culinary therapy
Cooking classes could help people cope with mental health problems
Live Vicariously
Local daredevil takes viewers to extreme heights
CORAL GABLES
Broke
Coral Gables About CBS4 PRint publications The CBS4 Coral Gable News Magazine is a monthly magazine. Twelve complimentary editions per year are delivered to the homes and businesses in Coral Gables via the U.S. Post Office between the 1st and 10th of each month. CBS4 News Magazine is dedicated to providing professional, relevant and award-winning news to the residents in the City of Coral Gables. Our editorial focuses on local business and community news which includes health, sports, real estate, automotive and entertainment news. REAL. LOCAL. NEWS. DELIVERED!
Editorial team NEWS DIRECTOR Liz Roldan lroldan@cbs.com ANCHORS Cynthia Demos cdemos@cbs.com Eliott Rodriguez erodriguez@cbs.com Irika Sargent isargent@cbs.com Marybel Rodriguez marybel.rodriguez@wfor.cbs.com Rhiannon Ally rally@cbs.com Rick Folbaum rfolbaum@cbs.com Walter Makaula wmakaula@cbs.com CBS4 INVESTIGATES David Sutta dsutta@cbs.com Jasmine Kripalani jkripalani@cbs.com Jim DeFede jdefede@wfor.cbs.com Michele Gillen mgillen@cbs.com ENTERTAINMENT Lisa Petrillo lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com REPORTERS Carey Codd cdcodd@wfor.cbs.com Gaby Fleischman gfleischman@cbs.com Gary Nelson gnelson@wfor.cbs.com Joan Murray jmurray@wfor.cbs.com Lauren Pastrana lpastrana@cbs.com Maggie Newland mnewland@cbs.com Natalia Zea nzea@cbs.com Peter D’Oench peter.doench@cbs.com Ted Scouten tscouten@cbs.com Travell Eiland teiland@cbs.com SPORTS Jim Berry jberry@wfor.cbs.com Mike Cugno mcugno@cbs.com TRAFFIC Vanessa Borge vborge@cbs.com WEATHER NEWS Craig Setzer csetzer@cbs.com John Gerard jgerard@cbs.com Lissette Gonzalez lgonzalez@wfor.cbs.com Michael Smith msmith@cbs.com WEB JOURNALISTS David Dwor ddwork@cbs.com Giovanna Maselli gmaselli1@cbs.com John MacLauchlan jmaclauchlan@cbs.com Lisa Cilli lcilli@wfor.cbs.com Marlena Rodriguez mrodriguez1@cbs.com
4 | April 2015
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Contents April 2015
08 15 22 74
BROKE
It’s the kind of money most of us could only dream of especially to play a game. Yet everyday professional athletes cash checks for millions of dollars. Remarkably, more than half of them will go broke within a few years of retiring.
20
Health Section sponsored by
30
Real estate
Section sponsored by
Dolphins Open Preview Center
The Miami Dolphins announced the creation of the Samsung business preview center. The interactive venue highlights the new stadium.
Dried Meat Snacks Going Healthy
A growing number of brands are setting out to transform a road trip indulgence into a cleaner, upscale treat.
42
74
Section sponsored by
Section sponsored by
Home marketplace improvement
National Credit Consultants 6 | April 2015
Local Daredevil Takes Viewers To Extreme Heights
It’s called urban exploring and it involves things like climbing to the top of structures or checking out abandoned buildings.
86
automotive Section sponsored by
feature www.cbsmiami.com
Women To Watch:
Cindy Hutson
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I
by Tara gilani
n this month’s edition of “Women To Watch,” Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani tracked down one of the top female chefs in America. Cindy Hutson is owner and executive chef of Ortanique in Coral Gables. Her outposts in Camana Bay, Grand Cayman and at The Dunmore in Harbour Island Bahamas adds up to three times the charm. “Cuisine of the sun” is what Hutson long ago dubbed her Caribbean-style cooking. Ortanique has been a popular spot its whole 16 years—quite a feat. Mom of three, a self-taught cook, Cindy opened her first restaurant, Norma’s On The Beach (in South Beach) in 1994 with her partner in life (and business), Delius Shirley. “He decided that I knew how to cook, I didn’t go to culinary school, he said get in the kitchen, I need a chef, I want a restaurant, he threw me in there. Hutson told Gilani she learned, “the hard way. I cried every single night, every night.” “Are you still crying 16-years later?” Gilani asked Hutson. “No. What happened was I cried, I burnt myself, I cut myself, I didn’t know what I was doing. So I thought. And then our first review came out and it was USA Today and they called me the jewel of the Caribbean and I went…oh…I can do this!“ Hutson said. Cindy calls her Caribbean-inspired cooking “Cuisine of the Sun.” “My cuisine of the sun is basically whatever I feel under the sun to be cooking but it does involve fresh, seasonal produce, local wherever possible. It’s ever-changing, core menu, all the special revolve, like the sun,” Hutson said. Hutson cooked for Gilani. To sum it up, Gilani said the food was “delish.” “I went all Caribbean today and this one is a Jamaican-style curried pork with yellow yam malanga, breadfruit and jasmine rice.” Hutson’s secret to longevity in the restaurant business is simple; don’t try to be something you’re not. And her secret to success is similar, “be true to yourself.”
Hutson, who often wears a bandana, which has become a trademark said, “yup, that’s me. It changes every day.” Gilani noted, “the bandana and the menu.” “Laugh at me if you will but I kind of have the feeling in a past life I was maybe a Jamaican, somewhere in the Caribbean. It’s just too comfortable for me. It’s very easy to get into that whole mode,” said Chef Hutson. Coming soon, the newest member of the Ortanique family, Hutson said, “We’re opening up Zest, down on Biscayne, right across from the Intercontinental Hotel.” Hutson’s first book, called “From the Tip of my Tongue,” just debuted. “It’s part cookbook and part love story,” Hutson said. “I fell into this business because Delius grabbed my hand and told me I could do it and would be wonderful at it, all along, me doubting me, no one else doubting me, and it’s a darned good feeling to know you’ve found what you’re meant to be doing.” Cindy Hutson, from the heart, answered the Trend Tracker®’s round of questions: I am, “content,” I want, “to keep traveling,” I will, “make a mark in this world,” I will, “never back down,” I hope, “to become a little wealthier, I wish, “the best for my children,” I promise, “to help provide that for them.”
April 2015 | 9
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Broke
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I
by david sutta
t’s the kind of money most of us could only dream of especially to play a game. Yet everyday professional athletes cash checks for millions of dollars. Remarkably, more than half of them will go broke within a few years of retiring. Now a group of athletes and business people are setting out to try and change that. Phillip Buchanon lived large before he even made it in football. The University of Miami Football superstar won a national championship. He followed that up going in the first round of the NFL draft. “Once I signed, I had already spent about a million dollars already,” Buchanon recalls. “On what?” CBS4’s David Sutta asked. “Just spending money.” he said with a smile. He was a kid with nothing and then suddenly a millionaire overnight. The media reported on his $12 million dollar, five year contract. “I walked around college like I was a millionaire already so that kind of
helped me. And I was projected to be a first round draft pick. So I knew the money was coming. I wish I had a better approach towards buying the cars and buying the houses and just spending money that I didn’t really have yet,” he said. Buchanon remembers his first check for a whopping $4 million. Then came the shock. Taxes cut that check in half. He was already a million dollars in debt from living large. His family came after what was left. In a book due out next month Buchanon reveals his uncle threatened to rob him and that his own mother demanded a million dollars. “She said don’t ever send me a card. Don’t ever send me flowers. If it’s not money, don’t send it.” Buchanon said. As fast as it came in it went. It’s a familiar tale that athletes shared in the 2012 documentary Broke. Director Billy Corben found a recurring theme among all the athletes who had lost it all. “The tragedy of this situation is, is that it’s avoidable. The reason it’s avoidable is it seems the young athletes are making the same mistakes
I walked around college like I was a millionaire already so that kind of helped me. And I was projected to be a first round draft pick. So I knew the money was coming. I wish I had a better approach towards buying the cars and buying the houses and just spending money that I didn’t really have yet”
Phillip Buchanon
April 2015 | 11
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Anybody can buy the toy. It’s how are you going to maintain that toy. You can buy the house. How are you going to maintain the house? Ricardo “Ricky” Bones
that the previous athletes have made. And if they could just learn those lessons then they wouldn’t be doomed to repeat them,” Corben said. Corben pointed out that most of us earn more as we get older and wiser. For athletes, it’s the opposite. “They are making the most money they ever going to make in their lives essentially in their 20’s,” said Corben. Nandy Serrano shook his head in agreement and said,”I agree with Billy 100%.” Serrano, a former baseball player, traded his cleats for dress shoes 23 years ago. As a financial planner life after baseball was good but not for his buddies. “When I started seeing how many of them were being taken advantage of, and they were losing their money, millions of dollars,” Serrano said. He said the two biggest mistakes players make are allowing family to manage their money and getting married young. “There is a 85% divorce rate in professional sports,” said Serrano. Nandy is trying to break the go for broke mold. An annual Life after Sports symposium puts athletes in the room with retired pros so they can hear about the mistakes of others. The forum, which took place recently at Marlins Ballpark, was standing room only. The room was filled with athletes current and retired, businessmen, and family members of both. Buchanon sat on a panel in front of the group along with other notable retired pros. Some who lost it all and some who managed to save a few dollars. “You have to do what’s right for you because when you are done playing it’s over with, ” Buchanon told the crowd. Others echoed his comments, even advising to cut
off family before they clean you out. Ricardo “Ricky” Bones, a former Miami Marlin, is one of the fortunate ones. When he signed his contract in 1986 he received a $60,000 signing bonus. That’s roughly $125,000 in today’s money. His middle class parents stepped in, advising him to save half and spend the other. He got his brand new Cutlass Supreme and banked the rest. As his career advanced he said so did the cars, the houses and the jewelry. And then he saw his teammates lose it all. It was an important lesson he learned early. “Anybody can buy the toy. It’s how are you going to maintain that toy. You can buy the house. How are you going to maintain the house?” Bones said. Buchanon was lucky. He played in the league three times longer than the average player. It meant he had time to make mistakes. He admits that if he had lasted three years in the league he would likely have been left with nothing. He also credits Corben’s documentary for waking him up. “That documentary actually motivated me. So I want to thank you for making that,” he said. Buchanon retired a few years ago and is authoring children’s books and an autobiography. All of it centered on helping people learn from his mistakes. He laughed while saying, “When you get your first check… don’t do what I did. Simple as that. Just do better than me.” Nandy Serrano’s Life After Sports program is hopeful that the discussions he’s cultivating can change the tide but it won’t be easy. He estimates there are 2,500 pro athletes living in South Florida, many of them headed for broke.
April 2015 | 13
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Controversial Video May Be Helping Drivers Dodge DUI Checkpoints
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By David Sutta
t’s the YouTube video that’s gone viral. In the video, a driver gets through a DUI checkpoint without lowering his window or even saying a word. The video, recorded in Florida on January 1st, has been viewed more than two million times. More videos are now surfacing claiming the tactics used are helping people beat DUI checkpoints. CBS4’s David Sutta investigated to see if it really works, or if it’s a hoax. The video starts off like any DUI checkpoint—cars funneled into one lane. Officers wave to see if you are sober. When the driver pulls up to the deputies, he says absolutely nothing. Instead, hanging out the window is a plastic bag with a driver’s license, registration, insurance and a card that reads “I remain Silent. No searches. I want my lawyer.” The deputies take a good look then wave the driver through.
“We’ve done seven or eight videos and it’s worked every time in the checkpoints,” Attorney Warren Redlich said. He’s the person credited with creating the card. It’s something he developed to make DUI checkpoints “fair” because he doesn’t trust all cops to be fair. Redlich explained, “Fundamentally I think people don’t like checkpoints. They are unAmerican. And I think people get that.” “A checkpoint is un-American?” Sutta asked. “Yeah. You’ve heard of checkpoint Charlie? Checkpoints, you know papers please this all the kind of stuff that we imagine from places like Nazi Germany and Russia. It’s not America. America is a place where you are free to travel,” Redlich said. On YouTube this “fair DUI” appears he has some support. “On the YouTube video is 10 to 1, more than 10 to 1 thumbs up and then thumbs down,” Redlich claims. He’s also received
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a sobering dose of hate mail though. “People hoping my children get murdered by a drunk driver. You know that’s really humanitarian of them. You know it’s an irrational, hatred-driven, fear-driven thing,” Redlich said. Like it or hate it we wondered does it work? Is this some sort of gimmick? A trick? Redlich responds to the thought. “I would say it’s a method. You could call it a trick. I mean if asserting your constitutional rights is a trick then sure.” Redlich’s technique uses the 4th amendment that prohibits unreasonable searches and the 5th amendment, your right to remain silent (self-incrimination). If you are wondering why you would want to keep your window up and remain silent, Redlich explains. “The minute you roll down your window, whether there’s actually an odor of alcoholic beverages or not, the police will claim that they smelled alcohol. And when you speak, one of the key things here is to not speak, when you speak the police can say your speech was slurred. Your speech was impaired. There is something wrong with the way you were speaking,” Redlich said. By eliminating smell and sound, all that’s left is what the deputy sees. He believes it will hold up. We wondered if this is totally legitimate? Is it legal? Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said in short: yes. “Yeah. They can do this. They want to put their documents outside and they are available to us they could do this,” Israel said. Broward has yet to see the cards at their checkpoints. If they do, though, they are prepared. “We are not going to force the issue on the window coming down. However if my observations and suspicions are that you may be intoxicated it’s going to be handled in a completely
different way,” Israel said. Deputies observing anything suspicious could order you to open your window. And if a driver refuses things could escalate. “If we needed to break a window, or a door, or break any kind of door or window, or conveyance. We would do that,” Israel said. Attorney David Weinstein admires the concept but at the end of the day, told us he wouldn’t recommend it for his clients. He said the tactic is way too subjective and risky. “There is no guarantee that anyone’s advice is 100-percent bullet proof. You may encounter a situation where an officer honors it. You may encounter an officer who doesn’t. And if you’ve been drinking and they don’t honor it you are still going to end up arrested.” Ultimately Redlich said his tactics aren’t about ducking a DUI, it’s about keeping bad cops from harassing you. “Unfortunately we have a world where the police have a lot of power. Sometimes that’s important and they need that power. But sometimes they abuse that power and we need to keep an eye on them,” Redlich said. Sheriff Israel counters pulling this card out will likely have the opposite effect. “I ask myself ‘why would an individual want to goad police. Why would you want that negative contact?’” Israel said. Israel’s advice to anyone considering this, “Why? If you are compelled to do, do it. It’s within your rights. But why do it?” While the Fair DUI card has worked thus far at checkpoints, it has yet to be challenged in the courts. It’s inevitably going to happen at some point. In the meantime, everyone we spoke with advised that if an officer orders you to lower your window–do it. For more on this Fair DUI, head over to fairdui.com.
There is no guarantee that anyone’s advice is 100-percent bullet proof. You may encounter a situation where an officer honors it. You may encounter an officer who doesn’t.” April 2015 | 15
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Father’s Fight For Safer Pool Lights Heads To Tallahassee
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By David Sutta
t’s been ten months since Calder Sloan was electrocuted while swimming in his family pool. You may recall his self-portrait called mister awesome traveled the world following his death. Today state legislation was filed in Mr. Awesome’s name, legislation that may prevent further tragedies from happening. When Calder Sloan was electrocuted swimming in his family pool the world took notice. The 7-year old’s self-portrait, titled Mr. Awesome, traveled the world reminding everyone about the value of life. Now, Mr. Awesome’s legacy is hoping to make another giant leap, to make the world a safer place. “We really, really hope that he continues to save lives and that’ll be his legacy. In no way with all these amazing things that have happened make up for his loss. But it’s a nice little step that insures Calder didn’t die completely in vain,” said his father, Chris Sloan, after hearing the bill had been officially filed.
When Calder died CBS4 began investigating several incidents involving swimmers either shocked or killed while swimming in pools. The series of reports led both MiamiDade and Broward County to pass new laws banning high voltage pool lights. But with more than a million pools state-wide and millions more nationwide Sloan felt the need to keep going. “Our work is just getting started. It’s quite daunting and intimidating but if we just stop here than we haven’t done our jobs,” Sloan said. For months Sloan has met behind closed doors with politicians hammering out a bill. The legislation requires: -inspections of pool lights in all public pools every 5 years -disclosing at the sale of every home with a pool the dangers of high voltage pool lights -and limiting the voltage of all new pool lights to 15 volts Combined the measures might have saved Calder’s life. “What we’ve discovered is there
is so many things that can go wrong in a pool that can lead to fatal injuries. And we weren’t aware of that. And had we been aware of that you damn right we would have had a pool inspected.” Sloan explained. Getting this passed may not be easy. Calder’s legacy to save lives could come down to whether politicians can lend themselves to the cause. Sloan realizes this and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the votes needed. “There is no guarantee that this is going to pass. We need Republican sponsorship. We need people to reach across the aisle and realize this isn’t a partisan issue. This is about saving the lives of not only the citizens, but really children,” said Chris Sloan. Right now this bill only has Democrat sponsors in a Republican majority House and Senate. Sloan says he’s more than willing to make the case in Tallahassee. MiamiDade’s Mayor Carlos Gimenez has pledged to be there too.
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Dolphins Open Samsung Preview Center For Sun Life Stadium Renovations by Marybel Rodriguez
he Miami Dolphins announced the creation of the Samsung business preview center in Sun Life Stadium. The interactive venue highlights the new stadium. “It gives them a sense of all the different seating products and how the stadium is changing. There is a lot of change and new experiences within the stadium” said Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel. Add Dan Marino to the list of people who are very excited to see Sun Life Stadium getting it’s muchneeded makeover.
“It’s exciting to me,” said Marino. “I played in the first game of the stadium in 1987 and to see everything that’s involved and now getting a new stadium for fans of South Florida, they should be excited about it also.” The 400 million dollar renovation is expected to be completed by 2016 but in the meantime season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to experience firsthand everything the new stadium will have to offer, from the brand-new seats to a program that gives them a 360° view of the stadium from each and every seat. “I got to see it last week and it was kind of emotional with the effect of
the video and seeing the stadium, what it’s going to look like while keeping the tradition of the Miami Dolphins hopefully we will continue to build on that,” said Marino. Fans first stop is this room where they can see a video of the history of Sun Life Stadium, after which they will walk into the future. Once fans have tried out the new seats it’s on to the viewing room to select the perfect location, with the help of a program that gives you a virtual 360° view of the stadium from each seat. The full renovation project is scheduled to be finished in time for the 2016 NFL season.
April 2015 | 17
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S
Connecting Those in Need with Those Who can Help
ince 1992, following Hurricane Andrew, Neighbors 4 Neighbors has connected those in need with those who can help. Through a partnership with CBSMiami TV, we use television to tell stories of need in our community and facilitate the response from those willing to help. Over the years, we have learned that most people have a desire to help their neighbors in need, but are often unsure of how to connect, resistant to long term volunteering commitments, and don’t always want to be part of an organized volunteer effort. We believe that everyone has a talent to share, and we want to match that talent with someone who needs it. As the web and social media began to expand our reach, we developed HelpingFeelsGood.org, a website that uses technology to make human con-
nections. Our website captures the skills and talents of everyday people, and matches them with the client of a non-profit whose life will be enriched through their donation of service. It may be teaching a musical instrument or altering a prom dress. Life coaching a widow or installing a ceiling fan. The power and impact of Helping Feels Good.org is seen in every match. From individuals to companies like Coastal Construction that just completed a major home rehab for a needy family, lives are being changed forever. Nicole, the first homeowner in her family, was unable to repair her home due to lack of income after a severe back injury left her disabled and on limited income. The roof was in such disrepair it was literally raining in her living room. Coast Construction’s charitable arm CoastalCares heard of the families need and not only fixed the
roof, the damaged walls and ceilings in side, along with Biscayne Roofing and rallied other vendor partners, to help as well. The team of volunteers came together, painted her home, fixed the fence, added nice new landscaping and even did some electrical work making this house a home again. Nicole, admitted that her home, that was such a blessing for so long, became a burden. She is humbled by the gifts of time and talent from these selfless volunteers that she now considers friends. That’s what Helping Feels Good.org is all about, making those connections, big and small that change lives. The name says it all, Helping Does Feel Good. Register today to find a project near you. You can also make a donation to support projects when you can’t be there in person. April 2015 | 19
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Cooking classes could help people cope with mental health problems
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By Vanessa Borge
ome counselors treating patients with issues such as stress, anxiety and depression, are turning to cooking classes to help them cope with mental health problems. The cooking classes can help patients not only feed their body—but nourish the mind simultaneously. Cathy Ramirez is finding comfort in cooking after three strokes sent her into a major depression. She takes classes where creating a meal, and enjoying it with her classmates, is helping soothe her stress. “It makes you feel good inside to accomplish something,” said Ramirez. ‘Feeling accomplished’ is exactly the goal: building self-esteem and curbing negative thinking by focusing the mind on making a meal. But sometimes, whether knowingly or not, making a meal is not the only thing they are doing. “Learning a skill and getting a sense of competence, competence motivation we call it in psychology, or another term is self-efficacy, the feeling that you can do something and do it well, is enormously important,” said Frank Farley, former President of the American Psychological Association. Culinary therapy is being offered alongside traditional therapy at a growing number of healthcare facilities from coast to coast, helping patients from their teens to their senior years. It can help with many mental wellness issues, according to experts. “One of the facets of depression is the loss
of interest in everyday things. Apathy, so here you’re trying to get them involved in something that’s intrinsically interesting,” said Farley. Helen Tafoya oversees cooking classes at a rehabilitation center. “What we find in recovery is success builds on success, so if somebody has success in making a simple gravy, and you can get them to make a more complicated macaroni and cheese, or some enchilada casserole, or something like that, they’re building a success upon a success. It increases self-esteem,” Tafoya said. Tafoya has seen that cooking can offer a great distraction, allowing people to open up in ways they otherwise wouldn’t. “Someone might be making a gravy, making a casserole, chopping vegetables, and as soon as their hands get busy, and they start getting involved in the food preparation, something might come up, a memory, or an experience and they start talking about that, and someone else says a similar thing happened to me and before you know it, people who are pretty shut down in traditional therapy sessions are really talking fairly openly about things that are very important to them,” Tafoya said. The various components combine—much like ingredients—to create the perfect recipe. Ramirez said her cooking class feeds her mind, body and soul. “It’s a place of comfort,” Ramirez said. With the cooking classes there is concern about weight gain. If cooking is used to treat mental health, it’s stressed that the lessons involve healthy options as well as portion control.
Culinary therapy is being offered alongside traditional therapy at a growing number of healthcare facilities from coast to coast, helping patients from their teens to their senior years. April 2015 | 23
health
Dried Meat Snacks Going Healthy
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ealthy may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of dried meat snacks – like beef
jerky. However, a growing number of brands are setting out to change that, transforming a road trip indulgence into a cleaner, upscale treat. Blogger Toni Sicola likes to snack on foods which are hunger busting and healthy. “I tend to stay away from the foods that have lots and lots of ingredients that you can’t pronounce,” said Sicola. Her go to snack is a convenience store classic that has undergone a modern day makeover – jerky. “It’s not super dry and leathery. It’s a lot easier to chew,” said Sicola. Dried meat is now considered one of America’s hottest gourmet snacks. Sales topped $2.5 billion, up nearly
12-percent, within the last year. The latest brands to hit the market claim their products are minimally processed, nitrate free and crafted from all-natural ingredients. Supermarket guru Phil Lempert said it’s no surprise dried meat is the fastest growing U.S. snack category. “It’s satisfying, number one. It’s exciting, number two. And probably most important, it’s all about protein,” said Lempert. Americans are hungry for grab and go, high-protein snacks. Not only is jerky protein rich, typically 7 to 14 grams per serving, gourmet brands are shaking things up with funky flavor combinations – think meat based bars mixed with fruit and there’s even jerky trail mix. “It’s really introducing a lot of people, especially the millennial generation, both men and women, to all kinds of new tastes,” said Lempert.
“One of my favorite flavors of gourmet jerky is a black cherry barbecue pork one,” said Sicola. Registered dietician Dawn JacksonBlatner said even though today’s dried meat is considered a leaner, cleaner, snack, it’s still important to read labels. Make sure you recognize the ingredients and focus on the “Percent Daily Value” for sodium and saturated fat. “You want those things to be low, and really that means it’s about 5%, or for sure under 20%, when you’re looking at the label,” said Jackson-Blatner. Most healthy Americans don’t need to beef up their protein intake, so as with anything, Jackson-Blatner recommends eating meat treats in moderation. “A great way to do that is like once a day paired with a fruit or a vegetable. That way you’re sort of getting this balanced nutrition at your snack time,” she said.
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Study: hand washing dishes may reduce risk of allergy development
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Manual Wash
inner is finished and the plates are loaded into the sink—whether you proceed to hand wash or place them in the dishwasher could make a difference in whether or not children develop allergies. A questionnaire-based study of 1,029 Swedish children, between the ages of 7 and 8, found an association between allergy development and common
lifestyle factors—such as hand washing your dishes versus placing them in the dishwasher. The results found that hand washing dishes was associated with a reduced risk of children developing allergic diseases; like asthma and eczema. Also, risks are further reduced if children ate fermented food and bought food directly from farms, according to the study. The study, which was published in the March 2015 issue of Pediatrics, speculates that a less-efficient
dishwashing method, hand washing for example, may induce tolerance because of an increased microbial exposure. The study notes that it is known that microbial exposure during early life may prevent, or reduce, the risk of allergy development—a hypothesis known as the hygiene hypothesis. The epidemiologic study explores daily-life exposure patterns to test if the patterns are associated with less allergy development in children. April 2015 | 25
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‘New Approach’ Shifts Focus From Elimination To Looking At Diet As A Whole
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By Marlena Rodriguez
or the past 10 years, growing concerns over childhood obesity has paved the way for more nutritious, healthier foods offered to kids at school. But now the American Academy of Pediatrics wants healthy foods to go beyond cafeteria walls, urging caregivers to focus on the nutritional quality of the foods packed and brought to school. It seems while school lunches have improved, food brought by some of the students are still low in nutrition— and high in calories, according to a new policy statement by the AAP.
Also, instead of obsessing over what not to eat, the AAP is advising parents to take a different approach, and consider kids’ nutrition as a whole. Positive emphasis on nutritional value, variety, portion control and attempting to slowly improve quality of food is likely a more effective approach for improving the foods kids consume. The AAP adds that restricting foods can backfire, actually making things– like sweets–become more attractive to children. “Instead of thinking about what needs to be eliminated from our diet, we need to think about what to incorporate into our diet,” said Mark R.
Corkins, M.D., FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Nutrition. Robert Murray, M.D., FAAP, lead author of the policy statement, said that using “sugar, fat and sodium strategically” can help boost nutrition in kids’ meals. “Children, like adults, often want their own preferred flavors and textures during meals and snacks,” Dr. Murray said. “It’s no secret that brown sugar on oatmeal, or salad dressing with cut vegetables, can make these healthy foods more palatable to children, and increase their consumption. This is not a license to give kids anything they want; we just need to use sugar, fat and sodium strategically.” April 2015 | 27
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Hungry
full
“Appetite Pacemaker” May Help Battle Obesity By Rhiannon Ally
new tool in the battle against obesity is a device that promises to turn off hunger. It works like an appetite pacemaker and it’s taken the weight loss world by storm. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Maestro V-Bloc last month. “Everybody was caught off guard,” said Dr. Ken Fujioka. “It got approved quicker than any of us thought.” Dr. Fujioka is a weight loss researcher at one of a handful of sites nationwide testing the V-bloc in people. “Right now we’re in a brand new era of treating weight,” said Dr. Fujioka. Virginia Valles got her V-bloc four years ago. She was one of the very first patients to give it a try. “I heard an ad on the radio for a clinical trial. It was going to be free so
what did I have to lose,” said Valles. At the time, she was more than a hundred pounds overweight “My husband loves to eat we have four sons who were just ravenous. Wanted to eat all the time,” said Valles. All the food she served to them took their toll on her. “It all tempted me,” said Valles. But, ever since her surgery she said, “it doesn’t.” The V-bloc works a lot like a pacemaker. It has a motor that’s implanted under the skin and wires that connect it to cuffs placed around the vagus nerve which runs from the brain to the intestines. That nerve plays a huge role in regulating how hungry we are. “Your appetite will really go up if you’re not signaling that you should be full,” said Dr. Fujioka. The v-bloc turns on automatically. Tiny metal coils inside the cuffs send electrical pulses along the nerve for about 12 hours a day
Once the current is going, Dr. Fujioka said, “You get this feeling of fullness. It’s like you just ate a really big meal.” While she doesn’t feel any electrical charge, she can feel the device itself. “Once in a while I’ll move wrong, or I’ll jiggle it and I’ll notice it,” said Valles. She is still 40 pounds from her weight loss goal but she’s happy with the progress she has made. With her loss of weight, she’s gained back her active lifestyle. “I’ve always had a love of the water and now I’m back on it in a kayak,” said Valles. The doctor said unlike other procedures that change how food gets digested,electrical stimulation simply changes the feedback to the brain, signaling you’re full quicker. At this point, there is no word on how much the procedure will cost or whether insurance will cover any of it. April 2015 | 29
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The right pricing strategy plays a big part in scoring the best offer on your home.
Priced to Sell: A Game Plan for Setting Your Listing Price
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etting a home’s list price is easier said than done. A good real estate agent will recommend a price range, but never assign an exact price — that’s ultimately for the seller to decide. Although sellers aren’t required to price according to inventory levels or the market condition, it’s smart to discuss these matters with your agent early and often to make an informed decision. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing your listing price.
Discuss price reductions before listing If you aren’t highly motivated to unload your home, time is on your side. Absent recent or obvious comparable sales, the market value of your home could fall within a broader range. If you want to give it a shot at the top of the range, go for it. Then monitor buyer traffic to see how the market responds. If you try the higher end of your home’s price range, agree with your agent early on that you will drop the
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price after a set amount of time. You can then use that price reduction as a marketing tool to get more people in the door. At least you will know that the higher price strategy did not work.
Pricing low doesn’t guarantee multiple offers
When homeowners hear about other sellers who received multiple offers or sold their homes for over the asking price, they assume it can happen to them, too. But just because your neighbor received three offers within two weeks does not mean you will. The homes that receive multiple offers are sometimes purposely priced low to get that activity. These home are generally in a good location and in their best showing condition. And for all you know, the seller of the low-priced home with multiple offers was in a rush to sell and left money on the table. If you price your home low, be prepared to take that price. While it’s not unheard of, raising your list price several weeks into the listing will surely turn off potential buyers.
Many agents look for a quick sale
Well-intentioned agents don’t want to watch your home sit on the market. They understand that homes that go weeks or months with few showings will ultimately sell for less than if they had been priced correctly right out of the gate. Sometimes it becomes a battle — one you need to avoid. If your agent pushes for a lower number but still agrees to take the listing at your higher price, you may want
to reconsider working with that agent. He or she represents your interests in the marketplace, both to other agents and the buyers they encounter. An agent who doesn’t get their way on pricing may end up sabotaging your sale. A good agent will agree to support your higher price strategy, but have a price discussion after some time on the market.
Determining the real market value
The true market value of a home is what an able and willing buyer and seller agree to in an arms-length transaction. But you won’t know that until the end of the process. If the home sells within a few days of listing, chances are you listed too low. If months go by without any action, you hit the high mark. A home that is priced right will get some steady action. If you receive second or third showings from multiple buyers over the course of a few weeks, you’ve likely hit the mark with pricing. Once you have an accepted offer or a signed contract, prepare for more negotiations after inspection. If buyers feel they are paying a lot, they will come back and ask for credits or fixes. A true sign of a well-priced home is one where the seller and buyer negotiate up until the eleventh hour. If you plan to sell your home, talk about pricing with your agent early on, and continue the discussion as you get closer to listing. Check out listings online, go to open houses, and vet the competition weeks before listing. If you and your agent are on the same page about the pricing and marketing strategy, your home’s ultimate price shouldn’t come as a surprise.
A true sign of a well-priced home is one where the seller and buyer negotiate up until the eleventh hour. April 2015 | 33
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Recently Sold Coral Gables
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ld
510 Palermo Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134 SINGLE FAMILY | Built in: 1953 Sold: 2/26/2015 for
$574,000
N
Size (sq. ft.)
beds
1,609 3
baths
2
ew roof, new tenting, updated electrical all in December 2014!!! A Great Opportunity! Nestled on a beautiful quiet tree lined street! Charming home, blocks from Miracle Mile, Merrick park, Coral Gables High School. Open kitchen with wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, Updated bathrooms, California shutters. Close to Coconut Grove, Brickell, and Airport...
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Recently Sold Coral Gables
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ld
4114 San Amaro Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33146 SINGLE FAMILY | Built in: 1949 Sold: 3/2/2015 for
$1,150,000
T
Size (sq. ft.)
beds
baths
2,655 5 3.5
his stunningly and lovingly renovated home is nestled on a secluded 11,880 sf corner lot. With 5BR/3.5 baths this home includes impact glass, FP, gleaming wood floors; a sumptuous eat-in gourmet kitchen has high end stainless steel appliances, gas range and wine cooler. Bathrooms are of jewel box quality. Custom closets, plantation shutters and crown moldings add even more glamour. The glistening pool and patio are ideal for entertaining and barbecues.
April 2015 | 35
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Recently Sold Coral Gables
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ld
739 Santurce Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33143 SINGLE FAMILY | Built in: 1952 Sold: 3/2/2015 for
$1,555,000
E
Size (sq. ft.)
beds
baths
3,439 4 3.5
njoy this beautiful and large home in the platinum triangle! The home was totally rebuilt and expanded in 1998. The elegant and gracious home features formal living and dining rooms, granite and wood kitchen with Viking appliances, spacious family room, and stunning master suite with a spa-like bath. The fabulous family room has French doors that open to the beautiful patio and pool perfect for entertaining! Additional features include a 2 CG, alarm system, shutters for the home, and a laundry room.
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Recently Sold Coral Gables
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ld
725 Vilabella Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 SINGLE FAMILY | Built in: 1950 Sold: 2/27/2015 for
$1,740,000
W
Size (sq. ft.)
beds
3,619 4
baths
4
aterfront with ocean access, beautifully updated two-story mid-century Modern 4/4 with impact glass thru-out, extraordinary master suite w/huge closets, high ceilings, office, meditation room and lovely water views. 4221 Sq’, 12,000 sq.’ lot. This home offers very spacious social areas that lead out to a very large open terrace overlooking the 53’ dock and sparkling blue waters of the Coral Gables Waterway w/ocean access, protected harborage. Walk to UM.
April 2015 | 37
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To-Do List How to Maintain Resolutions for Your Home Making a list of your home improvement goals for 2015 was easy, but can you keep up with your plans?
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s a home ever fully complete? Many say no — the number of projects designed to improve the home are infinite. As interior design trends come and go, you may feel pressured to frequently update spaces. Similarly, the internal operations of a home require regular maintenance and replacement to function properly. Both aesthetics and framework are important to consider, especially when it comes time to sell.
To best fulfill your home improvement concepts this year, plan in three parts.
Categorize your projects
Part of sticking with the plan involves separating individual projects by type, and then targeting appropriately. “Define home improvements into two basic categories,” recommends Dean Seibert of InSoFast. “The first would be “aesthetic improvements” like paint, wallpaper, new carpets and
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other visual updates. These updates are easier to do and can be quickly tackled by most handy homeowners. Then there are the more difficult “home improvements” which are less glamorous, kind of boring, but generally important.” Some homeowners prioritize the internal aspects of their home. This can be somewhat unsatisfying since most structural renovations aren’t visible. However, ensuring electric, heat, plumbing and foundation are all sound is just as imperative, for the current homeowners and future residents alike. “At InSoFast we develop insulation which is perhaps on the boring side of the spectrum, but certainly important. You can always update a room’s paint color or rearrange the furniture but improving your home’s performance adds long-term real value,” Seibert says.
Design realistically
You’re more likely to be pleased with upgrades by setting attainable plans initially. Unrealistic expectations may ultimately lead to failure. Interior design and home improvement aren’t all-encompassing — many aesthetic and structural choices are contingent upon budgets, previous experience in remodeling and residents’ daily routines. “We can all get caught up in the world of Pinterest and beautiful blogs, but when we take a step back, we have to think about what is really ‘us,’”states Sarah Tucker of Tucker Up. “Also, don’t think that everything has to get done at once. We are planning to do our floors first because they are the most worn out. Once the floors are done we can reevaluate our budget and see if we are in a place to start on the countertops. Setting realistic goals is something that is hard to do
because we are a society that wants everything now, but when you finally realize that your old laminate counters work just fine, and brass door knobs aren’t hurting anyone, you start to take a step back and realize what you really want in a home,” Tucker said.
Don’t stress over deadlines
Project delays don’t always turn out negative. Sometimes, putting off home improvements gives you more time to consider your individual style, preferred layout and your overall vision for a space. “We’ve been wanting to spruce up the house’s exterior since we moved in 9 years ago,” says Meredith Wouters of The Palette Muse. “Every year, that’s been one of our goals and it just keeps rolling over to the next year. But with two small children and a home business, the home’s interior kept taking priority. Bedrooms, living rooms and kitchen are all necessities for a family. But now I think we’ve gotten most of our inside spaces worked out, and this is the year to get outside! The good thing about putting it off so long is we have a better idea now of what we want than we did right after we moved in. It’s helpful to live in a place for a little while and see how it functions before ripping it all apart.” You may be well aware of what your home needs – a larger kitchen island for the kids to do their homework, high-quality insulation to block out the winter chill or new hardwoods to add elegant flair indoors. Even with goals in mind, completing projects, via professional contractors, designers or do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, on a strict schedule is difficult. But implementing a strategic plan of attack alleviates the pressure. With a clear strategy, you’re likely to put your efforts toward areas of importance — without running out of time.
You’re more likely to be pleased with upgrades by setting attainable plans initially. April 2015 | 41
Home Improvement section sponsored & provided by habify
master the remodel. Christopher Block
CO-FOUNDER & GENERAL MANAGER OF HABIFY a home improvement company
Home improvement section sponsored & provided by habify
4 steps to ensure your home project goes as planned. You could begin your home remodeling by visiting a cabinet store, hiring an architect, or calling up a General Contractor, but very often the road to a remodel is riddled with potholes. Follow these steps to ensure your project goes smoothly.
Go with design-build. When the people who design your project also build it, it keeps them on the hook. Many times the builder will blame the designer or architect, the architect will blame the builder, and who gets caught in the middle and pays for the blame game? You do.
Avoid surprises. Budget and plan thoroughly. Ask your designer/ architect to rough out a plan of your space, materials, and appliances based on the quality level you desire. Not only should you have a well thought-out floor plan, you will need concrete details on the amount of materials needed establish an accurate estimate of the costs based on your preferred style. This way, you’ll have a true budget of your remodeling costs without having spent too much money and/or invested time in all of the final design and material decisions.
Don't go cheap. To get your business, companies often will select the least expensive materials and appliances to price your remodel. That’s why every time you make a suggestion your contractor will say, “That's going to be a lot more costly”. The cheapest bid is generally the lowest because they’ve assumed the lowest quality build-out. If you’re going to make improvements, it doesn’t normally make sense to use inferior materials when you’re looking to build comfort and value into your home.
Have full documentation. Once you have the plans, your final materials list and costs, make sure you keep it on hand so the company that is doing your remodeling stays true to the plan. Sometimes you get stuck in the grey areas trying to remember exactly what was specified, and your construction team takes short cuts. Having thorough back-up keeps your remodel running smoothly, avoids arguments, and achieves the beautiful addition you planned for your home.
KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • LANDSCAPES • DESIGN • HOME PERFORMANCE • CONSTRUCTION
Call habify at (305) 443-4900, visit online at habify.com
or in person at their showroom at 4940 SW 42nd Avenue Miami, FL 33146
April 2015 | 45
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Pick the perfect
Paint is the easiest and most affordable way to dramatically change the look of a room. We’ll give you tips and tricks to make an impact in your space.
paint color
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Sample Sizes
Colors in the store often look different at home because of the changes in light. Rather than running the risk of getting a gallon of paint that you don’t like, try a few sample pots. Samples are an inexpensive way of ensuring you’re making a good choice. Purchase three or four colors that you like. Paint a 1-foot by 1-foot square in each color on your wall. Over several days, watch the colors at different times of day, comparing natural sunlight vs. artificial (fluorescent and incandescent) lighting at night. You’ll often find the color that you were convinced was the perfect one in the store won’t be the one you end up selecting.
Don’t Forget the Ceiling
The ceiling is often overlooked, and the idea of painting it can be intimidating. A general rule of thumb is to paint the ceiling three shades lighter than the walls. It will make the walls feel higher. If you’re trying to create a cozy environment, paint the ceiling a darker color.
Saturation Point
If you’re choosing more than one color for a room, try to stay in the same hue, which will make the palette seemed more unified. An easy way to do this is to look at a paint chip with three or four shades of the similar color and work from this palette.
A Pop of Color
If you are painting the walls a light neutral color or a pastel, use ultra-white paint for your trim work and moulding to make the wall color stand out.
Color Clarity
The color wheel has thousands of colors to choose from, making the selection process daunting for even the most confident of painters. Here are some general guidelines to follow: Paint is generally divided into two groups: bolds and neutrals. Neutrals
include pastels, beiges, grays and whites. Bold colors include vibrant reds, greens, pinks, blues, greens and purples. Neutrals are generally considered to be a safer choice because they blend with many different décor styles. If you want to change your décor later on, you can often keep the same color. Love peacock blue or fuchsia, but nervous to paint an entire room of it? Try painting one accent wall or a small space like a hallway or a powder room. Light colors can make a small space seem larger. Using a dark paint can help light-colored objects stand out. Repeating a color through several rooms creates a sense of harmony.
An Emotional Response
Studies have shown that room color can affect moods and emotions. Some can create an overall sense of calm, while others are more high energy. Find out the colors that work best in each area of your home. Red: Restaurants often use this color because it’s known to increase appetite and conversation. It’s a high-energy color so it works best in areas that you socialize in such as living or dining rooms. Avoid red in the bedroom. Orange: This color evokes power and is highly energizing. It’s also known to increase appetite, so consider it for a kitchen or dining room. A little goes a long way -- use orange in moderation. Yellow: Soft yellows are associated with happiness and warmth, but bright ones can increase frustration and anger. You might want to avoid this color in a nursery because babies have been known to cry more often. You can use it in the kitchen because yellow is also an energizing color. Green: Green is a calming, refreshing color and reminds us of nature. Use this color in rooms where you want to relax, such as bedrooms.
Blue: If you’re trying to create a serene, spa-like environment, consider blue. Like green, it’s a calming color and is also good for bedrooms. Brighter blues increase productivity -- good for an office. Purple: This is a color that has long been associated with royalty and wealth. Use it in living or dining rooms to pack a luxurious punch. It’s also thought that it stimulates creativity. Brown: Brown is a cozy color and great for living areas where people gather. White: White really helps to brighten up a space and creates a sense of cleanliness.
The Finish Cheat Sheet
So you’re standing at the paint counter with the perfect color in hand and the store associate asks you what finish you want. You stare at him blankly, having no idea what’s best. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you confidently make your selection: Flat: This finish is typically used on ceilings, bedrooms and living rooms. It’s also good to use on walls that have a lot of imperfections. Flat finishes are easy to touch up, but hard to clean so avoid using them in kitchens and bathrooms. Eggshell: This finish has a low sheen and it’s ideal in bedrooms or living rooms. Eggshell marks easily so avoid high-traffic areas like hallways or mudrooms. It’s easy to touch up. Satin: It has a silky finish and you can scrub it, so it’s good for areas like kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, children’s rooms and family rooms. Touch-ups are more difficult with satin because of the sheen. Semi-gloss: This finish is resistant to humidity so it’s good for kitchens and bathrooms. It’s also good for moulding and woodwork. Semigloss is easy to clean, but difficult to touch up. Gloss: This finish will show every imperfection so it’s not really used on walls. Consider gloss for woodwork and moulding. Gloss is easy to clean, but difficult to touch up.
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Microwave Buying Guide
Convenience features on traditional and convection microwaves open your kitchen to an array of mealtime possibilities. Some even offer enough flexibility to prepare an entire meal as effortlessly as a bag of popcorn.
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Microwave Options & Styles Traditional: This microwave opens with a swinging door and inserts between cabinetry or along / next to walls with an additional trim kit. Built-in: A true built-in microwave becomes part of the cabinetry and usually features a drop-down door, similar to a conventional oven. Drawer style: Exactly as the name suggests, this microwave slides out and installs below a countertop or wall oven. The height of this microwave may be a safer, more convenient option for all members of the family. Over-the-Range: Combining a microwave and range hood, this do-it-all appliance is an excellent choice for saving space and maximizing function. Countertop: Countertop microwaves are available in a variety of sizes and offer the same cooking power as installed units. The downside is that they take up valuable counter space and have no outdoor ventilation system. Some countertop microwaves come with trim kits that make it possible to build them into surrounding cabinetry or attach them to a nearby wall.
Microwave Features Wattage: Watts represent the power of your new microwave. This impacts how quickly and evenly food cooks - the higher the wattage, the faster the cooking. Convection: Convection cooking uses a fan to circulate hot air on all sides of the dish, creating delightful, evenly cooked dishes. It even offers a browning option to simulate the same cooking as a broiler.
oven, while other shortcuts include defrost and reheat options. Perhaps the most intriguing shortcut softens and melts, making it perfect for ice cream and chocolate. Non-Stick Interior: Interior coatings make cleanup easy. Simply wipe plastic interiors with a damp cloth. Stainless-steel interiors also wipe clean and won’t absorb odors. Enhanced Ventilation: Installed microwaves offer the option of venting or non-venting, depending on personal preference and placement. A vented hood sends exhaust outdoors, while nonvented circulates the air indoors through a carbon filter. Venting power is indicated as CFM, or cubic feet per minute. When buying, remember - the higher the number, the greater the airflow. True Power Reduction: Some microwaves allow for actual power reduction rather than cycling between full power and no power during a cook session. The result is even cooking and true defrosting without cooked or burnt edges. Turntables, Trays and Removable Racks: These organize your cooking space to warm more at once.
Tips to Remember Before you buy, consider: 1. The size of your cookware. Whether you’re preparing soups or rewarming a casserole, make sure your new microwave will accommodate your warming dishes for stress-free mealtimes. 2. Available kitchen space. If you’re buying an over-the-range microwave or a countertop unit, consider how much clearance is needed to allow for the right amount of space.
Sensors: Sensors adjust time and temperature as needed and automatically shut off power to prevent overcooking. Sensors measure emitted steam to determine when food is at an optimum temperature. Common Task Buttons: Shortcut keys help you choose the right time and temperature via preset cycles for popular foods and drinks, like popcorn, pizza and hot beverages. Some shortcuts allow you to add time to the cycle without stopping the
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Don’t have a fit about home workout space. It’s easy to shape up a spare room.
Home Gym makeover Health Haven Transform a spare bedroom into a mini gym with stylish products and simple projects, such as wall mirrors and closet-caliber storage. Add a Roman shade to let in light and provide privacy. Organizational Muscle Organizers work fine without a closet. A wall-
mount TV plays workout videos, streams online exercise classes, and eases treadmill tedium. Tower of Strength Keep your most-used gear close at hand with hanging ventilated wood storage components. They’re lightweight and easy to install on a wall. Adjust the shelf height to fit your equipment.
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Muscular Arm Follow along with workout videos or watch shows from the treadmill by hanging a TV on the wall. A swing-arm mount allows viewing from anywhere in the room. Weight Management Do storage cross-training by putting another closet-style feature to work -- a shelf unit that organizes hand weights and kettlebells. To prevent injury or damage, avoid overloading the shelves and secure the unit to the wall with L brackets and screws. Cool-Down Cabinet You’ll look forward to working out in a space that’s colorful, comfortable, and organized. Keep water and sports drinks in a space-saving refrigerator. Floor Exercises Flooring for workouts must be durable while cushioning feet and knees. A good choice is cork flooring , which is tough yet naturally resilient. Carpet tiles are another option. They’re
economical, easy to install, and soft underfoot. Running Board Cork tiles form a bulletin board you can make to hold your training calendar, race info, medals, and photos. Strength Storage Don’t let resistance bands, jump ropes, and other cords get tangled up on the floor. Hang them neatly on the pegs of a wood garment hook. Mount it vertically if wall space is at a premium. Pull-Up Publications Want to try an exercise you read about in a fitness magazine? Install two satin-nickel bar cabinet pulls on the side of a cabinet and use them as racks for magazines. If there’s a page you refer to frequently, hang the issue so it’s already open to that spot. Second Wind Circulate air in your workout space with a brushed-nickel ceiling fan. You can change the blade rotation direction in winter to push warm air down. Be sure the fan won’t interfere with use of exercise equipment, especially a treadmill. Words to Reflect On Whatever your fitness mantra, spell it out on the wall in painted words with help from our instructions and free downloadable stencils. Energize the Space with Color Energize your workout space with bold colors.
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Dining Stars with the
Enjoy heavenly outdoor meals by creating a destination dining space that glows at night and delights by day. Alfresco Ambience Anchor your outdoor dining area with a powerful gas grill, a stylish glass-top table, and a set of comfortable chairs in natural shades. Add bursts of brighter color and pattern with pillows, and use string lights to convey the romantic look of a European sidewalk cafe.
talllights have a stainless-steel finish and refillable citronella oil canisters.
Privacy Panels Create seclusion in style with handsome DIY screens built from wood and finished to resist the elements. Make one 7-foot x 4-foot 6-inch panel or several as needed to fit your space.
Natural Decor Position your outdoor dining area to take advantage of existing landscaping. Trees and shrubs provide shade and privacy for meals, while annuals and perennials add pleasing colors and textures. This shady patio is an ideal setting for outdoor dining. The tans and browns in the furniture blend well with the woodsy and leafy surroundings, while containers of Japanese maple, coleus, and hydrangea supply rich colors.
Sleek Torches Try a modern take on tiki lights -- and help keep pesky bugs away -- with sleek citronella torches. The 6-foot-
Bathed in Light Here’s a double-duty idea for your dining area. Build a birdbath out of terra-cotta pots, saucers, and adhesive. Then add ceramic candleholders to create a striking light display.
Tabletop Tray Create a conversation-starting centerpiece for your outdoor dining table. Build a wooden tray, then add sand and plants in containers. Table for Two For quiet times when it’s just two of you, include a more intimate seating area. Cart Transplant Repurpose a potting bench as a food prep/beverage cart. The bench is both mobile and weather-resistant. Stash glasses and table linens on the shelves, keep utensils in the drawers, and use the steel top to prep appetizers and pour beverages For an alternative look, you can also build your own serving cart. April 2015 | 59
Home Improvement content sponsored & provided by intertech security systems
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Starting
Seeds
Starting plants from seed is an easy way to grow flowers and vegetables on the cheap. For the cost of a seed packet, enjoy oodles of flowers and vegetables.
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tarting plants from seed is an easy way to grow flowers and vegetables on the cheap. For the cost of a seed packet (a couple bucks), you can enjoy oodles of flowers and vegetables. Plus, you get to experiment with unusual plants that aren’t commonly sold in containers or cell packs. A bonus to those raising or mentoring kids: Starting seeds is a great activity for children. Witnessing the transformation from seed to plant helps young minds understand the growth cycle—and they may even be excited about eating the vegetables they’ve grown. Here’s what you need to get started: A container: You can use a seedstarting flat, peat pots, discarded cell packs, or old containers such as yogurt cups and egg cartoons. Seed starting mix: A special mix that provides the right medium for seeds to set root. You can buy a pre-
packaged mix or make your own with equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Light: Use grow lights or set your seed trays in a sunny window. Grow lights need to be placed within 8–10 inches of plants for photosynthesis. 1. If you’re reusing old cell packs, scrub them with soap and water, rinse, dry, and then spray with a 10-percent bleach solution to kill any pathogens. 2. Once the cell pack has dried, fill it with the seed-starting mix and tamp gently to remove air pockets. 3. Sow seed following packet directions. Large seeds, such as beans and peas, are easily placed by hand. For tiny seeds, such as lettuce, you may wish to use a folded piece of paper and a toothpick to help distribute seed more easily. 4. Irrigate with lukewarm water. Use a watering can with a gentle flow so
you don’t wash the seeds out of the soil. Keep the soil moist, not wet. 5. Set near a light source. You can use grow lights or a south-facing window. Be sure the area is warm. Seeds germinate best in temperatures that range from 70 to 85 degrees. Seeds will germinate in two days to a week, depending on species. Transplanting: Seedlings can be transplanted to larger containers or directly to the garden when danger of frost has passed. It’s best not to transplant seedlings until they have developed at least one set of true leaves in addition to the tender growth that originally emerged from the seed. Sharing: Seed starting is so easy. And it’s a cost-effective way to grow all the plants you want. In fact, you may end up with MORE plants than you want. In that case, simply share them with friends and family. You’ll be an instant hero!
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Area Rug Buying Guide Area rugs are versatile. They can create cozy conversation areas, allow you to embrace a bold print or provide a neutral anchor to a room. With all the styles and colors available, choosing an area rug that integrates with your decor isn’t hard if you consider the following factors. Size - Measure the space where your rug will be. This will help you avoid buying a rug that’s too big or too small. Most rugs come in multiple sizes, but it’s no use falling in love with a rug only to find out it doesn’t come in the size you need. Color - Select a rug with colors that coordinate with your decor. The colors in the rug don’t have to match the colors in the room, but at least one color should coordinate. Take swatches of paint or upholstery fabric with you when you shop. Remember that lighter-colored rugs make a room seem more spacious. Darker colors in the rug bring a
cozy atmosphere to a room.
repetitive pattern and no medallion.
Pattern - Take into account patterns on the furniture and walls in the room, so they don’t compete with the rug. If you have furniture or wallpaper with an ornate pattern, choose a subtler pattern for the area rug. If the walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern to add more interest to the room.
Texture - Keep in mind that texture is also an important element in your decor. Several different fibers within a rug or carved areas can add more pizzazz to an area rug’s texture. Rugs made of sisal or jute can add an interesting texture to smooth hardwood or tile floors.
Design - Choose a rug with a central medallion if you want it to serve as the focal point of the room. However, if there’s another obvious central point, such as a fireplace, use a rug with a more
Shape - Don’t feel limited to rectangles. Octagonal or circular rugs add a unique touch to a room, and runners are great for hallways and other narrow and/or high traffic areas. Traffic - Notice how much traffic
the area receives. In high-traffic areas, selecting a rug with a detailed pattern may be more practical. The more pattern, the lower the maintenance. Here are some tips to coordinate multiple rugs in the same room: • Use rugs of different patterns within the same room as long as the colors coordinate. • Select rugs of different sizes to create more interest and contrast. Using two rugs of the same size may divide the room in half. • Incorporate rugs of different sizes that are designed to coordinate with each other. April 2015 | 63
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From primping to pampering, you spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Check out these illuminating ideas to help you choose the best lighting for your bathroom.
Maximize Lighting in Your Bathroom Layer Light for Impact Mix multiple light sources to create a balanced lighting plan. Windows let in natural light, while recessed ceiling lights provide overall brightness. A four-bulb vanity light and recessed lights near the sink and shower provide the right amount of illumination.
Triple-Light Score
Vanity lights place light where you need it most and can work alone if necessary. A threebulb light fixture offers task lighting in front of the mirror, while translucent white shades produce ambient lighting for the rest of the bathroom.
Limit Light Fixtures There is such a thing as too
much light, especially when dealing with vanity lights. In a bathroom with a lot of natural light, choose a three-light fixture that illuminates the mirror but doesn’t create a spotlight.
Lighting on a String
High ceilings pull recessed ceiling lighting away from where it’s needed, but pendant light fixtures drop light back where it belongs. Pendants come in a
variety of colors, shapes, and styles to fit any bathroom’s decorating style.
Awash in Light
Use recessed ceiling lights throughout the room for ambient light. Vanity lights above the sink provide task lighting. A dimmer switch will help you keep lights bright when using the sink but soft when taking a relaxing soak in the bathtub. April 2015 | 65
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April 2015 | 67
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Unsure if you want a transparent curtain or one that blocks out light and weather? Find the type that best meets your needs.
Curtains and drapes buying guide Sheer Curtains Sheers are wispy panels of semitransparent fabric that soften views and provide moderate privacy. They look best in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Sheers should be layered with other window treatments if privacy is a concern. Things to consider: • The kind of fabric you select depends on the look you want to
achieve and the level of care you're willing to provide. Polyester sheers have a slight sheen and create a more formal look. They're also easy to launder and require little ironing. Cotton sheers offer a casual, contemporary look. • Lace sheers feel romantic and traditional. Both cotton and lace sheers may need to be cleaned professionally. • For generous waves of fabric,
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select sheers two or three times the width of the window. You may need to use multiple sheers to achieve this effect. • Sheers are usually light enough to hang from springloaded tension rods, but any type of drapery rod will work. Drapery Panels Providing more privacy than sheers, panels are solid pieces of fabric that hang from wallmounted rods or clips. They're a great option for media rooms, bedrooms or any room that you want to block light and enjoy complete privacy. Things to consider: • Choose from simple cotton and printed polyester to lush velvet, silk, wool and woven tapestry. • Plan to purchase panels oneand-a-half to two times the width of your windows for a stylish effect. • Unlined panels are cheaper but may become semi-transparent at night when interior lights are on. Check that you're comfortable with the level of privacy any panel provides. • If intense sun is an issue, as with a west-facing window, look for panels specially lined to block light completely. • Most panels require a sturdy hanging rod. Choose from a simple café rod to a more decorative drapery rod with decorative finials. Remember to consider hardware costs when
planning a window treatment purchase. Blackout Drapery Panels Blackout panels help block nearly 99% of sunlight. They also reduce energy costs by blocking heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Use blackout panels in living rooms and bedrooms for added comfort. Things to consider: • Blackout panels don’t sacrifice on style. Most come in a variety of colors and prints and are machine washable. • Blackout panels need a sturdy drapery rod just like standard drapery panels. Good to Know • Check the packaging to find out what size drapery rod your curtain panel will fit. Top Treatments To give your windows extra flair, cap them with top treatments. They add a stylish touch to the kitchen, living room, dining room and bedroom. Things to consider: • A valance is a narrow strip of fabric that runs along the top width of a window. • A scarf is a long piece of fabric that you drape over hooks or the rod itself to embellish the window and frame. • Top treatments can pair with blinds or shades for light control and privacy. April 2015 | 69
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• Top treatments often require special mounting hardware. Remember to consider hardware costs when planning a window treatment purchase. Drapery Panel Styles Choose from rod-pocket, grommet, back-tab or tab-top drapery panels to get a look that works with your decor. Rod-Pocket Panels The most common type of curtain, rod pocket drapes have a sleeve that runs across the top of the panel for the drapery rod to slide through. Many have two pockets at the top. Feed the drapery rod through the lower one to create a ruffletop drapery panel. Feed the drapery rod through the top pocket for a clean look and to add extra length.
Holdbacks – These allow you to draw curtains away from the window and let light in, or to create a formal look. Mount holdbacks beyond the edge of the window frame. Holdbacks look good in a formal dining room or living room. Popular drapery hardware finishes include: • Oil-rubbed bronze • Antique bronze • Brushed nickel • Matte black • White Finials – The end cap of a drapery rod is the finial. The finial prevents the curtain from sliding off the drapery rod, and also provides an element of style. Popular drapery finials include: • Solid ball
• Filigree ball • Marble • Mercury glass • Wood • Leaves Installation Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install your drapery rod. As far as placement, mount hardware close to the ceiling to elongate windows. To make your windows appear wider, install hardware well outside the window (up to 1 foot). Double up the panels for an extravagant look. Print out Lowe's Window Treatment Worksheet to record your window measurements. Take this with you when purchasing your curtains and drapes. Use the placement guidelines to help you mount your new drapes.
Grommet Panels These drapery panels have metal rings stamped along the top of the curtain for the curtain rod to feed through. Coordinate the grommet finish with the finish of the drapery rod. Back-Tab Panels These drapery panels have hidden tabs on the back of the curtain that allow you to slightly bunch your curtains for a pleated look. Tab-Top Panels These drapery panels have individual tabs of fabric that the drapery rod feeds through so the rod is exposed. Drapery Hardware Drapery Rod – Drapery rods come in both single and double. Use a double rod to hang sheers on the lower rod and drapery panels on the upper rod. Clips and Rings – Use these if you don’t want the curtains to hang directly on the drapery rod, or if you need added length. April 2015 | 71
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live
vicariously Local Daredevil Takes Viewers To Extreme Heights
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The goal is to share my experience with the world. I want them to feel the vertigo and that heat racing feel.”
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By Cynthia Demos
local daredevil is taking viewers to extreme heights. It’s called urban exploring and it involves things like climbing to the top of structures or checking out abandoned buildings. A network of people do this and post their videos online. One man in South Florida with a thirst for adventure spoke with CBS4’s Cynthia Demos on the condition of anonymity. His YouTube account goes by the name “Daredevil Magic Insane.” The magic is for the Magic City. When most of us are happy with our feet on the ground, he takes us only where our imagination might go like climbing to the top of a crane. Watching the video of him scaling a crane at the new Brickell City Center under construction may give you anxiety and that’s the point. DDMagic said, “the goal is to share my experience with the world. I want them to feel the vertigo and that heart racing feel.” The pay off after the adventure? The view of the magic city. He said, “take out my camera and take a sweeping panoramic shot.” One of his favorite climbs was ‘The Hurricane’ which is an old shutdown wooden roller coaster in Dania Beach. He said, “yeah that roller coaster was a little rickety. Definitely splinters, lots of splinters.” He’s been recording his adventures for only a month but exploring for a couple of years. He said, “There were pictures online awhile back and it was amazing, a place abandoned for ten years frozen in time.” He wonders in some spots who was there before he was. He says it’s a journey but not a legal one. He’s trespassing and breaking the law in many ways. He said, “That’s why I hope no one sees me when I’m doing these things.” He’s more worried about getting caught than getting hurt but says it’s worth the risk. He says, “I like to explore things. My curiosity gets the best of me sometimes.” Law enforcement officials said if he or anyone is caught, they will be arrested. Still this group of urban explorers seems to be growing.
April 2015 | 77
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One-On-One With Dolphin Owner
Stephen Ross
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orth an estimated $6 billion by Forbes magazine, Stephen Ross has grown accustomed to success. He built his real estate and development empire with a $10,000 loan from his mother and has helped transform the skylines of cities across the country, including New York and Miami. But since buying the Miami Dolphins six years ago, Ross had enjoyed little success. The Dolphins have failed to make the playoffs in all that time and the best they finished in any season was a middling 8 and 8. This was not the outcome Ross
By Jim DeFede
expected when he purchased 95 percent of the team for $1.1 billion. He assumed the skills he possessed to be a success in business would translate easily onto the gridiron. “I want to build that consistent winner,” he told CBS4 News in a rare one-on-one interview. “I believe I will. But the challenge is great. It’s much greater than I thought when I bought the team, I can tell you that. It’s a lot easier to succeed in business than it is having a winning football team on a consistent basis.” Ross acknowledged there is no manual on how to be an NFL owner.
“It’s on the job learning and no matter how successful you are in life it doesn’t really set you up to run a National Football team,” he said. “Because when you look at it, the way it’s set up every team should go 8 and 8. So how do you get that competitive edge? You know in business you can just hire who you want to hire. You can pay them more money and you can get them. But you can’t do that in the National Football League.” Ross’s first year as owner was particularly rocky. He tried to make a big splash early, by making celebrities, such as Venus and Serena Williams
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and Gloria Estefan, minority owners. He tried to recreate South Beach with a new night club at the stadium, rolled out an orange carpet, and even blinged out the Dolphin fight song by commissioning rapper T-Pain sing it. Ross, 74, was criticized for seeming to care more about the entertainment side of the business rather than concentrating on putting a winning team together. It’s a criticism he bristles against. “Well certainly what’s on the field to me was always important,” Ross said. “But at the same time I think fans, when they come to the stadium, they want to have a great experience. Football is still entertainment. But when I first started everybody kept saying [celebrity owners and night clubs] is what I was all about, which is about as far from the truth as possible. I mean I bought the team to win, not to be involved in show business or the celebrities. I think sports writers don’t really see the big picture.” Ross, however, said he refuses to adopt a win at all cost mentality. Asked if he would be willing to acquire Ray Rice, who was caught on video assaulting his fiancé, if he thought it would mean a winning season for the Dolphins, Ross shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I think it would send a wrong message as to what the Miami Dolphins are all about. I believe in winning but I don’t believe in winning at any cost and I think you want to show yourself as being a high character team that the community is proud of. And I think that it’s not worth the controversy it would bring.” Ross said he has established a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence for the Dolphins going forward. Ross said he continues to support NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, despite the criticism the league faced over how it handled the Rice affair. “I support him,” Ross said. “I think Roger has done a great job. It’s easy for people after the fact to criticize him, but I know there is nobody who cares more about the image and the
character of the NFL and maintaining the integrity of the game. I mean sure you can look back and say, `Could I have done something different?’ I’m sure when he sees that [Rice] tape now, he would have done something different, but he hadn’t seen the tape.” The interview with Ross took place on the same day the team held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $400 million in renovations to the stadium. Ross had hoped to have taxpayers pay for part of the deal, but was rebuffed by the Florida Legislature. During the interview, CBS4’s Jim DeFede asked Ross: “If you knew in 2008 that you were going to have to spend this much money to renovate
easy cite – the bullying scandal. In 2013, player Jonathan Martin abruptly left the team, complaining he was subjected to unrelenting bullying. “Well certainly it was something that kind of shocked me,” he said. “There again I was appalled by it.” Initially, Ross created a select committee to examine how to change things. The committee was supposed to include, Don Shula, Dan Marino, Tony Dungy and Jason Taylor. But Ross now admits the committee never actually met. “No,” he said. “I spoke to them, but I think right now you learn an awful lot when you start something, and where you can take things, and I didn’t want
It has always been a life-long dream to run, own a sports team and I thought it would be a lot easier to create that winner and do things. Fortunately I was in a position to do it.” the stadium, would you still have bought the team?” “Probably,” Ross replied. “It has always been a life-long dream to run, own a sports team and I thought it would be a lot easier to create that winner and do things. Fortunately I was in a position to do it.” He also said, despite those who believe he may have spent too much for the team, Ross noted, “you’ve also seen the value of that team has appreciated so much during that period of time, so it’s a lot of fun. I feel like I’m living the dream.” Ross said he continues to support NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, despite the criticism the league faced over how it handled the Rice affair. Ross had trouble identifying the high point for his time as the team’s owner, but the low point was fairly
it just to be for show.” Instead, he said he has been working to create something he plans to call the Ross Institute for Sports and Equality. “This will be a national non-profit that will have a real impact,” he said. “We’re working on legislation. We’re working with different sports, as opposed to just football. Football isn’t the one sport where there has been a lack of respect and civility in the way people talk to each other and intolerance that people have. It manifests itself when kids first start playing sports. Kids aren’t born, children aren’t born with prejudice, they develop it. And certainly the athletic field is something where everybody has a lot in common and I think we can use that to change a lot of the paradigm that occurs in America today.” April 2015 | 79
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IRS warns about tax time phone scam
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By Walter Makaula
he Internal Revenue Service, IRS, has sent out a warning; scammers are out there this tax season capitalizing on the vulnerability of tax payers and their fears of the IRS. The April 15th tax deadline is fast approaching and the IRS wants tax payers to know about some free help to get your filings completed—but that also comes with a warning. “There’s a lot of scammers out there right now during tax season calling houses,” said Alejandra Castro-Nunez with the IRS. These individuals, Castro-Nunez said, sound very professional. Sometimes caller ID will even display the IRS logo from the callers. “The IRS does not call individuals at their houses. They do not threaten you, they do not tell you have you to pay right now or that you have to pay with a credit card or a money order. We do not
operate that way. We send you information via U.S. mail,” Castro-Nunez said. It is advised, if you receive a call from someone claiming to be the IRS, never give banking or credit card information and hang up. “This is a scam that is going on and they’re trying to steal your money,” Castro-Nunez said. Tax season can be stressful and what most people don’t know is that this year the IRS is launching a face-to-face help service for anyone seeking tax advice. You don’t have to show up and wait in line on a first come, first serve basis. Those interested can book an appointment online ahead of time. There are only 10 places in the U.S. and one is located in Plantation. Those who earned $60,000 or less qualify. To make an appointment, visit IRS.gov. There’s also the Vita Program where someone else—a volunteer—will pre-
pare your taxes for free. “All you got to do is take your social security number, your W-2, your 1095, and if you earn $53,000 or less, they will prepare your taxes free of charge,” said Castro-Nunez. For more information, go to IRS.gov and type “VITA” in the search box to book an appointment. There are many locations in South Florida. The professionals will know all the credits filers are entitled to receive and, because they know the tax laws, safety is ensured by going to them. Another program being launched in three locations in the U.S. is the “Identity Pin Project” where one can request an additional security code that anyone will need, in addition to a social security number to get access to records. The IRS recommends not waiting until the last minute to make an appointment because it may be difficult to get an appointment in time for the April 15th deadline. April 2015 | 81
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Florida Gov. Scott Suspends 11th Grade FSA Test
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By Natalia Zea
ny parent of a schoolaged child knows the amount of testing in schools is intense in the state of Florida, but recently, Governor Rick Scott issued an Executive Order to suspend a standardized test for the state’s 11th graders. Scott’s order officially suspends the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) for English language arts until the Florida legislature has an opportunity to consider legislation to eliminate the mandate. The elimination of the test follows an investigation conducted by Commissioner Pam Stewart that recommended a reduction in the number
of tests Florida students in public schools are required to take. The governor said that there was too much testing going on in Florida’s schools. He said then he planned to use his executive power to stop the administration of the English language arts test for high school juniors. The test is based on new standards drawn primarily from Common Core standards. But some school districts said they would not suspend the test without an official order from state officials. Scott wants legislators to repeal the law that authorized the test, but it’s not clear if that will occur. Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says he’s been advocating cutbacks to standardized
testing for years. “What I object to is having multiple tests to test the same standards. We can be better than this,” he told CBS4’s Natalia Zea. High school juniors say they are already up to their eyeballs in exams and they and many parents welcome the Governor’s plan for testing relief. “I think it will definitely increase the time we spend learning, instead of testing,” said iPrep Academy Junior Steven Espinoza. Mother of 5, and grandmother of 6, Teresa Blanco is all for doing away with some of the assessment testing. “I think it’s the best thing to do because this is too much. Back in the day when I was going to school it was not that hard.” April 2015 | 83
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Rep. Wilson Talks About Life’s Lessons At Brownsville Middle
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By Walter Makaula
South Florida middle school got surprise visit from a U.S. Congresswoman but not for a reason they may have been expecting. Rep. Fredrica Wilson said she was brought in to Brownsville Middle School to give them a bit of a scare. “I know you have a tendency not to listen,” Wilson told a gathering of students. “Put your hand down shorty. You with the blue.” Words of wisdom were mixed with a little bit of scolding as Wilson laid down the law for students who recently made headlines for actions their teachers weren’t so proud of. “I know that someone brought a gun to school. I know you have an inordinate amount of fights,” Wilson told the kids to let them know word of their actions had reached her office. In September 2014, four students were arrested in connection with two loaded guns brought into the school. The youngest student was in the sixth grade. But the tough love from the congresswoman wasn’t just for the students. “She told us if we have any problems, to come to her,” said Brownsville Middle principal Ebony Dunn. Several community leaders and police officers joined Wilson for her school appearance to talk with the kids, many who come from Allapattah, Brownsville and
Liberty City and traditionally don’t get along with each other. They urged them to not only get along, but to think differently. “All of you are little boys of color trying to make it out of the inner city, so you are brothers. And that is how I want you to act, as brothers” Wilson founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence project, a Miami program which has been supporting at-risk youth since 1993. The organization helps fund scholarships for underprivileged and atrisk kids. Dunn said she was thankful that Wilson and company stopped by. “These type of events are positive and they really motivate our students to perform well in school academically as well as conduct wise.” Dunn said those in attendance were role models and leaders in the school and they hoped that by inspiring them, the rest of the student body would follow. The recent ‘interactive summit’ with the students included ideas on how to avoid confrontations, drugs and gang activity.
April 2015 | 85
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Upcoming Events: Daytona international speedway 5/12 • 5/13 • 5/14
FIAT Brand Announces Kick-Off of 2015 Abarth Track Experience
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he 2015 Abarth Track Experience begins this month, giving Fiat 500 Abarth owners the opportunity to develop their driving skills in a one-day performance adventure. Participants will pilot cars from a fleet of Abarths provided and put their skills to the test through four driving modules: autocross, head-to-head challenge, driving dynamics and performance drive. They will end their day by riding shotgun as professional drivers push the track-tuned Abarth vehicles to the limit. “The Abarth Track Experience allows owners to take the fun-to-drive factor of the ‘small but wicked’ Fiat 500 Abarth to new limits,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “With the success of the Abarth Track Experience last year and the popularity of the newly introduced specially tuned automatic transmission option, we’ve added stops this year to ensure more Abarth owners have the opportunity to develop their driving skills in a safe track environment.” The 2015 Abarth Track Experience began February 16 at Laguna Seca in Salinas,
Calif., with stops throughout the year in Ft. Worth, Texas; Fontana, Calif.; Angleton, Texas; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Englishtown, N.J.; Brooklyn, Mich.; and Joliet, Ill. The Fiat 500 Abarth’s optional six-speed automatic transmission, new for the 2015 model year, will be available to drivers at Abarth Track Experience dates this year. To ensure the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio remain true to their highperformance and track-ready heritage, the six-speed automatic transmission has been reinforced with more clutch plates and a more robust heat treatment to allow for higher torque capability. The transmission is mated to the track-proven 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine to deliver up to 183 ft.-lb. of torque and 157 horsepower. The exclusive, Abarth-calibrated Sport mode allows for an even more engaged driving experience with special features such as fuel-cut upshifts, rev-matching downshifts, brake-assist downshifts, corner gear hold and fast-off gear hold, as well as a more aggressive pedal map. The Track Experience registration fee is included in the cost of each Fiat 500 Abarth or Abarth Cabrio. For more information,
please visit www.abarthexperience.com. About the Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio Faithful to the “small but wicked” saying coined for Karl Abarth’s cars in the 1960s, the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio embody the racing traditions that have made it a success on European roadways and racetracks — world-class performance and precision, purposeful and aggressive styling, high power-to-weight ratio and limited-production volume. Building on the excitement of the Fiat 500 (Cinquecento), the Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio are designed for track-day enthusiasts and driving purists who want the ultimate high-performance small car with the pedigree of an exclusive Italian exotic. With its 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine, Abarth-tuned suspension and brake systems, race-inspired design, and technology features not traditionally included on a small car, the 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio unleash legendary Italian performance heritage to American streets. April 2015 | 89
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Model Year 2016 reveals new era for Volvo Cars • Full roll-out of 4-cylinder Drive-E engines across all carlines completes power line-up • New best in class petrol and diesel engines added to XC90 • New S60 Cross Country joins V60 Cross Country to broaden 60 series offer • Volvo On Call application receives significant updates • Increasingly refined CleanZone technology extends Volvo Cars’ leading position on interior air quality Volvo Cars adds performance, efficiency, convenience and a breath of fresh air to the premium car market. Starting in 2013, Volvo Cars began to roll-out its new generation of mid-powered four-cylinder based powertrains. 2015 will see the addition of a full range of high and low power 4-cylinder variants. “This marks the start of a new era for Volvo Cars. We are humbled by the high level of attention and positive response that we have received with the introduction of our new Volvo Cars developed powertrain program. 2015 will see us adding several new power stages to our Drive-E line-up, offering a broad range of both efficiency and performance-enhancing refinements to our engines. Now, a 4-cylinder Swedish heart will beat in all new Volvo models. 2015 also sees the introduction of Volvo Cars’ no-compromise Twin Engine technology in the all-new XC90,” said Michael Fleiss, Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Cars. One of the Model Year highlights is the addition of class-leading petrol and diesel engines to the XC90 as a part of the Drive-E powertrain roll-out. The 190 hp diesel comes in at just 139 g/km and a frugal 5.3 l/100km, while the 254 hp petrol engine delivers 7.5 l/100km and 174 g/km, making them clear leaders in the segment and confirming Volvo Cars’ commitment to offer a no compromise combination of both performance and efficiency, as also demonstrated in the XC90 T8 Twin Engine variant. New model 2015 will see the addition of the S60
Cross Country, exemplifying rugged styling and capability. The V60 Cross Country was added to the portfolio late last year. Best in class in fuel consumption As the premium segment leader in CO2 versus bodyweight reduction in recent years*, Volvo Cars continues to deliver significant steps towards zero emissions with the introduction of some of the best performing powertrains in the industry. The V40 D2 with a manual transmission starts at just 82 g/km - a best in class performance that exceeds most taxation band requirements across Europe. The S60 D2 manual, which leads in its class, starts at only 96 g/km. The same powertrain on a V60 starts at a highly competitive 98 g/km. Further improvements in fuel consumption and lowered emission levels can also be seen in the XC60 D4 AWD which has seen a 12 per cent reduction in emissions, and the D5 2.4 AWD automatic which is down to just 149 g/km. Sensus - always on call One of the most widely appreciated features related to the Sensus offer, Volvo On Call, allows Volvo drivers to communicate directly with their car via a smartphone application to lock, unlock, check fuel levels, pre-heat, pre-cool, locate and check mileage on the car.
For 2015 Volvo On Call will be updated, adding a new graphical user interface and completely new functionality including predictive notifications, enhanced send to car capabilities, diagnostics views and smartwatch support for Android Wear, Apple Watch, iPad support and also voice control via Cortana for Windows Phone. CleanZone: A breath of fresh air Since the mid-1990s Volvo Cars has been developing innovative solutions to reduce the amount of outside air pollutants that can enter the cabin environment. Volvo Cars’ award-winning interior air quality control system offers world-class air filtering. Apart from filtering pollen and particles, incoming air is also filtered of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons. CleanZone, Volvo’s broader approach to interior air quality, interior emissions and odours provides a pollutionfree interior unequalled by other car manufacturers. Look for the 2016 Volvo XC90 to go on sale in April 2015, with Twin Engine plug-in hybrid models arriving by the end of the 2015 calendar year. Right now you can order your new 2015 Volvo XC90 at Deel Volvo at 3650 Bird Rd, Miami, FL 33133 or visit www.deelvolvo.net. April 2015 | 91
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April 2015 | 95
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Give Your Used Car Curb Appeal
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hen people come to look at your used car, they will probably make up their minds whether to buy it within the initial few seconds. Since this decision is based on first impressions, you want your car to have “curb appeal.” Say a potential buyer is coming to look at your used car in an hour. What can you do between now and then to boost the selling price of your car and ensure a quick sale? Sellers often think they have to have their car detailed. But that can cost more than $100 and take hours. You can deliver most of the impact of a professional detailing job at a fraction of the time and cost. Here’s a triage of tweaks, fixes and cleaning tricks.
Wash your car
For expediency’s sake, run your car through a coin-operated car wash. Use the foaming brush to scrub off dirt and make absolutely sure to use a spotfree rinse so there are no drying marks left on the paint. If you want to make it look even better, dry all the glass surfaces, especially the windshield. You can also use a spray detailer such as Meguiar’s Supreme Shine Protectant to give it an extra shine.
Vacuum the interior
It’s cheap, essential and will make a great impression when the prospect
opens the driver-side door. Remember to vacuum the front and rear seats (get in all the cracks and cupholders) and also clean the trunk.
Wipe down the interior
You can use a damp rag or a product such as Ice Interior Care Wipes from Turtle Wax. These products will usually improve the interior smell of your car, too, but please, don’t go too heavy on the air fresheners. Be especially sure to clean all those things around the driver seat that the buyer will see.
Get the junk out of the trunk
And more importantly, get all your personal items out of the car. You don’t want the interior to look like an unmade bed, and you want the prospective buyer to picture the car as his or her own.
Clean the engine
Most modern cars have plastic covers over the engine. These surfaces gather grease and road dirt and can look pretty nasty. You can use a spray detailer or any cleaner. This is a good time to check the fluids too, such as oil and coolant levels.
Blacken the tires
Tire black or tire shine is sold by many car care companies. Cleaning
You can deliver most of the impact of a professional detailing job at a fraction of the time and cost.
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off the brake dust and putting some kind of treatment on the tires will sharpen up the look of your car more than anything else you can do. And take a rag to the rims before you spruce up the tires. Especially with the front wheels, brake dust will coat surfaces that should be shiny.
Touch up glaring scratches
If there is an ugly scratch in a noticeable place, it might be easier to fix than you think. Sometimes, the scratch is only in the clearcoat, the protective outer paint layer that is basically clear plastic. If you get a clearcoat pen, you can make the scratch nearly invisible.
Give it the curb appeal test
Now, clear your mind and look at your used car with fresh eyes. What jumps out at you? Is there anything else that needs to be touched up or cleaned? Or does it look so good you are going to raise your asking price? There are a number of other things you need to do to sell your car, including locating the title and having the service records ready to show the buyer. A complete description of the process can be found in “10 Steps to Selling Your Car.” However, the items listed above are specifically for producing a positive first impression. After all, you want their very first thought when they see your car to be: “Nice!”
April 2015 | 97
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Four Chrysler Vehicles Garner Seven ‘Top 10’ Awards from Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com • All-new 2015 Jeep® Renegade makes KBB.com’s “10 Favorite Newfor-2015 Cars” list and “10 Best AllWheel-Drive Vehicles Under $25,000” list • Jeep Renegade and 2015 Jeep Wrangler named to KBB.com’s “10 Best SUVs Under $25,000” list • 2015 Chrysler 200 named to KBB.com’s “10 Best Sedans Under $25,000” • 2015 Jeep Wrangler and 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth make KBB.com’s list of “10 Coolest Cars Under $25,000” Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB. com honored four FCA US vehicles with seven “top 10” awards for 2015. The all-new 2015 Jeep® Renegade has been named one of KBB.com’s “10 Favorite New-for-2015 Cars” and “10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $25,000.” The Jeep Renegade and 2015 Jeep Wrangler also made KBB. com’s “10 Best SUVs Under $25,000” list, while the 2015 Chrysler 200
nabbed a spot on the list of “10 Best Sedans Under $25,000.” In addition, KBB.com named the Jeep Wrangler and 2015 Fiat 500 two of its “10 Coolest Cars Under $25,000.” When reviewing the 10 Best SUVs Under $25,000, editors at KBB.com said of the 2015 Jeep Renegade, “Jeep’s entry-level newcomer has been attracting attention with its charming, retro-modern looks, but it has a lot more to offer than style. The Renegade allows open-air driving, similar to its big-brother Wrangler, and the nimble compact is comfortable on the road, fuel efficient and capable of venturing off-road.” Earning a spot on the 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000, the 2015 Chrysler 200 also received praise from KBB.com editors. “Chrysler’s all-new stylish 200 comes onto the midsize sedan scene for 2015 with an elegant interior filled with plenty of appealing connectivity
and entertainment options,” KBB. com editors said. “That, along with the car’s quiet, smooth ride makes this an enjoyable highway cruiser.” In addition to being named one of the 10 Best SUVs under $25,000, the 2015 Jeep Wrangler was also chosen as one of KBB.com’s 10 Coolest Cars Under $25,000. “For those souls more likely to blaze their own path than play follow the leader down a paved, well-worn strip of asphalt, the open-air, openmind Jeep Wrangler is legendary for a reason,” KBB.com editors said. The 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth also received accolades from KBB.com editors, making the list of 10 Coolest Cars Under $25,000. “The Fiat 500 is a style-conscious small car with European flair,” KBB. com editors said. “But with the addition of a turbocharger and a sport suspension, Fiat’s little runabout turns into a little monster.”