CBS4 Magazine

LONELINESS MAKING MANY SICK As Loneliness Rises Among Americans, Experts Warn It’s Making Many Sick

SMARTPHONE DETOX:

Why It’s Critical To Disconnect In Our Digital World

MAGAZINE

EXCLUSIVE:

FDA SUES SUNRISE STEM CELL CLINIC AFTER

PATIENTS BLINDED

Magazine

ABOUT CBS4 NEWS MAGAZINE The CBS4 Magazine is printed and mailed targeting South Florida’s most affluent residents in the region. The CBS4 Magazine delivers award winning journalism you won’t find anywhere else! Our content focuses on local business and community news which include: Health, Real Estate, Consumer News, Automotive and Entertainment.

REAL. LOCAL. NEWS. DELIVERED! EDITORIAL TEAM NEWS DIRECTOR Liz Roldan lroldan@cbs.com ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR Nick Bourne nbourne@cbs.com MANAGING EDITOR Alissa Merlo amerlo@cbs.com EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Miguel Fernandez mfernandez@wfor.cbs.com Jorge Gonzalez jgonzalez1@cbs.com Alex Hernandez ahernandez@wfor.cbs.com ANCHORS Vanessa Borge vborge@cbs.com Rick Folbaum rfolbaum@cbs.com Walter Makaula wmakaula@cbs.com Lauren Pastrana lpastrana@cbs.com Eliott Rodriguez erodriguez@cbs.com Marybel Rodriguez marybel.rodriguez@wfor.cbs.com Rudabeh Shahbazi rshahbazi@cbs.com WEATHER NEWS Lissette Gonzalez lgonzalez@wfor.cbs.com Craig Setzer csetzer@wfor.cbs.com REPORTERS Carey Codd cdcodd@wfor.cbs.com Peter D’Oench peter.doench@cbs.com Silva Harapetian sharapetian@cbs.com Joan Murray jmurray@wfor.cbs.com Gary Nelson gnelson@wfor.cbs.com Oralia Ortega oortega@cbs.com Ted Scouten tscouten@cbs.com LIFESTYLE / ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER Lisa Petrillo lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPECIAL PROJECTS & INVESTIGATIONS Cari Hernandez chernandez@cbs.com CBS4 INVESTIGATES Jim DeFede jdefede@wfor.cbs.com David Sutta dsutta@cbs.com SPORTS Jim Berry jberry@wfor.cbs.com Mike Cugno mcugno@cbs.com Steve “Goldie” Goldstein sgoldstein@cbs.com Leo Gomez gomezl@wfor.cbs.com

4 Summer 2018 | cbsmiami.com

C O N TA C T U S TRAFFIC Vanessa Borge vborge@cbs.com WEB JOURNALISTS Lisa Cilli lcilli@wfor.cbs.com David Dwork ddwork@cbs.com John MacLauchlan jmaclauchlan@cbs.com Giovanna Maselli gmaselli1@cbs.com MAGAZINE PRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION Victoria Zayas | Director of Client Relations victoria@cbs4newsmagazine.com 786-565-4556 ADVERTISING SALES Tony Gambirazio | Director of Sales tonyg@cbs4newsmagazine.com 786-565-4506 CREATIVE Tammy Kukic Art Director tammy@cbs4newsmagazine.com NEWSROOM DIRECT NUMBER 305-639-4500 WEBSITE Please visit www.cbsmiami.com for more information PRINTED IN THE USA, COPYRIGHT © 2018 BY MARCO G, INC. All rights reserved. The CBS4 News Magazine, a free publication, published quarterly by MARCO G, Inc. Material in this publication must not be stored or reproduced in any form without permission from Marco G. Inc. or WFOR CBS4. Requests for permission should be directed to: info@cbs4newsmagazine.com. CBS4 and/or Marco G. Inc do not assume any liability for products and/or services claimed in advertisements herein. CBS4 and its logo (s) are protected through trademark registration. The use of logos, content and/or artwork in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. For more information please contact 305.477.1699.

CONTENTS Summer 2018

COVER STORY PAGE 10

EXCLUSIVE:

FDA SUES SUNRISE STEM CELL CLINIC AFTER SEVERAL PATIENTS BLINDED HEALTH

LIFE

AS LONELINESS RISES AMONG AMERICANS, EXPERTS WARN IT’S MAKING MANY SICK 18

GET YOUR KIDS TO DO THEIR CHORES, THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT 26

BACKYARD ESCAPE: CREATE SPACE FOR RELAXATION, FUN, AND ENTERTAINING OUTDOORS 40

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO WINS AT 8TH ANNUAL “TOPLESS IN MIAMI” COMPETITION 47

CDC: SMOKING RATES IN U.S. HIT ALL-TIME LOW 20

AGELESS CHRISTIE BRINKLEY HAS HAD QUITE THE CAREER 36

CHILDPROOF YOUR POOL: MAKE YOUR POOL THE SAFE, FUN PLACE IT SHOULD BE 44

2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA HYBRID NAMED NORTHWEST GREEN VEHICLE OF THE YEAR 50

6 Summer 2018 | cbsmiami.com

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SMARTPHONE DETOX:

WHY IT’S CRITICAL TO DISCONNECT IN OUR DIGITAL WORLD

A

BIANCA PETERS • bpeters@cbs.com

re you addicted to your smartphone? Who isn’t! A 2016 poll released by Common Sense Media found that 50-percent of teens and 27-percent of parents feel they are addicted to their smartphones.

want to be “in” and financially they may not be able to afford the way that comparison is costing them,” said St. Vil.

“Typically people are looking at their phones anywhere from 300-500 times within one day and it sounds crazy but you don’t even realize it. It’s an addiction,” explained personal finance expert Shani Curry St. Vil who admits she is part of the group.

Dr. Mustelier says many people already display that first sign of addiction.

More and more experts are adding excessive smartphone use to the list of addictions that lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. When you can’t put the phone down that’s where the problems can arise.

“It’s not just chemical substances that creates dependency in the body but I’m talking specifically about things that are pleasure seeking that our reward centers react to,” explained Coral Gables psychologist Dr. Margaret Mustelier. “In fact, I’m treating adolescents now and I know that I have more than one mom saying to me that their kid being addicted to their phone is affecting them.”

It may be a familiar feeling. You’re scrolling through Instagram and Facebook and 30 minutes later you are left feeling not as accomplished, not as happy, or not as rich.

“People getting into debt because they feel this excessiveness to travel more because there’s so many people that have this extensive travel with all these stamps inside of their passports. People really want to keep up, they

So how do you know if you have a phone addiction?

“I think one of the probably really key way is if you notice you are in traffic and can’t put [the phone] down. Also when you find that constant urgency to check your phone.”

You can curb that addiction with a combination of behavioral strategies like limiting the time you spend on your phone. For St. Vil, a more tactical approach works best.

“Another thing I do to counter my own addiction is that I have this app called Moment.

What you do is download it to your phone when you looks at it and it starts to go into the red that lets you know you’ve been on social media within that day for 3 hours or more.”

It’s safe to say that most of us can’t cut the cell phone cold turkey but the key is to monitor and cut some of the time you spend on your phone. Secondly, take a serious look at who or what you follow on social media.

Dr. Mustelier advises to unfollow Instagram accounts that leave you feeling more empty than content.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 9

EXCLUSIVE:

FDA SUES SUNRISE STEM CELL CLINIC AFTER SEVERAL PATIENTS BLINDED

CAREY CODD • cdcodd@wfor.cbs.com

T

he Food and Drug Administration is taking a South Florida stem cell clinic to court, alleging that the clinic is “experimenting on patients with adulterated and misbranded drugs” and refuses to obey the law.

The clinic, U.S. Stem Cell, has also faced scrutiny after several patients say they were blinded or suffered significant vision loss following treatments at the facility.

Jeannine Mallard is one of those patients. She recently spoke to CBS4 News and said she flew from her home in France to South Florida in 2015 to get treatments for macular degeneration. Clinical trials can be inherently risky.

“I could not wait doing nothing and I expected this to improve,” she said.

Mallard says she came to the Hollywood Eye Institute clinic in Cooper City to be treated by Kristin Comella and Dr. Shareen Greenbaum. Mallard paid several thousand dollars to participate in a clinical trial run by a company called Bioheart, the precursor to US Stem Cell.

“They said it was sure,” Mallard said. “They said the worst that could happen is there would be no effect so I could not imagine what would happen next.”

What happened next, according to Mallard and her attorney Andrew Yaffa, is a cautionary tale.

Immediately after the procedure Mallard began to experience inflammation and pain.

According to the Mallard and Yaffa, the procedure involved taking Mallard’s stem cells from her fat tissue, treating the stem cells and injecting them directly into her right eyeball and behind her left eyeball. Mallard said Greenbaum reassured her about the pain she was having.

“She said it’s just inflammation, to not last,” Mallard said. “It’s normal.”

It wasn’t normal. Mallard is now blind in her right eye and she suffered significant vision loss in her left eye. Her right eye is noticeably shrinking.

“It’s becoming smaller,” Mallard said. “So small it’s dead right now.”

CBS 4 News tried to reach Dr. Greenbaum through calls to her office, emails and a visit to her office. She did not respond to our requests.

And Mallard is not alone. Attorney Yaffa sued on behalf of two other women who underwent similar procedures at US Stem Cell.

Court records and a report in the New England Journal of Medicine show that those other patients and a fourth woman experienced similar significant vision problems. Court documents show that in those cases the parties settled the claims.

Yaffa alleges in his lawsuit and in an interview with CBS4 News that US Stem Cell preyed on Mallard who feared losing her vision to macular degeneration.

“This is human experimentation and they are exploiting patients that are so desperate and vulnerable that they are looking for any hope at all,” Yaffa said.

The Food and Drug Administration is taking action.

Last month, the FDA filed a lawsuit to have US Stem Cell stop marketing stem cell therapies that do not have FDA approval. The lawsuit says, “An injunction is necessary to prevent Defendants from experimenting on patients with adulterated and misbranded drugs.”

The agency sent Kristin Comella at US Stem Cell a warning letter last year, saying the procedures the

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 11

clinic is doing need to be regulated by the FDA like a drug.

The FDA says in this warning that unproven stem cell therapies need to be regulated because if cells are manipulated by a significant amount after their removed, there is a risk of contamination of the cells.

But in a series of online videos and speeches, Kristin Comella, the Chief Science Officer at U.S. Stem Cell, makes it clear she disagrees with the FDA. “We have helped thousands of patients harness their own healing potential and it would be a mistake to limit these therapies for patients who desperately need them,” Comella said.

Comella, who is not licensed medical professional according to the state of Florida and whose background, according to her online biography is in chemical engineering and regenerative medicine with advanced degrees in chemical engineering and stem cell biology, pitched stem cell therapies as a wonder cure, treating everything from serious brain and spinal cord injuries to hair loss. She touts numerous success stories.

“We’ve had patients who were wheelchair bound come out of their chairs,” she said in an online video. “We’ve had patients who were unable to speak able now speaking full sentences telling us about the day they were injured.”

But in her speeches there was little discussion of patients like Jeannine Mallard who suffered serious eye damage. We requested an on camera interview with Comella through her public relations firm but we were denied. So, we tracked Comella down in Weston to ask her about the allegations.

She said she believes the government should not interfere in a patient’s right to utilize their stem cells.

“It is our goal to protect the rights of patients to use their own stem cells that exist inside their body to promote healing,” Comella said.

We asked her specifically about Jeannine Mallard, and others, who suffered vision loss.

“These poor women cannot see,” a reporter said. “They have significant vision loss and they trusted the clinic to do the work for them.

Nothing to say to that?”

Comella did not respond and did not want to comment on the Mallard case, citing an ongoing lawsuit filed by Mallard’s attorney. In fact, Comella didn’t want to talk about much — including the FDA lawsuit and the work at U.S. Stem Cell.

“So, you don’t want to answer these questions about the clinic and the work that’s being done there and whether it’s safe?” a reporter asked.

Comella responded, “I’m gonna ask you to meet with our PR people and continue to reach out to them for additional comments. I’m gonna ask you to turn the cameras off.”

In a statement sent to CBS4 News from the PR company, Comella said, “My entire career has been dedicated to studying and developing treatments utilizing the body’s own natural ability to heal, and I am devoted to

“This is human experimentation and they are exploiting patients that are so desperate and vulnerable that they are looking for any hope at all.”

ANDREW YAFFA

helping others achieve optimal health through therapeutic procedures. It is my life’s work to pioneer regenerative medicine and educate the public about its healing potential. I remain steadfast that no government agency should deprive individuals of their right to harness the cells that exist in their body.”

The company also sent us a link to a page on the U.S. Stem Cell website directly responding to the FDA lawsuit. You can find that by clicking here.

Dr. Thomas Albini, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, treated Mallard and co-authored the New England Journal of Medicine paper on 3 other patients from US Stem Cell that sustained permanent eye damage from the stem cell procedure. He believes much more study needs to be done before performing these treatments on people.

“I think it’s really wrong to offer these types of therapies to people when they’re very dangerous and people aren’t aware of the risks involved,” Albini said. “It’s not that there’s something wrong with stem cells or stem cells and eye disease. Stem cells may very well wind up being the cure for a lot of eye diseases. It was the way in which it was studied and the amount of clinical study that went into doing it before it was offered to patients.”

Albini also offered several important pieces of advice for people who might be looking at stem cell therapies for treatment. One, if you enroll in a clinical trial you almost never have to pay for it. Patient funded research is seen as a conflict of interest in the medical field, and two, you should ask if the doctor treating you and recommending stem cell therapy has the appropriate medical background to treat the disease or condition you have.

According to the FDA, they have the authority to regulate stem cell products in the U.S. and in most cases, the agency works to “determine the safety and effectiveness of products in well-controlled human studies.”

Currently, the FDA says that the only stem cell products that they’ve approved for use in the U.S. are derived from cord blood.

The FDA suggests you ask your health care provider if the FDA has approved the stem cell treatment they are recommending for you before agreeing to it.

Jeannine Mallard says she learned of the US Stem Cell clinic through a clinical trial posted on the National Institutes of Health website.

Mallard believed that gave the trial legitimacy.

There is a disclaimer on the site that the trials listed have not been vetted by the government but Mallard still believes it’s wrong for it to be posted on a government website.

“What makes me really angry is to find this on the National Institutes of Health,” she said.

“How can this be listed on such official site, website? I still don’t understand that.”

Mallard says her life is vastly different now.

She can’t read and relies on friends and family for nearly everything. She recalls often the past two years of doctors in France trying to repair her eye and being unable to.

“They did their best but now they could not save it,” she said.

“I think its paramount to require clinicians who are going to be doing these types of therapies to have conducted research ahead of time,” Albini said.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 13

SIX ITEMS YOU SHOULDN’T BUY AT A SUPERMARKET

M

ELIOTT RODRIGUEZ • erodriguez@cbs.com

any of us do it at the grocery store. We choose convenience over price. Ready to eat, ready to cook and we buy brand names when we could buy

Stay away from prepackaged snacks.

“Get some Ziploc bags and package them yourself just the convenience you’ll spend some cash.”

store brands.

Lots of people make mistakes when they go shopping because supermarkets entice shoppers with products that are more convenient, but also more expensive.

This one may be surprising but frozen rice.

“You save money by cooking your own rice as opposed to buying frozen rice,” she said.

Cooked chicken is another one.

Personal finance expert Shani Curry St. Vil met CBS4’s Eliott Rodriguez at Whole Foods to give tips on how to save at any supermarket.

If you buy stuff that has been pre-done, it is always going to cost more money.

Number five on the list is housewares.

“In season, local can’t beat it,” St. Vil explained. “You have to shop on a full stomach or else you buy things you don’t need.”

Shani agrees with a recent Money Magazine report that found six things not to buy at the supermarket.

First, pre-cut produce. It looks simple and inviting but you are paying extra.

“You’re going to spend 35 to 40 percent more so I ask you to go to a store that actually sells housewares as opposed to buying it in a grocery store,” said St. Vil. Finally, diapers.

“You don’t want to buy this in the grocery store, by online and save.”

“Get yourself a grapefruit and orange and slice it and dice it yourself,” said St. Vil.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 15

YOU CAN GIVE KIDS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR Every year thousands of students in our local schools go back to school lacking the supplies they need. As a result, teachers end up paying for supplies out of their own pockets. Our partners at the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and ConnectFamilias are working to bridge that gap and you can help. Just $35 dollars can provide each child with a new backpack filled with grade appropriate supplies, a set of uniforms and a new pair of shoes. These students are hand-picked by the social workers of these schools and often the most vulnerable.

Last school year, with your support we were able to provide 6000 students with these crucial supplies. To make a donation for this upcoming school year. Please visit www.neighbors4neighbors.org/backtoschool.

HELP PROTECT THE BEAUTY OF BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK One of the most recognizable marine animals is the Starfish. They come in many shapes and colors. And many types like the Bahama Starfish or Cushion Seas Stars and the Brittle Starfish live in Biscayne National Park, among the corals and seagrass. Beautiful to watch as they slowly move. But never touch or take a starfish from its habitat. They are fragile and human hands can crush their tiny structures. Neighbors 4 Neighbors is working with the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, to bring more awareness to these amazing animals that live in right off our shores in this very unique aquatic national park. Help us protect this area and these amazing creatures that call it home. To find out more about our efforts and or to make a monitory donation in support, please visit our website at www.neighbors4neighbors.org/Biscayne-National-Park.

THE STARS LIT UP FT. LAUDERDALE BEACH The stars lit up the stage at Lulu’s Bait Shack on Ft. Lauderdale Beach! For the second time Gary Pyott, Chairman of the Aventura Marketing Council won the honor of Rock Star of the Night, taking home the cyrstal mic! We are so grateful to him and his Fision Fiber Optics team. Together along with Russel Lazega, Attorney, Florida Advocates and Neighbors 4 Neighbors Board member, Justin Nepola, Esq., Nepola Yonta Attorneys at Law, Spanish, 104.3 The Shark - Morning Show Co-Host and the South Florida Hooters Girls, Cidnee Gray, Ashley Sullivan and Diana Blakeslee, we raised a ton of money! Thank you to our fabulous host and Board member and CEO of Cynthia Demos Productions, Cynthia Demos for running the show and helping to reel in tons of money from everyone in attendance. We’d like to thank Lulu’s Bait Shack for hosting us for this funtastic nite, The Aventura Marketing Council for their amazing volunteers, we could not have pulled it off without you!

And to 104.3 The Shark for helping us get the word out on air!

Neighbors 4 Neighbors is generously supported by the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation and The Children’s Services Council of Broward County.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 17

HEALTH

AS LONELINESS RISES AMONG AMERICANS,

EXPERTS WARN IT’S MAKING MANY SICK

F

ormer Surgeon General Doctor Vivek Murthy brought mental health to the forefront last September when he wrote in the Harvard Business Review that loneliness is a “growing health epidemic.”

Now a recent survey by health service company Cigna adds to that by showing many Americans say they sometimes or always feel alone.

people ill and can even shorten one’s lifespan.

The survey of more than 20,000 U.S. adults ages 18 years and older revealed some alarming findings:

Leaf, who focuses her work on the mind-brain connection, argues on her website that “75 to 95 percent of the illnesses that plague us today are a direct result of our thought life.” That is, negative or toxic thoughts can singlehandedly affect our health and lead to serious diseases including diabetes, asthma, and even cancer.

• Nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent).

• One in four Americans (27 percent) rarely or never feel as though there are people who really understand them.

• Two in five Americans sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful (43 percent) and that they are isolated from others (43 percent).

• One in five people report they rarely or never feel close to people (20 percent) or feel like there are people they can talk to (18 percent).

Interestingly, Generation Z — those ages 18 to 22 — were the loneliest group in the survey, while adults 72 and older were the least lonely. “Loneliness is defined as a feeling of being alone or lacking social connectedness,” Dr. Douglas Nemecek, M.D., chief medical officer for Behavioral Health at Cigna, told CBS News. “At Cigna, we’ve been hearing more and more from our customers and individuals calling us that they’re feeling lonely, alone and disconnected from others.

Murthy, who was appointed Surgeon General by President Barack Obama in 2013, wrote that today 40% of adults in America say they feel lonely and the rates of loneliness have doubled since the 1980s.

Some experts are doubling down on Murthy’s health concerns, going as far as saying loneliness is making

“We get multiple ways that our physical body can break down,” cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf recently told KTSB-TV. “But also there’s the mind where the frustration, depression, anxiety, all those adjectives, all those descriptions those are are also side-effects, so people pull away.”

“When we think, feel, and choose, we are changing and influencing every single cell in our body,” she told KTSB. The uptick in loneliness rates is impacting the overall health of the country. According to a report from Gallup, loneliness causes long-term stress and people who don’t have strong social connections in the workplace are more likely to fall sick or be injured.

“One feels a sense of emptiness, kind of like an emptiness of the soul. A wounded heart and lack of connection. A sense of disconnection,” Dr. Cheryl Bemel told CBS Minnesota. “It’s very hard to have someone really listen. When someone says ‘how are you doing?’ Are they really asking how are we doing?

We typically ask that question and expect people to say ‘I’m good.’”

Previous research shows that loneliness can contribute to health problems, like heart disease. A study in 2010 showed loneliness has the same effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, making it more dangerous than obesity.

HEALTH cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 19

CDC:

SMOKING RATES IN U.S. HIT ALL-TIME LOW

S

moking in the U.S. has hit another all-time low.

About 14 percent of U.S adults admit to being smokers last year, down from about 16 percent in 2016, government figures from the CDC show.

There hadn’t been much change the previous two years, but it’s been clear there’s been a general decline and the new figures show it’s continuing, according to K. Michael Cummings of the tobacco research program at Medical University of South Carolina.

“Everything is pointed in the right direction,” including falling cigarette sales and other indicators, Cummings said.

The new figures released Tuesday equate to more than 30 million adults still smoking in the U.S. Teens were also found to be less interested in trying cigarettes. Survey results out last week showed smoking among high school students was down to nine percent, also a new low.

In the early 1960s, roughly 42 percent of U.S. adults smoked. It was common nearly everywhere – in office buildings, restaurants,

airplanes and even hospitals. The decline has coincided with a greater understanding that smoking is a cause of cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.

Experts believe anti-smoking campaigns, cigarette taxes, and bans on smoking in public places are combining to bring down adult smoking rates. The CDC adds that people in large metropolitan areas smoked significantly less than people who live in rural areas.

The launch of electronic cigarettes and their growing popularity has also likely played a role.

E-cigarettes heat liquid nicotine into a vapor without the harmful by-products generated from burning tobacco. That makes them a potentially useful tool to help smokers quit, but some public health experts worry it also creates a new way for people to get addicted to nicotine.

There was no new information for adult use of e-cigarettes and vaping products, but 2016 figures estimate that three percent of adults are using e-cigarettes.

Vaping is more common among teens than adults. About 13 percent of high school students use e-cigarettes or other vaping devices.

HEALTH cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 21

STUDY:

COFFEE DRINKERS MAY BENEFIT FROM DRINKING MORE OF IT

A

new study suggests drinking more coffee may lower your risk of death.

Researchers in the United Kingdom observed a half million adults who consumed ground, instant, and decaffeinated coffee for more than 10 years. They found people who drank at least eight cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of some cancers and heart and lung disease.

“Unless your physician tells you otherwise, keep doing what you’re doing,” said Dr. Daniel Eisenberg.

Eisenberg, a cardiologist, says there isn’t enough clinical information in the study to

change your coffee drinking habits just yet.

“It doesn’t even really explain why or how, you don’t know whether it’s the caffeine or things people put in the coffee. It didn’t drill down that much,” said Eisenberg.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, does come with a warning. The data is based only on observation and does not prove a direct link between coffee consumption and the decreased risks.

The study notes that the results did not vary significantly by factors including age group, sex, and previous history heart disease or cancer.

HEALTH cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 23

LIFE

GET YOUR KIDS TO DO THEIR CHORES, THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

I

n today’s high tech world many parents are no longer giving their kids cash to do chores.

Instead, there are now allowance apps that help parents teach kids how to be financially responsible while earning money.

“We have tried every chore chart there is known to man,” said mom Dawn McCord who eventually ditched the charts and went digital by downloading the BusyKid app.

Moms and dads choose the chores and set their price. Kids check off their chores when they’re done and the app tallies up how much they’ve earned.

BusyKid app creator Greg Murset, a father of six, said he had an underlying reason for coming up with it.

“I did it because I want my kids to get the skills so that they’ll get out of my house and never come back except to visit once and a while right, I want them to be successful,” he said.

Other apps on the market, like RoosterMoney, PennyOwl, and FamZoo promise to help kids manage and save money. The BusyKid app also helps kids invest their earnings. The McCord kids have invested in Netflix and Amazon.

“I’m hoping that it’ll teach them a relationship between hard work and money,” said Dawn McCord.

Most chore apps have some kind of fee. A year subscription to BusyKid is $14.99 for the whole family.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 27

LAUREN’S LIST:

WHAT NOT TO BUY AT GARAGE SALES

I

BY LAUREN PASTRANA • lpastrana@cbs.com

f your neighborhood is like mine, there are multiple garage or yard sales every weekend.

According to StatisticBrain.com, across the U.S. these types of sales bring in $4 million dollars a week nationwide! Sometimes you’ll find gems, other times you’ll find junk.

While a good deal is always tempting, today’s “Lauren’s List” breaks down the items you should never buy at garage or yard sales.

HELMETS The issue with helmets is that they’re designed to protect you from one accident and that’s it. Sometimes the damage isn’t visible, so buy a new helmet to make sure you’re getting full protection.

BREAST PUMPS This is a pretty personal item and if it’s an “open system”, it’s basically impossible to clean completely, so the chance of contamination is high. These days many insurance companies will send new moms free pumps anyway.

COSMETICS Skipping on the used cosmetics seems pretty obvious, but you might want to pass up on the brand new stuff too. Problem is, make-up and creams aren’t meant to last forever. The quality can lessen over time and knock-offs are rampant, so it’s really buyer beware.

CAR SEATS Like helmets, car seats are really only meant to protect in one accident. In fact, your insurance will usually pay for a replacement if your car seat is in a crash. But damaged car seats are common. A survey found that one in ten has been in an accident. Also remember, car seats have an expiration date, usually six years after its manufacturing date.

Have you ever bought any of these items in a garage sale? Tell me on Facebook or Twitter. If you have an idea for a future “Lauren’s List”, send it to lpastrana@cbs.com.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 29

SECRET CODES, INSIDER TIPS TO SAVE YOU EVEN MORE AT COSTCO

Editorial credit: Trong Nguyen

I

f you’re a Costco shopper, you already know the great deals. But have you been walking past secret codes that could save you money?

There are ways to shop and save even if you don’t have a membership.

Bargain blogger, Michele Ashamala is a loyal Costco customer who wanted to test out some secret hacks she read about that could help Costco customers save even more, so a CBS producer tagged along with her smartphone camera on a recent Costco trip.

“You’ll see that most prices end in 99,” Ashamala points out. That’s the key.

It turns out the last two digits of the price can help you decide whether or not your need to buy it right away.

If it ends in ‘99,’ Costco confirms it’s usually the normal price.

But if it ends in ’97,’ that indicates a markdown.

You may want to buy it today.

“So this price tag has a ‘zero zero’ ending, which means it’s a clearance item,” says Ashamala.

Costco confirms prices ending in double zeros most likely mean it’s not coming back. So if you want it, grab it quick!

“These pants are $10, which is a great deal,” says Ashamara, eyeing a pair of men’s slacks.

Now, when it comes to alcohol, Kirkland vodka is rumored to be Grey Goose, but we checked and Costco says it’s not true.

They wouldn’t elaborate, saying alcohol suppliers are confidential, but they did reveal one

beverage secret. In Los Angeles, Kirkland Beer is actually Gordon Biersch.

“Another great deal at Costco is the Kirkland brand laundry detergent,” says Ashamara. “It works out to 11 cents a load, as opposed to the Tide Ultra Stain fighter which is 25 cents a load and Consumer Reports rated it equally as good.

Ashamara says one of the best deals is in the back of the warehouse – the Costco rotisserie chicken.

“It’s $4.99 which is a fantastic price and if you think about it,” says Ashamara. “You pay for your membership if you get a chicken every other week.”

Gift cards are another great deal at Costco.

Instead of paying a hundred dollars you can get two $50 restaurant gift cards for $70.

“If you’re not sure whether you want to pull the plug and get a Costco membership, you can always have a friend buy you a Costco cash card,” says Ashamara. “Then you’re free to go and shop at the store as if you’re a member.”

Another thing you don’t need a Costco membership for are the cheap eats at the outdoor food courts.

“The hot dog and drink are a fantastic deal at $1.50 — the same price they’ve been for 30 years,” she says.

They are a time-honored treat before loading up the car and heading home with all your savings.

And finally, you also don’t need a membership to get an eye exam, your hearing checked, or fill prescriptions at the Costco pharmacy.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 31

TASTE OF THE TOWN:

CHOTTO MATTE MAKES U.S. DEBUT ON LINCOLN ROAD

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LISA PETRILLO • lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com

ou’ll feel a world away at Chotto Matte — the newest restaurant experience on Lincoln Road.

From the open kitchen to the explosion of color in the bathrooms, the retractable roof, palm trees in the floor and all centered by the humongous Lava Rock projecting to the ceiling in this urban, yet modern space. It’s something to behold.

“The rock is from Sicily. It’s a 19-ton Sicilian rock flown over and it was airlifted into the restaurant. It’s a live volcanic rock and it’s a centerpiece of the restaurant,” said Executive Sous Chef Josh Walls.

And you can’t miss the mural created by 2 well known Miami based graffiti artists which fills the interior walls.

“The great thing about it, it’s like a hand stretched canvas, it’s not like a wall. It’s amazing when you see how it’s incorporated. It’s kind of a mashup,” Walls said.

This successful London based restaurant has made its US debut here in South Florida, with plans for another in Canada soon. The food is called Nikkei cuisine a combination of Japanese and Peruvian food.

“This came about when the Japanese came to South America and one of the places they used to stay at was Peru, and over the years they started a colony and they were named Nipanese people,” Walls explained.

Back in the kitchen Chef Walls prepares several of CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo’s dishes for tasting, including the Nikkei gyoza made with prawns and pork belly. They dip the dumplings in the sweet potato puree and red pepper ponzu sauces. Just perfection!

“The secret here is we make them fresh every day so they’re great. The outside texture is on the crunchy side and then it smooths with steamed dumpling inside,” said Walls. “We’ll get back to those in a minute,” said Petrillo, eyeing another one.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 33

“It’s nice and crispy on the outside,” said Petrillo.

Next, a four-piece Aburi that’s flamed to release the fat in the fish. “See how it’s more succulent?

That’s what happens when the fat is released,” said Walls.

“Then we add tomato salsa for balance. It’s a big bite. It’s a really good bite,” said Walls.

“There’s a real difference after they are torched for sure,” said Petrillo.

Chotto Matte is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. On weekends it’s open until 2 a.m.

The pork Belly bites have been braised for 4 1/2 hours with Peruvian anticuchos sauce.

For More info visit: www.chotto-matte.com/miami.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 35

STILL LOOKING AMAZING, AGELESS

CHRISTIE BRINKLEY HAS HAD QUITE THE CAREER Editorial credit: Shutterstock.com

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LISA PETRILLO • lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com

hristie Brinkley graced the covers of more than 500 magazines throughout her 45-year career in the modeling and beauty business.

That includes three consecutive Sports Illustrated covers back in the 80’s.

So who better to announce the winners of 2018 open casting call at Paraiso during Miami Swim Week at W South Beach than the model who helped brand their brand?

Christie is an accomplished businesswoman with her beauty brand, Brinkley Beauty, that includes a skincare line, an organic prosecco and her line of hairpieces and extensions called Hair2Wear- The Christie Brinkley Collection.

“To be honest with you, I’ve got some hair things going on,” said Petrillo, showing off her own Hair2Wear clip-on extensions.

“Alright!” said Brinkley. “You have my Hair2Wear.

I’ve got it going on now too!”

And she says now more than ever, this magazine is stepping up to empower all women.

That line, among her many others, has made the 64-year-old beauty a business mogul.

“It’s grown to encompass everyone for their own unique beauty and that is beautiful,” Brinkley said. “What we have going in this industry now is embracing cultures and sizes, Oh and yes, ages.”

“I feel really fortunate to have the opportunities I have had to create some businesses and I’m really excited about it,” Brinkley said. “I think to myself ‘is this going to make someone’s life easier, better, make them feel happy and more confident?’ And if the answer is yes, I know I’m on the right path.”

“Said by the woman who doesn’t age,” joked CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo.

Christie made her music video debut in Uptown Girl along with her then-husband, Billy Joel.

She made her acting debut in the 1983 film National Lampoon’s Vacation opposite Chevy Chase, and then its 1997 follow up, Vegas Vacation.

“Uptown Girl, let’s talk about Uptown Girl,” said Petrillo.

“I have people singing this song to me every day, and also Holiday Road, it’s so much fun,” she said while singing the songs.

Last year Brinkley was back on the pages of Sports Illustrated with her two daughters, Alexa Ray, a singer-songwriter, and Sailor, a part-time model and student.

“It was so amazing to share that experience with them,” she said.

Her advice to her kids?

“The only advice I give the kids is to really be kind, be respectful of people and try to leave the people you meet in life happier for having met you,” Brinkley said.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Summer 2018 37

HOME

BACKYARD ESCAPE CONTENT PROVIDED BY LOWES.COM

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very day is a vacation when you create space for relaxation, fun, and entertaining outdoors.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME?

Create a plan that zones a yard for your favorite outdoor activities. Green space is best for family fun. Design areas to hang out and talk on facing couches and chairs.

Add a pergola with fabric panels for shade.

Accommodate a larger crowd by pairing open patio space for mingling with inviting seating.

Position a few of your favorite chairs or loungers in a shady spot to create comfortable, resort-style relaxation.

MAXIMIZE YOUR FLOORSPACE A paver patio is a simple DIY project that makes a large impact on your outdoor space.

The paving stones add a designed, architectural look to your space and the range of colors, shapes, sizes and styles means you can customize your outdoor living space to create something truly unique.

CREATE CONVERSATION PIECES Choose inviting furniture to transform your space into an outdoor living room. Think about accessories the same way you would indoors — add cushions, blankets and pillows for color and comfort. If you just need a place to relax in peaceful comfort, a hammock stand and hammock is an irresistible addition. If you can’t find the exact furniture you want, you can make your own.

A fire pit functions as a complementary focal point and promises cozy chats on cool evenings. A pre-cast design requires minimal assembly, but you can also build your own fire pit.

HAVE IT MADE IN THE SHADE Don’t let the hot afternoon sun exile you to the indoors. A pergola and some fabric panels let you create your own shade. Here, outdoor fabric attached to the top of the pergola helps beat the heat while the structure itself sets an area apart from your larger space.

UPDATE YOUR OUTDOOR MENU A backyard escape doesn’t mean you should rough it when it comes to meals. You can find grills to fit any outdoor space, and you can expand your menu options well beyond burgers. Pancakes, bacon, vegetables, seafood, pizza and more are possible with the right features and accessories.

ADD NATURAL TOUCHES Whether your yard is an immaculate showplace or you simply have a well-tended lawn, container plants are a must for your backyard resort. Cultivate herbs for your cookouts, decorate with eye-catching annuals, or simply keep some attractive potted plants — you can do it all with containers. With all the plants and planters available, you’ll find endless combinations of colors, sizes, styles and textures to make just the right statement. Add the option of DIY planters you build yourself, and the possibilities really are limitless. Swap the plants out as the seasons change for yearround appeal.

HOME | Summer 2018 41

KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED Don’t forget a place to play. A DIY cornhole game can provide entertainment for children and adults alike and is easy to set up, move and take down. Customize the boards and bean bags to fit your decor and style.

REVIEW YOUR PRIVACY POLICY Give your space a sense of seclusion. This vinyl privacy fence separates you from the neighbors while improving security and providing boundaries for children and pets. Complement your fence with a line of trees or shrubs. Many types will grow to provide even more privacy.

SET THE NIGHTS ALIGHT When the stars come out, you don’t need to go in. Your backyard oasis can provide rest and relaxation at night with the right outdoor lighting. String lights are easy to hang and don’t just cast a soft glow to illuminate the space — they add a festive air to any gathering. If you don’t have outlets available, look for solar-powered LEDs.

HOME | Summer 2018 43

CHILDPROOF YOUR POOL CONTENT PROVIDED BY LOWES.COM

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ake your pool the safe, fun place it should be. Childproof your pool area to prevent slips and falls, sunburns and other more serious accidents, so you can keep your outdoor oasis a fun place for the whole family.

TIPS FOR CHILDPROOFING YOUR POOL • Protect all entryways to the pool area to make sure children don’t enter the pool unattended. Put alarms on doors and windows, and make sure you have a secure fence around the entire pool area to protect other children in the neighborhood as well.

• Even if your entire yard is fenced in, fence the perimeter of the pool area. One of the best techniques for preventing drowning is to create multiple barriers to entry. Ideal fencing will be at least 4 feet high with gaps no wider than 3 inches.

• Consider purchasing a pool alarm. There are alarms available that activate when pool water is disturbed and alarms that toddlers can wear that alert you when they come near the pool edge.

• Clear toys, shoes and other trip hazards away from the edge of the pool or from areas where children might play. Teach children not to run near the pool to prevent falls on scratchy concrete.

• Remove toys from the pool area when you aren’t there. Getting rid of all items that might attract the attention of children will help keep curious kids from approaching the pool when adults aren’t looking.

• Provide shade with umbrellas, awnings or other tools to create safe areas for sun-sensitive skin. Encourage children to wear sunscreen and to take periodic breaks from direct exposure by providing snacks and drinks in the shade.

• Remove ladders to aboveground pools when you aren’t using them.

• Cover your pool when it isn’t in use. A rigid pool cover that conceals the pool’s entire surface is the safest option. Mechanical covers are available that you can operate with the touch of a button.

• Make sure you have rescue gear available.

Keep life preservers, kickboards, rope and a pole handy.

• Enroll children in swimming lessons. While you can protect your children in your own home, the ultimate protection is having watersmart children who can swim and float. Even infants can learn to swim with proper training, and you’ll feel secure knowing your little ones are safe swimmers no matter where they are.

HOME | Summer 2018 45

2018 ALFA ROMEO A UNIQUELY ITALIAN TAKE ON THE SUV ALFA ROMEO

Artwork Mark and Logo AW_01_Central.eps

PANTONE 201 C

Cei 18 04 2016

2018 ALFA ROMEO

BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE & POWER

Alfa Romeo of South Miami is dedicated to providing you with exceptional customer service that parallels the premium quality of our vehicles.

We look forward to providing you with a world-class experience.

AlfaRomeoUSAOfSouthMiami.com 305-305-3428

AUTO

2018 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO WINS PREMIUM PANORAMIC CATEGORY AT 8TH ANNUAL “TOPLESS IN MIAMI” COMPETITION

CONTENT PROVIDED BY MEDIA.CHRYSLER.COM

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he all-new 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio took home the top award in the “Premium Panoramic” category at the eighth annual “Topless in Miami Presented by Haartz.” This competitive car event was hosted by the Southern Automotive Media Association (SAMA).

This is the second consecutive win for Alfa Romeo at Topless in Miami as the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti won the “Affordable Panoramic” category last year.

“The all-new Stelvio Quadrifoglio equipped with the dual-pane sunroof provided a truly thrilling driving experience among this year’s stout lineup of vehicles vying for the top honor in the Premium Panoramic category at our Topless in Miami competition,” said Jaime Florez, SAMA president. “SAMA judges were impressed by the vehicle’s robust power and beautiful Italian styling, both inside the cabin and outside with its timeless exterior design.”

To win its category, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio beat out the following vehicles: • BMW 430i Convertible • Infiniti QX50 • Jaguar XF Sportbrake S AWD • Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic SE More than 35 journalists attended the event and drove 18 vehicles from various manufacturers.

Journalists voted for their favorite vehicles after driving scenic routes in Key Biscayne, Florida.

In addition to convertibles, the competition is open to vehicles that offer occupants an “open air” driving and riding experience via the new, popular sunroofs and moonroofs found on many cars, SUVs and crossovers on the market.

Crafted by Alfa Romeo artisans at the Cassino plant in Italy, the all-new 2018 Stelvio Quadrifoglio and award-winning Giulia Quadrifoglio are a testament to Alfa Romeo’s perfect balance of engineering and emotion, creating a premium midsize SUV and sedan for driving enthusiasts.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio brings world-class performance, state-of-the-art technologies, seductive Italian style and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium midsize SUV segment. With the all-new 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, where other SUVs stop at utility, Alfa Romeo took on the challenge to create the perfect mix of high performance, capability and design. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the fastest SUV in the world with a Nürburgring lap time of 7:51.7 and boasts a best-in-class 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds.

For more information about the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, contact South Miami Alfa Romeo Fiat, located at 17220 South Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33157 or call (305) 305-3428, or visit them at alfaromeousaofsouthmiami.com.

AUTO | Summer 2018 47

THE 2018 XC60 The 2018 World Car of the Year Winner

Model Year-End Sales Event Experience exceptional savings on all remaining 2018 models THE 2018 XC90 The most-awarded luxury SUV of the Century

DEEL VOLVO CARS 3650 Bird Road • Miami • 305-444-2222 • www.deelvolvocars.com Minutes From Anywhere Between Douglas & U.S.1 On Bird Road

2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA HYBRID NAMED NORTHWEST GREEN VEHICLE OF THE YEAR

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CONTENT PROVIDED BY MEDIA.CHRYSLER.COM

he 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid takes home two titles from the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) 2018 Drive Revolution green vehicle competition, including the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year and, for the second year in a row, the Northwest Familysized Plug-in Hybrid of the Year.

with firsts, notching 78 innovations through the first five minivan generations. With the introduction of the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid, FCA US adds 37 minivan firsts to its portfolio for an unprecedented total of 115 innovations in the segment, including the industry’s first minivan available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

“The Pacifica Hybrid’s 84 MPGe and 33 miles of allelectric range saves you hundreds in fuel costs each year over the average new minivan or SUV,” said Sarah Shelton, Drive Revolution Chair of U.S. News & World Report. “But what’s particularly remarkable is that you can achieve this fuel economy while also carrying a family of seven in the front and a suitcase for everyone in the back. This, along with a notable amount of standard equipment, makes the Pacifica Hybrid a truly family-friendly vehicle.”

The Chrysler Pacifica – the most awarded minivan of 2016 and 2017 – reinvents the minivan segment with an unprecedented level of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling. The Pacifica Hybrid takes this revolutionary vehicle a step further with its class-exclusive, innovative plug-in hybrid powertrain.

It’s the first electrified vehicle in the minivan segment and achieves 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode, 33 miles of all-electric range and 566 miles of total range. With more than 100 available safety and security features, the Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment system and a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid are no-compromise minivans ideally suited for today’s families.

NWAPA members gathered at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to drive 19 vehicles, including battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and full hybrids. After a full day of testing through the streets of Vancouver, Washington, NWAPA journalists named the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year. The Pacifica Hybrid, which also won the award as the Best Family-sized Plug-in Hybrid by a landslide, was named the overall winner for its combination of fuel-efficiency, ample cabin space, user-friendly amenities and value.

As the original creator of the minivan 35 years ago, FCA US LLC continues to transform the segment

AUTO | Summer 2018 50

For more information about the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid contact Dadeland Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, located at 16501 South Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33157 or call (305) 278-9994, or visit them at www.dadelanddodgechryslerjeep.net.

The Ultimate Source For New Vehicles.

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16501 South Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL • 1-877-240-8176

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