global vehicle, it will go on sale in more than 100 countries worldwide.

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All-new 2015 Dodge Challenger

Earns Five-Star Overall Safety Rating From U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Challenger ups its game with: • New 1971-inspired exterior and interior design features • An unmatched array of personalization options, including a wide range of colors, stripes and wheels to create the perfect combination of fun, nostalgia and power • Segment-first and segment-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, which delivers world-class precision and up to an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy, compared with the outgoing gearbox • Significant new technology upgrades such as the all-new Uconnect Access system with standard touchscreen, standard new 7-inch multi-view TFT gauge cluster, new performance electronic shifter, Keyless Enter ‘n Go with push-button start.

The all-new 2015 Dodge Challenger has earned a five-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Five stars is the highest possible safety rating given by NHTSA. “The new Dodge Challenger coupe further demonstrates our commitment to broaden the proliferation of advanced safety technologies, such as driverassist features,” says Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President-Vehicle Safety and Regulatory, FCA-North America.

In its assessment of the new Challenger, NHTSA notes the availability of Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which features forward-facing sensors programmed to detect the potential for certain types of frontal collisions. If detected, the driver is alerted with visual and audible warnings.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger is the only car in its segment with such capability.

FCW is among more than 70 available safety and security features on the 2015 Dodge Challenger. Others include Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Path Detection, which was pioneered by FCA US LLC. Among the individual crash-tests in which the Challenger scored five stars were front- and side-impacts.

“The 2015 Challenger checks all the boxes,” Kunselman says. “It affords premium safety and security in a stylish package that delivers a sporty driving experience.”

And it does so for $26,995, excluding tax, destination and title.

Building on the 2014-model’s legacy of honors that include Edmunds. com’s Best Retained Value Award and winner three years’ running J.D. Power’s APEAL Award for overall ownership enjoyment, the 2015 Dodge

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