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July 2, 2010

I-TEAM: FRANK VECIN:

B EYOND THE B ADGE A Miami Dade police commander, with close ties to Mayor Carlos Alvarez, has allegedly been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by developers to expedite their request for permits and provide access to top county administrators, according to a CBS4 News investigation. page 5

ALSO INSIDE I-TEAM : The Field Of Numbers page 11 - local section 4 Your Money: Websites Where You Can Get Freebies page 17 - consumer section Stocking Up Hurricane Supplies On A Budget page 23 - hurricane section Broward Considers Tax Increase, Service Cuts page 39 - real estate section Study: Simple Lifestyle Changes Reduce Stroke Risk page 41 - health section Anna Nicole Smith Judge Urges New Police Probe page 47 - entertainment section Miami-Dade To Become Miami-Wade In July page 51 - sports section Auto-Loan Firm Accused Of Bilking Customers page 53 - automotive section

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I-Team: Frank Vecin -- Beyond the Badge Reporting Jim DeFede MIAMI (CBS4 I-TEAM) Ñ A Miami Dade p o l i c e commander, with close ties to Mayor Carlos Alvarez, has allegedly been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by developers to expedite their request for permits and provide access to top county administrators, according to a CBS4 News investigation. Miam Dade Police Chief Frank Vecin is now under criminal investigation by both the Miami Dade State Attorney and the Inspector General’s Office. Vecin refused to comment for this story. Richard Sharpstein, an attorney for The Terra Group, one of the developers that hired Vecin, acknowledged that the developer had recently been served a subpoena for contracts and financial records relating to Terra’s involvement with Vecin. “Terra had a contractual relationship with Frank Vecin; a straight forward, honest, above board business relationship,” Sharpstein said. “He was a permit expediter and had a business, Oak Tree, that provided services to Terra and other companies in expediting permits within the county.” While it is not uncommon for developers to hire consultants to assist them in navigating the maze of county permitting procedures, it is highly unusual for that person to be a current county employee. At the same time Vecin was assisting various developers as CEO and as President of Oak Tree Development, he was also in charge of the police department’s Intergovernmental Bureau, which is responsible for investigating illegal contractors and criminal violations of the county’s building code. In other words, he was being paid by the very same developers and builders his police unit might be called upon to investigate. Instead it was the developers who found themselves with a valuable

friend in the police department. In one instance, according to e-mails obtained by CBS4 News, the Terra Group used Vecin’s clout and status inside the police department to initiate an investigation into a condo board member who was giving the developer trouble. On May 23, 2007, the developer wrote to Vecin, using Vecin’s private e-mail address, to complain about the board member at Metropolis at Dadeland, 9055 SW 73rd Court Among the litany of complaints the developer had with the board member was that the board member wanted to change the circular valet driveway in front of Metropolis from a two-way lane to a one-way lane. The developer was afraid this change was going to cost them time and money. So a few minutes after receiving the developers e-mail, Vecin logged into his Miami Dade Police Department e-mail and assigned one of the sergeants under his command to initiate an investigation of the board member. “Please see if we can use the various agencies to see that this individual does not violate county laws and ordinances,” Vecin wrote. The sergeant recruited officials from the county’s public works department and they successfully blocked any changes to the valet lane. A review of the developer’s complaints by CBS4 News shows the condo board member was more than likely wrong in trying to make the changes to the valet parking lane. Traffic patterns would have to be approved in advance by the county, and the condo association can not unilaterally change them. But the fact that the developer used their connection to Vecin to shut down the changes raises obvious conflict-of-interest questions. Neither the Terra Group nor any of the other developers involved with Vecin are the target of the investigation, according to sources familiar with the case. Sharpstein also said he has been assured by the state attorney’s office that Terra, whose owner, Pedro Martin recently donated The Freedom Tower to Miami Dade College, is not the focus of this inquiry.

“Terra is proud it has always been an upstanding corporate citizen in the community and they will continue to cooperate,” Sharpstein said. On the financial disclosure forms Vecin files each year with the police department, it appears Oak Tree earns very little money. In 2006, for instance, he reported earning $16,000, in 2007 he reported just $1,500, and in 2008 he reported $8,643. Vecin’s disclosure form for 2009 is due at the end of the month. But one source familiar with the contracts between Vecin and the Terra Group told CBS4 News that since 2007, the Terra Group alone paid Vecin a total of $165,000. A second source wasn’t certain of the total but told CBS4 News that Vecin’s fees would range anywhere from $2,500 a month to $50,000 a month depending on what he was asked to do. Sharpstein refused to comment on how much Vecin was paid. “He held himself out as having this business and they had a complete business relationship,” he said. This is not the first time Vecin’s conduct has been questioned. Earlier this year, CBS4 News exposed questionable spending by the police department’s environmental task force. Vecin was in charge of the fund and monies that were supposed to be used to investigate environmental crimes – such as illegal dumping – were instead used to purchase new computers and hybrid SUVs for police commanders. Vecin even provided one of the SUVs to the mayor. After the news reports surfaced, control of the environmental funds was taken away from Vecin. For Vecin, the incident was a minor glitch in an otherwise storied career. But the current questions being raised about Vecin’s outside employment are likely to prove far more serious.

Department. Born in Havana, Vecin moved to the United States in the early Sixties as a child and grew up in Edison, New Jersey, and served two years in the Army, before moving to South Florida. Vecin had been working construction jobs, and when he applied to be a reserve officer, he told an interviewer that while his dream was to become a police officer so he could help people, he still wanted to do construction because he needed the money. By all accounts, Vecin’s time as a reserve officer was exemplary. One of his first supervisors was Carlos Alvarez, who was himself a rising star in the department. Vecin was assigned to the Cutler Ridge gang unit and in 1991; he received the department’s Gold Medal of valor for rescuing two children from a house engulfed in flames. Vecin became a fulltime Metro-Dade police officer in 1992 and his timing couldn’t have been better. A few months later, Hurricane Andrew hit. Vecin’s stock within the police department shot up with the arrival of the devastating storm. As a licensed general contractor, Vecin spent months volunteering his time helping police officers whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane. More importantly, he became the department’s point man on a new, multiagency task force created to crack down on illegal contractors who descended on South Florida following the storm. In 1996, Vecin was given a special salary adjustment and promotion to the rank of Police Supervisor -- even though he did not have the required college degree. The request was so unusual it had to be approved by both the county manager at the time, Armando Vidal, and the police director, Fred Taylor. The paperwork shows that it was pushed forward by the then Assistant Director Carlos Alvarez. The memo approving the increased salary notes that Vecin would now report directly to Alvarez.

VECIN’S RISE continued

Frank Anthony Vecin was 33-years-old when he first applied to be a reserve officer in the Metro-Dade Police

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July 2, 2010

I-Team: Frank Vecin -- Beyond the Badge continued

When Alvarez was promoted to police director in 1997, Vecin position inside the department never seemed more secure. Between 1999 and 2009, Vecin’s police salary continued to rise dramatically, more than doubling from $64,694 to $146,724. Vecin, however, always seemed to know the real money lay elsewhere. After making the move in 1992 from reserve officer to full-time officer, he began filing the required outside employment forms with the county, stating that in addition to working for the police department he would also take on some construction jobs. According to state records, Vecin had formed Oak Tree Development in 1991. Every year that he filed the outside employment form regarding Oak Tree, he was asked the following question: Is business conducted with Miami Dade County or any County owned or controlled property? Vecin always checked “No.”

THE MAYOR’S TASK FORCE When Carlos Alvarez ran for county mayor in 2004, he often spoke on the campaign trail of streamlining the county’s permitting process as a way of creating jobs by spurring development. And as soon as he was elected, Alvarez issued a memo to County Manager George Burgess instructing him to “convene a working group of professionals both from the private/public sector to address the problems in the Building Department.” The December 7, 2004 memo goes on to state: “There should be recommendations made regarding on improving the very real problems facing the Building Department specifically in the permitting process.” The task force was supposed to come back in 60 days with their results, but the issue proved so complex that it took more than a year for their work to be

completed. On January 25, 2006, Alvarez held a press conference at the county’s permitting and inspection center to announce the new, streamlined permitting process. Assembled in the audience were some of the county’s biggest developers and builders as well as the heads of every county department involved in the building and permitting process. “As a county we must facilitate growth, not obstruct it,” Alvarez said. “At the same time we need to ensure the development of safe, sustainable communities.” Standing behind Alvarez was Frank Vecin. Whether intentional or not, Vecin’s presence behind Alvarez sent a very clear message to everyone that Vecin was part of the mayor’s inner circle when it came to building and permitting issues. And for anyone in the building industry who was not at the press conference, that message was made known to them as well. The February 2006 newsletter for the Builders Association of South Florida (BASF) made the press conference its cover story and included pictures showing Vecin standing with Alvarez. After the event the president of the builder’s association made sure to have her picture taken with Vecin. The caption in the newsletter reads: “Lani Kahn Drody with BASF member and Mayor’s Office Liaison, Frank Vecin.” Vecin’s influence throughout county government is undeniable. Because of his years with the police department and especially his years of working with all of the local county agencies to crack down on corrupt contractors following Hurricane Andrew, Vecin knows the inner workings of the building department, the water and sewer department, and all the other agencies a developer or builder needs. More importantly, he knows each department director personally. “I think I first met Frank during that time of Hurricane Andrew,” said John Renfrow, the head of the Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department. But the mayor’s 2006 press conference

announcing a new expedited permitting process cemented the view that Vecin was the man to know. In the four years since, Oak Tree Development’s business in representing developers has grown dramatically. In the case of the Terra Group, Vecin was hired to assist the company in their development of two major projects in downtown Miami, a 60-story condo tower across from the American Airlines Arena known as 900 Biscayne; and Quantum on the Bay, a twin tower design that is 51 stories high. He was also called in on the Metropolis project in South Dade. A review of county e-mails from 2009 obtained by CBS4 News through public records requests shows how Vecin operated. Vecin would receive an e-mail or a call from a developer regarding a problem they were having with a particular county agency and Vecin in turn would personally e-mail the department director asking for help. For example, on July 20, 2009, Michael Piazza, the vice president for construction at Terra, wrote to Vecin complaining the county water and sewer department was refusing to install water meters at a project of theirs in Doral. Under county rules the water department won’t install the meters until they receive a letter from the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) saying that a maintenance bond has been issued. But Terra was running into trouble getting the bond. “I need you to convince WASA to release the meters without DERM’s letter,” Piazza wrote to Vecin. Vecin immediately sent an e-mail to the water and sewer department director, John Renfrow: “I guess it was too good to be true. I am copying you on the latest email. Is there anything that can be done to install the meters?” The e-mail makes it clear that this is an issue Renfrow and Vecin had spoken about previously. Renfrow wrote back less than an hour later, saying he would talk to one of his senior managers. “We’ll see what we can do,” Renfrow wrote.

Asked about the e-mails, Renfrow said he was simply trying to be helpful. “I knew he was working for the county and he was doing things with the police department, I forget what his rank was, and he would occasionally call for certain things and I would refer him to somebody within the department to try and see if we could help him out,” Renfrow said. Renfrow said he was not aware Vecin was being paid by the developer, even though several of Vecin’s e-mails are signed, “Frank Vecin, Oak Tree Development.” “No, no, I wasn’t aware of that,” Renfrow said. “I was not aware that he was hired by anybody.” Vecin was so helpful with Terra Group that the owners recommended his services to other developers, including RK Associates, which own dozens of shopping plazas across South Florida. On May 26, 2009, Arnold Shevlin, a general manager for RK Associates, wrote to Vecin asking him to help regarding problems they were having with the water and sewer department. Once again Vecin wrote to Renfrow asking him for help. “John is this possible,” Vecin wrote. Renfrow forwarded the email to a manager in his department with a note saying: “Please look into this and get back to me tomorrow AM.” Shevlin also asked for help getting a traffic light installed in Sunny Isles. Vecin turned to the county’s public works director, Esther Calas. Using his police department email, Vecin wrote to Calas: “Esther, can you guide me to who can give me a response for the RK Center folks...ref a traffic light.” Calas contacted her staff to see what they could do. Her staff spoke to Vecin personally to explain to him that the light would need approval from state officials. continued NEWS POWERED BY

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July 2, 2010

I-Team: Frank Vecin -- Beyond the Badge continued

Shevlin, who is no longer with RK Associates, said Vecin’s name was given to them by Pedro and David Martin, the owners of the Terra Group. Shevlin said he believes Vecin’s name was passed on to them during a Miami Heat game when the owner of RK Associates, Raanan Katz, was sitting courtside with the Martins. “We were looking for someone to help us at the County and they recommended Frank,” Shevlin recalled. Shevlin said he also checked with a friend inside the building department and they vouched for Vecin as well. “He was an outside consultant he was working for us on a per project basis,” Shevlin said, adding he did not recall how much they paid Vecin. It would be difficult for Vecin to claim he did not know that his outside consulting work was a conflict of interest because he was warned about it by the County Ethics Commission.

In 2005, Vecin sent an email to Robert Meyers, executive director of the Ethics Commission, asking for approval to work for a developer during the construction of a building. Vecin claimed he was only being hired to make sure the builder completed the job to the owner’s specifications.

In addition to notifying the department about his role in Oak Tree Development, Vecin has also in recent years filed a disclosure form saying that he works for The Fairholme Fund, which is an investment fund founded by Bruce Berkowitz.

Meyers said it would be fine – as long as his involvement was limited to monitoring the project. But Meyers warned Vecin that he could not speak to any county employee on the developers behalf.

On the disclosure form, under “Position Held,” Vecin wrote: “Construction/ Consulting.”

In addition Vecin wrote: “Offer consulting reference construction issues/concerns.” One of the questions investigators have is the amount of time Vecin spends on his outside employment. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

“As a county employee you are not allowed to interact with county officials or county employees representing third party clients,” Meyers wrote to Vecin on July 20, 2005. Vecin said he understood and Meyers – as if to reinforce the message – sent him a second email the next day. “I just want to reiterate that you are not permitted to have conversations with county employees or officials at any point in time as a representative of the owners,” Meyers wrote.

The Magic City To Celebrate 114 Years

Miami Turns 114 Years Old On July 28th City To Celebrate With Birthday Bash; All Proceeds Go To Charity

details of the upcoming birthday bash at Bongos Cuban Café on Wednesday; it will take place on Monday, July 28th, at the American Airlines Arena.

press event when artist Stephen Gamson unveiled an original painting titled “Miami 114”; representatives from several notable charities were also in attendance.

The event will feature the sights, sounds and tastes of Miami. There will be delicious food tastings from more than 20 restaurants and cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE® Vodka. In honor of Julia Tuttle, a statue will also be unveiled at Bayfront Park. Guests will be entertained with live performances by renowned local band ¡Suénalo! and music will be provided throughout the event by DJ Le Spam.

The City of Miami has partnered with DowntownMiami.com to present the celebration, which comes at no cost to city taxpayers. It is instead privately funded by sponsors including the Downtown Development Authority, The American Airlines Arena and GREY GOOSE Vodka.

By Andrea Ludtke

Regalado is looking forward to the celebration.

MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ The City of Miami is throwing itself a birthday party and it’s giving its gifts to the greater good. City residents will come together to celebrate and give all proceeds to the charity of their choice on the list.

“This event will be a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate Miami’s birthday as a community. We are grateful to the generous sponsors for making this special event possible,” he said.

Mayor Tomas Regalado announced the

The City of Miami got its first gift at the

Attendees can choose from any of the following charities to donate their ticket price to: Best Buddies, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Centro Mater CHARLEE Homes for Children, Downtown Miami Partnership, Friends of Miami-Dade Public Library, Friends of Miami Marine Stadium, Hands on Miami, Switchboard of Miami, Voices for Children, YWCA and the Allapattah Action Community Center. For more information about the City of Miami’s Official 114th Birthday

Celebration please visit http:// www.downtownmiami.com/miami114. Tickets will be available at the AmericanAirlines Arena website. Tickets are $25 each with 100-percent of ticket sales going towards the charity of choice from the following: * Best Buddies * Big Brothers Big Sisters * Centro Mater CHARLEE Homes for Children * Downtown Miami Partnership * Friends of Miami-Dade Public Library * Friends of Miami Marine Stadium * Hands on Miami * Switchboard of Miami Voices for Children * YWCA (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

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I-Team: The Field Of Numbers Reporting David Sutta MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ It may be the most bizarre cemetery in all of South Florida. There are no headstones or memorials or flowers, just numbers. A field of numbers identifying the remains of hundreds of people who died in Miami but no one knows who they are. They died on our streets, swimming along our beaches, in buildings by themselves and all ended up at the county morgue. After years of trying to give the dead a name, they end up here, another number in the field, but you can’t call this a final resting place.

of unknown bodies sit, and some have sat for a very long time. Deep in the morgue is the “bone room” where you will find hundreds of bodies each reduced to a grocery bag of bones. “Some of them were full bodies. Others were skeletal remains. So the ones that were skeletal remains are the ones that we have stored here,” said Sandra Boyd, a medical examiner’s office investigator. As she pointed out boxes dating back to the 1950’s she told CBS4 “all of these are unidentified.” There are hundreds of them and it’s Boyd’s job to put a name to each one of these bodies. “It may sound gory to some, but these are my family. I look at these individuals and they are looking at me and if you look at them; they are saying ‘identify us.’ I once had a name. Put a name to us,” said Boyd.

The Field Of Numbers An Attempt To Identify On a Tuesday morning Art Vidal is on a backhoe digging six feet down. He told CBS4’s David Sutta, “It is weird being here. I get the chills, I never done this before until I got here.” Vidal works for the Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department. He looks around a large green field and said, “I remember when this was not fenced in. When we were kids we grew up here. We used to come here and play around. I didn’t even know it was a cemetery.” This is the county graveyard, jammed between the County Emergency Operations Center and a sewage plant. You wouldn’t know it is a cemetery unless you look down at the ground. There are numbers everywhere. In fact, they cover the entire field. “Just a number; just a number on the headstone. You can see them right there,” Vidal said. Each number represents a coffin; a person no one knows. Hundreds Of Body Bags On the morning Sutta came to visit, the field of numbers is about to grow. Six strangers have been placed in particle board coffins and are set to be buried. Their coffins have labels that identify them by their race, sex, and their case number. This is how it ends for the unidentified. They come from the Miami-Dade County morgue where in refrigerated rooms the size of a modest Miami apartment; dozens

Boyd’s has spent 20 years investigating a caseload that never seems to shrink. Right now she has more than 200 unidentified cases in front of her; each one of them reading like a murder mystery novel.

have and the system populates possible matches. CBS4 asked Miami-Dade’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Bruce Hyma, how big a deal the database is? Hyma told Sutta, “For medical examiners, I think it’s a big deal. The estimate is maybe 40,000 unidentified decedents around the United States.” Namus.gov became fully functional a year ago and so far it’s helped close 15 cases nationwide. Miami-Dade’s chief medical examiner is hopeful the advent of these databases that are now public is that going to change the numbers of unidentified. “I hope it does. Our experience so far has been, with databases that have a public interaction, we have a better chance at making some identifications,” said Hyma. With a wall full of unidentified faces staring back at Boyd she could use the help. “I don’t care if it’s the next day, the next month, the next year, 10 years from now. If I am able to put a name to a face and to a case number then I feel all of the work that we have put into this is not in vain.” said Boyd. You’re Just Another Number

The white man floating the in the Miami River in his underwear; the six foot nine, three hundred and thirty five pound man who washed up on South Beach on Christmas Eve; or the guy who spent an entire day in front of the Miami-Dade School Board building before someone discovered he committed suicide.

Back at the county cemetery, the bulldozer has finished digging up six graves for six new bodies to be buried. “The field of numbers starts at our office and ends here,” Boyd said. For the first time in her 30 years at the medical examiner’s office; Boyd came to the county cemetery to see just how it ends.

Boyd points to his picture on a board and told Sutta, “This particular gentleman was well dressed. Nice pair shoes. Expensive pair of shoes. Just gunshot wound to the head. Killed himself.”

As the earth was pushed over the top of the coffins; you couldn’t help but think about the loneliness of this place. A lonely funeral where nothing is said. A grave site

Sutta asked her, “I’m sure you are just asking yourself, why?” She responded, “Why? Why? The thing is until we put a name to these individuals we will never know why.” Boyd and medical examiner’s office are finally getting a leg up on the unidentified in a project called Namus.org. It’s the first national database that marries medical examiners information, DNA, missing people reports and the public’s input into one place. A user enters in what information they

no one will ever visit because you are just a number. It may be the one place in the world where the phrase, “you’re just another number,” is truly the case. CBS4’s David Sutta asked why Boyd has never seen a burial in her 30 years at the medical examiner’s office. “Is there a possibility that you avoided this; that you didn’t want to see this?” Sutta asked. “Yes. Exactly. That is exactly how I felt,” said Boyd. On her next breath she vowed never to give up looking for their names. “At this point in time, I can say I’m following through on getting them a decent burial for these individuals. Although there isn’t family around, and although there is not a name for these individuals, there is some sort of closure,” said Boyd. Closure for six more, in the field of numbers. As the final coffin was buried Boyd looked back and said, “When I walk away from here today; I will go back to the office and the process will continue.” In 30 years, Boyd said she has seen just one person identified and leave the county graveyard. This week, the medical examiner’s office plans to bury another five bodies. No one knows just how many unidentified are in the field of numbers. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

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Florida Bay Mangroves At Risk If Tar Balls Arrive Reporting Ted Scouten KEY LARGO (CBS4) Ñ The Florida Keys is known for its beautiful turquoise water that stretches to the horizon. On one side it’s the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, the Gulf of Mexico, or in the upper Keys, the Florida Bay. So what will the far-reaching effects of BP’s oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico do to the Florida Keys and Florida Bay if it should come here? “Florida Bay is truly unique,” said Everglades National Park Ranger Dave Fowler to CBS4’s Ted Scouten. “It’s an amazing piece of water. It’s 400-thousand acres of shallow sea grass estuary that just doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.” The shallow water of Florida Bay is where

the Everglades and ocean meets. It’s also home to sea life, grasses and mangrove. As we wait to see where the oil from the spill will end up, wildlife officials are taking some comfort in knowing, if it gets here, it won’t be as bad as what we’re seeing up north. “We’re so far away that the weathering process of the surface of the ocean would transform the oil from its liquid phase to that tar ball phase,” explained John Hunt from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. “That tar ball phase is much less toxic than the oil that is being seen in Louisiana. “

could be to do nothing at all.

happen. This place would be changed for generations,” said Fowler.

“It is certainly possible, our actions to clean up a mangrove ecosystem, especially from tar balls, could cause more damage than the tar balls themselves,” said Hunt.

So far, no oil from the BP oil disaster has reached the Florida Keys and all beaches and resorts remain open for business.

If there are a lot of tar balls , they could try something new, such as flushing them out.

“Creating a situation where you can wash the tar balls back out from underneath those prop roots and then they get out just beyond and then you can scoop them out,” said Hunt.

One of the major concerns is what will happen if tar balls get into the mangroves. How would it be cleaned up? Hunt says that’s a tough question. “I’m not sure we have good mechanisms to clean tar balls out of mangroves.”

The good news for now is that the oil does not appear to be in the loop current which would cause the oil to flow down toward the Keys and up Florida’s east coast, but that doesn’t mean it will stay away, so the planning & the concern for a worldwide treasure goes on.

It’s in those mangroves where fish breed and wildlife lives. There are just too many to surround them with booms and for the most part, that doesn’t work. The best plan

“It gives me goose bumps and I’m getting them right now, but tar balls, if that’s what we get, I’ll take it. If we get anything worse I shudder to think what is going to

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Miami-Dade Doggy Death Row Grows Overcrowded Reporting David Sutta M E D L E Y (CBS4) ÑFrom the front of the building where people are handing over their pets, to the back gates where strays are being dragged in, the Miami-Dade Animal Shelter is busting at the seams. “It’s been incredibly busy,” said Xiomara Mordcovich. “To give you an idea, about two Saturdays ago we received 228 dogs and cats.” That’s twice the norm -- an explosion in what is called kitten season is fueling a dramatic rise. Some cages are now three to four dogs deep, and the animals keep pouring in. CBS4 News found Kelly Adams in the receiving section of the shelter, handing over two dogs she found wandering the neighborhood. “They don’t deserve to be here. I feel really horrible putting them here,” said Adams. Unable to find them a home, she says she had no choice. “There is nothing I can do. I just hope that they find a good home, and that they don’t put them down.”

Putting them down, euthanasia, is what happens to the majority of animals there. Last year 37,000 came into the shelter. Despite record adoptions, just 14,000 left alive. It truly is survival of the fittest. Mordcovich explained how they select who is put down: “You have to think of the animals that may be injured, that may be hurt, that may have health issues. And those could be the animals that you would humanely euthanize first.” On a typical day the shelter adopts out 24 animals. That pales in comparison to the 91 on average that are euthanized seven days a week. With this sudden rise in pets, death rows are filled to capacity. A four month-old puppy that had been up for adoption for three weeks was put down while CBS4 visited. Mordcovich said, “People need to realize what happens here, and they need to understand that this is the consequence of what happens in the community out there. This is what we all do to our best friend.” The animal shelter is hoping the community wakes up and steps up. “We need to realize that if we can spay and neuter our dogs to prevent the overpopulation. I hope people realize the beautiful animals for adoption and the fact that they should identify their pets and they should come to volunteer. The key is we can save their life.” said Mordcovich.

Underage Drinking Bill Becomes Law On July 1st Reporting Lisa Cilli

LISA CILLI

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) Ñ On July 1st, many of the 274 new laws passed during the 2010 legislative session will take effect, including one designed to decrease the epidemic of underage

drinking in the state of Florida. HB 33, which passed the House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist on May 12, 2010, increases the criminal penalty for anyone who is caught repeatedly selling, giving or serving alcohol to minors. The law states anyone who facilitates underage drinking would be subject to a first-degree misdemeanor on the second offense.

The law is designed to make alcohol less accessible to minors. Nearly half, 48percent, of high school seniors in Florida reported drinking alcohol within the previous month in a 2007 study. Florida’s legal drinking age is 21. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

July 2, 2010

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July 2, 2010

Fla. Couple Awarded $2.4M In Chinese Drywall Case Reporting J a s m i n e Kripalani M I A M I (CBS4) Ñ A Miami jury reached a verdict Friday and awarded $2.4 million in damages to a South Florida couple whose home was damaged by the defective Chinese drywall. The verdict is expected to set the legal standard for future claims in Florida and elsewhere. Armin and Linda Seifart had sought to receive a judgment of $4.3 million, including loss of their home’s enjoyment. Drywall seller Banner Supply had been willing only to pay for certain costs, such as repairs to the Siefart’s home. The Seifart’s claim not

only did Banner Supply know about problems, they also failed to notify its customers, homeowners or the government. Attorneys say the verdict in the case will set a standard for similar trials in Florida and elsewhere. According to documents entered into evidence, when Banner Supply notified its Chinese supplier about the complaints, the supplier replaced the distributor’s inventory of Chinese-made drywall with American-made drywall. In return, Banner Supply allegedly signed a confidentiality agreement not to say anything about it to the government or its customers. The Chinese made drywall in question has been found by state and federal agencies to emit “volatile sulfur compounds.” Researchers also found

traces of strontium sulfide, which can produce a rotten-egg odor, along with organic compounds not found in American-made drywall. Homeowners complain the fumes have corroded copper pipes, destroyed TVs and air conditioners, blackened jewelry and silverware. Some homeowners believe it also has caused health problems, such as upper respiratory problems, irritated eyes and bloody noses. Health implications from the degradation are still being investigated. An analysis of shipping records found that more than 500 million pounds of Chinese gypsum board was imported between 2004 and 2008, enough to have built tens of thousands of homes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received more than 33

hundred homeowner complaints from 32 states including Florida, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, in one of its largest consumer product investigations in U.S. history. Last month, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Joseph Farina approved class-action status for lawsuit involving as many as 152 families from three Homestead neighborhoods who had Chinese drywall installed in new homes and after hurricanes in 2004 and 2005. The suit targets homebuilder South Kendall Construction Corp., Palm Isles Holdings, Keys Gate Realty and Banner Supply. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

More Americans Becoming Modern Day Nomads Reporting Al Sunshine ( C B S 4 ) Imagine giving up your job, your house, your bills and your mortgage for a nomad’s life. Modern day nomads are a growing population in the United States. These are folks who have given up their homes and their jobs for a less expensive and liberating way of life -- on board a motor home. Tough economic times have forced many people to say ‘home is where you park it.’ And for Mike and Mary Jo Davis, it wasn’t too much of a struggle to begin living their dream. “We’ve been on the road full time now for 7 years. We just adore it,” said Mary Jo Davis.

These modern day nomads quit their jobs in sales, have no permanent address, no lawn to mow and their shelter is a 39-foot motor home. “We went full time, sold the house and everything in it, gave away to friends and family, put momentos in storage and decided to just not look back,” said Mary Jo. “Some people look at us and say I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know how you got rid of your stuff. It’s just a decision you make. You want a change of pace which it really is and it slows you down.” According to the Recreational Vehicle Association, the Davis’ are among the estimated 2-million full timers in the United States. Full time recreational enthusiasts are folks who have taken to the road year-round. The Davis’ have everything they need in their RV. A 3-burner stove, microwave

and convection oven, double sinks, fridge, freezer, washer dryer combination and a queen-size bed in the bedroom. Every available space, even under the bed, is used for storage. So what about the bills? “We don’t have electricity or water or anything and all of those costs are included in our camping fees,” said Mike.

explore new places and see new things.” The Davis’ say they drive about 200-250 miles a day and they do spend money visiting certain attractions around the country but they say those costs are well worth it. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

Living on the road has allowed the Davis’ to cover three quarters of the United States. “I don’t miss the yard work, doing the pool, going to work,” said Mike. They stay in touch with family and friends through e-mail. Now home is anywhere their wheels stop. “A lot of those needs you thought you needed you had to have you start letting go of that stuff. And you trade that to be able to live this lifestyle and travel and

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NACA Plans Mortgage Relief Event For August the-clock events, one of which was in Miami and the other in West Palm Beach, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald. The dates of the event will be from August 13-17 and borrowers can sign-up online at NACA.com. Loan modifications can be approved on the spot, according to the Herald.

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) Ñ Homeowners across South Florida who are struggling with their mortgages will once again have a chance to get help from the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. NACA will host another loan modification event in August. NACA has held two events in South Florida and around 40,000 homeowners signed up for or submitted applications for loan modifications during the events. Dozens camped out to get into the round-

It’s important to have the necessary documents if you plan to attend. a) Pay Stubs (most recent available 30 days) If self-employed Bank Statements (last six months) b) Monthly Mortgage Statement (most recent available) c) Property Tax Bill (most recent available) d) Homeowners Insurance Bill (most recent available) (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

Miami: Toughest City In U.S. To Find A Job Reporting J o h n MacLauchlan

Jacksonville and Orlando were on it along with St. Louis, Las Vegas, Detroit and Chicago.

M I A M I (CBS4) Ñ If you think job JOHN MACLAUCHLAN hunting in South Florida is tough, your wrong – it’s really, really tough according to job search engine Indeed.com

The easiest place to find a job, or the least competitive markets, include Washington DC, New York, Baltimore and San Jose, California; each had one job listing for every person reported unemployed. Other less competitive cities to make the list include Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Seattle, Boston, Milwaukee and Salt Lake City.

The company compared the April jobless rate to the number of job postings in the 50 top metropolitan areas. It found that Miami ranked last – making it the most competitive job market in the country.

We weren’t the only Florida city to make the ‘most competitive’ list; Tampa,

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4 Your Money: Websites Where You Can Get Freebies Reporting Al Sunshine (CBS4) We all know you can’t get something for free, but what if you were told that there are websites offering free samples of everything from shampoo to airline frequent flier miles to jewelry? Laura Colby, a mother of three, recently checked out seven websites that Consumer Reports suggests to get free stuff. StartSampling.com offers samples of everything from quit smoking patches to skin lotion.

“It was just really easy to understand,” said Laura. She ordered free hair conditioner but to get it, had to give up her e-mail address and date of birth.

But when she tried to order a magazine, she was asked her job title. When entered ‘homemaker’, she was told she didn’t qualify.

Procter and Gamble’s site, P&G Everyday Solutions, features coupons for its products and free samples.

FreeMania.net offers free product samples such as cereal but also free services. However, Laura found a drawback. “This one had lots and lots of questions,” explained Laura. “If I had tons of time on my hands, maybe I would do it, but I really don’t.”

Next up, Freebies4Mom.com where the free samples are geared toward moms. It features everything from diapers to popcorn. Some are actually coupons so you can pick up a free item at a store. Then, there’s FreeStuffTimes.com which Laura really liked because it offers a lot. She also liked it because it tells you when the offers expire and what other websites you’ll be directed to.

Finally, there’s Thunderfap.com, which took a while to load on several computers, but once it did, there were offers for everything from lotion to cologne.

“This one was probably one of the most straightforward ones,” said Laura.

Laura found a couple of downsides to these sites in general. For instance, some

Social Networking Sites Costing Media Billions Reporting Tim Kephart L O N D O N (CBS4) Ñ S o c i a l networking has been all the buzz on the TIM KEPHART internet and in the world of media for the last few years. While Facebook continues to bring in money, the other social networking sites bough by the media industry have so far resulted in $1.5 billion in losses. The latest victim was AOL who last week sold the website Bebo for a fraction of what the country paid for it. AOL invested $850 million into Bebo, but after the site failed to gain any traction in the United States, AOL sold the site for a rumored price of less than $10 million, according to the UK Guardian. AOL isn’t alone when it comes to losses on social media sites. News Corporation, which owns Fox Broadcasting, spent close

Coupons.com allows you to print coupons to take the store.

to $580 million on MySpace when it acquired the social networking site. In 2009, News Corp., took a $450 million loss against MySpace. Still, there is one site that remains the crown jewel of social networking, Facebook. The site, which was started in 2004 is privately owned but reportedly has seen revenue double in the last year to $800 million. In addition, the site is nearing 500 million users and is pulling in big-name advertisers without having the power of a major media corporation behind it. According to the UK Guardian, the two most successful businesses on the Internet, Google and Facebook, have stayed independent and studies suggest media mergers with social networking sites. Source: UK Guardian (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

offers require information.

lot

personal

“They wanted to know phone numbers, they wanted to know addresses and birthdates. One even asked for income range,” said Laura. But overall, she said, “It’s worth checking out.” One more downside; Laura says she’s received a lot of junk e-mails so you might want to set up a special e-mail account just for your freebie site searches. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

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Internet Kill Switch Approved by Senate Committee comply would be fined. The idea behind it is not new. A draft Senate proposal that CNET obtained in August allowed the White House to “declare a cybersecurity emergency,” and another from Sens. Jay Rockefeller (DW.V.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) would have explicitly given the government the power to “order the disconnection” of certain networks or Web sites. By Andrea Ludtke

WASHINGTON (CBS4) Ñ The White House is one step closer to having the authority to flip the Internet “kill switch” in case of emergency. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs approved a cybersecurity bill called PCNAA, or Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act on Friday. The bill would give the president the power to call it lights out for the Internet if there is “a cyber attack capable of causing massive damage or loss of life.” The legislation would force companies such as broadband providers, search engines, or software firms that the government selects to “immediately comply with any emergency measure or action developed” by the Department of Homeland Security. Anyone failing to

That emergency authority would allow the federal government to “preserve those networks and assets and our country and protect our people,” Joe Lieberman, the primary sponsor of the measure and the chairman of the Homeland Security committee, told reporters on Thursday. Lieberman is an independent senator from Connecticut who caucuses with the Democrats.

appears to have grown out of the Bushera flap over warrantless wiretapping. That limitation says that the NCCC cannot order broadband providers or other companies to “conduct surveillance” of Americans unless it’s otherwise legally authorized. The NCCC also would be granted the power to monitor the “security status” of private sector Web sites, broadband providers, and other Internet components. Lieberman’s legislation requires the NCCC to provide “situational awareness of the security status” of the portions of the Internet that are inside the United States -- and also those portions in other countries that, if disrupted, could cause significant harm.

Any company on a list created by Homeland Security that also “relies on” the Internet, the telephone system, or any other component of the U.S. “information infrastructure” would be subject to command by a new National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications (NCCC) that would be created inside Homeland Security.

Selected private companies would be required to participate in “information sharing” with the Feds. They must “certify in writing to the director” of the NCCC whether they have “developed and implemented” federally approved security measures, which could be anything from encryption to physical security mechanisms, or programming techniques that have been “approved by the director.” The NCCC director can “issue an order” in cases of noncompliance.

The only obvious limitation on the NCCC’s emergency power is one paragraph in the Lieberman bill that

To sweeten the deal for industry groups, Lieberman has included a tantalizing offer absent from earlier drafts: immunity

from civil lawsuits. If a software company’s programming error costs customers billions, or a broadband provider intentionally cuts off its customers in response to a federal command, neither would be liable. If there’s an “incident related to a cyber vulnerability” after the president has declared an emergency and the affected company has followed federal standards, plaintiffs’ lawyers cannot collect damages for economic harm. And if the harm is caused by an emergency order from the Feds, not only does the possibility of damages virtually disappear, but the U.S. Treasury will even pick up the private company’s tab. Initially, the bill would have given the president unlimited authority on how long he could control the Internet, but an amendment passed Friday says he would have to get the approval of Congress to shut down the Internet for more than 120 days. Tim Kephart contributed to this report. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

Tuition Increase Approved For Florida Universities

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) Ñ It’s going to cost college undergrads a bit more money to be a ‘Nole or Gator. The Board of Governors approved

requests from Florida’s 11 state universities for an additional 7 percent tuition increase for the coming academic year.

Residential tuition at Florida’s state universities averaged $4,382 for the 20092010 academic year, compared to the national average of $7,020.

The Friday action by board’s Budget and Finance Committee brings the total increase for the next academic year to 15 percent, the maximum allowed under state law. The legislature has already approved an 8 percent tuition increase.

The legislature determines base tuition rates and state universities can request additional tuition fees, which are approved by the Board of Governors, the constitutional body that oversees Florida’s state universities.

While the increases may seem hefty tuition in Florida is still a bargain when compared nationally, the state ranks 48th for in-state tuition costs.

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Consumer Group Wants Happy Meals Sold Without Toys A babysitter CBS 2 talked to said she sees no reason to get rid of the toys. “I think it’s fun to get a toy, but it’s their parents responsibility to monitor.” But Michael Jacobson, Executive Director for The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says packaging food with your favorite “Shrek” toy is predatory marketing, and it puts parents in a tough position.

WASHINGTON (CBS) Ñ MCDonald’s spends big bucks trying to appeal to kids. And a non-profit health group says that’s a big problem. The group is giving McDonalds 30 days to stop putting toys in Happy Mealls or it will sue, CBS station WBBM-TV reports. The Washington-based consumer advocacy group known for telling us about the hidden calories in restaurant food, say McDonald’s is like the stranger on the playground handing out candy. They say it’s predatory marketing, and it’s illegal. One little girl told us she likes chicken nuggets, but only when they come with toys, in Happy Meals.

“We contend that tempting kids with toys is unfair and deceptive both to kids who don’t understand the concept of advertising and to their parents who have to put up with their nagging children,” said Jacobson. All too often, parents give in. And along with that toy, comes a meal high in calories, fat and sugar. “I like the cheeseburger” one boy told us. Put that in a happy meal with fries, and a Sprite, and you’ll get 3/4 of the sodium and twice the sugar recommended for an entire day. The CSPI says the trend is one reason childhood obesity rates have tripled in the last 30 years. “It’s indisputable that cheap high calorie

foods, epitomized by fast food, have been a major contributor to this obesity epidemic,” Jacobson said. One woman thinks she’s found the solution. “They’ll sell the toy without the meal. He gets the toy, I don’t have to worry about the food he’s eating,” she said. The CSPI says dangling toys with meals violates state consumer protection laws. The CSPI is offering to postpone filing the suit if McDonald’s stops using toys to market Happy Meals. McDonald’s responded with the following statement:”We couldn’t disagree more with the misrepresentation of our food and marketing...Happy Meals are right-sized for kids.” They point out you can get apple dippers and low-fat white milk to save on calories. The CSPI, which has filed dozens of lawsuits against food companies in recent years, is hoping the publicity and the threat of a lawsuit will force McDonald’s to negotiate with them on the issue. The group is hoping its first lawsuit against

the mega-chain will have a similar effect as its 2006 lawsuit against Kellogg that prompted the company to agree to a settlement raising the nutritional value of cereals and snacks it markets to children. The fast food company made a pledge in 2007 to advertise only two types of Happy Meals to children younger than 12: one with four Chicken McNuggets, apple dippers with caramel dip and low-fat white milk, or one with a hamburger, apple dippers and milk. They both meet the company-set requirement of less than 600 calories, and no more than 35 percent of calories from fat, 10 percent of calories from saturated fat or 35 percent total sugar by weight. CSPI argues that even if those Happy Meals appear in advertisements, kids order the unhealthier meals most of the time. (© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) NEWS POWERED BY

New Website Offers 3,500 Oil Spill-Related Jobs www.floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com, is a part of Florida’s official online job bank, the Employ Florida Marketplace.

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) Ñ The state of Florida is looking for more than 3,500 people to apply for positions in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On Thursday, Governor Charlie Crist unveiled Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs – a web site offering jobs up to online seekers. Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs, found at

“Under Governor Crist’s leadership, we are pursuing all options for maximizing assistance to the people and businesses of Florida who have been affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo. “Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs is a great resource for employers and job seekers with the skills and desire to help minimize the spill’s impact and ensure a complete recovery.” Positions concerning to the oil spill are related to response and recovery efforts. Some response and recovery jobs will require special training, for which job seekers may receive a stipend. More than 2,400 workers have already been trained and are eligible to begin filling these

positions, including 302 who are already participating in Florida’s recovery efforts. Information about required training is available online. “Immediate access to recovery-related job openings provides Floridians the opportunity to help our state while supporting their families and communities,” said Governor Crist. “Our beautiful Sunshine State remains open for business, and Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs is the latest example of our coordinated efforts to ensure preparedness and strengthen our economy.” Job seekers can also visit one of several local One-Stop Career Centers for information about open positions. Floridians can also call 1-877-362-5034 to learn more about available jobs related to response and recovery efforts.

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‘Too Sexy’ Ex-Employee Expands Fight Vs. Citibank WCBS-TV in New York City. Lorenzana said she was taking action for herself and to make sure other women do not suffer from discrimination. There was no immediate response from a representative of the bank.

Debrahlee Lorenzana Claims She Was Fired Because Male Co-Workers Found Her Physical Appearance Too Distracting NEW YORK (CBS) Ñ A woman who said she was fired from her banking job after complaining that male colleagues called her curvaceous figure distracting was asking New York human rights officials to investigate. Debrahlee Lorenzana, 33, filed a complaint against Citibank on Monday with the state Division of Human Rights. The Queens woman said she was a victim of sex discrimination and then retaliation for speaking up. The 33-year-old Lorenzana also has sued the banking giant, reports CBS station

“I couldn’t wait to start working at Citibank,” Lorenzana said. She said she felt that way back in September of 2008 in Citibank’s Chrysler Building branch. But Lorenzana said it quickly turned in to a nightmare. She said she was told by her bosses to tone down her wardrobe. “We don’t want you to wear turtlenecks; we don’t want you to wear pencil skirts; we don’t want you to wear fitted suits or even heels,” she said. Lorenzana argued that other women in the same branch wore even shorter skirts and showed ample cleavage. She said her superiors at Citibank said her case was different because she had a better body than most women. “What they said to me is (other women’s) body types and my body type were different and because of my body type I drew too much attention,” she said.

Lorenzana said she went to human resources, but that infuriated her bosses. She said they kept harping on her appearance. After finally getting the transfer she had asked for, she was fired in August of 2009. Poor job performance was the explanation. A Citibank representative told CBS 2 HD there is a businessappropriate dress code for the company but would not provide details or the written policy. CBS 2 HD also learned managers have discretion when it comes to enforcing it. All Citibank would say about Lorenzana was: “We believe this lawsuit is without merit. (We) cannot comment more specifically on this litigation, this former employee’s overall performance, or the reasons for her termination.” (© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) NEWS POWERED BY

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Smart Apps For Smart Drivers

YONKERS, NY (CBS4) Ñ iPhones, Droids and Blackberrys. They’re all the rage these days, not just for texting and talking but for all the really cool applications, or apps, that can be loaded onto them. In their August issue, Consumer Reports took a look at some of the most useful smart-phone apps for drivers – some of which are free. Among them: Car Finder Price: 99 Cents Phone: iPhone Car Finder uses your phone’s compass and GPS capability to mark the position of your car when your park and then guide you back to it later. It works in parking lots or city streets, but because it relies on the phone’s GPS signal, it won’t work in an indoor garage.

aCar Price: Free Phone: Android Once you set it up by entering maintenance-schedule information from the car owner’s manual, aCar reminds you when your car is due in the shop. It even reminds you when it’s time for your car’s annual inspection, and tracks fuel mileage and costs.

RepairPal Price: Free Phones: iPhone, coming soon for Android RepairPal helps you find a repair shop and get estimates. If you break down, it will locate a tow truck. After you enter your car’s make, model, and other details, it will give a range of estimates in seconds. It also helps keep records and gives service reminders.

DriveSafe.ly Price: Free or $13.95 Phones: BlackBerry and Android; coming for iPhone, Palm webOS With the premium version DriveSafe.ly reads e-mail and text messages aloud while you drive and can send a response message saying you’re unavailable. The free version has a limit of25 words per message. The premium version can handle messages of 500 words.

Magellan RoadMate, Navigon Mobile Navigator, TomTom Price: $70-$80 Phones: Magellan and TomTom: iPhone Navigon: iPhone and Windows Mobile Of the navigation apps the consumer group tested, these stand out. All are easy to use and have features found on better portable GPS navigators. And all let you route to an address from your phone’s contact list. But they’re relatively expensive and require a separate mount, and most new smart phones already come with free navigation capability

iWrecked Price: Free Phone: iPhone This simple program takes you through a list of what to do after a car crash, including taking photos of the scene and getting contact and insurance information from other drivers. It will also dial 911 and locate the nearest police station, taxi, or tow-truck service to assist you.

July 2, 2010

HURRICANE SECTION 2010 Everything You Need To Know To Be Prepared This Hurricane Season.

• Tracking Map • Emergency Phone Numbers • Safety Information • Important Articles

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July 2, 2010

Stocking Up Hurricane Supplies On A Budget Reporting Gwen Belton M I A M I (CBS4) Ñ Hurricane s e a s o n officially arrived on June 1 and that means it’s time to have your hurricane supplies ready. But in the current economy, having the money to get the supplies may be difficult. Still, there are ways to keep you and your bank account fully supplied. “We bring in a vendor that will give our employees a discount for hurricane or emergency supplies. I think 10-15% that’s across the board generators and everything,” said Vickie de Oro. She works for South Miami Hospital, which is trying to help employees stock up on hurricane supplies.

But the reality for many of us when it comes to getting ready for hurricane season is that we wait until the last minute, being forced to wait in long lines and dealing with empty shelves and higher costs associated with last minute shopping. “My theory is the longer the line the shorter the common logic, common sense is going down, the line goes up you’re going to spend more,” said Sharon Harvey Rosenberg, the author of “The Frugal Duchess,” and a new book, “10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget.” Rosenberg said said it’s doesn’t have to be that way if you plan ahead and know where to look for deals. “The idea is little by little use the sales, use the discounts, use the promotions, stock your counter, stock your cabinets and save money. I’ve been so surprised

at what I’ve found in dollar stores, you can get canned goods for super cheap,” said Harvey Rosenberg.

When it comes to water, Rosenberg said save and fill old jugs and containers with tap water instead of buying it. Designate an area just for supplies and don’t dip into them and check to make sure they’re not expired. She suggested you might want to consider MRE’s, ready to eat meals, they’re not just for military anymore. MRE’s will run you an average of about $6. They sustain one person for entire day and they have a shelf life of 3-5 years. It’s much more economical and it’s nutritionally balanced. However you get your supplies, whether early or last minute, experts said just make sure you get them and enough to sustain you and family if a storm hits.

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Stay Healthy Before, During & After A Hurricane 2888 or TTY 954-537-2882 Broward County Special Needs Shelters Information Miami-Dade County Special Needs Shelters Information Or call 305-468-5400 CDC HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST: Before the storm: FIRST AID KIT: A basic first aid kit for hurricanes should include the following: 1. Sterile gauze 2. Bandages of various sizes 3. Antiseptic Spray 4. Burn Spray 5. Mosquito Repellant 6. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) 25mg Tablets for allergic reactions 7. Antibiotic Ointment: For cuts and scrapes 8. Over the counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Tylenol 9. Bandage Tape 10. Alcohol swabs/Alcohol wipes 11. Lip Baum 12. SPK Sunscreen 13. Scissors, tweezers 14. Thermometer 15. Ice pack 16. Clean or purified water Please remember many injuries occur while preparing for a storm, or cleaning up the aftermath of a storm. Use power tools, generators and other devices with caution. Always use thick work gloves to put up hurricane shutters and take them down. SPECIAL NEEDS: If you are elderly, frail, disabled or have a special medical need and are concerned about your sheltering plan, or if you want the latest information on shelter modifications for individuals with disabilities or special needs, contact Broward County Elderly and Veterans Services Division at 954-537-2888 or TTY 954-537-2882. Broward County Transit’s Paratransit Services coordinates transportation for residents with disabilities. Call 954-537-

* If evacuating, pack an emergency supply kit with food, bottled water, prescription medicines, and important documents. * If you plan to drive, fill your gas tank as soon as possible. * Turn off gas, electricity, and water, and disconnect appliances before leaving. * Take steps to ensure your pets’ safety during the storm. * Follow designated evacuation routes for your area, and expect heavy traffic. If you stay home during the storm: * Pack an emergency supply kit with necessities such as food, bottled water, and prescription medicines to last from three to five days. * Determine the best escape routes from your home, and make sure that everyone in your house is able to follow the escape plan. * Look for escape routes from upper levels of the house, in case of flooding. * Do not go outside, even if the weather seems calm. Wait for local authorities to tell you it is safe to go outside. * If your home is flooded or damaged, move to a neighbor’s or a local shelter. After the storm: * Do not drive through flooded roads, as cars can be swept away or lose power. * Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with one. * Turn off electrical power when there are hazards around your home such as standing water, fallen power lines, or gas leaks. * Listen to announcements in local media (radio, television or newspaper) to find out if it’s safe to use tap water, and

follow instructions regarding water. * If you are not sure if water is safe to use, boil water before you use it for anything, including brushing teeth, cooking, drinking, or bathing. * Throw away any food that may have been touched by floodwater. * Use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights, instead of candles, to prevent fires. * Stoves, generators, lanterns, and gas ranges release dangerous carbon monoxide gas and should always be used outdoors, far away from windows, doors and vents. For more information call 1-800-CDCINFO. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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July 2, 2010

Broward Considers Tax Increase, Service Cuts eliminating some bus service altogether and closing a jail tower in Pompano Beach. The severity of Henry’s plans hinge on whether the Sheriff’s Office, Property Appraisers Office and Department of Elections make further cuts in the operating budgets, something all three agencies have said cannot be done, according to The Sun-Sentinel. FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) Ñ Some Broward residents could see their property taxes increase as much as 10 percent this fall as the county tries make up for a projected $100 million budget shortfall. During a budget discussion meeting Tuesday night, County Administrator Bertha Henry presented her plans to make up for the shortfall which also including cutting back hours of operation at the downtown Main Library, increasing bus fares from $1.50 to $1.75,

If that stands, then Henry suggests that tax rates for general operations should increase to $5.40 per $1,000 in property value; an increase of 51-cents. If the three make cuts similar to other county agencies, the proposed tax increase would only be $5.23 per $1,000 in property value. Those hit hardest by the increases would be longtime residents who could see their tax bills increase from an average of $593 last year to as much as $667. Those who bought homes in the last

couple of years, at the height of the housing bubble, snowbirds who don’t have homesteads on their properties and businesses could actually see their tax bills drop because of the decrease in property values.

when they return from summer recess. Public hearings on the budget will be held in September before the final tax rate is set.

Even with the increases, it won’t be enough.

Henry’s plans also call for pulling money out of the county’s cash reserves which is set aside for times of emergency, like hurricane recovery. Agencies that fall under the county administrator, including libraries, parks and mass transit, would implement a number of cost saving measures including no raises for employees and having them take five days off with out pay. Also, 137 jobs would be cut. In the next three weeks, Henry said she would send commissioners several budget options which they can take up

Source: The Sun-Sentinel

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The Adtimes Newspaper - REAL ESTATE

Disney To Build Luxury Homes At Orlando Resort The company aims to ultimately build 450 homes there, each between a quarter acre and three-quarters of an acre in size. The development will include an onsite Four Seasons hotel that offers spa services and golf course access to residents. The community will also have a clubhouse, a concierge and access to Disney’s facilities. About half the acreage will be a “conservation area.” The Walt Disney Co. is known for its thrilling rides and popular theme parks around the world. Now, Disney is launching an ambitious effort to woo some of the nation’s most affluent travelers by building multimillion dollar homes in a new gated community it’s creating at its famous Florida resort. About 30 properties, listing for $1.5 million to $8 million, will be available for purchase this year in the 980-acre Golden Oak resort community at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Disney’s effort comes at a difficult time. Even though the nation’s economy is regaining lost ground, Florida’s real estate market continues to flounder. In May, the state had the nation’s thirdhighest foreclosure rate, according to data from RealtyTrac. Meanwhile, figures from the National Association of Realtors show Orlando’s property values keep falling. The median sale price of a single-family home fell 15 percent in the first quarter property values sank 15 percent in the first quarter

of the year. Between 2007 and 2009, the average home price for the central Florida city sank more than 43 percent to $147,400. Additionally, the Commerce Department on Wednesday said sales of new homes fell 33 percent in May to the lowest level on record. Disney said it hopes to have the first homes constructed by next year. (© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) NEWS POWERED BY

July 2, 2010

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The Adtimes Newspaper - HEALTH

July 2, 2010

Study: Millions Of Cancer Survivors Put Off Care Cancer Survivor

Wilmer Wise had surgery for colon cancer two months ago. Doctors are recommending chemotherapy but Wise can’t afford his co-payment which is $500 a session. “You could go to the poor house with the amount of money this thing is going to charge and I frankly don’t have it,” said Wise. So he’s delaying treatment that could save his life and he’s not alone.

ATLANTA (CBS4) ÑA new study shows millions of cancer survivors aren’t getting the medical care they need because they can’t afford to pay for their medical care or prescriptions. All together, more than 2 million of 12 million U.S. adult cancer survivors did not get one or more needed medical services, the researchers estimate. The study is being called the first to estimate how often current and former patients have skipped getting care because of money worries.

Survey participants were asked if they had needed medical care in the previous year but didn’t get it because they couldn’t afford it. Cancer survivors younger than 65 were between 1.5 and 2 times more likely to have said yes to that question than those who hadn’t had cancer. The study was led by Kathryn Weaver, a researcher at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem,

N.C. It was released online Monday by the American Cancer Society’s medical journal, Cancer. In addition to showing that more than two million cancer patients in the U.S. are forced to put off medical treatment every year because they can’t afford it, the study found about 10-percent aren’t able to pay for prescriptions, 11-percent had to postpone dental care and 3-percent can’t get the psychiatric therapy they need. Putting off care can lead to serious health problems down the road, especially for people battling cancer. “Cancer survivors really do need to be monitored and followed closely and anything that prevents them from getting the care that they need is concerning to us,” said Kathryn Weaver. Other studies have concluded that the uninsured account for about 4-percent of

Study: Simple Lifestyle Changes Reduce Stroke Risk elderly, more and more 30 and 40 year olds are having strokes. The number one risk factor is uncontrolled high blood pressure. The researchers found it raises the risk of stroke by 250 percent. “Check your blood pressure regularly,” advised Hnida. “If it is high, get on medication and your risk drops.”

brain.” Other risk factors include a high LDL cholesterol level, diabetes, more than one alcoholic drink a day, stress and depression. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

Number two on the list is smoking. It raises the risk of stroke by 200 percent. DENVER (CBS) Ñ Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States but a new study shows a handful of risk factors lead to 90 percent of strokes, CBS station KCNC-TV reports.

At number three is a bad hip to waist ratio. That means your waist should not more than 80 percent as wide as your hips. “Apple shape is bad,” Hnida explained, “pear shape is good.”

“That means some simple lifestyle changes reduce your risk of stroke, “ said Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida.

Diet comes in at number four. In this case it means making sure to eat five to six servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

A stroke is interruption of the blood flow to the brain and close to 150,00 Americans died of a stroke every year.

“And number five is what I call ‘couch potato illness’,” Hnida said. “Make sure you get up and moving at least 20 minutes, that includes walking or any physical activity you like. That will protect your

While many think of it as a disease of the

newly diagnosed cancer cases, and about 4-percent of cancer deaths. Wilmer Wise needs six months of chemotherapy. “I would hope that somehow, someway I get the wherewithal to start the treatment because I want to live and it is life or death,” said Wise. For Wilmer and so many others, even with insurance, the price tag for treatment is still too high. The new study suggests that far more than the uninsured are struggling with medical bills. Those with insurance may still have trouble paying for co-pays, deductibles and care not covered by their plan, experts said. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

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July 2, 2010

The Adtimes Newspaper - HEALTH

Keeping Pets Healthy During Dog Days Of Summer Reporting Cynthia Demos MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ Summertime can be a fun time to spend with your family and pets outdoors but pet owners need to take some precautions to keep their animal companions cool and safe during the dog days of summer. Larraine Laege loves to spend time outdoors with her Australian Shepherd “Boomer” but she recently learned that Boomer had an allergic reaction to a flea bite. “He had basically scratched himself raw,” said Laege. “We’re assuming it was a flea but we never saw one and never found one.” “It’s actually very uncommon in flea allergic pets for the owners to see the flea,”

said veterinarian dermatologist Alison Flynn-Lurie with Miami Veterinary Specialists.

Lighter pigmented and white animals are most susceptible to sunburn and need to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.

While fleas are a problem in South Florida all year long, there does seem to be an increase in the summertime.

“Anything that is safe for a kid is going to be safe for an animal. The idea is if the children can eat it, so can the dog or the cat that will lick it off.”

“Normal dogs will itch in total maybe a minute of each day, a flea allergic dog will spend about 25 to 30 percent of the day itching or scratching or biting,” according to Dr. Flynn-Lurie. Dr. Flynn-Lurie admits there are not a lot of products on the market to prevent flea bites but there are topical oils and pills like Comfortis and Capstar that kill the flea after its bitten. Beyond fleas, another summer hazard for your pet is sunburn. “For dogs the trigger spots would be right on the top of the nose and in the ear tips if they have white ears around the eyes just on top and then on the belly if they are a sunbather,” said Dr. Flynn-Lurie.

Time in the sun can also lead to dehydration and heat stroke which can be deadly. “People don’t realize I think how overheated their pets get especially when they take them exercising in the middle of the day,” said Dr. Flynn-Lurie. Signs of heat stroke include weakness, lethargy, panting, vomiting and white or blue gums. “During the heat of the summer, the best time to walk your pet is before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. and the most important thing is fresh water, shade and air flow.” While it’s not a summer safety issue,

second hand smoke can be a real health hazard to your pet. Dogs and cats with allergies and cats with asthma are the most at risk. The doctor says smoke outside or better yet give it up altogether. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

The Adtimes Newspaper - HEALTH

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July 2, 2010

Teens Choose Bariatric Surgery To Lose Weight Reporting Cynthia Demos HIALEAH (CBS4) Ñ The battle of the bulge in America used to be a fight only adults had to worry about. However, kids are now fighting serious weight issues and some are now turning to bariatric surgery. The question is, should children be allowed to get procedures like lap bands and gastric bypass. Two recent studies cautioned against the practice of bariatric surgery for children, but some doctors still believe it’s a viable solution for certain patients. “I’ve lost 92 pounds,” said Bertehenine Gonzalez. She had the surgery at the age of 16-years-old. “I did try dieting, but I wouldn’t lose a lot of weight and I wouldn’t follow the diet really. I couldn’t

stick to it.” Like most fat people who undergo bariatric surgery, Gonzalez’s weight was affecting her overall health. “I started to faint because I couldn’t really breathe right. I had high blood pressure and I would run and I would feel very out of breath,” Gonzalez added. Bertehenine’s story was similar to Earvin Verona. Earvin couldn’t exercise nine months ago. “I would eat a lot of Burger King. I wouldn’t go outside. I watched a lot of television and played video games,” explained Verona. The 17-year-old Verona had gastric bypass surgery at age 16 and has lost almost 120 pounds. He now goes to the gym and is playing football. He said he was depressed and ridiculed often at school for being fat. “Fat kids, obese kids get picked on and ostracized. It becomes a negative cycle. They eat more because that’s the only

satisfaction they get. They do less. They go out less,” ‘said bariatric surgeon Dr. Jorge Sosa. Sosa has performed weight loss surgery on patients as young as 15-years-old. He said it should always be the last resort for adolescents but he does see a need for this in certain patients. “You’re essentially taking a child they’re dropping out of school through shame, inability to attend school because of their weight,” Sosa stated. “And they’re going to do what sit at home all day long, no schooling, they’re becoming ill, diabetic, pre-diabetic etc. Those are the children that it’s worth giving them the risk of the surgery.” Just weeks ago the British journal The Lancet published an article that cautioned against weight loss surgery in kids stating the risks were “substantial” and long term effects “remain largely unknown.” Gastric bypass surgery is also associated with vitamin and protein deficiencies.

While Sosa admits the risks are uncertain he does believe weight loss surgery will be used on even younger patients in the future. “No one has clear cut answers what is going to happen to their ultimate growth development, sexual maturation and psychological maturation. We’re going to have to shift the paradigm either nationally to cut down the obesity epidemic or we’re going to have to use these more aggressive therapies in younger and younger patients,” added Sosa. One alternative the Food and Drug Administration is considering approving in the near future is gastric banding in adolescents. Sosa said it’s easier to reverse and has fewer physiological long term effects. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

Teenagers Smoke K2 Incense To Get High Reporting David Sutta SOUTH MIAMI (CBS4) ÑIt’s called K2 or Spice, and it’s the latest drug craze hitting young adults across South Florida. K2 is sold as incense, but you will be hard pressed to find users not smoking it. It certainly is the most expensive incense in town.

“One hundred percent, and what scares me the most is that it’s here right now,” said Moreno. The incense is really a synthetic version of marijuana, except stronger and it doesn’t show up on drug tests. We caught up with Alfie Hernandez at a Coconut Grove park. She told us she’s never tried K2, but herd plenty about it. “A lot of kids are thinking it’s legal. It must be safer. It must be safer than regular marijuana, but it seems to be the opposite.”

“Look at the prices of this stuff, 30 grams $289” said Ana Moreno, a therapist at South Miami Hospital’s Addiction Treatment Center.

Moreno listed off the symptoms: “Accelerated heart rate, accelerated blood pressure, seizures, comas” in addition to getting high.

Moreno says K2 use has been on the rise in the last two months. CBS4 News asked her how confident she is that this stuff is being used here.

K2 is sold in head shops all over town. It is on display inside Yuckies in Coconut Grove, but we were not allowed videotape it.

Rosario Hildago, a mother of three had never heard of K2. She pointed out the days of telling our kids to avoid the drug dealer is no longer enough.

Europe and, now that trend is picking up in the United States. It’s also cost prohibitive. K2 is now selling for as much, if not more than marijuana.

“You need to talk to them about everything. What’s happening. You don’t hide them. You have to tell them this is the world. It’s not a beautiful as you think.” said Hildago.

K2 has already been banned in Kansas, Kentucky and Georgia. Missouri and Tennessee are considering bans now. Moreno would like to see Florida join in on the effort, but until then she is telling parents to “Be aware. Be aware of what this is. It looks like marijuana. Has the same kind of texture as marijuana and yes your kids might say it’s incense. And that might be, yes it’s incense, know that it’s just as dangerous as marijuana.” K2’s popularity may end up being it’s demise. It’s already banned in much of

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The Adtimes Newspaper - HEALTH

July 2, 2010

Report: Airline Food Could Be Serious Health Risk prepared in unsanitary and unsafe conditions. USA Today examined government documents and found that FDA inspectors have repeatedly cited catering facilities that prepare airline food for health and sanitation violation in the last two years. The inspections were at LSG Sky Chefs, Gate Gourmet, and Flying Food Group.

WASHINGTON (CBS4) Ñ Since the golden age of air travel ended in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s; travelers have routinely complained about how awful airline food. As it turns out, a new FDA report has found that the airline food is worse than bad; in some cases it’s

Among the items found by the FDA inside the Denver facility of Sky Chefs included: ants, flies, debris, employees handling food with bare hands, listeria on the floor, and live and dead roaches too numerous to count, according to USA Today.

Sky Chefs isn’t alone. The FDA found that Gate Gourmet failed to keep shrimp, filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, chicken and vegetables, and pastrami and cheese sandwiches were not kept at the proper temperature. All three airline caterers told USA Today, “they work hard to ensure food is safe.” Airlines said they also monitor the food that is served to their customers. The three caterers all reported they take the findings seriously and work to maintain safety for the food they prepare. The FDA said the number of warnings to airline caterers has declined in the past few years since airlines started charging for food. Airlines told USA Today they require caterers to provide FDA

Mouse Lungs Grown From Stem Cells “Transplantation is difficult and there’s a shortage of donor organs,” said Associate Professor Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari.

MINNEAPOLIS (CBS) Ñ Scientists at the University of Minnesota are celebrating an exciting medical breakthrough. Researchers have been able to create tiny mouse lungs in the lab that are able to breathe. The lungs were created with stem cells and attached to a ventilator.

The tiny white sacs in the Masonic Cancer Center lab hold great promise for the future of lung transplantation. Panoskaltsis-Mortari and Andrew Price ran the groundbreaking experiment. They used a technique called decellularization, similar to the method used to create a beating mouse heart in a different lab at the University of Minnesota in 2008. In the cancer center, they took a mouse lung and stripped away all its cells. Then, injected the natural framework with stem cells. At first they used fetal mouse lung cells, but this year they had another breakthrough using adult stem cells called “induced pluriopotent stem cells.”

“That’s causing it to breathe and simulating normal mouse respiration,” explained Andrew Price, Assistant Scientist on the project.

“That’s basically a cell that we can take from anybody and re-program to act like an embryonic stem cell,” added Price.

Every year about 400,000 people in the U.S. die of lung diseases. Transplants may be the only hope for some of those patients, but it is risky.

The hope is one day human lungs could be re-created for transplant with a greater chance of success. Right now, there is no tissue matching for lung transplants. Paniskaltsis-Mortari explains this advancement is an important first step.

“The beauty of that is that you can then create a tissue for an organ that’s transplantable that is derived from the patient and therefore would not be recognized as foreign by the immune system and not rejected,” she said. By adding the ventilator to make the lungs breathe, the stem cells are further trained to act like lung cells. It’s a huge success considering lungs are such complicated organs with some 60 different kinds of cells. “It’s truly experimentation. It’s a real joy to work with because anything we discover is new knowledge,” said Paniskaltsis-Mortari. The University of Minnesota researchers presented their new findings with the adult stem cells earlier this year. Their work has been published online in the journal “Tissue Engineering” and will be released in hard copy in August. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

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The Adtimes Newspaper - ENTERTAINMENT / DINING

July 2, 2010

Anna Nicole Smith Judge Urges New Police Probe Seidlin writes, referring to Stern. “How about keeping her off drugs while she was alive? He was with her every day; how about saying no, and if she kicks your ass out, then goodbye and good luck.” Then, the judge says, “We won’t have all this celebrity blood on our hands.”

MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ A key player in the wake of Anna Nicole Smith’s death, which took place in South Florida in 2007, says police should reinvestigate her death. Larry Seidlin, the former Broward County Circuit Court judge who decided where Anna Nicole Smith’s body would be buried says in a new book that he believes someone is guilty of manslaughter in the starlet’s death. But in his book, “The Killing of Anna Nicole Smith,” Seidlin offers no evidence Smith’s death was anything more than the accidental drug overdose it was ruled to be. He is, however, harshly critical of Smith’s lawyer-turned-companion Howard K. Stern, and of the police investigations into the deaths of both the Playboy Playmate and her son. “I think enablers should be punished,”

Seidlin presided over the six-day televised hearing into the fate of Smith’s body, shortly after her February 2007 death. His jurisdiction was limited to control of Smith’s body; Florida never charged anyone in connection with her death. A California court is determining whether she was illegally given drugs. Seidlin’s hearing became a national obsession, with a cast of characters suited for reality TV. Bronx-born Seidlin, a former New York cab driver, was full of smart-alecky one-liners and nicknames for the massive roster of attorneys and witnesses. For example, he called Dr. Joshua Perper, the medical examiner, “Dr. Pepper.” “I’m not going to talk about this case ever again,” he promised at its close. But, of course, he did and he remained in the news. He even tried to parlay his fame into a TV show. Now he has his book, from Canada-based Transit Publishing, which specializes in celebrity biographies. The book comes out Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Stern and two of Smith’s doctors are scheduled to go on trial Aug. 4 on charges that they illegally funneled sedatives and opiates to the model. They have pleaded not guilty and are not charged with causing Smith’s death. Seidlin says Stern “exercised a great amount of control over Anna Nicole by maintaining and reviewing her drug desires and addiction.” He calls for reopening investigations into the death of her 20-year-old son, Daniel Smith, in September 2006 and of the model five months later, noting Stern was present at both. He says police bungled the original investigations. Stern’s attorney, Steve Sadow, had no immediate comment on the book. Much of Seidlin’s book is a rehash of the Smith hearings he oversaw, simply reprinting court transcripts with commentary mixed in. He frequently tries to burnish his own image as a judge, but also appears to question the one decision he made in the case. “I want her buried with her son in the Bahamas,” he said through tears at the time. “I want them to be together.” Throughout the book, though, Seidlin is sympathetic to Smith’s mother, Virgie Arthur, who fought for her estranged daughter’s burial in her native Texas. He calls for her reburial there or possibly in

California, saying “Her soul and Danny’s soul need to be placed on sacred ground in the Lone Star state with people who grew up with her and loved her in her simpler days.” He admits in the book that he “got a little hoaky... a little corny” during the trial. He defends against criticism that his showboating drastically elongated proceedings, saying anyone who thinks they could have been done in a day or two “is a complete idiot.” He also says he’s not ashamed of sobbing on the bench, nor has he shed his last tear over the case. As for when he first learned he would be handling the case, Seidlin said he received a call from his judicial assistant alerting him they needed to schedule an emergency hearing. “Who is Anna Nicole Smith?” he said he asked his wife, who was incredulous he didn’t know. “If she played second base for the Yankees,” he retorted, “I’d know her.” (© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) NEWS POWERED BY

Good 4 You: Oil Spill Cookies Reporting Jorge Estevez C O R A L SPRINGS (CBS4) Ñ A local couple is doing what they can to help with the disaster in the gulf, and it involves a little of sugar and spice. Behind a batch of batter at a Coral Springs Bakery, there is a bigger story of giving back. “We have the possibility. We have the

space. We have the knowledge,” said Kerstin Van Haarel, partner in the Espressonist Bakery in Coral Springs.

realized the vulnerability of our environment in the face of such a disaster.

The cookie is $3.50 cents. Almost $3 from each cookie is going to two environmental groups out of the keys.

Along with her partner Stig Pfao, Kerstin created a recipe for delicious chocolate cookies out of their European inspired bakery called Espressonist. She calls her confection, Oil Spill Cookies, in light of the devastation happening in the Gulf of Mexico.

“It was just an idea to do something and to help these people,” said Pfao to CBS4’s Jorge Estevez.

“It is terrible,” said Van Haarel.

“We cannot help, and we cannot spend a lot of money, but we can produce something and sell it and collect some money,” said Pfao.

The idea came from Stig Pfao’s walks along a canal by his house, where he

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The plan is to donate proceeds to help in the recovery of the oil spill when and if it comes to South Florida.

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The Adtimes Newspaper - ENTERTAINMENT / DINING

July 2, 2010

Steppin’ Out With Donald & Lisa Pliner Reporting Lisa Petrillo MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ If your feet could talk they would tell you to walk, or more likely run, into your nearest Donald Pliner store. The shoes are not only elegant, high fashion and innovative, they are known for exceptional comfort and fit. Pliner is not just a designer, he’s a technician committed to comfort. “The key to ‘Donald Pliner’ is the fact that’s it’s taking fashion and the technology of comfort and that’s the biggest thing,” shoe designer Donald Pliner told CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo. He’s instilled that in his wife of 13-years, Lisa Pliner, who recently launched her own sexier “edgier” line now in her husband’s stores.

“Where Lisa takes her fashion, I showed her the technology of how you do it,” explained Pliner. “That’s what makes her shoes so comfortable, so I took out the high pitch and let your foot settle into the shoe and still have the platform.” “I took what Donald is all about, everything he’s taught me for 13-years and just made it me,” said Lisa Pliner. “I couldn’t do it if I didn’t train for the best of the best.” More than 20-years ago, Donald began the Donald Pliner Collection. He now has five flagship stores with two of them in South Florida. Donald travels the world more than 220 days a year in order to find the right materials. A pair of his glass beaded men’s loafers which are hand sewn in India and take 17-hours to make were even featured in the movie “Sex and the City 2” while being worn by the character “Big.”

“The difference between my shoes, and I don’t like talking about other designers,” says Pliner smiling, “but the difference between my shoes and Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Dolce; they’re made in same country but mine are about technology and fit and are $200 - $300 less.” It’s the ultimate family business. Donald and Lisa both design and model their shoes, along with “Babydoll”, the Pliners white Maltese who even inspired Donald to create glass beaded shoes. “Customers want to see we believe in our product and we have fun doing it, said Lisa. And for Donald, who is just as proud of the first shoes and boots he made as he is his newest lines, says creating footwear is a passion that builds with every step. “Every time I do a collection, it’s like I’m on Broadway,” explained Donald. “The first show is a first show; it’s all brand new for the first time. I never know

what’s going to happen.” The two South Florida stores are located in the Aventura Mall in Aventura and The Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables. (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) NEWS POWERED BY

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The Adtimes Newspaper - SPORTS

July 2, 2010

Jason Taylor Enjoying Life In White And Green York as a member of the Dolphins. To say he’s still getting used to his new digs is an understatement. “Yeah, it’s weird,” the former Miami Dolphins star said Thursday after his second practice with the Jets. “The first few days, it was a little strange. Putting the jersey on for the first time (Tuesday) was a little different. But at the end of the day, they’ve made it so welcoming and so easy to make that transition.” MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ Even as a new member of the New York Jets, Jason Taylor is still honoring his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. He’s wearing a no.95 green and white jersey while his usual no.99 is in use by veteran linebacker Bryan Thomas.

Taylor, who turned down a contract from the Dolphins after the season ended, was wooed heavily by New York coach Rex Ryan during the offseason. Taylor said he didn’t get an offer from Miami, and wanted to play with a team that wanted him on its roster.

Taylor’s number now is that of former teammate Tim Bowens.

So far, his transition up north has been pretty seamless.

“He was really instrumental in my career and special to me,” Taylor said. “He’s probably the most unselfish player I’ve ever played with and underrated player I ever played with. He’s a really good guy.”

“The guys have been great and really embraced me and made me feel welcome despite the past history,” he said. “So it’s been a good time.” Taylor once called Jets’ fans ignorant and classless, and said their “J-E-T-S!” chant was “dumb.” He was also involved in a pregame skirmish with former Jets safety Kerry Rhodes in November.

To some Miami fans, Taylor is quite the opposite. He signed a contract with the hated and rivaled Jets after spending the past 12 of 13 seasons trash talking New

Some teammates have embraced him.

“I never really had a problem with Taylor,” defensive end Shaun Ellis said. “I mean, he played for the Dolphins, but I never went up against him. You have to understand our locker room is really tight and we embrace anybody that comes in. He’s wearing green and white now, so he’s a Jet.” Linebacker Calvin Pace acknowledged having looked up to Taylor early in his career. “I never told him this, man, but I am a fan,” Pace said. “He’s a guy who made it and kind of paved the way for me as far as I’m not the biggest guy in the world, so he helped me get my start a little bit.” Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson has had the tough task of having to block Taylor for the past few seasons. Now, the two are a few lockers apart. “I remember he came in as a rookie and I was trying to abuse him,” Taylor recalled, “and trying to get him going a little bit and see if I could get a personal foul on him and all that.” Ferguson said that’s all in the past now, although it doesn’t make Taylor immune from some ribbing.

laugh. “You have a chance to play with so many different individuals in this league, and the way the league works, you are probably going to see a lot of changes. It’s good when you can play against a guy you have a lot of respect for and now he is a part of your plans.” Taylor is still recovering from offseason surgery on his right shoulder and has been limited during the first set of organized team activities. He’s ready to start his New York career with a bang. “It’s funny (because) yesterday we had him out there and we’re going through some individual drills, he comes off and lights somebody up, ‘I just got a little excited,”‘ Ryan said. “I want to slow him down, proceed with caution and teach him the defense first. He’s itching to go, though. He’ll be ready for training camp, without question.” (© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) NEWS POWERED BY

“We had him break it down in the weight room today and we thought he was going to say, ‘Dolphins!”‘ Ferguson said with a

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The Adtimes Newspaper - SPORTS

July 2, 2010

Miami-Dade To Become Miami-Wade In July Reporting Tim Kephart MIAMI (CBS4) Ñ Everyone who lives in Miami-Dade TIM KEPHART County will have a new name to call home in July. Tuesday night, the MiamiDade County Commission voted unanimously to change the name of the county to Miami-Wade County the week of July 1-7 in honor of Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade. The superstar guard posted the following statement on his Facebook page: “Wow. I’m honored + humbled that Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners are renaming Miami-Dade County to MiamiWade County in July...that’s big!”

If you’re wondering why that particular week was chosen; it’s all about the start of NBA free agency. Wade is one of the top soon-to-be free agents in the NBA, and the Miami Heat and the city and county of Miami are putting on a full court press to get Wade to re-sign with the Heat.

president Pat Riley could be targeting in addition to Wade include: small forward LeBron James, power forward Chris Bosh, power forward Carlos Boozer, guard/forward Rudy Gay, among many others. If Wade re-signs and the Heat bring a

“What better way to get Dwyane Wade to consider staying with the Miami Heat than by letting him know Miami-Wade County will always be his home in the hearts of the fans,” asked Commissioner Joe Martinez. Wade has all but come out and said he will re-sign with the Heat. The Heat is the only team in the NBA that can offer Wade a contract worth $125 million and bring in one or two more superstar players with maximum contracts. Some of the players Miami Heat

Panthers To Trim Capacity For Future Games Reporting Solange Reyner M I A M I (CBS4) Ñ In an attempt to make games a more intimate experience, the F l o r i d a Panthers are trimming capacity by 2,500 seats at the BankAtlantic Center. The Panthers are calling it “Enhancing The Fan Experience,” and are hoping to attract more fans to the Sunrise arena. Last season, Florida ranked 25th in the National Hockey League in attendance. The announcement comes days after the Panthers replaced general manager Randy Sexton with Chicago’s Dale Tallon after another disappointing season. Florida finished last in the Southeast Division and lost eight of its final 10 games. The Panthers haven’t

made it to the post season since the 1999-2000 season when they lost in four straight to the New Jersey Devils. The new endeavor also includes restructuring prices for single game tickets. Prices will rise as sales and demand increase, the Panthers said in a statement, giving more value to fans who buy early season ticket packages. “Both the reduced seating capacity and the dynamic pricing structure were implemented based on the feedback from our fans and our season ticket advisory board,” said SSE president & COO Michael Yormark. “That said, we feel strongly that both changes will contribute to more excitement and intimacy at the BankAtlantic Center for Panthers home games, while greatly increasing the overall fan experience. It’s important to note, also, that our home arena is the fourth largest in the NHL and this capacity reduction will bring us more in line with the league

The Adtimes Newspaper July 2, 2010 Edition

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The Adtimes Newspaper - AUTOMOTIVE

Auto-Loan Firm Accused Of Bilking Customers they had a relationship with lenders and could reduce overall car payments up to 50 percent. The catch was that the customers had to pay an upfront fee ranging from $299 to $375, according to The Miami Herald. But this “relationship” was virtually nonexistent

By Skye Anico FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) Ñ An autoloan company based in Ft. Lauderdale is being sued by the Florida Attorney General for reportedly cheating customers out of thousands of dollars by claiming they could reduce car payments. According to investigators, Auto Relief Group, owned by father and son John Boyle and John Boyle III, advertised that

Investigators founds the lenders would only negotiate minor deferment of payment when it was due, but not actually reduce interest rates. Although lenders told Auto Relief Group that this was as far as they would go, the company continued collecting from customers and sending requests for auto loan modifications. The AG’s Office was granted an injunction Monday to freeze the company’s assets and appoint a receiver to take possession and control of the company. They plan to not only seek full restitution for all of the company’s

victims, they also want to be reimbursed for fees and costs related to the investigation.

(© 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) NEWS POWERED BY

July 2, 2010

The Adtimes Newspaper July 2, 2010 Edition

The Adtimes Newspaper

July 2, 2010

Horoscopes provided by www.astrology-online.com

NEWSPAPER NEWS POWERED BY

PUBLISHER Tony Gambirazio ART DIRECTOR Tammy Kukic DIRECTOR OF SALES Cesar Rodriguez ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Ines Collado Greg Patterson Cleo Saenz INSIDE SALES Jon Ragin Sarah White OFFICE MANAGER Montserrat Surroca

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(July 23-Aug. 23)

You may find that female colleagues will be more help than you anticipated. Enjoy taking courses or lecturing others. Secret affairs will come back to haunt you. Situations could easily get blown out of proportion if you have made unreasonable promises. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Scorpio

Sagittarius

(Aug. 24-Sept. 22)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

A little overtime may help you reduce the workload. Your greatest enjoyment will come through social activities and pleasure trips. You should be setting up interviews or sending out your resume this month. Ask others to help, or you may feel that a burden is weighing you down. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Look into alternate means of sup porting your financial burdens. Talk to the party involved and make sure that they are informed as to what actually happened. Things are looking good for you, so open your eyes and get to it. Finish projects that have been hanging over your head. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Aries

Aquarius

Pisces

(Mar. 21-Apr. 20)

(Jan. 21-Feb. 18)

(Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

Talk to your mate about a vacation and discuss the expectations of your relationship. Your reputation will be affected. You may be overreacting to personal problems. Stretch the truth, and you may get blamed for something you didn’t do. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

If you put your mind to it, you could entertain or host a multitude of social events. Don’t let peers distract you or push their work your way. People who try to persuade you to do things their way will annoy you. Your charm will attract someone special. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Taurus

Capricorn

Gemini

(Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

(May 22-June 21)

Social events will lead to a strong and stable relationship. Try to bend but by no means should you give in completely. You will find that friends or relatives may not understand your needs. You can accomplish a lot if you deal with other people’s money or possessions this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

(Apr. 21-May 21)

However, be careful with luggage; it may be rerouted. You need to concentrate on the areas where you can make a difference. Minor accidents may occur if you don’t concentrate on what you’re doing. You may want to take a look at the personal papers of elders in your family. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Don’t be shy to promote your own interests. New romantic relationships will develop through group activity related to sports events. Children might be on your mind. Don’t hesitate to make special plans just for two. Mingle with individuals who are established and can give you some serious insight into business and future trends. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3x3 box Iin black borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

May 21st Solution

7 2 6 4 1 8 9 3 5

Check your personal papers and make sure everything is in order. Emotionally you won’t see things accurately. Don’t hesitate to visit someone who hasn’t been well. Try to keep an open mind. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Virgo

Your generous nature could be taken advantage of. Romance will be on your mind, and chances for ideal connections are in the works. Be sure not to burn any bridges. You can meet potential new mates if you socialize with friends. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

4 5 9 3 2 7 1 8 6

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Don’t let emotional upset force you into the poorhouse. You need more time to think this whole situation through. You could meet an interesting individual you’ll want to get to know better. Try to curb your habits, or you could find yourself in an awkward financial position. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Overindulgent people will cause disruptions in your life. Matters pertaining to your home environment will be favorable if you are direct. Do not confront situations unless you are sure you have a good understanding of the dilemma.You must make them stand on their own two feet regardless of how much you want to make things better for them.Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

FRANCHISING Tony Gambirazio •

Leo

(June 22-July 22)

3 1 8 9 5 6 7 4 2

6 7 3 8 4 5 2 1 9

1 9 4 6 7 2 3 5 8

5 8 2 1 3 9 6 7 4

2 3 5 7 6 4 8 9 1

8 6 7 5 9 1 4 2 3

9 4 1 2 8 3 5 6 7

2 4 7 3

2 1

1 2 8 7 7 1

4 9

5 6 9 6 4 3

Look For Our Next Edition: JULY 16, 2010

8 9 7 2

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THE ADTIMES

Libra

Cancer