CBS4 Newspaper by CBS4 News Magazine & Newspaper

newspaper July 20, 2012

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

FPL Warns Of

Scam

Making The Rounds MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

A new “deal” making the rounds

on social media sounds too good to be true. In exchange for sending them your social security number and banking information, the federal government will pay you electric bill. If you hear about this “deal” on Facebook or Twitter, don’t buy it – it’s a scam. Florida Power and Light said this phishing scam has spread quickly through social media. In the message, the scammers are telling FPL customers that a third party, in most cases the Federal Government or President Obama, will pay their utility bill in exchange for their personal information. FPL has notified the State Attorney General’s Office and the FBI about the scam. FPL customers who use unauthorized banking information to pay their utility bill will receive a letter stating their payment was invalid and will still be required to pay their bills. For more information on protecting yourself from scammers go to

www.FPL.com/FPLprotect

cbs4 newspaper

July 20, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

Reporting AlÂ Sunshine

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

“I will never ever sell or let go any second-hand device on eBay or Craigslist. I won’t donate it. I’ll take out the hard drive. I’ll destroy it. I’ll take that mobile phone and I will destroy it.”

For many, Smartphones have become as much a part of our lives as the food we eat. “It’s pretty critical. Basically my whole life is on this phone. It provides me with a connection to everything that I need.” In fact, with memory sizes growing, Smartphones today can carry as much of our personal information as we store on a laptop or home computer. “All my contacts, all my phone numbers, my Facebook so that kind of personal information too. There’s a lot of passwords to the Internet and like my bank account my Faceboo all on there.” That’s was just some of the personal kind of data that McAfee Cyber Security expert Robert Siciliano was looking into when he went on-line, scrolled through

the vast Smartphone offerings on eBay and Craig’s List and bought 30 unused devices. “I bought Androids, iPhones, and Blackberrys. I did this with McAfee and we found people’s entire digital lives,” said Siciliano. Before he explains what he found, you should understand he this cyber technician was not using some CIA specialized scanning software. He just used regular tools that are available on the Internet to look for this data on these devices and he found everything. Everything as in: people’s personal information, their pdf, word documents, text files, excel files, home videos, photos, and a lot of pornography. Actually, we found their entire digital lives. enough information to steal their identities, even though many sellers had tried their best to wipe their phones clean. “Well I delete the cache and make sure I take the SIM card out.” Removing the SIM card and the SD card from the phone is vital. Both are critical storage areas. But they aren’t the only virtual file drawers in Smartphones. “The devices themselves generally have their own storage,” said Siciliano. The cell phone manufacturers will tell you to go to your settings menu and restore factory settings to clear your personal information, which Sicilian says works pretty well with Blackberry’s and iPhones. But when you reset the Android phones, the Motorola Droids, even when a factory reset is done, we still found data… enough data to easily pull off identity theft. “Ten million people every single year have their identity stolen,” Siciliano pointed out. “If you resell it for fifty bucks, is it potentially worth $50 to sell your identity? I don’t know. Siciliano says that while you might be ok cashing in on your Blackberry or iPhone, based on what his investigation found, he won’t be your competition. “I will never ever sell or let go any second-hand device on eBay or Craigslist. I won’t donate it. I’ll take out the hard drive. I’ll destroy it. I’ll take that mobile phone and I will destroy it.”

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

Reporting Tiffani Helberg

South Florida Businesses

Ponder

Impact

Of Supreme Court Decision 75 people at Deco International Security Corporation in South Beach are lucky to have a job. What they don’t have is health insurance, because their boss didn’t think he could afford it. Now, that’s about to change. With the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Health Care Act owner Thomas Sanon Jules will have to make sure he provides health insurance for his workers.

He says he will have to plan for this tough financial challenge. “We have to…see what we’re gonna do for the employees of this company… we’ll be spending more money on employees,” Jones said. For companies like his, the clock is ticking, and 2014 is zero hour. By that time, employers with more than 50 full-time employees must either provide health insurance or face stiff penalties. For Bill Diggs, President of Miami-Dade’s Chamber of Commerce, the health care decision gives South Florida companies more choices in providing health care. “There’s been a tremendous difficulty getting affordable health care (for companies). Now it won’t just be one size fits all. It’s gonna be a cafeteria type of menu,” said Diggs. He believes the new law is a big benefit to the small business community. Adds Diggs: “Sometimes small businesses make a decision…where they choose not to hire somebody because of a pre-existing medical condition. Those abilities are now removed.” The law will deliver tax credits to businesses to help them pay for insurance.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

U.S. Employers Add Just

80,000 MIAMI (CBSMiami.COM) –

Jobs

In June

The latest unemployment numbers painted a bleak picture for job creation in June, which could impact Florida’s unemployment report due later in July. Oscar Cabrera’s looking for full time work again after being laid off from his second banking job in 2 years. “It’s definitely tough out there,” said Cabrera. “I’ve had friends in the construction industry out of work for years. I’m looking for finance positions and they may be a little easier but it’s still tough out there” And the latest national unemployment numbers show Oscar’s right. June saw a net gain of only 80,000 jobs nationwide, making the first quarter of 2012 the worst for new job creation in about 2 years. The overall national unemployment rate remains stalled at 8.2 percent. Crunching the National numbers a little closer shows the Labor Department reports: “Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for blacks (14.4 percent) edged up over the month, while the rates for adult men (7.8 percent), adult women (7.4 percent), teenagers (23.7 percent), whites (7.4 percent), and Hispanics (11.0 percent) showed little or no change. The jobless rate for Asians was 6.3 percent in June (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from

a year earlier.” And the national unemployment numbers were not the only reports out Friday detailing the health of the U.S. labor Markets. Online help-wanted ads are up as more help wanted signs pop up nationwide. And online hiring’s seeing decent growth too. Last month, help wanted ads across the country were up about 4% over May according to Monster.com….and up about 5% in Miami the past year. But Orlando and Tampa are seeing much better job growth, with Orlando seeing some of the best job growth in the country. It’s up more than 20% over last year according to the online job-service. So where are the latest jobs? Professional and Health Care positions are seeing the strongest gains across the country, with part time positions growing the fastest. Oscar Cabrera just found a part time banking job and he hopes it’ll soon turn into a full time position with full benefits.

cbs4 Newspaper July 20, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

Using

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Social Media To Contact

9-1-1 Reporting Vanessa Borge

“What’s the location of your emergency please?” asked an emergency dispatcher.

When the 9-1-1 center got a call from someone across the country alerting them to a local fire, they were puzzled. “My caller is actually in Indiana,” declared Dispatcher #1. At a fire station in another state came this reply. “Okay.” Dispatcher #1 continued. ”My caller was playing online and someone posted that he was disabled and his stove was on fire and he couldn’t get out.” Firefighters didn’t brush it off as a prank. Instead they suited up, jumped in the truck and raced to the address where they found smoke pouring out of the windows. “I was getting to the point where someone better come,” said Bob Chambers, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy and has limited movement. He was inside and home alone. When the fire started, he couldn’t reach the phone, so he used his specialized keyboard to tap out a message to people he was playing a game with through Facebook.

“A couple of people that knew me shouted back ‘Are you kidding?’ I went no,” exclaimed Chambers. More and more cases of people posting cyber cries for help are popping up across the world. A recent Red Cross survey found 44% of people would use social media to alert rescue crews if they couldn’t call 9-1-1. That’s what Kwanza Hall did after he discovered an unconscious woman on the street. His phone battery was about to die, so he tweeted ”PLEASE CALL THE PARAMEDICS” and gave his followers the location. An ambulance soon showed up and rushed the woman to the hospital. “I’m just thankful she’s alive,” said Hall. But experts warn that while both Bob and Kwanza were lucky, relying on social media in an emergency is risky. “The public’s expectation of what response they will get via use of social media is far beyond the capacity of public safety agencies to deliver on,” explained a Fire Chief. Most agencies do not monitor social media sites for people who need help. And if dispatchers are alerted to a post, they also have to figure out if it’s a prank.

“It’s always difficult to discern what may be real and what may not be real,” said dispatcher #1. If you do have a real emergency, is shooting a quick test to 9-1-1 an option? Though the FCC is pushing for dispatch centers nationwide to update their technology to accept texts, right now it only works in a couple of places across the country. Many cities and towns, like this one just can’t afford it. “Our resources are stretched to the limit,” said this public safety expert, who pointed out that in the high-tech world we live in, dialing 9-1-1 is still the best way to contact emergency dispatchers. That wasn’t’ an option in Bob’s case, and his cyber pleas for help worked. He and his wife are thankful. “I am so grateful that there was somebody out there that took it seriously.” If someone posted a request for help on a public safety agency’s social media page and the department did not respond, could the agency be at risk for a lawsuit? Experts say that unless an agency claimed to accept emergency calls on their Twitter or Facebook page, probably not. But it’s still an untested and up and coming area of the law.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Urban League Of Miami Works To

Break The Cycle Of

Child Abuse

A new program designed to prevent child abuse and neglect in Miami’s African-American communities will be

launched Thursday. In response to a series of scandals involving failure to address child abuse in the home of South Florida families and guardians, the Urban League of Greater Miami has partnered with the Florida Department of Children and Families to directly confront the issue of child abuse and neglect. Child welfare officials are hoping to target teen parents, young people who are “aging out” of foster care and at-risk families through their new media campaign called “Breaking the Cycle Initiative.”

The pilot program, funded by DCF, will also include parent education classes, support groups and community forums. The goal of the “Breaking the Cycle Initiative” is to increase community awareness about child abuse and neglect and to create programs that give parents strategies to keep their children safe. DCF Secretary David Wilkins is scheduled to announce the campaign Thursday in Miami at the Urban League’s Freedom Hall, located at 8400 NW 25th Avenue. Others attending Thursday’s news conference include T. Willard Fair of the Urban League of Greater Miami and other local politicians, police officials and school board members.

cbs4 newspaper

July 20, 2012

The Road To

Recovery?

New Car SalesÂ Soaring Reporting Gary Nelson

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

At Rick Case Honda in Davie on the Fourth of July business was,

well, hot. The showroom was crowded with customers not just looking but buying. The dealership sold 615 new Hondas in June, more than 20 every day, its best performance in three years. The success at the dealership in Davie is being reflected across south Florida and the country. Nationwide, new car sales in June were up a whopping 22 percent year to year. Just a couple of years ago, in the depth of the recession, some dealerships, like Dade Chrysler Jeep and Dodge in Kendall, were going belly up, closing their doors. General Motors got bailed out by the federal government. A rebate program called “Cash For Clunkers” kept the auto industry on life support. What accounts for the improvement now? Analysts credit banks that have begun lending money again, and at low rates. Manufacturers are also offering big incentives and the price of gasoline is dropping. “We have 0.9 percent financing on all our vehicles,” said Rick Case General Manager Richard Bustillo. “We have amazing lease specials and we have employee pricing, so consumers come in and pay what we pay.” Gonzalo Montoya, a printer, and his wife, Mabel, a bookkeeper, were at the dealership Wednesday looking to leave with a new car. “Things are getting better, they look like they’re getting better,” the husband said of the economy. “Where I’m working, things are picking up. So I feel confident about it.” Robert Feldman, an inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, was planning to buy two new cars Wednesday, a CRV for himself and a Civic for his wife. “I’ve always been an optimist,” Feldman said of the nation’s economic future. “I see the glass as half-full.” Francine Hebert, a bank teller, said she was looking to buy but not spend too

much. “I know somebody who works here,” she said, laughing. “I hope to get a good deal.” The resurgence of the auto industry has had a trickle-down effect. Manufacturers are opening more plants and hiring more workers. At Rick Case Honda, salesman Doug Desloover said the steadily improved business has helped the quality of life for him and his two children. “It’s definitely made it easier to afford the luxuries that we were used to, and even some of the simple things, like putting food on the table,” he said. An improved car business certainly doesn’t signal that the economy has become turbo-charged. Unemployment remains high and overall consumer confidence figures are low. But the increased speed of new cars going out the door would suggest consumers are taking their foot off the break a little, and putting it a bit more on the gas.

cbs4 Newspaper July 20, 2012

LAKELAND (CBSMIami.com) –

Want A Sub?

Publix Lets You Grab Your Mouse Want a sub from Publix, but hate wasting your lunch hour in delidepartment lines to pick it up? The grocery giant is testing a possible answer: online orders. That’s not new; pizza places have allowed you to order online for pickup or delivery for years. What is unusual is a supermarket taking the leap. Or, in Publix’s case, a tiny dip of the toe. The chain said it will start the service at a Lakeland area store August 3rd, and assuming it works as expected, expand it to as many as 50 stores across its service area by the end of the year. In addition to custom subs, the service will let customers order deli meats and cheeses as well as wraps, and the computer challenged will be able to order by phone. After you make the order, you’ll be given a pickup time. But what about other items in the grocery cart? Is ordering cookies or frozen peas on the horizon, maybe with home delivery? Publix tried that service and shut it down, saying it cost too much and not enough people wanted to take part. Publix could not say when the service would be available in South Florida.

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

The Skinny On

Tight Clothes

& Your Health From digestive problems to headaches to numbness, all kinds of health problems can pop up simply from the clothes that you’re wearing. It’s one thing to be fashionable. It’s another to be so uncomfortable that you have to go to the doctor. “The skinny jeans in themselves are too tight sometimes,” Maribel Martinez said. Too much squeezing yourself into matchstick jeans can cause nerve compression. Dr. John Michael Li, a neurologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, says that can lead to “Meralgia Paresthetica,” in which a nerve running from your abdomen to your thigh is compressed by tight clothing. “Some people get numbness, tingling,” Li says. Jamming into tight jeans can also cause abdominal discomfort, heartburn and belching. “Tight pants syndrome” happens most often when someone’s waist is at least 3 inches larger than their pants size. Cinch belts can also cause similar problems. “The pain and discomfort, for some patients, it’s very uncomfortable, and so they require medication,” Li says. If you wear body shapers, remember they’re made for smoothing, not squeezing

you down a full size. And if worn too tight or for too long, some shapers can also prevent the lungs from fully inflating, reducing oxygen intake, making you feel lightheaded. Men aren’t immune from health-related problems associated with tight clothing. The crisp combination of a dress shirt and tie can make any guy look put-together. But about seven out of 10 men buy shirts that are too small, according to a Cornell University study. “You have your carotid vessels going up to the brain, and so sometimes people can have some restriction in blood flow,” Li says. And that can cause headaches and blurred vision. Tight shirt collars and ties can also increase muscle tension in the back and shoulders. “There’s no need to cause yourself injury to just be fashionable,” Li says. High-heeled shoes and heavy handbags can also create problems. Heels higher than two inches have been linked to bunions, hammer toes and ankle sprains. And heavy handbags worn on the shoulder can throw your back out of line. The American Chiropractic Association recommends that women carry no more than 10 percent of their body weight in a bag.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012 MIAMI (CBS4) –

The Of

Health Benefits

Seaweed

Is seaweed a miracle ingredient? Holistic Health counselor Andrea Beaman thinks it might be. Reporting Vanessa Borge “They’re so rich in nutrients. You only need a small amount,” she said about the seaweed or sea vegetables, which she said are loaded with vitamins and minerals. “I think more and more Americans are starting to eat them and find the benefits of them. Nori is probably the most popular sea vegetable. That’s the black wrap or green wrap you see around sushi,” explained Beaman. Lydia Sarfati claims seaweed is so powerful she made it her business. “We harvest our seaweed from the Brittany Coast in France,” she said. “We use about 12 different kinds for therapeutic purposes for face, body and cosmetics. Sarfati said her company manufactures an entire line of seaweed beauty products in New Jersey. She said seaweed can detoxify and beautify the skin. “It will help with actually making your skin feel and look firmer without causing damage.” “Seaweed has a lot of B-Vitamins. It also has vitamin E, vitamin C. So it is anti-

inflammatory and anything that is anti-inflammatory affects free radicals and free radicals damage the skin,” explained Dr. Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist. She is not convinced that seaweed is a miracle. She does believe it has powerful properties that could help conditions like rosacea and eczema. “You might want to look for it if you have inflammation in your skin. So it might be for someone with redness in their skin. It is more for inflammation than it is so much for anti-aging,” said Jaliman. Now researchers are hoping seaweed’s anti-inflammatory properties could lead to treatments for medical conditions like heart disease and arthritis. Dr. Peter McCann said at least one new study holds particular promise. “This was a good study and a great start and the future is to do more credible studies to see if there really is an effect… a beneficial effect that we can prove.” declared McCann.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

Reporting Lisa Petrillo

Women Going To Extremes

To Look Fabulous For Facebook MIAMI (CBS4) – In the age of social media we live in, people not only get to know you through your words, but also through your looks.

That’s led many women to go to extremes, including cosmetic surgery and other procedures, to get the perfect Facebook look. “It’s nice when you look good and when somebody tells you look good,” Marija Vrbanic said of the need to get the perfect social media look. Nicole Rodrigues summed it up this way, “It’s kind of this obsession about wanting to get liked on a picture.” Sonia Bambdas is a Facebook user with a lot of friends from abroad and in different cities so they follow her life, keep in touch and that’s how they communicate. “So it’s natural to want to look good,” said Bambdas. Bamdas works from home and makes her own hours, so she’s able to fit in extra time on Facebook to look good and feel good about herself. “It’s also nice to get feedback from other people who you look good,” Bamdas said. “It adds to the incentive I would say.” To help keep her on-line profile picture perfect, Bamdas visits Dr. Joseph Eviatar for cosmetic procedures.

“You know people date; they look people up; it’s like they look up their Facebook profile,” said Dr. Eviatar. “Most people will now look at Facebook and look at social media and Google people and see what’s out there on them.” Dr. Eviatar said that how men and women see themselves, and would like others to see them on social media, has become a factor in their decision to have procedures done. “I find that people are afraid of what’s gonna be posted, ” said psychologist Dr. Jane Greer. Dr. Greer agreed that now more than ever, people want to control and feel confident in how they appear in pictures on-line. “The way that social media has now taken hold in our culture; everybody is much more exposed, on display,” said Dr. Greer. “Everybody’s posing for pictures whether it’s intentional or not.” “I go to events, get photographed, some other people can put me on Facebook and social media even if I don’t want to,” said Bambdas.

“It ‘s finding that middle ground and the balance between what you will do to look to feel your best and how will it enhance your self-esteem and your confidence,” said Dr. Greer. Another alternative some people are using, is to scour social media sites for unflattering photos and take them down.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

Reporting Cynthia Demos

“50 Shades” Trilogy Spiking Sales Of Intimacy Aids The 50 Shades Trilogy is heating up lives and heating up sales of certain sexy items. The three steamy ‘mommy porn’ books are making women think of things that haven’t crossed their mind before or maybe hasn’t in a long time. The books are being credited now with increased sales of sex items like Oxytocin (not to be confused with Oxycontin). Forty-nine year old Toni Sherwood says with the help of that pill she is “back to being younger again.” Sherwood underwent rounds of chemo for breast cancer which she’s beaten. Along the way she said it killed her libido but then she met sexual health Doctor Ivan Rusilko who prescribed Oxytocin for it’s off label use, not approved by the FDA. “It allows her to have an orgasm more powerful and multiple orgasms as well. Oxytocin is produced naturally. Extreme excess leads to trust and that’s why it’s called the cuddle drug,” said Doctor Rusilko. Now it’s also being dubbed the “50 Shades” pill. Sherwood said if the height of passion before was a ’100 this pill makes it a ’150. She says she takes it like a daily vitamin. The Oxytocin helps you relax to

the point where you can let your inhibitions go. People are also doing just that at adult stores like Playthings in Miami. “I’m now getting husbands with shopping lists from their wives,” said Roman Gonzalez, who works at Miami sex shop Playthings. The store even has a table filled with the items references in the books. Workers there say they have a whole new clientele. Customer Vanessa Delgado said she read all three books and specifically bought some items because they were in the book. “It’s a movement,” she said. A movement that’s meant a 30 percent increase in sales at the adult store. With the help of the book and the new found aid of the Oxytocin and it’s off label use, Sherwood said, “It started making me feel sexy again!” The romantic, fantasy driven, steamy novel’s meant a real life change for her. “It’s a good thing for everyone to feel good,” said Sherwood. Oxytocin is about $2.50 per pill and the sex items run anywhere from $20 to $200.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

Miami Spa Month

Reporting Lisa Petrillo

Kicks Off With

Relaxing Deals

It’s time to renew relax and indulge South Florida. July kicks off Miami Spa Month, tailored to those in need of a little R&R who can book quality spa treatments for just $99.00. “The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau created spa month to introduce locals and tourists to the great hotels and spas in our destination,” said Cristina Sorondo, spokesperson for Elemis spa at The Loews Miami Beach. At The Elemis Spa, CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo sampled the Sticks and Stones treatment. The tension relieving treatment begins with a cactus brush scrub. “For exfoliation and to drain the lymphatic system,” said the spa attendant. At Lapis Spa inside the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, six signature treatments are on their Spa Month menu. Therapists say the antioxidant facial is perfect for those who want firmer, brighter skin. After cleansing, Erika applies a high frequency wand to the face. Then a firming and tightening mask is painted on followed by moistened towels to mummify the guest for good reason. “She will look gorgeous after this,” said Spa Trainer Erika Ruiz. At Lapis, if you book a weekday treatment, a complimentary manicure is thrown in. For more info on spas participating go to www.miamispamonth.com.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012 MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

Poisonous Purses Turn Into A

Dangerous Accessory Marybel Rodriguez

They’re colorful, stylish, and, according to an environmental watchdog group… dangerous.

The environmental working group tested 300 brightly colored women’s purses and wallets, and found 43 of them, or 15% , contain dangerously high levels of lead. And for kids, it’s even worse. The group says the problem lies in the pigment used to color the purses. Six were the “worst” offenders. Each of those contained at least 30-times the acceptable level of lead. This Tori Burch yellow clutch wallet was nearly off the charts… with 200 times the lead limit. It was purchases at upscale retailer Neiman Marcus. Michael Green, with the Center for Environmental Studies said the items should be on the shelves in the first place. That’s because two years ago, more than 200 stores and manufacturers agreed to stop making and selling women’s accessories with unsafe levels of lead. And until they do, environmental scientists advise sticking with purses made of natural fabrics that don’t have dyes. This study was a follow-up to one done three years ago. The good news is the overall level of lead is down. The concern is that there are still many on the market at highend retailers. Tori Burch says it is investigating and calls the lead concern a top priority.

cbs4 newspaper

July 20, 2012

Best Places To Play

Paintball

In South Florida

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll love this. The fast-paced experience and adrenaline rush of Paintball has made it one of the fastest growing extreme sports around and South Florida has some locations any weekend warrior would love to try out.

Ruff N Tuff Paintball

Medley Paintball Park

www.ruffntuffpaintball.com The Ruff N Tuff Paintball Park also boasts itself as one of the top ranked paintball fields in South Florida. They have more than 20 years of experience with the sport of paintball. Parties and private events come with a private referee that oversees the party to ensure the fun and safety for all players and guests. There are towering safety nets around all playing fields so spectators can safely watch the action packed games on any one of their five playing fields.

www.medleypaintball.com Medley Paintball Park is definitely a place to get your paintball game on! They offer everything from open play to private groups. Referees are trained to promote fun, fair play and safety. There’s a high tech shooting gallery and a 1 on 1 shooting range. In addition to their outside complex, there’s also an indoor complex with a pro shop and knowledgeable staff. Group rates are available.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Bigshot Paintball Fields www.bigshotpb.com At Bigshot Paintball Fields, customers can find speed ball and recreation fields, plus they host birthday parties, corporate events, bachelor parties and other large groups.

Extreme Rage Paintball Park www.erpark.com Extreme Rage Paintball Park is home to the NPPL Pro team Miami Rage. It has more than 20 years experience in the paintball industry and is consistently ranked the top Paintball Park in the South Florida area. The park features two wooded and two air ball fields, which are also lit up at night. The wooded areas have hills, tunnels, sniper towers, machine gun bunkers and small huts to simulate a village. The air ball fields are good for both recreational and competitive players. Group events are offered as well including birthday parties, corporate events, bachelor parties, and even weekend warrior events.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012 MIAMI BEACH (CBS4MIAMI.COM)

Money Woes Force Changes At Miami CityÂ

Ballet The fantasy of the ballet has been stalled by the real world of money, as financial turmoil at the Miami City Ballet has sent the executive director packing. Nicholas Goldsborough was removed from his post Saturday, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald, after he allegedly failed to meet fund-raising targets and management goals. Members of the ballet were told of the change Friday, and Ballet officials Chief Financial Officer Jonah Pruitt would become acting executive director. The turmoil at the top is surfacing as the nationally acclaimed ballet company is still wrestling with the unexpected early retirement of Edware Valella as founding director. In addition to the changes in management, ballet officials said there would the pay cuts and unpaid furloughs for employees of the ballet school and staff. Pruitt said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about money, telling The Herald that the Ballet was in a cash crisis and the board was forced to urgently reduce expenses. Past financial records have shown the ballet is about $2 million in debt, but no financial information was revealed.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012 CORAL GABLES (CBS4miami.com)

Reporting Tiffani Helberg

A Coral Gables Police Lieutenant’s quest for equal rights has snowballed into a battle for domestic partnership benefits at City Hall. Lt. Rene Tastet filed for bereavement leave in March of 2011. She wanted to attend the funeral of her life-partner’s father in North Carolina. But the city denied her request because she is gay. “Emotionally it was very upsetting,” remembered Tastet. “I mean at the time where you know you’re grieving, I was very close to my partner’s father and at a time that you’re grieving, this is the last thing that you want to be concerned with or worry about.” Tastet went to the funeral anyway but she had to use the personal leave that she had accrued during her tenure on the force. “I felt like every other employee,” she said. “I’ve been with the department 20 years and I should be entitled to all the benefits everybody else has. But at the same time I also realize having 20 years on I had my personal leave to take. A younger officer who doesn’t have that type of time on wouldn’t have the leave and may not be able to attend.” Shortly after that, SAVE Dade, a gay rights group, launched its fight against the city to get domestic partnership benefits for all city employees. “We eventually got to the point where we started working with the city commission to try and pass an ordinance so that these types of things won’t happen again in the future,” said C.J.Ortuno, Executive Director of SAVE Dade. “Since then we’ve been getting a lot of stalling and run around from the city.” Elsa Jaramillo-Velez, the city’s Human Resource Director said Coral Gables has a policy to negotiate with the unions first before implementing something like domestic partnership benefits. “Collective bargaining has been taking place for over a year and a half now with just the fraternal order of police,” pointed out Ortuno. “They still have the teamsters and they still have the fire fighters unions to go through. Our concern is we don’t want four years to pass before these rights are authorized and at the same time you have 15 percent of the employees for the city of Coral Gables that are not protected by these rights and are not going to be protected by collective bargaining.” Jaramillo-Velez said the city has already put domestic partnership benefits on the table for police negotiations, but nothing has been finalized. Coral Gables is surrounded by municipalities that already have domestic partnership benefits. That includes:Miami, Dade County, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach and South Miami.

cbs4 newspaper

July 20, 2012

dÂ Trip

d Fun Roa

An or A Safe Prepare F

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Prep Your Car If your car is older, schedule a maintenance check two months before your next road trip. That way, any problems requiring repairs can be detected well before you hit the road for a long haul. Drivers of newer cars should check off the following five points from your car-care to-do list: 1. Check your coolant. 2. Change your oil. 3. Check your tires. 4. Make sure your spare tire is ready to go in case of emergency. 5. Check the air filter.

Stock Your Car Pantry Keep it healthy on the road by packing your own protein-rich snacks. Bag them in small Ziploc bags that you can dole out at intervals. Avoid sugary snacks that can lead to sugar highs (not fun to deal with when trapped in a car for many hours at a time). Some snacks that work well for long car trips include unsalted pretzel sticks dipped in a single-serving of peanut butter, cheese sticks, and trail mix made up of a few raisins and a sugarless cereal. And don’t forget a bottle or two of water, which can be refilled along the way.

Ward Off Emergencies With A First Aid Kit Preparation wards off emergencies, at least it feels that way. Keep a good first aid handbook on hand, as well as a list of medical emergency numbers. Here are the top-ten first aid items you should always keep in a secure case in the trunk of your car: 1. Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes and butterfly bandages 2. Sterile gauze pads, roller bandages, adhesive tape and a roll of absorbent cotton — for sprains and serious cuts 3. Cotton swabs 4. Antibiotic ointment 5. Anti-itch lotion or cream for insect bites 6. Thermometer 7. Chemical ice packs 8. Fever reducer, such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen 9. Decongestant and cough medicine 10. Stomach remedies (to treat indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation or upset stomach)

Let Off Steam At Rest Stops Stretch your legs and expend some energy at rest stops: pull out a Frisbee or a jump rope if there’s room to play.

Pass The Time With Learning Don’t count on video devices to keep your kids distracted. I’ve found that road-tripping tots can manage 15 minutes of cartoon watching at most. Books are better: bring along a selection of children’s books — some favorites and some new titles. Gather some road trip games (travel bingo, map puzzles). Host an in-car spelling bee or trivia competition. Keep a family travel journal: pass around a notebook from person to person, asking each to detail a highlight of the day’s fun.

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

July 20, 2012

Secrets For MIAMI (CBS4MIAMI.COM)

Reporting Marybel Rodriguez

“Before you give me your key, can you tell me how close my

room is to the construction?” asked CBS News Travel expert Peter Greenberg.

It’s his Hotel Secret #1: Ask “How close your room is to any construction?” It’s a question Laura Vrooman wishes she’d asked before her Hawaiian vacation. ”It was just a major construction site. They were re-doing part of the time share resort that we stay at. So it was just pretty loud and not a pretty view either.” “Once I checked in and they gave me my room they told me construction was going on. They said don’t worry. It was between certain hours. That wasn’t true. It was loud. So I did request a room change,” said Debbie Ianniello, who also had a construction problem. According to Peter, “Every hotel in one form or another is either renovating or restorating. They’ve either closed off a whole wing or whole floor and if you don’t ask that question you’ll be given the keys to jackhammer suite.” Debbie also isn’t a fan of weak hotel showers. “It drizzles out so you realize there must be a problem you think within the hotel. I wouldn’t stay there again. You complain. You call down. They say, “Unfortunately, that’s the way it is,” explained Ianniello. Not so. Hotel secret #2: Ask for a room on a floor with a booster pump. “Booster pumps. What are those? Well very few hotels can maintain consistently

good water pressure on all their floors, so, on different floors they put a booster pump. You turn you shower faucet on, and you’ve got a fire hose going. If I want great water pressure in my room.. .that’s what’s going to get it for you,” said Greenberg. Hotel secret #3: Check rates on-line, then call the hotel directly. “I’d have to ask to probably get the good information that’s necessary,” said Elizabeth Peterson. She’s right. The best deal may not be on the Internet. “If the Schmidlapp wedding just canceled,” explained Greenberg, “and sixty rooms suddenly come, that’s not going to show up on a website, that’s not going to show up on their 800 number. They dump the rooms when you call and you have a much better deal than you’ll ever find on the website.” Peter said a phone conversation goes a long way. “It might even get you and upgrade because you were nice to someone who was on the phone and they were nice to you and you actually said, thank you…ooooh bingo…upgrade!” One other tip from Greenberg: in case of fire, firefighters can only do ladder rescues as high as the 8th floor. That’s something to consider before choosing the room on the 45th floor.

“The best deal may not be won the Internet.”

cbs4 newspaper

July 20, 2012

Fun Day Checklist For A

The Beach

Summer weekends and holidays often mean a trip to the water, weather permitting. We Americans love our summer fun in the sun mixed with a little sand and surf or, perhaps, a little chlorine. But few moments can frustrate as much as traversing a hot parking lot and securing that perfect spot only to realize that a few must-haves didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the trip. Whether heading to the beach, the lake or the local pool, here are some things to bring to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.

OrÂ Pool

cbs4 Newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Umbrella: Few people, adults and kids alike, can take a whole day in the sun. A portable umbrella can provide some much needed protection from those harmful rays. An umbrella with a unique design also helps anyone who get disoriented find home base again. Bigger groups might an open tent for additional shade. Beach Bags: Let’s start with the basics. Large, sturdy, waterproof beach bags are a must. This is not the time to pack up large plastic bags from the supermarket with the day’s supplies. Disposable bags often rip, and then you’re in trouble. Big Towels: Line those perfect bags with large, absorbent towels. If positioned along the bottom, they will absorb any leakage from your other items, which should include… LOTS of Drinking Water: Unless you want to spend the day walking back and forth to the snack stand for overpriced bottled water, it’s best to bring your own. So pack a cooler with bottles from the local warehouse store; freeze them overnight to make sure they stay cold in the hot sun. Or, better yet, fill a jug with ice water. Just don’t forget the cups. Food: Good food is a must, but only if it is stored properly with ice bags. Lots of healthy snacks — pita chips, crackers, baby carrots, apples, bananas, grapes, etc. — in addition to salads and sandwiches, will save you from the concession stand. Don’t forget the utensils, napkins and extra plastic bags for garbage! Good Sunscreen: Sunscreen might be the most important thing on the list. Bring plenty of the non-toxic variety and reapply often. Water, sweat and outdoor activity will wear away that protection over the course of a day. Sunglasses: Unless you prefer squinting and the crow’s-feet and wrinkle lines that result, invest in a decent pair of sunglasses. Experts recommend protection from UVA and UVB light. So pack the sunglasses or, better still, wear them out of the house. First Aid Kit: Cuts on the feet from shells and broken glass are all too common. Bring along band-aids and a spray bottle of antiseptic to keep the fun from ending early. Color-Coordinated Shirts: Kids (and even parents) can get lost in the crowd. Have everyone in the group wear a bright-colored shirt to make it easier to find one another. Binoculars: Binoculars are a great way to look at boats, blimps and sky writing. They also help find those lost kids in bright t-shirts. Change of Clothes: Clothes tend to get wet and sandy. Bring some extra clothes in the car to avoid an uncomfortable ride home.

Portable Chairs: I don’t know about you, but my back needs some support! Small portable beach chairs can be much more comfortable than the hard ground. But make sure there are enough to go around to avoid disagreements and hurt feelings. Beach Toys: Pails, shovels, Boogie boards and goggles will help keep kids interested and engaged in their surroundings. Lots of Entertainment: There’s never enough to do. Make sure you have some other activities, in case there’s a lull in the day’s activities. Anything from books and magazines to crossword puzzles and playing cards will work. Jug of Water in the Car: An extra jug of water in the trunk is a great way to wash off dirty or sandy feet. Remember the day’s fun without the reminder on the seats and floor of your car. Have a safe and fun holiday!

cbs4 Newspaper July 20, 2012

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

COCONUT GROVE (CBSMIAMI.COM)

Scotty’s Landing is Miami’s version of Cheers. The beloved burger-and-fish joint has been a fixture on Coconut Grove’s waterfront for more than 20 years. However, the restaurant’s future is treading muddy waters. After the restaurant’s operator, Grove Key Marina, saw its 35-year lease expire at the end of June, the city began taking bids for the property. Then, the city scrapped the bidding process, which means Scotty’s is back to square one. According to a city commissioner, the number-one bidder had a key player who had issues with bankruptcy filings. The proposal from Scott Wessel, the current marina and restaurant operator, came in second place. Unfortunately for him, Scotty’s faired no better. The commissioner said the restaurant was behind on property taxes. Wessel denied that. He sayed his lease never required him to pay taxes until now. He also said he’s always been a good tenant of the city. “We’ve lived our lease to the ‘T’. We’ve always paid our rent on time, never late. In the 30-plus years that we’ve had the lease our audits are fine,” said Wessel. The bottom line is that the bidding process will start over and Scotty’s has to prove to the city that it is on the mend, or it will lose the property and the restaurant will close. Wessel is trying to remain optimistic. “We want to stay here. We’ve developed roots with the community. I think the close-to-4000-plus petitions that have been signed to save Scotty’s speaks volumes about what people want down in the Grove,” said Wessel.

cbs4 newspaper July 20, 2012

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

PRINTED IN THE USA, COPYRIGHT ÂŠ 2012 BY MARCO G, INC. All rights reserved. The CBS4 Newspaper, a free publication, is published monthly by MARCO G, Inc. Material in this publication must not be stored or reproduced in any form without permission from CBS4. Requests for permission should be directed to 305-477-1699. CBS4 and its logo (s) are protected through trademark registration. The use of logos, content and/or artwork in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. For more information please contact 305-477-1699.