CBS4 Magazine

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE RISK This Could Help You Find Out If You’re At Risk For High Blood Pressure

Hidden Freebies

Pulling Back ‘Hidden Freebies’ Curtain Most Customers Don’t Know About

Magazine

PROTECT YOUR CELL NUMBER

Privacy Experts Say Your Phone Number Is

As Sensitive As Your Social Security Number

the art of organization MIAMI — There are few better examples of the marriage between organization and art than Closet Factorys’ design for this wall unit.

Closet Factory had a vision: displaying their vast collection of art and art books around two large paintings.

Collaborating with the clients and using the two paintings as centerpieces, we designed a 20 ft. by 20 ft. wall unit largely comprised of equally sized square cubbies. A rather pedantic design, admittedly, however, with the use of our imagination, we were able to transform the unit and breathe life into it with little touches. We varied the thickness of certain shelves. We installed a rolling ladder so books and objects higher up wouldn’t just be eye candy — they could be accessed and felt, adding substance to the otherwise visually stunning result.

Of course, we had a little help.

Closet Factory was lucky: our clients had spent years carefully curating their collection and had accumulated a number of interesting objects.

With a minimal, clean design, we were able to appreciate the aesthetic value of the wall unit’s contents itself. The unobtrusive wall unit keeps the focus on the art and acts as a vessel, rather than a centerpiece. After all, there are two magnificent paintings.

What goes into a unit can be just as important as the design of the system. As great as a design is, if you stuff it full of clothes or bring in clashing elements, it loses the identity of what it’s trying to convey.

Curation is important.

By designing around the art collection, Closet Factory designed a wall unit that was actually custom — it was built for their art collection — and was able to transcend expectations. No easy feat when priceless pieces are at play.

Call 305.969.8470

for free design consultation or visit us online at closetfactory.com Showroom:1536 S. Dixie Hwy., Coral Gables, FL 33146 closets | garages | home offices | entertainment centers | wall units | wall beds pantries | craft rooms | laundry rooms | mud rooms | wine rooms ©2017 Closet Factory. All rights reserved. Lic. #04BS10020

Magazine

About CBS4 NEWS MAGAZINE The CBS4 Magazine is printed and mailed targeting South Florida’s most affluent residents in the region. The CBS4 Magazine delivers award winning journalism you won’t find anywhere else! Our content focuses on local business and community news which include: Health, Real Estate, Consumer News, Automotive and Entertainment.

REAL. LOCAL. NEWS. DELIVERED! Editorial team NEWS DIRECTOR Liz Roldan lroldan@cbs.com ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR Nick Bourne nbourne@cbs.com Managing Editor Alissa Merlo amerlo@cbs.com Executive producer Miguel Fernandez mfernandez@wfor.cbs.com Jorge Gonzalez jgonzalez1@cbs.com Alex Hernandez ahernandez@wfor.cbs.com ANCHORS Vanessa Borge vborge@cbs.com Rick Folbaum rfolbaum@cbs.com Walter Makaula wmakaula@cbs.com Lauren Pastrana lpastrana@cbs.com Eliott Rodriguez erodriguez@cbs.com Marybel Rodriguez marybel.rodriguez@wfor.cbs.com Rudabeh Shahbazi rshahbazi@cbs.com WEATHER NEWS Lissette Gonzalez lgonzalez@wfor.cbs.com Craig Setzer csetzer@wfor.cbs.com REPORTERS Carey Codd cdcodd@wfor.cbs.com Peter D’Oench peter.doench@cbs.com Silva Harapetian sharapetian@cbs.com Tiani Jones tjones@cbs.com Joan Murray jmurray@wfor.cbs.com Gary Nelson gnelson@wfor.cbs.com Oralia Ortega oortega@cbs.com Donna Rapado drapado@cbs.com Ted Scouten tscouten@cbs.com LIFESTYLE / ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER Lisa Petrillo lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com executive producer, special projects & investigations Cari Hernandez chernandez@cbs.com CBS4 INVESTIGATES Jim DeFede jdefede@wfor.cbs.com David Sutta dsutta@cbs.com SPORTS Jim Berry jberry@wfor.cbs.com Mike Cugno mcugno@cbs.com Steve “Goldie” Goldstein sgoldstein@cbs.com Leo Gomez gomezl@wfor.cbs.com

6 Spring 2017 | cbsmiami.com

C O N TA C T U S TRAFFIC Vanessa Borge vborge@cbs.com WEB JOURNALISTS Lisa Cilli lcilli@wfor.cbs.com David Dwork ddwork@cbs.com John MacLauchlan jmaclauchlan@cbs.com Giovanna Maselli gmaselli1@cbs.com magazine production general information Victoria Zayas | Director of Client Relations victoria@cbs4newsmagazine.com 786-565-4556 ADVERTISING sales Tony Gambirazio | Director of Sales tonyg@cbs4newsmagazine.com 786-565-4506 Creative Tammy Kukic Art Director tammy@cbs4newsmagazine.com Newsroom direct number 305-639-4500 Website Please visit www.cbsmiami.com for more information PRINTED IN THE USA, COPYRIGHT © 2017 BY MARCO G, INC. All rights reserved. The CBS4 News Magazine, a free publication, published quarterly by MARCO G, Inc. Material in this publication must not be stored or reproduced in any form without permission from Marco G. Inc. or WFOR CBS4. Requests for permission should be directed to: info@cbs4newsmagazine.com. CBS4 and/or Marco G. Inc do not assume any liability for products and/or services claimed in advertisements herein. CBS4 and its logo (s) are protected through trademark registration. The use of logos, content and/or artwork in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. For more information please contact 305.477.1699.

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Contents S p r i n g 2 0 17

COVER:

PROTECT YOUR CELL NUMBER 14

HEALTH

LIFE

Promising Results This App Helps For Experimental You Turn Your Stem Cell Cramped Closet Stroke Treatment Into Income

24

42

Lauren’s List: Hidden Freebies Habits Affecting Most Customers Your Allergies Don’t Know About

28

8 Spring 2017 | cbsmiami.com

46

REAL ESTATE

HOME

AUTO

Baby Boomers: Here’s How to Sell Your Home to Millennials

House Plants For Beginners

The Pros and Cons of Run-Flat Tires

64

76

98

What to Expect When You’re Inspecting

Refinishing and Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets

Create Your Own Roadside Emergency Kit

68

84

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OUR IDEA OF LUXURY The new Volvo S90 redefines luxury with elegant Scandinavian design and semi-autonomous technology as standard. Motortrend calls it “…a uniquely appealing luxury sedan, and not just because it’s different, but because it’s good at being different.”

THE ALL-NEW VOLVO S90

DEEL VOLVO 3650 Bird Road • Miami • 305-444-2222 • www.deelvolvo.net Minutes From Anywhere Between Douglas & U.S.1 On Bird Road

Starting at $46,950

Google To Kids:

‘Don’t Post Anything You Wouldn’t Want Grandma To See’

W

By Bianca Peters • bpeters@cbs.com

ith more and more teens on social media and the internet, Google and schools are taking it into their hands to make sure kids access what they need online in the right way.

That’s why Representative Carlos Curbelo and Google teamed up with W.R. Middle School in Miami to speak to the students about social media, the Internet, and its dangers.

Google representatives said that 93 percent of middle schoolers admit to using the Internet every day. It was news that Representative Curbelo was not shocked to hear.

consequences or the ramifications that come along with it.”

Through a series of games and engaging Google representatives, the middle schooler’s learned key tips on how to keep themselves and others protected on social media and the internet.

Charlotte Smith, a Google representative said, “We talk to them in a very real way and we give them practical skills that they can go home and use just like that.”

Although the online safety roadshow is a first at the school, Smith left the teens with some long-lasting advice.

“It does not surprise me at all. I thought it would be higher. When I asked today, they all raised their hands,” said Curbelo.

“You know, sometimes it’s easy to just say something on Facebook or social media. We always like to say, don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see,” said Smith.

W.R. Middle School Principal Allen Breeding said, “It’s rampant. You really do see a lot of students that are sending pictures, sending inappropriate messages and they don’t really think of the

The middle schoolers learned a lot of great tips but the most important was to treat others the way you want to be treated through social media and the Internet.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 11

Despite Chip Based Cards,

Credit Fraud

Is On The Rise

T

he use of chip-based credit cards in the U.S. was supposed to cut down on fraud and identity theft.

But the bad guys upped their game and things have gotten worse. A recent study found more than 15 million Americans had personal and financial information stolen last year. That’s an increase of 16 percent from 2015.

Lane Conner, founder and CEO of credit card processor Fuze, said the chip rollout was bungled from the start, in part because it was supposed to require a pin – not just a signature.

“The real security was supposed to be the pin and actually putting your pin in when you actually dip the card,” he said. “A bad guy could just as easily steal your wallet, go and dip a credit card into a machine and sign for it like they’re you as you could swiping a card.

He also said the increase in e-commerce is to blame since online shopping offers virtually no credit card protection.

“Online is now the new battleground to protect consumers,” said Matt Barr’s with MasterCard’s Digital Payments and Labs.

Barr and his team are working on creating more secure technology like tokenization, which is used in mobile wallets. It generates a unique code for each transaction, keeping a person’s credit card data secret.

“It’s on Apple pay. It’s on Samsung pay. Android pay. It’s on Master Pass. So this technology, what it means is that if someone gets their hands on that scrambled card information it’s useless,” said Barr.

Barr said biometrics, like thumbprints and retinal scans, will eventually replace passwords and make purchases more secure. Right now MasterCard is at work on ‘identity check’ or ‘selfie pay’ – a way to checkout using your phone’s camera.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 13

PROTECT YOUR CELL NUMBER Privacy Experts Say Your Phone Number Is As Sensitive As Your SSN

C

ellphones, for many are life lines. They hold pictures, contacts, schedules, some even act as a mobile wallet.

That’s why losing a device can feel devastating. All of your personal information in a stranger’s hand.

But what if you were told that a stranger didn’t need your actual device to get private information about you? All they need is your cell phone number.

Every time a business asks for a phone number, many of us give it to them. Cell phones will soon outnumber landlines in the U.S. The CDC says almost 50 percent of homes in the U.S. are cell phone-only homes and the cell number is what many of us give out.

Take Walmart for instance: very few of their shoppers probably scroll to the bottom of their web page, click on the tiny

By Tiani Jones • tjones@cbs.com

tab labeled Privacy Policy. You then have to scroll some more and click on another tab which tells you how the company shares your personal information.

Personal information like your cell phone number.

“You don’t think twice because you always do this,” says Juan Carlos, who says he gives his number out all the time.

“The government should be on top of that,” says Willy Gonzalez. “It’s your information. You don’t want it to fall in the wrong hands, especially in this country, where the credit really matters. It’s a big issue.”

Experts say there needs to be a federal law, and some lawmakers agree and have tried to pass bills.

But attorney Al Saikali, an expert in Privacy and Data Security, says, “It never passes and it’s come up each of the last four years, and it just doesn’t get through Congress.”

Here’s the problem with state laws: every state has a different law regarding Personally Identifiable Information. Here in Florida, companies cannot share your Social Security Number, your medical information, even your bio metrics. But your cellphone number is fair game.

“Every company is supposed to have a privacy policy that discloses what personally identifiable information is,” says Saikali. He says companies have to disclose what they’re “Collecting from consumers, what they’re doing with that information, who they’re sharing it with, and how they’re using it.”

He says companies are tracking our every move and we’re giving them permission.

“A telephone number is not considered Personally

Identifiable Information under the law, so technically there’s not a legal obligation to protect that information.”

Companies use your cellphone to track your spending habits and also use it as your mobile identity.

But this information in the wrong hands can lead to identity theft just as easily as your social security number.

CBS4 gave a private investigator a cell number and he sent back the first and last name of the owner, along with four pages of personal information including a Date of Birth, Social Security number, address, and information about the owner’s family members.

“That’s really crazy. I never thought something like that could happen,” says Carlos.

There are options to protect your private information, like the Sideline app which assigns you a second phone number to your cell. You can dial and receive calls and texts without giving out your real cell number.

While we wait for the laws to change, the advice — treat your cell phone number with the same care as your social security number.

CBS4 gave a private investigator a cell number and he sent back the first and last name of the owner, along with four pages of personal information including a Date of Birth, Social Security number, address, and information about the owner’s family members.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 15

Facial Recognition Startup

Highlights Miamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growing Tech Industry

O

n the edge of Wynwood sits an office building. It’s painted with murals and buzzing with traffic.

People are going in and out, many of them distracted by their smart phone. Most are so busy they do not even notice the stark contrast of Overtown across the street. Overtown is Miami’s original colored neighborhood. A neighborhood that has been witnesses to its share of triumphs and tragedies over the past 120 years. And today it sits on the edge of yet another renaissance, well under way.

Inside the mural office building, 20 and 30-somethings, dreamers, and habitual risk-takers are working on the next big thing.

There is Uber buzzing around the first floor.

Upstairs, you’ll find fish tank-like board rooms.

Groups of people are huddled around dry erase boards, feverishly writing something that could be great… or not. Some of the walls are covered in post-it notes. Bikes are suspended from a rack on the wall. It’s everything you’d imagine you would see in San Francisco, Seattle, or Silicon Valley. Yet here it is on the edge of Overtown… almost as if somehow it was mistake. But make no mistake about it, this is all happening as designed.

Brian Brackeen is one of those habitual risktakers aforementioned. In his short lifetime, he’s taken the high-paying jobs at IBM and Apple most will only dream about. And then he quit. He left the money, the stability, the life… to start a company of his own in Miami.

“It’s been tough. People see the end result and kinda assume it was always that easy but it’s really high ups and downs,” he admits.

Brackeen has put it all on the line for his dream.

And he’s gone bankrupt in the process. Perhaps it was all worth it. Today his startup Kairos has crossed a threshold most startups never do. The money is pouring in.

“In November of last year, we were processing 46,000 facial imprints a month. And we thought, ‘oh my God, 46,000 people are using our service. That’s amazing!’ Last month we processed 3 million,” he says with a boyish smile.

Brackeen’s company got its start in timecards.

You know, when you punch in or out at work. He explains, “We started using facial recognition just to verify that it was you that was the person who was using it. And then realized that was a much better idea.”

His facial recognition system has evolved. It can not only identify you against a database, it can identify how you feel. He powers a prototype up in his office to show us.

It’s a simple computer and webcam connected to a big screen. “We are actually looking at 85 points on your face,” he says.

At the bottom of the screen is a readout. In real time, it says whether I’m happy, sad, or angry… all based on my facial expressions. It’s mind blowing because the applications are endless.

“You walk up to an ad in the mall and Nike will have two to three ads built. If you see it, you will see a Nike men’s shoe ad. But a woman would see a Nike female ad. It would automatically change depending on who’s in front of the advertisement,” Brackeen explains. “It could be cruise ships, cars, it could be malls.”

Could and is. You know all those photos you take on cruise ships?

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 17

Kairos is in talks with the cruise industry to help you find every shot you took… just by scanning your face on board.

You could put up a camera in a park to scan for sexual offenders. When one is recognized, police are alerted. The applications really are endless.

Kairos is now set to double its staff and its office space. Brackeen’s not looking back but that doesn’t mean he isn’t giving back. “I got a lot of help. And the only way to pay that back is not to the person, but to the next person,” he says.

Brackeen has teamed up with Endeavor Miami, a non-profit that supports high-impact entrepreneurs. First, Endeavor paired him with a mentor to help him get to the next level. Now he’s turning around as an Endeavor mentor to help the next entrepreneur. And Miami has a lot of them.

Matt Haggman with the Knight Foundation has been helping stimulate the tech boom for Miami for the past few years.

“For a long time, the feeling has been that if you really want to build and scale an idea, you have to do it someplace else. Brian illustrates the point that you don’t,” Haggman says.

Quietly, South Florida’s tech startup scene has been growing in recent years. Today Miami is actually the number two startup city in the nation.

Haggman says that it isn’t by mistake. “Diversity is our great differentiator. And centers of innovation are built on diversity.”

Bracken certainly owes some of his success to that diversity. Money is quickly catching on that great ideas can come… from anywhere… anyone. “California has one angel investor for every three startups. Florida has three angel investors for every one startup.

It’s the opposite,” Brackeen says.

Haggman looks at this explosion of tech startup and refers to it as “the early days.”

And on the edge of it all is Overtown.

Quietly, South Florida’s tech startup scene has been growing in recent years. Today Miami is actually the number two startup city in the nation.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 19

Tech Challenged Seniors Needing A Ride Can Call “GoGoGrandparent”

G

ot a parent, or grandparent, who really could use a service like Uber to get around, but they’re completely baffled by the new-fangled smartphones, so don’t own one.

Well, a new service helps seniors take advantage of the popular app ride services, like Uber and Lyft, from a simple touchtone phone.

When Justin Boogard got out of college, he spent three years living with is grandmother “Betty” to save money. He said at the time it was a real learning experience for the both of them.

“I taught her how to use the TV, she taught me how to put the toilet seat down,” he said with a laugh.

Boogard also taught Betty about services like Uber, but there was a problem. The ride-sharing service works through an app and Betty is among the 70-percent of Americans over the age of 65 who don’t own a smartphone.

So with grandma in mind, Boogard developed “GoGoGrandparent,” a service that connects seniors to app services using a traditional touchtone phone.

A recording on the line guides the caller to the service they need and employees at a call center set up the Uber ride.

Joan Carney has a smartphone but only uses it for calls, she doesn’t know how to use the apps. She says she uses “GoGoGrandparent” all the time to go shopping.

Customers are charged an extra 19-cents a minute during the ride for the service.

They pay the total cost of the ride through a credit card on file. Most people do not tip, except in the cases where they ask a driver to wait or lift something up.

“I’d really be house-bound I think without it. I couldn’t just depend on friends and family all the time to get me here and there,” said Betty Lou Luce.

“GoGoGrandparent” has callers from 47 states, Puerto Rico and three provinces in Canada. All the call center employees, dubbed professional grandchildren were raised by or have lived with a grandparent.

They eventually hope to add other app services, like grocery delivery.

“I’d really be house-bound I think without it. I couldn’t just depend on friends and family all the time to get me here and there.”

Betty Lou Luce

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 21

SINGING WITH THE STARS COMES TO MIAMI Our popular Singing with the Stars fundraiser is coming to Miami this year on June 7th at Ball and Chain. Join us for a crazy night of song and performances by some of the finest “Stars” in our community. Last year’s Rock Star of the Night, Rixys Alfonso of Cosmo Marketing, will return to defend her title, along with our host Cynthia Demos. Joining them will be Mark Trowbridge, CEO of the Coral Gable Chamber of Commerce and Kenny Walker, Morning Show Host for 102.7 The Beach. Check out our Facebook page, and website for upcoming details. For more information on Singing with the Stars, and to be the first find what other fabulous stars will be lighting up the stage, please log on to at www.neighbors4neighbors.org/stars. See you there!

KEEPING KIDS SAFE DAY AND NIGHT Neighbors 4 Neighbors along with our partners at the Children’s Services Council of Broward County want to keep kids safe. When putting a baby to sleep it is important to follow the ABCs of safe sleep. Babies should be alone, on their backs and in an empty crib. When we skip any of these steps, like letting them sleep in bed with us or with their favorite stuffed animal, we put our babies at risk. And on average, nearly one baby dies every other week in our community due to these unsafe sleep practices. Protect your baby by following the ABCs of safe sleep. Learn more at www. neighbors4neighbors.org/Safe-Sleep.

Keeping kids out of hot cars is another important goal for us and we and our partners want to make sure you Look Before You Lock. This simple practice can saves lives. Children’s body temps rise twice as fast as adults which means being left in a hot car can have deadly effects in less than minutes. Take extra steps to always check to make sure no one is left behind.

For some great tips and even great apps to help you, check out our website at wwwneighbors4neighbors.org/Summer-ofSafety.

WE’RE TURNING 25!

PROTECTING BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK FOR ALL WHO CALL IT HOME Inside Biscayne National Park are magical creatures like the Caribbean Reef Octopus, who are said to be the most intelligent of the common Octopus. These incredible intelligent animals live right under the waves off the shores of Miami.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors is working with the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, to bring more awareness to these amazing animals that live in our very own aquatic national park. Help us protect this area and these amazing creatures that call it home. To find out more about our efforts and or to make a monitory donation in support, please visit our website at www.neighbors4neighbors.org/ Biscayne-National-Park.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors turns 25 this year. We are very proud to be partnering with HistoryMiami Museum for their exhibition, Hurricane Andrew…25 Years After, opening June 1. Visit www.historymiami.org for details.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors is generously supported by the Herbert Hoover Foundation and The Children’s Services Council of Broward County.

FEATURE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 23

health

Promising Results For Experimental Stem Cell Stroke Treatment

A

new study shows an experimental treatment for stroke is showing promise. The study in Lancet Neurology looked at the treatment, called Multistem, which involves donor stem cells grown in the lab and delivered through an IV to stroke patients.

“The stem cells are believed to change the immune response of the body to the stroke. And it will turn down the immune response so there is a better healing environment,” said Dr. Ken Uchino, a stroke neurologist at The Cleveland Clinic.

The study looked at 129 patients. Half of them got the stem cells, half received a placebo.

The study found patients who got the cells within 36 hours of stroke onset had less disability and more mobility after stroke.

Study participant Kristopher Little was part of the study and received the stem cells after he had a stroke but arrived at the hospital too late for current treatments to work. That’s when doctors told him about the experimental option.

“We don’t know fully whether this is in relation to the cells, but I can say he has done well,” said Dr. Uchino.

Researchers hope with more study, this approach could become an option for stroke patients who miss that critical treatment window.

Kris had to learn to walk again.

“I can use my hand and everything and I can walk without a walker or cane or anything. I think I’ve done really good,” said Kris.

The 49-year old is grateful to be back to normal after his stroke.

Studies show less than 5-percent of stroke patients receive the current clotbusting drugs that are available.

HEALTH cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 25

We Specialize In Giving You

A Beautiful Smile For more than 20 years, Gables Dentistry and Dr. Jesus De Valle has been providing comprehensive dental care for the entire family in the Coral Gables FL area. Cosmetic Family Dentist Dr Jesus Del Valle applies a common sense and conservative treatment planning approach in all phases of restorative and cosmetic dentistry.We offer excellence in dental care through a combination of years of practical experience and enthusiasm for innovation and technology.

As one of our patients, you can take advantage of numerous treatment options and care plans specifically designed with your needs and goals in mind.

• Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry • Oral Surgery

• Preventive Care: Checkups, cleanings, and x-rays • Restorative Care: Periodontal treatment, dental implants, root canals • Cosmetic Care: Crowns, veneers, teeth whitening • Children’s Dentistry: A lifetime of good dental health starts early

• Implants • Cosmetic Dentistry • Invisalign • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery • Children’s & Pediatric Dentistry • Preventive Care • Checkups • Cleanings • X-Rays • Restorative Care • Periodontal Treatment • Root Canals • Cosmetic Care • Crowns • Veneers • Teeth Whitening

We are conveniently located in the Minorca Building at 2030 Douglas Road, Suite 213, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Contact our office today to find out how we can help you create the smile you deserve for a lifetime! Call us at 305-442-1094 for a free consultation, or visit us at www.delvalledental.com.

call today for a free consultation

305.442.1094

We Accept Most Insurances & Offer Financing Conveniently Located in Coral Gables

Dr. Del Valle has been providing dental care and great smiles for over 25 years

hablamos español | www.delvalledental.com

The Minorca Building | 2030 Douglas Rd | Suite 213 | Coral Gables, FL 33134

What is hospice?

Hospice is a comprehensive program of medical care and support for people nearing the end of life.

The OpusCare philosophy is based on several ideas: • No one should die alone or in pain.

• Life-limiting illnesses can cause emotional and spiritual distress Dr Ismael Roque-Velasco as well as physical pain, all of which President / CEO deserve quality professional attention OpusCare of South Florida and compassionate care.

• A serious illness affects the entire family, not just the person who is ill. Those affected need and deserve ongoing support before and after a loved one’s death.

Hospice provides pain management and appropriate palliative care, care that focuses on the patient’s comfort, when curative medical treatments no longer enhance quality of life. Hospice strives to meet the patient’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs and provides support for the entire family during the illness and for at least one year after a patient’s death. Most hospice care is provided at home, where people most want to be when they are ill. Hospice care can also be provided in a nursing or residential facility and in certain circumstances, in a hospital or hospice management residence. Hospice also provides medications, medical equipment and supplies necessary to promote comfort at home or in other hospice settings. Hospice does not mean giving up hope. The focus shifts toward helping the patient achieve the maximum quality of life by focusing on their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Hospice Care vs Standard Medical Care Some differences between hospice care and medical care are: • Hospice looks at all of the patient’s and their family’s needs. A coordinated team of hospice professionals, assisted by volunteers, work to meet the patient’s and family’s emotional and spiritual needs, as well as the patient’s physical needs.

• An emphasis is put on controlling pain and symptoms through the most advanced techniques available as well as on emotional and spiritual support tailored to the needs of the patient and their family.

• Hospice recognizes that a serious illness affects not only affects the person who is ill, but the entire family as well. The family and patient is the “unit of care” for hospice professionals. At times, other family members may actually need more attention than the patient.

Who pays for hospice care?

Hospice palliative care is covered 100% by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, with no out-of-pocket costs to the patient or family. Costs covered related to the terminal illness, including the services of the Hospice team, medications, medical equipment and supplies. Contact Hospice Care of South florida to learn more on how they can you and your loved ones in your time of need.

For more information on OpusCare of South Florida, please call the 24-hour phone line at (305) 591-1606 or visit www.opuscare.org

“ We can’t change the destination, but we can affect the journey ”

OpusCare is the only community-based Palliative and Hospice care company in Miami-Dade County.

Our goal is to positively impact one person's life everyday.

From our family to yours, we treat every patient as if they were a part of our family.

We specialize in meeting the end-of-life needs for the patient and their family when they need it the most.

Our comprehensive caring approach is unique, providing a specific plan of care that meets the particular family's spiritual and emotional needs.

OpusCare of South Florida is a non-profit covered 100% by Medicare and Medicaid under and all-inclusive rate with no out of pocket costs to the patient or family when related to the hospice admission diagnosis.

For more information, give us a call or visit our website:

24 Hour Phone Line: (305) 591-1606 W W W. O P U S C A R E . O R G

Laurenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List:

Habits Affecting Your Allergies

I

By Lauren Pastrana • lpastrana@cbs.com

t’s spring, and with the warmer temperatures and blooming flowers, come sneezes and sniffles.

Yup, your allergies may already be acting up!

Doctors at American Family Care in Pembroke Pines say it’s more than just your typical allergens at play here.

Today’s “Lauren’s List” breaks down four of the everyday habits that may make your allergies worse.

Drinking alcohol You may want to rethink that extra glass of wine with dinner. A Danish study found allergies increased by three percent for every additional alcoholic drink in a week. The researchers believe the bacteria and yeast in the alcohol produce histamines and are to blame for your stuffy nose or itchy eyes.

Wearing contacts If you wear contacts, you probably know what it’s like to have something trapped between your eye and the lens. It’s so uncomfortable. Well lenses can actually trap

pollen against the surface of your eye, making the itchy redness even worse.

Using the dishwasher I run mine almost every day before bed, but now I’m rethinking that. A Swedish study in the journal Pediatrics found kids don’t develop as many allergies if they eat of handwashed plates and bowls. The research finds automated dishwashers kill so much bacteria kids don’t build enough immunity!

Making the bed Dust mites love your comfy bed just as much as you do. At night, the sweat from your body keeps them alive. American Family Care doctors say making your bed right when you wake up traps those pesky critters in there all day! So try airing out your sheets first or just leave the bed unmade. We promise we won’t tell!

What do you do to keep your allergies in check? Tell me on Facebook or Twitter. Send ideas for future Lauren’s Lists to lpastrana@ cbs.com.

HEALTH cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 29

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business spotlight | Spring 2017 31

Microneedling New Do-It-Yourself Beauty Treatment Uses Tiny Needles To Stimulate Skin Regeneration

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popular new doit-yourself beauty treatment uses tiny needles and promises to improve the skin.

Microneedling was only available at dermatologist offices or high-end spas.

But now, companies are selling devices for use at home, despite concerns from the FDA. Jamie O’Banion’s GloPRO, sold on HSN, is just one of a number of microneedling tools marketed for at-home use.

The GloPRO, and devices like it, use tiny needles to pierce the skin – stimulating the body’s natural regeneration response.

“What does the skin do? It says I’ve been injured, I need to heal, I need to create new collagen, new skin cells,” said O’Banion.

Prices for this popular product range from the $30 no-frills StackedSkincare device to the $200 vibrating GloPRO. Compare that to in-office treatments which can start at $500.

Dermatologist Jeanine Downie offers in-

office microneedling treatments to reduce scarring, signs of aging and even stretch marks.

But she cautions against the use of athome tools.

“It can spread infection, it can actually cause scarring, and it can make whatever you’re trying to treat worse,” said Dr. Downie.

The FDA has also issued warning letters to several microneedling pen manufacturers (not including GloPRO).

“I’m very familiar with all the cases that you’re referencing,” GloPRO’s O’Banion told CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller. “Those are from copycat tools as well and, again, it goes back to safety.

Trust your skin to the original.”

In addition to her concerns about at home devices, Dr. Downie has one more piece of advice.

“If you’re microneedling and you’re not using sunblock, you’re really wasting your time,” she said.

Dr. Downie and other dermatologists say protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to combat skin damage.

HEALTH cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 33

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE RISK This Could Help You Find Out If Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re At Risk For High Blood Pressure

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cientists in London have made a genetic discovery that could help doctors identify patients who are at-risk for high blood pressure.

Paul Bowers-Isaacson didn’t know he had high blood pressure until he suffered a heart attack 18-years ago.

Now, scientists from Queen Mary University have made a discovery that could help patients like Paul.

A team of researchers studied 150-thousand patients and found 107 new gene “regions” associated with high blood pressure.

“These 107 new gene regions may help us to tailor and select treatment in the future, but also, they identify the possibilities of us to bring new treatments to bear from existing therapies,” Mark Caulfield with Queen Mary University.

Researchers said their findings may help predict who will eventually develop hypertension.

When asked if it’s a matter of early detection and prevention, Caulfield said, “It’s about understanding what the genetic make-up could contribute to our life choices.”

Paul says he hopes the new research will identify others at risk so they don’t go through what he did.

“Had I had a blood test and the doctor had actually said, ‘Look, you’ve got this and this and this and this, and we know what the effect of that is’, I’d probably do as I was told,” said Bowers.

In the years since his heart attack, Paul has made major lifestyle changes: eating healthier, losing weight and exercising.

High blood pressure or hypertension affects about one-in-three Americans and is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and death, worldwide.

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Functional Medicine

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unctional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.

Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

Why Do We Need Functional Medicine?

Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. The system of medicine practiced by most physicians is oriented toward acute care, the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as appendicitis or a broken leg. Physicians apply specific, prescribed treatments such as drugs or surgery that aim to treat the immediate problem or symptom.

Unfortunately, the acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools for preventing and treating complex, chronic disease. In most cases it does not take into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual or factors such as environmental exposures to toxins and the aspects of today’s lifestyle that have a direct influence on the rise in chronic disease in modern Western society.

There’s a huge gap between research and the way doctors practice. The gap between emerging research in basic sciences and integration into medical practice is enormous… as long as 50 years… particularly in the area of complex, chronic illness.

Most physicians are not adequately trained to assess

And Why We Need It the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.

How Is Functional Medicine Different?

Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic disease. Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include: Patient-centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the patient and learning his or her story, the practitioner brings the patient into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.

An integrative, science-based healthcare approach.

Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.

Integrating best medical practices. Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what are sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.

Genesis Health Institute is located at 1001 NE 26th Street, Wilton Manors, FL 33305. For more information call 954-561-3175 or visit www.ghinstitute.com to find out more or to schedule a complimentary consultation with our patient coordinator.

This information came from The Institute for Functional Medicine.

business spotlight | Spring 2017 37

Dentistry Worth Smiling About

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r. Gloria Ospina from Gables Perfect Smile is not only enhancing lives but also transforming the concept of modern dentistry.

With a stylish and progressive office located in the heart of Coral Gables, the doctor and her team remain at the forefront of dental technology by continuously training, getting certified in the latest techniques and using the most advanced equipment available.

Florida since 1994, has earned a fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, as well as completed the advanced 20/20 Oral Plastic Surgery course using Waterlase MD technology. Dr. Ospina is a skilled architect who designs individualized treatment plans to restore optimum function and appearance to any smile. Her specialty training makes her an expert in all areas of restorative dentistry including bridges, crowns, dental implants, dentures, full mouth reconstruction, TMJ disorders and veneers.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Ospina places a strong focus on implants, laser and esthetic dentistry. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had her own private practice in Miami,

Having a mutual passion for surgery as well as esthetics, Dr. Ospina implements an original

approach at Gables Perfect Smile and sees patients from initial consultation all the way to the end of their treatment. She works alongside a specialist and fuses regular dentistry and surgery. This results in an added convenience for patients who only have to visit one location, fewer times, with a doctor and a team that have comprehensive knowledge over the entire treatment and its progress. For patients who prefer additional privacy or need added flexibility, Gables Perfect Smile can accommodate and open the office exclusively for them, as well as stay open after regular business hours.

Dr. Ospina has also received a patent for her Gummy Smile Treatment. This allows her and her team to perform complete smile makeovers using a unique process that accelerates healing and is practically painless. In combining several cosmetic dentistry and restorative options, as well as using Invisalign and teeth whitening treatments, patients are assured an experience and results like none other. That is why MicroDental Laboratories recognized Dr. Ospina’s commitment and passion for beautiful, healthy smiles and honored her as the 2016 Macstudio Model Search Miami Region Winner.

“My goal is to understand your expectations, that is why I listen and get to know you better in order to fully understand and address the steps that will lead to your perfect smile.” Dr. Gloria Ospina To schedule your consultation call 305.443.8225 or visit www.GablesPerfectSmile.com. Gables Perfect Smile is located in The Ponce Tower at 1805 Ponce De Leon Blvd Suite 401 Coral Gables, FL 33134.

business spotlight | Spring 2017 41

life

This App Helps You Turn Your

Cramped Closet Into Income

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By Bianca Peters • bpeters@cbs.com

illions of users are turning their closet items into another form of income using an app.

“So, pretty much you’re running a business from the palm of your hand.

It’s a simple business model with a lot of return on your investment,” said Joanne Echevers. “Items that I didn’t want or no longer use I would take pictures of them, upload them to the app and within days they were sold and off to the post office.”

Joanne Echevers is just one of the millions of people turning to Poshmark.

“In my time on Poshmark I’ve been able to make almost $10,000 and I’ve been able to reinvest that back into my closet and back into my business,” said Echevers.

It’s a modern day yard sale in the Poshmark app, but you have the ability to reach millions of customers at the push of a button.

“Whenever I need to take a picture, I quickly hang my item here and with

my iPhone I’m just going to take a quick snap,” said Echevers.

Poshmark has a thing with closets, after all that’s where it was born.

“We spend about 4/5 billion dollars in fashion in America every year 1/3 items that are bought are never worn so we wanted to provide a simple way for people to sell fashion,” said CEO & Founder of Poshmark Manish Chamdra.

Poshmark is now one of the largest social marketplaces for fashion.

“We take care of everything so everything that you worry about you know returns shipping payments everything is there,” said Chamdra.

The buying and selling is simple but it’s the community that people like Echevers consider their best purchase.

“I’ve made a couple of friends from Poshmark and as well as my pff,” said Echevers referring to her Poshmark friends.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 43

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Hidden Freebies Pulling Back ‘Hidden Freebies’ Curtain Most Customers Don’t Know About

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By Vanessa Borge • vborge@cbs.com

o matter who you are, the idea of “free stuff” is appealing. But plenty of people are missing out on a ton of free stuff that’s right under their noses. Fortunately for you, CBS4’s Vanessa Borge knows where to look!

When Emily Costantino signed up for Amazon Prime, she only had one thought in mind – the fast and free shipping that attracts many to the service.

Joey Lanasa agrees “You can’t beat two-day shipping for free.”

But it turns out Amazon Prime has lots of freebies unknown to many customers.

“It was nice to come across free movies!” Emily Leyva said.

And it’s not just free movies.

“In reality, they have so many other perks that they give you – free music, free movies, free books. All kinds of things you can take advantage of and you should take advantage of,” explained Duquesne University Marketing Professor Dr. Audrey Guskey.

Amazon Prime is a perfect example of perks that many miss – everything from free photo storage to discounts on diapers nobody else can get.

Call them hidden freebies – extra benefits that come when you sign up for a service of some sort but require some digging into the fine print to find.

That’s because the freebies are designed to retain existing customers rather than attract new ones.

“It’s very expensive to get a new customer, and once you get them you want to hold on to them. The smart companies value their existing customers more,” Point Park University Business Professor Elaine Luther said.

“They can get more from them than they can get from new customers because it’s cheaper to keep them than to get them.”

free Wi-Fi at any affiliated hot spots like Starbucks, McDonalds, and Barnes & Noble.

And T-Mobile users can stream as much music as they wish without using any data and catch some live baseball games.

And don’t forget the freebies for filling out surveys.

“For example, Costco. You think of them as being a discount store, but if you fill out their surveys and answer their questions in a couple minutes, they’ll give you a gift certificate. A lot of times you don’t have to buy anything,” Guskey said.

And some loyalty programs have upgrades for special customers – like Chick Fil-A with its secrecy-shrouded invitation-only program that offers free food, tours and events beyond the norm.

So how do you find this hidden perks?

“Sometimes it doesn’t hurt just to ask,” Luther said.

Millions have a AAA membership, for example – but do you know the non-travel perks?

“You really need to do your homework and recognize that there may be other opportunities for you to take advantage of,” adds Guskey, “a whole menu of things that you never realized.”

“You think of AAA discounts for hotels, for rental cars, maybe even airline discounts. But a lot of time you don’t think of it as going to a restaurant in the area or going to a store and actually getting 15, 20 percent off. So it’s a very nice perk,” Guskey said.

As Peyton McIntyre notes about hidden freebies, “Yeah, I mean, I don’t think you can get anything better than that.”

True – as long as you know about them!

And then there’s your wireless carrier.

“It seemed like every one of them had some additional services,” Luther said.

Verizon users can stream the NFL network, playoff games and the Super Bowl for free, while it’s the NBA plus some other networks with Sprint.

ATT has a perk that automatically plugs you into

“For example, Costco. You think of them as being a discount store, but if you fill out their surveys and answer their questions in a couple minutes, they’ll give you a gift certificate. A lot of times you don’t have to buy anything.”

Dr. Audrey Guskey

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 47

UNDERWEAR

Independent Brands Redefining Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Undergarment Market

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hile more traditional styles of women’s underwear dominate the market, a number of independent brands are catering to a much larger market.

At the New York headquarters of Lively, the unmentionables on display aren’t necessarily meant to be kept under wraps.

“These styles look like you could wear them outside, not just under your clothes,” said Karina Mitchell.

“And they’ve certainly been styled that way,” Alexandra Alquiza responded.

style… really tapping into a new definition of sexy,” she said. “The sexy that resonates with women today is around being active and outgoing and confident.”

Athleticwear has taken off and is now finding its way into intimate apparel.

More businesses are creating a diverse range of undergarments that include larger sizes, increased comfort and styles that can blur the lines.

Adore Me CEO Morgan Hermand Waiche says his range of innerwear covers every size from petite to plus.

Underwear is big business, and Victoria’s Secret has helped shape the industry.

“It’s not about being seductive or trying to be a femme fatale… like Victoria’s Secret. It’s just about yourself feeling good in your skin,” he said.

According to IBIS World, in 2016, L-Brands, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, known for its enticing looks, accounted for 83 percent of the U.S. retail lingerie market.

People who stopped by the label’s New York photo shoot seemed interested.

But Lively’s director of marketing, Alexandra Alquiza, says a growing number of women want something different.

“Ultimate comfort coupled with high

“I really like the more flexible casual look,” one person said.

Another person added, “As long as it’s comfortable and gives you support, that’s all that matters to me.”

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 49

Doc Claims Too Much Screen Time Turns Kids Into

Digital Junkies

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mart screens are everywhere these days and it seems like everyone has them including young kids. The debate over ‘how much screen time is too much’ is nothing new but there’s one doctor who says the problem is so severe, he’s dubbed it “digital heroin.”

In his book Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking Our Kids and How to Break the Trance, author Dr. Nicholas Kardaras likens the effects of excessive screen exposure to the neurological damage caused by drug addiction.

“Obviously I’m not implying that screen addiction

By Lauren Pastrana • lpastrana@cbs.com

is as fatal as the opiate epidemic we are experiencing nationally, but it is, it is, as addictive as a lot of the other substance addiction we treat,” said Dr. Kardaras.

What about tablets at school?

Dr. Kardaras says research indicates retention rates are lower on screens than on paper, and that schools without electronics report higher test scores.

“What we do know is that educational technology, ‘Ed Tech’ is a 60-billion dollar a year global industry and I hate to say it, but there’s a financial agenda involved.”

How do parents feel?

Leci Valdes is a busy Miami mom of three daughters.

A 3-year-old, and 10-month-old twins.

“A normal day in the Valdes household is pretty crazy, but I’m getting my groove,” said Valdes who explained it’s all about balance. That means limiting her daughter Mila’s screen time, specifically time spent on smart phones and tablets.

“She would lay right next to me, she would be on my phone or my iPad for 25 to 30 minutes and I would get a break,” explained Valdes. “I was noticing however with my child a pattern. And the pattern was, when I asked to have the iPad given back or the phone to be given back to me, the reaction was mind-blowing to be frank.”

She says the tantrums lasted longer than the screen time itself.

Reactions like that are part of the reason Dr. Kardaras has dubbed smart-screens “digital heroin.”

“When I call screen technology digital heroin, I really

don’t make that comparison lightly,” said Dr. Kardaras.

Like Valdes, Kardaras is a parent of twins, 9-year-old boys in his case and he says he knows it’s tough to keep the screens at bay.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The best thing a parent can do is slow down the unleashing of technology on children as much as possible.”

Even though the American Association of Pediatrics recently modified its screen recommendations, suggesting children ages 2 to 5 can get an hour of screen time daily if viewed with parents, Dr. Kardaras disagrees.

“I mean this very sincerely, I find it easier to treat heroin addiction and crystal meth addiction because we have protocols in place to treat those addictions.

An abstinence seems to be the solution to that. But you can’t be digitally abstinent in modern society,” said Kardaras.

Now, Mila gets half an hour of screen time after school on Fridays only. That’s what works best for the Valdes family but Leci knows tablets and smart phones are definitely in her daughters’ futures.

“We gotta be realistic too with where we are going.

Good or bad, it’s going there. I think the way we approach it has to be a way that is best for the child. I would not be opposed to it, but I don’t want my kid on it the whole time,” said Valdes.

Dr. Kardaras says he recommends avoiding interactive screen time for kids until about age 10, but he insists all screens are not created equal. He says TV time doesn’t have quite the same effect.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 51

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Grocers Want To Know:

Does The Label Mean Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expired?

T

wo major grocery store associations are calling for voluntary guidelines to streamline food expiration labels and are aiming to get all manufacturers and retailers to use the new system by the Summer of 2018.

If all goes as planned, more than a dozen different phrases used to describe food expiration and safety will soon be reduced to just two: “USE BY” and “BEST IF USED BY.” The Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturing Association said the new system will end widespread confusion about whether all kinds of products are still good and safe to eat. The grocery industry said Americans trash more than $200 billion in food every year.

“We can help consumers from throwing away food unnecessarily which puts more money in their pocketbook,” said Meghan Stasz with the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

The “USE BY” label will be reserved for highly perishable products — foods that could make you sick when they go bad.

The other label, “BEST IF USED BY” is for everything else. They’re still safe to eat, but they might not taste as good.

Some shoppers welcomed the simpler system.

“It’s going to give me more information. Right now, I just pick something up that says “SELL BY” but I have no idea its “USE BY,” said shopper Lisa Herrmann.

“I just threw out some salad dressing because it had a date that expired but it didn’t say ‘SELL BY,’ ‘USE BY,’ anything but I threw it out,” said shopper Marilyn Barnell.

Back in December, the USDA asked manufacturers of meat, dairy, and eggs to use just one label “BEST IF USED BY.”

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 55

Taste Of The Town: The World Is Your Oyster At

In Wilton Manors

T

Lisa Petrillo • lpetrillo@wfor.cbs.com

he world is your oyster at the all new Bubbles & Pearls in Wilton Manors.

It’s a charming eatery featuring a rotating gallery of art that changes every

month.

Plus this: “If we like you here at Bubble & Pearls, we definitely bring you some pearls of our own,” said chef and owner Josie Malave, placing “pearls” around CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo’s neck.

At the helm, Bravo TV’s Top Chef Josie Malave, who after years of traveling and working, has come home to open up her first restaurant.

“I live here in Wilton Manors,” said Malave. “I said I love oysters and I love champagne and I don’t need a special occasion to celebrate or pop a bottle.”

The raw bar features a roster of rotating East Coast and West Coast oysters.

“You’re going take your knife and find the little hook,” said Josie, showing Petrillo how to open or “shuck” the oyster.

It’s all about finding the sweet spot on the shell – for Petrillo that was easier said than done.

Chef Josie expertly slices the oysters and plates them and then it was Petrillo’s turn to try them after having a successful time at shucking them.

“It’s delicious, its super fresh and just the lemon is

all it needs,” said Petrillo after eating one.

But Bubbles & Pearls is more than raw oysters and pink champagne. It’s a diverse menu for carnivores and vegans alike.

“So the concept was to elevate the food game here in Wilton Manors. It’s also about really sharing with people,” she said. “That you can do really good food and you really don’t have to pay ‘break the bank’ prices.”

Malave’s Hawaiian-style Tuna Poke is sushi-grade ahi tuna with shallots, cucumbers and sesame oil tossed in special sauce.

“I want to say ‘aloha’ because it brings you to Hawaii where this dish is from! It’s a perfect combination of textures and freshness,” said Petrillo enthusiastically.

Next, Burrata Toast with homemade garlic bread, burrata, heirloom tomatoes and a pinot noir salt on top.

“Stop the presses!” Petrillo said. “The burrata is creamy and gooey and delicious.”

And finally, Braised Short Rib served over dandelion greens, purple potatoes, and shitake mushrooms.

“Forget about the fact that it falls off the bone, put it with the dandelion greens and you have sweet and fatty and a crunch and a tiny bit of bitterness. It’s to die for,” said Petrillo.

Bubbles & Pearls is open is Monday through Saturday for dinner only. Sunday brunch is coming soon.

For more info and menu: www.bubblesnpearls.com.

LIFE cbsmiami.com | Spring 2017 57

We Have All The Designer Frames Without The Luxe Prices LOCATED ON CORAL WAY FOR 48 YEARS

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Setting A Standard

W

Above The Rest

ith only ten dollars and a baby on the way, Lino and Raquel Alvarez were forced out of Cuba and to Miami where they knew no one. Lino, an optician by trade, immediately began looking for work and was very fortunate when a local optometrist gave him an opportunity. Through much effort and dedication he was able to purchase the business and make International Opticians an industry standard for quality and service. 48 years later, his son in law and VP Ron Pelletier continues upholding the same values that place International Opticians far ahead of the curve.

Having an onsite full-service lab ready to grind a Rx into the lenses and then cut, edge, tint, coat and insert the lenses into the frame, could alone define this standard, but it’s just one of several components. Having a fully licensed staff that all have between 15-30 years experience be in control of the production, is another component.

Armani, patients can feel at ease knowing that they are receiving an unsurpassed level of assurance. The laid-back environment also eases any pressure to buy, as there is no selling. Doctors take pride in the service they provide and only prescribe what’s needed, as well as the opticians who don’t receive any commission on the help they offer. In large part, this is what makes International Opticians a leader, and overall, how they set a standard above the rest.

“We are proud to carry many designer lines without the luxe prices.” -Ron Pelletier International Opticians is located at 2264 SW 22nd St, Miami FL 33145. For more information call 305-854-6191 or visit www.internationalopticians.com.

“There’s immense value in having professionals take care of all the work in-house rather than outsourcing.

It eliminates the middlemen and number of mistakes made while significantly reducing time spent in shipping.

Patients receive their eyeglasses in one to three days instead of weeks, and although rare, if a mistake should arise it can also be taken care of immediately.” – Ron Pelletier In addition, International Opticians offers a one-year warranty as opposed to having the customer deal with numerous manufacturers warranty. With 1,000 frames to choose from and top designer lines such as Silhouette, Celine, Tom Ford, Fendi, Ray Ban, Gucci and Giorgio

business spotlight | Spring 2017 59

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Real Estate

Baby Boomers:

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s How to Sell Your Home to Millennials

Shopping for a home has evolved over the years.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need to know about the new generation of buyers.

BY Brendon DeSimone Content provided by zillow.com

F

or years we’ve seen the shift in Baby Boomers ditching their large suburban homes for the excitement of urban life. And we’re noticing the reverse from millennials: leaving behind small spaces along with the hustle and bustle of the city.

They’re open to a new world of suburban living, with single-family homes, more storage and closet space, and some outdoor space all their own.

These millennials, born between the mid ’80s and the late ’90s, came of age in a shifting cultural and social environment. Their experiences aren’t the same as their Baby Boomer parents, and as such, their preferences differ from those of their parents, who bought a generation ago.

Here are some real estate considerations to help you sell to millennial buyers.

When it’s time to buy a home, their experience is much the same, thanks to smartphones and real estate apps.

As a home seller, you and your agent must invest an incredible amount of time and money on your home’s photo shoot. If you don’t, you may never get a first “date” with your prospective suitor. If the buyer isn’t drawn to your photos, they’re on to the next place.

Bigger is no longer better In the ’80s, a McMansion with quadruple master closets, oversized Jacuzzi tubs, formal rooms, and large basements were a sign of success, and coveted by home buyers.

Today, millennials want smaller and simpler homes on smaller parcels. Bigger houses or any land more than half an acre equals more work and maintenance to these first-time buyers, accustomed to the easy life.

Millennials are busy

You can’t make your home smaller, but if you are serious about selling and want to account for this trend, your price will need to meet the market.

Today’s young people work long hours, and they want to spend the free time they have with friends and family.

Location matters more than ever

They’re also more transient than their parents’ generation. So, when it comes to real estate, many of them seek turn-key homes for quick and easy move-in. They can’t fathom taking the time to undertake renovating a bathroom or kitchen.

No matter how great the opportunity, many of today’s buyers aren’t interested in painting or “making it their own” as our parents did when they moved into homes they planned on living in for 30 years or more.

Home searching is like dating Millennials grew up attached to their phones. They hail a car and order food with their fingertips. And now, instead of meeting at a bar, they date with their thumbs. Swipe left for the potential mate, or reject them by swiping left.

Millennial buyers want the urban experience, as best as they can get, in the ‘burbs. This means homes that are walking distance to a village or town, near the train, and in bustling neighborhoods are among the most popular.

While being away from town, secluded, and with more land was a status symbol in the ’80s, it’s a deal killer today. Unfortunately, you can’t move your home to a better location — but you can adjust your price to meet the market.

If you’re a Boomer selling a long-time family home now or in the future, and the millennial is your potential buyer (think: customer), you need to adjust your mindset to meet theirs. You can’t assume that anything related to your original home search applies today. Get ahead of it, or your home may spend many months (or even years) on the market.

REAL ESTATE | Spring 2017 65

Are New

Government Backed Mortgage Programs

A benefit to consumers?

SOUTH FLORIDA - For years potential home buyers have depended on their financial institutions for their portfolio based lending when it comes to the purchase or refinance of their home. This traditional process, often lasting over 120 days, would result in the customer being declined, mostly due to bank required credit overlays.

Newly released mortgage programs, including government backed programs from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and VA, allow these same consumers, many of whom have a credit score as low as 600 and a down payment as little as 5%, to bypass their financial institutions and go directly to the source for a loan up to five million dollars.

“M

ost consumers are not aware direct jumbo loan and government mortgage programs are even available.” says John Barry, Mortgage Lending Director at the Government Loan Assistance Program.

With real estate prices seemingly leveling off and interest rates at an all-time low, consumers are looking to re-enter the market but are doing so with caution.

John Barry adds “Our last study shows approximately 9 out of every 10 individuals who are declined for a mortgage or a refinance from their current banks actually qualify for one

of our programs.”

In most Metropolitan areas, such as South Florida, the banks responsible for the large number of consumers being declined for a mortgage program are usually the largest: • • • • • • •

Bank of America Chase Wells Fargo HSBC Suntrust Bank United BB&T

When asked what would be the greatest benefit for a consumer to seek out these newly released

mortgage programs Barry replied “It’s simple, getting approved. Our mortgage programs are specifically designed to approve individuals, many with imperfect credit scores and limited down payments, to secure a low-fixed rate loan of any amount up to 5 million dollars”.

In addition, the Government Loan Assistance Program offers a complimentary telephone pre-qualification process.

For more information contact the Government Loan Assistance Program at 1-855-566-4277(HARP).

business spotlight | Spring 2017 67

What to Expect When You’re Inspecting

Here’s a guide to each player’s roles and responsibilities during a typical property inspection.

I

BY Brendon DeSimone Content provided by zillow.com

f you’re a first-time buyer who just nabbed your first place, you’re likely in one of the scarier places in the real estate transaction. Before choosing paint colors, you’ll need to inspect.

If you’re feeling nervous, you’re not alone. The property inspection is one of the most important parts of the home purchase process, yet many buyers don’t know what to expect.

Here’s a guide to the roles and responsibilities each of the players has during a typical property inspection.

You, the buyer

You’re there to learn as much about the property as possible. But you should have already done your homework before the big day.

Before the inspection, review the seller’s property disclosures or building department documentation you received along the way. The listing agent may have pointed out some known issues. Write down a list of questions or concerns you have about the home.

Block out a few hours on the day, depending on what you need to inspect. Ask your real estate agent which inspections are typical in your market. Most inspections go smoothly, but some can be the beginning of tough negotiations.

The buyer’s agent Your agent should be standing by your side to walk you through the inspection.

Good agents have been through dozens of inspections and

know the drill, what to look for, and, most importantly, what’s important and what matters in the big picture.

Cracked grout in the bathtub tile doesn’t matter when you have a safety issue with the electrical panel.

The listing agent In some parts of the country, the listing agent won’t show up. But in others, they are present to represent the seller.

After all, it’s their home you’re inspecting.

An intelligent listing agent will be front and center as the eyes and ears of the property inspection because they are the most familiar with the property, and are there to address any issues that come up.

For the seller and the listing agent, the inspection is one of the last hurdles to get through, and a big unknown. Issues, questions or concerns could arise during the inspection, which could kill the sale or affect the property’s value.

Though the listing agent is there to be an advocate for the seller, everyone should come with the same goal in mind: to facilitate a clean sales transaction.

The inspector As the buyer, you hire the property inspector, who should be licensed by the state. You sign an agreement with and pay the inspector. Most buyers get a referral for an inspector from their real estate agent.

The inspector is not a contractor, though some inspectors were contractors in their previous careers. While they may be able to shed light on what you can or can’t do to a property and its potential costs, their objective is to inspect the property, its systems and the overall state of the home.

A good inspector will remain impartial and not be an alarmist, though they will point out concerns that need to be addressed. The inspector isn’t a part of the transaction, and shouldn’t get into the nitty-gritty of your deal — nor would they want to.

The inspector should look around, make notes and provide you with a detailed report as well as some feedback on future maintenance.

Be sure to walk around with the inspector. Get on the roof, go into the basement, venture into the crawlspace. It will be helpful for the inspector to point things out to you in real time and demonstrate where the systems are and how they work. Also, some things are better understood in person than read about in a report days later.

Your Uncle Bob Finally, it’s important to comprehend why having Uncle Bob, a handyman or an electrical contractor on hand during the inspection is a bad idea.

While it may seem logical to bring a relative or close friend who is a contractor, be mindful that these people aren’t licensed property inspectors. Sometimes, the most wellintentioned people will end up causing harmful consequences.

Uncle Bob may feel it’s important to point out as many negative things as possible, just to seem helpful. He’s far from impartial, however, and hasn’t been a part of your home-buying journey or recent negotiations. You run the risk of raising unnecessary red flags.

Time for a huddle After the inspection, you and your agent will likely huddle to talk about what went on and to strategize next steps.

Hopefully, the inspection was flawless, and you’re one step closer to picking out your new paint colors.

If not, you may need to do more negotiations after the inspection. Hopefully, the inspections weren’t so bad that you walk away. But sometimes it happens.

Either way, it helps to know what to expect going in and to prepare for anything.

REAL ESTATE | Spring 2017 69

94% Of Individuals

Qualify

For a Mortgage or Refinance

“

TESTIMONIAL

My wife and I were solicited by our current

lender, Wells Fargo, to refinance our current home loan with them. We submitted all the paper work and shortly there after we were turned down. We talked with Suntrust, who we do our personal banking with, and again we were turned down. We called the Government Loan Assistance Program and they were able to get us approved the same day. We are now saving over $750.00 per month.

”

-- James B. Coral Gables, FL.

Specifically those who have recently been turned down by one of the following financial institutions: New government backed mortgage programs such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA now allow consumers to bypass their financial institutions and go directly to the source for a new mortgage or refinance.

These programs were specifically designed to help consumers with an imperfect credit history secure a fixed rate as low as 3.5% by bypassing their financial institutions and calling Government Loan Assistance at 1-855-566-HARP (4277).

Call Government Loan Assistance today and take advantage of the following: • • • • •

Fixed rates as low as 3.5% 15 and 30 year fixed rate programs All credit applications accepted Same day credit approval process All loans are government backed

Se Habla Español

Avoid the credit restrictions and overlays from your financial institution and call the Government Loan Assistance Program at 1-855-566-HARP (4277), today.

Government Loan Assistance Program 1-855-566-HARP (4277) *Terms and Conditions Apply – The payment on a $250,000 15 year fixed rate refinance loan in Florida at 3.5% rate and 70% loan-to-value (LTV) primary residence single family home is $1787.21 with .128 in points due at closing and $3837 in fees, minimum credit score of 740, and verifiable income for the borrowers. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is 3.580%. This loan may not be available in all states, and not all consumers will qualify for these monthly payment terms. Rates mentioned in any advertising are based on a sampling of available rates from our lender network.

Specific rates and terms offered to our applicants may vary. Rates are subject to change daily without notice.

W G!!

E N IN T S I L

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Should I Buy Down My Rate After 2017 Fed Rate Hikes?

What the current market outlook means for you.

R

By Julian Hebron Content provided by zillow.com

ates are up .5 percent so far in 2017, and could go higher. This raises the question of whether it makes sense to buy your rate down to control your mortgage costs. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s review the market outlook, then answer the question.

ment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; this has been happening in 2017.

Where are rates headed from here?

Concurrently, the Federal Reserve controls short-term rates in the economy using overnight bank-to-bank lending rates. They hike these rates when they believe the economy is improving. Even though mortgage bonds represent longer-term rates, these Fed hikes still fuel selling of mortgage bonds, pushing mortgage rates higher.

Rates are tied to daily trading in mortgage bonds, and rates rise when bonds sell on improving economic senti-

The Fed began hiking rates in December, and has indicated continued hiking if economic data stays positive.

Their next three rate policy meetings are March 15, May 3, and June 13.

Mortgage rates will rise as the Fed’s economic tone becomes more optimistic. The Mortgage Bankers Association calls for rates to rise about 1 percent in 2017 versus 2016, and we’ve only seen half of that so far.

With many signs pointing to higher rates, let’s address the rate buy down question.

What is buying down my rate?

“Buying your rate down” or “paying points” means you’re paying an extra fee on top of standard loan fees like appraisal, underwriting, and credit report to get a lower rate.

If you were getting a 30-year fixed loan of $325,000, you might get two options with and without points. Today the option with zero points might show the rate as 4.25 percent, and the option with 1 percent in points — equal to $3,250 — might show the rate as 4 percent.

Paying $3,250 at closing to lower your rate by .2 percent lowers your payment $42 per month, and lowers your interest cost $68 per month.

How do I calculate if I should buy my rate down?

down the rate?

Work with your lender to calculate how long it takes interest cost savings from paying points to repay the points. If you’re in the home (or the loan) longer than this breakeven timeline, you won’t lose money.

But if rates drop after you pay points, your risk is that you’d need to spend money on a refinance to keep you in the market, but that refinance cost could come during the time you’re still waiting to break even on the points you paid.

Given the rate projections noted above, that risk is low for now.

What if I need to buy down my rate to qualify?

Rising rates make your payment higher, which reduces your affordability.

Lenders allow you to spend up to 43 percent of your income on housing and non-housing bills each month. If rising rates don’t push you over this threshold and your budget is still manageable, you can proceed.

But if rising rates push you over this qualifying threshold, you don’t have to rely solely on buying your rate down to qualify.

To determine if you should buy down your rate, calculate how long it takes your monthly interest cost savings to repay the cost of the points. In our example, we divide the $3,250 you’re paying at closing by the $68 in monthly interest cost savings, showing it takes 48 months for the interest cost savings to repay the points.

You can also reduce your purchase price. Or if you don’t want to resort to that, the smartest way to qualify is to find other debt to trim.

If you’re going to live in the home longer than four years, then paying the points makes sense. Note, however, that it doesn’t make sense if you’re getting a 5-year ARM instead of a 30-year fixed — because the 5-year ARM would adjust to a higher payment just one year after you broke even on buying your rate down.

Federal law requires lenders to give you a disclosure called a Loan Estimate within three days of a complete loan application.

What are the dangers of buying

How do I know if a rate buy down is being disclosed to me correctly?

The Loan Estimate’s second page shows Points in the top left section called Loan Costs. This will show the exact percentage of the loan amount for any points being quoted. It also shows the dollar amount of the points.

REAL ESTATE | Spring 2017 73

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home

House Plants For Beginners So you think you can kill even an artificial plant?

Before you give up indoor gardening, check out some easy-to-grow house plants.

These are great for the home or office.

Content provided by lowes.com

Houseplant Care

Light

Water Plants need thorough watering, even if it’s delivered irregularly. Use tepid (room-temperature) water until it flows out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the container.

Low Light — Prefer or can tolerate minimum light. North-facing windows are a good place for one of these. The interior locations of the house (coffee tables for example) offer a good environment as well.

Medium / Indirect — Bright light but no direct sun is the rule for these. West- or southfacing windows are great. Just keep them 1 to 2 feet from the window itself.

Bright / Direct — Here are the sun worshippers. Put them on the windowsill facing south or west.

Humidity At home, place plants in the kitchen or bathroom where the humidity is normally higher.

Grouping plants is also a way to grab extra humidity from the air.

Another method is to get a saucer, put a layer of marbles in the bottom and partially fill the saucer with water. Place the container on top of the marbles. Don’t let the pot sit in the water. The idea is to capture evaporating moisture, not wick it into the root system and cause root rot.

Temperature In general, temperatures between 65°F and 75°F during the daytime are best.

Temperatures about 10 degrees cooler at night are best. Heating and air conditioning systems can wreak havoc on houseplants.

Try not to place houseplant near ventilation outlets or in drafty areas.

Use blinds or curtains to regulate direct light from windows.

Fertilizing Use a diluted houseplant fertilizer. Follow the product instructions and precautions.

GroominG Wipe the leaves if they’re dusty to keep them clean and able to breathe. Another purpose of regular grooming is to keep an eye open for pests and diseases.

BEST HOUSEPLANTS FOR BEGINNERS Light Requirements

Features & Why We Like Them

Cast Iron Plant Aspiddistra elatior

Low

• Tolerates the cold

Chinese Evergreen Aglaonema

Low

• Tolerates dry air

Dracaena Dracaena

Low

• Many varieties to choose from

Plant

Kentia Palm Howea forsteriana

Low

• Unlike most palms this one tolerates dry, heated air

Philodendron Philodendron

Low

• Vining habit works in hanging baskets as well as containers

Snake Plant Sansevieria

Low

• Resists insects

African Violet Saintpaulia

Medium/Indirect

• Great combo of foliage & almost constant blooms • Likes humidity

Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia

Medium/Indirect

• Several varieties to choose from

Ficus Ficus

Medium/Indirect

• Seldom needs repotting • A variety of shapes & sizes

Fishtail Palm Caryota mitis

Medium/Indirect

• Tolerated lower light better than most plants

Lady Palm Rhapis ecelsa

Medium/Indirect

• Can tolerate cooler indoor temperatures

Peperomia Peperomia

Medium/Indirect

• Semisucculent leaves • Can tolerate lack of water

Pothos Epipremnum aureum

Medium/Indirect

• Vining habit • Tolerates irregular watering

Rubber Plant Ficus elastica

Medium/Indirect

• Seldom needs repotting • Variety of forms

Schefflera Brassaia

Medium/Indirect

• Glossy leaves • Likes high humidity

Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum

Medium/Indirect

• Good hanging basket plant • Produces stems that can be potted for new plants

Aloe Aloe barbadensis

Bright/Direct

• Fleshy, succulent leaves have nice texture

Cactus (Various)

Bright/Direct

• Epitome of easy care • Countless attractive varieties of this sturdy plant

Croton Codiaeum

Bright/Direct

• Variety of foliage colors available

Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvata

Bright/Direct

• Grows slowly • Bulb base stores water

HOME | Spring 2017 77

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Light Bulb Buying Guide Content provided by lowes.com

W

ith the increase of energyefficient lighting options, you have more choices than ever when it comes to buying light bulbs. Learn about the different types of bulbs: CFL, LED, and the sizes available to determine what you need.

energy. View the chart for key differences.

A few more facts:

Types of Light Bulbs Learn the differences between your light bulb options.

CFLs An electric current flows between electrodes at each end of a tube containing gases. The reaction produces ultraviolet (UV) light and heat. The UV light is transformed into visible light when it strikes a phosphor coating on the inside of the bulb.

CFL vs. LED Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are the most energy-efficient light bulb options. They have lower wattage than incandescent bulbs, but emit the same light output. This allows them to produce the same amount of light, but use less

• Available for outdoor use; just make sure the packaging indicates the bulb is rated for outdoor use.

• May not hold up to the stress of power surges, so using them in areas such as workshops isn’t advisable.

• If the outlet is wired for a dimmer or three-

way bulb, make sure you purchase a CFL rated for the specific use.

LEDs These bulbs use an electrical current passed through semiconductor material to illuminate the tiny diodes called LEDs. The heat produced is absorbed into a heat sink, keeping the bulbs cool to the touch.

• Available for outdoor use; just make sure the packaging indicates the bulb is rated for outdoor use.

• Does not contribute to heat buildup, which helps save on air conditioning.

Good to Know: In 2017, new US regulations will be put in place that will make it difficult for CFLs to qualify for an ENERGY STAR® rating.

Some manufacturers are already phasing CFL bulbs out and are only going to produce LEDs. In the last couple of years prices have also been dropping on LED bulbs, making some more affordable than CFLs.

vapor that emits UV light when electricity is applied.

The bulbs/tubes have a coating inside that turns the UV rays into visible light.

• Fluorescent lights are usually long and tubeshaped, but also come in u-shaped bulbs.

• Fluorescent tubes will not work without a ballast.

Halogen Bulbs Halogen bulbs use a filament that’s heated to the point of glowing, the same as incandescent bulbs, but they use less energy.

• Halogen bulbs last on average 1 year.

• Halogen bulbs do not contain mercury.

HID Bulbs High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs are primarily used in larger spaces such as warehouses, commercial buildings or in streetlights. They are filled with sodium or mercury vapor that conducts electricity. HID bulbs don’t have filaments like most light bulbs, so they last longer.

Incandescent Bulbs In 2007 Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act requiring new energy-efficient standards for basic light bulbs. All standard 100, 75-, 60- and 40-watt incandescent bulbs are being phased out and will no longer be produced. Standard incandescent bulbs will still be available to purchase while supplies last. A number of specialty incandescent bulbs, such as chandalier bulbs, will remain available.

Lumens and Watts Lumens - the amount of light emitted from a light bulb. More lumens equals brighter light, fewer lumens equals dimmer light. Standard 100-watt bulbs produce about 1600 lumens.

Incandescent bulbs use a filament that’s heated to the point of glowing. The glowing filament produces the bulb’s light.

Good to Know: Never exceed the maximum wattage recommended for your lamp.

• Incandescent bulbs last on average for 1 year.

• Incandescent bulbs do not contain mercury.

• They can be used with a dimmer switch.

Fluorescent Bulbs Fluorescent bulbs or tubes are filled with mercury

Watts - the amount of energy a light bulb uses.

The lower the watts, the lower the electric bill. CFLs and LEDs have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs, but emit the same light output.

Wattage Breakdown With the phaseout of standard incandescent light bulbs, knowing the correct wattage to buy can be confusing. Use the chart to locate an energy saving equivalent.

HOME | Spring 2017 81

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Lighting Facts Lighting labels provide quick hits to help you get the most bang for your buck. They are now required by the U.S Federal Trade Commission to appear on light bulb packaging. Facts include brightness, estimated yearly cost, life expectancy, light appearance, energy used and mercury information.

Lighting Innovations If you like to keep up with the latest technological innovations, there are several new lighting features to choose from.

Good to Know: By comparing the lumens and life of different bulbs of the same wattage, you can select the light bulb that provides you with the best combination of light output and length of life.

Music These LED light bulbs have a builtin Bluetooth speaker so you can stream your playlists seamlessly. There is also color-changing technology that can work independently and features up to 16 colors to fit any occasion or mood.

Light Color Light color or light appearance is measured on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale. Lower Kelvin numbers means more yellow light; the higher the Kelvin number the whiter or bluer light.

Warm White - 2500K-3000K (standard color of incandescent bulbs). Perfect for bedrooms, living rooms or dens.

Bright White or Cool White 3500K-4100K. Perfect for kitchens, workspaces and bathrooms.

Voice-Enabled Manufacturers have created bulbs that turn on and off via voice recognition.

Smartphone Technology Control your lighting from your smartphone.

Dim lights, turn them on or off, or schedule your lighting to come on before you get home.

Incandescent

Halogen

CFL

LED

100-watt

72-watt

23-watt

20-watt

75-watt

53-watt

20-watt

14-watt

60-watt

43-watt

15-watt

12-watt

40-watt

28-watt

10-watt

8-watt

Daylight - 5000K-6500K. Perfect for reading.

Light Bulb Shapes and Bases LED, CFL, halogen and incandescent bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and bases to fit your needs. Energy-efficient LED and CFL bulbs can be used in table lamps, pendant lights, ceiling fans, wall sconces and other lighting fixtures, the same as incandescent bulbs. Some vintage and decorative bulbs look great on their own. The easiest thing to do is bring your old bulb with you to the store so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re certain to buy the right one. While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there, check out the different energy saving and stylish options that are available.

HOME | Spring 2017 83

Refinishing and Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets Content provided by lowes.com

G

ot some free time this weekend and want to do some home improvements you can brag about on Monday? Why not use that time to update your kitchen cabinets? It’s easier (and cheaper) than you might think. With a little elbow grease and creativity, you can update your kitchen cabinets without going through the hassle of an entire remodel.

Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets

Heat, water, grease and food residue can take their toll on your kitchen cabinets. You might be surprised what a good scrubbing can do. When you’re ready to clean your cabinets, have the following on hand: 1. Label or number the cabinet doors if you remove them so you’ll put them back in the right place. (If you’re sanding or painting, don’t sand off or paint over the marks.) The holes for the hinges (door and frame) need to match too, so you can easily determine which door goes where.

2. Lay plenty of drop cloths to protect countertops, appliances and floors.

3. Wear gloves and eye protection when using a cleaner such as TSP (trisodium phosphate).

4. Clean thoroughly, following the cleaner’s instructions. Keep a clean surface of the cloth in contact with the cabinet for best results.

5. Rinse the cabinets. If the rinse water looks dirty, repeat the cleaning process.

6. Allow the wood to dry.

Cleaning and Updating Cabinet Hardware Hardware (including hinges) gets greasy and dirty, too. Since you have the doors off, remove the knobs and hinges, and clean the hardware:

1. Soak the hardware in a soapy-water solution for 30 minutes.

2. Scrub lightly with a soft brush and rinse.

3. Let dry and apply the proper polish.

If you need to replace one or two pieces, take one set with you when you go to your local Lowe’s. But if your cabinet hardware is older, it may be difficult to find an exact match. With all the knobs and hinges off, it’s a great time to shop for new hardware. You should also take some of your old hardware along to make sure the new hardware will fit your existing doors.

Many decorative styles of hinges, knobs and pulls are available in various colors, metals and finishes: • Antique Copper • Polished Chrome • Polished, Sterling or Antique Brass • Nickel • Aged Bronze • Ceramics (knobs and pulls) • Iron When choosing the finish for your hardware, think about what style will look best in your home. If your style is traditional, brushed finishes, polished brass, nickel or pewter will complement your décor. If you have a more contemporary décor, choose finishes with an enameled or high-gloss-metal shine.

Adding Moulding to Cabinets You can dress up drab cabinet doors with moulding.

Applying a contrasting finish or color is a quick and inexpensive way to change the look of your kitchen.

Keep the following safety tips in mind when you add moulding: • Always apply finishing materials in a wellventilated area.

• Wear eye protection and rubber gloves to prevent exposure to finishing materials.

HOME | Spring 2017 85

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Stripping and Refinishing Cabinets If your cabinets still don’t look spectacular after cleaning, you may have to refinish or paint them. The cabinet-refinishing process is similar to the one for refinishing furniture.

Unless you’re planning to take your cabinets down, there are a few extra things to remember. As you’ve already discovered from cleaning, working with cabinets in place on the wall can be messy and awkward. Liquid strippers work best, but use the gel or semipaste types.

They won’t drip as much when used on vertical surfaces.

However, before you can buy the proper stripper, you’ll need to find out what kind of finish is on your cabinets.

The original finish is one of several possible materials.

Most of them look identical to an untrained eye. Use the chart below to determine what type of finish you have.

Find an inconspicuous spot on the wood to perform the tests.

Always let the stripping agent do the work. These products are relatively easy to use. But if you’re not an experienced refinisher, you may want to start with an inconspicuous area or door. Remember to keep countertops, appliances and floors covered when stripping and refinishing.

If You Suspect Your Finish Is:

Determine By:

Wax

Put a few drops of turpentine on the wood. If the finish dissolves, it’s wax-based.

Shellac

Apply a few drops of denatured alcohol.

If the finish dissolves quickly, it’s shellac.

Lacquer or Shellac Water-Based Finish

Try a few drops of lacquer thinner to dissolve.

A few drops of Xylene liquefies water-based finishes.

Polyurethane Paint / varnish remover strips these materials, but you’ll probably still have to or Varnish sand some of the old finish off.

Other Finishes You May Encounter (and What to Do About Them)

Penetrating Oil

The product does just what its name says, so nothing can remove it. The color isn’t strippable since it’s become part of the wood. If the wood is dry, it can be clear-coated, waxed or painted.

Paint

Determine whether the paint is oil-based or water-based (latex).

Rub a rag or cotton ball moistened with denatured alcohol on the paint surface.

If it rubs off or gets soft, it’s latex.

Alcohol won’t affect oil paint.

Latex paint can be applied over oil if the old surface has been lightly sanded and properly primed.

Vinyl-Covered Don’t attempt to paint or refinish. A or Formica professional should refinish cabinets surfaced with these materials.

Surfaces

After stripping and before refinishing or painting, patch any conspicuous holes, scratches and nicks with wood filler. When dry, sand lightly to smooth out the patch.

Before painting, sand lightly and prime.

Note: Before you decide to paint floating-panel cabinet doors, remember that the wood expands and contracts with the seasons. This will cause the paint bead to separate and expose unpainted wood.

Good to Know: Before undertaking refinishing, remind yourself that it takes a lot of time and effort.

Also, remember that your kitchen may be out of commission for a while.

Caution When using any chemical, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and safety.

HOME | Spring 2017 87

WHY IMPACT WINDOWS ARE THE OBVIOUS CHOICE

L

iving a walk or short drive away from the beach is considered paradise. But when hurricane season hits, precaution needs to be enforced.

During a storm or windy event, one of the first things to fail any structure are the windows.

Those that are non-impact can shatter very easily, allowing for wind to make its way inside and wreak havoc. Not only are interior spaces destroyed, with enough pressure build-up, the roof can be separated in moments. These windows are fragile and pose a very serious threat.

Impact windows are the safety measure all homes and buildings need to take. They are effectively designed to withstand flying debris common during severe storms. This prevents any harm or disaster from taking place to either the property or people inside of it. Installing impact windows can also lower insurance premiums by 45%, as they’re not only a defense against harsh weather, but also to unwelcomed intruders.

More than just a preventative step, impact windows also increase property value and lower energy costs. They come in several lamination options and provide superior insulating capabilities.

In addition to an effectively climate controlled environment, they block 99 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This creates an overall healthier environment and prevents furnishings from fading.

Another key advantage they provide is noise reduction. In a world that is getting increasingly

louder, the insulation acts as a noise-cancelling barrier allowing for soothe and calm interiors.

There are several obvious reasons and advantages of why impact windows should be everyone’s solution. There’s also one reason that isn’t as obvious, but perhaps the strongest incentive. It’s for their quality. Impact windows are manufactured to resist storms, and by default, the test of time. Built stronger, they last longer and provide many more years of optimal performance.

At Ready Window all impact windows are approved by Miami-Dade, Florida Building and the International Building Code. With 25 years of experience in South Florida, they know just how serious a storm can be, and how to prevent all unnecessary damage. Don’t take a risk and visit www. readywindow.com today.

Serving S. Florida for 30 years, from residential to high rise, from home owner customers to high end construction companies. For more information contact Ready Window at 305-269-3999.

“Take a hands-on approach to window shopping. Come visit us and get a better feel for the product your buying and our company. Our doors are always open to you.”

-Ricardo Suarez, President of Ready Window

business spotlight | Spring 2017 89

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2017 04 - EI editorial FINAL - A Friday, April 7, 2017 2:19:53 PM

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BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE & POWER

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Auto All-new Alfa Romeo Giulia Wins

“2017 Driver’s Choice Award for Best New Luxury Car”

T

content provided by media.chrysler.com

he all-new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia won the “Driver’s Choice” award for “Best New Luxury Car” as it secured 55 percent of the category’s votes, in a field of 10 new cars and SUVs, thanks to nearly 1,000 user-submitted ballots on The Car Connection, a car review and research website.

“Our readers have voted and with the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s win for ‘Best New Luxury Car,’ it’s clear that readers, drivers and shoppers are keen to get behind the wheel,” said Marty Padgett, editorial director of Internet Brands Automotive, parent company of The Car Connection, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports.

As the first of a new generation of vehicles built on an all-new platform, the 2017 Giulia embodies Alfa Romeo’s La meccanica delle emozioni (the mechanics of emotion), delivering race-inspired performance, advanced technologies, seductive Italian style and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium mid-size sedan segment.

Alfa Romeo’s passion for Italian style, craftsmanship and performance carries throughout the entire lineup.

Giulia Quadrifoglio stands as the “halo” model with its 2.9L bi-turbo V-6 engine producing a class-leading 505 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque. The Giulia and Giulia Ti models feature an all-new, all-aluminum, 2.0-liter, direct-injection turbo engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission delivering a class-leading, standard

280 hp and 306 lb.-ft. of torque.

Through innovation, Alfa Romeo created an all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture that integrates lightweight, state-of-the-art materials that enable and deliver a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, segment-leading torsional rigidity and the most direct steering ratio on the market. Giulia and Giulia Ti offer even more all-season capabilities and performance with an available state-ofthe-art Q4 all-wheel-drive system.

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For more information about the2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia contact South Miami Alfa Romeo Fiat, located at 17220 South Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33157 or call (305) 305-3428, or visit them at alfaromeousaofsouthmiami.com

AUTO | Spring 2017 97

The Pros and Cons of

Run-Flat Tires

There Are Trade-Offs to Convenience Content provided by edmunds.com â&#x20AC;˘ by Ronald Montoya

A

flat tire often happens at the most inopportune moment or location. Most people may call roadside assistance, but they’ll likely be waiting about 45 minutes to an hour. If you know how to change the spare, it’s a dirty job and chances are you’re not properly dressed for it. Worse yet, your car may have no spare and you don’t know how to use the tire repair kit.

Enter the run-flat tire. Run-flat or zero-pressure tires can support the weight of a vehicle for a short time, providing the driver with roughly 100 miles of range to find a repair shop. While it may sound like the perfect solution, car owners and car shoppers should know about the trade-offs.

Run-flat tires are standard on 12 percent of new vehicles, according to Edmunds data. Traditionally, carmakers have used run-flat tires on sports cars, but in recent years they have started to use them for other cars, too. Cadillac and BMW, for example, have made run-flat tires standard on a number of their sedans.

Self-Supporting Tire The most common type of run-flat tire in use today is the self-supporting tire. The tire’s sidewalls are heavily reinforced to support the vehicle when the air pressure is low or even when the tire has lost all its pressure.

Pros: • You can drive on a flat tire: The primary benefit of a run-flat tire is that it allows you to keep driving about 100 miles after all the air has gone. This means that a person doesn’t have to get out of the car in the cold, or the rain, or onto a busy highway or on the street in a sketchy part of town. Drivers will usually have to reduce speed to about 50 mph to get the maximum range. The owner’s manual will have exact figures for

each tire/vehicle application.

• Better stability after a blowout: Because this tire can support the vehicle without air, a sudden deflation results in less weight transfer and tread destabilization. Steering and handling will remain near normal.

• Lower vehicle weight: With the spare and tire repair tools eliminated, vehicle weight should theoretically go down. But it’s not as much as you might expect, since run-flat tires weigh more than regular tires, due to the added sidewall reinforcement.

Cons: • No spare: Vehicles equipped with run-flat tires carry no spare, which means they don’t have the jack or tools either. In fact, eliminating the spare and reallocating that space to some other purpose (styling, third-row seat, interior room, etc.) is a big reason why carmakers offer run-flats.

• Reduced tread wear: A recent study by J.D. Power found that people were replacing their run-flat tires an average of 6,000 miles sooner than owners using standard tires. Opinions differ on why this is, but one theory is that tiremakers put a soft tread compound on a run-flat tire to counter the hard ride. A side effect of the softer compound is a shorter tread life.

• Blowouts are still possible: If a driver fails to heed or notice the run-flat warning and drives beyond the zero-pressure range or above the speed limitation, the tire can begin to disintegrate, with the same destabilizing effects. Additionally, if the puncture occurred on the sidewall or if the tire hits a large object, the driver would have to call a tow truck. The J.D. Power study found that “customers with vehicles equipped with run-flat tires are nearly twice as likely as those with vehicles equipped with standard tires to have to replace a tire due to a flat or blowout.”

• Hard to tell if it is low on air: A side effect of the

AUTO | Spring 2017 99

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stiffer construction is that the sidewalls do not bulge if the air pressure is low. This means that it is critical to have a tire-pressure monitoring system and check your tire pressure frequently.

• Harsher ride: The stiff sidewalls that make a run-flat work also result in a harder ride. If the vehicle came with run-flat tires from the factory, the automaker usually tunes the suspension to offset the harsher ride.

• Cost: Run-flat tires are more expensive to replace. A 205/55R16 run-flat tire at a local shop in Santa Monica, California, costs $239. The standard tire equivalent costs about $174, a $65 difference per tire. Also, many run-flat tires cannot be repaired and often need to be replaced in pairs.

• Less on-shelf availability: Because run-flats aren’t a big-selling tire, drivers shouldn’t expect to roll into just any tire store and buy one. It may be easier to do so in larger cities, but if you’re a run-flat user on a road trip and get a flat near a small town, you’ll probably have to make a detour to find a suitable tire dealer. Or worse, you may have to stay there overnight, waiting for the tire to be shipped.

Self-Sealing Tire The self-sealing tire isn’t a run-flat tire in the sense that it can operate without air. Instead, it has a layer of sealant inside the tire that can maintain the air pressure in the event of a puncture.

If you get a nail in the tire and remove it, the sealant will fill the puncture, as long as it is not larger than 5mm and is near the center of the tread.

The biggest advantage of the self-sealing tire is that it resembles a traditional tire. It can be mixed and matched with standard tires and the tread life is the same. The downsides are the higher cost and lower availability.

Home and auto Insurance specIalIst sInce 1969 This type of tire isn’t standard on new We Shop For You... vehicles, but is worth mentioning since it is available as a replacement tire. Continental and Pirelli are two tiremakers that produce self-sealing tires.

Make an Informed Purchase Run-flat tires seem to have more downsides than upsides, but many people swear by them. Take the time to read customer reviews and know what tires come standard on a car before making your decision.

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AUTO | Spring 2017 101

How To Create Your Own

Roadside Emergency Kit Essential Items To Carry in Your Car

I

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t’s late at night and you’re driving on a dark, lonely country road. Suddenly, the steering wheel tugs in your hands and the car is hard to control. You ease the car to the side of the road and stop. Getting out, you see that the left rear tire is going flat and you don’t have a spare.

If you have roadside assistance and a cell phone

signal, you can call for help. If not, you’re either faced with having to hail a passing motorist or spending a night in the boonies. That is, unless you have a wellstocked emergency roadside kit in the trunk of your car. Then you can set out flares to alert other drivers while you inflate the tire with a can of sealant to get you to safety. If these steps fail, at least you’ll have

food, water and a blanket to keep you comfortable until help arrives.

When it comes to commuting or traveling long distances, a roadside emergency kit can mean the difference between getting back on the road and being stranded for hours. It’s the one item every vehicle should have. And yet, most of us don’t carry the basic items to help us get back on the road quickly and safely.

When assembling your emergency kit, keep in mind that it should be tailored to the age and condition of your vehicle, your driving patterns and the weather. If you live in an area with no snow or freezing rain, you can skip some of these items. Also, if something on this list is inexpensive and small, you might as well carry it.

You never know what kind of situations you might have to deal with.

A basic roadside emergency kit should include some of the following items: • Jumper cables. Or you can carry a small, portable, lithium-ion battery with jumper cables. Usually, these batteries will also recharge computers and cell phones. Prices for these batteries range from $60-$120. If you go the battery route, though, make sure to keep it charged.

• Flares or triangle reflectors. LED flares are also an option worth considering.

• A quart or more of motor oil • A gallon of coolant • First-aid kit • Blanket or space blanket • Flashlight and extra batteries • Tool kit with screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, pocket knife • A can of tire inflator and sealant such as Fix-a-Flat • Tire pressure gauge • Paper towels • Spray bottle with washer fluid • Ice scraper (if you live in an area with snow) • Pen and paper • Granola or energy bars • Bottled water

Once you have assembled your roadside emergency kit, find a good way to keep these items together in your trunk so they don’t roll around. Even a simple cardboard box works well. A backpack is another option. But make sure the kit is quickly accessible because you might need it in a hurry.

You also can buy pre-assembled emergency roadside kits that come in handy storage bags to keep the items organized. A quick Internet or Amazon search will locate dozens of such kits ranging in price and size. This DIY kit requires more work, but covers more than just the basic items we’ve listed here.

Before you actually use your kit in an emergency situation, take some time to familiarize yourself with the items you’ve collected and how to use them properly. Also remember that the most important thing is to exercise good judgment. If your car breaks down, make sure you stop on the shoulder, well out of the flow of traffic. Turn on your emergency flashers and, if you have roadside assistance and a cell phone, stay in your vehicle until help arrives. If it’s a problem that needs quick response, or you are on that lonely country road, take out your emergency kit and proceed cautiously.

AAA lists “car with a flat tire” as one of the most common calls its roadside service team gets. To be ready in the event of such a problem, familiarize yourself with how to change a tire. In some modern cars, there is no spare tire so you need to use a tire inflator. AAA also points out that its most common calls are related to drivers skipping basic maintenance on their cars, so be sure your vehicle is properly maintained, particularly before going on a trip and at the change of seasons.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one tool for all roadside emergencies. But with a little planning and some organization, you’ll have a kit that could save the day.

AUTO | Spring 2017 103

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2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Pulls the Wheels

D

odge rocked the high-performance car world in 2014 with the 707-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat and Challenger SRT Hellcat, building supercar performance at affordable prices.

They were the most powerful muscle cars ever – until now.

Today, Dodge is shaking the foundation of the entire performance car industry, launching New York International Auto Show week with its wickedly fast new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon – highly capable on the street, absolutely dominating at the drag strip.

Powered by a 840-horsepower, supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Demon V-8, the limited-production Challenger SRT Demon is the world’s most powerful factory-production V-8 – bar none. NHRA-certified 9.65 seconds @ 140 mph makes the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon the fastest ¼-mile car in the world.

Performance numbers: 0-30 mph: 1.0 second 0-60 mph: 2.3 seconds Quarter-mile: 9.65 seconds at 140 mph The Challenger SRT Demon also is the world’s first production car to lift the front wheels at launch and set the world record for longest wheelie from a standing start by a production car at 2.92 feet, certified by Guinness World Records. And hold onto your seat. The Challenger SRT Demon also registers the highest g-force (1.8 g) ever recorded at launch in a production car.

“With Demon, our goal was to build a car that would tattoo the Dodge logo into the subconscious of the general

market, beyond even our loyal enthusiasts, said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “To do so, we had to set records that have never been set before, do more than has ever been done before, go beyond even the legendary Hellcat. The result: an 840-horsepower, 9-second muscle car unlike anything that has ever come before it.”

The Challenger SRT Demon’s record-setting performance is the result of collaboration among the Dodge// SRT, Design, Engineering, Powertrain and Manufacturing teams inside FCA US LLC, many of whom are experienced and active drag racers. While the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon remains a potent street car, every component was scrutinized and optimized for weight, capability and durability on the strip.

Production of the limited-edition single model year Challenger SRT Demon begins later this summer, with 3,000 vehicles for the United States and 300 vehicles for Canada. Deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealers will begin this fall.

Dodge has named Hagerty as its official insurance provider of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon – Hagerty is a company for people who love cars and they already protect many of the rarest high performance cars in the world.

For more information about the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon contact Dadeland Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, located at 16501 South Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33157 or call (305) 278-9994, or visit them at www.dadelanddodgechryslerjeep.net

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