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newspaper June 1, 2012

A Night Inside

GANG

South FlorIdA’S

WArS

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June 1, 2012

A Night Inside South Florida’s

Gang Wars Spend a night with the Miami-Dade Police Department’s Gang Unit, and its commander, Lt. Luis Almaguer, and you will be forever on the move. On a recent night in which the gang task force was operating, Almaguer and his fellow cops were racing on calls from Liberty City to Miami Gardens and CBS4’s Jim DeFede joined them every step of the way. There are at least 250 gangs in Mia mi-Dade County with a minimum of 2,000 gang members.

cbs4 Newspaper June 1, 2012 By comparison, Miami-Dade’s gang unit is comprised of Almaguer, three sergeants, and thirteen officers. That’s 17 against 2,000. Add to that as many as another 10,000 “associate” gang members – hangers on who aren’t formally members of the gang but often participate in their crimes – and you quickly get the sense of how tall a challenge the police are facing. On this night in March, the county’s north end was in the midst of one of its bloodiest months in recent memory. At least 30 individuals would be shot — almost all of it attributable to street gangs. Of course not all of the victims were gang members – some, like 5-year-old Mckayla Bazile – were caught in the crossfire. When the task force gathered earlier that afternoon for a briefing, it was the violence that was on everyone’s mind. “Gentlemen, we’ve had numerous shootings up here on the north end, you guys need to back each other up,” Almaguer said. In addition to Miami-Dade’s gang unit, this task force will include officers from Opa-Locka, Aventura, North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Golden Beach, Miami Gardens, and a half dozen other agencies. The night jumps off with a series of calls. Cruising though a 79th Street gas station, a Sunny Isles task force officer spooked one of the drivers at the pumps. When the driver realized there was a police officer in the unmarked car cruising the gas station, he abandoned his vehicle and took off running. A quick check of the license plates revealed that the car was stolen. As the officer in pursuit shouts out the man’s direction over the radio, Almaguer pleads for more information. “Keep calling it,” Almaguer demanded over his radio. “Set up the box.” The “box” is cop speak for establishing a perimeter around the neighborhood. In a matter of minutes police surround the area hoping to cut off any avenue of escape. Almaguer takes one corner, and begins stopping cars leaving the area to make sure the suspect isn’t hiding in one of them. Police dogs are brought in as a police helicopter circles overhead. Sure enough in less than 30 minutes they find him. Fearing police had a description of his clothing, the man stripped down to his boxers, believing he would be less conspicuous in his underwear. “Fantastic,” Almaguer said as he walked up to where the suspect was hiding. “He was sitting right there in front of the house,” a detective tells the lieutenant. “Yeah, well that’s what you get,” Almaguer said. A homeowner spotted the half naked 20-year-old hiding in her bushes and called 911. “He said somebody let him hold the car,” Almaguer said. “Somebody let me hold it.” The car was stolen from Miami Lakes and the boxer bandit admitted being a member of an Opa-Locka gang. Gangs are not merely a problem in dangerous or low-income neighborhoods. More often than not the crimes they commit are in the more upscale parts of town. Which is why fighting the gangs – and the violence that comes with them – should be important to everyone. A short time after the stolen car arrest is made other members of the later gang unit conduct a traffic stop of known gang members. “We’re just introducing ourselves to the community,” Almaguer said with a wry smile. There are at least three separate gang wars taking place on the north end among rival gangs. Tensions are running high on this night and one of the things Almaguer on his officers is looking to do is make their presence felt, hoping it will allow things to cool down. During this traffic stop, police find a handgun and some powder cocaine inside the car. Almaguer says the gangs have learned how to structure their crews so that at least one of them can be legally armed.

For Information Call: 305.477.1699 One member of a crew will have a concealed weapons permit, allowing them to be armed. In Florida, anyone can get a gun permit as long as they have not been convicted of a crime. In some cases, Almaguer claimed, individuals may have multiple of arrests, but they get to keep their gun permit until they have an actual conviction. So you end up with a situation where one guy holds the gun, another guy holds the dope, and a third guy drives. “And there is nothing you can do about it because [the guy with the gun] has no convictions,” Almaguer said. “They’ve figured out the system and still have a firearm on them.” The traffic stop ends with the guy holding the cocaine going to jail while the man with the concealed weapons permit was given back his gun and let go. No one in the unit thinks they’ll eradicate the gangs, this is about trying to manage and control the violence. Two nights earlier, a drive by shooting in Miami Gardens killed two people. Worried retaliation was imminent, the task force made a point of cruising the area where the gangs were known to stay. Driving past the house of one of the victims, a Miami Gardens task force officer spotted a group of men, including one brandishing a handgun. The officer chased him over a fence, tearing up his knee in the process. The bad guy got away — but not before dropping his gun in the scuffle. Once again units flood the area. “We got a guy running around here with a gun, you might want to go inside,” Almaguer shouted to residents. “I said we’ve got a guy running around here holding a gun so you might want to go inside.” One of Almaguer’s officers walked up to him. “This is where our homicide occurred, right around the corner,” the detective offered. “It’s going to be the same gang.” “Okay,” Almaguer said with a nod. Checking the crowd, the police find one of the men also carrying a gun. But he has a concealed weapons permit. They find another individual with a pocket full of bullets. He’ll go to jail tonight because he was on probation. Arthur Rolle came out to see he commotion. He said he had just come from his cousin’s funeral. “He got shot,” Rolle explained. “Somebody set him up, supposedly what the word on the street is.” Rolle said he has gone to more funerals than he can count. “I’m tired of going to funerals,” he said. “Like I told you, I’m tired man, its other things that our young adults could do. Back in the day we use to fight but now we got a bunch of cowards. Everyone wants to grab a gun.” This night ends when they find their suspect hiding in the house where one of the victims lived. “Fabulous night, huh,” Almaguer said to anyone who would listen. “Fantastic police work going on around here.” As everyone prepares to leave, the man with a concealed weapons permit wants his gun back. “When do I get my gun?” he asked one of the task force officers. The detective said he needed to check on the status of his permit with the state and wouldn’t be able to do that until morning. In the meantime, the officer said, he was holding on to the man’s gun and his permit. For this night anyway, this gun was going to stay quiet. The night’s accomplishments may seem modest – a couple of handguns seized, a dozen people arrested. The victory came in what didn’t happen — on this night at least, there were no shootings in the north end. If it seems that fighting the gangs is like trying to clear a beach by removing one grain of sand at a time, you’d be right. And the victories can be fleeting. The night after the gang unit conducted their sweep, 14 people were shot outside a funeral home when rival gangs showed up to pay their respects.

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June 1, 2012

Reporting Shannon Hori

Helping In Haiti:

Quake Amputees Provide Inspiration MIAMI (CBS4) – When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti two and a half years ago, it changed the lives of millions of people, not only those affected by the quake but those who are now working to rebuild the country. CBS4 News Anchor Shannon Hori joined a group of South Floridians who recently traveled to Haiti to see first-hand the work being done by Project Medishare, a non-profit started by two University of Miami doctors. While there, they found inspiration from perhaps an unlikely group. It’s a soccer team and all the players are amputees. One is 16-year old Sandy Jean-Luisme. The day the quake struck, he was on a bus with his mother. They both fell off and the bus crushed them. His mother died. Sandy was the lucky one, but he didn’t feel like it. “After my amputation, I didn’t go to school,” Sandy said through an interpreter. There’s little attention paid to the disabled in Haiti. But now this unique soccer team is doing more than just playing a game. “These guys start to change the image of what it means to be disabled in Haiti,” said Jason Miller with Project

Medishare. “They’re around people with similar injuries, similar stories, and similar problems. They are able to talk about it, joke about it. Get reintegrated into society.” Sandy said, “I got my life back.” At Hospital Bernard Mevs, Project Medishare amputees take part in literally rebuilding lives, including their own. Wilfred Macena was one of the first amputee patients at the hospital, now he can make prosthetic limbs from start to finish. Before the prosthetic limbs were made at the hospital in Haiti, they had to be ordered from Miami. Patients had to wait awhile to get them or they might not fit right. Several thousand Haitians needed amputations right after the earthquake. But amputations are still taking place today because of the high rate of infection. Prosthetics technician Kernand Emmanuel said he loves seeing the look on the faces of those he fits with a new leg or a new arm. “When you see them, they are happy,” Kernand says. “You feel proud too.” These survivors are giving Haitians a reason to feel proud because despite all the challenges, they’re not quitting. Go to www.projectmedishare.org if you’d like more information about Project Medishare. You can donate time, or money. All of it is appreciated.

Go to www.projectmedishare.org if you’d like more information about Project Medishare. Photo credit: arindambanerjee / Shutterstock.com

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June 1, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

Companies

Fight Back Against Negative

Online Reviews Reporting Jorge Estevez

cbs4 Newspaper June 1, 2012

The next time you leave a review online for a company, be warned: you might get a phone call from the business asking you to take it down. Some companies are fighting back against negative critiques and sometimes not in a nice way.

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More and more critical consumers have reported that they have received phone calls from companies who monitor their online reviews and have been asked to take down their negative comments but the angry tone has some customers on the defensive. For Eric Winick, it all began when he left a mixed online review about a restaurant. He raved about the food, but said he grew frustrated that it took an hour to be served. “I said in the review that they had taken a ridiculously long time to bring the food,” Winick said. He was even more alarmed when he received an email from the restaurant’s owner which asked him to take it down. “He said that something along the lines of ‘We’re trying to make a go of it in this area, we all have families to feed’ and sort of trying to prey on my sympathies a little bit.” Many businesses around the country are reaching out to customers who leave bad reviews and they are not always trying to make amends. In an extreme example, an Atlanta restaurant launched Facebook and Twitter campaigns identifying a customer who left a bad review and the food fight went viral. Social media expert Patrick O’Malley said that the effect of the web posts can make or break a company’s reputation. “A single person can now go home and get on Facebook and tell 500 or 1000 people what they think of your restaurant,” O’Malley said. The impact is immense. A Harvard Business School study found that even a one star increase on a businesses’ rating on the online review site Yelp led to a five to nine percent boost in revenue for independent restaurants. “In the last few years, it has changed the way we have done business,” said Zalmi Duchman, the founder of FreshDiet.com. He is among business owners who have requested to remove bad reviews and he explains to customers how damaging negative comments can be. He said sometimes it’s effective. “We’ve found in the past the faster you react to the customer the better chance you’re going to have to get that customer to remove their negative review because they see you take their comments and their feedback seriously,” Duchman said. Online review site Urban Spoon said it actually encourages businesses and reviewers to connect and warns customers many companies take what they type very seriously. “For a small business their business is an extension of who they are. There’s a real emotional connection to that,” Kara Nortman, of Urban Spoon. For Winick, he responded to the restaurant and indicated that he wouldn’t remove his review. The business apologized for reaching out, but didn’t offer any incentive for him to return and give them another chance. “I thought it was a waste of time, frankly, on the part of the restaurant to do that,” Winick said.

“For a small business their business is an extension of who they are. There’s a real emotional connection to that,”

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Consumer Alert:

The Energy Box Controversy Reporting Al Sunshine

MIAMI (CBS4) – Fran Lixie told

CBS4’s Chief Consumer Investigator Al Sunshine, that it all started with a knock on the door about two years ago. A salesman from “State Energy Conservation” asked what the Cooper City family was paying for their monthly electric bill.

The retired Marine said it ran about $150 to $200 over the summer. That’s when the salesman told Lixie, ”He said it could bring our electric bills down below that $150…ah, to about $100 he told us…it could bring our bills down to about $100 a month.” How’d the company say it would cut his electric bills? For $1,500, they’d install a Kvar power optimizer. The Kvar unit is promoted as a “power factor optimizer” that makes electric motors run more efficiently, using less electricity. To make the deal even better, Fran was told he could finance the bill with no payments for a full year. Shortly after signing the contract, the family says a local electrician arrived to wire up their Kvar energy-saving box. Fran says it didn’t cut his bill. “It hasn’t done anything, all it does it stay up there and leave the little light on,” said Lixie. Fran even found his electric bills are even higher now than before the Kvar was installed. What about that “Year of no payments?” He told Sunshine that shortly after the box arrived, so too did the bills. After several harassing phone calls from the finance company, he finally told them the energy saver didn’t work and he wasn’t paying for it. Fran remembered the call. “They said you signed, you got a bill and we don’t, we already gave the money to the company, State Energy.” State Energy Conservation bases its’ local offices in a Ft. Lauderdale business plaza. Lou Banos, a salesman for the company, told Sunshine when he showed up at the office of the company, that a Kvar box saves him money every month and he insisted its a money saver for his customer too. “I’ve cut people’s bills in half, reducing their bills,” explained Banos. He said the company never promoted savings

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June 1, 2012

of 50%… only up to 25%. And Kvar’s own website advertises savings of just 6 to 10% for regular residential customers. What about cutting Fran’s electric bill way down to just $100 a month? Banos explained, “I don’t know who that gentleman was, but we have never told anybody to say such a thing. I it’s stated right here..up to 25%. To tell someone it might, it might save them 10% on their bill, kind of under-promising with what the manufacturer is suggesting. We don’t make this up.” Kvar’s boss says the Lixie’s were “absolutely duped” because the energy savers retail for about $400 and cost about another $100 to install. He’s now in contact with the family to figure out why the Kvar box didn’t save them any money. The head of State Energy Conservation said he’ll give the family a refund and remove the Kvar box, a product he told Sunshine, they don’t sell any more. The family did finally get its’ money back. Both State Energy Conservation and Kvars’ manufacturer said they have plenty of satisfied customers. While Kvar insisted it’s energy saver can cut monthly residential electric bills by about 6 to 10%, FP&L says those kind of power modifiers don’t work. It says the best way of saving money on electric bills is turning down your hot water heater so it works less and turning up your a-c thermostat so it doesn’t use as much electricity. For Energy Saving Tips Check Out These Links http://www.energysavers.gov/tips/ http://www.fpl.com/residential/energy_saving/ programs/index.shtml http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/ tips_redirect.html http://energystar.supportportal.com/ link/portal/23002/23018/Article/14738/ Can-Power-Factor-Correction-Devices-sometimes-called-Amp-Reduction-Units-or-kVARearn-the-ENERGY-STAR-label-Do-they-really-saveas-much-money-as-they-claim

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June 1, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4MIAMI.COM)

Save Money By Using Phone To Dial For Deals

Reporting Al Sunshine At least once a year, Chantay Bridges lets her fingers do the dialing to try and save big bucks. “We’ve saved tons and tons,” said Chantay who has been able to cut down her phone, cable, utility and insurance bills.

She’s also saved on credit card and bank fees just by calling the companies and asking for a better deal. “I reminded them of our credit scores,” Chantay explained. “I reminded them of our loyalty.” Finance Guru Mitchell Weiss said it certainly can’t hurt to ‘check -in’ every couple of months with the companies you use. Weiss said it costs companies more to lose a customer than to offer better deals to their existing ones. “It costs money to get them. It costs money to keep them. Why would you want to turn that over to a competitor,” advised Weiss. Here’s what you need to know: •Review all your monthly bills and try calling each company. The phone is the most effective way to negotiate. • Have two to three months worth of past bills when you call so you know what you’re paying. “Be a great customer,” said personal finance administrator Roblee Hoffman. “A great customer is one who has been with a company for a fair number of years and pays their bill on or before the due date and pays the full balance.” • Research what the competition is offering. • If you can’t negotiate with a customer service rep, ask for the customer retention department or the president’s office. Chantay said knowing what a company’s competition is offering is key to negotiating. “It’s worth the time and it’s worth your money,” said Chantay. Many credit card companies and banks say they welcome customers to review their services and bills. Some cell phone providers will also review bills and suggest cheaper plans if you don’t use all your data or talk time.

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Officer Shot On Turnpike:

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Reporting Gio Benitez

I Forgive Shooter MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Key Biscayne officer who was shot in the face on the Florida Turnpike nearly two weeks spoke publicly about the day that changed her life for the first time on Thursday.

Officer Nelia Real was off-duty and headed home on the Turnpike on May 10th when she saw a car crash near the Hollywood Boulevard exit. When she stopped to help, she had no idea what was waiting for her. “I play the scene back a lot in my head,” Officer Real said. As soon as Officer Real stopped, she saw David Bradley holding a gun. Bradley had been involved in a carjacking and robbery in Pembroke Pines before he crashed a stolen vehicle on the Turnpike. “It felt like it was a possessed person,” Officer Real said. “For me, it was a crash, a fatality. I didn’t even get a chance to get out of my car. It was just so fast.” Bradley opened fire on Real, hitting her in the neck/jaw and also hit Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Gabriel Martinez who had also stopped when he saw the wreck. Martinez was hit in the arm. Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Osvaldo Petitfrere saw what happened and immediately rushed Officer Real to the hospital. “If he wouldn’t have been there, I wouldn’t be here today. I would have bled to death,” Officer Real said. “He’s my hero.” The violent crime spree ended when Bradley, who walked past

startled, grid-locked motorists, shot and killed himself. Officer Real said the community’s support helped her pull through the shooting. She also said she received get well cards from some very unexpected people. “I even received a card from a person that I arrested,” Officer Real said. “So that tells you right there.” Even in the midst of the recovery from the shooting, Officer Real said she’s moving on and even forgiving the man who almost took her life. “I’m a Christian, so I forgive him, that’s all I can say,” said Officer Real. “If not, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

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June 1, 2012 MIAMI (CBS) —

Hollywood Doctor Reveals Secrets To

Fighting Fatigue Reporting Rhiannon Ally If you are tired of being tired and want more energy, a Hollywood, California doctor is revealing her secrets to fighting fatigue. Ariste Wright juggles kids and a career. At age 48, she says that she that is exhausted. “I’m very, very frustrated,” Wright said. Fatigue is the number one complaint that Dr. Eva Cwynar hears from her patients. That is what led her to write the book The Fatigue Solution. She has treated average housewives and even “desperate” ones, like actress Felicity Huffman, who was desperate for some energy. “They know that they are no longer the person that they used to be and the answers that they’re getting are, well what do you expect? You’re getting older,” Dr. Cwynar said. Stress, lack of sleep, low sex drive – they can all be caused by fatigue, something millions of women have. Many of them are told that there is simply nothing that can be done. “The easiest thing to diagnose when you have symptoms of fatigue is your thyroid. That should be the first thing that anyone looks at,” Dr. Cwynar said. Yet, she said that many doctors do not check and when they do it is too basic of a screening. She said that is why 50 percent of women with the problem are never diagnosed. Dr. Cwynar advises to ask for a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test and any other tests relating to thyroid, including genetic ones. “It is the God of your metabolism. Nothing else can function without your thyroid,” she said. But Dr. Cwynar added that for the most part the doctor can step out and you can take control of fatigue on your own. You can start with your diet. “Your hormones are highest in the morning. You need to eat to support those hormones,” Dr. Cwynar said. She recommends protein for breakfast, but said to avoid soy products and empty calories found in white foods, like breads, rice and pastas. She also said to stay away from anything containing aspartame, because she said it can cause inflammation in your gut and lead to weight gain. More weight equals more fatigue, according to Dr. Cwynar. “We have to eliminate that from our diet,” she said. To revive yourself – get sleep. She recommends seven to eight hours a night, keeping your room at 68 degrees or below for deep sleep. She said to be consistent, and try to go to bed at the same time every night. Speaking of the bedroom, supercharge your sexuality too. “Sex is important for energy,” she said. There is plenty of research that suggests sex stimulates endorphins and brings circulation and oxygen to the body – just to name a few benefits. “All of our hormones being at their peak in the morning, I recommend as much sex as you can have, but also in the morning,” Dr. Cwynar said. “My husband will be happy about this,” said Wright who likes what she sees with The Fatigue Solution. “Sign me up, I told you, now,” she said.

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June 1, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4) –

“Widow Maker” Detector

Saving Lives

Through Sound

Reporting Cynthia Demos

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States, and more than 1,100 people die from it each day. So what if there was an easy way to spot trouble before it struck? Marie Johnson’s invention does that and it could save lives – all because she listened to her heart. Her rustic retreat at the end of a dirt road outside of Northfield, Minn., is just about the last place you’d think would be home to a medical breakthrough. But a garage startup is where Johnson bypasses the business world. “I believe we are going to save a lot of lives, reduce the number of widows and widowers, and little kids that don’t get to grow up with their father or mother. That’s my goal,” Johnson said. Johnson, 44, has spent the past decade developing a handheld device that can quickly detect heart blockages. Her company, AUM Cardiovascular, is about to launch FDA trials, which is a bright outlook for an invention born from one of life’s darkest moments. Johnson didn’t know it, but her project began just before she and her husband, Rob, were about to have their second child. “I just said to him, ‘I have this feeling that you are going to die and leave me with this baby,’” Johnson said. Johnson is a biomedical engineer, and science soon supported her premonition. “I was doing this project with the 3M Company to develop a computerized

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stethoscope, and I recorded all this information from him and discovered he had He also said that its impact on medicine could be global. an anomaly,” she said. “I would hope they start using it in the university emergency room, tomorrow,” Rob went to his doctor, but aced a stress test. he said. Nine months later, Johnson went to the YMCA to meet him for his usual workWilson became Johnson’s principle investigator. out. “It’s completely one of those ‘aha!’ moments that you have,” he said. “There was an ambulance, and a body with a white sheet. And I turned to my Steve Kiemele, a Fargo venture capitalist and CFO of Linn Grove Ventures, says daughter, who was 4 and said, ‘We have to pray, because someone has died here he’s more interested in the faith side of the story. He agreed to be one of Johnson’s today,’” Johnson said. three test subjects. In that parking lot, police would tell Johnson she was a widow. However, when his test results came in, they were quite concerning. “I mean, honestly, the whole world was spinning, and I just, just didn’t believe it,” “The look on her face suggested…that [I] should see a doctor,” he said. she said. So he went and the doctor did a stress test, which turned up nothing. Not conAn autopsy showed a heart attack in Rob’s left anterior descending artery, vinced – especially in light of what happened to Johnson’s husband, Kiemele asked commonly called “The Widow Maker,” because a blockage there usually causes his doctor for a CT scan. sudden death. Kiemele said the scan confirmed he had an issue in his left anterior descending In her research, Johnson knew she heard something in her husband’s heart. artery (aka The Widow Maker). That’s when she listened closer. He says his life was saved by divine intervention. “I remember sitting at my desk at 3 o’clock in the morning, all the lights were Johnson said God has been with her throughout her project. off, I just had the glow of my computer screen,” she said. “And I could hear God “I know that we were supposed to do this,” she said. whisper.” Her husband only lived to be 41-years-old, but she thinks her invention will keep Faith helped her form an algorithm that could pinpoint heart problems through thousands of families together. sound. “I think he’d be proud,” she said. Johnson said just as you hear water rushing past rocks in a stream, the sound of In 2011, AUM Cardiovascular took the top $50,000 prize at the Minnesota Cup blood rushing past a entrepreneurial competition, which blockage is audible “There was an ambulance, and a body with a white sheet. And called AUM the most promising too, and her device company in Minnesota. Johnson’s I turned to my daughter, who was 4 and said, ‘We have to picks up that current. company beat out more than 1,000 “It listens to participants. pray, because someone has died here today,’” patients in a different She left her faculty position at the way,” she said. “SenUniversity of Minnesota’s Medical sors pick up turbuDevice Fellows Program in 2009 to lence in a narrowing artery.” pursue her business full time, and is now remarried. Johnson named her device the CADence. The device fits it the palm of the “It’s joy, just remembering what a special guy he was,” she said. hand and it takes measurements at four different places on the chest, which takes AUM Cardiology will begin clinical trials on the CADence across the country in around two minutes. The information is then downloaded and analyzed. June. Johnson says her device could hit the market by October 2013, pending FDA Cardiologists believe the CADence could change the way they practice. approval. University of Minnesota Chief Cardiologist Dr. Bob Wilson said the CADence Necessity may be the mother of invention, but at the heart of Johnson’s work, shows promise of replacing a treadmill stress test, because it’s easier and cheaper. love is the lifeblood.

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US Marshals Now A Text Message Away Reporting Vanessa Borge

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – We’ve become a society addicted to social media. From texting friends to using smart phones to Tweet or update Facebook pages. “These days’ people are texting almost more than they are talking on the phone,” said U.S. Marshal Barry Golden. Now the U.S. Marshals would like people to use their cell-phones to help others. They’ve come up with a way for people to send texts to them anonymously which will help them catch the bad guys. “It allows the public to text in a tip of a fugitive from our website or wanted fugitive list,” Golden said. You won’t have to call authorities anymore; your good deed will be at your finger tips. “The good thing about it they will remain totally anonymous,” Golden Said. The Marshal’s service hopes getting the word out on the street about the new program will hopefully get the criminals off the streets. “We’re trying to familiarize the public with usmarshals.gov where people can go on and view the fugitives that are wanted throughout the state of Florida,” Golden said. It’s also useful for investigators. They now have direct contact with tipsters possibly leading to quicker arrests. “They can describe where he is, what’s he’s doing, what he’s driving,” Golden said. “If we have four million eyes out their looking for a fugitive, that’s a great tool.” Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive can simply text “TIP411” or “847411” and enter the key word “USMFL”.

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Freelancers Unite Reporting Jorge Estevez

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Roughly a third of American workers these days are freelancers. It’s a rapidly growing industry and now people are joining forces.

For freelancer Joshua Warren, finding a steady stream of income wasn’t always easy. “It was very hit or miss, it was a lot of word of mouth,” explained Warren. This is a common problem for the 42 million independent workers in this country. “We expect that number to grow year after year because, essentially, people are working by putting together projects and gigs and jobs,” said Sara Horowitz with the Freelancers Union. According to Horowitz there are an increasing number of organizations and web sites that are offering perks and resources to freelancers. “We want to make sure that people get the same kinds of protections that traditional employees get,” she said. That’s why the Freelancers Union offers cost-effective retirement plans, as well as dental, disability, and life insurance. If you’re looking for affordable healthcare, sites like Elance and oDesk offer access to discounted rates. “They could also go to their Chamber of Commerce and see if there are any kinds of group plans,” said Horowitz. If you’re job searching, a number of sites advertise freelance jobs and work to help you build a profile. Many, like oDesk, also have feedback systems in place. After each job they’ll get rated based on skills, quality, deadlines, communication, and cooperation, enabling them to build an online reputation,” explained oDesk CEO Gary Swart. “I started out on oDesk at $15 an hour and now it’s up to $95 an hour and that is directly driven by the demand,” said freelancer Joshua Warren. These sites also act as virtual workspaces, complete with things like time sheets, status reports and digital to-do lists. Some even make sure you see a payday. In fact Swart said, “We guarantee payment whether we collect it from the employer or not.” Other perks include tax help, networking, webinars and product discounts. “Everything from gym memberships to office supplies to car rentals. People are getting 20, 30-percent off,” said Horowitz.

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Joshua has been so successful; he’s turned his one-man show into a growing business. “It’s allowed me not only to find more clients, but also to find employees and contractors that work for us,” said Joshua. Membership to the freelancers union is free. The organization is actively pushing for things like unemployment insurance, payment protection, and fair taxation. Web sites like oDesk and Elance are also free, but take a portion of the money that you earn. RELATED LINKS: www.odesk.com www.elance.com www.freelancersunion.org http://www.freelancer.com/

cbs4 Newspaper June 1, 2012

NOAA Predicts

Near Normal Hurricane Season MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After predicting above aver-

age activity for the last few Atlantic Hurricane Seasons, federal forecasters are singing a different tune for this year. On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a less active season than years past and forecast that we would see a near normal hurricane season. NOAA forecasters said there was a good chance (70%) we’ll see nine to 15 named storms of which four to eight will strengthen into hurricanes. Up to three of those are expected to be major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph or more. Based on the period 1981-2010, an average season produces 12 named storms with six hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. The seasonal outlook does not predict how many storms will hit land. “Regardless of the outlook, it’s vital for anyone living or vacationing in hurricane-prone locations to be prepared. We have a stark reminder this year with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. On August 24th, 1992 Andrew, a Category 5 hurricane which devastated parts of South Florida, was the first storm in a late-starting season that produced only six named storms.

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NOAA officials said factors favoring storm development include the overall conditions associated with the Atlantic high-activity era that began in 1995 and near-average sea surface temperatures across much of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. However there are also two factors now in place which could limit storm development if they persist. One is a strong wind shear which can inhibit hurricane formation and the other is cooler sea surface temperatures in the far eastern Atlantic. “Another potentially competing climate factor would be El Niño if it develops by late summer to early fall. In that case, conditions could be less conducive for hurricane formation and intensification during the peak months (August-October) of the season, possibly shifting the activity toward the lower end of the predicted range,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. Lubchenco added that this year NOAA has enhanced two of its computer models which will give more accurate forecasts about a storm’s intensity at landfall and extend the forecast period beyond five days.

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June 1, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4) –

Teen Declared

Cancer-Free Aims To Help Others

Reporting Shannon Hori

Two words that don’t seem to go together are children and cancer, but sadly each year cancer affects about 13 thousand children in the United States. A South Florida teen is now working with Miami Children’s Hospital on a new campaign called Bald, Brave, Beautiful – to help other children diagnosed with cancer. aroline Pallidine was only 13-years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She says since she always had hair down to her waist, one of the hardest things was losing her hair. Today, more than a year later, Caroline is happy to report she’s cancer free, and her hair is starting to grow back. But she remembers what it was like not having hair due to the treatments. She always wore a wig until she met the singer Pitbull. Since he is bald, he gave her the courage to take off her own wig. Then she went to a camp for cancer survivors. “They made me realize everyone went through it and I shouldn’t be ashamed of it,” said Caroline. That was the last time Caroline wore her wig. Now she’s helping Miami Children’s Hospital spread the word about the Bald, Brave, Beautiful campaign. It’s an effort to eliminate the stigma and bullying that coincide with baldness. Doug Carillo, the father of two-year old Maya who is a cancer survivor, says it’s a great campaign. “This mission shows them it doesn’t matter what’s on the exterior,” said Carillo. “It’s on the interior that counts. And that you are still a beautiful person.” Maya’s mother says even though her little girl was so young, she was aware that she was losing her hair. She would look at her mother Erika, and her dolls, and want hair. Recently Caroline and Maya walked the runway for the Hugs and Kisses Fashion Show to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital. For more information, click on

http://www.baldbravebeautiful.com/

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June 1, 2012

MIAMI (CBSMiami) –

Drunk Driving Victims

Thank

Ryder Trauma Staff

Thank You

Drunk driving is unfortunately a constant reality in South Florida. The crashes drunk drivers cause are sometimes deadly, but thanks to the work of those at the Ryder Trauma Center many people live. Some of those survivors paid tribute to the hospital staff Wednesday. “It really has taken a toll on me emotionally,” said Brian Beaubrun. Beaubrun talked to CBS4 about the accident that changed his life. He was hit by a drunk driver in Coconut Grove last spring. “It’s bad, it can hurt people and I’m a prime example of it,” said Beaubrun. “My memory is not that well and I have problems dealing with everything from cooking dinner because I might burn myself because I might forget where I put my hand.” He was taken to Ryder Trauma Center where he would spend the next five weeks. Beaubrun suffered a traumatic brain injury in the crash. He credits his survival to the care he received at the hospital and thanked his care team during a Wednesday ceremony. Miami Police Sergeant Luis Taborda can relate to what Beaubrun went through. He was on duty in 1998 when he was by a drunk driver. He too credited his survival to the Ryder Trauma team. “They saved my leg. I’m not in a wheelchair; and it just serves to the testimony and the dedication of these people,” Sgt. Taborda said. One of the biggest problems from drunk driving crashes is that typically the drunk driver suffers the least amount of damage. “It’s usually not the drunk driver that gets the worst of it. It’s the poor victim,” said Dr. Nicolas Namias. Since 1992, the staff at Ryder said they’ve saved 6,000 lives since 1992 all victims of drunk drivers getting behind the wheel. It’s a constant reminder to them and everyone else that driving while drunk will not only put you on the wrong side of the law, but could put you on a path that you will regret the rest of your life.

cbs4 Newspaper June 1, 2012

Cape Florida Again Among

US Top 10 Beaches MIAMI (CBS4) — Miami Beach may be famous, but it didn’t

take the top spot. Ft. Lauderdale may be “where the boys are”, but it didn’t get a mention. Now, if you want the top beach in the nation, you have to hop a jet to San Diego, where Coronado Beach tops Dr. Beach’s list for 2012, but South Florida has a beach in the Top 10. In South Florida, the only beach to make it is Cape Florida, on the tip of Key Biscayne. The “Best Of” list is compiled annually by Stephen Leatherman, director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research., who has been ranking sites for summer beachgoers for the past 22 years. This is the first time he has given the top spot to a California beach in 2 decades. The reason is the sparkle; the sand at Coronado beach contains mica, which causes the beach to glitter. “I think it’s one of the most super beaches around,” Leatherman said. It’s also chilly. Siesta Beach in Sarasota took the top spot in last year’s annual countdown, with Leatherman lauding the area’s wide, brilliant white sand beaches and warm, emerald water. Siesta Beach, 40 acres of almost pure quartz crystal sand on the Siesta Key barrier island, was runner-up in Leatherman’s rankings the past two years and was third in 2008. Based on his rules, it can never be number 1 again. It didn’t even make the top 10 list this year. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne snuck in at No. 8, 2 better than the ranking it held last year. Leatherman ranks beaches on 50 criteria, including the look and feel of the sand, water quality, weather, facilities and crowds. A No. 1 spot on the popular list annual typically brings a 15-to-20-percent boost in visitors for the beach destinations. Here’s the rest of this year’s entire list: No. 2, Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii No. 3, Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y. No. 4, St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle No. 5, Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii No. 6, Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass. No. 7, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii No. 8, Cape Florida State Park. No. 9, Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C. No. 10, Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

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June 1, 2012

Best

Romantic Spots In SouthÂ Florida

You always want to impress your significant other by taking them to romantic locales they will never forget. South Florida has a plethora of spots that you can show your mate just how much you care about them. These are a great starting point for you when planning your date, but some of them will set the bar pretty high for you, so you might want to wait for the third or fourth date!

South Pointe Park

Miami Beach, FL - miamibeachfl.gov/parksandrecreation After dinner or when you just need a break in the sunshine with a relaxing walk, South Point Park is the best choice for some spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Not only that, but you can catch a great view of ships as the head out of Miamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harbor for a cruise. The 17.5-acre public park has undergone a $22.4 million facelift that included new pavers, serpentine walkways. Couples can admire the new water features or just sit and watch the sunset.

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Miami Science Museum Miami, FL - www.miamisci.org

For a long gaze of the starry night reserve the first Friday of every month and head over to the museum. That’s when officials open the rooftop observatory and a guide explains the celestial show from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The museum also offers a laser light show on the first Friday of every month and prices range from $8 for adults and $4

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June 1, 2012

Oleta River State Park

Miami, FL - www.floridastateparks.org Bring your binoculars and observe the wildlife at the award-winning state park that also offers 15 miles of mountain-bike trails for all levels. But if you’re looking for a more intimate setting, the park also offers rustic log cabins for campers and the cabins offer no televisions or phones for the “guest’s relaxation.”

children.

Las Olas Riverfront

Fort Lauderdale, FL - www.riverfrontfl.com If you can’t make it to South Beach, you can always hit up the Las Olas Riverfront. It’s a mix of boutiques, shops, restaurants, and is a great place to take a stroll to really get to know your date. You can hit up the river cruise or head to one of the restaurants and nightclubs.

Red Fish Grill

Coral Gables, FL - www.redfishgrill.net Located in the posh Coral Gables, it’s not just the food and drinks that make the Red Fish Grill so romantic. You can enjoy a great dinner under the stars and enjoy the atmosphere that truly makes the Red Fish Grill one of the most romantic locales in South Florida. Bring your checkbook for the dinner, but you’ll get to enjoy the Chilean Sea Bass or a fall-off-the-fork filet mignon.

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June 1, 2012 MIAMI (CBS4miami.com) –

The Magic Wand Blasting Away All Body Flab Reporting Cynthia Demos

The device is like a magic wand at work. It heats up the skin, plumping up the collagen that’s there and creating new collagen to get rid of the droopy and the flabby. CBS4’s Cynthia Demos reveals a pair of legs to viewers and asked them if the legs belonged to a 20, 30 or 40-yer old? “How old are you Janie,” she asked the woman whose legs were on display. “I’m over 50,” Janie answered. She credits her you looking legs to six treatments, plus ongoing visits to the Tripollar. “I go to the gym, bike, walk, play tennis, golf, but it’s still 50-year old skin. It needed something. But I didn’t think there was any help for it,” she told Demos. Janie is so happy with the results on legs, she’s now doing her neck. “It’s making fliberblast to make new collagen,” explained Dr. Jason Pozner of Boca Raton. He is one of the only plastic surgeons in South Florida to use this device. “When you do a facelift, you take skin that’s lousy and pull it to a new position. You do nothing to correct the damaged skin,” explained Pozner. He said this procedure is not for people with cellulite. “I look at these devices mainly as loose skin devices,” Pozner told Demos. He said this is a prime example of how the world of plastic surgery is moving towards non invasive procedures. “Every day someone comes into my office and tightens up their body like this (pulls back skin)… there are no surgeries that do this,” said Pozner. Then he showed a “before” picture of the neck. He said, “this neck is in need of serious tightening.” Then he showed the “after” picture. “Turning back the clock,” he pointed out. Janie thinks so. She would not allow the doctor to take any before pictures of her. But as far as the after pictures go… after the walk in, walk out procedure that takes 10 to 30 minutes, she said “take as many photos as you like!” The procedure costs about $300 to $400 per treatment, and you need about 6 to 8 treatments in total, as well as monthly follow-up visits. Perfect candidates are 35 to 55… have very little sun damage and are non-smokers.

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June 1, 2012

Self Publishing Gives Budding Authors The Write Stuff

Reporting Lisa Petrillo

MIAMI (CBS4) – Rochelle Weinstein is a wife and mother who gave up her busy music advertising career around 10 year ago to spend time with her family. That’s when she wrote a book, a love story of sorts called “What We Leave Behind.” “It’s about anyone who has ever loved and lost and wondered what could have been,” she said. But like many authors, she learned writing a book can be easy compared to getting it published. Rochelle wrote letters to many publishing companies with high hopes for a book deal. “It’s almost like matchmaking,” she said. “It’s a very difficult process.” When a local book club read the story and have a positive response, Rochelle started thinking about other options. “Self publishing started to emerge and I was like absolutely no way I will ever do this. I poo-pooed it,” she said. “I want to be a rock star and I wanted to have it published in the traditional way. But I realized it wasn’t going to happen that way.” She went online to Amazon.com’s self publishing website called Createspace, and with a few clicks – including using the picture she took of the street she grew up on as the cover – Rochelle created her book and became a published author overnight. “I controlled everything that was happening,” Rochelle said. “I controlled my cover, my pricing, where it was, where to go. I eliminated the middleman.” Thanks to digital technology and the emergence of all-digital E-books, theself publishing trend is growing. In 2006 there were around 51,000 authors who self published books. By the end of 2010 that number had exploded to more than 133 thousand. Those writers keep more of their earnings. For example, createspace offers writers as much as 70% of revenue on digital books, depending on the retail price. By comparison, traditional publishers typically pay their authors 25% of net sales and even less on print books. The cost for a DIY book is flexible and depends on how much you want. Extended promotion and detailed editing costs more, for example, but you can create your book for between $1 thousand and $3 thousand. Weinstein’s “What We Leave Behind” is available in soft cover for $14.99 and as an ebook for $9.99. Her book has been on the homepage of createspace.com as a hot seller and she checks those sales daily. “When I first did research in self publishing what I was told was statistically that a self published author sells 150 books a year.They figure it’s your friends and your family and that’s it. “I’m now a little over 2 months and 750 books and I’m starting press and publicity today” said Rochelle. You can find “What We Leave Behind” locally at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Turnberry Hotel and online at Amazon.Com and other e-book sites. For more info on self publishing; http://www.top10tag.com/top-10-self-publishing-services/

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June 1, 2012

Carlos Ponce, MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

A Man Of Many Talents Reporting Lisa Petrillo

With 11-year-old twins Sienna and Savannah and 10-year-old son Sebas-

tian cheering him on, Carlos Ponce a dad, actor, singer, and TV host has a busy life. Next week he is set to make his premiere as a TV judge on the Nuvo TV. He is also debuting on a nightly series on Nick at Night this summer and shopping a script at Cannes for a new indie film. “I’m thinking of changing my name to Carlos Seacrest because I’m all over the place. This summer I’m really happy to be working,” Ponce said. Splitting his time between his homes in Miami and Los Angeles, Monday night Ponce makes his debut as one of three judges on “Model Latina.” The show searches for the newest Latina supermodel here in South Florida. Ponce said for him, judging is actually quite challenging. “It is actually at some point when you have to be very honest and when you have to use constructive criticism. For any man or any gentleman to have to say there’s a flaw or something not right, that’s not very comfortable,” said Ponce. “Is there a difference between American models and hot Latina models,” asked CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo. “You know I’m biased. I’m Cuba Rican and I love ‘the shape’,” said Ponce. Then on Nick at Night in Hollywood Heights, Ponce goes back to his roots where he’s working on a telenovela in English. “I’m playing Poppa Max, an 80’s rocks star whose son is bigger than Bieber and dances like William Levy, it’s awesome,” Ponce said. “Speaking of William Levy, you and I should do a dance show,” said Petrillo. “I don’t want to embarrass him. He’s doing so great right now. I don’t want to come out with all the moves with you. It will be too sensual and steamy,” said Ponce. As they sat poolside at the Shelborne South Beach, Petrillo asked Ponce with so much going on – what would be his perfect day. “My best day is hanging out with my 4 little angels. That’s by far my perfect day,” said Ponce.

Photo credit: Music4mix / Shutterstock.com

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June 1, 2012

CBS Announces 2012-2013 Primetime Schedule Watch the following shows on CBS4: MONDAY 8:00-8:30 PM 8:30-9:00 PM 9:00-9:30 PM 9:30-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER PARTNERS (NEW) 2 BROKE GIRLS (NEW TIME) MIKE & MOLLY HAWAII FIVE-0

TUESDAY 8:00-9:00 PM 9:00-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

NCIS NCIS: LOS ANGELES VEGAS (NEW)

WEDNESDAY 8:00-9:00 PM 9:00-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

SURVIVOR CRIMINAL MINDS CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

THURSDAY 8:00-8:30 PM 8:30-9:00 PM 9:00-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

THE BIG BANG THEORY TWO AND A HALF MEN (NEW TIME) PERSON OF INTEREST (NEW) ELEMENTARY

FRIDAY 8:00-9:00 PM 9:00-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

CSI: NY (NEW TIME) MADE IN JERSEY (NEW) BLUE BLOODS

SATURDAY 8:00-9:00 PM 9:00-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

CRIMETIME SATURDAY CRIMETIME SATURDAY 48 HOURS MYSTERY

SUNDAY 7:00-8:00 PM 8:00-9:00 PM 9:00-10:00 PM 10:00-11:00 PM

60 MINUTES THE AMAZING RACE THE GOOD WIFE THE MENTALIST (NEW TIME)

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — CBS announced Wednesday its new 2012-2013 primetime schedule, ordering four new series and making four key time period moves to further enhance television’s top-rated schedule. CBS will finish the season as America’s most-watched network for the ninth time in the past 10 years, leading in viewers by the widest margin of any network in 23 years. The new series include Elementary, a contemporary take on the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in New York City, starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu; Vegas, a drama inspired by a real-life sheriff and his battle with a powerful mobster for control of Las Vegas in the 1960s, starring Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis; Made In Jersey, starring Janet Montgomery as a smart first-year lawyer with working-class roots practicing at a prestigious Manhattan law firm; and Partners, a comedy about two very different life-long best friends and business partners and their significant others, starring David Krumholtz and Michael Urie. “These new series feature a great range of bold concepts, rich characters, big stars and fresh faces,” CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler said. “From a new take on Sherlock Holmes to an epic battle for control of 1960s Las Vegas to a working-class point of view in a prestigious law firm, the dramas each have a unique style and sensibility. And, our new comedy Partners fits perfectly with the CBS Monday night tradition of relationship comedies with a lot of heart and humor.” The freshman series will be joined by 19 returning shows, including: NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest, Two Broke Girls, 60 Minutes and The Amazing Race, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS: Los Angeles, Survivor, Criminal Minds, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Two and a Half Men, CSI: NY, Blue Bloods, 48 Hours Mystery, The Mentalist and The Good Wife. For midseason, the Emmy Award-nominated Undercover Boss returns, plus the new reality series The Job from executive producers Michael Davies and Mark Burnett. Also for midseason are the new drama Golden Boy and the new comedy Friend Me.

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June 1, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4) –

Could Your Cat Be

Controlling Your Mind? Reporting Jorge Estevez

Something commonly carried by your pets has the potential to control your mind. It is a parasite that multiplies inside a cat and has already infected 60 million Americans. Max the cat from Miami Lakes could be a carrier.

“I do love my cats. I am obsessed with my cats,” said Anna Carabeo who admits Max is a part of her family. “They are. They totally are and you think about them all the time.” The bad news for Carabeo is that Max could be the carrier of a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii, which if passed on to humans can control our brain. The parasite reproduces inside a cat’s intestines. Infected cats then excrete millions of microscopic eggs called Oocysts in the soil, in water, and in the cat litter. That’s why pregnant women are told not to handle litter boxes. People who are infected with the parasite and show no signs. “So it’s our immune system that really helps to control the parasite keep it in check,” said Dr. Patricia Conrad. But now there’s growing evidence, the parasite can creep into your brain,

and manipulate your behavior and cause schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The work of Czech scientist Dr. Jaroslav Flegr takes it a step further. Flegr discovered how people infected with the parasite develop subtle personality changes. The organism appears to slow down reaction times and cause individuals to take more risks like crossing the street even when there is a car coming. “I must admit I was very surprised,” said Dr. Flegr. But why would a parasite steer you into oncoming traffic, potentially killing you? “It wants to survive and it’s very good at it,” said Dr. Conrad who is an expert in Toxoplasma at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Her team studies the parasite in wild and domestic animals. Conrad said since the parasite ultimately needs to get back into a cat to reproduce, studies show how it performs a pretty nifty trick. If mice are infected with Toxo the parasite goes to their brain and it alters their behavior. So, instead of running away from cats, mice will flock to cat urine. The cat then eats the mouse and the parasite gets back into the cat and reproduces. So how does that affect us? Once upon a time we were potential prey for bigger cats which might explain why the parasite slows us down. It wants to get back into a bigger cat. In the meantime, as a precaution, should we get rid of cats like Max? “No, no, they are way too cute,” said Carabeo. Experts say to protect yourself and your cat, all you have to do is keep the cat indoors. If you have an outdoor cat, make sure it is fed very well and gets regular checkups.

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June 1, 2012

Best

After-School Activities For Kids In Miami

Every child’s uniqueness needs something different to be satisfied, from singing to sports. That’s why South Florida offers a variety of after-school options to meet their individual needs. From arts to education, these are the city’s best after-school activities.

cbs4 Newspaper June 1, 2012

City of Hialeah   Hialeah, FL - (305) 818-9143 - www.hialeahfl.gov Price: $30 registration/$7 per week for residents/$27 for non-residents Hours: Mon to Fri – 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The City of Hialeah offers programs for both residents and non-residents, including teens in grades 6 to 12, and for K-8 students. It offers reading, tutoring, homework, social skills, nutrition, fitness, recreation and special interest classes. It also provides FCAT training to keep kids up to par on standardized testing. Busing is available for certain schools.

The Roxy Theatre Group   Miami, FL - (305) 226-0030  www.roxyperformingartscenter.com Price: $30 registration fee/$20 per week for elementary students/$15 per week for middle school students Hours: Mon to Fri – 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This program is for all those aspiring actors and actresses in South Florida. The Roxy Theatre Group teaches your child how to act and aids them in math, reading, writing and science. There is a certified teacher on staff so you know your child is getting the best education possible. At the end of the year, participants stage a musical production to put them on the course to stardom.

South Florida After School All-Stars   Miami, FL (305) 502-3310 - www.sfasas.org Price: $ 35 registration fee, $40 per week Hours: Mon to Fri – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This program is offered at a variety of Miami schools so transportation is no hassle. It includes homework help, tutoring, arts and crafts, a snack and field trips. On some occasions, NBA stars drop by. To attend, see if your school is included in the list of participating schools on the website. The program works on a system of pillars to build kids’ confidence and adeptness in life in addition to providing a fun game.

United Martial Arts Academy, Inc.   Florida City, FL - (786) 357-4255 www.h2oboxing.com Price: $150 per month/$45 activation fee/$35 for uniform Hours: Mon to Fri – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Everybody will be kung fu fighting when they attend this little gem. Participants from age 5 to 18 can attend. It offers tutoring with a certified teacher and teacher’s assistants along with martial arts training for both girls and boys. From HeadHunter MMA to Chinese boxing, getting the kids involved in this gym guarantees they learn more than they might at daycare. Instructors here help students grow intellectually and socially in addition to teaching valuable martial arts skills.

World Literacy Campaign Girl Power   Miami, FL - (305) 756-5502 www.girlpowerrocks.org Price: $50 per school year  The Girl Power campaign provides a variety of services for your child including tutoring, yoga, self-esteem building and homework help. This is a more earthy program that encourages your little girl to become a lady. Girls 11 to 17 may enroll. Transportation is available for some schools in the surrounding areas.

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305-883-1218

WWW.POWERPARTYEVENTS.COM

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June 1, 2012

Best Places To Go

HorsebackÂ Riding

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June 1, 2012

Florida has always been horse country so take a step back into the old west when the only mode of transportation was to saddle up and giddy up. Most visitors to South Florida keep themselves so busy sunning, swimming, sailing and clubbing, that they never dream that the best of the west is only a hoofbeat away. So why not feel the wind blowing on your face, hear the sound of thundering hooves and take in the sights and sounds of South Florida’s amazing horse trails.

White Star Farms

Homestead, FL. / www.whitestarfarms.com

Tucked away in a small quiet neighborhood in Homestead, White Star Farms is an ideal place to take horseback riding lessons. White Star Farms features Paso Fino horses, trained for show and pleasure. Paso Finos are known as the Rolls Royces of the equine world. The property consists of 15 beautifully maintained acres which provides a peaceful area to ride. There are stalls, caretakers, facilities, paddocks, riding ring, training areas and a swimming pool. White Star Farms is a full service facility that offers quality horses for sale, training and a full scale lesson program for both adults and children.

Sheridan Oaks Stable Bar-B-Ranch

Davie, FL. / www.bar-b-ranch.com

Bar-B-Ranch is billed as the largest, most experienced riding stable in South Florida. They’re well-known for its popular BAR-B-Ranch Day and Summer Camp, and they offer everything from horse rentals to scenic guided trail rides. Bar-B-Ranch also offers horseback riding lessons in both English and Western styles of riding. They have horses for nearly every level of riding experience.

Ascot Farm

12445 SW 46th St. Miami, Fl. (305) 559-7868  www.ascotfarm.com

Ascot Farm, owned and operated by Donna Mole, has had over 35 years in the business with many State Champions. Beginners through advanced, young and old, can saddle up and enjoy the great outdoors. From walk-trot to jumping, children can begin as young as 2 years of age in pre-school pony rides and adults can learn jumping or world-wide expert trail riding. In addition to lessons, they offer competitive riding, camps, trips and safaris.

Southwest Ranches, FL. /  www.davemoorereining.com

Sheridan Oaks Stable is a Training and Lesson facility with some availability for boarders. The barn is clean, well ventilated, and efficiently set up. There’s only one way to learn how to ride a horse and that’s sign up for lessons. Sheridan Oaks Stable offers lessons for all experience levels. Every June, they run a summer riding program for kids.

American Horse Trails Southwest Ranches, FL /  www.americanhorsetrails.us

American Horse Trails offers guided trails, riding lessons and even private parties for those interested in discovering the feeling of freedom on horseback. Packages include a 1-hour walking only trail, a 2-hour walking and trotting trail, and a 3-hour walking, trotting and cantering trail followed by a BBQ.

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