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December 2014

war on our streets: bicyclists vs. drivers. Which side are you on?

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In 2012, more than 700 bicyclists were killed by drivers in the United States. Each year, we report on many South Florida bicyclists being hit some with fatal results. But in these accidents, is it all the driver’s fault? And what is being done to keep bicyclists and drivers safe on our streets?

Are Outrageous Tolls The Wave Of The Future or Highway Robbery?

If you use the Express lanes on I-95, prepare to pay way more. The same could go for parking your car in Downtown Miami. The trend called congestive pricing is taking off.

‘Tollmageddon’ On The Dolphin Expressway

The free ride is over on the Dolphin expressway (836). More than a dozen Sunpass toll points have been installed up and down the expressway. It means anyone driving on the 836 is going to pay, and for some they’ll be paying double.

Operation Elf TOY AND GIFT CARD DRIVE

This year over 468 families have been submitted to the Neighbors 4 Neighbors Adopt A Family 4 the Holidays Program. Every year we reach out to our non-profit partners to carefully identify the neediest members of our South Florida community.

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[ 6 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

20 | Health

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Gluten-Free Alternative May Cause Allergic Reactions High Tech Gadgets Help Moderate Food Intake First-Time Parents Have Rare Naturally Conceived Quadruplets Scientists Figuring Out How To Zap Away Cravings Chikungunya Fever Rampant In Puerto Rico

2 8 | Marketplace

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Ever Visit Your Favorite Outdoor Cafe And Notice How Close Your Table Is To Traffic? Wearable Tech Devices For Kids Got Holiday Travel Plans? Facebook Exposed!

36 | Real Estate

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Who Should You Rent From? Recently Sold Luxury Properties in Miami-Dade Holiday Hazards: How to Avoid Insurance Claims

4 4 | Home Improvement

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Buying Guide Replacement Windows Find The Right Thermostat Buying Guide Dishwashers

58 | Automotive All-new 2015 Chrysler 200 The 2015 Mazda6 Continues to Push Standards of ‘Segment Best’

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aRe outRaGeous tolls tHe wave oF tHe FutuRe oR

Highway Robbery? if you use the express lanes on i-95, prepare to pay Way more. the same could go for parking your car in doWntoWn miami. the trend called congestive pricing is taking off. By David Sutta

hether you’ve heard about it or even understand it, you may soon end up paying twice, even three times, what you pay not to drive in Miami-Dade and Broward County. This report looks into why the price is going up and whether this could be the wave of the future or highway robbery. As the evening commute on I-95 starts to build, traffic slows down to a crawl. 95 Express lanes, a fast lane for drivers willing to pay for it, starts to slow down as well. Across town, in Doral, Florida’s Department of Transportation engineers are watching it all. A mega wall of screens shows cameras from the Florida Keys up to Broward County. The bird’s eye

view of traffic shows engineers what’s happening in real time. Suddenly music comes over a speaker. The tune, the Superman theme, is an alert that the toll on 95 Express needs to change. The automated system is built to try and keep traffic moving. How do you keep cars moving? Use money as a motivator. The system counts how many cars are using the express lanes at any given moment. If there are too many cars the toll climbs up, hopefully discouraging drivers from entering the lanes. If the lanes are empty, the price goes down. The program calculates how much the toll should go up or down and for how long. While the system could do the entire change itself, an engineer

cars. “5 o’clock right now?” He points to the video trained on express lanes. “They would be into the teens in the HOV lanes and in the general purpose lanes.” Santana said. He’s referring to what used to be there before express lanes. High occupancy vehicle lanes were mostly for car pools and buses. They were notoriously empty, while the rest of the lanes crawled. He points at the express lane and proclaims proudly, “Right now they are in the 40’s.” “That’s a

“hoW do you keep cars moving? use money as a motivator. the system counts hoW many cars are using the express lanes at any given moment. if there are too many cars the toll climbs up, hopefully discouraging drivers from entering the lanes. if the lanes are empty, the price goes doWn.” still must click a button to approve the change just in case something whacky happens. Once the change is approved, within seconds the tolls go up. The engineer looks over to a row of screens to make sure everything went smoothly. The cameras trained on all the 95 Express signs show the change in tolls has taken place. As the toll goes up, your commute time is supposed to go down. The concept is the higher tolls will discourage drivers from using the lanes, thus opening them up for cars to move. If you are a fan of the lanes you love what FDOT engineer Rory Santana has done. It’s estimated nearly two million drivers use his speedy lanes every month. If you are in the free “slower” lanes though you probably feel cheated. Santana has heard plenty from those drivers. When asked about it Santana called it a “win-win.” “There is no loser. That’s the bottom line. On the other hand if we hadn’t done this, what time is it?” Santana looks over at a screen broadcasting a line of

win?” I ask him. “That’s a win. Take away how much and who, that’s a win,” he said.

HIGHEST EXPRESS LANE TOLLS What FDOT has done is actually quite remarkable when you think about it. They took an un-tolled road and put a toll on it. Not only that, they charged the highest tolls ever seen in South Florida. Even Santana admits he was scared to do it. “It was scary. There was knowing, I was going to have to be the one to open this up and I’m sure the eyes of South Florida were going to be on me,” Santana said. Except for some minor hiccups, it worked. Until one day, it didn’t. He remembers that Fall day, watching the toll climb to their max rate. “People just didn’t care about the $7.20. They were going to get through that facility to get to the stadium.” Fans headed to see the Miami Dolphins game considered the $7 dollar toll cheap.

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if express lanes are the Way of the future, drivers like garcia Will be stuck With the bill. he argues your commute time shouldn’t be auctioned to the highest bidder. “our local, state and federal authorities should not be in the business of Whatever the market Will bear, to be quite frank,” garcia said. Only the $7 dollar fares didn’t get them there any faster though, because everyone had crammed into the lane. A few weeks later it happened again and again. They started hitting the max rate regularly. “It was something like 8 times the first year. Then it just went like 32 and then 64 and then it went exponentially.” People were willing to pay whatever it was. “Whatever it was.” Santana confirmed. Last year FDOT took action getting the maximum toll raised to $10.50. Only it didn’t work either. “When we got to $10.50 we would have to sit there for a while,” Santana said. At $10.50, the 95 Express toll is one of the highest, if not the highest in the country. Santana is in disbelief. Here he was worried about tolling a tollfree road and whether people would use it. Could he ever imagine that somebody was going to be willing, not somebody, a lot of people were going to be willing to pay over $10 to use it?” Santana said, “I could not. I could not.” Perhaps the high tolls were meant to discourage drivers from using the express lanes but in South Florida, the higher they go, the more drivers

use it. This Spring phase 2 of 95 Express will open which will extend the lanes all the way to Fort Lauderdale. When they open, be prepared for sticker shock. Santana explained “Once it goes up we technically don’t have a cap.” No cap means the more cars in the lanes, the higher the toll will climb indefinitely. Most drivers would balk at the idea of a tolls with no maximum. Santana agreed. “Yes it is scary. For us too. It is scary. But technically that is what it is. There will be no cap.” When pressed on the issue of whether someone could pay $20, $30, $40 dollars Santana nodded in agreement. “They could,” he said. “For a trip to Fort Lauderdale?” he was asked. He answered, “It’s foreseeable. You could see $20 bucks. It’s a 22 mile trip. Not um, out of the realm of possibilities,” he said.

DESPERATION PRICING Many drivers told CBS4’S David Sutta they would never pay so much to commute around town. Carlos Garcia actually had a name for it. “I call it despera-

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tion pricing.” Garcia said. Garcia runs a grassroots effort against tolls. His website rollbacktolls.com highlights all the rate hikes, proposals, and missteps transportation authorities have taken in recent years. When asked about the effect of the 95 Express super tolls he explained the higher the prices go, the bigger the divide will be. “This is becoming a division of classes. Those who can pay and those that cannot pay. Sometimes they’ve been referred to as Lexus lanes. As the prices increases I think we are shifting from Lexus lanes to Lamborghini lanes because that’s what you are going to need to drive to be able to afford access to one of these express lanes.” Garcia said. David asked him, “At the end of the day is there anything that can be done to keep these tolls from going up to $20, $30, $40?” Garcia answered, “Well the one choice we have is don’t take the toll roads.” Garcia explained we had an opportunity for public comment. But it didn’t matter. They were going to do what they were going to do according to him. CONGESTIVE PARKING PRICING 95 Express is an example of a fairly old concept called surge pricing or congestive pricing. A perfect example of it would be an airline ticket. If you buy an airline ticket during peak travel time you’ll pay a premium for it. That same idea is now being applied to highways. If you travel during a peak time in an express lane you’ll pay more for it. The concept is now being proposed for parking. Miami Parking Authority’s Art Noriega explained they are in the same predicament 95 was in. “We can only build so many highways. We can only make the roads so wide. We can only build so much parking,” Noriega said. The Miami Parking Authority is just about done with a study on congestive pricing for parking spaces. Essentially street parking and garages would have prices slide up and down based on demand. Noriega made his argument to us for the idea. “The more cars you push into your downtown core the more congested your traffic gets, your streets get. You get people circling around trying to find spots. They add to that congestion and so for us it’s a means of trying to alleviate some of that traffic.” Noriega believes if it’s too expensive to park, you’ll park further away, or take a bus in, or come during off peak hours. We asked if he has any idea how much drivers would be paying. “No. At this point it’s still too early to make any assumptions there,” he responded. But you can assume in desirable areas,

especially during peak times, it will likely be more than what you’re paying now. For those who think this is money grab, Noriega shrugged and said, “Yeah, it isn’t a money grab. This is a means of traffic, alleviating some of the traffic issues. And you can push the prices higher and lower so its balances it out a little bit.” Congestive pricing does have the ability to go down as well. You could encourage drivers to park in underutilized areas by lowering parking rates in those areas below current market levels. So far that hasn’t really been seen though in West Coast cities experimenting with it.

WAVE OF THE FUTURE OR HIGHWAY ROBBERY? Miami hasn’t decided when they’ll roll out their congestive pricing. However Noriega believes it’s a likely reality to a growing issue. Meanwhile, Santana predicts the future depends on congestive pricing. “You’re asking if it’s going to happen. It’s gotta happen. There is just no way. We are going so quickly,” Santana explained. Is it possible that you could see congestive pricing on Kendall Drive? On US-1? On the way to Miami Beach? “It’s possible and there are people looking at that model in the future,” Santana said. If express lanes are the way of the future, drivers like Garcia will be stuck with the bill. He argues your commute time shouldn’t be auctioned to the highest bidder. “Our local, state and federal authorities should not be in the business of whatever the market will bear, to be quite frank,” Garcia said. You’re probably wondering where is all this express lane money going? The answer: More express lanes. After funding the cameras, extra staff, extra road rangers for 95 Express, the excess money is helping establish the express lanes on the Palmetto expressway and I-75. The reason why more express lanes are on the way? FDOT says the work. Not just for those who are paying but those in the “free” lanes. According to FDOT, since 95 Express has rolled out they have seen both the express and general lanes are moving faster. It may be hard to imagine that when you’re sitting there watching cars whiz by you. Traffic engineers are quite proud of it. According to them everyone is moving faster than they were, say, a decade ago.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 13 ]

‘TOLLMAGEDDON’ on tHe dolpHIn eXpRessway

By David Sutta

the free ride is over on the dolphin expressWay (836). more than a dozen sunpass toll points have been installed up and doWn the expressWay. it means anyone driving on the 836 is going to pay, and for some they’ll be paying double. this cbs4 investigation looks into the tolls, Who Will be impacted and Where all that money, nearly a billion dollars is going.

Businesses Plan For You to Pay Kent Cook has been in business in Miami-Dade for nearly 30 years. “Service and repair is what we are all about. From panels to landscape lights to hanging fixtures, flat screens on the way,” Cook said. Every morning his fleet of nearly a dozen trucks hit the highway, moving from job to job. “We are on the road all the time. I looked into it. For the last four months we spent over a $1000 a month just on tolls. Just to keep the truck on the road,”he said.

When Cook recently learned tolls on the 836 were going up he finally said enough is enough. “Somebody has to pay for it. And I’m in business, believe it or not, to make a profit so if things like this happen I have to in-turn turn it around and charged the customer a little bit more for these tolls,” said Cook. By his estimate Cook will be paying 50% more in tolls as of Saturday. That’s when a network of 17 toll points goes live. Critics call it “Tollmageddon.” Carlos Garcia, who operates Rollbacktolls. com chuckles at the name, but he’s dead serious.

“tollmaggedon. people are going to get off this highWay and people are going to be outraged,” garcia said. Last year Rollbacktoll.com rallied to try to stop the toll increase. But Miami-Dade Expressway’s board, narrowly passed it. Critical votes came from board members appointed by Miami-Dade commissioners.

Garcia explained, “This is the truth. The reality is big tolls are coming to the 836. MDX is a government agency. This is big government tolling.” .30 cents for less than a mile A map, enhanced and featured prominently on rollbacktolls.com’s website is the sobering reality of what is about to happen. Essentially you won’t be able to drive on the 836 in any direction without paying a toll. Even drivers driving less than a mile will be hit for 30 cents. It may not seem like much but it adds up. The drive from the Turnpike to Downtown Miami AND back is currently is $2.50. Next week it will be $4.20. For the daily commuter that’s extra $34 dollars a month… A tank of gas for a sedan. Annually it’s over $400 dollars… A car payment.

MDX Response We requested to interview Miami Dade Expressway Authority’s Chairwoman Maritza Gutiérrez about it. Instead MDX gave us their public information officer Mario Diaz. We asked him why. “Our board is all a voluntary board. They all have full-time jobs and they weren’t available to come out,” Diaz said. Diaz did explain their plan. Up until now 45 percent of drivers on the 836 were getting a free ride. Now everyone pays. “Some will pay more. Some will pay where they’ve never paid before and some will pay less than what they currently pay. But by everyone paying for the portion that they use we are now able to move forward with critical

improvements to the expressway,” said Diaz. The tolls will raise nearly a billion dollars for new road construction. It includes additional lanes, a new fly-over for the always backed up I-95 exit, and streamlined exits along the way. Diaz explained, “If we don’t do anything, with the increase in the population that we are expecting within the next 30 years, traffic will continue to get worse and worse and worse.” Garcia believes it will get worse… and you’ll pay more for it. “I hope Miami is ready to be stuck in traffic and pay 50% more in tolls.” Garcia said.

The Tree Mistake Garcia sees it differently. “A lot of people say it’s a backdoor tax,”he said. There certainly are some trust issues MDX is still dealing with. “Well I would say after four years there is some skepticism,” Garcia said. MDX has made some questionable decisions over the years. The most visible is on the 874, also known as the Don Shula Expressway. It got a makeover a few years ago with some lush landscaping. According to MDX the expense was required by law. But many don’t see why we needed dozens of exotic palm trees trucked in from Arizona for $8,000 dollars each “When we end up seeing is $8,000 palm trees everywhere as far as the eye can see and we have extravagant, unnecessary in my opinion, landscaping. We need it

to look nice but we don’t need it to look Las Vegas, the Bellagio. It’s a highway. I need it to get to work,” Garcia said. Cook agrees.

“With all this money that is being spent, that the traffic Would be getting better? but it’s not. it’s getting Worse.” As the tolls go up Cook said so will his invoices for customers. He expects his fellow contractors to follow suit. “It’s not just me. It’s contractors, electricians, plumbers. It’s anybody where it’s their business getting in-between people’s homes.” he said. If you don’t want to pay the toll there really is only one alternative. Get off the expressway. That might be difficult as thousands of likeminded drivers may be thinking the same thing when the tolls go live next week. MDX said they are trying to relieve the pressure on drivers who use the roadway the heaviest. They have setup a rebate program that will give them back up to $120 dollars a year. They are also offering coupons for pizzas and oil changes. For more information on the program go here: http://mdxway. com/clubmembers/dashboard To learn more about Rollbacktolls go to www.rollbacktolls.com

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 15 ]

bIcyclIsts dRIveRs in 2012, more than 700 bicyclists Were killed by drivers in the united states. each year, We report on many south florida bicyclists being hit some With fatal results. but in these accidents, is it all the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fault? and What is being done to keep bicyclists and drivers safe on our streets?

here’s a war being waged on our South Florida streets between bicyclists and drivers. Which side are you on? “They all cut in front of you and you constantly have to be on guard. Yes it’s very frustrating,” said one Key Biscayne resident. Bicyclists consume the road sometimes in both directions. They even take red lights but sometimes, drivers aren’t any better. “Every time I go out on the road, I am almost hit,” said Maria Luisa De Jesus, an avid bicyclist. Drivers get too close to bicyclists, speed by them, and sometimes even hit them. That’s what happened to Maria Luisa. She was hit by a driver a few years ago. “Thank God there were no ruptures or broken bones but I motivated.” That motivation led her to create a yearly bike ride called “The Ride of Silence” in honor of bicyclists injured or killed by drivers and in South Florida there are a lot of them. Between 2003 and 2012, 1,539 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed. So it’s not much of a surprise that South Florida has been ranked the fourth most dangerous metro area for pedestrians and bicyclists in a new study by Smart America Growth. But who is at fault for these accidents? According to Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose Pepe Diaz, who is also an avid bicyclist, it’s not always the drivers to blame. “You have many cyclists that obey the law and do things right and do things safe but there are groups that don’t.” CBS4’s Vanessa Borge witnessed it firsthand. She rode alongside a group of bicyclists which started in South Miami and went all the way into Key Biscayne. Bicyclists took red lights, which is illegal and also took over three lanes on the Rickenbacker Causeway, which is also illegal. “That is disobeying the law. You can’t do that. The law states you can be in the lane that is immediate to

the right. There are 3 lanes there. It’s not for them to take up all three lanes,” said Commissioner Diaz. But that is just one group of bicyclists giving a bad name to the rest who do abide by the rules of the road. One south Florida organization is trying to educate new riders. The Everglades Bike Club meets at Miami City Hall in Coconut Grove every Saturday morning. They teach rookie bicyclists the proper signs and rules of the road. More education for amateur riders is imperative to keep both bicyclists and drivers safe.

the county is also making changes to ensure drivers sloWdoWn in bike zones as Well. there are reduced speed limits posted on flashing electronic signs and they’ve added more police officers to patrol the rickenbacker causeWay. “Do I sit easy? No. Is it costly? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes, because our citizens need that safety so they can also participate health wise and doing the things they like to do to know without the fear of getting ran over,” said Commissioner Diaz. Commissioner Diaz is also proposing a resolution called “complete streets” in Wednesday’s county commission meeting. It will potentially help create safer roadways for drivers and bicyclists to share. By law, bicycles are considered a slow moving vehicle, meaning, drivers, they are allowed to be there. But bicyclists you have to abide by the laws to keep you and South Florida drivers safe as well.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 17 ]

WIRELESS CHARGING poWering up Without the cord is the neW Wave of the future.

etween smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearable tech and more, we love our gadgets on the go but when it comes time to recharge, most of us are still tethered to a power supply. But a host of industry groups are working on new technology that will let us power up, without the cord. Publicist Erin Morrissey uses a special case to extend her smart phone’s battery life, and plugs in when she needs to power up. She hopes not to have to. “And, you know not have that stress of, ‘when will I get to this next outlet, you know, before my phone loses charge?,’” said Morrissey.

Both the Alliance for Wireless Power and the Wireless Power Consortium, have announced new technology with the ability to charge over a short distance. John Perzow is with the Wireless Power Consortium. He envisions technology built into everyday infrastructure, so consumers can juice up throughout the day. “The idea, is that if your phone is always charged then you eliminate this thing we all share called battery anxiety. That’s the feeling you get as your phone battery starts to drop.” But what about accessing power over longer distances the same way we do with wi-fi? There are companies working on using anten-

“both the alliance for Wireless poWer and the Wireless poWer consortium, have announced neW technology With the ability to charge over a short distance.” Right now wireless charging options require direct contact with a charging pad. But technology rolling out soon will allow the exchange of electricity over thin air. “Some companies have come up with technology that actually does allow you to beam power wirelessly from one place to the other within a matter of, of inches at this point,” said Michael Gorman with Engadget. That could mean power supplies with the ability to charge multiple devices hidden in desks or furniture and, the end of cord clutter. “I could certainly see it in the next four to five years if the technology progresses, it to be kind of the de facto standard. Because I think nobody really wishes they had more cords to deal with,” said Gorman. Some of the technology to charge over a short distance is expected to pop up in consumer products next year.

nas and radio bands or ultrasound technology to beam power throughout a room. “There is potential there, but that is still very, very early days,” Perzow said. The bottom line, experts say consumer use of wireless power is in the early stages, but adoption is expected to explode. According to one forecast, the global market for wireless power will grow to 8.5 billion dollars by 2018. That’s up from 216 million in 2013. Perzow said, “Over the next few years we’ll see the roll out of these devices embedded into our daily life.” Erin is charged up about the prospect of wireless power over distance. “I think that really will, you know, help make my life a lot easier.” As for when we’ll see some of the technology to charge over a short distance on the market, experts say expect to see it in consumer products in 2015 and beyond. One of the barriers for wireless power is that there isn’t one universally accepted standard that can be built into all products that need power.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 19 ]

Operation Elf toy and GIFt caRd dRIve this year over 468 families have been submitted to the neighbors 4 neighbors adopt a family 4 the holidays program. every year We reach out to our non-profit partners to carefully identify the neediest members of our south florida community. these families from throughout miami-dade and broWard counties, all have various situations that make them perfect candidates for your kindness this holiday season

ur Adopt A Family 4 The Holidays Program, sponsored by Everglades Holiday Park and Baptist Health Primary Care is our largest campaign each year. Offering our adopters the personal experience of being able to meet and get to know the families they help, keeps many companies and individuals returning year after year. Ask anyone of them why and they will tell you how wonderful the experience makes them feel. Having one on one interaction with the families allows them to see the joy on the faces of the families first hand. Many times, they see that these families are very much like them, and that their lives are not very different. For the families who are adopted, the situation can be life changing. Seeing that someone cares and being able to give their children something to look forward to during the holidays raises their spirits. There is a great pressure that forms for all of us, during this time of year that this program can dissipate. Giving to others, who without your help would have nothing, is incredibly rewarding. It’s really what the holidays are all about. However, there are additional families for which one on one adoption is not possible. The good news is, that these families will not go without this holiday season. That’s where Operation Elf, our Toy and Gift Card Drive sponsored by FPL, comes in. With the help of the many drives hosted by organizations, businesses, schools and even individuals we are able to serve these vulnerable families, making their holidays the brightest yet. The new unwrapped toys and generous gift cards are given to these families allowing them to fulfil their holiday wishes. Of course, you can always make a donation on our website. With that, we are able to purchase additional gift cards and serve even more families. To become an adopter, host a gift card or toy drive, or make a donation by logging on to our website at www.aaf.neighbors4neighbors.org or call us directly at 305-597-4404. To see some of the smiling faces first hand, set your reminders to watch our Neighbors 4 Neighbors Holiday Special on December 21st at 11:30am on My33 – WBFS. We’ll highlight many those who helped to unwrap hope this holiday season.

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December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 21 ]

H e a lt h

Gluten-Free Alternative May Cause Allergic Reactions We all know about gluten allergies. But did you know manufacturers could be substituting one allergen for another? By Vanessa Borge

ifteen-year-old Orion has had a peanut allergy all his life. His mother, Kelley Lindberg, says that she first gave her son a peanut butter sandwich when he was just about a year-and-a-half old. “He immediately began to break out in kind of a hive around his face,” she said. Later, Kelley found out that her son was also allergic to lupin, an ingredient that is often substituted for peanuts. Lupin is a flour alternative used in gluten-free foods. What many people don’t know is that lupin is a legume that comes from the same plant family as the peanut. “There are case reports of people having severe lifethreatening anaphylactic reactions to lupin, both people who have a history of pre-existing peanut allergy and others who are eating peanuts just fine,” said allergist Dr. David Stukus. Recently, the FDA released a statement on its website regarding this issue, and they are currently monitoring complaints. “With the growth of the gluten free market, we’re going to see more products with lupin in them coming to this country,” Stefano Luccioli of the FDA said. Lupin is required to be listed on food products as a potential allergen in Europe. As of right now, the FDA only requires that Lupin be listed as an ingredient.

[ 20 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

“With the growth of the gluten free market, we’re going to see more products with lupin in them coming to this country.”

www.cbsmiami.com

“We showed that if you tracked the bites, you could indeed slow a person’s eating, and that did indeed reduce intake.”

High Tech Gadgets Help

Moderate Food Intake Losing weight can be a real challenge, but now there is high tech help available to help moderate the amount of food eaten.

T By Vanessa Borge

he Mandometer is a device that weighs the food you put on a plate. It then tells you how much to eat, and over how much time. If you eat too fast, you get an electronic warning advising that you need to slow down. Dan Correa has used it to help him lose 30 pounds, but admits “I’ve asked it to shut up a few times.” Studies show that eating too fast can cause weight gain. Joan Salge Blake, a professor of nutrition said, “It is going to take 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that you are full, and if you are eating so rapidly, you could over eat and take in more calories than you really need to be satisfied.” Another high tech option is the Bite Counter. It literally counts each time a bite is taken. The computer allows the user to set the count, and read the results on a wrist device. Psychologist Eric Muth developed this device after struggling with his weight. If a person eats more than a pre-programmed number of bites, an alarm goes off. “We showed that if you tracked the bites, you could indeed slow a person’s eating, and that did indeed reduce intake,” added Muth. That’s also the theory behind the “Hapi-Fork”. This electronic utensil vibrates and flashes a red light if the eater takes bites less than ten seconds apart. A mobile app keeps track. Salge Blake believes these devices could be helpful, but put too much focus on quantity, and not on quality. “It is great that you have a slower pace, but we don’t want you slowly eating a pint of ice cream either. So it’s what’s on the plate that’s important. That’s where the nutrition component comes in.” There is still value in some old school methods of moderating food consumption. Studies show using smaller plates leads to smaller portions because the plate looks full with less food. Serving dinner family style is a no-no. Salge Blake said, “Create a plate, bring it to the table to eat it, and that’s done.” No second helpings allowed. Another proven strategy is to keep a detailed food log of everything that is consumed. Salge Blake said that makes a person really think before eating something.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 21 ]

H e a lt h

First-Time Parents Have Rare Naturally Conceived Quadruplets A South Florida couple got the surprise of a lifetime when they learned their new bundle of joy would be times four.

[ 22 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

vanna Cardenas Gutierrez, 27, and her husband David Gutierrez learned they were expecting in February, but an ultrasound revealed more than they expected. “The doctor said we were having twins – and I was shocked,” Gutierrez said in a press release by Jackson Health System. “Then he said there were three babies. Two minutes later, he said there was a fourth. I was speechless.” What makes the quadruplets so rare, is they were conceived naturally, an occurrence that happens in just 1 in 700,000 pregnancies. The health system reported approximately 90 percent of quadruplets are conceived with the assistance of medical technology. Dr. Salih Yasin, who specializes in high-risk pregnancies and the delivery of multiples was designated to care for Ivanna during the pregnancy. On August 18, at a 27-week check-up, tests revealed one of the babies was in distress and in danger of dying. The doctor decided to deliver all four babies that day – well ahead of the November 15 due date. The babies names are Julian, Sebastian, Gabriel and Francesca. Julian was the largest at 2 pounds, 3 ounces. Gabriel was smallest at 1 pound, 3 ounces. The babies continue to grow and get stronger at the Schatzi Kassal Project: New Born Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Holtz Children’s Hospital. Francesca, the only girl, will be released within the next week. “There have been a lot of ups and downs, but we have gotten through it,” Ivanna said in the press release. “We know how blessed we are.” Wednesday, the family will speak at a press conference and provide pictures of the quadruplets.

www.cbsmiami.com

Scientists Figuring Out How To Zap Away Cravings Imagine how easy it would be to lose weight if you never had a food craving again. That could soon be a reality as researchers are working on a way to reprogram the brain with electrical pulses. By Vanessa Borge

“Y

ou just have to turn it off, but most people tend not to and just keep feeding the craving,” Dr. Lisa Ganjhu said. Experts say it is a vicious cycle that is not unlike other addictions, the more that you give in to your cravings the more you crave them. “Somewhat similar to alcohol, marijuana, people really do get hooked,” Dr. Eric Braverman explained. Doctors know all about cravings. Now, scientists may have a way to stop them by using a device that was originally designed to help stroke victims. “If we can change brain activity can we change the craving behavior,” Dr. Felipe Fregni said. The device uses a low intensity electrical current that passes through electrodes that placed on both sides of the scalp. The current targets the specific parts of the brain associated with cravings. After just one single stimulation session, researchers found the desire to eat was diminished when study The challenge is participants looked at pictures of food. “They said after stimulation, it was less than before stimulation,” Dr. how to unlearn Fregni said. the mal-adoptive Right now, the effect is only temporary, but scientists are studying behavior and learn how to make it permanent. a new behavior.” “Your brain learns. The challenge is how to unlearn the mal-adoptive behavior and learn a new behavior,” said Dr. Fregni. They are also researching the use of electrical stimulation with other addictive substances including cigarettes, alcohol and even drugs. The technology is also being used for rehabilitation. Jamie Heath, 13, suffered a stroke last year. After a week of brain stimulation, she said she has better use of her right arm. Heath said while it may sound scary, the actually treatment isn’t painful. “It feels like tingling, like I want to scratch my head but I know I can’t,” said Heath. Dr. Fregni said one day patients may be able to keep a portable device at home which they would operate themselves to reduce their own cravings.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 23 ]

Health / www.cbsmiami.com

Chikungunya Fever Rampant In Puerto Rico Heading to the Caribbean or Latin America on vacation? The CDC says the Chikungunya outbreak in the region shows no sign of slowing down, and if you are not careful, you could come home with symptoms. By Brian Andrews

hile it is highly unlikely Chikunguya will kill you, it can sideline you for at least a week with fever, rash, and debilitating joint pain. The mosquito-borne disease is rampant now in parts of the Caribbean in Latin America with large numbers of cases reported in Puerto Rico. Dr. Nabil El Sanadi, the medical director at Broward Health Hospital System said travelers must be extra careful not to get bitten by mosquitoes. “We’ve seen patients from Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and from Haiti. It’s endemic and a big problem right now,” Dr. Sanadi said. Puerto Rico’s Health Department released figures from last month showing 401 confirmed cases of Chikungunya and 2006 suspected cases on the island. For the year, Puerto Rico reports 3,242 confirmed cases. “It’s something to be aware of, especially for those who are traveling to the island,” said Dr. El Sanadi. If you get bitten while away and infected, there’s a chance you could return home to South Florida sick. So far in 2014, the CDC says more than 1600 travelers have. “If you get bitten by a mosquito, pay attention to

the symptoms and seek treatment if you develop symptoms,” said Dr. El Sanadi. Chikungunya symptoms include fever, headaches, and severe joint pain. Health Officials say the pain from Chikungunya in your joints can sideline you for up to a week. Right now, the CDC said there is no vaccine or specific treatment for it. In South Florida, there have been less than a half dozen cases in the last year, nothing like what’s being seen in Puerto Rico. If you do contract Chikungunya, there is good news. You will probably never get it again. Doctors said it’s thought one unpleasant experience with it is enough to provide lifelong immunity. Before taking a trip, travelers can check the latest CDC recommendations at www.cdc.gov/travel (under travel notices) and learn about ongoing chikungunya activity at www.cdc.gov/chikungunya.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 25 ]

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock.com

Marketplace

By Brian Andrews

Ever visit your favorite outdoor cafe and notice how close your table is to traffic? Local Laws Lack Specifics When It Comes To Outdoor Dining Regulations.

ave you wondered if there are any laws or ordinances to protect diners like you from getting hurt by an out of control car or a freak accident? CBS4’s Brian Andrews reviewed the laws and ordinances in four South Florida cities in the wake of the October accident in Miami that injured ten people dining al fresco. In Fort Lauderdale, the city simply requires outdoor dining permit holders to make sure there is adequate space for pedestrians to pass by tables. There is nothing specific in Ft. Lauderdale’s code about how far a table must be from the curb or roadside. Fort Lauderdale’s code says outdoor dining permits will be issued in areas where there is curbside parking, assuming those parked cars will be a buffer if anyone loses control. During CBS4’s recent visit to Las Olas to shoot video for the story, our crew notices yellow tables and chairs outside a restaurant called Cheese Culture. Later, a check of city records

[ 28 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

revealed Cheese Culture did not have a permit for outdoor dining. When the City sent inspectors by, the outdoor tables and chairs were gone. Our crew returned to the scene of the accident in Miami’s Upper Eastside where the crash happened weeks ago. There were no outdoor tables at the Limoni Cafe and Pizza on NE 2nd Avenue and 46th Street. Our review of Miami regulations show no specific requirement for how far a table must be from a curb. The only specific rule was that there must be at least 5 feet of available walkway for pedestrians.

“The beach does have rules for distances that outdoor tables must be from crosswalks and bus benches. It also has rules about the quality of the tables, chairs, and umbrellas that are used for outdoor dining.”

www.cbsmiami.com

“CBS4’s Brian Andrews found some restaurants in miami beach with tables less than six inches from the curb.”

Miami does require a minimum of 5 feet distance for tables, chairs, and furniture from cross walks, bus benches, and electrical boxes. When our crew visited Green Street Cafe in the Grove, we found one sofa along Main Highway that was closer to the cross walk than required by city regulations. On Miami Beach, our review of the city’s sidewalk dining ordinances also found no specifics on how far tables must be from the curb. CBS4’s Brian Andrews found some restaurants on Washington Avenue near 13th Street with tables less than six inches from the curb. The beach does have rules for distances that outdoor tables must be from crosswalks and bus benches. It also has rules about the quality of the tables, chairs, and umbrellas that are used for outdoor dining. However, there is nothing in specific in the Miami Beach sidewalk dining ordinance that addresses the safety of diners from an out of control car. Espanola Way restaurant owner Al Rojas told CBS4’s Brian Andrews he’s installed some planters to act as a buffer, but he believes the city needs to update its laws.

“I think it will be better for the safety of the tourists who come down here,” he said. CBS4 News also visited South Miami, where the issue of establishing a safe distance for tables from the curb is addressed in local code. The city requires a minimum of 18 inches. Each outdoor establishment we visited near Sunset Place was in compliance with the 18 inch rule. The take away from this? CBS4 News found there are laws on the books covering tables, chairs, and distance from bus benches and cross walks. However, there is little if any specific wording in the codes we reviewed that may have helped to prevent the chaos and injuries that happened outside the Limoni Cafe in Miami last month.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 29 ]

Marke tplace

Wearable Tech Devices For Kids

Wearable tech devices, it seems that every time you turn around they’re getting smaller, and now many new devices are meant for kids. Like the grown-up gadgets, some are designed to turn fitness into fun but others are more focused on safety. by Rhiannon Ally

ix-year-old Marc Cohen entertains himself with his dad’s smartwatch all the time, so when his father Adam saw the Kidizoom, a child-sized version of the gadget, he got one for Marc. “It’s just modeled after an adult smartwatch, but made for kids with kids apps and games. And it’s pretty new, pretty fun,” said Marc. Wearable tech for kids goes beyond entertainment. Some options on the market like the Leapband and Sqord are designed to encourage activity. “Doing the stuff that Fitbit and other activity trackers like the Nike FuelBand were doing for adults. But also having them work in larger school settings to try to create some sort of group initiative,” says CNET’s Scott Stein. Others devices on the market and in development, including Filip, Kizon, and

[ 30 ] CBS4 News Magazine / To Advertise Call 305.477.1699

Tinitell are aimed at safety and include GPS technology to locate little ones. According to Stein, “Some of them make calls. Some of them send more S.O.S. messages. Some of them are more about simply GPS tracking.” So how can focusing on every footstep and following every movement be beneficial? Louis Kraus is a Child Psychiatrist. He says, “A lot of kids really have trouble comprehending what a reasonable amount of exercise is. Having a device like this could help them meet those goals.” He adds, “To be able to have a monitoring device so that you can make sure that they’re safe, that’s a great use for something like this.” While it’s hard to track the popularity of these devices right now since they’re so new, in fact some are just hitting the market, you can find out more information on the products by clicking the links below:

KIDIZOOM from Vtech www.vtechkids.com/brands/brand_view/smartwatch

LEAPBAND www.leapfrog.com/en-us/products/leapband

The LeapBand tracks activity and provides physical challenges.

www.cbsmiami.com

SQORD www.sqord.com

The Sqord connect you to a social platform that inspires, tracks, and rewards your everyday physical activity in your own local, family, and online communities. When you sync your PowerPod and log in, you’ll get points for your activity, your level will go up, you’ll get Sqoins to spend on cool virtual items, and you’ll enjoy bragging rights in the visual, interactive social network built.

FILIP www.myfilip.com/

FiLIP is a smart locator and phone. FiLIP is a cell phone reimagined for kids as a wearable device. FiLIP can locate your kids wherever they are. To ensure complete accuracy FiLIP uses more than just GPS – it utilizes a blend of assisted GPS, GSM cell tower location, and Wi-Fi hotspot triangulation. FiLIP has been designed with an Intelligent Emergency procedure.

When activated, the emergency button triggers an automatic location beacon, ambient sound recording, and calls each of the five contacts until one is reached.

KIZON www.lgnewsroom.com/newsroom/contents/64572

The KizON is not yet available in the US. It is expected to be released in the US in the third quarter of 2014. Utilizing GPS and Wi-Fi, KizON provides real-time location information allowing parents to track their children’s whereabouts on a smartphone or tablet.

TINITELL www.tinitell.com/

Tinitell is a wearable mobile phone for children with a built-in GPS. The device makes calls at the push of one button, or when a user says the name of the contact.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 31 ]

Marke tplace

got holiday travel plans? learn the best and The Cheapest Time to buy your airline tickets

By Brian Andrews lready purchase your airline tickets to get out of town for Christmas? Orbitz reports tickets prices are up about 2-percent this year. Also, there is new data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation that states you’ll have to buy much further in advance than 21-days to get a super cheap ticket. “We’re finding lower prices tickets are selling out sooner,” says ARC’s Chuck Thackston. ARC looked at more than 130 million airline tickets sold over the last decade, and the prices that were paid for them, and found the lowest average ticket price was paid about 8 weeks prior to departure. “If you’re flying internationally, the best price was found about 24 weeks in advance of travel,” said Thackston. ARC’s research also finds there is a better day to find the cheaper fares than a typical Tuesday. “The lowest average ticket price has actually been on Sunday, with Saturday as the second day of the week,” said Thackston. “Most airlines today are fairly aggressive in providing deals and managing their inventory so anytime you can find a good deal is a best time to buy.” “Because South Florida is a multiARC says you can expect to find the airport destination, where you can airlines still have a few routes with shop FLL, MIA and PBI, ARC reported discounted fares for the holidays, but with you could find cheaper tickets travel demand up, you can expect those cheaper seats to sell out fast. to your favorite destination than Because South Florida is a multi-airport other major cities served by just destination, where you can shop FLL, MIA one airport.” and PBI, ARC reported you could find cheaper tickets to your favorite destination than other major cities served by just one said Thackston. airport. If you were able to buy early, when was the cheap“During the holiday periods there is typically less est day to buy your holiday tickets? business travel so there could be leisure travel and Orbitz reported it was October 10th for Thanksgivthe opportunity to get those deals is still out there, ing and October 8th for Christmas.

[ 32 ] CBS4 News Magazine / To Advertise Call 305.477.1699

www.cbsmiami.com

Facebook Exposed!

By Brian Andrews

While Facebook can be fun, it also has a darker side that could put users at risk of losing money, their reputation and even friendships.

me,” said Giacalone. He contacted Facebook and they deleted the phony profile. With 1.5 billion accounts worldwide, there’s no shortage of potential targets. “I never thought it would happen on Facebook,” said Giacalone. It happened to Zona Koopman too. She thought she was communicating with a friend, but it turned out to be somebody pretending to be her friend. “We chit chatted back and forth for several messages,” said Koopman. But then she said the copycat tried to scam her. “I said on the message, ‘well, I know you’re a fraud and I’m going to report you,’”

opycats are pretend“Facebook allows ing to be users in what users to restrict is now called Facebook who can and cannot cloning. have access to their “It’s kind of creepy,” said Joe Giacalone who said someone stole his page but many don’t Facebook page. choose settings He said they made an exact copy that offer enough of it and posed as him. Giacalone protection.” had no idea. “It’s not a good feeling when you think that you’ve been had,” said Giacalone. said Koopman. He only found out when the imposter tried to scam Facebook allows users to restrict who can and one of his Facebook friends by asking him for money. cannot have access to their page but many don’t “It was embarrassing,” said Giacalone. choose settings that offer enough protection. And he is not the only victim. Experts said that’s a mistake. Now Giacalone is With just a few clicks of a mouse, cyber criminals limiting access and he’s relieved it’s before it’s too create a duplicate user. They have access to users late. Facebook friends and then can do anything pretend“Nobody had their reputation ruined. Nobody had ing to be that person unless a friend catches on. any money taken from them so this is an opportunity “ I knew this was not Joe Giacalone,” said his friend where I can start changing my online behavior,” said Joe Wolf. Giacalone. It was Wolf who questioned whether it was really While many love to post, there are some things that his friend who contacted him. should remain private like your complete birthday, “That immediately set off bells,” said Wolf. if you’re home alone, and pictures of your kids with He alerted the real Giacalone who was shocked by their names tagged. what he found. If privacy is important then remember, whatever “When I clicked on it, I saw my face. I saw my cover you put out there, isn’t private anymore. page. It was me for all intents and purposes. It was

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 33 ]

[ 34 ] CBS4 News Magazine / To Advertise Call 305.477.1699

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 35 ]

Re al Estate

Sponsored By

Who Should You Rent From?

Review the positives and negatives of management structures prior to searching for a rental property.

ental property types may differ significantly depending on ownership, and management tactics tend to follow suit. Should you opt for a single-family residence owned by a devoted, single investor? How about renting an apartment from a well-established, trustworthy property management (PM) company? To help narrow the scope, we’ve asked finance bloggers to discuss the pros and cons associated with renting from PM companies and private homeowners.

‘Having a personal relationship with your landlord opens up the potential for flexibility within the lease (e.g. month-to-month or shorter-term).’ all. You’re also more likely to get the help you need in regards to maintenance and repairs, as the process is more established and there are people on hand to take care of those things. — Ben Luthi

1. What are some benefits of renting from multi-family property management companies?

2. What are potential benefits of renting from private owners?

Property management companies tend to be very organized. They have a process for viewing apartments, submitting applications, selecting tenants, signing the lease and dealing with issues and maintenance requests. — Catherine Gacad One benefit is that you are working with people who do this for a living, rather than with someone who may have no experience in property management at

When you rent from a private owner there is more opportunity for a personal relationship with your landlord. Having a personal relationship with your landlord opens up the potential for flexibility within the lease (e.g. month-to-month or shorter-term). Additionally, a private owner might expedite the move in process as they may need their unit rented as soon as possible. — Harry Campbell

[ 36 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

Content provided by www.zillow.com The obvious benefits are costs. Private owners may be able to charge less since they are managing the property themselves. However, it can be very challenging for them to do it all themselves and your requests may not get immediate attention. — Connie Mei

3. Do renters communicate differently when dealing with large companies versus single investors? In my opinion, renters are far more likely to behave and be civil when communicating with large companies than compared to dealing with individuals. A lack of respect for management will often degenerate a good tenant into a bad one over a period of time. — Mike Goodman Communicating with a PM company can be a bit like calling the cable company — you may feel like a commodity or the next number in line. You’ll get personal service with an individual landlord, but they may lack the experience or resources to come across as responsive and professional. — Dustin Riechmann Private owners can be less professional. Renting out the property may be a secondary income or not the main focus so you may feel that. — AJ Smith

Communicating with a PM company can be a bit like calling the cable company — you may feel like a commodity or the next number in line. You’ll get personal service with an individual landlord, but they may lack the experience or resources to come across as responsive and professional.

4. What are some ways property management companies can learn from private owners and vice versa? A private owner needs to know the renter is their customer, not their adversary. They need to know how to screen tenants, and how to interpret the results. A well-screened tenant is not an inconvenience; they are a high-paying customer. — No Nonsense Landlord A private owner could pick up on some ideas for amenities and events that are usually available at property management companies. These things increase a tenant’s happiness and could allow you to have better retention. — Brent

5. Any tips for choosing a landlord? Talk to the current tenants and see if they are happy working with that company. Look around the building that you’re interested in renting a unit in. Is it clean? Are the units well-maintained? Are the lights on? Is the trash picked up? When you call the company to ask questions how do they answer the phone? — Michelle Jackson Ask potential property managers for at least three references with properties similar to your own. Inquire about their process for handling difficult situations, like evicting a tenant or collecting past due rent. — Mr. 4HWD

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 37 ]

Real Estate / Content Provided by www.zillow.com

Holiday Hazards:

How to Avoid Insurance Claims Take steps to protect against insurance claims that can dampen your holiday spirit.

veryone loves the holidays – the smells, the food, the presents, the time with friends and family. Most people have started making their wish lists, and some have gone so far as to start shopping. Here’s a present for you and your family: the gift of avoiding holiday-related insurance claims. When it comes to the holidays, insurance concerns are usually an afterthought. But many enjoyable aspects of the holidays can also pose dangers. Consider the following elements of the holidays — and their potential for trouble.

Hunger pains Who doesn’t love holiday food? Turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas ham and New Year’s Day black-eyed peas and greens are a big part of the season’s fun. So what’s the problem? Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. And the average home fire claim costs $34,306, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). What’s the worst that could happen? Check out some common ways holiday cooking can go dreadfully wrong (and we’re not even talking about fruitcake): • Thanksgiving turkey. The unassuming turkey poses one of the largest fire threats, whether you’re roasting it in the oven or deep-frying it outside. Because of the length of time it must stay in the oven, you can sometimes forget to pay close attention. And the combination of a big bird and hot oil can be a recipe for disaster. For safety, follow tips for frying the bird. • Pies and pastries. The combination of sugar, high temperatures and lengthy cooking times should produce sweet treats, not sweaty fires. • Anything, unattended. The sheer volume of dishes included in typical holiday feasts can mean the cook gets distracted during the process.

Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. And the average home fire claim costs $34,306, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 39 ]

Re al Estate Recently Sold Luxury Properties in miami-dade

277 Marinero Ct, Coral Gables, FL 33143

517 Hardee Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33146

7 Beds / 8 Bath | 8,000 sq. ft. | 0.52 acre Lot | Built in: 1995 Sold: 10/27/2014 | $7,700,000

4 Beds / 3 Bath | 4,040 sq. ft. | 0.42 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1926 Sold: 10/29/2014 | $2,625,000

4435 N Bay Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33140

139 Rosales Ct, Coral Gables, FL 33143

5 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 5,075 sq. ft. | 6,000 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2007 Sold: 10/28/2014 | $2,300,000

5 Beds / 5.5 Bath | 5,230 sq. ft. | 0.36 acre Lot | Built in: 199 Sold: 10/29/2014 | $2,100,000

6801 SW 94th St, Miami, FL 33156

7030 Almansa St, Coral Gables, FL 33143

6 Beds / 5.5 Bath | 5,458 sq. ft. | 0.81 acre Lot | Built in: 2001 Sold: 10/27/2014 | $2,100,000

4 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,641 sq. ft. | 0.72 acre Lot | Built in: 1954 Sold: 10/30/2014 | $1,950,000

[ 40 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

Content provided by www.zillow.com

3604 Matheson Ave, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

8960 SW 114th St, Miami, FL 33176

6 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 6,000 sq. ft. | 0.42 acre Lot | Built in: 1939 Sold: 10/28/2014 | $1,840,000

5 Beds / 5 Bath | 6,240 sq. ft. | 0.83 acre Lot | Built in: 2014 Sold: 10/31/2014 | $1,485,000

8651 NE 10th Ct, Miami, FL 33138

2283 Bayview Ln, North Miami, FL 33181

4 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 3,270 sq. ft. | 0.25 acre Lot | Built in: 1949 Sold: 10/30/2014 | $1,270,000

3 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,813 sq. ft. | 9,375 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1956 Sold: 10/27/2014 | $1,200,000

12861 SW 63rd Ct, Miami, FL 33156

3964 194th Ln, Golden Beach, FL 33160

7 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 7,299 sq. ft. | 0.89 acre Lot | Built in: 1968 Sold: 10/29/2014 | $1,142,000

4 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,667 sq. ft. | 5,488 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2000 Sold: 11/20/2014 | $1,050,000

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 41 ]

Real Estate / Content Provided by www.zillow.com

•

Overdoing the eggnog. Cooking while impaired is a blaze waiting to happen.

Household fire hazards Cooking isn’t the only holiday fire threat. Here are some problems associated with turning up the heat and decking the halls. • Fireplace. Clean your chimney before lighting the first fire of the season. Otherwise, buildup in it could cause a chimney fire. Plus, you want it to be clear when Santa arrives. • Space heaters. Keep them on level surfaces, and never leave the room with one running. Keep flammable items clear of your unit. • Candles. Keep them away from curtains or other flammable objects. Again, never leave them unattended. • Christmas trees. That beautiful green tree can turn into a dry piece of kindling. Water it often.

The weather outside is frightful Thanksgiving and Christmas both are heavy travel days. That means the roads and skies – and even the trains and buses – will be packed. Be patient, and give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. And it’s a busy season, but be careful not to drive when you’re exhausted. Drowsy driving is nearly as bad as drunken driving. And drunken driving puts you, your passengers and everyone else on the road at risk. Be prepared for car trouble or inclement weather when you’re on the road. Keep an emergency kit in your car, complete with blankets, flashlights, nonperishable food and drink, medications, batteries and other supplies.

Don’t spread too much holiday cheer If you’re throwing a party, remember that you could be held responsible if someone has too much to drink and endangers themselves or others. Social host responsibility laws vary by state – talk to your insurance agent about the rules where you live, and determine whether you have enough liability coverage. A good way to monitor party guests is to require them to hand over their keys as the price of admission. That way you can check them when they leave.

Serve nonalcoholic beverages and food to help mute the effects of drinking. Set a last call at least an hour before the party ends. And never serve alcohol to minors.

Keep an eye out for the real Grinches Thieves can prey on you at least two ways during the holidays: in-person and over the Internet. Keep a close eye on your credit cards – and your credit card statements. Cyber criminals step up their efforts during the holidays, according to Columbia, MD-based online security company Tenable. Particularly vulnerable are public Wi-Fi networks. Experts advise against using them for purchases. Of course, your gifts remain vulnerable to less sophisticated burglars when they’re wrapped and under the tree. If you’ve bought jewelry or some other high-value item for a loved one, you should make sure it’s protected under your home insurance contents coverage. Remember, that coverage sometimes limits how much a policy will pay out for high-value items. Check with your insurance provider to see whether you should schedule an endorsement for such items. Also remember to add your new valuables to your home inventory – a list of possessions in your home. It will help if you need to file a claim for robbery or loss from fire or another covered peril. Follow these tips and you’ll reduce the chances of filing a claim during this holiday season. That means you’ll avoid trouble and have a (mostly) stress-free time celebrating with family and friends.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 43 ]

Home Improvement

[ 44 ] December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne

Content provided by Habify

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 45 ]

Home Improvement

Buying Guide

Replacement Windows Windows are a key element of home décor, often taken for granted. They affect light, ventilation and temperature as well as the comfort of the home’s occupants. Windows also contribute to architectural identity, conveying period and style. When you’re choosing new windows, be sure the styles you select suit your home both practically and aesthetically. Do I Need New or Replacement Windows? What's the difference between a replacement window and a "new" window? Aren't they both new? Yes, but there is a difference. Normally used in new construction, "new" windows have a nailing flange used to attach them to the rough opening in the wall. They're attached with nails driven into the exterior casing or brick mould on the outside and through the jambs on the inside. A replacement window has no nailing flange and fits into an existing window frame. Replacements are easier to install and preferred unless the existing frame is damaged and needs replacing.

Window Styles Windows come in many shapes, sizes and types and are made from a variety of materials. So how do you select the right ones? There are several things to consider: your budget, your home's style and how you want the window to perform. Think about the relative importance of ventilation and security and how easy it should be to maintain. And decide whether you want to emphasize the window as a focal point or have it serve a more practical purpose.

[ 46 ] CBS4 News Magazine / To Advertise Call 305.477.1699

Windows are either fixed or operable. Fixed windows are stationary units mounted within a frame. They're great for letting in light and exposing views but provide no ventilation. Among the more visually interesting choices are octagonal, half-circle or ellipse windows. There are several different types of operable windows. All operable windows come equipped with hardware for opening and closing the sash, latching and locking.

Sliding Windows These work well at sealing in energy. They may have one or more fixed panels and one or more panels that slide in horizontal tracks. Only half of the total window may be opened for ventilation at one time.

Double-Hung Windows Classic in style, double-hung windows have an upper, outside sash that slides down and a lower, inside sash that slides up. Hidden springs, weights or friction devices help lift, lower and position the sash. With certain types, the sash can be removed, rotated or tilted for cleaning. If only one sash slides, the window is called vertical sliding or single-hung.

Casement Windows Hung singly or in pairs, a casement window is operated by cranks that swing the sash outward or inward. It opens fully for easy cleaning and offers excellent ventilation because it can scoop in breezes. Casement windows are used primarily in new construction. An awning window is like a horizontal, top-hinged casement window that tilts out at the bottom, offering partial ventilation, an unobstructed view and reasonably good security. A top-opening style, typically placed low on a wall, is called a hopper window. Awning windows are used primarily in new construction.

Accent or Picture Windows Style and variety are the key features of this group. Choose a unique shape such as round or octagonal or perhaps a traditional rectangular, bay or bow window.

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Glass Block Windows The thick break-resistant glass enhances home security, allowing privacy but still letting light into your home.

Skylights Skylights and tubular skylights provide a lot of natural light with a minimum of space. Many look just like an overhead light fixture – only no electricity. Some kits Tubular skylights are pre-assembled to various degrees to make installation easy. Due to their relatively small size they work with any roof support type without cutting and reinforcing joists.

Window Materials Windows are made from a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, steel, vinyl and fiberglass-or from a combination of these materials. In general, those that offer better weather protection cost more, but they pay off in low maintenance and energy savings. •

•

Wood — Wood tends to be the most popular window material, particularly for the parts of a window that are seen from indoors. Wood doesn’t conduct cold or allow for condensation as much as other materials. Wood windows typically come unfinished unless you order them otherwise. If you intend to paint them, save work by purchasing them already primed on the exterior or interior surfaces of the frame and sash. You can eliminate painting altogether by buying them pre-painted in some standard colors. Clad-Wood — You’ll find that many of today’s windows are wood inside and clad on the outside with a tough, attractive exterior jacket of extruded aluminum or vinyl. The cladding, available in a few stock colors, covers both sash and frame; it’ll keep windows virtually maintenance-free for years. With vinyl, the color permeates the material so scratches don’t show. Aluminum may scratch, but it’s tougher, available in a wider variety of colors and easier to paint. (Vinyl and aluminum shouldn’t require painting.) Neither type will rust or rot. Aluminum — Aluminum windows are more durable than bare wood, thinner, lighter and easier to handle. They’re insulated with a thermal break of extruded vinyl and sometimes also foam, which reduces heat loss and condensation. Vinyl — Vinyl windows are made from rigid, impact-resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with hollow spaces inside to make them resistant to heat loss and condensation. Inexpensive vinyl windows may become harder to operate over time and allowing for air leakage.

Window Orientation and Size The view out the window is as important as how much light and ventilation the window provides. Windows connect us to the outdoors and enhance the sense of interior space. For this reason, the placement and size of your windows — and what you’ll see from them — is no small consideration. Where your windows are placed, how large they are and what type they have a significant effect on the amount of light and ventilation they provide. A south-facing window lets in the most light and is desirable in all but the hottest climates. A north-facing window provides soft, diffused light. Because of the low angle of the sun in the morning and late afternoon, light from east- and west-facing windows may be intense. Unfortunately, glass isn’t nearly as good at conserving energy as an insulated wall, so glazed doors and windows can be responsible for a major part of a home’s energy loss if they’re not well-chosen.

Storm Casement Windows Hung singly or in pairs, a casement window is operated by cranks that swing the sash outward or inward. It opens fully for easy cleaning and offers excellent ventilation because it can scoop in breezes. Casement

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windows are used primarily in new construction. An awning window is like a horizontal, top-hinged casement window that tilts out at the bottom, offering partial ventilation, an unobstructed view and reasonably good security. A top-opening style, typically placed low on a wall, is called a hopper window. Awning windows are used primarily in new construction.

Accent or Picture Windows Style and variety are the key features of this group. Choose a unique shape such as round or octagonal or perhaps a traditional rectangular, bay or bow window. Glass Block Windows The thick break-resistant glass enhances home security, allowing privacy but still letting light into your home.

frame and sash. You can eliminate painting altogether by buying them pre-painted in some standard colors. Clad-Wood — You’ll find that many of today’s windows are wood inside and clad on the outside with a tough, attractive exterior jacket of extruded aluminum or vinyl. The cladding, available in a few stock colors, covers both sash and frame; it’ll keep windows virtually maintenance-free for years. With vinyl, the color permeates the material so scratches don’t show. Aluminum may scratch, but it’s tougher, available in a wider variety of colors and easier to paint. (Vinyl and aluminum shouldn’t require painting.) Neither type will rust or rot. Aluminum — Aluminum windows are more durable than bare wood, thinner, lighter and easier to handle. They’re insulated with a thermal break of extruded vinyl and sometimes also foam, which reduces heat loss and condensation.

Window Materials Windows are made from a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, steel, vinyl and fiberglassor from a combination of these materials. In general, those that offer better weather protection cost more, but they pay off in low maintenance and energy savings. Wood — Wood tends to be the most popular window material, particularly for the parts of a window that are seen from indoors. Wood doesn’t conduct cold or allow for condensation as much as other materials. Wood windows typically come unfinished unless you order them otherwise. If you intend to paint them, save work by purchasing them already primed on the exterior or interior surfaces of the

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Find The Right Thermostat A thermostat can help keep your home comfortable and help you control energy usage. Your choice of a thermostat will depend on the type of heating and cooling system you have in your home, how you want to use your thermostat and the features you want to have available. Identifying the Heating and Cooling System Type

Digital NonProgrammable

Before choosing a thermostat, you’ll need to make sure it’s compatible with your heating and cooling system. The most common system types are central heat or central heat and air, which can be 24V, gas, oil or electric. Other system types include heat pump, electric baseboard, fireplace, and floor / wall furnace.

A non-programmable thermostat with a digital read-out is the best choice for people who prefer manually-controlled settings with the convenience of an easy-to-read LCD display.

Choose the Thermostat Type Learning Learning thermostats offer the benefit of

Mechanical / Manual

being programmable, but don’t require you to actually program them. They learn as you use them and create a schedule based on your preferences. They can turn themselves down when you’re away, guide you to energy-efficient settings and provide monthly energy reports. These thermostats connect to your home Wi-Fi network and can be monitored, set and managed remotely over Wi-Fi from a computer, smartphone or tablet.

With a mechanical or manual thermostat, you control the temperature setting manually. These are best for people who are home often and prefer a fixed temperature.

Choose Your Options 7-Day These thermostats allow you to program a unique setting for each day, offering the ultimate in flexibility. You can set up to four periods per day, every day of the week. This option is great for people with busy schedules.

Remote Energy Management A remote energy management thermostat allows you to set, program and monitor your heating and cooling system from a computer, smartphone or tablet. The thermostat connects through a hub (sold separately) to your home broadband network, allowing you to access it over Wi-Fi from anywhere.

5-1-1 Day This type of programmable thermostat will allow you to set one program for the weekdays and separate programs for Saturday and Sunday. This type of thermostat can be programmed for up to four periods per programmable session. 5-2 Day This option allows up to four programmable

Programmable A programmable thermostat makes the most efficient use of your system by automatically adjusting the set temperature throughout the day. You let the thermostat know your preferred temperature at different times of the day and night, then forget about it – the thermostat does the work.

sessions with separate settings for the weekdays and weekends.

1 Week This option allows you to set one program for the entire week with up to four sessions.

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Home Improvement

Buying Guide

Dishwashers Save water and energy with the hardest-working appliance in your kitchen, the dishwasher. On average, homeowners keep their dishwasher between 14-15 years. So, our dishwasher buying guide helps eliminate the guesswork for easy shopping, almost guaranteeing happiness for the life of your appliance. Understanding Dishwasher Features Sensors

•

Today’s dishwashers are equipped with sensors to ensure quality cleaning and energy savings.

•

• • •

Soil level sensors adjust wash cycle times. Temperature sensors ensure proper water temperature. Water sensors maintain the proper amount of water in the machine for cleaning.

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Detergent sensors release the proper amount of dishwashing liquid into the wash cycle. Cycles

Dishwasher cycles allow for a customized wash on all types of dishes, from pots and pans to fine china. • Delayed Wash: Set the start time to begin when you want it to. You can set it anywhere from one hour up to 24 hours ahead, depending on your model.

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•

• •

Rinse and Hold: Rinses away food to eliminate bacteria and smell without using detergent while accumulating a full load. Wash Programs: Varied wash cycles provide custom settings for everything from fragile dishes and stemware to pots and oven racks. Quick-Wash: The quick-wash cycle can finish a load of lightly-soiled dishes in less time. Sanitize: A sanitizing rinse option kills 99.9% of bacteria. This is great for cutting boards and baby bottles.

Flexibility Removable racks and adjustable shelves make it easy to customize tub space to accommodate oversized dishes, pots and pans. Also look for fold-down tines, cup shelves, stemware holders and extra capacity silverware baskets.

No Pre-rinsing Pre-rinsing is a thing of the past! Today’s dishwasher is equipped with filtration wash systems and hard food disposers. These features act like miniature, built-in food processors, meaning your dishwasher grinds up food particles and flushes them out with the wastewater so dirty particles aren’t re-deposited onto dishes.

Noise Level If noise level is a concern for you, check the decibel level (the higher the decibel level, the more disruptive the noise). A rating of 45 or under will be virtually silent. Decibel levels between 45 and 50 sound similar to a rainfall. Ratings of 50 or above will be equivalent to the level of a normal conversation. The amount of insulation around the dishwasher tub impacts the noise level, so check the thickness of the insulation for quiet operation.

Tub Material Interior tubs come in different finishes. Stainless steel resists stains and odors; it also transfers heat better for faster drying. Gray or slate-colored tubs resist rust and minimize the appearance of stains. Plastic tubs, which are often found on more affordable dishwashers, are also very durable.

Energy Savings Regulated by the federal government, with ratings established by the Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers use 41% less energy than other models. You may be eligible for local rebates when buying qualified ENERGY STAR appliances.

Understanding Dishwasher Types A built-in dishwasher is a traditional 24-inch model that installs below the kitchen counter. A typical built-in can accommodate up to 12 five-piece place settings.

Compact dishwashers measure roughly 18 inches and can accommodate up to eight five-piece place settings. Compact models are great for small spaces or bonus areas, like a wet bar, media room or secondary kitchen.

Drawer dishwashers are available in single- and double-drawer configurations and install in the same space as a 24-inch traditional built-in. Double-drawer models offer the flexibility of single- or double-drawer washing for efficient accommodation of small and large loads. Drawer dishwashers are also easier to load since the drawers slide out at work level for minimal bending.

Portable dishwashers are ideal for those who have no room for a built-in or renters whose homes do not have a built-in. Special installation is not required and the dishwasher can be stored easily when not in use. Portable dishwashers can also be taken with you when your lease is up.

Tall Tub dishwashers also fit into the traditional 24-inch space of a built-in, but have extra room on the inside. Tall tub dishwashers can accommodate up to 14 five-piece place settings, making them the perfect choice for large families and those who love to entertain.

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Automotive

YOUR DEALERSHIP WANTS

YOUR CAR BACK Consumer demand is strong for used cars, but supplies are limited. As a result, auto dealers badly need trade-ins and are willing to pay top dollar. Often the notice comes as a flier in the mail, but you might get a friendly phone call from the salesman who sold you a new car a few years ago. The dealership is paying top dollar for trade-ins, you're told, and now is the perfect time for you to sell your vehicle. In sum, your new-car dealer really wants your used car.

here are about 260 million cars on America's roads. Why is your 3-, 4- or 5-year-old machine so special? It's because, for the car business, these are unusual times. The changing car market According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 10.6 million new vehicles were sold or leased in the United States in 2012 (the latest year for which the bureau has reports), while 35.5 million used vehicles swapped hands. That 10.6 million new-car market was a big down year for the industry -- down from 13.5 million units

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in 2011, 16.5 million in 2010 and more than 17 million in both 2009 and 2008. Used-car sales also dropped between 2008 and 2012, but only about half as much on a percentage basis. Car sales have recovered somewhat since 2012. Bill McKinney, Director of South Florida's Buy Back Program, project that 2014 new-car sales are likely to come in around 12.9 million units, and, according to program statistics, just under 37 million used cars swapped hands last year. "The used-car market has always dwarfed the new-car market in unit sales, and many, if not most, dealers make more money on their

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used-car sales than they do on new cars. But when new-car sales are down, dealers have fewer used-car trade-ins to sell" says McKinney. So with 2009 new-vehicle sales representing about 60% of what they were in 2008, up to 40% fewer used cars were being traded in. Those declines have meant there are a lot fewer of the prime, low-mileage, late-model used cars around to sell in dealer lots. In particular, with gasoline prices higher this year, there aren't a lot of late-model small used cars such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus around, and demand for them is up. "Strong consumer demand for small used cars is driving prices up," Jonathan Banks, a senior analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association Used Car Guide, said in a news release. "The NADA Guide increase in tradein values for June should come as no surprise because it reflects a shortage of both new and used cars entering the market.” In May, NADA projected tradein values for small cars to rise 18% during the first half of 2014, compared with the first half of 2013. The differences in value can be startling. Even in one month, values for used small cars have skyrocketed. For instance, the NADA Used Car Guide had the trade-in value of

“A lot of lessees and buyers will find they’re on the right side of their leases or loans,” Banks told MSN Money. “If they trade in their cars, they’ll find they have some money for a down payment.” a 2009 Kia Rio at $6,400 in May and by June had raised that to $7,500. That’s a 17% rise in just one month. “You’re not getting that kind of return on your savings account. Even the value of something as old as the 2005 Subaru Impreza RS is rising, up from $6,650 in May to $7,575 in June” McKinney tells us. Values are up so sharply for some cars that it’s tempting to trade in a car that’s only about a year old. For instance, a new 2010 Honda Civic DX coupe carried a $15,455 sticker price (plus taxes, license and delivery). Today that same car has a NADA trade-in value of $14,075. That’s a drop of only $1,380 over a year. “A lot of lessees and buyers will find they’re on the right side of their leases or loans,” Banks told MSN Money. “If they trade in their cars, they’ll find they have some money for a down payment.” It’s all about supply and demand. Dealers want your car, and are willing to pay more than its worth, because they have buyers for solid late-model used cars lined up, and there simply aren’t enough cars for them out there. And they may as well try to get your car now, before it’s worth even more next month.

But selling, or even trading-in, your car is not about just walking into any dealer and handing over the keys. For more information on selling/ trading your vehicle contact South Florida’s Buy-Back Program headquarters at 888-542-5153.

December 2014 CBS4 News Magazine Key Biscayne [ 59 ]

AUTOMOTIVE

All-new 2015

Chrysler 200 Delivers Highway Fuel Economy of up to 36 Miles Per Gallon, an Extraordinary Driving Experience and Cool Features With a Starting U.S. MSRP of Just $21,700

ll-new 2015 Chrysler 200 highway fuel economy improves five miles per gallon compared with the outgoing model, achieving 36 miles per gallon highway with the standard 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir®2 I-4 engine 2015 Chrysler 200 models equipped with the available award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers an EPA highway fuel economy rating of 32 miles per gallon, a three-mile-per-gallon improvement versus the outgoing model 2015 Chrysler 200 is the industry’s first mid-size sedan with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, a key enabler for the improved fuel economy rating, along with state-of-the-art electronic shifting with rotary dial Choice of two world-class engines are available: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces a best-in-class 295 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, or the standard 2.4-liter MultiAir®2 Tigershark I-4 engine produces 184 horsepower and 173 lb.-ft. of torque The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 has a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $21,700 (excluding $995 destination) March 27, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Simple elegance, an exhilarating driving experience, state-of-the-art and easy-to-use technology and fuel economy of up to 36 miles per gallon (mpg), the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is a car that makes the commute more enjoyable at a value customers appreciate. “With fuel economy ratings of up to 36 miles per gallon and features typically found on more expensive luxury vehicles, the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 delivers the premium features customers want at a price they can afford,” said Al Gardner, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “With a standard

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nine-speed transmission, state-of-the art available all-wheel drive, a choice of two powertrains and interior that will wow drivers and passengers alike, the new Chrysler 200 is raising the bar for what customers should expect from a mid-size sedan.” The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan leapfrogs expectations in the mid-size sedan segment for comfort, ride and handling. Engineered to provide premium driving dynamics, highway fuel economy of up to 36 mpg highway, a quiet cabin and an enthusiastic driving experience, the allnew Chrysler 200 delivers exceptional ride and handling characteristics for all roads and weather conditions. The all-new 2015 The 2015 Chrysler 200 with the standard 2.4-liter Tigershark Chrysler 200 is MultiAir®2 I-4 engine is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 23 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 28 where exquisite style mpg combined, a five mile per gallon improvement in the highmeets exceptional way rating versus the outgoing model. performance. The 2015 Chrysler 200 models equipped with the available bestChrysler 200 raises in-class 295 horsepower Pentastar V-6 engine are rated at 19 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. The highthe bar for a midway rating is a three mile per gallon improvement versus the size car with an outgoing model with the V-6 engine. elegant exterior All-new 2015 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedans equipped with design, a thoughtful, the Pentastar V-6 engine and the state-of-the-art all-wheelbeautifully crafted drive system are rated at 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. interior and The improved fuel economy ratings are achieved through a an exceptional number of technologies: driving experience A segment-first standard nine-speed automatic transmiscomplements of a sion and world-class engines, including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with a best-in-class 295 horsepower, add up to segment-first ninean enjoyable, spirited driving experience in the all-new 2015 speed automatic Chrysler 200 transmission and An available, innovative, state-of-the-art all-wheel-drive Chrysler’s Compact system which features a segment-first fully disconnecting rear axle that improves fuel economy by operating in front-wheel U.S.-wide chassis drive when all-wheel drive is not needed The all-wheel-drive system features a one-speed power transfer unit (PTU) and uniquely disconnects and reconnects the rear axle – automatically and seamlessly – as needed and at any speed The disconnecting rear axle disconnects at both the PTU and rear drive module, which improves fuel economy by reducing parasitic loss when all-wheel

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drive is not needed The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is the world’s first mid-size sedan to feature a nine-speed automatic transmission, which comes standard. The benefits of the advanced-technology transmission are numerous, including highway fuel economy of 36 mpg when powered by the 2.4-liter MultiAir®2 Tigershark I-4 engine The addition of more gear ratios optimizes both fuel economy and performance by precisely matching the gear state to the most efficient engine operating condition. This benefits fuel economy and the driving experience

The high-tech transmission dispenses power smoothly for elevated refinement. Such performance is made possible because the ratio steps between its gears are smaller than those of other transmissions The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 delivers exceptional aerodynamics with a 0.27 Cd which aids improved fuel economy, on-road dynamics, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The quiet cabin is another positive factor in the superior driving experience The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is where exquisite style meets exceptional performance. The Chrysler 200 raises the bar for a mid-size car with an elegant exterior design, a thoughtful, beautifully crafted interior and an exceptional driving experience complements of a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission and Chrysler’s Compact U.S.-wide chassis. With highway fuel economy of up to 36 miles per gallon; the most available safety and security features in the segment with 60; an available, best-in-class all-wheel drive system; easy-to-use, state-of-the-art technology and a starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just $21,700, the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 is engineered to exceed customer expectations in every category. The 2015 Chrysler 200 is designed, engineered and built with pride in Michigan.

About Chrysler Brand The Chrysler brand has delighted customers with distinctive designs, craftsmanship, intuitive innovation and technology all at an extraordinary value since the company was founded in 1926. Whether it is the groundbreaking, bold design of the Chrysler 300, the simple elegance and extraordinary driving experience of the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 or the family-room-on-wheels functionality of the Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler brand vehicles reward the passion, creativity and sense of accomplishment of its owners. Beyond just exceptionally designed vehicles, the Chrysler brand has incorporated thoughtful features into all of its products, such as the innovative center console with pass through storage and sliding cup holders in the 2015 Chrysler 200, the industry-exclusive Stow ‘n Go® seating and storage system on the Chrysler Town & Country and the fuel-saving Fuel Saver Technology in the Chrysler 300.

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The 2015

Mazda6

Continues to Push Standards of ‘Segment Best’

ompletely redesigned as a 2014 model, Mazda6 entered the cutthroat mid-size sedan segment as a fresh-faced challenger only to exit as its fearless champion. Unexpected yet hardly a surprise, Mazda6 captured impressive awards such as being named “Car of the Year” by Popular Mechanics and a “10Best” by Car and Driver, among others. While 2015 may be a carryover year for Mazda6, there is no slowing down in the fast lane as the vehicle receives updates to select features and packaging options. “The mid-size sedan segment is one of the largest segments in terms of sales volume, meaning automotive manufacturers tend to put their best foot forward in terms of technology, performance and design,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “Because of such competition, Mazda6 needed to offer consumers and critics something beyond the smoke-shrouded gimmicks of some segment rivals. What the final product delivered is an experience like no other in its class.” As the second Mazda vehicle to fully incorporate SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, real-world results were not seen as a nice-to-have but more of a do-or-die. The performance-oriented, fuel-efficient technologies successfully showcased (and further cemented) the brand’s R&D ingenuity.

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Under the hood sits an unassuming SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine that features a race-car high 13.0:1 compression ratio, produces 184 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and offers 185 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. While not the most powerful engine on paper, this 2.5L could very well be the hardest working. As the standard engine for all three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – Mazda6’s 2.5L can be had with either the standard SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or optional SKYACTIV-Drive sixspeed automatic. If looks were the only barometer of worth, without a doubt Mazda’s KODO design language has elevated the brand as an alternative to premium. This “Soul of Motion” direction has produced some of the most striking vehicle compositions available (and affordable) to the general public, with the Mazda6 in particular holding its own as a top three World Car Design of the Year finalist. On a global stage, Mazda’s mid-size sedan shared the spotlight with supercar contenders, both of whom featured half as many doors. Bluetooth® phone and audio connectivity as well as iPod® audio playback can be accessed via the integrated 5.8-inch full-color multi-information touch screen display. The iPod’s information can easily be managed seamlessly via the Mazda6’s in-dash display. A speech recognition system also allows users to repeat and shuffle audio tracks as well as conduct a folder search. Lastly, all Mazda vehicles come with the Mazda Certified Roadside Assistance Program. In addition, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes a comprehensive three-year/36,000-mile warranty, which covers every part of the vehicle (except those subject to normal wear), a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.