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newspaper February 2014

Also Inside: Navy Technology May Help Women In The Fight Against Breast Cancer Top Dog Walking Services In South Florida Should Pregnant Women Drink Alcohol and Caffeine? Do You Trust Your Broker? He Could Be Hiding An Important Secret

OBAMACARE

LAW OF THE

LAND

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Contents

Newspaper February 2014

Featured Editorial

36 |

Welcome to Obamacare, Law of The Land The much maligned Affordable Care Act went into full effect across the country. The law fundamentally shifts parts of the health care industry and open the door for millions of uninsured Americans to finally afford health care. But not every American will benefit from the ACA.

06 |

Sell By Dates Up For Debate

14 |

Can You Trust Your Broker?

22 |

The most confusing numbers at the grocery store are not the prices but the “sell by” dates on just about everything. In fact, “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By,” are two little words that carry a lot of weight with shoppers at the store, but what’s the difference?

Those who use an outside source for financial help should know that their professionals could have an important secret. A history of complaints could have been wiped clean.

“Am I Pretty or Ugly?” Teens Are Letting Social Media Decide It’s a troubling trend among teenage girls, posting videos asking the public to determine their beauty. On YouTube there are hundreds of thousands of videos from girls asking “Am I pretty or ugly?” It’s not just the videos, but the feedback from people online that’s alarming.

CBS4 News Super Kids: Deborah Perez This is a Christmas tale that will melt your heart and break it as well. A new found family of CBS4 Super Kids gathered to meet for the first time to celebrate the holidays and treasure of a girl. As child advocates, teachers and community leaders will tell you, Deborah Perez is an inspirational young woman who is a pied piper for children all year round.

92 | Should Pregnant Women Drink Alcohol & Caffeine?

It seems like the rules of pregnancy are constantly changing, so navigating through them can be tricky for moms-to-be. One of the big questions is regarding caffeine and alcohol. Should pregnant women abstain, or is a little bit ok?

Don’t Panic! Symptom Checkers Available Online In Case You Can’t Reach The Doctor Feeling sick? Many people turn to the internet to diagnose themselves, but that can be dangerous. Now doctors are coming up with an online remedy that’s available in case you can’t make it to the doctor.

30 |

42 |

Special Section

Real Estate

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February 2014

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“Sell By”

Up For DatesDebate The most confusing numbers at the grocery store are not the prices but the “sell by” dates on just about everything.

By Brian Andrews

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n fact, “Sell By,” “Use By,” and “Best By,” are two little words that carry a lot of weight with shoppers at the store. “If it’s yogurt or milk I definitely pay attention to that date,” a shopper told CBS4’s Brian Andrews. Dr. Tiffiani Onifade is the state of Florida’s Director of Food Safety. “The manufacturer puts this date on there because it is about when they believe it will have the best quality,” said Onifade.

“I think it’s surprising how little the labels actually mean. Primarily the dates are their best guess on when that food is still going to be at its peak quality” That date may be causing each of us to trash more than $2,000 dollars worth of perfectly good food every year. “Ninety-percent of consumers are throwing food away on that date because they don’t understand,” said Emily Broad Leib, Director

Harvard’s Food Law and Policy Clinic. Recently, Leib’s group co-authored a study on how these confusing labels lead to food waste. “I think it’s surprising how little the labels actually mean. Primarily the dates are their best guess on when that food is still going to be at its peak quality,” said Leib. That’s food quality not food safety. However, Florida law calls for date labels on food that has a recommended shelf life of fewer than 90 days. Milk for example, is required by retailers to remove it from store shelves after the “sell by” date has passed. “Shelf stable foods such as vinegar, cereal, crackers, those kind of things, if they taste good to you they are still good,” said Leib.

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February 2014

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After that “best by” date, some foods may smell or taste bad. “There’s a yuck factor but it’s not going to make you sick,” explained Elizabeth Scott of Simmons College. “The likelihood of you getting sick or not is to do with the kind of food you’re eating, the way you handle it and the risks that are taken with the food,” said Scott. Risks such as storing or cooking the food improperly. “We’re more concerned about pathogenic bacteria,” Scott said. “Those are the ones that make you sick.” Doctor Onifade insisted that common sense can keep food out of that danger zone. “You want to cook food to proper temperatures and after you cook the food, you want to refrigerate it.” In the meantime, there’s a move to make date labels more useful. “We are really hoping we can get a change that would require a reliable uniform coherent system and make it really clear for the foods where this is a quality issue not safety. It’s totally quality,” said Onifade. Until that happens, take the date with a grain of salt.

February 2014

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Broken Heart Syndrome

Really Does

Exist!

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How many times have you heard someone say they’re so sad about something that they have a broken heart? More often than not, they don’t really have a broken heart but it can actually happen. Broken heart syndrome is a serious medical condition caused by sadness.

hen Janet Ghise’s 14-year-old dog, Maggie died unexpectedly at a kennel while she was on vacation, she was devastated. “She was just the nicest dog,” said Ghise. So upset, she nearly died of a broken heart. “I said to my husband, ‘I’m going to the doctor’s, to the cardiologist, to see if he can fix my broken heart.’ It’s exactly what I said,” Ghise said. Luckily, she just happened to have a doctor’s appointment a few days later. “To tell you the truth, I was really short of breath, but I didn’t put any weight on it. I thought, well, this is because I’m upset,” she said. “She walked into the office, and she just did not look well,” said Dr. Jeffrey Friedel, a cardiologist. “She was very pale; she was breaking out in a cold sweat. She was short of breath, and she was complaining of a lot of chest pressure.” He sent her to the hospital where a heart cath showed the problem, an actual illness called broken heart syndrome. “The heart becomes severely weakened in a very characteristic shape, and it’s usually in response to an intensely stressful event,” said Dr. Friedel. “They can be in heart failure, they can be in shock; and in the worst case scenario, they can present in full cardiac arrest.” The symptoms, EKG, and blood tests can be just like a heart attack. But it’s not. “With broken heart syndrome, there’s no blockage to explain this extent of heart damage,” Dr. Friedel said. It’s seen after the death of a loved one, after an argument, after extreme emotional turmoil. “There’s this intense surge of stress hormones that basically damage the heart,” Dr. Friedel said. What clinches the diagnosis is a distinctive appearance on the cath, a stagnant bulge in the lower part of the heart. “There’s a whole section of the heart that has essentially ballooned outward and is not moving,” said Dr. Friedel. “And that’s clearly abnormal.” It’s generally an unexpected diagnosis. Dr. Friedel sees fewer than 10 cases a year. It’s more common in women.

“Usually, we’re expecting to find a blockage that we can fix, and get the heart to recover. So, yeah, it’s always a surprise,” he said. “Ten, 20 years ago, we never diagnosed it, we just didn’t know about it.” Broken heart syndrome can be treated with medicines to strengthen pumping, lower the blood pressure, and slow the pulse. The vast majority of patients do well. “The heart was healing, and it’s almost back to normal function,” said Ghise. “I’m feeling good.”

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February 2014

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Can you

Trust

your

broker? Those who use an outside source for financial help should know that their professionals could have an important secret. A history of complaints could have been wiped clean.

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study has shaken up the financial industry, which revealed that in an alarmingly high percentage of cases, brokers have gotten investor complaints removed from their publicly accessible records. Experts gave details and tips on how to pick the right professional. When a new trading day opens, people want their investments in the right hands. That’s why Damon Petraglia thoroughly checked out his financial advisor. “It’s very important for me to have somebody reliable and capable,” said Petraglia. However, Petraglia is no average investor, he’s a private investor. People hire him to check out their stock brokers.

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“I don’t think very many people knew about this, It is the security industry’s dirty little secret” It’s easy to get background information on any federally licensed financial professional on the “financial industry regulatory authority” or FINRA’s website. These public records list licenses a broker holds and where they’ve worked but what you may not see even surprised Petraglia. “I don’t think very many people knew about this,” said Petraglia. “It is the security industry’s dirty little secret.”

February 2014

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he secret, revealed in a new study which said stock brokers are able to keep complaints filed against them a secret in many cases. Brokers have the right to request a complaint be “expunged” from their record if they feel it was false. Federal guidelines say expungement is an “extraordinary relief” but this study found between mid-May 2009 to 2011. When cases were resolved by settlements, arbitrators approved brokers requests to remove complaints from their records nearly 97 percent of the time. “This is a major problem that must be fixed,” said Petraglia. If a broker’s record is wiped clean, there is no way investors, regulators or future employers can find out. The study found one broker requested expungement 40 times and arbitration panels granted it 35 times. The group behind the study said sometimes investors are given a settlement trade-off. “There will be a provision that says in exchange for that money the customer has to agree not to oppose the expungement request and it just basically just wipes it under the carpet,” said Petraglia. FINRA is taking action and said the study “underlines and emphasizes serious concerns.” The agency sent notices to arbitrators, reminding them about “the extraordinary nature of expungement relief.” But what if a broker was wrongly accused or a financial issue just wasn’t their fault?

“If you picked a bad broker, you could lose the entire investment”

February 2014

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“We closely guard our reputations so if there’s something where we have complaints against us that are unwarranted or unfounded we want to protect our reputation,” said Ed Gjertsen. Gjertsen of the Financial Planning Association said just because an adviser went through arbitration doesn’t mean they’re a bad broker. If someone is concerned about their financial professional, they should ask about their record. “I think what the study showed us is that there’s probably a lot more due diligence that the average investor has to do. Whether it’s engaging with an advisor and asking them the direct question of saying ‘Hey have you ever been involved

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in arbitration?’” said Gjertsen. Investor and investigator Petraglia said he thinks his financial shake up should be a financial wake up to everyone. “If you picked a bad broker, you could lose the entire investment,” said Petraglia. A court must also approve a broker’s expungement request before it becomes final. FINRA is reviewing its rules and may consider future changes as well. Several U.S. Senators have also taken a closer look at the system. One wrote a letter to the SEC demanding big changes.

February 2014

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Don’t Panic!

‘Symptom

Checkers’ are

Available

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

In Case You

Can’t Reach

Doctor!

the

Feeling sick? Many people turn to the internet to diagnose themselves, but that can be dangerous. Now doctors are coming up with an online remedy.

hen Beth Feldman woke up with a red swollen eyelid her first thought was to call the doctor. But when she couldn’t get an appointment right away she said she decided to do a little symptom searching online. “It’s good to just look and see if it’s not too serious, I’m going to see if I can just take care of this at home,” said Feldman. It used to be that physicians worried about patients playing doctor online. “When you go online to self-diagnose, you’re going to websites and using your limited medical knowledge to look at a big list of differential diagnoses and you’re immediately going to go to the worst possible situations,” said Dr. Dan Feiten. But now many are having a change of heart, thanks to “symptom checkers,” created by the medical community itself, and integrated into doctor and hospital websites. “Parents go online to our website to find out whether they need to make an appointment or what should they in the meantime,” said Dr. Feiten. Proponents said these new symptom checkers can cut down on office calls and unnecessary trips to the

emergency room, as well as save people money on co-pays. It won’t give you a long list of scary possibilities, but will help you determine what to do next. “It’s based on the medical literature. It’s based on national guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, other organizations,” said Barton Schmitt, medical director of the pediatric call center at a children’s hospital. But not all medical websites are created equal. It’s important to check the source before taking any advice. “Professional organizations like the American College of Physicians or reputable patient and consumer groups should generally be trusted more than information that’s coming from an organization that the patient has never heard of,” said Dr. Christine Laine, VP of the American College of Physicians. But there is no substitute for an actual doctor’s visit where a physician can actually see how sick you are and also ask questions and notice things you may not think are related and weren’t part of your Internet search. Computers can’t replace doctors, at least not yet. Doctors advise people to steer clear of websites that have a vested interest in their treatment.

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February 2014

By Vanessa Borge

Hottest New

Exercise Trend

Dangerous Could Be

To Your Health

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One of the hottest fitness trends in the country has instructors turning up the heat, leaving gym-goers drenched. The trend puts participants in rooms that range from a toasty 82-degrees to a nearly oppressive 95-degrees, more than 20-degrees warmer than recommended.

started with hot yoga and then it spread. People like Jen Ellenberg swear by classes like hot cycling. “When you take a heated spinning class you feel like you get so much more out of it. You sweat, your blood is pumping, it’s amazing,” said Ellenburg. Advocates, like ‘The Sweat Shoppe’ owner Mimi Benz, claim the higher temperatures lead to a better workout. “Obviously your heart rate’s going to increase because it’s a heated environment which yields more of a caloric burn,” said Benz. However, experts from the American College of Sports Medicine caution that turning up the heat may not be a good idea. “Taking exercise programs and putting them into a gym in a hot environment to me is kind of a scary proposition,” explained Dr. Walter Thompson, PHD. Thompson helped develop the college’s guidelines for fitness centers. Those guidelines recommend that fitness room temperatures be kept at 72-degrees. “Well, the interesting question is, what kind of physiological reaction do people have in the heat?” said Thompson. “And that is an increased body temperature,

an increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure.” Those reactions can lead to medical emergencies and dangerous complications but supporters argued that preparation is the key to any athletic endeavor. “You put on a pair of shoes and run 26-miles and you’re out of shape, you put yourself into danger, don’t you? You’ve got to be in shape whenever you do any kind of exercise and you need to control your own personal effort,” said Hot Yoga And Pilates, owner King Rollings. Some gyms do train instructors to watch for the signs of heat related problems but Dr. Thompson said that isn’t enough. “The question is whether or not the average gym goer, the average client in a gym should participate in these heated environments, and my answer still is no,” said Dr. Thompson. Ellenberg said that the heat does take some getting used to, but she has no plans to cool down. “I’m addicted to the feeling of sweating. It makes you feel so pure,” she said. Doctors said that anybody with a heart condition should get the okay from their physician before starting a hot exercise regimen.

February 2014

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“Am I pretty or ugly?” Teens Are Letting

Social Media Decide By Cynthia Demos

It’s a troubling trend among teenage girls, posting videos asking the public to determine their beauty. On YouTube there are hundreds of thousands of videos from girls asking “Am I pretty or ugly?” It’s not just the videos, but the feedback from people online that’s alarming.

ome area teens said it’s a daily struggle to feel pretty in today’s society, but none of those girls said that they have posted a video of their own. “My initial reaction is you know I’ve never actually seen this before but I’m thinking they almost set themselves up for negative feedback,” said Ethan Protzel, a junior in high school. And that’s exactly what most feedback is, negative. Many students said they’re shocked but understand the motivation behind the videos.

Young teens across the country, mostly girls, receive actual critiques on ways to improve their appearance. With comments ranging from suggestions to lose weight or have surgery to getting a new haircut. “I think it’s really sad that this is what it’s come to and I also think it’s very understandable that this is what it’s come to, because it’s the pressure of everyday life,” said senior Anna Unterreiner. “If you look good then you’re

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“I think it’s really sad that this is what it’s come to and I also think it’s very understandable that this is what it’s come to, because it’s the pressure of everyday life”

popular and looks is what this society is more and more based upon.” And it starts at a very young age. Most of the subjects in the videos note how classmates call them pretty or ugly. So in an age where social media is almost a natural way to communicate these teens seek outside opinions for validation. “And the instant nature to be able to post something without thinking,” said Sarah Strohmeyer. “You don’t think through things before you just spout off. And I think that’s the problem. There’s no filter.” “It’s that vicious cycle,” added Protzel. “We have an insecure person who calls someone ugly or fat and then that person becomes insecure.”

It begs the question, what can be done to change this stigma of looks above all else? Well administrators say it starts with building selfesteem at a young age so teens don’t learn these attention seeking behaviors. “That’s really what this is all about,” said Strohmeyer. “They’re seeking attention and so what are the ways we can give positive attention for appropriate things and not just focus on looks.” Counselors said parents need to monitor their kids’ online activity. They say it’s also important to stress inner beauty and have an open conversation with your kids about any pressures they may feel that make them self-conscious.

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February 2014

Calendar

Events

Miami-Dade & Broward Siempre Flamenco presented by First Bank Florida Saturday, February 22, 8:00 p.m. On stage for one night only, experience the mesmerizing, raw and passionate music and dance of Siempre Flamenco featuring Celia Fonta and Paco Fonta. “Celia kicks up her heels, and propels herself across the stage with a rapid-fire cascade of footwork.” Husband Paco Fonta, is heralded as “one of the best Flamenco guitarists in the world”. This performance will transport you to another world when this extraordinary troop of 8 musicians, singers and dancers bring the magic and allure of Spain to the Banyan Bowl for one night only! Tickets are $20 & $25. Select your seat, call 877-496-8499.

Valentine’s Day Concert at Fairchild Gardens February 14: 7 p.m.; in the Garden House Lawn at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road Enjoy a romantic evening of jazz under the stars with Grammy winning pianist Shelly Berg and Grammy winning vocalist Patti Austin. Bring a blanket and picnic or reserve a table for dinner and champagne and enjoy wonderful music and the ambiance of the Garden after dark. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Fairchild Garden Members $60, Nonmembers $75, Students (with ID) $25, Kids (618) $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305-667-1651, ext. 3391.

Literally Bike Tour February 16: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue Join Books & Books owner Mitchell Kaplan on a tour of literature in the Gables. Presented by Coral Gables Museum and Bike Walk Coral Gables, Gables Bike Tours is powered by Voss Water. Bike rentals and helmets (required for children under 16) are available at No Boundaries (305-444-3206), across the street from the Museum. Cost: $10; $5 for Museum members and children under 12. Space is limited. Please RSVP to 305-603-8067.

Photo by Adriano Castelli / Shutterstock.com

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Andrea Bocelli February 14, 2014 bb&t center One Panther Parkway, Sunrise 954-835-7000 World-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will give a special Valentine's Day performance exclusively at the BB&T Center (@theBBTCenter) on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. Bocelli will appear at the BB&T Center for the fifth consecutive concert season including Valentine's Day performances in 2011, 2012 and now in 2014. Bocelli will give a special Valentine's Day performance featuring soaring arias and famed loved songs approximately a year after his last South Florida appearance.

Greater Miami Symphonic Band Sousa Style Family Concert Sunday, February 16, 3:00 p.m. Bring the entire family to a Sousa Style Family Concert, Sunday, February 16th at 3:00 p.m. As in the day of John Philip Sousa’s fabled bands, this concert will have music for everyone to enjoy including show tunes, overtures, and of course, Marches!!! The whole family will enjoy an afternoon concert in the beautiful Banyan Bowl right here at the Gardens. The Greater Miami Symphonic Band began in 1979, and has grown to 85 members strong. The Band performs publicly on a regular basis at various indoor and outdoor locations, giving Miami audiences an opportunity to hear all the beauty and diversity of the symphonic band repertoire. Get in the spirit and join us at this wonderful Sunday afternoon. 305.234.2121

Coral Gables Gallery Night February 7: 6 p.m.–10 p.m., various galleries Held the first Friday of the month, Gallery Night showcases the works of European and Latin American art masters and outstanding contemporary artists. A dedicated Gallery Night Trolley makes stops at Coral Gables galleries and art venues.

Gallery Night Live at the Coral Gables Museum February 7: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue Begin your Gallery Night experience at the Coral Gables Museum, where you'll find new exhibitions, live music, food and spirits on the beautiful Plaza. The Gallery Night trolley stops right at the front door. For more information, call 305-603-8067.

Darlene Love February 14, 2014 8pm parker playhouse 707 N.E. 8th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304-2729 954-462-0222 Admission: $37.50 - $47.50 Experience true "Love" this Valentine's Day with a special performance by Darlene Love, the roof-raising voice behind the 1960s hits "He's a Rebel" and the holiday classic "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." As part of Phil Spector's wall of sound hit factory, Love provided back-up vocals for numerous timeless singles including "Johnny Angel," "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling" and "Baby, I Need Your Loving." It's no wonder The New York Times raves: "Darlene Love's thunderbolt voice is as embedded in the history of rock and roll as Eric Clapton's guitar or Bob Dylan's lyrics." A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Darlene Love is "one of the greatest singers of all time," according to Rolling Stone magazine.

February 2014

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“If the numbers are accurate, it would mean roughly nine million Americans who didn’t have health insurance this time last year now have coverage”

welcome to

obama

care Law of the

land

Photo credit: spirit of america / Shutterstock.com

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As of last month, the much maligned Affordable Care Act went into full effect across the country. The law fundamentally shifts parts of the health care industry and open the door for millions of uninsured Americans to finally afford health care.

ccording to government numbers, roughly two million have enrolled in health insurance plans by using the federally run healthcare. gov website and state healthcare exchange websites. The government said another 3.9 million Americans benefited from the expansion of Medicaid and CHIP and an additional 3 million stayed on their parents’ health insurance. If the numbers are accurate, it would mean roughly nine million Americans who didn’t have health insurance this time last year now have coverage. Original forecasts from the government aimed for 3.3 million enrollees through the federal and state exchanges. However, when the federal website was rolled out in early October it was a disaster and few if any signed up for the new coverage. The White House began working on the site and said it was up and running properly on November 30. But, not every American will receive benefits from the Affordable Care Act. States, most of them controlled by Republican legislatures or governors, that refused to expand Medicaid will leave millions without access to affordable health care and don’t qualify for federal subsidies because they should have been under Medicaid. In Florida the number is over 500,000 who will fall into the state-imposed doughnut hole.

“That said, millions of Americans may have to find new insurance if their old plans don’t meet minimum requirements” For most Americans, they will not notice any difference in their health care from last year to this year. Eighty percent of Americans get their insurance through their employers and those programs will not be impacted much by the ACA’s provisions. That said, millions of Americans may have to find new insurance if their old plans don’t meet minimum requirements. Those “essential” requirements, according to the Washington Post, include: ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services; prescription drugs; rehab and habilitative services and devices; lab services, preventive and wellness services along with chronic disease management; and pediatric services.

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February 2014

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he exact cost of the insurance will vary by state, region, number of plans available, and Medicaid coverage. But, preexisting conditions will no longer matters as the ACA makes it illegal to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. Citizens looking to buy health insurance must do it by the 15th of each month through March 31. After that, no policies can be purchased until next October when enrollment opens up again. If a person signs up before the 15th of a month, the coverage will begin on the first day of the next month. While the ACA does mandate everyone buy health insurance, citizens can still choose not to purchase any insurance. If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, a $95 tax will be levied, but no liens can be placed on homes or have IRS agents come to your home. The worst that can happen is the IRS takes it out of your tax refund or adds it to your tax bill. In addition, if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find a plan that costs less than 8 percent of your income, you are exempted from the requirement to purchase health insurance.

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February 2014

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The District Located in the heart of Miami’s Buena Vista neighborhood, the newest spot in town is The District Miami set in a warm atmosphere with brick walls, leather couches, fun artwork and some industrial touches. The New York meets Miami eatery is actually touted as a cultural taste of the America’s.

t the helm, is Chef Horacio Rivadero who feels like his food is internationally inspired. “We like to call it Pan American. It’s a fusion of different flavors of different places from South America, North American and Central America. We make our own twist,” said Horacio. And that “twist” Chef speaks about is truly all about blending flavors. Chef Horacio prepares his corvina ceviche with grapefruit juices and thin sliced onions. The delicate flavors are not lost on CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo. “The grapefruit juice gives it tang then the corvina absorbs the juices, then the onion–it’s a wonderful blend and it’s really good,” said Petrillo. From his small plates to the bigger entrees, Chef says

the way to try it all–is to share. “You can go around the table and order different dishes with a group of people. It’s much more fun,” said Chef. Horacio’s signature Pan Afro Braised Cuban Pork topped with collard greens and a creole pepper salad takes six hours to make. One bite of this dish and guests are transported to another country. “I’m taken to another country. I’m in South America somewhere,” said Petrillo Petrillo’s favorite dish is the tuna tacos with a pinch of guacamole inside. The shells, which are gluten-free, are made of malanga. “It’s refreshing. The citrusy flavor gives it that feel and guacamole has the softness. It’s perfect,” said Petrillo.

February 2014

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By Michele Gillen

Deborah Perez

Becomes Inspiration For Other Children

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This is a Christmas tale that will melt your heart and break it as well. A new found family of CBS4 Super Kids gathered to meet for the first time to celebrate the holidays and treasure of a girl. As child advocates, teachers and community leaders will tell you, Deborah Perez is an inspirational young woman who is a pied piper for children all year round.

ut Deborah’s smile and dedication to helping children through Miami-Dade’s Big Brothers/ Big Sisters program belies a childhood that was dark. Growing up, there were many years where there was no Christmas, no joy. In fact, not even the basics as she and her 3 siblings were left home alone. “Sometimes without water, without electricity,” Deborah recalled while sitting down with CBS4 Chief Investigative Reporter Michele Gillen. “A lot of times it was really scary,” she reflected. At the age of 10 years old, she said, she was removed by the state of Florida from her family. But instead of being sent to live in foster care and be split up from her brother and sisters, a true life Santa Claus stepped forward to rescue the children from a potential dark abyss. The children were only told he was their “grandfather.” An elderly man who had never been married or had his own children, he devoted his life to Deborah and her siblings. “My grandfather is one of the most remarkable persons I have ever met, in my entire life,” she told Gillen. But she was scarred by so many secrets, she said, it took yet another stranger to help her rebuild her life. That stranger, a Big Sister from Miami-Dade Big Brothers/ Big Sisters is a woman Deborah absolutely treasures today. When she stepped into a young Deborah’s life, “For once in my life I had somebody who was by my side, who was consistent, not coming and going, and just experiencing all the things I did as a child,” said Deborah. She described her ‘Big Sister’ as nothing less than a guardian angel. But even with all that caring, adolescence was tough as she had to move neighborhoods, swapping Kendall for Little Havana and had to change schools. She now regrets acting out but realizes it was a chapter that finally led to her finding her path and inner strength. She explained she simply ‘woke up’ the day she learned that the kind stranger who raised her, was not her

“For once in my life I had somebody who was by my side, who was consistent, not coming and going, and just experiencing all the things I did as a child” biological grandfather but just a good man who wanted to make a difference in her life. And he did and that moment she knew she had to make him proud. “That really changed me. It was pivotal that moment when I found out that my grandfather really was not my biological grandfather. I shared the news with my ‘Big Sister’. In that moment I was so amazed that somebody could stop what they were doing and so late in life give up everything, sacrifice

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February 2014

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everything he had just to insure that we were safe, that we could live to see another day, that there was a tomorrow. So in the moment, that was when I really decided that I cannot live my life like this and something has to change. I need to be better at school. Be more involved, I need to come out of the closet as far as secrets go and share and to experience the world,” recounted Deborah. “I couldn’t give up. Giving up was not an option. I had to make it.” Indeed, she turned her life and grades around. She would graduate from Booker T. Washington High School with honors. She was elected to be President of her Student Government. Ultimately, she was courted to go to the University of Miami by none other than President

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Donna Shalala. Now her greatest dream has come true working for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and running their continuing education program, helping give other children’s dreams flight. “I really found out what my passion was, that education is what I wanted to be in,” she exclaimed. “I want to be a professor one day and be at a University level and help students transition from academics into the community. I hope to be a part of that change.” Putting on her elf’s hat, CBS4’s Michele Gillen delighted in thinking up how she could have Deborah tap into the Christmas and family she never had. It didn’t take long to realize how valuable a Super Kid Christmas reunion would be.

February 2014

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One by one they turned out to meet Deborah and feel a part of holiday sweetness that many never experienced. “I’m excited to meet them and excited to see how we can work together,” Deborah told Gillen. Super Kid Brandon Burke flew in from his Congressional internship in the nation’s capital as he was working in the office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz. She was the mentor CBS4 News had surprised him with and she has opened doors and her heart to him. Michael Williams of Florida Memorial University arrived and shared his dreams of greatness and inventions. He is excited to continue his relationship with mentor Barrington Irving who was the one man in the world he told Gillen he hoped to someday meet. And Zelda of Mast Academy came bearing her famous smile and stories of making change for others. She had just aced a tough calculus test but would not miss the reunion. But the most appreciated guest announced himself with a chant of ”Ho-Ho-Ho” and Santa emerged. As the party and gift giving unfolded and the CBS4 Super Kids took the first step of being family, Deborah offered these words to all. “It makes me honored to be part of this Super Kid community, each of us is doing individual things.” The gift of this holiday? “How can we work together to make the world a better place.” Santa smiled. He has no doubt they will.

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“I really found out what my passion was, that education is what I wanted to be in,” she exclaimed. “I want to be a professor one day and be at a University level and help students transition from academics into the community. ”

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February 2014

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By Rhiannon Ally

Flavored, Fortified

FIZZY

WATER Is It All Safe?

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When it comes to drinking water, it is no longer just a choice between bottled or tap – there is flavored, fizzy and even vitamin-infused water. But some people are questioning whether all of the choices are safe.

any people like the idea of some pizzazz in their water, rather than plain old tap or bottled water. So they go with water with a carbonated kick, itself a classic going back centuries. They also might try the more recent innovations of flavored water or water with claims of health benefits. But there may be some less-than-welcome aspects to those alternative water beverages. Some turned out to be loaded with sugar. One flavored water contained 32 grams, almost as much as a can of soda, and packs a 120-calorie punch in 20 ounces. “Different studies, depending on what you look at, estimate that if you consume one of these waters every day, you can go on to have anywhere from a 20-to 50-pound weight gain for a year,” said Dr. Ellen Gutkin. In addition to obesity, another agreement is high-fructose sweetener which has also been linked to diabetes and liver disease. Dr. Gutkin also advised looking out for preservatives, sodium, and triglycerides by reading labels carefully and she suggested a rule of thumb. “If it sounds like it comes from a chemistry lab, it’s probably not a healthy water,” said Gutkin.

But once you start drinking the waters, it may not be so easy to stop. Consumers of the drinks can actually get hooked. “We’re absolutely fooling our taste buds into craving, and almost requiring, in some cases, a flavoring or a particular sensation when it comes to carbonation,” said endocrinologist Dr. Joseph Pinzone. “It is allowing them to form habits which actually affect the brain and how we crave things.” But experts said if you still crave a flavor, a good alternative is to add it to regular water yourself. “You can squeeze a lemon, squeeze an orange, limes, the alternatives are endless, and you would know what is in it,” said Gutkin. The bottom line, according to experts, is not to give up on regular water and to drink special waters in moderation. “If you’re drinking any single drink once or in small amounts, it’s unlikely to have major health risks to you,” said Pinzone. Doctors advise that we need about eight cups of fluid a day to stay hydrated. That includes water and food, which accounts for about 25 percent of our daily liquid intake.

February 2014

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Real Estate Sponsored By

Listings in this section are based on properties sold in previous months and retrieved from zillow.com. Not all properties sold are listed. Not responsible for typographical errors and/or omissions. Photographs are for illustration purposes only.

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Content provided by www.Zillow.com

The 7 Steps to

Buying a Home

You’ve finally found the home you love. Now what? Though every market is different, you can expect to follow these seven steps, from offer to closing.

1. Making an offer

If you’re sure the home you love is right for you, it’s time to make your move. This means writing up a formal purchase offer and signing a real estate contract. Even though it’s early in the buying process, you still must sign a legally binding contract. With your signature, you’re committing to moving ahead with the seller. Keep in mind you can add contingencies to many real estate contracts. For example, most real estate buying offers will be contingent on a property inspection, as well as disclosure review, loan approval, appraisal and other matters. Such contingencies enable buyers to opt out of the contract if unexpected problems or concerns pop up. 2. Disclosures

In most states, sellers are legally required to provide buyers with disclosure documents, a preliminary title report, copies of city reports and any specific local documents. In California, for example, an earthquake hazards report or a geological survey is required as part of the disclosures. In some areas of the South, especially near the Gulf Coast, buyers usually receive flood maps and reports relevant to the property being considered.

In addition, sellers must disclose any known issues that might affect the property’s value or habitability. Usually, in a transfer disclosure statement, sellers must answer a series of “yes” or “no” questions about the property, the neighborhood and their experience there. If there have been leaky windows, violations from the city, work done without permits or plans for a major nearby development, the seller must disclose them. If there are significant issues, the seller’s agent would likely have brought them up before the contract signing. But if something is disclosed here that is a negative factor for you, it is your “out” of the contract. 3. The appraisal

Most buyers put a certain amount of money down toward the purchase price. The balance will come in the form of a bank loan (usually). But a bank isn’t going to hand over that money without due diligence. An appraisal is the financial institution’s way of making sure the contract price is the right price. So the lender sends out a third-party appraiser, which the buyer pays for, to confirm that the contract price is in line with the neighborhood’s comparable sales. If it’s not, the bank can deny the loan or change the terms.

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4. Inspections

As part of the real estate contract, you have the right to a property inspection. The most common is a “general” property inspection, in which the inspector checks the home from the foundation to the roof and investigates all major systems and components. As the buyer, you should follow along with the inspector to learn more about the property. For example, you’ll want to know about the components (such as the water heater) and have a plan in place for maintenance. After the general property inspection, the inspector may suggest having a specialist come out. This could be a roofer, electrician, HVAC specialist or even an engineer. Listen to the inspector and have any recommended follow-up inspections. Remember: This is your one chance to approve the property from top to bottom. If issues arise, you may be able to negotiate a fix or credit with the seller. If something major arises and it’s not what you signed up for, you can exit the contract via your inspection contingency. 5. Loan approval or commitment

In addition to making certain the property appraises at no less than the contract price, the bank will want to fully approve your credit, debt and income history. The bank will also want to approve the property’s preliminary title report to make sure there are no liens recorded against the property that might affect its value. The bank can take up to 30 days to complete its review, which should result in a loan commitment or full loan approval. Once that’s completed to the bank’s satisfaction, you’re guaranteed a loan, and you’re one step closer to closing. 6. Final walk-through

Just before closing, you should walk back through the property to make sure it’s in the condition it was when you last saw it. Make sure the seller didn’t remove any fixtures, make modifications or leave behind garbage or debris. You also want to be sure any fixes you negotiated with the seller have been completed.

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February 2014

Real Estate

Sold Properties Miami Dade County

19825 NE 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33179 4 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,504 sq. ft. | 7,575 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1964 Sold: 12/13/2013 | $199,000

21055 Yacht Club Dr, Apt 3104, Aventura, FL 33180 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,505 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 12/1/2013 | $495,000

2380 Magnolia Dr, North Miami, FL 33181 3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,535 sq. ft. | 9,375 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1958 Sold: 12/11/2013 | $760,000

4915 SW 92nd Ave, Miami, FL 33165 3 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,825 sq. ft. | 7,500 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1958 Sold: 12/13/2013 | $299,000

2933 Day Ave, #2933, Miami, FL 33133 3 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 2,144 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 12/20/2013 | $595,000

1510 NE 13th Pl, Miami Beach, FL 33139 2 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 1,583 sq. ft. | 7,500 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1946 Sold: 12/18/2013 | $883,000

14512 Rosewood Rd, Hialeah, FL 33014 5 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,328 sq. ft. | 0.31 acre Lot | Built in: 1969 Sold: 12/17/2013 | $395,100

4044 Park Ave, Miami, FL 33133 4 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,136 sq. ft. | 6,817 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1940 Sold: 12/17/2013 | $695,000

15811 Collins Ave, Apt 4305, North Miami Beach, FL 33160 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,463 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2010 Sold: 12/4/2013 | $975,000

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

All Listings provided by www.Zillow.com

Sold Properties Broward County

7821 Raleigh St, Hollywood, FL 33024 4 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,400 sq. ft. | 6,228 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1959 Sold: 12/31/2013 | $190,000

13347 NW 14th St, Hollywood, FL 33028 4 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 3,288 sq. ft. | 9,326 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1999 Sold: 12/17/2013 | $490,000

374 Mallard Rd, Weston, FL 33327 5 Beds / 3 Bath | 4,162 sq. ft. | 0.26 acre Lot | Built in: 1998 Sold: 11/27/2013 | $775,000

15877 SW 16th St, Pembroke Pines, FL 33027 3 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,099 sq. ft. | 5,414 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1994 Sold: 12/26/2013 | $299,900

6848 NW 110th Way, Parkland, FL 33076 5 Beds / 3 Bath | 3,301 sq. ft. | 10,815 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2000 Sold: 12/2/2013 | $585,000

4101 NE 23rd Ter, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 4 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,272 sq. ft. | 9,000 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1965 Sold: 11/27/2013 | $890,000

8425 NW 44th Ct, Coral Springs, FL 33065 4 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,509 sq. ft. | 0.28 acre Lot | Built in: 1995 Sold: 12/10/2013 | $390,000

3750 Galt Ocean Dr, Apt 211, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 3 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 2,000 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1970 Sold: 12/10/2013 | $680,000

1800 S Ocean Dr, Apt 2501, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 2,078 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2007 Sold: 12/2/2013 | $975,000

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February 2014

Real Estate

Lu x u ry P ropert i e s

9705 Collins Ave, Unit 2402N, Bal Harbour, FL 33154 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 3,424 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2011 Sold: 12/23/2013 | $7,350,000

10 Edgewater Dr, # 12A, Coral Gables, FL 33133 5 Beds / 8 Bath | 6,800 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1997 Sold: 12/27/2013 | $4,750,000

Miami Dade County

1000 S Pointe Dr, Apt 3101, Miami Beach, FL 33139 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 3,365 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 12/24/2013 | $6,325,000

7600 Fisher Island Dr, #7643, Fisher Island, FL 33109 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 2,861 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2001 Sold: 12/23/2013 | $3,500,000

590 Reinante Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33156 5 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 7,749 sq. ft. | 0.55 acre Lot | Built in: 2005 Sold: 12/24/2013 | $5,300,000

597 Hibiscus Ln, Miami, FL 33137 4 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 3,962 sq. ft. | 0.31 acre Lot | Built in: 1949 Sold: 12/24/2013 | $2,725,000

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

All Listings provided by www.Zillow.com

Lu x u ry P ropert i e s

1500 SE 10th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 6 Beds / 7 Bath | 7,184 sq. ft. | 0.36 acre Lot | Built in: 2006 Sold: 12/27/2013 | $4,350,000

17 Harborage, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 5 Beds / 7 Bath | 6,084 sq. ft. | 0.41 acre Lot | Built in: 1970 Sold: 12/12/2013 | $3,104,000

Broward County

2711 S Ocean Dr, Unit 3705, Hollywood, FL 33019 5 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 5,086 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2010 Sold: 12/17/2013 | $3,800,000

221 Seven Isles Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 5 Beds / 5 Bath | 4,248 sq. ft. | 0.31 acre Lot | Built in: 2005 Sold: 12/20/2013 | $3,050,000

2430 Laguna Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 6 Beds / 8 Bath | 6,867 sq. ft. | 0.34 acre Lot | Built in: 1990 Sold: 12/31/2013 | $3,516,000

2524 Sea Island Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 5 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 4,182 sq. ft. | 10,018 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1998 Sold: 12/23/2013 | $2,500,000

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7. The closing

Depending on the market, the closing may happen at an attorney’s office or with an escrow officer at a title company. In some jurisdictions, the buyer and seller don’t ever meet. Each goes in to sign their closing papers separately. In others, the buyers and sellers sign the closing documents together. Also, thanks to current technologies, some closings can now happen remotely using wire transfers and overnight delivery of documents. Regardless of how a closing happens, if you’re a buyer and getting a loan, plan on signing dozens of documents at closing. You’ll need to show photo ID, as your signature will be notarized. Prior to the closing, your real estate agent, attorney or escrow officer should send over a closing statement to review. The statement details your final closing costs and the money you need to bring to the closing. The funds can be wired in or paid with a cashier’s check on closing day. Be sure to ask for the statement early, so there aren’t any last-minute surprises.

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

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February 2014

Students Go To

Extreme

Measures To Get Higher

Test Scores By Cynthia Demos Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secret the college admissions process can be stressful for students, especially the dreaded standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, but these days the pressure to perform is greater than ever.

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ome students have gone to extreme measures to increase their scores but was it necessary? When it came to raising her scores on the SAT, Sarah Rodeo was determined to do whatever it took. “I drilled the math all through the summer from my junior to my senior year,” said Rodeo, a college freshman.” And in the Fall I was still drilling, still taking practice SATs every weekend.” Test prep took over her life, leaving her so stressed that she sought therapy. “I was feeling a horrible amount of anxiety about the SAT math section, I was pretty miserable,” said Rodeo.” I missed so many things with friends.” Lisa Sohmer, director of college counseling and member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, said pressure to prep has been greater than ever. “It’s just over time gotten bigger, and bigger and bigger. The pressure comes from everywhere,” said Sohmer. “Students a few years ago talked about doing test prep starting in the 11th grade, starting in the 10th grade. Now people are talking about having prep courses for students in the 9th grade.” For some, excessive prep can leave little time for anything else. “My best friend has given up swimming and she’s given up like hanging out with us, just so she can prep for the SAT,” said 12th grader, Sheila Khan. Sohmer has seen the effect that test prep has on extracurricular activities for students. “If a student says I can’t play basketball because I have to test prep or I can’t be a member of the student government anymore because I have to work on my test prep, then that’s too much,” said Sohmer.

“I was feeling a horrible amount of anxiety about the SAT math section, I was pretty miserable”

February 2014

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

So is all the test prep worth it? Former admissions officer and college coach Elizabeth Heaton said schools look for applicants in a certain score range, but then focus on the overall student. “The idea that test scores kind of make you stand out I think is a little bit of a false one. What is most important is, you know, what students are doing outside of the classroom, doing well in their courses, being interesting people who have things they enjoy doing,” said Heaton. A strategy that might not give a student an advantage is taking both the ACT and SAT over and over, according to Heaton. “Colleges have no preference of one over the other. They really just want to see the best score that the student can get,” said Heaton. However, taking both tests may not be a bad thing. “They ask the questions in a different way and they gauge success differently. There are going to be students whose SAT and ACT scores can be dramatically different,” said Sohmer. Rodeo said that she ended up taking the SAT three times and her math score increased 70 points. As for whether the extra effort was worth it, she is still undecided. “I think I over did it,” said Rodeo.”I think I drilled myself too much, I stressed myself out too much.” Since not all students are good test takers, no matter how much they might prep, a growing number of universities are becoming “test optional” and will still consider students who don’t submit scores.

“I think I over did it,” said Rodeo.”I think I drilled myself too much, I stressed myself out too much.”

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February 2014

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Top Bars To Watch

Winter Olympics The

In South Florida

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The Winter Olympics is a magical time once every four years that enthralls all and encourages worldwide competition. This year it’s

in Sochi, Russia and South Floridans from all walks of life and countries will be heading out to bars from February 7 to February 23 to cheer on America and their respective native countries. Some bars put the Miami nightlife on full display while others offer a bit of escapism with decor that is reminiscent of a winter lodge, but all offer great views of the winter games. Check out the list below to find the right bar for your personality.

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Mr. Moe’s 3131 Commodore Plaza - Coconut Grove, FL 33133 / (305) 442-1114 / www.mrmoes.com Keeping with the winter theme, Mr. Moe’s is a bar in Coconut Grove that is constructed like a log cabin. Bar hoppers can forget they live in South Florida for a bit by sipping beers, viewing the 11-foot stuffed grizzly bear, warming up by the fireplace and taking a ride on the mechanical bull. They can view the winter games on one of the 32 flat-screen TVs at their disposal. It’s great for a night out with friends and you’ll get some great burgers as well.

Duffy’s Sports Grill 3969 N.E. 163rd St. - N. Miami Beach, FL 33160 / (305) 760-2124 / www.duffysmvp.com Duffy’s Sports Grill is already the official sports grill of the Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins and the Florida Panthers, but it’s also a great place to watch the Winter Olympics. The restaurant is located on the waterfront so patrons can choose to either eat inside in the spacious restaurant and bar or venture to the patio to enjoy serene views of the water. Money is also not a problem here. Duffy’s has daily two-for-one beer specials, fantastic bar food like wings and regulars can save by using their MVP card. It’s a great way to get that sports bar feeling with a hint of South Florida style.

Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill

Finnegan’s River

15500 S.W. 29 St. - Miramar, FL 33027 / (754) 400-8558

Finnegan’s River is located on the Miami River and is a completely outdoor bar. If it’s not raining, sports fans can arrive by car or boat and sit down at the bar to watch the winter festivities. There is also a pool to help you cool off if the weather is cooperative. There are 10 television screens located at the bar and multiple 20-foot screens which are visible from the pool. Whether or not you have guest in town, this is a great way to see the city of Miami skyline while enjoying the Winter Games.

www.bokampers.com Head out to Bokampers in Miramar to get a sports bar experience with a bit of winter. First of all, it’s huge, clean and nicely decorated, complete with a fireplace that adds to the winter ambiance. The food includes signature burgers like the pretzel bacon swiss burger and the wings are out of this world. It doesn’t matter where you sit because there are views of TVs and projection screens everywhere. This is the place for sports fans, non-sports fans and if you want to bring them, children.

401 S.W. 3rd Ave. - Miami, FL 33130 / (305) 285-3030 / www.finnegansriver.com

Slackers Bar & Grill 995 W. State Road 84 - Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 / (954) 530-4758 www.slackersbarandgrill.com Slackers is a medium-sized establishment with 50 HDTVs. No matter where you sit, you’ll get a great view of the games and some tables even have their own television. The crowd is mellow and is more for those looking for an authentic bar experience, but you would expect nothing less from a bar run by Wisconsin transplants. Avid beer drinkers frequent this establishment to sample the 20 craft beers on tap and regulars use their loyalty card to save on meals like ribs and steak. This bar proves that it’s totally okay to be a slacker.

February 2014

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Top Spots To Get

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Gifts In South Florida

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It’s the perfect time to get a head start on Valentine’s Day shopping. South Florida shops have the best gifts on offer from incredible floral arrangements to jewelry for Valentines of different tastes and dispositions. Each store on this list features something appealing to both men and women. These shops are great locales to visit for harder-to-find gifts to make the holiday even more special.

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Pistils & Petals 1060 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 534-5001 www.pistilsandpetals.com The striking Pistils & Petals floral shop in South Beach looks like something from a dream. The floral arrangements use some of the finest species of flowers to be found in brilliant colors and in seemingly impossible designs. This is a can’tmiss gift destination for a number of occasions including the holiday of love. Special gift arrangements are available as well with such items as fine champagne and candles. Going to the florist that has provided arrangements for companies such as Cartier and Dolce & Gabbana means nothing but the best. Delivery is available for certain orders as well as residential and corporate on-site installations/arrangements.

Oh La La Cheri 811 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 532-5686 www.ohlalacheri.com There are few things that say Valentine’s Day as well as stunning French lingerie. This Miami lingerie shop features beautiful, catwalk-ready looks in top materials and with unexpected details. The designs are sexy yet classy and they’re made with fine quality. The collections even include a bridal collection – a great choice for the bride-to-be – and the prices are surprisingly affordable.

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February 2014

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Levinson Jewelers 888 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (954) 462-8880 www.levinsonjewelers.com The husband and wife-owned Levinson Jewelers is a fabulous option for Valentine’s Day shopping – what makes for a better romantic present than fine jewelry? The sprawling, nearly 10,000-square-foot store is home to jewelry, timepieces and related gift items and collectibles by fine designers such as Ivanka Trump, Gucci, Penny Preville and Bvlgari. The store even has its own namesake collection, Levinson Collection. The shop’s merchandise includes jewelry items and pens for less than $300 to pieces selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Appointments are available upon request.

Vault 1024 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-5251 www.vaultworldwide.com Vault is a special luxury shop filled with such items as jewelry, watches, binoculars and glasses. The brands on offer include Chrome Hearts, Tom Ford, Loren Jewels and Richard Mille for an impressive lineup of designers. There are goodies for both men and womenand it’s the right place to find gifts that won’t be seen anywhere else. The well-versed sales staff is ready and willing to help shoppers find that perfect gift with personalized and attentive shopping support.

February 2014

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Just like a child, daily exercise and a familiar routine is essential to the good health and happy mentality of your dog. One way to make sure your canine companion is getting what it needs is by hiring a daily dog walking service. But who can you trust with your four-legged friend? Take advice from other South Florida dog owners and go with the best.

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For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Four Legged Pet Care

5 Paw Pets

1111 Brickell Bay Drive Miami, FL 33131 (305) 975-4065 www.fourleggedpetcare.com

1804 N.W. 78th Way Hollywood, FL 33024 (954) 845-PAWS www.5pawpets.com

With a philosophy anchored in the idea that, “When you leave your pet(s) with us, you’re leaving your child,” you can rest assured that these folks take the responsibility seriously. The company offers dog walking and other pet services from South Dade through Palm Beach from a happy crew of male and female dog lovers who are licensed, bonded and insured. Additional services even include dog training. Each dog walker is listed online at the website with their direct email and phone contact information.

With a free consultation to get you started, and very reasonable rates after that, you will not only love the affordability of 5 Paw Pets, but you will love the happy and energetic dog walkers. The company’s mission is to exceed your expectations and to provide high-quality and on-time pet care and pet sitting services. And its clients say that it succeeds in its mission daily. Each walker is a pet owner just like you, and they are licensed, bonded and insured. 5 Paw Pets takes pride in providing all the little things its competitors offer, but it does not charge for all the extras.

The Official Dog Walkers

Fun Paw Care

www.theofficialdogwalkers.com No matter what area of Miami-Dade or Broward you live in, you will find the perfect dog walker for your pet through this website. You can interview the dog walkers over the phone and then they can come to your home for a consultation to discuss exactly what your pet will need. Each walker is licensed, bonded and insured. Dog walking services are offered from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and they don’t charge extra for an additional dog. Advance payment is required.

Dogs Go Walking

2520 Coral Way, Suite #2-108 Miami, FL 33145 (786) 372-0299 www.funpawcare.com For over 25 years, Russell Hartstein, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, has been the go-to guy for South Florida dog owners. One exciting feature of his company is that your walker will provide you with a Daily Dog Report Card so you’ll get the lowdown on your pooch’s playtime. Another bonus is that each of the college and/ or graduate school-educated dog walkers are extensively trained in basic obedience training, CPR and first aid for cats and dogs, and are certified pet sitters. Dog walking and training starts at $39. Additional pets are half-price.

11547 66th Place N. West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (964) 260-4304 www.dogsgowalking.com What started as a nice gesture for an elderly couple has grown into a thriving South Florida dog walking business. Owner Monika Stefaniak takes great pride in the personal care given to each of her furry clients, from walks on the beach to cage-free pet sitting in a private home. Pet taxi service is also available. To make a reservation, log on to the website. Although the company headquarters are in West Palm Beach, it offers services throughout Broward and Miami-Dade.

February 2014

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Navy Technology May Help Women In The

Fight Against

Breast Cancer Cynthia Demos

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Technology developed 15 years ago for the United States military may now help women in the fight against breast cancer and that’s great news for Susan Gant. “My husband’s first wife died of breast cancer. My aunt on my mother’s side died of breast cancer.” Like many of us, breast cancer hits too close to home for Susan Gant who once had her own scare. “I had multiple cysts.” But even so, like so many other women, she still neglected to keep up with her self-exams.

“I

know how to do it. There’s just something. A disconnect between my fingers and what I think my fingers should know versus my doctor and when he/she gives me a manual breast exam,” explained Gant. That’s why most women don’t do the home exams, according to Dr. Han Chiu, an adviser at Stanford University’s Clinical Excellence Research Center. “They don’t know what they’re looking for,” Dr. Chiu said. “They might kind of remember. What you really wanna do is get comfortable with what does your breast feel like? What’s changed? And if you do it too infrequently, you’re not gonna be able to tell that.” But Ken Wright is hoping to change that. “40,000 women dying of this a year and that isn’t necessary!” Fifteen years ago, Wright created a laser technology for the U.S. Navy that allowed systems to see objects even in incredibly murky water. This technology led Wright to develop his latest invention — The Eclipse. “You could actually take that same technology and look into tissue and look at rogue cells or diseased tissues,” Wright said. “With your traditional home self-breast exam, you’re feeling around for bumps, but with the eclipse what you’re doing is actually seeing visually what’s happening.” The Eclipse, which is handheld and radiation-free, is used in the same way a home breast exam is performed, except when you use it, as you would perform an examination at home, the device collects a number of images. “Algorithms and our smart technology actually takes all those little images and puts it back together into a palatable image of each breast, and then each month you can see if there’s change,” Wright said. The device also allows you to keep track of when you performed your exams, and gives you the ability to save the images onto your computer. You can also upload them into The Pink Cloud, which is a network of Eclipse users.

From there, you can keep images private or share them with your doctor. According to Dr. Chiu, most women don’t perform exams because they don’t know what to feel for. The Eclipse is now moving into the commercial phase. The company is now looking for investment partners to help them offer free trials to a number of women. While the Eclipse is not meant as a replacement of a mammogram, Wright says he is working on an alternative to the uncomfortable procedure at his invention lab in California. It’s larger technology that you could see in your doctor’s office someday which is a non-invasive alternative to the often daunting, and sometimes painful mammogram. “Very comfortable that you can lay down, (it) displays breast against chest wall instead of compression, and it’s actually light looking down into it, and giving signal back, and telling you what you looked at,” Wright said. While Wright says his wife and daughter are the inspiration for his work, he hopes his inventions will help save lives through early detection. “We’re really trying to break some barriers here and get tools that allow women to have more empowerment,” Wright said.

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cbs4 newspaper

February 2014

Talking Baby: Should Pregnant Women Drink

Alcohol & Caffeine? It seems like the rules of pregnancy are constantly changing, so navigating through them can be tricky for moms-to-be. One of the big questions is regarding caffeine and alcohol. Should pregnant women abstain, or is a little bit ok?

affeine is the fuel that runs families across the country. An estimated 400 million cups of coffee are consumed in the U.S every day. Valerie Schimel, who is a mom of three, loves her coffee. Schimel and her husband tried to get pregnant for a long time, so when it finally happened, she kicked her coffee addiction. “I went overboard, being cautious about everything,” she told CBS4’s Rhiannon Ally. Previous studies suggested any amounts of caffeine could cause harm. But, Dr. Gene Burkett with the UM School of Medicine says new research suggests a small amount is ok. “There’s no data to suggest if you have one cup of coffee there will be problems.” Dr. Burkett said. The problem is many women won’t stop at just one cup. Dr. Burkett said anything more than that can cause serious problems like early miscarriage, hypertension, and rapid pulse. Dr. Burkett said that’s because caffeine, along with any other beverages, crosses the placenta, and that includes alcohol. One new study in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal revealed there is no association between alcohol consumption before 15 weeks of gestation and small for gestational age,

reduced birth weight, preeclampsia, or spontaneous preterm birth. It’s a controversial and personal issue. Many women admitted to Ally off camera that they consumed alcohol while pregnant, but most agreed it’s best to pass. Dr. Burkett agrees. He says even the smallest amount can make its way into a babies system and the consequences could be severe, like subtle learning disabilities to severe mental retardation.

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“Even the smallest amount can make its way into a baby’s system and the consequences could be severe”

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February 2014

cbs4 newspaper

For Information Call: 305.477.1699

Flash Sale & Discount Sites

Sell Their Own Brands Flash sale and discount websites are hot shopping destinations for consumers who want to find bargains on luxury and designer goods but we found some of these sites are now selling their own trademarked brands, many advertising an original and then a discounted price ,but in many cases the merchandise isn’t available anywhere else.

hopper Lora Tusinski said she’s saved hundreds of dollars on designer items on flash sale sites and when a “Barrow and Grove” sweater caught her eye, she ordered it right away from “Gilt.com” What Lora didn’t know was “Barrow and Grove” is actually a private label owned by Gilt. “When I bought the item, no, I didn’t have any idea,” said Tusinski. Lora’s sweater is one of hundreds of products popular flash sale and discount websites are now creating. A review of federal records reveals: Rue La La, One Kings Lane, Zulily, Ideeli and Gilt all applied for registered trademarks for items that range from clothing, to jewelry, to home goods. Experts say some online sale and discount sites are now selling exclusive private label merchandise because they make more money selling their own products. Now that the economy is improving people are paying more for luxury goods, so there’s less inventory for discount and sale sites. Gilt filed the most trademarks in our review of the flash

sale and discount sites, said: “with six years of sales history, we know exactly what our members are looking for and our private label merchandise serves our more intent-based shoppers.” Those in the e-tail biz said these sites closely watch what shoppers buy. Not all sites make it clear they’re the makers behind some of the products they sell and that original price you see next to the discount is what retailers value the item at, even if it might not have ever been sold at full price. To make sure your online shopping experience is positive, experts say when ordering a new brand, try to research similar items for sale to make sure the one you want is competitively priced, check out online reviews and know the site’s return policy, since some will only issue you a credit. Lora said now that she knows about this new private label trend, she’s willing to give other items a try. Retail insiders point out that many department stores have been selling their own private labels for years and sometimes those aren’t advertised as store brands.

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February 2014

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By Brian Andrews

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Most people like getting their hands on the latest and newest technology, but for some, letting go of the old is hard to do.

icole Wakelin is delights in trying out new technology and owning the latest gadgets but she, like many, has trouble getting rid of the old. “I have everything from phones that I haven’t used in five years that are still in a pile, various versions of the iPads that also sit in a pile that don’t get used,” said Nicole. Nicole says her gadgets have grown on her—and she’s attached. “It’s hard to part with it. You know, it means so much when you buy it,” said Nicole. Dr. Christina Villarreal is a behavior therapist who specializes in hoarding. She says gadget hoarding is becoming more prevalent. “Gadget hoarding is a form of hoarding disorder, which is a person having persistent difficulty with parting with their possessions, regardless of their value,” said Dr. Villareal. For serious hoarders, staying current can be a financial drain. “I’ve definitely seen patients who struggled with feeling the need to accrue electronic devices, in spite of their ability to afford them. It’s definitely becoming an increased area of concern for many people,” Dr. Villareal said. But is keeping a collection of dated devices a sign you need help? “Holding onto old cellphones or old laptops isn’t necessarily hoarding or a problem, as long as it’s not affecting a person’s work life, home life, relationships, and ability to function,” said Dr. Villareal. Nicole said she’s not that far gone and points out a practical reason for holding on to old electronics. “We haven’t gotten rid of them because there’s that sense, ‘What if something happened that I needed this as a backup?’” Nicole said. However, she does admit some emotional attachment to her collection of gadgets, something Dr. Villareal believes is not uncommon.

“Some people hold onto electronic devices because they used them during a special time in their life. Maybe they had cellphones from college, uh pagers that they used in particular work settings,” said Villareal. Whether the motivation is sensible or sentimental, if you’ve got gadgets galore, consumer guru Andrea Woroch has some advice. “Consider selling them so you can help pay for some monthly expenses like your cable or electricity bill,” said Woroch. Woroch says letting go of the gadgets could lead to some serious cash back in your pocket. Nicole knows her gadget stash could probably bring in some spare cash, but she’s holding onto it—at least for now. “Gadgets are probably my big weakness. I try not to hoard anything else,” said Nicole.

“Gadget hoarding is a form of hoarding disorder, which is a person having persistent difficulty with parting with their possessions, regardless of their value”

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