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newspaper March 2014

Also Inside: Find Out Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fueling Your Mindless Eating Habit Should Doctors Google Their Patients? Talking Baby: Introducing The Dog & The Baby Beware of Online Scam Targeting Puppy Lovers

Beware of

Tax Refund

I.d.Theft

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Contents

Newspaper March 2014

Featured Editorial

34 |

Beware of Tax Refund Identity Theft With identity theft rising across the nation. Taxpayers are urged to do their part to protect their personal information from scam artists.

10 |

Study Finds Attractive People Earn More At Work

66 |

If it seems as though the attractive people in your office get all the breaks, it may not be your imagination. A Yale University study found attractive men and women earn more than their average counterparts.

14|

New Alzheimer’s Test Helps With Early Diagnosis With more and more people being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, doctors say it’s critical to identify problems with memory and thinking as soon as possible. Now, a simple test could help spot the early signs of the disease.

26| 46|

Is the Juice Craze Worth The Hype?

At prestigious Cornell University some students are feasting on dog food. It’s one of a variety of experiments by professor Brian Wansink, the rest deal with people food, on what influences our eating without us even realizing. According to Wansink, we think we’re master and commander of all our food decisions, but were not.

94 | Heroin Use On The Rise

When renowned actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment last month, he reportedly had a syringe in his arm and dozens of envelopes of what is believed to be heroin in his home. Sources tell CBS News there were more than 70 glassine envelopes found, some empty, some full, some with traces of a substance.

Googled By Your Doctor You wouldn’t think twice about Googling information about your doctor or dentist. But what if you found out they were also looking up information about you online?

What’s Fueling Your Mindless Eating Habit?

Special Section

Real Estate

Properties Sold in your area

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People who might not otherwise sit down to a big, large salad are getting two to three pounds of produce in an easy to drink, easy to consume, digestible way, but is that the best way to get your daily dose of veggies? PRINTED IN THE USA, COPYRIGHT © 2014 BY MARCO G, INC. All rights reserved. The CBS4 News Magazine, a free publication, is published monthly by MARCO G, Inc. Material in this publication must not be stored or reproduced in any form without permission from Marco G. Inc. or WFOR CBS4. Requests for permission should be directed to: info@cbs4newsmagazine.com. CBS4 and/or Marco G. Inc do not assume any liability for products and/or services claimed in advertisements herein. CBS4 and its logo (s) are protected through trademark registration. The use of logos, content and/or artwork in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. For more information please contact 305.477.1699.

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March 2014

Hottest

jobs of

2014 By Vanessa Borge

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The hot jobs for 2014 are out. This year’s includes much more than the usual high-tech white collar finance careers.

isa Hua, for example, just started working as a physical therapist and had her pick of jobs that could offer $37.00 an hour. “I probably applied to around six companies and hospitals. I had interviews at all six places so I had offers from four and there were two I didn’t even wait to hear back from because I accepted the job at ATI,” said Hua. Physical therapy is one of the hottest jobs for 2014. “What’s a nice pleasant surprise, we’re seeing some of the positions come back that we haven’t seen in a while,” said Rosemary Haefner is with Career Builder. “Some of the training positions, some of what we would consider back office, your finance, your accounting, your marketing.”

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March 2014

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hese are high paying jobs like Training and Development Specialists making $27.00 an hour. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earn $29.00 an hour or Software Developers offer $45.00, which is another position filled by people who are wanted like Dave Willkomm. “I’m recruited every so often from recruiters on LinkedIn” said Willkomm. That’s because managers like Michael Westover at Fidelity Life want full time workers. “We used to use contractors, temporary help too. We’re hiring more people as employees and the reason for that is the economy picked up and our business picked up. There’s less uncertainty,” said Westover. High-salaried positions aren’t the only jobs considered hot this year. Also sought after are Interpreters and Translators, making $22.00 an hour and Meeting, Convention and Event Planners earning $23.00. “Big City Bride has been steadily growing each year,” said Susan Cordogan form Big City Bride. So the company is always looking to hire more people. “I look for a well-rounded person. It’s not always grades, it’s not always the school but what have they done to expose themselves to event planning,” said Cordogan. While many of the “hot” jobs require at least a four year degree, recruiters admit the need for talent makes them more generous. “They’re willing to invest in helping the candidates who are maybe just shy of what they need in credential-wise and to bring them up to speed.”

“While many of the “hot” jobs require at least a four year degree, recruiters admit the need for talent makes them more generous”

March 2014

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Study Finds

Attractive People

Earn

AT WORK If

it seems as though the attractive people in your office get all the breaks, it may not be your imagination. A Yale University study found attractive men earn 9-percent more than their average counterparts and attractive women earn 4-percent more. Over the course of a career, that can add up to real money. According to human resources consultant, Elaine Varelas, it’s all about perception. “I think that more attractive people appear to invest more in themselves, in their work, in their relationships,” she said.

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But researchers at Harvard discovered there is a price to pay for those beauty-related benefits. It seems employers often have higher expectations of attractive workers. Researchers conducted a test and found that employers over-estimated the productivity of beautiful people, making it easier for average people to meet or exceed expectations. According to Varelas, if there’s no substance behind the looks, you aren’t going to get far. “Looks can get you in the door. Looks can get you a conversation or an interview. Ultimately, it’s being able to communicate what your skills are that will keep you there and get you promoted,” she said. So while looks may help, it may be the actual work you do that carries the most weight when it comes to success on the job.

“I think that more attractive people appear to invest more in themselves, in their work, in their relationships”

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March 2014

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New

Alzheimer’s Test Helps With Early Diagnosis

With more and more people being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, doctors say it’s critical to identify problems with memory and thinking as soon as possible. Now, a simple test could help spot the early signs of the disease.

CBSMIAMI.COM

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March 2014

mily Caldwell’s mother Bonnie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease eight years ago, but the family suspected something wasn’t right two years before that. “She was always missing a beat. We would be in conversation and she would say, what are you talking about?” said caregiver Emily Caldwell. Now, researchers at Ohio State University say a simple, selfadministered test can help spot cognitive changes. The four page test, which was given to people 50 and older, measured language, reasoning, problem solving and memory.

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“We are able to use it very easily in community settings,” said Dr. Douglas Scharre, the Director of Cognitive Neurology at Ohio State University. Dr. Douglas Scharre says the test can be taken at home, the senior center or the doctor’s office and it takes less than 15 minutes. Previous research shows it can detect 80 percent of people with mild thinking and memory issues. Researchers hope the test will help catch cognitive changes earlier so doctors can start treatment right away. “Patients just come in too late to be identified .They come into their doctor’s office perhaps 3 or 4 years after people have

March 2014

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noticed specific cognitive issues,” added Dr Scharre. Caldwell says the test would have made a big difference with her mom. “It definitely would have helped us confirm our suspicions and maybe try to be more aggressive about getting her evaluated,” said Caldwell. Researchers say people who take the test should talk to their doctor before interpreting results. They caution the study does not diagnose a person with Alzheimer’s. You can find the test here:

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/alzheimers/sagetest/Pages/index.aspx or call (614) 293-4969 for more information.

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“people who take the test should talk to their doctor before interpreting results”

March 2014

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Beware of

E-mail Receipts They Could Cost You Your Privacy!

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“Once a store gets your e-mail address, it can, and likely will, send you more e-mails, use it for marketing purposes, and possibly sell it to data aggregators”

consumer group is advising shoppers to think twice before agreeing to have their receipts e-mailed to them. The Consumer Federation of California says once a store gets your e-mail address, it can, and likely will, send you more e-mails, use it for marketing purposes, and possibly sell it to data aggregators. It’s illegal in California for merchants to collect customer’s private information, like an e-mail address, to complete a credit card transaction. But, Richard Holober, of the Consumer Federation of California, says stores are getting the coveted information anyway, when a customer willingly hands over their e-mail address for the receipt. Proponents of digital receipts tout their convenience and contend they are better for the environment. Apple, the store that pioneered the idea of the e-receipt told ConsumerWatch does not sell customer’s e-mail addresses to -third-parties. It said it does, however, use them for marketing purposes. Macy’s, another store that offers digital receipts, did not reply to our questions about what it does with customer’s mail addresses. So, what’s a consumer to do? Holober contends consumers should weigh the pros and cons and “make the right decision.”

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March 2014

Profile

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By Cynthia Demos

You wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think twice about Googling information about your doctor or dentist. But what if you found out they were also looking up information about you online? A controversial question on whether to Google, or not to Google, patients is being debated. Is it a violation of patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; privacy or a good way for doctors to better help with care?

March 2014

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ver since she got braces, Thursday Bram spent lots of time at her dentist’s office. However, she certainly wasn’t braced for what she learned while at one of her appointments. “My dentist had looked me up on Google,” said Bram. Bram, who runs her own marketing company, said while she was in the chair, the dentist confessed he checked her out online and asked for business advice. “That felt a little bit awkward for me,” said Bram. Other health care providers have confessed to looking up information about their patients as well. “This really opens up a new paradigm into how physicians and patients interact and how physicians really get to know their patients,” said Dr. Haider Warraich. Dr. Warraich admitted that he searched online for patient info. He said he, and other doctors he’s discussed the issue with, usually only do it when patient safety is a concern.

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“My dentist had looked me up on Google, that felt a little bit awkward”

“Whenever you’re in front of a computer, Google is always such an easy tool,” said Dr. Warraich. “Which is why my fear is that just because of ease of use, this practice may in fact increase.” owever, the American College of Physicians advises health care providers not to Google patients. Dr. Molly Cooke said looking up information online can compromise doctor/patient relationships and trust. “It’s hard for me to imagine how I would introduce into a conversation with a patient, you know ‘you told me you don’t smoke but I saw those pictures on Facebook of you that clearly showed you smoking,’” said Dr. Cooke. So what about if patients don’t give physicians the full story?

March 2014

ake the case of a woman who requested a preventive double mastectomy. Puzzled doctors didn’t think her story added up so they Googled her and found Facebook pages claiming she had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was soliciting donations. After seeing that, doctors decided not to operate. Dr. Cooke did, however, acknowledged that there can be extraordinary situations where it’s acceptable to look patients up though. “I suppose there are instances where it might be necessary to confront a patient about a misrepresentation, but those would be rare situations,” said Dr. Cooke. As for Bram, she said she wished her dentist had just asked her about her business, instead of searching online. “I never really expected that, even though now it’s very common place to Google things, I never really expected that my doctor or my dentist may be using it in that way,” said Bram. Dr. Warraich said before a medical professional Googles a patient, they need to ask themselves: how is this going to benefit the patient? And if they don’t have a good answer for that, log off.

“Before a medical professional Googles a patient, they need to ask themselves: how is this going to benefit the patient? And if they don’t have a good answer for that, log off”

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March 2014

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Beware of

Tax Refund

I.d.Theft

Lauri King waited 50 weeks to get her IRS refund. “Well I think it’s preposterous. I really don’t think it should have taken that long,” said King. And Lauri isn’t alone. Kemroy Thomas is still waiting on his 2011 tax refund! “I think we were supposed to get back like between $2-5,000,” explained Thomas. Both were victims of IRS refund fraud. It’s a problem that has been spiraling out of control.

“T

“About 15-percent of all identity theft complaints involved tax returns. In 2013, that number jumped to 43-percent”

hey had used my social and filed for me,” Thomas told CBS4. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2010, about 15-percent of all identity theft complaints involved tax returns. In 2013, that number jumped to 43-percent. Michael Dobzinski is with the Internal Revenue Service. “It’s a nationwide problem and certainly it affects people everywhere,” said Dobzinski. “And when they go and file their tax return that’s when often times is the first time they’re aware that they’ve been affected by identity theft.” CBS4 was first to tell you how Florida inmates had cooked up a scheme to fleece taxpayers of their refunds, with checks actually being sent by the IRS to prisons! Then CBS4 reported that more th an 300,000 identity theft refunds were still waiting to be processed by the IRS. Florida’s senior Senator, Bill Nelson, held hearings on the refund fraud.

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March 2014

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“In 2012, the Inspector General at the Treasury Department estimated that over the next five-years, the IRS could issue $21-billion dollars in potentially fraudulent tax refunds”

“C

BS Channel 4 WFOR has really made this a cause celeb as they have tried to alert people as to what is happening,” declared Senator Nelson in April of last year. In 2012, the Inspector General at the Treasury Department estimated that over the next five-years, the IRS could issue $21-billion dollars in potentially fraudulent tax refunds. The IRS disagrees with that whopping number, but knows that much must still be done to protect honest taxpayers from fraud. “We’ve assigned 3,000 employees to work just on identity theft cases alone,” said Dobzinski. “Additionally, we’ve got another 35,000 employees that are able to take a look at cases as they come in or identify cases as they come in as identity theft.” The IRS said that most taxpayers can expect a refund within 21-days after filing electronically. New software filtering programs have also been put in place, along with a tracking program. “The update is almost like tracking a FedEx package. It tells you your return is received, it’s in process, now it’s in transit, when it’s going to be deposited,” said Dobzinski. In the meantime, taxpayers are urged to do their part to protect their personal information from scam artists. Other tips include:

March 2014

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• Don’t keep your social security card in your wallet • Check your credit report every 12-months • Protect your home computer with firewalls and snti-spam/ virus software • Don’t give personal informtation over the phone, mail or internet, unless you’ve initiated the contact • Don’t go to a tax preparer who advertises on a telephone pole, askes you to sign a blank return or wants and upfront fee.

“I

would basically go to the same person I went to last year,” Shante Gill of Plantation told CBS4. “I would make sure all my confidential information is kept in a safe or kept somewhere where no one can have access to it.” Kemroy Thomas also plans to file early. “Because if you wait, somebody else be able to take your information and your return,” explained Thomas. A good plan, but only if you are prepared. “You should file when you have all your information. And earlier the better,” conceded Dobzinski. A portion of Senator Nelson’s legislation from last year was included in the Murray-Ryan budget deal. It restricts access to the so-called “master death file” and will hopefully stop people from swiping other people’s social security numbers. Meanwhile, the new IRS Commissioner has pledged to reduce the time it takes to clear up identity theft refunds from 180-days to 120-days.

“You should file when you have all your information. And the earlier the better”

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March 2014

Calendar

Events

Miami-Dade & Broward Spring Spectacular: A Celebration of Life presented by Greater Miami March 11 - 8 p.m. UM's Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive The concert features retired USAF Col. Arnald D. Gabriel as guest conductor. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. gmsb.org or call 305-273-7687. $15 for adults, $5 students.

Photography Downtown Walking Tour with Leica Cameras March 29 - 11 a.m., Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Avenue Calling all photographers! During the next Downtown Walking Tour hosted by Leica Store Miami and the Coral Gables Museum, the first 12 tour registrants will be provided with Leica compact cameras to “capture” the energy and architecture of Coral Gables’ historic business district during this 11/2 hour history and architecture tour. Every last Saturday of the month. RSVP at 305-603-8067. $10; $5 museum members.

Thursday Nights at Fairchild March 20 - 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Fairchild Tropical

Farmers Market: Fresh Produce & More

Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road

Sundays 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9 the Farmers Market will be relocated to Suniland Park--one day only!

Bring your family and friends to enjoy exciting activities including: a lecture from a Fairchild expert, a moonlight tour, and a globetrotting adventure on the wild side of botany. We will explore the giant, the ancient and the weird plants hidden away in the world’s most remarkable places. Admission is free for Fairchild Members and children 5 and younger. Non-members: $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up and $12 for children 6 to 17.

Pinecrest Gardens Farmers’ Market operates Sundays from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. every week. You’ll find the season’s best bounty of fruits, vegetables, honey, flowers, meats, cheese and specialty products throughout the year. The market represents a convergence of top local sustainable and organic farmers and food purveyors from the Miami area, Redlands, Homestead, Clewiston and Ft. Pierce. We are committed to the artisan food community and to fostering the values of that community at the Gardens’ Farmers’ Market. We envision the marketplace as a vibrant gathering of local farmers, artisan producers and independently owned and operated small local food businesses and to the customers they serve. Again remember, on March 9th you can do you shopping for this day only at Suniland Park in Pincrest at the corner of 128th Street and Pinecrest Parkway (US 1).

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South Motors Jazz Series presents SHELLY BERG & THE FROST CONCERT JAZZ BAND Saturday, March 15, 8:00 p.m. He’s a composer, arranger, educator, conductor, and jazz piano virtuoso. He has recorded with Woody Herman, Louis Bellson, Freddie Hubbard and Randy Brecker, among others. His own solo CDs have garnered critical acclaim. The Frost Concert Jazz Band under the direction of Dante Luciani has been the University of Miami’s premiere large jazz ensemble for over 30 years. The band has numerous recordings to its credit, which showcase the long lineage of world-class talent. Most recently, the band won Downbeat’s award for outstanding performance by a college big band in 2006, best big band in 2007 and was the graduate college winner in the Large Jazz Ensemble category for 2010. Experience a night that runs the gamut from original compositions to exciting and dynamic swing. For tickets, call 305-669-6990.

WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE March 21, 2014 - Mar 30 2014 www.wintermusicconference.com 954/563-4444 One of the most acclaimed music industry gatherings in the US, with more than 200 artists, DJ and record company receptions and parties, panel discussions, new product premieres, technology demonstrations and the premier international awards show for the dance music industry.

THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA: THE PLANETS March 21, 2014 - Mar 22 2014 ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Urbanism: Perceived And Interpreted through March 30, 2014 coral gables museum 305/603-8067 Beauty can be found in the unlikeliest of places. The artists who reside at the Bakehouse Art Complex (BAC in Wynwood) exemplify this in works that capture the heart of Miami’s urban life filled with all of its wonders -from skyscrapers to pigeons on electrical wires. For more information call 305-603-8067.

1/2 Price Hump Days! March 12, 19, 26, 2014 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Address: 7401 NW 74 Street - Miami, FL 33166 Contact Person: Gilda Nunez-Hervis Phone Number: 305-418-7128 www.miamidade.gov/animals/ Animal Services in collaboration with ASPCA is offering 1/2 priced adoptions every Wednesday. Find your perfect pet and make adoption your only option. For more information call 3-1-1.

Sundays on the Porch with George: Merrick House Art Festival

1300 BISCAYNE BLVD. MIAMI, FL 33132

March 9 - 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Merrick House, 907

www.clevelandorchestramiami.com

Coral Way

305/949-6722 A modern classic, The Planets has influenced every composer of science fiction and fantasy film scores. Based upon the astrological symbols, Gustav Holst’s work explores the complexity of human consciousness against the mysteries of outer space. The program features Mozart's Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio, Higdon's Percussion Concerto and Holst's The Planets. With high-definition NASA images projected above the Orchestra on a large screen. Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor. 8 p.m.

Spend a colorful, creative afternoon at the Merrick House & Gardens. View a solo exhibit of images of Florida & Spain by fine art photographer Tom Smith. Attend Little Gables Group free digital photography workshop. Enjoy landscape painting en plein air, the sounds of UM Sax & Keyboards Duo and wines from Spain. Free.

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March 2014

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Taste Of The Town Takes A Bite Out Of

Michael Mina 74

hef Michael Mina has taken his talents from cooking up Bourbon steak in Aventura to Miami Beach as he plans to open his second eatery in town called Michael Mina 74, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. It’s the 19th restaurant for the Egypt-born chef who partnered his Mina group with his friend, former tennis star Andre Agassi. “He said let’s do this together, and it’s best thing that ever happened to me,” said Mina. The 215 seat restaurant is stylish and warm. It’s an American bistro, downstairs under the lobby of the famed hotel. “I’m so excited to be here,” said Mina. “Being in Aventura at Turnberry is great, but a totally different vibe. I’ve always wanted to be down on the beach, so this is my chance,” said Mina. Mina called his restaurant a true supper club when a DJ transitions the mood into late night hours. “The cocktail program is unbelievable. We’re the first to

do cocktails on tap. We do all of our carbonated cocktails in bottles that we bottle ourselves,” said Mina. But it’s the food that has made Mina’s name. The first appetizer he served up was an authentic Japanese Wagyu Beef Shabu Shabu, guests cooked and dipped into a Miso Ponzu sauce. “You would never think of this as comfort food, but to me it’s comforting” said CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo after tasting. Next up is a colorful beet salad with prosciutto ham, goat cheese, hazelnuts and compressed squash. The spiny Lobster Capatelli, flavored with poppy seeds and lemon with a sea urchin butter, is a true delicacy. The meal ended with Mina’s twist on Jamaican chicken – Jerk Quayle with Fois Gras, fresh mangos and beans and the taste is simply out of this world. So if you’ve been looking for a new restaurant to go to, check out more of Chef Mina’s meals on MichaelMina.net

March 2014

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Is the

Worth the Hype? By Vanessa Borge When physical therapist Nicolas Bartolotta is looking for a jolt, he skips the caffeine and drinks a vegetable juice instead. “It makes me feel healthy and physically I actually get a boost of energy,” said Bartolotta. He doesn’t reach for just any juice; he’s into cold pressed juices. Once sold as liquid cleanses they’re now also hitting the market at health food stores for a simple infusion of fruits and veggies on the go.

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Copy

“These juices can be a great way to grab something when you’re on the run to still have some vegetables and some fruits in your diet. But they shouldn’t be what we rely on solely as our intake of fruits and vegetables”

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March 2014

“P

eople who might not otherwise sit down to a big, large salad are getting two to three pounds of produce in an easy to drink, easy to consume, digestible way,”

said Bartolotta. That produce can include ingredients like kale, cucumber, collard greens and celery with carrots or apples to give the juices a sweeter taste. They’ve also become hip and they aren’t cheap, costing up to $10 for a sixteen-ounce bottle. Beverage analyst Jonas Felicano said that’s due to the organic ingredients as well as the special pasteurization process. “Unlike those other brands, which use, sort of, flash pasteurization or, or high heat, these juices look to imitate the raw juices that are made at home,” said

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Felicano. “Cold press juicing gently grinds the produce into a bag, and then that bag is pressed. So you’re retaining the most nutrient value as possible.” Feliciano said that claim is one of the reasons cold pressed options are a bright spot in the market even though overall juice consumption is down. “This can really raise the value, and, and put more dollars into the juicing business,” said Feliciano. But do they do live up to their nutritional hype? Andrea Giancoli is a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “These juices can be a great way to grab something when you’re on the run to still have some vegetables and some fruits in your diet. But they shouldn’t be what we rely on solely as our intake of fruits and vegetables,” said Giancoli.

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March 2014

“You’re probably going to get a lot more benefit if you were to just to have a salad.

She said the process of juicing extracts the fiber from the fruits and vegetables meaning you won’t get all the digestive benefits you would from eating them whole. “You’re probably going to get a lot more benefit if you were to just to have a salad. You want to ensure that if you do drink these juices on a regular basis that you’re watching the calories because you’re really concentrating the fruits and vegetables when you turn them into a juice, so the calories can really add up,” said Giancoli As for Bartolotta, he’s made juicing part of his weekly routine, and he’s not put off by the price tag. “I would much rather spend a little bit more on a, on a juice – a fresh pressed, organic juice, versus spending it on coffee,” he said.

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March 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

Survey:

Home Shoppers Should Have an Easier Time this Spring! Could home buyers have less competition and an easier time to find the home of their dreams as the home shopping season begins to heat up? The answer is yes. According to data from the latest Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey, which surveyed 110 economists, real estate experts and investment and market strategists, it found that investors — both individuals and companies who bought up lower priced and foreclosed homes throughout the recovery — are expected to take a step back in their activity.

hat this means for home buyers is that the level of competition may ease up a bit. “Buyers entering the market in the next few months will not be competing with cashrich investors like they were last year, which should be some small solace given the higher prices and mortgage rates that they will encounter,” said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. During the depth of the housing recession, when few home buyers were active in the market, investors purchased thousands of homes nationwide, fixing many of them up and keeping them in their portfolios as rental properties. This activity helped put a floor under

sales volumes. But as the recovery progressed, investor demand created competition for many would-be buyers and contributed to rapid price spikes in some areas. “Real estate investors, both large and small, played a crucial role in helping to stabilize markets during the darkest days of the housing recession, but a decline in investor activity now isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and could have real benefits for buyers,” said Humphries. Humphries explained that the gradual decline of investor activity should be seen as another sign of the market slowly returning to normal. However, he agreed with the survey panelists that there wouldn’t necessarily “be a rush for the exit by institutional investors.”

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Content provided by www.Zillow.com

regards to home values, panelists said they expected an average home value appreciation of 4.5 percent nationwide through the end of this year, a pace that exceeds historically normal annual appreciation rates of around 3 percent. This appreciation is expected to slow to roughly 3.8 percent in 2015 and 3.3 percent by 2018 — rates much more in line with historic norms. Based on current expectations for home value appreciation during the next five years, panelists predicted that overall U.S. home values could exceed their April 2007 peak by the first quarter of 2018, and may cross the $200,000 threshold by the third quarter of 2018. Panelists were also asked when the Federal Reserve should end its ongoing stimulus efforts, known as “quantitative easing.” Since September 2012, the Fed has been purchasing tens of billions of dollars worth of Treasury bonds and mortgage securities each month, which has helped keep mortgage interest rates low and stimulate demand. The program is now being wound down, and more than 70 percent of panelists said they would like to see it end before the end of the year.

Content provided by www.Zillow.com

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March 2014

Real Estate

Sold Properties Miami Dade County

1520 Euclid Ave, Apt 8, Miami Beach, FL 33139 0 Beds / 1 Bath | 420 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1947 Sold: 2/5/2014 | $191,500

3054 Day Ave, # 2, Miami, FL 33133 3 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 1,710 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1979 Sold: 1/29/2014 | $472,900

1000 N Shore Dr, Miami, FL 33141 5 Beds / 5.5 Bath | 4,675 sq. ft. | 8,760 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1952 Sold: 2/12/2014 | $750,000

541 Deer Run, Miami Springs, FL 33166 4 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,762 sq. ft. | 0.50 acre Lot | Built in: 1948 Sold: 2/11/2014 | $285,000

3301 NE 1st Ave, Apt H2215, Miami, FL 33137 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,262 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 2/6/2014 | $540,000

100 Meridian Ave, Apt 242, Miami Beach, FL 33139 3 Beds / 3 Bath | 1,485 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2002 Sold: 2/4/2014 | $830,000

412 Alminar Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 2 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,022 sq. ft. | 6,682 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1945 Sold: 2/10/2014 | $380,000

5880 SW 87th St, Miami, FL 33143 4 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,133 sq. ft. | 9,368 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1956 Sold: 2/4/2014 | $660,000

770 NE 69th St, #9E, Miami, FL 33138 2 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 3,556 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 1965 Sold: 2/11/2014 | $900,000

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Sold Properties Broward County

3421 NW 72nd Ter, Hollywood, FL 33024 3 Beds / 2 Bath | 1,014 sq. ft. | 6,009 sq ft Lot | Built in: 1958 Sold: 2/18/2014 | $190,000

3241 SW 187th Ter, Miramar, FL 33029 5 Beds / 3 Bath | 3,579 sq. ft. | 9,600 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2003 Sold: 2/19/2014 | $490,000

302 NE 15th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 3 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,546 sq. ft. | n/a Lot | Built in: 2007 Sold: 2/11/2014 | $765,000

9521 NW 48th Mnr, Coral Springs, FL 33076 4 Beds / 2 Bath | 2,670 sq. ft. | 0.28 acre Lot | Built in: 1992 Sold: 2/13/2014 | $285,000

6106 NW 120th Ter, Coral Springs, FL 33076 5 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,382 sq. ft. | 0.38 acre Lot | Built in: 1998 Sold: 1/30/2014 | $585,000

4451 Estates Rd, Davie, FL 33328 4 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 4,108 sq. ft. | 0.82 acre Lot | Built in: n/a Sold: 1/30/2014 | $894,286

3990 NW 84th Way, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 4 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 2,374 sq. ft. | 3,876 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2012 Sold: 1/30/2014 | $395,000

333 Las Olas Way, Apt 2707, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 2 Beds / 2.5 Bath | 1,522 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2004 Sold: 2/6/2014 | $600,000

5550 NE 29th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 3 Beds / 4 Bath | 3,308 sq. ft. | 0.50 acre Lot | Built in: 1962 Sold: 2/18/2014 | $930,000

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March 2014

Real Estate

Lu x u ry P ropert i e s

2550 Bay Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 4 Beds / 4 Bath | 6,665 sq. ft. | 1.06 acre Lot | Built in: 1969 Sold: 12/31/2013 | $24,500,000

800 S Pointe Dr, Apt 1403, Miami Beach, FL 33139 3 Beds / 3.5 Bath | 3,103 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 1/21/2014 | $8,000,000

Miami Dade County

5048 N Bay Rd, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33140 7 Beds / 11 Bath | 8,517 sq. ft. | 0.74 acre Lot | Built in: 1936 Sold: 1/13/2014 | $17,975,000

111 Cape Florida Dr, Key Biscayne, FL 33149 4 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 4,390 sq. ft. | 0.34 acre Lot | Built in: 1973 Sold: 1/17/2014 | $5,200,000

1435 W 27th St, Miami Beach, FL 33140 7 Beds / 8.5 Bath | 10,500 sq. ft. | 0.46 acre Lot | Built in: 2013 Sold: 1/16/2014 | $15,500,000

50 S Pointe Dr, Apt 3302, Miami Beach, FL 33139 3 Beds / 3 Bath | 2,903 sq. ft. | Condo - Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 1/8/2014 | $4,950,000

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Lu x u ry P ropert i e s

2550 Del Lago Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 7 Beds / 10.5 Bath | 12,147 sq. ft. | 0.5 acre Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 2/7/2014 | $8,350,000

3040 NE 44th St, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 5 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 5,742 sq. ft. | 10,884 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2004 Sold: 2/14/2014 | $2,635,000

Broward County

435 Royal Plaza Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 6 Beds / 6.5 Bath | 6,300 sq. ft. | 0.28 acre Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 1/30/2014 | $3,914,000

1105 Pelican Ln, Hollywood, FL 33019 4 Beds / 4.5 Bath | 6,284 sq. ft. | 0.32 acre Lot | Built in: 2001 Sold: 2/12/2014 | $2,500,000

139 Royal Palm Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 5 Beds / 5.5 Bath | 6,790 sq. ft. | 8,180 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2005 Sold: 1/31/2014 | $3,400,000

1901 Harbourview Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 5 Beds / 7 Bath | 5,439 sq. ft. | 9,583 sq ft Lot | Built in: 2008 Sold: 2/18/2014 | $2,300,000

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Tax Savings:

Rental Property Depreciation Explained One reason you might consider investing in rental properties is to save money on federal income taxes. While this may be true, you should fully understand how rental properties and taxes work in order to determine whether you will save money from your rental property ownership. If you’re already an investment property owner or are thinking about becoming a landlord, here’s a refresher on how the depreciation expense could help you maximize your tax savings.

The basics In doing your annual 1040 federal income tax return, you’ll record your rent and all expenses on a Schedule E form. The net amount of gain or (loss) is then recorded on your 1040 form and can shield your income from taxes if you had a loss. One of the bigger expenses on most rental property owners’ Schedule E is something called depreciation. Here’s how it works. When you own property, each year you write off costs for money you expend where the cost is a one-year expense, such as gardening, general maintenance, repairs and HOA fees. But what if the cost is for an improvement such as a new kitchen or new sidewalks? Because those costs have a useful life beyond one year, you must “capitalize” and depreciate those costs. That means you divide the total cost by the useful life of the improvement, and write off 1/nth of the cost per year. For example, you do $15,000 worth of driveway and sidewalks, with a 15-year useful life, so you can write off $1,000 per year ($15,000 divided by 15 years).

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The biggest capital asset of any property is the actual purchase of the house. When you buy a rental property and will own it for longer than one year, you can depreciate the structure. First you must divide the purchase price of the property between the land and the building. You can use your tax assessor’s estimate of the cost of each of those components, an appraisal or an insurance agent’s estimate of the cost of the building. Either way, you can only depreciate the building, as theoretically the land portion of your purchase price is not “used” up and cannot be depreciated.

Crunching the numbers Here’s an example: Let’s say you buy a single-family home for $200,000. The tax assessor’s estimate of the land value is $75,000, and the building value estimate is $125,000. Your depreciation expense that you take each year against rental income would be $125,000 divided by the IRS allowed 27.5 years of useful life (residential real estate) for a depreciation expense each year of $4,545. So thanks to that depreciation expense, you are saving (assuming you can use passive activity losses) $4,545 multiplied by your marginal tax rate (which is a topic for another day). This could be tax savings from $1,000 to $2,000 per year, just for the depreciation amount. The calculation and write-off are pretty straightforward, but the actual tax savings amount gets a little more complicated. Many people flub this calculation from the start, so it’s best to find a licensed tax professional and start saving some money going forward.

March 2014

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At prestigious Cornell University some students are feasting on dog food. It’s one of a variety of experiments by professor Brian Wansink, the rest deal with people food, on what influences our eating without us even realizing. “We think we’re master and commander of all our food decisions, but were not,” said Wansink.

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So what can get people to try dog food? Apparently, the word “organic.” “When people believed it was organic, they were much more likely to try and taste it,” Wansink said. When it comes to regular food, they’re looking at whether seeing yourself in a mirror that makes you appear thinner, will result in you eating more. Also, they’re looking at whether using a tray that’s secretly weighted down will make you put less food on that tray. Wansink runs the school’s food and brand lab. Based on what he’s learned, he’s written a book called, “Mindless Eating.” “Of all the people who cycle through here, most people on average within a year end up losing 15 to 20 pounds,” said Wansink. So how did they do it?

The first tip, don’t put food in serving bowls on the table; instead, make up plates in the kitchen. “This really works for guys,” said Wansink because guys generally eat fast. “The rest of the family eats in slow motion compared to us, so what do we do? Well, we eat seconds and thirds and fourths, just so that we have something to do,” he said. Wansinck said men eat 29 percent less if bowls are left on the kitchen counter.

That’s because, according to Wansink, we tend to eat more of whatever we start with. “This works tremendous for kids,” Wansink said. But if given a choice, with everything out on the table, people tend to go for meat or potatoes first.

Maybe even try candlelight. You might not realize it, but Wansink said, “It slows you down and allows your appetite to kind of catch up with your brain.” The result, you’ll eat less.

“If you want to be skinny – skinny glasses,” Wansink says. People will stop pouring sooner with a taller, skinnier glass because it looks like there’s more there.

March 2014

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Finally, if you’re at a buffet, only put two things on your plate at time. “If I can only have two things on my plate, I’m going to take the two things I like the most,” said Wansink. When you go back, Wansink says “You’re a little less excited, so you maybe put a little less on your plate.” He said in the end, you’ll eat nearly 30 percent less than you would otherwise.

Likewise, white wine glasses can help you drink less wine. He says that’s because red wine glasses are wider at the bottom, so it takes more to make them look full. “If you want to drink 10 percent less wine, pull out the white wine glasses and put your red wine in there,” Wansink said.

He says you’ll also pour less wine if you put the glass on the table rather than holding it in your hand.

Put the most healthful foods right at eye level in your fridge. “You’re three times as likely to take the first thing you see,” Wansink says.

Wansink says it’s a bad idea to eat in front of the TV or in a car because you’ll just end up eating more.

Simply moving a candy bowl at least six feet away from you can make a big difference in how much you eat. Instead, put a fruit bowl front and center.

When it comes to snacking, build in a pause point. For example, if you go to a warehouse club and get a huge bag, divide up portions into smaller baggies so you’ll stop when the baggie is empty. In one study, Wansink found that simply dying every seventh potato chip red gave people a visual cue that made them stop eating sooner.

Use smaller plates. Wansink said you’ll still feel satisfied because visually the plate looks full.

Avoid loud pop or rock music while you’re eating. “It’s distracting and what we find is people tend to eat to the beat,” Wansink said. He says you’ll inadvertently eat more, but with softer, soothing music, you’ll actually eat less.

March 2014

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Testing Trend Puts Job Applicants On The Spot

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It used to be a college degree or some experience in the industry could get you the job you want, but today you may be put to the test, literally, before being offered a position.

hen Alyssa Sharp applied to be a marketing specialist, the HR folks put her to work, unofficially. “They sent me this project that they asked me to do over the weekend,” said Sharp. And before Jesse Robinson landed his executive assistant role, he had to demonstrate he has what it takes and complete an online exam. “Outline the steps that I would take for arranging travel for him, another one was sort of outline my thoughts behind a critical decision within the department and how I would handle that,” said Robinson. The hiring process Alyssa and Jesse went through is increasingly common according to consultant Matt Stevenson, who helps companies manage their workforce and increase productivity. He explained personality testing has been a part of the hiring process from some time, and now more

“Tests might help you get noticed if you have the talent but maybe not a lot of experience”

companies are putting testing to the test. “Now, with you know, computer games and all these sorts of things, you can actually build tests that are more like walking through a simulation and being given tasks to do,” said Stevenson of Mercer. One potential benefit for prospective hires, tests might help you get noticed if you have the talent but maybe not a lot of experience. “By doing tests online we can now gather all sorts of people who otherwise might have been excluded from a lot of job searches and actually pre-qualify the beforehand,” said Stevenson. And Lauren Hodgson, who helped hire Alyssa and Jesse, said testing is a critical part of finding the candidate who is the best fit for each position more important than what you can read on a resume. “When we don’t do tests, we’re kind of taking a gamble and that’s not something that we’re interested in,” said Hodgson of Infusionsoft. “Your performance on the job typically has very little often times to do with what that GPA was or where the referral came from,” said Sanjeev Angrawal of Collegefeed. Sanjeev Angrawal created Collegefeed, a

March 2014

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“Read up online, look for whether there are books that can prepare you for these tests” website that matches college graduates with employers. He believes these tests might eliminate good candidates who just don’t test well. But, he acknowledges they can give applicants a good sense of the company and the job requirements. He said preparation is important. “Read up online, look for whether there are books that can prepare you for these tests. I’d say talk to people who have been in similar roles,” said Angrawal. Alyssa and Jesse each admit they worked hard to get the job, but both liked knowing they were a fit before they even started. “It was a little intimidating, but in the end I liked it,” said Sharp. “For me, it instilled some confidence that I am in fact the right choice,” said Robinson. And it’s not just company created tests that are popular. Some job applicants are submitting their standardized tests results, like the GRE or Collegiate learning assessment scores for prospective employers to consider along with their resume.

March 2014

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By Cynthia Demos

Online Scam Targets

Puppy Lovers P

et lovers beware, there’s an online scam targeting people nationwide, using adorable pictures of puppies to steal money from victims. In the story first reported by CBS Denver, one woman who lost thousands of dollars, has a warning for others. Kellie Bohrer was looking for a puppy for her brother when she ran across an online ad for a puppy. “I found the puppy for only $320 which was like okay. That’s not bad,” said Bohrer. That’s not bad at all for a purebred Siberian Husky. They regularly go for as much as a thousand dollars. Kellie contacted the sellers and got more cute pictures and a registration certificate. That’s when the scam began. “The agency called and said that we needed to give them $1600,” said Bohrer. The money was for insurance and the form Kellie got assured her that all that money would be returned upon delivery. “We waited for the puppy. We didn’t get anything, “said Bohrer. What they got was another e-mail asking for more money. This time the puppy was in Idaho and needed vaccinations and a new carrier. “That was another thousand dollars, “said Bohrer. Still no puppy, but Kellie got another e-mail saying the husky was in Las Vegas in puppy quarantine. They wanted another 45-hundred dollars. “We’re like this isn’t right,” said Bohrer. That’s when Kellie started asking questions. American Pet Registry is a real company based out of Arkansas and while the certificate looks authentic, it contains mistakes like registration numbers that are not associated with American Pet Registry. The company said it’s gotten at least 10 complaints about this scam from people all over the country. “If something appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is,” said Dave Joly, an FBI spokesperson. Joly said his investigators see this scam over and over again. The twist in this one is that they’re drawing

March 2014

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“If something appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is”

you in with cute puppy pictures. We did a reverse search and found these same cuties for sale in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, and even featured on what looks like a puppy sale site from a foreign country. “Treat this as a business transaction. Don’t have an emotional attachment to anything that you’re purchasing,” said Joly. They tried to track down the seller listed on Pet lovers beware, there’s an online scam targeting people nationwide, using adorable pictures of puppies to steal money from victims. In the story first reported by CBS Denver, one woman who lost thousands of dollars, has a warning for others. Kellie Bohrer was looking for a puppy for her brother when she ran across an online ad for a puppy. “I found the puppy for only $320 which was like okay. That’s not bad,” said Bohrer. That’s not bad at all for a purebred Siberian Husky. They regularly go for as much as a thousand dollars. Kellie contacted the

sellers and got more cute pictures and a registration certificate. That’s when the scam began. “The agency called and said that we needed to give them $1600,” said Bohrer. The money was for insurance and the form Kellie got assured her that all that money would be returned upon delivery. “We waited for the puppy. We didn’t get anything, “said Bohrer. What they got was another e-mail asking for more money. This time the puppy was in Idaho and needed vaccinations and a new carrier. “That was another thousand dollars, “said Bohrer. Still no puppy, but Kellie got another e-mail saying the husky was in Las Vegas in puppy quarantine. They wanted another 45-hundred dollars. “We’re like this isn’t right,” said Bohrer. That’s when Kellie started asking questions. American Pet Registry is a real company based out of

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“If you run into this kind of doggie deception, the best thing you can do is report it. The FBI is the agency that would investigate this kind of internet fraud. They have a website for online complaints at their internet crime complaint center.”

Arkansas and while the certificate looks authentic, it contains mistakes like registration numbers that are not associated with American Pet Registry. The company said it’s gotten at least 10 complaints about this scam from people all over the country. “If something appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is,” said Dave Joly, an FBI spokesperson. Joly said his investigators see this scam over and over again. The twist in this one is that they’re drawing you in with cute puppy pictures. We did a reverse search and found these same cuties for sale in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, and even featured on what looks like a puppy sale site from a foreign country. “Treat this as a business transaction. Don’t have an emotional attachment to anything that you’re purchasing,” said Joly. They tried to track down the seller listed on the insurance form listed as Aundria Darby of Hoquiam, Washington. Two Aundria Darby’s were found. One was in Texas and one was in California. Neither was selling Siberian Huskies. Kellie is out $ 3,000. Now, she wants to warn other people about the scam. If you run into this kind of doggie deception, Joly says that the best thing you can do is report it. The FBI is the agency that would investigate this kind of internet fraud. They have a website for online complaints at their internet crime complaint center. Investigators said that when you fill out the complaint form include as many details as you can.

March 2014

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6855 S.W. 152nd St. - Miami, FL 33157 (305) 232-4222 - www.aquakidsswim.com/ Price: $125 for 10 sessions Hours: Mon to Fri – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Additional lesson times may be arranged.

980 MacArthur Causeway - Miami, FL 33132 (305) 373-5437 - www.miamichildrensmuseum.org Price: $180 winter and spring members/$200 for winter and spring non-member Hours: daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Aquakids is a great program for parents who want to bond with their kids over lifelong skills. Aquakids knows how important it is to have this skill in south Florida, which is why it is licensed and insured, and all of its coaches have first aid and CPR certifications. Parent/tot classes are available for infants 12 to 18 months old and toddlers 18 months to 3 years old. Aquakids offers these lessons in 30-minute intervals that span 10 weeks. It is best to register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending during the April to July months as they fill up quickly.

Miami Children’s Museum offers yoga Mommy and Me classes for parents and their children who are between 18 and 36 months. The yoga exercises are basic, so you won’t need any prior yoga experience. Miami Children’s Museum also offers other classes mothers may enjoy with their children, including art, music and story time. These classes allow you to bond with your child in artistic and creative new ways while meeting like-minded moms. Prices are divided into 11-week spring and winter sessions offered during both the morning and afternoon.

University of Miami - 1911 Ponce De Leon Miami, FL 33134 - (305) 243-8425 pediatrics.med.miami.edu/ Price: free - Hours: weekly daytime or evening groups offered

University of Miami offers free, evidenced-based parenting classes. Two separate courses are based on the age and developmental needs of your child. The Baby and Me parenting group is for children up to 1 year old. This course lasts for roughly 10 weeks and focuses on early developmental issues such as sleep, nutrition and the bond between parents and children. The other group is for parents with children who are 1 to 5 years old. This program lasts 12 weeks, during which time parents learn how to manage difficult childhood behavior and help their children learn new and important skills. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

March 2014

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632 S. Miami Avenue - Miami, FL 33130 (305) 298-4316 - www.furiaflamenca.com/ Price: $85 per month/three month minimum Hours: Tues – 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.; Thurs – 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Moms with 3 to 4 year olds) Tues – 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Moms with 5 to 6 year olds)

Furia Flamenca is the only professional flamenco prep school in Miami. It offers an incredibly unique, fun and entertaining way to meet other mothers and to encourage kids to stay active through dance. Furia Flamenca offers baby flamenca for children 3 to 6 years old. Classes for children are held once a week, divided up according to the age of your child. Once a month, mommies are asked to join in on the class, dance with their children and meet other mothers who love dance.

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7990 S.W. 117th Ave., Ste. 200 - Miami, FL 33183 (305) 271-9797 - www.ptopmiami.org/ Price: free - Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parent to Parent is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization that provides a multitude of free services for parents who have children with disabilities. These disabilities include emotional, physical, learning, developmental and intellectual. Parents meet other parents who have kids with similar issues, and they receive important education about their child’s specific challenges and any legal information they need to know surrounding their children’s rights in the educationalsystem. Parents will also learn important strategies they may use at home to make sure their home environment meets the needs of their children. Additionally, parents will learn about community resources to help their children grow into healthy adults. Services are provided in English, Spanish and Creole.

March 2014

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To Nap Not to Nap

By Vanessa Borge

What a Quick Shut-Eye Can Do For Your Health And Your Lifestyle Many Americans struggle with feeling tired during the day so the question is to nap or not to nap. One researcher said something that may happen during a nap could be a clue as to whether you’re actually sleep deprived. Research shows there are clear benefits to some quick shut-eye.

“I

t can help you compensate for a lifestyle of reduced sleep at night, not getting enough sleep at night. Make your alertness better. It can improve your memory,” said sleep researcher David Dinges. Dings said naps can also be counterproductive and people should be strategic. “You have to understand that you’re taking a dose of sleep. You have to think about it the way you might consume a dose of food, and then you don’t want to overeat and you don’t want to undereat,” said Dinges. Dinges said the ideal time for nap is generally between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Napping later can interfere with nighttime sleep. He says for a quick boost of alertness, a 10 to 20 minute power naps work best. To help with memory, 60 minutes of

snoozing may do more good. The downside of a longer nap is it can leave you groggy. “It can take as much as 20 to 30 minutes to overcome. It’s best to get light on you and move around and take a shower or drink coffee to overcome it,” said Dinges. Naps can help you recharge, but they can also be an indication that you’re sleep deprived. “When you take a short nap, normally you should not be dreaming. If you’re dreaming during a nap, that means you’re not getting enough sleep overall,” said Dr. Rafael Pelayo, a Standford University Sleep Expert. Experts say it doesn’t matter where you nap but to avoid a deep sleep, it’s best to sit slightly upright. For people with sleep conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea, napping isn’t recommended.

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March 2014

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“The potency of the heroin we’re finding can literally kill someone from using one ten dollar bag.”

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“It

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goes to show you heroin does not discriminate among the rich and famous versus your 20-year-old neighbor versus your college student,” said Amber Landfield. Landfield is a clinical liason at Transitions Recovery Program, a residential substance abuse treatment program in North Miami Beach, and she says she’s seeing more and more people hooked on heroin. “I would say in the last six months it’s more so than we’ve ever seen,” said Landfield. In fact, experts say the number of deaths due to heroin across Florida has almost doubled over the last two years. “It’s an epidemic. It’s an epidemic because of the rapid rise,” added James N. Hall a drug abuse epidemiologist. According to a report sponsored by the National Institute On Drug Abuse, the number of heroin related deaths in Miami-Dade County alone is up by 120 percent and across Florida heroin deaths have increased 89 percent. Hall, who compiled the statistics, says 15 deaths were caused by heroin abuse in Miami-Dade in 2011 the number more than doubled to 33 in 2012. In Broward County, the increase was 300 percent. Three deaths were reported in 2011 and nine, one year later. Those who work in the treatment and recovery field say it’s only getting worse. Hall explained some of the reasons include the price of heroin has dropped dramatically because supply has flooded the South Florida streets from Mexico. “We have buried way too many young people,” “it’s everywhere, said Landfield. and like I said, Landfield stated that another reason for the increase has been a regardless of crackdown on pill-mills in South Florida. People who once abused someone’s upbringing prescription medications are turning, instead, to heroin, a cheaper and more readily available option with potentially deadly consequences. or background a “It’s very common a lot of college students not only from college ‘straight A’ student in Miami you’re looking at colleges in Boca and Ft. Lauderdale, it’s can very easily get everywhere, and like I said, regardless of someone’s upbringing or addicted to it.” background a ‘straight A’ student can very easily get addicted to it,” said Landfield. “Seventeen of the 20 surveillance sites across the country report heroin as the number one key change in their communities in the past six months,” Hall added. After just 72 hours of use, Landsfield explained the body becomes dependent on the drug, but it can take as little as one time using heroin for it to turn deadly. “The real danger here is people are putting drugs in their body and they don’t really know what it is,” Landfield said. “The potency of the heroin we’re finding can literally kill someone from using one ten dollar bag.” “Today, drug addiction results in the most deadly, most dangerous, and most addictive patterns we’ve seen in the past 50 years,” Hall added. “And it’s going to get worse before we start to see it get better. Heroin has defined drug addiction in this country.”

March 2014

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Spring Fashion

Trends of 2014 By Lisa Petrillo Fashion Guru Ken Downing made a stop in South Florida to introduce some new fashion trends that will be in style this season.

t’s back to future in fashion this spring as backpacks make a roaring return to the runways. That’s the official word from Downing, director of fashion for Niemen Marcus. “And don’t think like something being on a college campus, it’s like super fashion backpack,” said Downing. Some people may still have their cool backpacks from the past stashed in the back of their storage. According to Downing, it can all be put to use now. “Now it’s vintage so bring it back,” said Downing. He recently hosted a fashion show at Niemen Marcus Bal Harbour where he wowed the audience with his passion for pink. “What I love this season is the idea of pale blush pink with a shocking pink shoe or vice versa. I love that mix of taking something super pale and super soft and making it super bold,” said Downing. Every shade of pink from sheer blush to fuchsia is dominating clothing, jewelry, makeup and accessories. “It’s that with all of the color that is on the runway, and you know we love color in this part of the world, pink being the most important, but there is also yellow and gorgeous limey green and some tranquil blues,”

said Downing. From neon green to a simple crisp white shirt, the runway looks look like they were designed for South Florida’s relaxed lifestyle. “You know interestingly we saw flowers on the runway and pattern for men as well, which is perfect for this part of the world,” said Downing. Downing said skinny jeans are still in fashion but with one simple pleat and denim on denim is also a fashion fad. You can even mix up the colors of denim to make a fashion statement. If you’ve kept your clothes from the past, dig back to the 1960s and 70s for a pair of culottes. You can’t talk about fashion without shoes and the shoe this season is the shoe booty. Also trending is the ankle-strap pump, the graphic and very popular sparklers, like Christian Loubotin D’orsay pumps. Another one you may not be able to resist is a black and gold butterfly laser cut heel with leather and satin by Sergio Rossi. Downing said if you are going to do anything spring, make it colorful and make it pink.

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cbs4 newspaper

March 2014

Talking Baby:

Introducing

Dog &

The

Baby The

In this month’s “Talking Baby”, CBS4 Morning Anchor Rhiannon Ally focuses on bringing the baby home from the hospital. Not only will your life change forever, so will your dog’s.

ll the new sights, sounds and smells may be confusing to your dog, especially if it’s never been around kids before. Certified trainer Rose Lesniak has been working with dogs for 16 years. She said this is a common problem for families, but there are things you can do to prepare your dog. “Unfortunately a lot of people treat their dogs like babies. Then when the baby comes, the dog is no longer needed,” said Lesniak. But proper training can avoid these issues. She said your dog needs training before baby comes or it can be dangerous for your baby. Part of the problem with many families is they allow their dogs to get away with behaviors like jumping on furniture. Then when baby comes, they immediately want them to stop.

Lesniak said parents can correct this behavior with positive reinforcement. Tell them to get off and then reward them. Also, give them love and treats off the furniture and ignore them when they are on it. Lesniak said dogs need to learn basic commands like sit, stay, leave it and drop it well in advance. She added that parents should never leave their baby alone with any pet. Follow these rules and Lesniak said “You’ll have a happy dog, happy baby, happy parents.”

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dogs need to learn basic commands like sit, stay, leave it and drop it well in advance. Parents should never leave their baby alone with any petâ&#x20AC;?

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