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January 7, 2011

South Florida Real Estate

PRICES MAY REBOUND In 2011 ALSO INSIDE Oil Executive Predicts $5 Gas By 2012 Compromise Key To A Couple’s Finances Smart Spending When Buying Organic Foods Stem Cells May Have Cured HIV Disney To Open New Resort In May 2012 Another Average Year For South Florida Teams

CBS4 Newspaper January 7, 2011 Edition

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January 7, 2011

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I-Team: Rivera’s Secret Dog Track Deal “Mr. Rivera has not been contacted about any investigation, nor do we believe there are any grounds for an investigation,” Rivera Spokeswoman Sarah Bascom said in a statement. “We will not be commenting on any alleged investigation.”

MIAMI (CBS4) – The Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office is investigating more than half a million dollars in secret payments from the owners of Flagler Dog Track to a company operated by Congressman-elect David Rivera’s mother.

The bulk of the payments were made in 2008 after Rivera successfully helped lead a countywide referendum to allow slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities such as Flagler.

“We are certainly cooperating with authorities in doing anything we can to resolve this,” Flagler CEO Barbara Havenick told CBS4 News.

Flagler’s attorney, Roberto Martinez, said the organization did nothing wrong and that the contract they entered into for Rivera’s services was perfectly legal.

Prosecutors recently obtained a copy of a consulting contract which contains Rivera’s signature. CBS4 News was allowed to review a copy of the 2006 consulting agreement which detail what Rivera’s duties would be in the 2008 referendum campaign. Rivera would “Act as Top Leader of Chain of Command of All Campaign Consultants & Campaign Activities” and included in his responsibilities was the “Identification & Neutralization of Opposition.”

The contract states that in return for Rivera’s services, Millennium Marketing Inc. would be compensated. According to Flagler attorney Roberto Martinez, it was Rivera’s idea for all payments to be made to Millennium.

Millennium’s president is Ileana Medina and its vice president, secretary, and treasurer is Rivera’s mother, Daisy Magarino. The company reportedly operates out of a townhouse at 1316 SW 135th Place, but a woman answering the door recently refused to answer any questions.

Sources familiar with the investigation say prosecutors are still trying to determine if any laws were broken and whether Rivera received any of the money paid to Millennium and if he deliberately tried to hide that income.

Medina, who is Rivera’s Godmother, also refused to respond to questions.

Rivera has always denied he was paid for his work during the referendum and Rivera has never reported any income from the campaign on any of his financial disclosure forms.

Then starting in January 2007, Millennium earned an additional $18,181 a month in consulting fees until the referendum occurred on January 29, 2008.

As a result in February 2008, Millennium was paid approximately $210,000.

In the past six weeks, investigators have issued “dozens” of subpoenas for banking and other records relating to Rivera and the gambling issue, according to sources.

Thursday afternoon, Rivera again denied he personally received any of the money paid to Millennium.

Under the contract, Millennium was paid $50,000 immediately after the contract was signed in November 2006.

And because the referendum passed, Millennium was paid a $250,000 bonus in March 2008.

Total payments to Millennium: More than $510,000.

But according to the contract reviewed by

CBS4 News, Millennium is also entitled to a second bonus of another $500,000.

Under the terms of the contract, because the referendum passed, Millennium accrued $20,000 a month in bonuses for the 25 months following the election.

That money has not yet been paid to Millennium because, according to Martinez, neither Rivera nor Millennium has asked for the money. Instead they are allowing Flagler to hold it for them.

One of the oddities of the arrangement between Flagler and Millennium is that none of the money was paid through the Political Action Committee the owners of Flagler Dog Track set up to run the slots campaign. Flagler and Calder Race Course each contributed more than $3 million to the Vote Yes For A Greater Miami Dade PAC and used that money to hire scores of political consultants. Those payments were all reported on the quarterly campaign finance reports the PAC was required to file.

By not paying Millennium through the PAC, Flagler avoided making those payments public. Martinez, Flagler’s attorney, said the track was not trying to hide its payments for Rivera’s services.

He said the agreement with Rivera predated the establishment of the PAC. But it does appear that the Havenick family, owners of Flagler Dog Track, has tried to hide their business relationship with Rivera.

A few weeks ago, before the existence of the secret contract between Flagler and Millennium was confirmed, Flagler Vice President Isadore Havenick denied Rivera had been hired for the 2008 slots campaign.

“He gave us advice, but he was never hired by us,” Havenick told The Miami Herald. “He knew that gambling proceeds could help the state’s education budget.”

Likewise Rivera was less than candid regarding his role in the campaign. In an interview with CBS4 News, Rivera said: “What I did was support the initiative as many other elected officials did but was not paid by the campaigns at all whatsoever, one iota.”

On Thursday, Rivera’s spokeswoman Bascom said: “In 2006, Millennium Marketing, a company owned by a close family friend of David Rivera’s, was contracted to provide consulting services for the Flagler Dog Track and other related companies relating to the 2008 slots referendum. As part of that valid and legally executed contract, Rivera was designated by Millennium as its point of contact, acting as its on-the-ground strategic adviser.

Rivera has never received income from either Flagler Dog Track or Millennium Marketing, Inc.” Bascom’s statement made it appear that Flagler hired Millennium and Millennium just happened to hire Rivera. But Flagler attorney Martinez made it clear in an interview that Flagler’s interest was in hiring Rivera and that it was Rivera who brought Millennium into the discussion.

In fact, state records show that Millennium wasn’t even created until just prior to the agreement with Flagler was signed.

When Bascom was notified of that fact, she issued a new statement, declaring: “Mr. Rivera’s first discussions with Flagler were through then-owner Fred Havenick, who first discussed with Rivera the possibility of Rivera being involved in the 2008 referendum and has since passed. Mr. Rivera met Mr. Havenick because of Mr. Rivera’s extensive involvement in the 2005 referendum, for which he similarly received no income.

Mr. Rivera does not recall who broached the subject first, but does specifically recall being invited to Mr. Havenick’s home after the 2005 referendum to discuss the idea with Mr. Havenick.

“Later on, after Mr. Havenick’s death, when Flagler expressed interest in moving forward with the idea, Mr. Rivera suggested the agreement be formally memorialized with Millennium. Flagler agreed that was the best way to proceed.

Respectfully, Bobby Martinez had no participation in or knowledge of any of the discussions with Fred Havenick or any other family members after Mr. Havenick’s death.”

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Oil Executive Predicts $5 Gas By 2012 of Shell Oil now says that Americans may end up paying $5 per gallon by the beginning of 2012.

Other oil analysts told CNNmoney.com that gas prices will hit $5 a gallon in the next decade, but not by 2012.

MIAMI (CBS4) – Gasoline prices above $3 a gallon are expected to be around for awhile as demand increases. But, the former president

Gas prices have been rising in the U.S. for weeks and crossed the $3 mark for the first time last week since October 2008. Gas prices now are up 4% from November and 16% from 2009,

according to AAA. The Oil Price Information Service estimated that drivers will spend $305 on gasoline in December and prices are up nearly 14% from last December, according to CNNmoney.com.

The spike in gas prices have closely followed a rise in oil prices which are hovering around $90 per barrel.

Prices dropped slightly Monday after China raised interest rates.

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January 7, 2011

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South Florida Home Prices May Rebound In 2011 saying there’s been a 40 percent decrease in the average price,” says Peter Zalewski who runs Condo Vultures, a Bal Harbour consulting firm that studies the market.

“Right now the average house is selling for $220,000 but in the boom the average was $400,000. Volume is up, but the dollar value is down.”

CBS4? s Joan Murray spoke to home seller Jeff Kiltie.

HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) – As 2010 draws to a close, real estate watchers are keeping an eye on the South Florida housing market.

Nationally, analysts predict that the market will “bottom out” in 2011.

Some forecasters think we’ve already hit bottom here.

“We actually saw 7000 more real estate transactions this year over the last year of the housing boom, but I would preface it by

Kiltie put his updated east Hollywood home on the market in October, priced to sell at $174,900.

The house on Adams Street is in mint condition with a big bonus, an oversized backyard.

“A lot of houses in this price range are beat up. They’re in foreclosure with the appliances ripped out. We spent a lot of time cleaning, painting and refinishing it.

You could walk in tomorrow and move in,” says Kiltie. He’s optimistic he will find a

buyer.

At the height of the market Kiltie could have gotten more than double the price he’s asking. But as he said, “where would I have gone?” since so many properties were overpriced during the boom.

Peter Zalewski says the bottom of the market in South Florida in 2011 all depends on where you live.

“As the unemployment rate hovers, it creates a downward pressure on pricing,” said Zalweski. “The people who are affected most are in the western suburbs and that’s the marketplace where buyers from out of town they don’t dream of living in suburbia, they dream of living on the water. And that’s what is allowing the water prices to stabilize.”

Zalewski showed CBS4’s Joan Murray a high rise where he says you can pick up a condo for under $200,000.

He believes east of 95, we’ve already hit bottom.

“Long term by 2015, a lot of people will look back and say, I wish i would have, but everyone has a different stomach for what kind of risk they are willing to take,” says Zalewski.

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Jungle Island Faces Uncertain Financial Future lion and a tiger. They’d been gone for months after Mahesh scaled his 12 foot high fence to chase a gibbon. The fence is 20plus feet high now. One visitor told CBS4? s Michael Williams, “It is nice, children friendly, never too many people.”

WATSON ISLAND (CBS4) - It is a jungle out there, especially in the business world. A day after reintroducing its prize attraction, Jungle Island is facing questions about whether it can carve a sustainable financial path for the future.

A quick glance on Thursday would not lead you to think there are problems. Visitors flocked to Jungle Island, which sits between Miami and Miami Beach on Watson Island.

Mahesh, the big tiger, is home along with Vulcan, the liger. That is a cross between a

That last part is the problem. Too few visitors are showing up. Jungle Island will attract more than 300,000 visitors this year but that is a far cry from the high hopes when it opened in 2003 on Watson Island, after leaving its longtime home in Pinecrest.

The rent is always paid but a multi-million dollar loan is largely financed—for now— by the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County. Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff said, “It has always been the white elephant for the city of Miami and it is straining our resources unfairly for the city and it can’t go on much longer.”

Amidst that polite but clear ultimatum Jungle Island must also contend with a

concrete and steel jungle sprouting nearby.

Towering cranes mark the start of the big, traffic snarling Port of Miami tunnel project.

Jungle Island is offering package deals to attract repeat visitors and says bookings for its ballroom are strong. But the pressure is on.

Jungle Island marketing director Leo Sarmiento said, “I don’t think too many businesses have done well the last couple of years with the economy. We’re happy wit the last three or four months. We have seen an increase each and every month. This month we are up almost 25 percent compared to last year.”

Hope springs eternal but hope is not a business plan. A lot of people will be looking hard at Jungle Island in 2011 to see if it can create a robust blueprint for survival.

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January 7, 2011

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State Regulators Approve Insurers Rate Increases carriers while the average statewide premium has increased 44 percent.

of a 29 percent rate increase it as granted last year.

In coastal regions, rates have doubled and tripled.

The state-run Citizens Property Insurance was granted nearly $150 million in increases.

Since 1998, Florida insurers have collected $20.5 billion more than they paid back in claims, $18 billion of that since 2005. Yet the industry still says it is losing money.

SARASOTA (CBS4) – Despite the fact that Florida hasn’t suffered any damage from a major hurricane in the last five years, most homeowners can expect rate increases from their insurance company next year.

After three years of trying to control rates, state regulators have approved more than $700 million in rate increases. Insurance companies doing business in Florida claim they are still losing money because of what they have to pay to re-insurers for hurricane protection. This year they claim they lost more $100 million after paying the re-insurers.

The paper found that the figures hid profits in the form of payments to affiliated companies which were inflated and cost homeowners hundreds of dollars on their bills.

Since 2005, more than 2 million Florida families have been dropped by their

When seeking rate increases over the past year, insurers have cited sinkhole losses, mitigation discounts and increasing expenses for reinsurance, which is the coverage they buy from unregulated corporations that agree to pay their hurricane losses.

Because a request to increase rates 15 percent or more triggers a public hearing, insurers kept their requests under that benchmark and received their approvals, sometimes for even more, behind closed doors. The increases will note be meted out evenly. Homeowners who live along the coast could see a rate increase of 20 to 50 percent, far higher than the company’s inland customers.

The largest increased granted to a forprofit company was $88 million for Universal Property & Casualty.

State Farm’s rate hike is expected to generate an additional $73 million on top

The insurance industry and its advocates also blamed the government for its attempts to control rates.

“When you charge artificially suppressed rates, it creates water behind the dam,” said former House insurance chairman Don Brown, an ardent supporter of rate deregulation and consultant to Gov.-elect Rick Scott. “It continues to pile up.”

A review of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings found several companies that told investors they were profitable while telling state insurance regulators the opposite.

Universal Property and Casualty declared $11.3 million in insurance losses for its insurance company subsidiary. But after adding back in the money Universal pays itself for management services, the company told stockholders in SEC filings that it made $29 million before taxes the first half of 2010, the newspaper reported.

The holding company was still posting profits in November when its insurance carrier asked for and received a 14.9 percent hike.

Most Florida-based insurance companies now are set up to pay sister companies for management services, claims adjusting or other tasks. These companies often have the same owners as the insurer and operate with no employees of their own.

Because payments to affiliates are set as a percentage of premium, any rate increase to homeowners is also an increase in what the affiliates get paid.

Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune (© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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January 7, 2011

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Merchants Want To Extend Las Olas Shopping District their tree-lined median.

They plan to bring it up before the Ft. Lauderdale City Commission early next year. But not everyone is happy with the idea.

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) Thinking that going bigger will bring in more business, merchants along Las Olas Boulevard want to double the length of

Residents of the neighboring Colee Hammock neighborhood say Las Olas Boulevard is a main road which connects the downtown area to the beach and they oppose any change that would back up traffic, or cause more vehicles to use their side streets to get around any delays, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

Currently the median runs from SE 4th

Avenue to the Himmarshee Canal.

Merchants along Las Olas Boulevard would like to see the median extended past the canal to SE 17th Avenue so it would include businesses like the Floridian restaurant, Rocco’s Tacos and Aqua Beachwear. The say the extension is necessary so they can remain competitive with other pedestrian shopping districts like Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach and Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.

Another benefit of an extended median would be fewer traffic accidents, according to the business owners who say drivers tend to pick up speed after leaving the current shopping district.

(Š MMX CBS Television Stations. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)

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January 7, 2011

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Compromise Key To A Couple’s Finances a joint account or simply just avoiding the topic, money is tough to talk about, but there are ways to compromise without compromising the marriage.

Dana and Bobby Winesky have been married for 22 years and say the key to their happy marriage is they don’t fight about money.

“We’ve always just kept it together,” Dana Winesky said. “I guess that means you have to talk about things a little bit more when you keep it together.”

MIAMI (CBS4) – For many couples, the one topic that is almost always going to spark an argument is money. Whether it’s

But, not all couples approach the financial issue that way. A recent survey found 91 percent of couples find all kinds of

reasons not to talk to their partner about money.

Almost half of all young professionals are now keeping the money separate. But that’s not helping relationships. Seventytwo percent of those young professionals said discussing finances leads to arguments. But if you ask couples of all ages, only 45 percent fight over money.

“I would say that most couples may have worked out their money thing because they’ve already had the conversations about where they want to go,” financial advisor Dana Levitt said. “They’ve already created the joint vision.”

The Parish family said merged finances have worked for them even though Kevin Parrish is more impulsive. They said it comes in as a good series of checks and balances.

“I do think the hybrid approach works great because then you already have the conversation,” Kevin Parrish said.

That way, whether it’s for a new electronic gadget or a designer outfit, each person can keep a little money to spend judgment free which will help keep the arguments about money to a minimum.

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January 7, 2011

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Florida PSC Approves FPL’s 2-Year Rate Freeze statement in favor of the agreement.

The Florida Public Service Commission approved a settlement agreement for a twoyear freeze in base rates for the state’s biggest electric utility, Florida Power & Light Co. The commission Tuesday approved the agreement the company made with consumer advocates four months ago. The agreement will effectively freeze base rates paid by customers until the end of 2012.

Attorney General Bill McCollum issued a

“I commend the Public Service Commission and FP&L for adopting this important settlement today. We have worked for many months with the Office of Public Counsel, the Retail Federation, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, the Federal Executive Agencies, the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, and the Associated Industries of Florida to reach this settlement which will provide rate stability for the FP&L customers by freezing basic rates through 2012. This settlement benefits all parties, and I am pleased to see it approved.”

Base rates can be changed through 2012 only if the company’s profit rate falls below 9 percent or tops 11 percent.

Action was delayed by FPL’s court challenge to Commissioner Nathan Skop’s participation in its cases. The company alleges Skop is biased, which Skop denies.

The 1st District County of Appeal has not

yet ruled but agreed to let Skop vote on the rate freeze agreement. The five-member commission unanimously approved it.

Energy Center will be limited to the projected fuel savings for customers during the term of the agreement.

According to FPL, the company serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL President and CEO Armando J. Olivera also said the agreement will benefit customers.

• Costs for storm damage would be recoverable beginning 60 days from the filing of a petition but capped at $4 for every 1,000 kilowatt hours of usage during the first 12 months. If storm restoration costs exceed $800 million, the company may request cost recovery above the cap, and any additional costs would be recoverable in subsequent years.

“We think this agreement is in the best interest of all of the parties involved, especially our customers. We appreciate the willingness of those who represent Florida’s electric consumers to work with us on an agreement that will help provide financial stability for customers and the company alike, and we appreciate the support for the agreement by the Commission and its staff.”

The key elements of the agreement are as follows: • Cost recovery for a new combinedcycle natural gas unit at FPL’s West County

• If the ROE rises above 11 percent, the intervenors may seek a rate reduction.

Earnings will be calculated using an actual, non-weather-adjusted basis.

Typical monthly bills for FPL residential customers are 24 percent below the national average and the lowest out of Florida’s 55 electric utilities, according to FPL.

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Feds To Get Tough On Food Labels, Calorie Displays popcorn can add up to about 1,500 calories and that’s without the added butter.

If you wash that popcorn down with a big coke, that’s another 600 calories.

“The problem is the size of the packages and the size of the portion that we’re having of this. It’s making this very challenging to stay within our caloric needs,” said Blake.

MIAMI (CBS4) - Sometimes it feels like you need a degree in nutrition to figure out the labels on food, including the ingredients and the calories in a portion.

But the government is hoping to change all that as it prepares to broaden regulation on calorie displays.

The Food and Drug Administration is looking to become more aggressive about the nation’s weight problem. Last March, a law was signed requiring nutritional information be posted on menus of restaurant chains with more than 20 establishments.

Going to movies usually means a trip to the concession stand where all that candy and popcorn can add up to lots of calories.

Now, the government is looking to broaden the regulation to include concession stands, airlines, salad bars and bakeries.

Nutritionist Joan Salge Blake did the math and said those monster-sized bags of

“I think it’s a terrific idea because what it

does is it empowers the consumer to understand what he or she is going to order before they place the order,” according to Blake. “It’s actually a good idea because it doesn’t prevent people from actually choosing to have it but it gives them more information.”

Nutritionists hope these labels will cause us to buy less and eat less and not really notice.

“We know from research that less is more, that people tend to be satisfied on the smaller portion, so buy eating the larger portion you’re not increasing satisfaction, you’re increasing calories,” according to Blake.

The FDA has until March of 2011 to announce these regulations, how they will be enforced and what the penalties will be for not complying.

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Make Your Own Anti-Aging Remedies “It releases a lot of toxins from the body,” said Valmy.

To repair skin damage including burst capillaries Valmy said apply a mixture of coffee. The caffeine helps increase circulations and heavy cream is soothing to the skin. To treat acne, try a mask of cinnamon and yogurt; both have antibacterial properties.

MIAMI (CBS4) – One of the problems of living in the paradise we call South Florida is the damage the sun can do to your skin if you don’t take precautions.

Sun damaged skin, broken capillaries and problems below surface, including loss of collagen, can lead to even bigger issues down the line, according to dermatologist Dr. Arial Ostad.

“Loss of collagen, as that accumulates over time you develop sagging skin, leathery skin and skin that is basically thin and skin that has wrinkles on it,” said Ostad.

The good news is that there are many things you can do to help reverse some of the damage.

“What we have to do when the season changes is we have to exfoliate some of the dryness on the surface so you can penetrate the hydration better under the skin,” said skin care specialist Marina Valmy who added that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy products to do this.

Some of the best exfoliates and moisturizers can be found in fruits and vegetables.

“Because they are very fresh and delivering the nutrients and ingredients that your skin really needs on the spot,” said Valmy.

For example, eggplant is a great exfoliate, according to Valmy who recommends dipping it in sea salt and then rubbing it on your skin in a circular motion.

To help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, use rose petal extract and chocolate which contain anti-aging properties. A mixture of honey and papaya can help reduce sunspots.

“This is how skin care originally started,” said Valmy.

Of course, there are more high-tech options that will reverse summer skin damage.

Ostad some forms of laser treatment and chemical peels work well as do many prescription and over the counter creams which contain high concentrations of age fighting vitamins.

increase Your business?

January 7, 2011

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Smart Spending When Buying Organic Foods “When you look at organic items – they don’t always look different,” said Bonci.

“When it comes to organic with produce – it means without pesticides.”

“It makes sense to spend extra money on organic produce when the conventional variety has high pesticides,” added Nelson.

Celery is on that list.

MIAMI (CBS4) – More and more people are buying organic foods even though they often cost more. But there are ways to save money if you know which organic fruits and vegetables might be worth the extra price, and which ones probably aren’t.

“It does have a higher pesticide content to it. So, if you’re buying the organic, we’re not worried about the pesticide here,” said Bonci.

Peaches, strawberries and conventional apples made the dirty list too.

It comes down to the pesticides used to help grow regular fruits and vegetables.

“When it comes to apples, especially for eating the peel of the apples, it makes sense to get organic apples,” said Nelson.

Research shows that some produce has little or no pesticide residue. So, you might want to save your money and not buy organics with those.

Nectarines, bell peppers, cherries and potatoes are on the list, too. Blueberries, spinach and kale, and imported grapes round out the dirty dozen.

But then there’s another list of those said to have the highest levels of pesticides, called the ‘dirty dozen.’

There’s also a list of foods with the least amount of pesticides, where it may not be that different to buy conventional.

Dietician Leslie Bonci knows all about which foods are healthy for you, while the Coupon Mom – Stephanie Nelson – knows all about how to save you money.

This is where people concerned about pesticides may be able to save a buck and skip buying more expensive organic versions.

They are two experts when it comes to spending smart if you want to buy organic.

The list of the cleanest includes produce includes onions, avocados, pineapples, kiwi, cabbage and sweet potatoes.

“Meaning conventional sweet potatoes have virtually no pesticide. So, in this case, you can get organic sweet potatoes for a pound, but why not get the conventional sweet potato at a dollar a pound?” said Nelson.

“You’re saving about half because you know where to spend your money.”

Conventional watermelon, grapefruit and sweet corn also made the Environmental Working Group’s clean list.

Also, while they’re not on the latest list, Bonci says bananas can also be a place to save.

“You’re not eating the peel on this, this is just not worth that extra money,” said Bonci.

It’s important to note that even with the socalled “dirty list”; the pesticide residue found was in amounts allowed by the government.

And Bonci says few of us eat as many fruits and vegetables as we should.

“Nutritionally, you’re gonna get the same benefit out of it,” said Bonci. “So, it is better if convention is what you can afford – by all means go out there and buy it.”

Bonci says if you buy conventional and even if you buy organic, always rinse your fruits and vegetables very well with a forceful stream of cold water.

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January 7, 2011

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Pill May Be Key To Fountain Of Youth equivalent to the age of 66-year-old to a 40-year-old,” said his doctor.

He believes it’s all because he’s taking TA65 a dietary supplement.

“The energy that you get from using TA65 and the eye improvement that I had is just remarkable,” Turon said.

MIAMI (CBS4) – The state of Florida was first discovered on a journey looking for it, and billions of dollars have been spent since trying to capture it, but does the fountain of youth exist? Some say it does in the form of a pill called TA65.

This little pill claims it increases energy, boosts the immune system, improves one’s sex life and aging skin.

“I think that TA65 is a wonderful addition to our ability to protect our DNA and hopefully keep us in good health as long as we live,” said endocrinologist Dr. Florence Comite.

Billy Turon is seeing more clearly these days. He’s a heart attack survivor who says he feels great and his gray hair is even coming in darker.

She has been taking TA65 herself for about 8 months and noticed physical changes shortly after starting it.

“Basically you went from having eyes

“I stopped using reading glasses over the past year and that was a complete shock,”

Dr. Flroence Comite. “You can feel the difference like running up or running down the stairs. I mean I don’t hesitate to run up the stairs.”

Researchers believe damaged telomeres or DNA make people more vulnerable to diseases linked to aging, like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. And if the telomeres can be preserved, the hope is health will be extended.

She is an expert in botanical medicine.

“What happens if you take it every day for 15 years? In theory it’s a great idea. In practice it’s a big question mark,” Dr. Lee said.

Lee recommends fighting the clock by eating antioxidant rich foods, getting enough sleep and reducing stress.

“Instead of waiting for disease to happen I am a strong believer in figuring out what’s emerging and trying to prevent it.”

“All of those things put together is probably ten times more powerful than this new supplement if not more,” added Lee.

TA65 comes from the astralagus plant.

It’s extracted from the root and used as an immune enhancer in traditional Chinese medicine.

And while TA65 may not be the fountain of youth, “if you’re aging and you feel like you’re ready for the wheelchair I say take some,” said Turon.

But not everyone is a TA65 supporter.

Experts believe more research is needed on TA65 before it can be recommended to patients on a larger scale.

“We have no large trials for this new supplement to measure what it says it’s doing,” said internist Dr. Roberta Lee.

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Stem Cells May Have Cured HIV patients and the message Wednesday is that AIDS remains a killer. South Florida has one of the highest rates of new infections in the nation, and activists say safe sex—condoms and common sense– must prevail. Broward House spokesman Terry DeCarlo said, “People have been coming left and right all day long (saying), it is here, the cure, the cure, the cure and I keeps saying it is not here yet.”

BERLIN (CBS4) - In AIDS research labs at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and around the globe a report in the journal, Blood, became the source of medical buzz on Wednesday.

German doctors say their “Berlin Patient”, an American with HIV and leukemia, underwent a stem cell transplant in 2007 and, to this day, appears to have been cured of both illnesses. Not so fast caution other medical experts. Dr. Margaret Fischl is a world renowned AIDS researcher at the Miller School. She told CBS4’s Michael Williams, “I think it is a very important discovery because it tells us if we could get rid of every single cell that is infected with HIV in the body we could potentially cure HIV. Is this patient cured? I’m going to say no.”

Why the caution? The American patient received a stem cell transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation that naturally protects against the R-5 strain of the HIV virus, which is the most common strain. But the HIV patient also has the X-4 strain of the HIV virus and Dr. Fischl said, you cannot assume that all of those HIV infected cells are gone for good.

Moreover, the radical treatment was just that–radical. Dr. Fischl argued, “Would I do this to a healthy patient? Never, because giving intensive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, as this patient went through, and the transplant as well (means) there is a 30 percent chance of dying from that.”

Broward House works with HIV/AIDS

He is right but the “Berlin Patient” does offer new avenues for promising HIV/ AIDS vaccine and gene therapy research.

Dr. Fischl said, “With gene therapy maybe 60 percent of the (infected) cells will be replaced and taken over by gene therapy. Is that good enough? That is the question that is going to be asked.”

No cure yet, but hope that HIV/AIDS research will continue to make big strides in that direction.

January 7, 2011

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Disney To Open New Resort In May 2012

Disney ORLANDO (CBS4)- Walt Disney World will add to it’s empire with the first wing of its new resort hotel opening in May 2012.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will have

about 2,000 rooms, a little more than half of them family sized suites that will sleep as many as six people. It’s a significant expansion into “family suites” for Disney, which currently has only about 215 such rooms on its property.

Disney said demand for affordable suites has grown in recent years as more tourists travel with extended family.

The first phase of Art of Animation to open will be a “Finding Nemo”-themed wing of suites in May 2012. The rest of hotel, which will employ about 800, is scheduled to be open by the end of 2012.

January 7, 2011

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January 7, 2011

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Another Average Year For South Florida Teams games so far in the 2010 season. Finally, the Panthers are just 7-6 so far in 2010.

But before you automatically assume that it’s just the pro teams in South Florida that are average, the colleges aren’t doing much better. The University of Miami Hurricanes football team went 3-3 in 2010; Florida International’s football team went 3-3 this season, and Florida Atlantic’s Owls managed just a 2-2 record in 2010.

MIAMI (CBS4) – South Florida likes to think of itself as a sports mecca that is home to some of the best franchises out there. But recently, South Florida’s sports teams have been average at best when they play in front of the home crowd.

Combined, the professional teams in South Florida have gone 64-59 in 2010.

The Marlins managed to go 41-40 in 2010, while the Dolphins have compiled a 1-6 record at home. The Heat have been the best team so far, winning 12 out of 16

The Heat entered into the free agency period for the 2010 season needing to rebuild the team. So, they went out and spent the money to get the best players into the franchise. Now, they are in first place and barring an injury, appear to be a lock for a playoff spot next year.

The Dolphins were supposed to be on the rise after the franchise went out and hired Bill Parcells to rebuild the franchise.

Unfortunately, most of the draft picks that Parcells picked have been good, but most Fins fans would go back and take quarterback Matt Ryan first in the 2008 draft over tackle Jake Long.

The Fins may or may not keep going down the path of head coach Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland. Most fans are clamoring for an opportunity to go after former Steelers coach Bill Cowher. The Fins have the 3-4 defense he prefers running. The team has a smash-mouth offensive line just needing to have a fire lit under them. The Fins also have a big, physical receiver and a star slot receiver.

In other words, outside of a franchise quarterback, the Fins are ready-made for Cowher. On the same hand, so are the New York Giants, outside of the 3-4 defense. So the Fins will have some competition when they likely go coach and general manager hunting after the

season.

Wherever the Fins go, they have to find a winner because the Fins have for the past several decades have ruled South Florida.

Now, it’s all about the Heat and seeing the Big 3.

The Marlins have basically decided to stand on most of the roster that went 41-40 last season, except for slugger and fan favorite Dan Uggla, who was traded to division rival, the Atlanta Braves. So Marlins fans can likely expect another average season before the team moves into it’s new taxpayer-funded stadium in Little Havana.

In a town that claims sports superiority and is not afraid to tell everyone how great their teams are, the proper way to phrase it today is how good the teams were.

CBS4 Newspaper January 7, 2011 Edition

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January 7, 2011

Horoscopes provided by www.starlightastrology.com

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)

Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)

Your creative talent may well be recognized by others this month Disputes on the home front may be hard to avoid. Try not to let your emotions interfere with the completion of your work. Find ways to make extra cash. Start making things or reusing rather than buying ready made. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Relationships have not been the best for you lately and it’s left you somewhat gun shy.

You might not be as reserved on an emotional level as you’d like. Don’t rely on others to do your work. Take care of yourself or you can expect to suffer from minor illness. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Your ideas are right on the mark and your work commendable.

Networking will be a necessity. Calm down and take a step back. Don’t get involved in other people’s private doings. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

You will find the perfect outfit if you shop this month. Get involved in philosophic groups that will enlighten you.

Lovers will be less than accommodating, and decisions regarding personal direction a necessity. Someone close to you may need help. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Taurus (Apr. 21-May 21)

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

You have so much to It might be best not to offer; open up and let spend your money on your thoughts be known. luxuries this month.

You will need to spend Don’t get so wrapped up extra time sorting through in being rich that you your work. Be prepared to overlook the fact that deal with groups and your plan may not be as organizations of greater solid as you thought. Be aware magnitude. Your partner may be erratic this that a female you work with may be month if you haven’t paid enough attention trying to hold you back. Get them to pitch in, to him or her. Your luckiest events this if you need help. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday. month will occur on a Monday.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Sagitarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Put your energy into selfTravel will result in new improvement programs romantic attractions. that promise to make you You may have a into a better you. Don’t be hidden adversary who too quick to judge your would love to prove loved ones. You may find you wrong. You will yourself in a heated have a problem sorting dispute with a friend if you try to change out your true feelings your mind. Try making some changes to your when it comes to your appearance and your attitude that will relationship. Unpredictable events will reinforce just that. Your luckiest events this disrupt your routine. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday. month will occur on a Wednesday.

Don’t overspend on luxury items. Put your efforts into moneymaking ventures. You might find added popularity with those around you this month. Try not to overspend on friends or family. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

You can make rewarding connections through the organized groups you associate with. Be professional, and you will advance much more quickly. Having your own business is a good idea.

Emotional upset may prevail on the domestic scene if you have neglected your duties or your mate. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

N

5 6 8 4 1 7 9 2 3

2 5 4 6 3 9 7 8 1

L O C A L .

6 8 1 7 5 4 3 9 2

8 3 9 5 4 6 2 1 7

1 4 6 9 7 2 5 3 8

7 2 5 1 8 3 4 6 9

SUDOKU

INSTRUCTIONS: Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

2

1

1 6 3 1 7 9 3 6 2 1 6 7

8 2 5

7 4 3 1 7 9 4 1 2

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E W S P A P E R

R E A L .

9 7 3 8 2 1 6 5 4

N E W S .

Sudoku provided by www.puzzles.about.com

3 1 7 2 9 5 8 4 6

4 9 2 3 6 8 1 7 5

December 17th Solution

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22)

Protect your interests You will not impress legally if necessary. others by being You will foolishly generous. Do communicate easily your own thing. You and should be able will back yourself into to accomplish all a corner if you are that you set out to do. baited and your Spend time by stubbornness will only yourself to avoid any make matters worse. conflicts with family members. Get out and Don’t invest too much of your own money. have some fun. Your luckiest events this Your luckiest events this month will occur on month will occur on a Tuesday. a Sunday.