CBS4 Newspaper

Confessions newspaper January 2013

OF A

SERIAL

KILLER A One-Time Cop Turned Serial Killer

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January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Reporting Gary Nelson

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I met Manny Pardo 22 years ago on death row at the Florida State Prison in Starke.

“How many people did you kill?” I asked Pardo, a one-time cop-turned serial killer.

“I was convicted of killing nine people,” he said. The qualifier was obvious.

It has long been thought that Pardo, who did his murderous deeds in the height of Miami’s “Cocaine Cowboys” era, committed murders for which he was not charged.

We had our cold-blooded chat, the serial killer and I, in a small room, surrounded by guards.

“How many times, give or take, did you shoot each of your victims?” I asked.

“Well, as many as I felt that was necessary,” Pardo said. “I felt good doing it so, if I ran out of bullets, I put another clip in my gun.”

Pardo had been an Eagle Scout. He’d earned a master’s degree. He became a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and later a Sweetwater police officer.

He would lose his license to be a cop after testifying falsely for a pal charged in a drug-running case.

His work found him surrounded by the cash, bling, fast cars and fast women that came with the host of coke and pot dealers that crowded South Florida. He wanted some of it. He went after it homicidally, killing nine people that we know of, six men and three women in a three month spree.

“It was my New Year’s resolution for 1986,” Pardo told me.

“What did you resolve to yourself, what went through your mind?” I asked.

“That I would systematically eliminate as many as I could before they finally caught me or killed me,” he said, a conviction in his voice.

Pardo said he believed he was relieving the community of the “scum of the earth.” He was a vigilante, on a crusade to clean up the town.

“Did you enjoy it?” I asked.

“Yeah, hell yeah, I enjoyed it,” Pardo said, his feet bouncing up and down on the prison floor, shackles jangling. “Are you kidding me? Of course, I felt good. I felt great. I felt I was doing a service to mankind. They had no right to be alive.”

At trial, Pardo’s attorney played an insanity defense amid the killer’s claim that he had the “right” to do what he was doing.

Defense attorney Ron Guralnick told me, “He doesn’t have the right. That’s the whole point. He thinks he has the right, and therein lies his insanity.”

There was a certain, well, crazy air to Pardo the day we spoke. His assertions were passionate, his appearance odd. At trial, Pardo had a full head of thick dark hair. On death row, he sported a pate shaved clean. He had a nervous disorder that caused him to pluck his eyebrows and eyelashes with his fingers. There was not a hair anywhere on his head.

Our conversation returned to the killings.

“How would you feel after?”

“Fantastic,” he said. “I would go home and go to sleep. Inside I felt great.

I was proud of myself.”

“How would you sleep?” I inquired.

“Like a baby,” Pardo said.

Among the claims at trial was that Pardo killed some who were innocent, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sara Musa, a beautiful young woman, happened to be with one of Pardo’s darker victims when the ex-cop struck. She was killed execution style. There was nothing to tie her to any illicit activity. The suggestion was she died so no witnesses would be left behind.

“She wasn’t a drug dealer, she was not,” Musa’s brother Gino said. “She had no criminal record.”

Pardo maintained denial when we spoke.

“I could never kill an innocent person, that I couldn’t live with. But one of these people,” Pardo said, referring to the so-called “scum” he was eradicating, “I cold put twenty bullets in them and go to sleep like a baby.”

Prosecutor David Waxman, who convinced a jury to find Pardo guilty on all counts, told me the killer’s denials in our death row interview added to his list of transgressions.

“I told the jury he’s a thief, he’s a robber, he’s a murderer,” Waxman told me. “And now he’s a liar.”

The state wanted the death penalty and Pardo, at the sentencing portion of the jury’s deliberations, seconded the motion.

“I’m a soldier, I accomplished my mission,” Pardo told the jury. “Give me the glory to at least end my days in a proper fashion, not be condemned to a state institution. That’s why I am ready for the death sentence.”

The jury granted Pardo’s plea.

Barring an eleventh hour intervention by the courts, an executioner will slip a hypodermic needle into Pardo’s arm Tuesday evening at six o’clock, and the serial killer cop will go to sleep like a baby…forever.

“How would you feel after?”

“Fantastic, I would go home and go to sleep. Inside I felt great. I was proud of myself.”

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January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Beware Of

Online Hoaxes Reporting Al Sunshine

It looked like a good way for Ray and Terry Crapello to make a little extra cash and they could apply online without even leaving their Cutler Bay home.

Ray Crapello remembered the offer: “Shoppers make extra cash for the holidays, be a mystery shopper. Visit stores, get paid for your shopping.”

He said his wife Terry liked the idea.

“She was just looking for a little extra holiday money the website she went to was promising. Make $2,500 a weekend; the whole 9 yards, just fill out this simple form,” said Ray Crapello.

After a few days, a package arrived at their home.

Inside, the couple found a $2,800 check from a bank they never heard of.

The two were instructed to cash the check and spend $200 shopping at local stores. Then they were to send the remaining $2,600 to the next mystery shopper.

Ray Crapello felt that something was wrong with the idea though.

“The sender was from Georgia, the bank in Alaska, [and] the recipient is in the Phillipines. I would think it’s almost untraceable. It’s a fraud, it’s a hoax,” said RayCrapello.

He now believes his family almost got caught up in the latest mystery shopping scam sweeping the net.

It could have cost him $2,800 when his bank debited the money from his account after the bogus check bounced.

Federal investigators said that we are now in the height of the financial fraud season.

“People are doing more purchasing now, so they’re more likely to become a victim of fraud just because they are allowing themselves to be at that exposure level, “ Secret Service Special Agent James Porter told CBS4’s Al Sunshine.

Financial fraud specialists said that the latest cyber-crimes and plain old fashioned counterfeiting is booming all over South Florida.

Counterfeit cash has more than doubled over the past few weeks.

The Secret Service said it is now finding out

about $100,000 worth of counterfeit cash a week around South Florida making it one of the top spots in the country for ‘funny money’.

“The counterfeiters obviously take advantage of the increasing shopping activity. They tend to use the holiday season and it does double the normal activity during the holiday season,” said Secret Service agent Abe Criz.

While shopping, you may notice that many stores around South Florida won’t take larger bills.

“There is an impact to the economy, there’s a chilling effect. You can see by a lot of retailers simply not accepting $100 bills, $50 bills,” said Cruz.

Terry Crapello said she’s lucky that she didn’t fall for the latest scam that is making it’s way around the net.

“The check is still sitting there, it looks bogus to me,” said Crapello.

If you do any shopping online, make sure to use a fully secured web connection to avoid identity thieves.

Many local Wi-Fi hotspots are wide open to anybody, and your credit card information can be intercepted and used without your permission.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

New Watchdog Group To Help Stop

Harassing

Debt Collectors Reporting Brian Andrews

Aggressive, harassing and abusive bill collectors are a top consumer complaint in the United States. If you’re one of the 30 million Americans being pursued by a collection agency, sometimes fighting back can be frustrating but help is on the way.

Bill collectors sometimes call Kevin Lynn’s house up to 20 times a day and the debt they are calling about isn’t even his.

“I always told them I don’t owe the debt, they had the wrong person, that I don’t know who the person is,” explained Kevin.

He said the debt belongs to the person who apparently lived in his house previous.

Kevin filed three lawsuits to get the ringing to stop and he’s not alone.

The Federal Trade Commission says it received more than 15,000 complaints about debt collectors last year, that’s more than any other industry.

“Some of our number one sources of complaints for consumers are for harassment and abuse calling too often, using profanity, making violent or abusive threats,” explained Attorney Chris Koegel from the FTC. To crack down, a new federal agency, The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, is going to start policing some of the largest collection agencies in the country.

How bad can some company’s tactics get?

Attorneys representing consumers say bill collectors have left people threatening messages such as, “I’m going ahead with a warrant for your arrest”, and “You will be behind bars for six months and once you go behind the bars you may lose your job.”

In an FTC lawsuit filed against one bill collector, a grieving mother said she was asked how she would feel if the funeral home dug up her son’s body and “dropped it outside my house because I hadn’t paid my debt.”

“Every industry is going to have bad apples,” said Pat Morris

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In an FTC lawsuit filed against one bill collector, a grieving mother said she was asked how she would feel if the funeral home dug up her son’s body and “dropped it outside my house because I hadn’t paid my debt.”

from the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals.

The debt collection trade association says it wants those using abusive tactics weeded out so others can do the job right.

“Don’t shoot the messenger,” said Morris. “We’re here doing our job.

We’re here respecting laws and regulations and we treat consumers with respect.”

The CFPB will have new authority to make sure large collection firms are not harassing or deceiving consumers into paying debt and are using accurate data to pursue debts.

Kevin said that’s good news because he’s still getting collection calls and feels helpless to do anything about the harassment.

“Americans definitely need a new watch dog to help them,” said Kevin.

The CFBP’S new authority starts January 2, 2013.

The FTC and CFPB will work together and share information and complaints it gets from consumers.

“Don’t shoot the messenger, we’re here doing our job. We’re here respecting laws and regulations and we treat consumers with respect.”

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Griselda Blanco:

Escaping The

Electric Chair Reporting David Sutta

She was one of the most ruthless drug traffickers in South Florida history, killing anyone who got in her way.

Over the past few months CBS4 has been tracking the life of Griselda Blanco, also known as the Godmother of Cocaine. In late September, CBS4 reporter David Sutta reported on how authorities finally caught her after more than a decade on the run and how she managed to escape the electric chair.

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The Miami Lakes Shooting It was an infamous time in Miami’s history where murders happened all across the landscape.

“The park was pretty crowded with kids. We were a UPS softball team going to play against another department.” Patricia Siceloff recalled.

It was August, 1982 and Siceloff was 26. She was wrapping up a practice with colleagues in Miami Lakes when shots rang out.

“It literally looked like he was emptying some type of semi-automatic gun into the person,” said Siceloff.

She remembered that the man acted very matter-of-factly.

“Yes, standing over him and no concern for anyone else or anybody coming and shooting him either,” she said.

Once he was done shooting, Siceloff said the gunman walked to a car and left.

“This was a nice middle class community and things like this never ever occurred. Not in this community anyway,” Siceloff said.

At the time Miami Dolphins Head coach Don Shula lived just blocks away from the park.

It was clear it didn’t matter where you lived in South Florida. The Cocaine Cowboys touched every part of the community. Bodies appeared neatly packed in boxes in Doral where the Dolphin Mall now stands.

Bombs went off on South Dade doorsteps. Investigators sifting through the rubble found $40,000 dollars just sitting there. There was a shootout at the Dadeland Mall. Officers found two men dead inside with a cache of machine guns and bullets.

“At some times it seemed like a Hollywood production; the ruthless-

ness and the violence and the not caring,” said West Miami Police Chief Nelson Andreu.

Andreu was a rookie cop in Miami at the time and was promoted quickly to homicide detective. In 18 months his department saw 111 murders, all of them drug related. Miami had nearly 30 homicide investigators but only a handful spoke Spanish. Yet almost all their suspects and victims from Colombia and Cuba spoke only Spanish.

Andreu shot to the top with his bilingual abilities. At the time he recalls hearing the name Griselda Blanco but no one had connected the woman who resembled a grandmother to the chaos happening on the streets of South Florida.

“An overwhelming majority of cocaine that came into this country had Griselda’s name on it,” Andreu said.

For roughly a decade the case files against Blanco have sat buried in the Orlando State Attorney office storage room. The seven boxes are full of the most horrendous crimes you can imagine. The boxes contain photos, depositions, reports collected during the Cocaine Cowboy years.

Some of the material is featured in the Cocaine Cowboy documentaries produced by Rakontur. The evidence is actually slated to be destroyed any day now. It is by sheer chance the Orlando State Attorney’s office has kept the files. Recently CBS4 spent days cataloging the material that ties Blanco to more than a dozen murders. In the end prosecutors went after her for just three.

The Case Of Johnny Castro The first case occurred in February of 1982.

It was a Sunday afternoon when two-year-old Johnny Castro was riding with his dad to McDonald’s. As they drove down Southwest 168th street in South Dade a van pulled up next to their car and some inside fired on them.

Johnny was hit immediately. With his two-year-old hanging by the floor board Johnny’s dad, Jesus Castro, was now faced a machine gun with a silencer out his window. He decided to kick back his seat and floor it. He opened the door and peaked below at the roadway to guide him.

When he reached U.S.1, he hung a right to lose the shooter. He then pulled over and checked on his son. He was dead.

Castro told the story to Andreu from a prison cell years later.

“He took the child home, cleaned him up. Put him in a bathtub full of ice and sat down on the bathroom floor holding the child’s hand all night until he decided what to do in the morning.” Andreu recalled.

Castro eventually left the boy at a Miami mosque for

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get even than to kill his son.’ That’s the kind of ruthlessness and kind of demeanor that Griselda had,” Andreu said.

Parents Tied Up And Murdered

police to find.

“He was wrapped in a blanket, had a couple of roses and his passport in his hands on top of chest.” Andreu said.

Sad and shocking photos of where the boy was found sit in one of the boxes in Orlando.

The unsolved case would haunt rookie detective Andreu for over a decade. It was one of his first child death investigations. It didn’t help that the child resembled his own. It wasn’t until Blanco’s main hitman, Jorge Ayala, made a deal with prosecutors and confessed that the pieces were connected.

So why did Blanco want Castro killed? Because he declined to help one of her sons.

“Jesus turned him away. He said ‘I’ve separated. I’ve cut ties with you and your mom and you are not welcome here.’ Well that was offensive to Griselda,” explained Andreu.

Ayala and his team of henchmen were looking for Castro for days when they happened upon him driving in South Dade. They learned they had killed the boy from television news reports.

“When they went back to Griselda and said we missed Jesus but we killed his son by mistake, she was ecstatic. She says ‘Good. That’s what he had that coming. He turned away my son what better way to

Blanco and the actual triggerman, Miguelitto Perez, were charged with first degree murder for Johnny Castro’s death.

Prosecutors didn’t stop there though. The two were charged with a second case in which parents murdered just feet away from their three young children.

“They were in different rooms tied up. I think they were face down if I’m not mistaken. They were shot multiple times. There were casings scattered throughout the house,” said Andreu.

The photos in the boxes show Alfredo Lorenzo tied up with phone cords and belt. He was killed in his children’s bedroom.

His wife, Grisel, was tied up as well in an office before she was shot nine times.

During these horrific murders the couple’s three children sat in a room nearby. Perez kept a watchful eye over them. The Lorenzo’s murders shocked the community at the time. They too went unsolved as well until Ayala set the record straight.

“Alfredo Lorenzo owed Griselda some money for some drugs she had given him. The drugs were either stolen or the money was stolen. He couldn’t pay for it. He asked her for more drugs and she gave him more drugs to try and sell and make up the whole thing. Still couldn’t come up with the money. She gave him a couple of ultimatums. And this was the final one. The instructions to Ayala were go there, get my money. If you can’t get my money than you kill him. And you kill everybody,” Andreu explained.

And that was the plan.

With their parents dead, Perez had his gun trained on the children.

Ayala told detectives he acted quickly to save their lives.

“Ayala told us that he had to pull a gun on Miguelitto and says we are not killing any of the kids and took him out at gunpoint. Otherwise there would have been five bodies in that house.” Andreu said.

Today those children are in their 30’s.

How It Fell Apart Prosecutor Catherine Vogel notes are thorough. The case appeared to be a slam dunk but one box in the bunch shows how it all fell apart.

“The star witness against Griselda was going to Jorge Ayala. There was no DNA. There were no fingerprints. There was very little physical ballistics. I don’t know if we had any evidence we could even match at the time,” said Andreu explained “So the case rested on Jorge Ayala’s credibility and reliability. When the incident happened with him and

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699 the secretary, Sherry Rossback, that was it. His creditability was shot.”

Ayala was caught exchanging gifts and having phone sex with secretaries at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. As Blanco’s defense attorneys began to shoot holes in the case, the case began to slip away.

“It went from being a good case, again hinging on Jorge Ayala creditability, to nothing,” Andreu said.

Governor Lawton Chiles issued an executive order to have Vogel removed from the case and the prosecution was handed off to the Orlando State Attorney’s office. Prosecutor Jeff Ashton, the same person who lost the high profile case against Casey Anthony, cut a deal with Blanco and Perez.

With time served she would be out in just seven years.

“It was just a lose, lose situation for us all,” said Andreu.

Blanco was deported in 2004 back to Colombia.

“That same day Jorge Ayala gets stabbed eight times in the Dade County Jail,” Andreu said.

Asked about it later Ayala claimed the stabbing was over food.

“He knew what it was about. It was pay back. I’m leaving now. They tried to kill him in jail,” Andreu said.

The Cocaine Cowboys Today Blanco surprisingly lived another 8 years until this past Labor Day when an assassin on a motorcycle killed her.

“People say who killed her? Take your pick. Here’s a stack,” said Andreu.

Blanco ‘s co-defendant Perez remains a free man. Already serving time for using a bayonet to murder a man at Miami International Airport, a judge ordered Perez’s sentence for the Lorenzo case would run concurrent with that one.

After 25 years in prison he was released in 2008. CBS4 spoke with his family recently and they said he’s still here roaming in South Florida.

Andreu said he’s ran into Perez on the street once. It was a quick encounter. Andreu asked Perez to stop by his office sometime. The chief still has a lot of unsolved cases and questions which Perez likely knows the answers to.

When we asked if Perez should have gotten out after 25 years in jail Andreu had this to say, “I don’t think Miguelito should be out on the street.

Could he have changed? Could anybody have changed? I’m not a firm believer in rehabilitation. Especially people of that character and that nasty of people would be the best way to describe it. I hope so. I think we will see Miguelito behind bars again someday.”

As part of Blanco’s plea deal she couldn’t be charged with murders that happened before 1985. It was her get out of jail card, literally. Detectives estimate she was responsible for 75 to 150 murders over her lifetime.

Despite taking the fall for something that wasn’t her fault prosecutor Catherine Vogel continued her career. She declined to be interviewed for this article but did tell us that given the chance to prosecute the case she believes she would have won. In November 2012 she was elected State Attorney in Key West.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

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January 2013

Study:

Florida Leads Nation In

Leadfoot

 Drivers A new study warns drivers with a lead foot that they might want to stay out of the Sunshine State, claiming data showing drivers here are more likely to get a speeding ticket that anywhere else in the nation.

The claim is made by the online service carinsurancequotes.com which said it has researched data from a number of sources to back up the claim, which it also uses to help sell car insurance.

In data checked for 2011, the Florida Highway Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said police 17,995 speeding tickets statewide, data used by the carinsurancequotes.com study.

The state also reported another 6,132 citations were handed out to drivers who were zipping along at speeds too fast for conditions.

Not surprisingly in a state handing out so many tickets, Florida is also known as a haven for speed traps ranking 10th on a list of states which lie in wait for speeders. Florida is home to Waldo in Alachua County, which is legendary among annals of speed traps.

Carinsurancequotes.com said it scavenged public records and private data sources to compile its lists, including the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Governors Highway Safety Association, the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Information About You May Be Stored In

Secret

Databases Reporting Jim DeFede

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It’s possible information about you, where you’re going and places you stop, is being recorded and saved in secret national databases. Investigators say it’s a valuable tool for finding criminals and even people who don’t pay their parking tickets or car payments. Privacy advocates warn to proceed with caution.

By simply passing vehicles on a highway, a city street or

parking lot, car mounted cameras can record up to 3,500 license plates a minute. A computer then saves and tags the plate picture with the date, time and location it was taken.

Until Mike Katz-Lacabe requested pictures from his local police department, he had no idea officers had stored 100 ‘plate photos’ of his family’s cars around town over a two-year period.

“Most people don’t know that this is happening,” said Katz-Lacabe.

He was surprised to see himself in a photo and another with his children in his driveway.

“It was shocking. It’s very powerful information,” he said.

Who’s out there scanning license plates?

Private companies, car repossession agents and according to a report, more than 37 percent of large law enforcement agencies across the country. Where does the information go? Some police departments keep their own plate databases. Some law enforcement agencies and repo firms send it to private companies, like MV TRAC. MV TRAC is a leading license plate photo database. It is legal to shoot and store video shot in public.

“It’s perfectly legal. It’s not infringing on anyone’s rights,” said MV TRAC’s Scott Jackson.

Critics are now asking how long are photos being kept, how are they being used and who has access to them across the country?

“There are no rules that govern it. There’s no overall governing structure. There’s no law that would impact how the different municipalities and states would implement this, and therefore the potential for misuse or unintended use is extraordinarily high,” said attorney Mary Ellen Callahan, former Chief Privacy Officer Dept. of Homeland Security.

An International Association of Police Chiefs survey shows some agencies keep the plate information indefinitely, while others delete it after a few months.

The association says it’s critical to crime fighting and police keep the info secure.

“We don’t know of a single instance where automated license plate recognition data has been misused or abused,” said David Roberts, International Association of Police Chiefs.

MV TRAC says it keeps its plate data indefinitely and only police and car repo companies who have passed in-depth background check can access its database. Its system ‘alerts’ a user when a ‘hot listed’ or ‘wanted’ plate is discovered.

“There’s no real concern for privacy unless you’ve done something wrong. if you’ve done something wrong, you’re a murderer, if you are a child abductor, if you’ve committed a crime or if you haven’t made your car payments in a long time, then that’s a permissible purpose as well,” explained MV TRAC’s Scott Jackson.

Mike Katz-Lacabe said even though he’s no criminal, he’s still not comfortable having his daily drives caught on camera and stored.

“That sort of thing frightens me.”

MV TRAC says it does not sell the plate data to members of the public or marketing firms.

Don’t forget, whenever you go through a toll plaza your license plate is also photographed and stored and available to police.

“There are no rules that govern it. There’s no overall governing structure. There’s no law that would impact how the different municipalities and states would implement this, and therefore the potential for misuse or unintended use is extraordinarily high,”

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January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Controversial ‘Advergames’ Ignite Childhood Obesity Debate Reporting Al Sunshine

It used to be Saturday morning cartoons touting sugary cereals and candy that parents had to worry about.

Now, in our mobile world there’s a new concern. Advergames are games on mobile phones and tablets usually featuring unhealthy foods.

With nearly one in five children obese in our country, there’s concern and growing controversy over how food is being marketed to our kids.

Aimee Yoon’s children like to play with their food, but not in the way you might think.

Using their touch screen toys, they swirl slushy drinks, jiggle gelatin snacks, and flick lollipops.

“I think as long as the game is engaging to them then they’re kind of hooked and want to keep playing it,” said Yoon.

Yoon’s kids are part of the estimated 1.2 million children playing these new advergames which are branded, interactive games aimed at marketing products like cereals, candy, and fast food.

“These games are accessible anytime and anywhere,” said Dr. Jennifer Harris with Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. She said her new research proves advergames are an effective sales pitch.

“They ate about 50% more snack food immediately afterwards than kids who didn’t play those games.” said Harris.

Combine that statistic with a growing number of obese children and you get a medical community that’s demanding change.

But right now, the Federal Trade Commission does not have any authority over how companies market food to children. It does recommend companies only advertise foods that meet quote “meaningful nutrition standards.”

“The government doesn’t define meaningful nutrition standards. Right now, it’s up to each individual company to decide what that is,” said Elaine Kolish. Kolish heads up the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising initiative which is made up of 16 major food companies who recently pledged to market healthier foods to kids.

Still, some companies claim their Advergames aren’t targeting children, but older teens and adults, setting them free from those guidelines.

“My kids are still at an age where I have enough control over what I’m putting on their plate,” said Yoon.

The Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, which includes companies like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Nestle, has issued a set of new, uniform nutrition policy that places limits on calories, sugar and saturated fat.

Members must adopt these standards by December 31, 2013.

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January 2013

Bargain Hunting MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

May Backfire When Buying New Clothes

Reporting Vanessa Borge

Buying new clothes can make us feel good; add a bargain price

tag and it can become an obsession.

“The average American consumer buys 68 garments and seven pairs of shoes a year,” explained Elizabeth Cline, author of “The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.”

Cline spent years researching the clothing industry and discovered to get the most for their money, Americans need to change the way they think about clothing and that may mean passing on that really cute $30 dress. “You are essentially buying garbage and you’re throwing your money away,” she said.

According to Cline, you’ll save money in the long run if you spend more on fewer pieces that last. It’s a philosophy designer Sara Campbell built her business on.

“There’s just more construction,” Campbell said about her clothes in comparison to cheaper brands. “More construction makes it more durable.”

Learning to spot good construction is at the heart of Cline’s book.

“It’s always good to flip it [garment] inside out to see what it is made out of,” she explained. She explained that linings, hems and other details can tell you a lot about the quality of a piece of clothing.

“This is a dress to aspire to own,” she said describing a dress that was fully lined with a blind hem, beautiful pleats and details. To compare the difference in quality, she also showed a ten dollar dress that had no details and no lining.

“The waist on this dress is an elastic waistband and that’s just a way to cut costs, whereas this dress, they actually made an effort to cut into the pattern so it fits your waist,” Cline explained.

According to Cline, when you pay for quality you are more likely to take care of a garment and the longer you wear something, the better it is for your bottom line.

Campbell agreed. She said you are better off buying a great dress that will last and change up your shoes and accessories to give it a new look.

In the end, you’ll save money and look great.

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The

New Male

WonderÂ

Drug?

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

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A growing number of men say they’re having a better sex life, making more money, getting an energy boost and thinking more clearly. It’s due to a so-called wonder drug that has many men are feeling like a superman. It makes men stronger, full of lust, and more productive at work. A secret weapon nicknamed “Viagra for the Boardroom.”

“The energy, the drive, and just feeling ya know even 10 years

younger,” said Robert Trasatti, who explained his increased energy and focus on the job led to a bigger bonus. With the extra money, he went to Italy and bought a new truck.

Talking about the truck, Robert said, “I love it. My wife calls it my mistress.”

But his wife’s not complaining. After 26 years of marriage their sex life is recharged.

“She’s happy, we’re happy and that makes everybody happy,” said Robert.

Testosterone is what is making everyone so happy.

Robert is among a growing number of men who believe they have found the fountain of youth with testosterone replacement therapy.

“Testosterone is good for more than just your sexual function.

It helps increase energy, memory, mood and drive. It gives you that feeling of self confidence and that ability to really be a strong leader, make decisions and really be a go getter in business,” said Dr. Jennifer Landa, Chief Medical Officer of BodyLogicMD. She’s a nationally recognized expert on hormone replacement.

Testosterone sales reached 1.6 billion dollars last year. They’re expected to triple in the next five years, according to one report.

Dr. Kenneth Varano, with BodyLogicMD, said the male hormone testosterone naturally declines with age, when men are in their 50’s and 60’s. But some research has shown it’s happening earlier, to a larger number of men.

“Typically what we see with testosterone decline is your typical couch potato syndrome. Men don’t want to go out anymore. They show less interest in their wives. They sit more. They’re fatigued more,” said Dr. Varano.

Testosterone can be replaced with injections, a skin cream, pellets placed just under the skin, and now there’s a new underarm product.

“It’s just a very, very small treatment and yet it can have such powerful effects in the body,” said Dr. Varano.

But studies have shown there can be serious side effects, including an increased risk of prostate cancer.

“It depends how it’s used. So most of the risk that we see has to do with abuse of testosterone,” said Dr. Varano.

For Robert, who is now also enjoying his favorite hobby flying, the pellets he gets every couple of months have his testosterone level back to normal. He’s got his edge back, and is flying high.

“It’s certainly helped increase my drive and effort, focus. To feel

more like I felt when I was younger, so that’s been a big part of it,” said Robert.

While there are all sorts of over-the-counter supplements, doctors say testosterone prescriptions are most effective, and patients have to be carefully monitored, with routine blood tests.

Costs range from 30 to 60 dollars a month, and it’s not usually covered by insurance.

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

January 2013 MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Doctors Seeing Increase In

Kids With Kidney Stones

Reporting Cynthia Demos

Kidney stones are not something you’d expect in kids, but more and more of them are ending up in emergency rooms. So what’s causing this drastic increase?

“Real bad stomach pain, throwing up, thought it was the stomach flu,” said Vicki Wiggins.

“It, like, felt like I was getting stabbed in the side, and it hurt really, really bad,” said her son Michael.

Two years ago, the adolescent went to the hospital with excruciating pain on the side of his belly. A CT scan led to an unexpected diagnosis.

“I thought, like, only older people got it. It caught me by surprise,” said Michael.

“We thought it was appendicitis, but it’s not, it’s kidney stones,” said Vicki.

“I didn’t believe it. We really didn’t believe it because even though we have a history in the family it just didn’t seem right. Like, an 11-year-old having kidney stones.”

Turns out, it’s not so unusual anymore.

“Children between the ages of 12 and up, we’re really seeing an alarming increase in the incidence of kidney stones,” said Dr. Michael Moritz, a nephrologist. “About one in a thousand emergency room visits appear to be for kidney stones, and this seems to have doubled in the past 10 years. I think we’re typically seeing a little over one a week.”

Calcium, magnesium and phosphorous are substances normally found in the urine. A kidney stone can form when these become highly concentrated.

That can happen for a number of reasons: blockages in the urinary tract, genetic conditions, infections and diet.

“They’re hearing it more and more with the fast foods and the junk foods, and the kids drinking pop and everything, and no exercising,” said Vicki.

Michael admits that was his problem, “Fast food, frozen stuff, not a really good diet.”

Now, he and his family have drastically changed his approach to eating.

“I make, like, lemonade and salsa myself, like, homemade,” he explained.

“You have to read all the labels, you get fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, frozen vegetables, no more TV dinners,” said Vicki.

It’s easier to stick to that at home. But at school?

“How many 13-year-olds do you know wanna eat chicken salad instead of nachos and cheese? But they did say he was allowed to cheat every once in a while,” said Vicki.

What does Michael miss the most?

“The junk food and the fast food,” he said.

Luckily, he didn’t need a procedure to go in and remove the stones. They were small enough to pass on their own. He hasn’t had any more for two years, but he gets regular urine and blood tests.

“Once you have a kidney stone, you’re at higher risk for developing another kidney stone,” said Dr. Moritz.

In adults, kidney stones are more common in men. In kids, it’s equal, male and female. Dr. Moritz worries the pattern in children hints at a pattern we might soon see in adults.

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January 2013 MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

So-Called

“Viagra Brain” For The

Used To Provide

Reporting Brian Andrews

Extra Energy Boost A narcolepsy drug, dubbed the “Viagra for the brain”, is being used by some people to increase their brain function.

Although the primary function of FDA-approved Provigil and its newer version Nuvigil, is to treat sleeping disorders and improve wakefulness, some people take the pill because they’re simply tired and want more energy.

Dave Asprey, the VP of a billion dollar internet security firm and the CEO of The Bulletproof Executive, said he was given a prescription for the pill nine years ago and it’s changed his life.

“This is the sort of thing that lets you perform at levels you didn’t know you were capable of,” he said. “You have a laser-like focus you didn’t have before.”

“Their primary function is to wake you up, Make you more awake and functional throughout the daytime,” according to sleep specialist Dr. Ron Popper. Dr. Popper said users of the medication need to be careful because it hasn’t been approved by the FDA for brain boosting or fatigue alone.

“Until the studies are done to show the long-term effectiveness and long-term potential side effects, it should be used according to the FDA guidelines,” he said.

Dr. Popper said the drug should only be prescribed for adults with conditions such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift worker sleep disorder.

Asprey said he was prescribed the drug for shift worker sleep disor-

der and it even helped him lose weight.

“When I started this I weighed 300 pounds, more than 10-years ago.

This was huge boost in my mental performance. It was like wow I’m awake!”

He thinks people will benefit from “smart drugs” because he has.

“I’m really convinced that when people take it for a while, they get used to operating at a higher level performance. Even without the drug, they maintain the ability to focus,” Asprey said. “This is the sort of thing that lets you perform at levels that maybe you didn’t know you were capable of.”

Off label use of these drugs, to make you smarter, more focused, and possibly lose weight, has sent sales skyrocketing and nicknames proliferating.

“I’ve heard Viagra for the Brain. Is it? Yeah and Viagra was terribly abused as well,” said Dr. Popper.

Even though the drug doesn’t stimulate the entire central nervous system like “speed” or Ritalin, there are no studies into how the use of this drug affects the brain over time.

Known side effects include headaches, back pain, mouth

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699 sores, anxiety, serious rashes, dizziness, vomiting, irregular heartbeat and thoughts of suicide.

“If we could find a magic pill with no side effects that did only what it was intended to do, I would say great, sign me up and give it to me too. But this is not a magic pill. It has potential side effects, it has potential abuse and addictive potential and we’re seeing that. Too much of anything isn’t good,” said Dr. Popper.

Even Asprey, who downs dozens of vitamins with every meal, insists a good nights sleep, exercise and a good cup of coffee can yield the same productive results.

“This stuff is pretty amazing. That said if I had to give up high quality coffee versus Provigil, I think I’d stick with my high quality coffee. But the combination is one that gives me the perfect edge in order to get things done,” said Asprey.

A lot of people use this drug in secret, including many college and high school students. But the drug is absolutely not for use for any condition in children under 18. It is also extremely dangerous to take along with sleep aides.

Provigil is now available as a generic.

Nuvigil costs around $350 a month and you will need a doctor’s prescription.

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

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January 2013

Silent Retreat Vacation May Provide

More Relaxation

Reporting Lisa Petrillo

A new way of vacationing may be the answer to a lot of problems for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the loud chaos in their life – and all it requires you to do is simply tune out the noise.

Jayne Charneski, a marketing executive, knows what it feels like to always be busy.

“I was working a lot of late nights and weekends and it was just really intense,” Charneski told CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo.

Her hectic schedule required her to always be either on the computer or on the phone, giving her little-to-no down time for herself.

When Charneski noticed how busy she was, she decided to take a break from all of the noise and go on a five-day silent retreat. The retreat required her to go on a trip and take a vow of silence. “I thought it would give me a way to take inventory,” said Charneshi. The silent retreat is starting to become a huge travel trend said Travel + Leisure magazine’s Associate Editor Kathryn O’SheaEvans.

So why has the speechless vacation been so popular and effective?

O’Shea-Evans feels that people’s lives have been so bombarded with endless texts, Facebook, Twitter messages, emails and phone calls that “Sometimes as human beings we just need to unplug and get away.”

The innovative ‘get-away’ can be held at various retreat centers which range from bare-bone accommodations to luxury resorts, with pricing that reflects both.

On the retreat you can participate in various activities like hiking, canoeing, spa treatments and of course, reading.

Some retreat centers allow group interaction while others encourage you to spend time on your own. The amount of silence can also vary; where some retreats may require total silence, others have select periods

of silence.

However, the majority of centers may ask that you leave your technology at the door.

“It’s our belief that by becoming disconnected in the ways we connect through our technology we can become more connected to ourselves,” said Nat Reid, director of Silent Retreat Center.

Reid explained that while staying silent may be difficult for some, it can also be transformative.

“People often talk about a renewed sense of wonder, kind of rediscovering the joy of being out on a beautiful day and maybe just watching the way the light changes in the evening,” said Reid. Gale Quick isn’t one to argue, he’s been going on silent retreats for 30 years.

“Get a little better focus, a little better distance from the pressures and busyness of everyday life,” said Quick.

Charneski agrees, she said the benefits of her one-time retreat speak volumes for itself.

“It was a good chance to be quiet and see what was going on,” said Charneski.

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

d i a p PCerllpehone Plans uals id iv d In

r o F f f O Can Pay

Reporting Al Sunshine

Paying-as-you go can pay off handsomely for some smartphone users. According to one estimate, some consumers could save as much as $1,000 over two years by opting for a prepaid or month-to-month plan, instead of a contract plan.

Aubrey Gates switched to a prepaid plan more than a year ago,

and has already saved hundreds of dollars. “It’s been a great choice,” said Gates, who pays $56 a month for her unlimited plan with Metro PCS. According to the website MyRatePlan.com, the cost is about half what Gates would pay under a contract plan with AT&T or Sprint.

“No-contract plans are sometimes an overlooked option,” according to Jessica Dolcourt of CNET. Dolcourt said the big cell phone companies don’t go out of their way to tell customers about prepaid plans because they’re less profitable. “The national carriers, they’re interested in signing up people for a contract,” she said.

According to Dolcourt, the smaller companies that offer prepaid plans don’t do a lot of advertising. “They don’t have the marketing budget,” she said.

Dolcourt said no-contract plans are best suited to individual users who don’t use tons of data. “But there’s a lot of math involved,” she warned.

Smartphone users must consider coverage and speed.

“Some prepaid carriers are going to be faster than others, so you might find yourself on a carrier that has a much slower data network than you want for a smartphone,” Dolcourt said.

Another drawback to prepaid, you will have to buy your own phone,

and the price could be two to three times more than contract customers pay.

“Sometimes the price will shock people in the U.S. who are used to seeing subsidized prices,” Dolcourt said.

On the positive side: prepaid customers now have more phone choices than ever. Over the summer, several carriers began offering prepaid plans for Apple’s iPhone, and some big Android phones are now available through prepaid phone companies.

Should you switch? Dolcourt advises doing some homework first by comparing plans, something that can be done on websites like MyRatePlan and BillShrink. “There is no one size fits all. You really have to educate yourself,” she said.

“Big cell phone companies don’t go out of their way to tell customers about prepaid plans because they’re less profitable.”

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Brown Bag Lunches

Effective In

Stretching

Paycheck Reporting Al Sunshine

Whether you carry it in a brown bag or in an eco-friendly lunchbox, bringing a sandwich from home can save you a lot of money, according to the Sandwich Survey.

The survey, which aimed to calculate the true cost of making a sandwich versus buying one, found sandwiches made at home are on average about 1/5th of the cost of those made at a supermarket or deli.

The cheapest sandwich, by far, is peanut butter and jelly. Made at home, with name brand ingredients, a single PB&J sandwich cost just 62 cents. A tuna-salad sandwich came to $1.21, and a B.L.T. costs $1.29 to make. A cheese sandwich was $1.36, and an egg salad sandwich set us back just 90 cents.

Name brand ingredients like Skippy peanut butter, Smuckers Jelly, and Oscar Mayer Bacon were bought at a supermarket along with bread and eggs, which happened to be on sale.

The sandwiches were assembled and the cost of each sandwich was calculated.

The Sandwich Survey is similar to one conducted by financial blogger Len Penzo. Penzo said PB&J is almost always the cheapest sandwich to make at home, while the cost of other homemade sandwiches tended to vary from year to year, depending on the cost of ingredients.

Sandwiches purchased ready-made or made-to-order at supermarkets and delis can vary in price from $3.90 for a PB&J to $9.00 for tuna.

Here are the calculations for sandwiches in the survey.

Tuna ($1.21): • 1/2 can Bumblebee Tuna 63 cents • 2 T. Hellman’s Mayonnaise 5 cents • Tomato (2 slices) 18 cents • 2 slices Whole Wheat Bread 35 cents BLT ($1.28): • 4 slices Bacon 60 cents • Lettuce 10 cents • Tomato (2 slices) 18 cents • Mayo 5 cents • 2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread 35 cents Egg Salad ($0.90): • 2 Eggs 50 cents • 2 T. Mayo 5 cents • 2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread 35 cents Cheese Sandwich ($1.36): • 2 slices Kraft cheese 83 cents • Tomato (2 slices) 18 cents • 2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread 35 cents Peanut Butter & Jelly ($0.62): • 2 T. Skippy Peanut Butter .10 • 2 T. Smucker’s Jelly .16 • 2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread .34

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Facebook’s New

Gift Store

Reporting Marybel Rodriguez

There are many ways to shop nowadays. You can go online or you can go to the mall. But have you ever thought of going to Facebook for gifts?

The social network is rolling out a new service called ‘Gifts’.

Facebook users click on the gift icon on a friend’s timeline and a selection of items pops up.

People can make a purchase, notify their friend that the gift is on its way or keep it private so it’s a surprise when the gift arrives.

The service is free for users. Facebook earns a percentage from the businesses.

The gift selection is wide. Choose from iTunes gift cards, cupcakes, cozy pajamas and gourmet coffee just to mention a few of the items.

Not all Facebook users will find the gift store.

A Facebook spokesperson said they are continuing to roll out the feature to more people throughout the coming weeks.

But not everybody will be waiting for it.

“When consumers go to regular websites they’re in the mood for shopping,” said marketing professor Burt Rosenbloom.

“When they go on social networks like Facebook, it does other things, to keep friends informed, share photos, so this creates something of a barrier I would think compared to regular online shopping,” said Professor Rosenbloom.

What happens to the information on what you buy?

Facebook said it is not currently using gift data to target you for certain advertising.

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January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Mistakes With

Pet Prescriptions Can Prove Reporting Cynthia Demos

Deadly

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

We’ve all heard stories of someone being prescribed the wrong medicine, or the wrong dose, with devastating consequences. Now, a warning has been issued for pet owners. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said these deadly mistakes are also being made with pet prescriptions.

Sarah Schuck said she was heartbroken over the death of her

beloved dog, “Rafter.” The 8-year-old lab died because of a prescription drug error.

“It was really hard,” she said.

Schuck said the label on Rafter’s prescription mistakenly said to give him two and a quarter teaspoons of medication, when it should have read 2.25 CCs, which is a much smaller dose.

“It was a tough realization,” she said.

Surprisingly, the deadly mistake was not an isolated case. The FDA has issued a warning about an increase in pet prescription mistakes.

Investigators discovered errors stemming from simple issues, including unclear medical abbreviations on vet prescriptions, drugs with similar names and packaging, and simple penmanship errors — all leading to mistakes where the pet paid.

“The consequences can be completely devastating,” veterinarian Howard Silberman said.

Silberman said he takes extreme prescription precautions at his veterinary practice. He types all medications and dosages into a computer, allows only vets or vet techs to fill prescriptions, and posts pet pictures onto prescription

labels so there are no mix-ups.

“We do a tremendous amount to make sure that those things don’t happen,” Silberman said.

Many pet owners get pet prescriptions filled at human pharmacies, which is also contributing to the confusion.

“Currently, most of the pharmacy curriculums don’t touch upon vet medicine,” said Carmen Catizone of the National Association Boards of Pharmacy.

Experts said, ultimately, it’s up to pet owners to provide that extra layer of protection. The American Veterinary Medical Association said pet owners should make sure the pharmacist speaks directly to their vets about all prescriptions, and should always verify the name and dosage of their pets’ drugs with their vets themselves.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Schuck said.

Pharmacists aren’t alone. FDA investigators also found pet owners share some of the blame by misinterpreting labels and accidentally giving pets human drugs.

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CocoWalk –

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Miami’s MultiCultural MarketPlace CocoWalk, Miami’s MultiCultural MarketPlace in the heart of Coconut Grove, was the place to be this holiday season. Santa Claus visited on three busy weekends, and there were shopping specials, dining delights, and a variety of cool events and hot entertainment.

A must-see Miami tourist stop, CocoWalk is the newest Official CocoWalk Visitor Center, says the Greater Miami Conventions & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB.) Visitors can explore all that Miami and the Grove have to offer by using the digital touchscreen to get loads of information, photos, and videos from Miami’s finest places to shop, dine, and attractions.

The modern kiosk offers more than 100 brochures, pamphlets, and promo material – everything

a local or visitor needs to know about this great city we call home. CocoWalk is a key location for visitors coming from the Beach, downtown, up North, Kendall, and beyond.

First Flight Out, a Pan Am museum on the second floor, opened in January. This one-of-a-kind exhibit features original Pan Am 747 first-class seats to sit and watch a video documentary on the big screen, along with galleys, doors, and more from historic aircraft.

There’s a retail area where you can purchase Pan Am merchandise, and gorgeous clothing and accessories from co-creator Palm Produce Resortwear.

Check out recently opened Makis Place, Yogurtini, Self, and The Habit: Art!, and the newest, Stravaganze, featuring elegant dresses and evening wear from Milano, Italy.

Check out the Paragon Grove 13 Prestige Imports Premier VIP theaters featuring four renovated auditoriums, luxurious leather dine-in seats, and swivel dine-in tray tables.

Enjoy live music every Thursday through Sunday.

Jazz Pizzazz Thursdays features the best in local Jazz.

Watch for special events that feature national brands and local community organizations hosting promotions, sampling, and entertainment.

There’s free parking every day for the first 30 minutes, and $3 parking from 6 to 6, Monday through Friday. Free Parking Monday lets you park free with proof of a $25 purchase or more.

Visit CocoWalk.net to learn more about events,

music, and national and local merchants. Explore a truly multi-cultural experience; Take the Walk - to CocoWalk!

Sponsored by CocoWalk

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Stretching Your

Budget At The

Salad

Bar

Reporting Al Sunshine

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Many people usually go out and grab a salad for lunch in hopes to slim down their waistline.

That same salad, however, could also be slimming down their wallets.

Around lunchtime people hover over the salad bar piling on the vegetables; spinach, chick peas, cucumbers and carrots. But those healthy toppings may be not so healthy on their budgets.

A few leafy greens at a salad bar can cost anywhere between a few dollars and up to ten dollars a pound. With that price you may want to consider making the salad at home.

In fact, some salad bar ingredients can average up to 70% more than that what you’d find on store shelves. Items such as eggs, lettuce, even chicken breast cost far less when purchased individually at a supermarket.

As for lettuce, Iceberg and Romaine cost you less than two dollars a pound at the store, where those at the salad bar could be spending up to five times more in green for their greens.

Spring mix and spinach are about five to six dollars at the store, which is close to the salad bar price, so they are best buys. They are the healthier options as well.

“The darker the colors, we always consider that more nutritious,” said dietician Jo Ann Hattner.

So, what are the other best bargains at the salad bar?

At three to five dollars a pound at the market, mushrooms, snow peas, artichoke and baby tomatoes are also best buys while the cheaper cucumber, carrots and beets are a bum deal.

To top it all off, is the salad dressing. The price is usually determined by brand, but one clear bargain would be olive oil and Balsamic vinegar.

Both are best buys financially and nutritionally.

“Much healthier, much healthier,” said Hattner.

As far as the toppings go, pile them on!

A savvy salad bar shopper can actually save money on many salad bar staples.

Croutons, cheese crumbles and nuts all cost close to or more at the store than at the salad bar.

Bacon bits are also a best buy at the salad bar compared to a whopping $21 a pound at a store but be careful not to go too crazy with that bargain because it may pack on a few calories as well.

“I’m not sure it’s beating the system, because it’s not that good for the body,” Hattner warns.

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January 2013

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

Ringling Brothers Dragon JANUARY 10 - 21, 2013 8 0 0 / 7 4 5 - 3 0 0 0 • w w w. t i c k e t m a s t e r. c o m

For the first time in circus history, myth and majesty will share the arena during this must-see family event that can only be witnessed at The Greatest Show On Earth®! Experience circus spectacles so incredible that once again you will believe in the unbelievable! Dragon tribes from the far reaches of the earth are brought together in a single performance, displaying their breathtaking skills in a circus tournament of champions.

Gablestage At The Biltmore: Hamlet JANUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 10, 2013 3 0 5 / 4 4 5 - 1 1 1 9 • w w w. g a b l e s t a g e. o r g

Pinecrest Gardens Fine Arts Festival JANUARY 19 - 20, 2013 3 0 5 / 6 6 9 - 6 9 9 0 • w w w. p i n e c r e s t g a r d e n s. o r g The festival features a generous representation of the best artists and artisans in this area and beyond. Find the perfect piece of art, original jewelry, a great selection of delicious food, live music, and other activities for the entire family. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

25th Annual Las Olas Art Fair JANUARY 5 - 6, 2013 5 6 1 / 7 4 6 - 6 6 1 5 • w w w. a r t f e s t i v a l . c o m Over the years, this Las Olas Boulevard festival has become such a “must see event” in south Florida.

People come out yearly to see more than 150 artists display their work in what looks like a mini art gallery lined along the street. Meet the creators of the art on display; commission a specific piece; ask questions about techniques; learn the sources of their inspirations; and purchase fine works of art at affordable prices.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The American Premiere of a 90-minute, high energy version of the most powerful and important tragedy in the English language, adapted for London's Royal Shakespeare Company by Miami's own Award-Winning playwright, Tarell Alvin McCraney, who will also direct.

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Justin Bieber JANUARY 26 - 27, 2013 8 0 0 / 7 4 5 - 3 0 0 0 • w w w. l i v e n a t i o n . c o m Justin Bieber performs live at the American Airlines Arena.

International Chocolate Festival JANUARY 25 - 27, 2013 3 0 5 / 6 6 7 - 1 6 5 1 • w w w. f a i r c h i l d g a r d e n . o r g There will be three days of wonderful chocolate treats, tastings, cacao tree sales, the ChocoKids area, cooking demonstrations, our ChocoWalk, lectures and much more. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Ing Miami Marathon And Half Marathon JANUARY 27, 2013 3 0 5 / 2 7 8 - 8 6 6 8 • w w w. i n g m i a m i m a r a t h o n . c o m Join the massive crowds as the internationally acclaimed marathon and half marathon takes to the beautiful streets of Miami, South Beach, Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne, and ends with a great finish festival at Bayfront Park. 6:15 a.m.

The 62nd Annual Beaux Arts Festival at the University of Miami JANUARY 19 - 20, 2013 L o c a t i o n : U M g r o u n d s. C o s t : F r e e.

Over 200 juried exhibitors from around the US and abroad will be featured at the Festival. A signature event on the South Florida cultural circuit, the Beaux Arts Festival of Art offers visitors the opportunity to meet exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine and enjoy live entertainment. Kids too can enjoy the family zone, with special entertainment and a "Children's Art Activity Area" where kids can make arts and crafts for free.

Tamiami International

Orchid Festival JANUARY 27 - 28, 2013 3 0 5 / 2 2 3 - 7 0 6 0 • w w w. m i a m i o r c h i d f e s t i v a l . c o m South Florida's winter orchid extravaganza, featuring more than 40 commercial orchid growers from around the nation and the world. Beautiful displays, plant sales, art and supplies. Sat 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Bodies in

Local Cemetery Targeted by

Thieves Reporting Michele Gillen

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Jessica Williams is the caretaker to one of the oldest African American cemeteries in South Florida, where community pioneers have been laid to rest. But recently, criminal acts have been disturbing the bodies resting at this cemetery which houses 538 burial plots at in Miami. CBS4’s Chief Investigator Michele Gillen spoke with Jessica Williams about recent body thefts.

“And when you came upon finding one of these coffins broken into what did you think?”

Gillen asked Williams.

“I cried. I cried. I cried. Then I cried,” Williams said.

Her tears are mixed with outrage and despair.

“I just want them to stop because it’s not right, it’s just not right. These people are here and they’re resting. They are resting. They don’t need to be bothered with, you know, they really don’t,” Williams said.

Williams is the niece to the ailing matriarch Elyn Johnson who’s family founded this landmark. And now, Williams is speaking out in desperation.

“And so when I came over here I seen this casket open,” Williams said.

“Are you scared?” Gillen asked “Very much so. Very much scared,” Williams replied.

Life at the cemetery has become the stuff of the nightmares.

“The most recent break -in was right here.

They took all the bones,” Williams said. “All of them.”

Break in’s to tombs, the thefts are horrible to describe. Coffins holding the remains of children are being broken into and robbed.

“The whole top was off and you could see the casket. And I freaked. I freaked out, I screamed,” Williams said. “I have pictures on my phone from the casket when it was first open. I don’t think this baby lived more than a month, a month, and they went in the plastic and took the baby’s head… Just the head. That’s what they do with these kids, with these babies, that’s mostly what they do.

They just take the skull.”

Williams said she filed a police report.

In the past year– at least 6 tombs have been broken into and some body part or bone stolen, and in one case an entire body.

“Yes, the whole body was gone. Yeah. The whole body,” Williams said.

Williams has called the police to report the thefts and they have documented the problem. But they have not been able to stop or solve the break ins. So, Williams has turned to the community and

“Are they taking the remains to sell?

Is it a satanic ritual? If they break in here and steal bones and remains, why? What’s the reason? A cult? A satanic ritual?” the media for help.

Gillen brought in security specialist Wayne Black to size up clues — and questions.

“You’ve investigated so many different types of crimes.

cbs4 Newspaper January 2013

Breaking into a coffin and stealing bones is a crime?” Gillen asked.

“It certainly is. And possession of human remains in South Florida depending on the situation may be a crime too,” Black said. “Were they taking them for the jewelry?

Are they taking the remains to sell?

Is it a satanic ritual? If they break in here and steal bones and remains, why? What’s the reason? A cult? A satanic ritual?”

An expert in Afro Cuban religions, author and anthropologist, Mercedes Cos Sandoval says the skull is considered the part of the body with the most power – that those who practice in black magic believe they can use for good or evil.

“It could be voodoo,” Sandoval said. “They control the head of a person they feel they can control the soul.”

Williams said she was shocked when she found one of the coffins had all the bones missing.

“I screamed all the bones were gone. When I saw this picture, I screamed,” Williams said.

“This is a reason to have a meeting with police,” added Wayne Black. Williams said she spends her days chasing off strangers.

“When you see someone you can tell they don’t have family here,” Williams said.

And she takes photographs of possible suspects.

In this one- two women who Williams says have no relatives buried here.

One is seen carrying a plastic bag, while the other is holding “a machete,” Williams said. “And the other lady had a bag. I asked where are you going?

You got a machete in your hand?”

Pressing the woman on why she was at the cemetery, the woman answered Williams.

“She says to me her baby is sick,” Williams said. “I thought normal people go to the hospital. I ran her off.”

At first glance Black sees why the historic cemetery-which has seen better days…is a magnet for trouble- whether driven by money or the occult.

“Well, part of it is the fence is broken down,” Black said. “They’ve stolen your weed eater so you can’t even weed properly. The foliage is growing down over causing natural hiding places.” Tombs mixed within the remains of some very important black families, some buried here in the 1950’s. Sadly, not all the coffins can be traced and so the now missing can’t even be reported to

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their heirs.

“And their families, we don’t know where they’re families is at,” Williams said.

“So this family doesn’t know that their loved one’s body is somewhere in the world we don’t know where?” Gillen asked.

“Exactly. Exactly. I don’t even know how to get in contact with half these people’s families. I wish I did. I really wish I did,” Williams said. Black said that when crimes like these occur, they hurt a community.

“There are multiple victims. The living victims are the family members of those who are buried here,” Black said. In the meantime, Williams waits.

“They’re not stopping and I can’t take it,” she said. “I have to stay on patrol.

Not guard, patrol How can they sleep? I say how can they sleep?”

CBS4 News has requested an update on the body theft investigation from Miami-Dade police and is awaiting a response.

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January 2013 ARLINGTON, Va. (CBSMiami.com)

Midsize Cars

Outperform Luxury Cars In Crash Tests

Reporting Al Sunshine

When it comes to safety and cars, much like with love, money can’t

buy you everything. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a group of moderately priced cars outperformed luxury cars in new frontal crash tests.

The IIHS tested 18 midsize family cars and gave two the top rating of good, the Honda Accord 4-door and the Suzuki Kizashi. Eleven cars earned an acceptable rating, three earned marginal ratings, and two were rated poor.

“It’s remarkable that this group of midsize family cars did so much better than the midsize luxury car group,” says Adrian Lund, IIHS president. “The difference is stunning. Thirteen of these midsize cars offer better crash protection than all but three of their luxury counterparts, and at a price that’s easier on the wallet.”

The biggest surprise came from the top-selling midsize car in the United

States, the Toyota Camry. The Camry and the Prius v both earned poor ratings for small overlap protections and were the worst performers of the midsize group.

The new ratings for the Camry came just one year after a complete redesign.

According to the IIHS, in the overlap protection test, the impact shoved the front wheel into the footwell, bending the windshield pillar and pushing the parking brake pedal and the left outer edge of the instrument panel rearward into the driver’s survival space.

“It’s remarkable that this group of midsize family cars did so much better than the midsize luxury car group,”

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699 MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

More People Buying

Milk, Eggs & Mortgages In The Same Store Reporting Al Sunshine

Now on sale in aisle one, eggs, milk, bread, and a mortgage! With today’s consumers feeling more comfortable shopping for financial products outside of a traditional bank, a growing number of retailers are stepping up their game.

First time homeowner Lilly Neubauer is always looking for ways to save dough.

“At the beginning of this year we were seeing historically low interest rates and we had heard that refinance was a great option,” said Lilly Neubauer So she headed to Costco, where she picked up groceries, home insurance, and a mortgage.

“We were really surprised,” said Neubauer.

Think of it as the next generation of one-stop shopping.

A growing number of retailers, including Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Home Depot are going beyond the basic store credit card, offering deals on financial services too.

“Mortgages, home equity loans, home improvement loans, life insurance,” said Tom Feltner with the Consumer Federation of America.

They even offer home and auto insurance, depending on the store.

Feltner said with nearly 10 million U.S households without bank accounts, and credit from conventional lenders tight, these retail services may offer a sense of comfort.

“Consumers are drawn to the simplicity of a transaction that in previous products, there was much more of a barrier to entry,” said Feltner.

Sam’s Club’s small business loan program is devoted to customers who do not qualify for traditional bank loans.

At Home Depot, personal project loans are offered up to $40,000.

“We have a lot of people that come in and want to do kitchen remodels, need a new roof, need a new bathroom. The project loan allows them the opportunity to finance that project,” said Brandon Hayes with Home Depot.

Walmart is testing out pre-paid, Metlife insurance cards.

No matter which store you chose, remember, shop around. Read all terms and conditions carefully. And don’t forget to compare things like premiums, interest rates, closing costs, and general fees.

It’s important to realize that retailers are partnering with financial institutions and insurance brokers to offer these deals. That means when it comes to things like mortgages and home equity loans, you’ll still be putting your house up as collateral.

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January 2013

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

New Tool To Help Dieters

Stay On Track There’s a new tool to help dieters stay on track, which is espe-

cially helpful now in the midst of the holidays.

Karen Kofalt has lost 50 pounds since having a baby a year ago. She’s gone from a size 14, to a size 10.

“It’s an everyday battle,” said Karen.

Even though she does all the right stuff, working out regularly and counting calories, like most dieters Karen hit a plateau.

“I think a lot of people can relate to getting back to work and be a full time working mom and running a household and trying to find that work balance, and the weight loss sort of slowed up,” said Karen.

It was slow until she tried a new program, created by a colleague. It’s a website called Friendship Weight, where friends get regular updates on your weight loss.

“I sort of don’t want to let them down,” said Karen. Her sister, Lisa Palmer, is on her weekly update list, which is interactive.

“One of her weeks was I’m down an additional 1.8 pounds. So my encouragement was: way to go I can barely see you from the side,” said Lisa.

Cardiologist Dr. Kevin Shinal created Friendship Weight. He was motivated by so many patients who struggle with weight, including his own father.

“When he passed away suddenly in 2007, this whole problem became way more personal. And as a result I became more passionate about it,”

Reporting Cynthia Demos

said Dr. Shinal.

Dr. Shinal’s dad died from obesity related complications, diabetes and heart disease.

“My father was an incredibly intelligent guy. He understood how to lose weight, but the motivation piece and the accountability piece was missing at times. He would lose 20. He’d gain it back, lose it again,” said Dr. Shinal.

Accountability is what Friendship Weight is all about. Every week you post not what you weigh, but how much you’ve lost or gained.

“They need to know that as they walk this path that if they slip and fall there’s someone there to catch them,” said Dr. Shinal.

Since starting Friendship Weight in August, Karen says her diet is back on track, losing her last 10 pounds.

She and her sister, with their babies, are looking forward to celebrating the holiday season, when Karen will be relying on Friendship Weight more than ever.

“There’s that little accountability piece throughout the week that keeps you pretty honest,” said Karen.

Experts say accountability, like weekly weigh-ins, has been shown to help with diets. It costs about 9 dollars a month to join Friendship Weight, and it doesn’t matter what diet or exercise plan you’re on.

For more information on Friendship Weight, visit: www.friendshipweight.com/

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B e s t O f M i a mi

Networking Best Bars For

In Miami

Believe it or not, you can venture anywhere from old-school Coral Gables to college central Coconut Grove, ritzy financial Brickell Avenue to flaunting Miami Beach or trending Wynwood and still be able to find that place where you feel at ease entertaining a conversation, closing a deal or simply getting together with peers. Check out any of these bars and restaurants to make some new contacts in the city.

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Town Kitchen & Bar

( 3 0 5 ) 7 4 0 - 8 1 1 8 t o w n k i t c h e n b a r. c o m Located in the heart of a bustling street, Town Kitchen & Bar is so versatile that you can rely on it for power breakfasts, business lunches, romantic dinners and the longest brunches in south Florida. With indoor and outdoor (hot but shaded) seating, you are greeted and accommodated promptly. The best networking time is the weekend brunch, mostly because you’ll find no shortage of unlimited mimosas and an extended menu that ranges from steamed mussels and oriental dishes to pasta and pizza, appealing to all tastes.

Mr. Moe’s Restaurant and Bar ( 3 0 5 ) 4 4 2 - 1 1 1 4 m r m o e s. c o m

An oversized grizzly bear welcomes patrons into a cabin-like setting in the heart of tropical Coconut Grove. It’s hard to find any Floridian resemblance from the inside either, just loud music, late gatherings and business hours ranging until 5 a.m., making it the place to be and be seen if you are a college student. Mechanical Bull Country Night, Karaoke Night and College Night are the favorite evenings of students from the neighboring universities that want to stay out until the wee hours of the night.

The River Seafood & Oyster Bar (305) 530-1915 therivermiami.com

Next door to the oldest bar in Miami, opposite a private tennis club and two blocks from the heart of the financial district, you can often find a sizeable crowd of business people in their 40s unwinding from early-day trading. Fine dining with the best selection of oysters in town and genially-crafted cocktails are even better when the music is perfect to maintain a friendly conversation after closing a deal.

The Corner

(305) 961-7887 thecornermiami.com On a corner and hidden behind columns, it is hardly recognizable. You would never expect such a pearl in a neighborhood where Golden Rush is around the corner and the club Space is one block south. On the other hand, with the Cisneros Fontanals headquarters across the street and Legal Art on the same block, the grounds are set for a niche crowd. A selection of over 50 hand-picked, rare imported beers and a gourmet menu that includes Croque Madame are some of the reasons why the bar is frequented by the hipster artists, photographers and designers who populate the area and coexist with a consistent homeless population. The word of its exquisite sandwiches went so fast that the restaurant is equipped with a drive-through window where you can order and mingle with a beer while waiting.

Smith & Wollensky

( 3 0 5 ) 6 7 3 - 2 8 0 0 s m i t h a n d w o l l e n s k y. c o m For Miami Beach networking at its best, Smith & Wollensky is the quintessence. Situated in the middle of multi-million public park South Pointe and the most expensive real estate in the East Coast, you will go and keep going for everything that this spot offers. The breathtaking views, the passers by, the breeze and the impeccably welcoming food and service are just a few highlights. The best and favorite time for locals and travelers is sunset when the colors, the cruise ships and elegance make for an unbeatable outing.

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“The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association encourages used vehicle dealers to repair the open-recall before selling the vehicle to a customer and at a minimum disclose it.�

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

What’s

Hidden Under The

Reporting Al Sunshine

Hood?

You like the way it looks and even haggle on the price, but that used car that you’re thinking of buying may have a hidden hazard that can’t find under the hood and no one is required to tell you.

A charred, burnt out shell is all that remains of the

used van Bob Knotts bought. The van burst into flames while parked right in his driveway. So what caused the fire? It turns out that Bob’s van was one of 98,000 recalled because of a wiring defect that could cause a fire.

Bob said the used car dealer he bought the van from never told him it had an unfixed recall. According to Knotts, “The whole thing was a complete loss for me.”

In fact a study by Carfax found more than 2.7 million used vehicles listed for sale online last year had at least one unfixed safety recall issued by the federal government.

The federal government doesn’t recall cars unless a defect could cause a serious risk to passengers in a car or others on the road.

Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety said, “They’re all serious. They could cost you your life. They could cause a crash.”

Undercover video from used car lots shows vehicles for sale, that according to car manufacturer websites, have unfixed recalls.

One used SUV had an unrepaired defect which could make the engine stall and cause a crash, according to the formal recall notice.

Another used car had an engine that could shut off while the vehicle is being driven.

“They don’t want to take them off their lot to get them fixed before they sell them because that customer is ready to buy it today and may in fact go to another used car dealer and buy a different vehicle,” said Ditlow.

There’s no federal law requiring that used car dealers, or private sellers to tell buyers about unfixed recalls.

The two main used car dealer trade associations had no comment but the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association said it, “encourages used vehicle dealers to repair the openrecall before selling the vehicle to a customer and at a minimum disclose it.”

Experts like Jeannie Fallon of Edmunds.com said some dealers do go the extra mile. “Many dealers will bring a used car up to speed on its recalls before they sell it and actually if they do it’s a sign they take really good care of their cars and really good care of their customers.”

The other used car dealer association said the onus is on vehicle owners and used car buyers to get recalls fixed.

Bob Knotts said now he wants to warn others since no one is required to warn you, be sure to check for open recalls yourself.

“What happened to me, it could have happened to someone else,” warned Knotts.

If you have your car’s vehicle identification number, or VIN, you can simply pick up the phone and call your local dealer to see if you have any unfixed recalls.

There are also several online websites available to enter your VIN and check for open recalls online.

And remember, dealers repair official safety recalls for free.

305-883-1218

WWW.POWERPARTYEVENTS.COM

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Best Gifts

For Pets

And

Pet Owners In South Florida

When planning for holidays and special occasions, don’t forget the furry family members. Who gives you never-ending love and wet kisses even when you’re sad? Who greets you at the door, happy to see you every day? It’s that devoted furry fan with four paws and bad breath. Whether your devotee is a dog or cat, he (or she) is a very special part of the family. Show your love and appreciation this holiday season with a really thoughtful gift for your best friend. Here’s a guide to the very best South Florida has to offer your beloved pet.

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Doggy Studio & Boutique ( 3 0 5 ) 2 8 2 - 0 5 6 5 w w w. d o g g y s t u d i o. c o m Looking for a special remembrance for your family or a fellow pet lover? Give a gift that lasts – a large photo portrait by a professional like Shelly Guberek at Doggy Studio in Miami. Guberek studied at Parsons New School of Design in New York and has a bachelor of fine arts with concentration on photography from FIU. Guberek’s portraits have been shown in galleries and appeared in US Weekly and Dog Fancy magazines. Choose from in-studio portraits or on-location shoots.

Pepe Le Pooche Resort & Spa ( 3 0 5 ) 3 8 2 - 0 2 0 3 w w w. p e p e l e p o o c h e r e s o r t a n d s p a . c o m Pamper your pet with a trip to Pepe Le Pooche Resort & Spa. Pepe le Pooche offers dog and cat spas, grooming, daycare and overnight hotel, birthday parties and photography. Pepe’s also has an online boutique of collars, leashes, jewelry, couture pet carriers, apparel and pet strollers. Pepe Le Pooche is bilingual: woof and meow. You can’t go wrong with a present from this shop.

Doggie Bag Café

( 3 0 5 ) 7 1 0 - 7 2 6 6 w w w. d o g g i e b a g c a f e. c o m Give your barker a real treat with a visit to the Doggie Bag Café, a canine restaurant and boutique in Miami that also serves alcoholfree libations. Where else can your shaggy friend relax with a house drink like a bark-a-rita or mutt-ini? These cool drinks are made with low-fat yogurt, bananas and peanut butter and are served while your pooch relaxes in a comfy lounger. Doggie Bag Café also has great pet parties and brunches, wonderful dog-serts, cooking for canine classes, a boutique to fulfill any doggie dream and the best in gourmet food.

The Dog Bar ( 3 0 5 ) 5 3 2 - 5 6 5 4 w w w. d o g b a r. c o m Pet aficionados will love the luxury fashions and accessories at The Dog Bar. Specializing in the latest and greatest dog and cat products, The Dog Bar offers the privileged pet a great boutique, travel accessories, all-natural and holistic wellness products, dog/ puppy training classes and much more. It even has gift cards for those that can’t decide on what to give.

Greatest Store On Earth for Pets ( 3 0 5 ) 7 1 0 - 7 2 6 6 - w w w. g r e a t e s t s t o r e o n e a r t h . c o m Looking for that unique and novel gift for your pet or pet lover? It doesn’t get any better than The Greatest Store On Earth for Pets. A dog topiary will transform your garden into a retreat and can be lit up with mini lights to make the holiday season sparkle. Or have a favorite pet photo transformed into a woven heirloom pillow, throw or tote. The possibilities are endless at The Greatest Store On Earth for Pets with fashions, accessories, beds, highchairs, personalized bowls, spa baskets and special gifts for pet lovers.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Flexibility Is The New

Workplace

Trend Reporting Josh Benson

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Forget working 9 to 5, putting off retirement, or only taking an internship when you’re still in college.

Some of the newest trends in the workplacecould forever change the way you clock in and out.

In this uncertain economy, three things are clear when it comes to jobs. How long we’re working and where we’re working is changing, and flexibility is the new norm.

Recent statistics show 77-percent of employers now offer flex time. That’s way up from 66-percent just a few years ago.

“I love it,” said flex worker Kim Ziprik. “Never had a company that offered this type of benefit, and it’s been one that’s been very helpful for me.”

Ziprik has a flexible arrangement. She chooses to work long hours a few nights a week, in exchange for a half day off every other Friday.

“I have something to look forward to every two weeks,” Ziprik said.

Other flex options are becoming more popular, too. Flex place, or choosing where you work, is now an option for 63-percent of employees. That’s almost twice the amount from a few years ago.

Employers see these options as win-win’s.

“Anything we can do to help them get their work done and try to keep work-life balance is what we’re interested in doing,” said human resources manager Barbara Bell-Dees.

Another change in the workplace: the rise of the hybrid job.

“Instead of hiring someone for one specific skill set, they’re trying to integrate someone who has multiple skill sets so they can reduce their cost of hire,” explained Adrienne Graham, CEO of Empower Me Corporation.

James Snider fills a hybrid position at his current job. He handles marketing, sales, and production. But after being unemployed for a year and a half, he was thrilled to be working again. The kicker is, he started the job as an unpaid intern.

“For somebody who’s been out of work for an extended period of time, particularly the older job seeker,” Snider said. “This is going to be something more and more of us need to do to get back into the game.”

Something else that’s shifting in the

workplace is phased out retirement. Employees don’t just clock out one last time when they hit a magic age.

“Preparing by gradually pulling back your hours is a good way for retirees to get a taste of the retirement life without jumping full-head into it,” said Graham. “And gives the company time to plan and strategize to fill the void for when they’re leaving.”

Retirement is far from Ziprik’s mind these days. She loves her flex-time arrangement and so does her boss.

“In the end, it pays off greatly,” said Ziprik.

Another post-retirement trend is for retirees to go back to their old jobs as contract workers or consultants. Of course, the downside to that is the pay can temporarily reduce your Social Security benefits because you would be earning income.

“In the end, it pays off greatly.”

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