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Back To School:

How Much

Homework

Help To Give

Your Kids CBS News MagaziNe

PiNeCResT eDiTiON S E P T E M B E R 2 012

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Contents Back To School: How Much Homework Help To Give Your Kids

The kids are back in school and that means homework and big projects but how much work should you do to help

Midwest Drought Hitting Wallets Of S. Florida Food Shoppers

As a small businessman with a family of five, the last thing Doral’s Giovanni D’Angelo wants to hear about is higher food prices. But according to the latest federal food forecasts, the Midwest drought will raise food prices about 5% next year.

Pinecrest, Coral Gables & Key Biscayne or Pick up the

CBS4 Newspaper

Is A Broward Intersection Still The Worst In The Nation?

Few in America had probably ever heard of Pembroke Pines until a State Farm Insurance report literally put the West Broward city on the map. In 2001, the company named Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road was ranked the “most dangerous intersection” in the nation. The report compiled accident claims from January 1999-December 2000 to determine rankings.

Getaway Guide: One Tank Trip To Key Largo

If a sagging economy and steep gas prices are keeping you from a European vacation or a trip to the Grand Canyon, don’t despair. Travel to Key Largo, just 60 miles and a world away. Enjoy warm ocean waters, exotic wildlife and unique restaurants for an experience guaranteed to knock you right out of that daily grind. Spend a day enjoying experiences that your friends up north can only dream of —and do it on only one tank of gas.

Seafood Misrepresentation Ripping Off Consumers At The Market

The investigation into suspected seafood labeling fraud around South Florida is reportedly underway by the Oceana Foundation, an International Marine Conservation group.

Are Smart Electrical Meters A Smart Choice?

With the help of millions of dollar in federal funding, Smart Electric Meters are being installed in South Florida and nationwide as part of a national initiative to set up a so-called “Smart Energy Grid”. More than 3-million have already been installed on South Florida houses, condos and businesses but some customers who have the device want it removed.

at over 1500 locations in Dade and Broward including every Publix!

CBS4NewsMagazine.com [ 4 ] September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest

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MIAMI (CBSmiami.com) –

Midwest Drought

Hitting Wallets of South Florida

Reporting Al Sunshine

Food Shoppers As a small businessman with a family of five, the last thing Doral’s Giovanni D’Angelo wants to hear about is higher food prices. “It’s rough, we’re a family of five and already as it is we’re paying $150$200 a week on groceries…hopefully not man!” D’Angelo said. But according to the latest federal food forecasts, the Midwest drought will raise food prices about 5% next year. One of the biggest crops hit? Corn. Illinois farmer Bob Bleurer told CBS News, “they’re going to go up; they’re going to go up big time. This country lives on corn.” And that’s expected to drive up the price of almost everything. Beef prices are forecast to rise possibly as much as 5% next year, with cereal, dairy and eggs up about 4%. Southwestern cattlemen are already selling off their cattle. For the short term..beef prices could actually drop according to Scott Shellady who adds, “ Cattle will go to slaughter because they can’t afford to feed ‘em, so you’ll have meat prices actually go down in the short term, but in the long term — when there’s no cattle left — you’ll see meat prices climb.” For now, prices around South Florida remain stable. Florida is a big cattle and produce grower. State Agriculture officials say local price hikes may be less here than other parts of the country. But for shoppers like Giovanni, the news out of the Midwest means he may have to start planning right now to start cutting back spending somewhere else. He says “I’m going to cut back in other areas. You have to eat. We’ll have to manage however we can”. Making the possible pinch of rising food prices even worse for families all over South Florida? Gas prices are rising too as wholesale prices recently started climbing. But salaries and take home pay remain stalled. So stretching food budgets next year may get even tighter than it is now.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 7 ]

Back To School:

How Much

Homework

Help To Give

Your Kids Reporting Lisa Petrillo

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) —

The kids are back in school and that means homework and big projects but how much work should you do to help your kids do well in class? According to the experts, it’s important for you not to do your kids big projects. “The problem is we are not letting our kids be independent and also the teachers end up not being able to tell what we did versus what our kids did,” explained Stacy DeBroff, CEO of MomCentral.com. DeBroff said this dilemma is a hot top on her website because many parents say they don’t want to see their kids stressing out and overwhelmed. “Often times the teachers say I want to see the struggle, I want to see the mistakes, otherwise I don’t know how to dive into the classroom and work on grammar or spelling or helping with a book report or poster.” DeBroff said for parents, it’s all in the preplanning when it comes to projects. First step, create a timeline that eliminates leaving everything until the last minute. “The things that create so much anxiety are when we don’t know what our kid’s timeline is, so create one. This is an example where we are helping them, so we are saying okay what do you need; you need a box of balls? Some string? So that we don’t have the scramble the night before,” explained DeBroff. The next step is to have a box filled with supplies ahead of time. “This is an example of having cool crafts out like duct tape or magic markers or highlighters so that kids can feel even if they are not artsy, there’s a way to make those projects look terrific and it’s not a lot of work and you can help them set up for that.” Next, keep a basket handy that the kids put

their nightly homework in. You’ll know what’s due but you won’t be doing the work. “What you realize is that kids need to stand on their own and even though it’s so tempting for us to help them, really they learn to do their best when we’re cheering them on answering questions and brainstorming next steps but not being the doers.” Stressed DeBroff. You can get more back to school tips from DeBroff’s book called “The Mom Book Goes To School” or visit her website.

“What you realize is that kids need to stand on their own”

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 9 ]

PEMBROKE PINES (CBSmiami.com)

Reporting Vanessa Borge Few in AmericA hAd probAbly ever heArd oF pembroke pines until A stAte FArm insurAnce report literAlly put the west browArd city on the mAp.

In 2001, the company named Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road was ranked the “most dangerous intersection” in the nation. The report compiled accident claims from January 1999-December 2000 to determine rankings. The number of accidents at that intersection over the two-year period of the study was 357. “It was just known all over the place as the most dangerous intersection,” said Pembroke Pines resident Dawn Brookins. “Things weren’t marked like they are today,” said resident Jim Flippen. “There wasn’t an awareness of the situation that we have today. There were a lot of accidents in fact one of my sons was in an accident there.” So a decade later, does it still hold the title? After making headlines for the wrong reasons, the city of Pembroke Pines made changes including adding another eastbound through lane, lengthening turn lanes, and closing an opening to a McDonalds restrurant in the median on Pines to prevent left turns into their parking lot. “Approximately a year ago we put up red light cameras in three directions,” said Pembroke Pines Traffic Sgt. Scott Carris.

Sgt. Carris said the most significant change in the intersection are those red light cameras. At $158 a ticket drivers are putting a break to their red light running. All those changes seemed to have worked… crashes dropped 64 percent in the four years after the changes were made. From 1997 to 2000, there were 431 accidents at the intersection, an average of 108 per year, according to state records. From 2006 to 2009, there were 157 accidents at the intersection, an average of 39 per year. And in the first six months of this year, Sgt. Carris told us there have only been four accidents in the middle of that intersection. “It’s definitely a safer intersection. It’s a lot more orderly, there’s more traffic but a lot more orderly than it was back in the old days.” About 107,000 cars a day go through the intersection, which is in the heart of a growing West Broward community. “The volume of traffic has gone up but I don’t think the amount of accidents has gone up to meet that,” said Carris. State Farm Insurance no longer tracks dangerous intersections across America.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 11 ]

Getaway Guide:

Key Largo One Tank Trip To

Getting There

To get there, take the Florida Turnpike south toward Key West. At Florida City, the Turnpike merges into U.S. 1, which is also called Federal Highway. Head south until you reach Key Largo. Other transportation options include Greyhound Lines, which has a bus route to Key Largo, and the Keys Shuttle, which operates from both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale International Airports. Because parking in Key Largo is challenging, you may want to consider alternative means of transportation such as taxis, bicycles and shuttles. All in all, expect to be on the road about an hour and a half.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Caribbean Watersports & Enviro Tours

Dolphins Plus

The Buzzard’s Roost Restaurant

(305) 451-6300 www.pennekamppark.com Price: $8 per car/$29.95 snorkeling per adult/$24.95 per child younger than 18/plus equipment rental. Bursting with vibrant colors and teeming with marine life, America’s only living barrier coral reef, which extends from Key Biscayne to the Dry Tortugas, is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring and unforgettable sights. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers boats that carry snorkelers to the reef as well as equipment rental and knowledgeable guides. Take the 9 a.m. boat if you can because a discount coupon, available on the Internet, will save you $3 on the morning trip. Other boats leave at noon and 3 p.m. If you don’t like snorkeling, take a short trip on one of the park’s glass bottom boats. Swimming beaches and camp sites are also available in this wheelchair-accessible park. Visitors to the park or to other parts of Key Largo should know that public transportation is limited and they will need to take a taxi if they don’t have a car or bicycle.

www.dolphinsplus.com Prices: $185 for 25 minutes in the water/$79.95 photo package. Swimming with dolphins, some of nature’s most intelligent and social animals, creates memories that will last a lifetime. At Dolphins Plus, dolphins are not housed in cramped, concrete tanks. Rather, the animals at this facility, which is devoted to the conservation of marine mammals, live in a seawater-filled canal adjoining the Atlantic ocean. Dolphin swims are by reservation only, so be sure to call ahead.

www.caribbeanwatersports.com Price: $60 enviro tours per adult/$45 per child. Located only five miles away from the state park, Caribbean Water Sports & Enviro Tours offers daily two-hour trips to Everglades National Park in small zodiac-style boats that allow you to get closer to the mangrove islands than you could in standard vessels. About 25 percent of the time, dolphins or manatees will swim close to the boat, giving you a chance to see these magnificent creatures at home in their own world. You may also spot bald eagles and great white herons. The crystal-clear water near the resort is perfect for even inexperienced snorkelers, and delightful little seahorses and starfish keep everyone entertained. During summer afternoons, snorkeling among mangrove stands gives visitors an opportunity to see sponges growing on tree roots. If you are more adventurous, you may want to rent jet skis or try parasailing. Call ahead for reservations.

The African Queen

www.holidayinnkeylargo.com Movie buffs and Humphrey Bogart fans may be interested in seeing the boat featured in the African Queen. Located at the Holiday Inn docks, the vessel is currently being restored. While there are no guided tours, there is plenty of information about the boat and what happened to it after the famous film was made. Viewing the boat is free, but if you’re staying in town for the night, Holiday Inn offers an inexpensive option. The Floating Inn, Kona Kai Resort, Gallery and Botanic Gardens, and Diver’s Cove, however, offer more unique, intimate stays.

www.keysdining.com/buzzardsroost If you are hungry and eager to be out of the midday sun, enjoy waterfront dining at the Buzzard’s Roost Restaurant, located at the Garden Cove Marina. Specialties include lobster, surf and turf, and homemade desserts in addition to an extensive wine list and a full-service bar. Sunday brunch offers everything from standard American fare to eggs sardou. Also a bit of a tackle shop, this restaurant has everything you’ll need to hit the water after you scarf that delicious lunch.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 13 ]

LAUDERHILL (CBSmiami.com)

Police: Lauderhill Mother

Stole Thousands Reporting Carey Codd

In Label Switching Scheme

A BrowArd County mother is ACCused of Being A prolifiC thief — ChAnging the lABels on high priCed toys At tArget And wAlmArt stores, selling the items online And mAking off with tens of thousAnds of dollArs. The suspect — Barbara Aqueveque — faces at least 5 felony charges. Lauderhill Police Detective Alex Iwaskewycz worked the case for months, poring over Aqueveque’s bank records, sifting through her trash and following her. He said when he first learned of the case from Target security, he was surprised at the notion that she had stolen so much merchandise. “At first I thought, ‘This is crazy,’” Det. Iwaskewycz told CBS 4’s Carey Codd. “How can it be this easy to steal this much?” Surveillance video from Target and undercover police officers began to reveal the extent of her operation, Det. Iwaskewycz said. One video clip from Target store security shows Aqueveque picking up a Lego box, placing a sticker on it and casually walking to the cashier with her young son in tow. The clerk rings up the item and Aqueveque helps bag up the box before walking away. Det. Iwaskewycz said receipts show Aqueveque often paid less than $7 dollars for Lego toys that retail for more than $100. He said the labels she used were often for inexpensive items like cutting boards and baking pans. The detective said records showed she made lots of money. “There was months she was making over $30 thousand dollars a month,” Det. Iwaskewycz. When she was arrested, Det. Iwaskewycz said he seized her bank account with more than $36,000 in it. The detective said every time they trailed her she visited multiple stores and purchased multiple items. Det. Iwaskewycz said she would take orders on her ebay store for specific items then head to the store, change some labels, make her purchases and drive to the post office. One surveillance clip showed Aqueveque walking into a post office with her arms full of boxes to mail. CBS 4 tried to speak with Aqueveque but she refused to answer questions. Her

attorney, David Kubiliun, also declined comment. A Target spokesperson said in a statement that, “Target takes incidents of this nature very seriously and we partner closely with local law enforcement to help aid in these investigations.” Det. Iwaskewycz says Aqueveque was so prolific that investigators once saw her switch the label on an inexpensive piece of Easter candy for her son in order to save a dollar or two. Detective Iwaskewycz says this was a case unlike any he’d ever seen. He added that even though it appears Aqueveque got away with it for more than a year detectives finally cracked the case. “You may get away with it one, two, three or several times but eventually we’ll catch on and they’re gonna get caught,” he said. Aqueveque is due back in court this month. She is originally from Chile. If convicted of these crimes she could be deported.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 15 ]

Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival (from 9/29/2012 to 9/30/2012) http://coconutgrovepumpkinpatch.com A variety of fun activities for the whole family, including a true pumpkin patch in the center of all the action with more than 2,000 pumpkins! Plus, kids will enjoy the hay maze, kids fun zone with rides & inflatable attractions, a dress-your-own scarecrow village, food booths, and on-going shows on the main stage. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS / SEPTEMBER 2012

PINECREST

Design for a Living World

Flamenco Puro and Tango Argentina (9/29/2012) - www.claritafilgueiras.com Spain and Argentina’s hearts beat together as one in this passionate evening of the hottest art forms: Flamenco and Tango Argentino. The most exciting show in Miami, exploring connections between two elegant genres. With Master Artists: Tango dancers Eddy Hernandez, Veronica Trill, and Bandoneon player David Alsina, Flamenco guitarist/singer Cristian Puig, percussionist Romulo Bernal, and award winner-choreographer Clarita Filgueiras.

Miami Spice Restaurant Program (from 8/1/2012 to 9/30/2012) www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com If you’re visiting during August or September, don’t miss a chance to savor some of our area’s most spectacular cuisine. Greater Miami and the Beaches’ top restaurants offer mouth-watering meals at incredible savings.

Gables Gallery Night (9/7/2012) www.artcircuits.com Monthly open house on the first Friday of each month showcases local galleries. Enjoy outstanding exhibitions, free refreshments and complimentary continuous shuttle buses between galleries.

(from 7/26/2012 to 10/26/2012) www.coralgablesmuseum.org This internationally acclaimed exhibit features intriguing works from 10 of the world’s most renowned designers, including Isaac Mizrahi, Kate Spade New York, Yves Béhar and Maya Lin. In developing the exhibit, The Nature Conservancy invited these designers, plus Ted Muehling, Stephen Burks, Abbott Miller, Hella Jongerius, Christien Meindertsma and Ezri Tarazi, to create usable objects from sustainable materials sourced from around the world. The collection of stunningly beautiful designs, including clothing, furniture, accessories and more, is on display in the exhibit, along with the photographs of award-winning photojournalist Ami Vitale, who documented the people and places associated with the project.

Wheelin’ Dealin’ Food Fest

Saturday Nights at the Winery

(9/15/2012) www.magiccitycasino.com Invite family and friends to enjoy the best of Miami’s food trucks with gourmet food options that will rock your taste buds. 5-10 p.m.

(9/15/2012) - www.schneblywinery.com Schnebly Redland’s Winery features a lively Saturday happy hour with live entertainment, tropical wine tasting set amid a beautiful tropical environment with fish ponds and a waterfall.

Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy (9/9/2012) http://www.triathlontrilogy.com The Trilogy International will feature a 1/2 mile swim, 20 mile bike, and 5.2 mile run and all finishers will get a limited edition Trilogy International Finisher medal. All finishers will get series points towards the international Trilogy series championship. All races begin at 7 a.m.

GableStage at the Biltmore: Ruined

(from 9/8/2012 to 10/7/2012) www.gablestage.org Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards. This probing work about the resilience of the human spirit during times of war is a searing variation on Brecht's Mother Courage, translated to a brothel in the conflict-torn Congo. By Lynn Nottage, the author of Intimate Apparel, a GableStage hit in 2006.

Miami International Wine Fair (from 9/14/2012 to 9/16/2012) http://www.miamiwinefair.com Guests have the opportunity to taste more than 1,500 different wines from 20 countries. Hundreds of renowned importers, distributors and retailers participate every year in the Fair's innovative Buyers Program that guarantees exhibitors meetings with relevant potential buyers from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Miami Soccer Festival

(from 9/29/2012 to 9/30/2012) http://www.miamisoccerfestival.org The annual Miami Soccer Festival exists to promote, celebrate and share "The Beautiful Game" of soccer with the community of Miami and beyond within a healthy family environment. A full range of youth, adult and co-ed teams play in various 11v11, 7v7 and 5v5 tournaments whilst a popular mix of local bands perform live on stage. Additional entertainment includes Soccer 5 Live tricks, juggling, world record attempts, soccer walk, get in the game fitness and fun, and a full range of food from around the worlds within the soccer village, which also features soccer merchandise, soccer games and a FIFA tournament played on PS3 and Xbox, and special guest appearances over the two days. September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 17 ]

MIAMI (CBSmiami.com)

Seafood

Misrepresentation

Ripping Off Consumers At The Market Reporting Al Sunshine

The invesTigaTion inTo suspected seafood labeling fraud around South Florida is reportedly underway by the Oceana Foundation, an International Marine Conservation group. It’s believed the group may be just a few days away from confirming a major consumer problem for South Florida Seafood lovers: The next time you go shopping for your favorite fish, you might be paying too much for a meal and end up with something completely different than what’s on the menu. South Miami’s Benjamin Enizondo knows when he goes shopping for fish or goes out for a seafood meal around town, it doesn’t always taste right. He worries he doesn’t always get what he pays for. “Sometimes you don’t, it depends on where you go,” said Enizondo. So what’s the problem? It’s called seafood misrepresentation: Distributors, restaurants or markets substituting cheaper fish for the more expensive ones. In effect, getting higher prices for cheaper fish and boosting their bottom line. CBS4 News first exposed the problem back in 2007. It’s still a problem today, according to local researchers. And that’s why Chef Sam Kim, a Doral Restaurant operator, says he only buys fish from reputable wholesalers and tries to see the whole fish himself to avoid over-charging his customers with the wrong seafood.

To see the latest problem here first hand, international researchers just finished collecting and analyzing dozens of fish samples selling at local markets and restaurants. Dr. Mahmood Shivji is the research director of Nova Southeast University’s Oceanographic Center. He tested our samples 5 years ago. He’s also a research consultant on this latest study which reportedly confirms our original findings: That in many cases you could be paying high prices for cheaper fish and never even know about it. He says it’s still a problem here. “Yes, disappointingly, seafood substitution in the S. Fla. market is still quite high even 5 years later after all the exposure this problem has received thanks to reports like yours,” said Shivji. Misrepresenting seafood and charging higher prices for cheaper fish is against both state and federal laws. But unlike several years ago when there were numerous cases filed, state prosecutors now apparently do not consider this a priority. There have been no formal fraud charges for several years now. So what’s the best advice for local seafood lovers? If at all possible, buy a whole fish and talk over your concerns with your seafood market or restaurant operator. If the fish doesn’t taste right and you don’t like what you’re being told, buy your seafood someplace else.

He told CBS4 Chief Consumer Investigator Al Sunshine when that happens the consumer is basically getting shafted”. September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 19 ]

A Night Inside South FlorIdA’S

GANG WAr Spend a night with the MiaMi-dade police departMent’S gang Unit, and itS coMMander, lt. lUiS alMagUer, and yoU will be forever on the Move. on a recent night in which the gang taSk force waS operating, alMagUer and hiS fellow copS were racing on callS froM liberty city to MiaMi gardenS and cbS4’S JiM defede Joined theM every Step of the way. there are at leaSt 250 gangS in Mia Mi-dade coUnty with a MiniMUM of 2,000 gang MeMberS.

By comparison, miami-DaDe’s gang unit is comprised of Almaguer, three sergeants, and thirteen officers. That’s 17 against 2,000. Add to that as many as another 10,000 “associate” gang members – hangers on who aren’t formally members of the gang but often participate in their crimes – and you quickly get the sense of how tall a challenge the police are facing. On this night in March, the county’s north end was in the midst of one of its bloodiest months in recent memory. At least 30 individuals would be shot — almost all of it attributable to street gangs. Of course not all of the victims were gang members – some, like 5-year-old Mckayla Bazile – were caught in the crossfire. When the task force gathered earlier that afternoon for a briefing, it was the violence that was on everyone’s mind. “Gentlemen, we’ve had numerous shootings up here on the north end, you guys need to back each other up,” Almaguer said. In addition to Miami-Dade’s gang unit, this task force will include officers from Opa-Locka, Aventura, North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Golden Beach, Miami Gardens, and a half dozen other agencies. The night jumps off with a series of calls. Cruising though a 79th Street gas station, a Sunny Isles task force officer spooked one of the drivers at the pumps. When the driver realized there was a police officer in the unmarked car cruising the gas station, he abandoned his vehicle and took off running. A quick check of the license plates revealed that the car was stolen. As the officer in pursuit shouts out the man’s direction over the radio, Almaguer pleads for more information. “Keep calling it,” Almaguer demanded over his radio. “Set up the box.” The “box” is cop speak for establishing a perimeter around the neighborhood. In a matter of minutes police surround the area hoping to cut off any avenue of escape. Almaguer takes one corner, and begins stopping cars leaving the area to make sure the suspect isn’t hiding in one of them. Police dogs are brought in as a police helicopter circles overhead. Sure enough in less than 30 minutes they find him. Fearing police had a description of his clothing, the man stripped down to his boxers, believing he would be less conspicuous in his underwear. “Fantastic,” Almaguer said as he walked up to where the suspect was hiding. “He was sitting right there in front of the house,” a detective tells the lieutenant. “Yeah, well that’s what you get,” Almaguer said. A homeowner spotted the half naked 20-year-old hiding in her bushes and called 911. “He said somebody let him hold the car,” Almaguer said. “Somebody let me hold it.” The car was stolen from Miami Lakes and the boxer bandit admitted being a member of an Opa-Locka gang. Gangs are not merely a problem in dangerous or low-income neighborhoods. More often than not the crimes they commit are in the more upscale parts of town. Which is why fighting the gangs – and the violence that comes with them – should be important to everyone. A short time after the stolen car arrest is made other members of the later gang unit conduct a traffic stop of known gang members. “We’re just introducing ourselves to the community,” Almaguer said with a wry smile. There are at least three separate gang wars taking place on the north end among rival gangs. Tensions are running high on this night and one of the things Almaguer on his officers is looking to do is make their presence felt, hoping it will allow things to cool down.

During this traffic stop, police find a handgun and some powder cocaine inside the car. Almaguer says the gangs have learned how to structure their crews so that at least one of them can be legally armed. One member of a crew will have a concealed weapons permit, allowing them to be armed. In Florida, anyone can get a gun permit as long as they have not been convicted of a crime. In some cases, Almaguer claimed, individuals may have multiple of arrests, but they get to keep their gun permit until they have an actual conviction. So you end up with a situation where one guy holds the gun, another guy holds the dope, and a third guy drives. “And there is nothing you can do about it because [the guy with the gun] has no convictions,” Almaguer said. “They’ve figured out the system and still have a firearm on them.” The traffic stop ends with the guy holding the cocaine going to jail while the man with the concealed weapons permit was given back his gun and let go. No one in the unit thinks they’ll eradicate the gangs, this is about trying to manage and control the violence. Two nights earlier, a drive by shooting in Miami Gardens killed two people. Worried retaliation was imminent, the task force made a point of cruising the area where the gangs were known to stay. Driving past the house of one of the victims, a Miami Gardens task force officer spotted a group of men, including one brandishing a handgun. The officer chased him over a fence, tearing up his knee in the process. The bad guy got away — but not before dropping his gun in the scuffle. Once again units flood the area. “We got a guy running around here with a gun, you might want to go inside,” Almaguer shouted to residents. “I said we’ve got a guy running around here holding a gun so you might want to go inside.” One of Almaguer’s officers walked up to him. “This is where our homicide occurred, right around the corner,” the detective offered. “It’s going to be the same gang.” “Okay,” Almaguer said with a nod. Checking the crowd, the police find one of the men also carrying a gun. But he has a concealed weapons permit. They find another individual with a pocket full of bullets. He’ll go to jail tonight because he was on probation. Arthur Rolle came out to see he commotion. He said he had just come from his cousin’s funeral. “He got shot,” Rolle explained. “Somebody set him up, supposedly what the word on the street is.” Rolle said he has gone to more funerals than he can count. “I’m tired of going to funerals,” he said. “Like I told you, I’m tired man, its other things that our young adults could do. Back in the day we use to fight but now we got a bunch of cowards. Everyone wants to grab a gun.” This night ends when they find their suspect hiding in the house where one of the victims lived. “Fabulous night, huh,” Almaguer said to anyone who would listen. “Fantastic police work going on around here.” As everyone prepares to leave, the man with a concealed weapons permit wants his gun back. “When do I get my gun?” he asked one of the task force officers. The detective said he needed to check on the status of his permit with the state and wouldn’t be able to do that until morning. In the meantime, the officer said, he was holding on to the man’s gun and his permit. For this night anyway, this gun was going to stay quiet. The night’s accomplishments may seem modest – a couple of handguns seized, a dozen people arrested. The victory came in what didn’t happen — on this night at least, there were no shootings in the north end. If it seems that fighting the gangs is like trying to clear a beach by removing one grain of sand at a time, you’d be right. And the victories can be fleeting. The night after the gang unit conducted their sweep, 14 people were shot outside a funeral home when rival gangs showed up to pay their respects.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 21 ]

MIAMI (CBS4MIAMI.COM)

Secrets For Reporting Marybel Rodriguez

“Before you give me your key, can you tell me how close my room is to the construction?” asked CBS News Travel expert Peter Greenberg. It’s his Hotel Secret #1: Ask “How close your room is to any construction?” It’s a question Laura Vrooman wishes she’d asked before her Hawaiian vacation. ”It was just a major construction site. They were re-doing part of the time share resort that we stay at. So it was just pretty loud and not a pretty view either.” “Once I checked in and they gave me my room they told me construction was going on. They said don’t worry. It was between certain hours. That wasn’t true. It was loud. So I did request a room change,” said Debbie Ianniello, who also had a construction problem. According to Peter, “Every hotel in one form or another is either renovating or restorating. They’ve either closed off a whole wing or whole floor and if you don’t ask that question you’ll be given the keys to jackhammer suite.” Debbie also isn’t a fan of weak hotel showers. “It drizzles out so you realize there must be a problem you think within the hotel. I wouldn’t stay there again. You complain. You call down. They say, “Unfortunately, that’s the way it is,” explained Ianniello. Not so. Hotel secret #2: Ask for a room on a floor with a booster pump. “Booster pumps. What are those? Well very few hotels can

maintain consistently good water pressure on all their floors, so, on different floors they put a booster pump. You turn you shower faucet on, and you’ve got a fire hose going. If I want great water pressure in my room.. that’s what’s going to get it for you,” said Greenberg. Hotel secret #3: Check rates on-line, then call the hotel directly. “I’d have to ask to probably get the good information that’s necessary,” said Elizabeth Peterson. She’s right. The best deal may not be on the Internet. “If the Schmidlapp wedding just canceled,” explained Greenberg, “and sixty rooms suddenly come, that’s not going to show up on a website, that’s not going to show up on their 800 number. They dump the rooms when you call and you have a much better deal than you’ll ever find on the website.” Peter said a phone conversation goes a long way. “It might even get you and upgrade because you were nice to someone who was on the phone and they were nice to you and you actually said, thank you…ooooh bingo…upgrade!” One other tip from Greenberg: in case of fire, firefighters can only do ladder rescues as high as the 8th floor. That’s something to consider before choosing the room on the 45th floor. “The BesT deal may noT Be on The inTerneT.”

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 23 ]

Are Smart Electrical Meters

A Smart Choice? Reporting Al Sunshine

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

with the help oF millions oF dollars in Federal FUnding, smart electric meters are being installed in soUth Florida and nationwide as part oF a national initiative to set Up a so-called “smart energy grid”. more than 3-million have already been installed on soUth Florida hoUses, condos and bUsinesses bUt some cUstomers who have the device want it removed.

“there’s absolUtely no evidence that smart meters are saFe bUt on the other hand there’s no strong evidence that smart meters are dangeroUs,” So, can smart meter’s “data calls” even be tracked and Using wireless technology, the meters allow power measured? companies to know how much electricity you’re using in real Dr. Faisel Kallem teaches electrical engineering and time. For customers, the so-called high-tech Smart Grid is computer technology at Florida International University. With aimed at tracking electricity and saving money. his help, CBS4 measured the signals coming out of local smart “Through this technology, you can go online and manage meters, including tracking the power meter’s signals through your electric usage,” explained FPL spokesperson Elaine his home’s concrete walls into his den. Hinsdale, “But in South Florida and across the country, some Testing also found smart meters typically put out less elecconsumers are concerned about alleged health concerns over tromagnetic waves than other household appliances. the Smart Meters wireless signals. There are also concerns “We did have some readings and found out the readings are about privacy issues and wireless signals possibly being less than the FCC set regulations,” said Dr. Kallem. hacked, allowing them to be turned off without you or the The Florida Public Service Commission said it is monitoring power company knowing about it.” consumer complaints over Smart Meters statewide. Isaiah Brock is a retired Air Force Sergeant who lives in FPL said it’s on track to complete Smart Meter installation South Miami-Dade. over the next several months for its’ Florida customers. He says shortly after FPL installed smart meters in his neighFor now, it says it will delay Smart Meter installation or borhood, he started feeling sick and added, “It caused me to remove them if customers have any concerns. lose sleep. It caused me to have a whole bunch of headaches. Several other electric companies around the country are I couldn’t get my work done because I was constantly feeling already charging customers to remove them and are considsleepy and tired.” ering extra monthly charges for any customers who need to He blames the wireless transmissions from the new meters. have their older meters documented by a meter reader every “I think it’s come from either the radiation or the micromonth, instead of relying on the Smart Meter wirelessly transwaves, that’s what these things put out when they have the mitting their readings. smart meters in there,” said Brock. Dr. Kallem worries about another ‘feature’ of the wireless Brock asked FPL to remove his new smart meter and replace meters. If we can track and intercept the meter’s signals, it with an older model. Several neighbors also asked that their hackers can too. smart meters be replaced. “In simple language if a hacker wants to intercept the FPL agreed. The power company has confirmed it has communications and modify it, modify the reading as, they can replaced about 35-hundred smart meters after customer modify it before sending it to FPL. That’s wireless and that complaints. is the nature of wireless communications,” said Dr. Kallem. FPL insists the new meters fully meet all federal safety FPL says it uses special encryption technology to protect standards and put out less electromagnetic radiation than customers’ data and keep it out of unauthorized hands. other common household appliances. “Smart meters are safe and we ensure our customers’ data “Studies have shown the radio frequency of smart meters is protected and secure,” said Hinsdale. are safe. Smart Meters are safe, the signal strength is minisHowever, the FBI posted a 2010 national warning about cule compared to the other radio frequency devices in our smart meter fraud by hackers in Puerto Rico. homes,” said FPL’s Hinsdale. Still, some public health experts like the University at Albany’s Dr. David Carpenter say “in soUth Florida and across the there’s a continuing health debate over smart meters’ transmissions. coUntry, some consUmers are concerned Critics say they can affect some especially sensiaboUt alleged health concerns over the tive customers. At least one California Community has already smart meters wireless signals.” passed an ordinance prohibiting the Power Company there from installing any more Smart Meters until there have been more safety studies. “There’s absolutely no evidence that smart The power company there estimated its’ losses could meters are safe but on the other hand there’s no strong approach $400 million dollars a year. evidence that smart meters are dangerous,” said Dr. Carpenter. And even now the Internet is packed with articles about “The evidence is now becoming very clear that certain people smart meter hacking and intercepting their wireless technology. are very sensitive to electromagnetic fields and they expe“There is no such thing as 100% security so that means given rience things like headaches, reduced memory functions, time anything can be hacked,” said Dr. Kallem, who added sometimes confusion, sometimes abnormal heartbeat and hackers might even be able to turn off your home’s electricity. that’s a concern.”

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 25 ]

CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami.com)

Time Running Out For

Reporting Vanessa Borge

Creative Cuisine

Popular Pop-Up Restaurant South Florida FoodieS have a unique opportunity. A young chef is changing South Florida’s palate with unusual ingredients that have food lovers salivating. Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli’s pop-up restaurant is the Eating House, located at 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables, but don’t wait too long to try it out. Before this pop up is taken down, customers can enjoy some of the chef’s most creative culinary concoctions. Items making an appearance on the menu include “Mac & Cheese” with roasted pumpkin & cornbread crumbs; roasted bone marrow with ropa vieja & tostada cubana; Japanese eggplant with banana miso & vanilla salt; sea scallops with smoked guava & maduro puree; strawberry shortcake – basil ice cream & crunchy meringue and “Birthday Cake” with cake batter mouse & whipped chocolate. There’s also brussel sprouts your kids will want to eat. They’re sautéed in sesame oil and topped with a fried egg. In the mood for some pasta, try the pasta carbonara kicked up a bit with chunks of back and another fried egg on top. Giorgio enjoys using unusual ingredients. He’s got a dessert called “Breakfast” made with a panna cotta base topped with a mousse made of captain crunch cereal. Giorgio is changing South Florida’s culinary scene. “That’s why we went with the name Eating House because we didn’t want people to associate it with a regular restaurant,” explained Giorgio. “You pour your own water here and eat off paper napkins, but you may be eating foie gras.” At 26 years young, Giorgio is determined to pave a new path for future chefs where ever he can. “We will set up a restaurant in the middle of the street, as long as we get to cook and do what we want,” he said proudly.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 27 ]

DAVIE, Fla. (CBSMiami.com) —

Operation

Medicine Cabinet Aims To Lower

Drug Problems

While some residents might have missed out on spring cleaning, the Broward Sheriff’s Office gave residents a second chance. While officers didn’t clean out anyone’s closet, they did help make space in their medicine cabinets. Operation Medicine Cabinet, which took place in Davie, gave residents an opportunity to turn in unused or expired prescription medication. In exchange, residents received a $5 gift card. In its fifth year, the free event also enabled residents to dispose of additional items, including personal documents, check stubs, credit card offers, receipts and other paperwork containing personal information.

According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office website, the BSO’s Homicide Unit investigated 53 overdose death cases in Broward County between June 2010 and May 2011: • 79% of those deaths were overdoses by prescription drugs. • 85% of these deaths were accidental; 15% were intentional suicides. BSO offers these tips to parents who take medication: • Monitor your medicine cabinets. Count how many pills you have and make note of the date when you should expect to refill your prescriptions. Be aware that kids may obtain these drugs from medicine cabinets while visiting friends or family. Restrict the availability of these substances within your home. • Talk with your child about drug use. Help him or her understand that misused prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs. When used in combination with other substances, such as alcohol, prescription drug use can be fatal.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 29 ]

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

South Florida Real Estate

on theÂ rise

When longtime realtor hazel Goldman

listed a two bedroom South Miami house recently, she was surprised to see what happened just six days later. It was sold. That’s been the new norm for many in South Florida as real estate is coming back in a big way. Real estate tracking site Zillow.com announced the bottom of the market nationwide has finally arrived. It happened in February according to their data. The national average price of a home is now just shy of $150,000, exactly what it was eight years ago. “We are not at the bottom. We were at the bottom a year ago.” Goldman said. She is talking about South Florida where the bounce back has been astonishing. MLS data crunched by CBS4 shows the bottom happened in South Florida around April 2011. Around the time the bottom was hitting CBS4 did a story on hot properties. Properties that realtors called the best deals for the money. CBS4’s David Sutta interviewed Michael Brodie who had just purchased a home in Pinecrest. “What’s your favorite thing?” Sutta asked him. Brodie smiled big and answered “The deal. Don’t put that in my wife will kill me.” Fourteen months since the interview his five bedroom Pinecrest home is worth $300,000 more than he paid. “It’s all about timing,” he quipped back then. When reached

today he said they are just as happy. “We have had to do a fair amount of work, but overall it is a great house, in the perfect location.” he said. Timing was everything in the real estate downturn. Homes became 50 percent off or more. In Downtown Miami $290,000 condo moved for $75,000. This was just a year ago. “It’s something that you would have never imagined during the boom. Never. Never. Never.” Peter Zalewski of CondoVultures.com said. He’s right. And you may not see it ever again. At South Florida’s bottom, the median home price was $100,000. Today it’s $136,000. That’s a 36 percent increase in just a year. Goldman reminded us, “remember, we took a very dramatic fall.” Still the comeback, 36 percent, makes Miami the second hottest comeback city in the country behind Phoenix. Goldman believes the reason for our quick resurgence is actually quite basic: location. “If you could go to a map of the US and circle places where you might want to live. This is one of them because our weather is so great,” Goldman said. Other national trends that Zillow is highlighting are that rents are going up and foreclosure filings are going down. What does it all mean? They believe it may lead to the housing recovery moving from the shape of a V, a slow recovery to that of a U. A quick shot up. Time will tell how fast the recovery moves.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 31 ]

Best

Frozen Yogurt In South Florida

In the steamy, sticky days of summer, frozen yogurt can offer a cool, creamy culinary reprieve especially for those counting calories. Here in South Florida, there’s an avalanche of frozen yogurt choices. With such a huge and delicious selection, how’s a lactose-loving consumer able to separate the swirl from the spin? Here’s a breakdown on the fro-yo frenzy.

Yogen Fruz

ChicBerry

Pinkberry

Gelosia

www.yogenfruz.com The concept of yogen fruz is that you can make your own yogurt ice cream from the different fruits and toppings they offer. They have a wide selection of fruits so you won’t have a problem choosing. You can definitely get your fro-yo on here. The yogurt is quality and flavorful, smooth and creamy and has customers coming back for more. The creamy deliciousness can be your new guilty pleasure. Multiple locations throughout South Florida.

www.pinkberry.com Pinkberry has been one of the most popular frozen yogurt places in the country and they’ve finally made it to South Florida. They’re big in both California and New York and are now dishing out their delicious flavors and tasty toppings in the Falls area. The service is said to be splendid. Flavors include original, pomegranate, chocolate, mango, coconut and green tee. There are daily cut fresh fruit and seasonal fresh fruit toppings, as well as creative and premium dry and liquid toppings.

www.chicberryusa.com This self-serve fro-yo joint is a neighborhood favorite. At ChicBerry it’s like a buffet. You can serve yourself a little bit of this and a little bit of that and not have to spend an arm and a leg to get it. When you’re done, they weigh it and you pay it. There are tons of toppings to choose from. This place is family owned and in front of FIU. They have a few tables outside, and bar stools, high tops, and a couch indoors.

Yogurbella

www.yogurbella.com Fresh, non-fat, low-calorie, softserve frozen yogurt with real yogurt taste! No artificial flavorings or additives. Real yogurt served deliciously frozen, yet creamy soft. Those who like the self-serve fro yo locations will love yogurbella. There are 20 different flavors and over 30 toppings to choose from. Customers can really get creative making their Yogurbella treat. There are multiple locations across South Florida.

www.gelosiausa.com This true Gelateria is a favorite spot in Doral. They not only sell delicious yogurt and ice cream, they also have coffee, cappuccinos, pastries and more. A great after lunch/dinner place to satisfy that craving. The service is friendly and helpful and they love to give out free tasting samples.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 33 ]

Miami’s Best Tennis Courts And Clubs Beloved in Miami for a great workout and overall fun game, tennis options abound in this city. Courts and clubs overflow with fantastic instructors and amenities everyone loves, but it’s that little special something some clubs have that others just don’t that keeps the crowds coming back. Whether it’s a first lesson or a hard-core competition, the city’s best courts and clubs will make anyone feel like a pro.

Crandon Tennis Center www.miamidade.gov/

Price: $4 hard court for adults/$6 evening/$3 for juniors/$4 evening/$7 clay courts for adults/$3 juniors/$11 grass courts for adults/$7 juniors/all prices per person per hour. This expansive facility offers 26 courts (including seven lighted courts) to accommodate players at any skill level. The center employs USPTA/USPTR-certified instructors for its top-rated tennis programs. Players may participate in the World Team League for a taste of professional play, or take lessons at the center to build up to tougher games. The top players in the world come to the Crandon Tennis Center every year for the Sony Ericsson Open, a 12-day tournament offering exciting tennis competitions. Crandon’s summer camps and after-school programs make it a great family option as well.

Coral Oaks Tennis Club www.coraloakstennis.net

The highlight of the Coral Oaks Tennis Club is its active events calendar. From early morning tennis clinics to evening doubles matches, members suffer no shortage of tennis options. Coral Oaks offers single, family and junior memberships perfect for any player. Its social events promote a family friendly atmosphere. Highly trained instructors, certified by the USPTA/USPTR, offer private lessons and hold team practices for group skill building.

North Shore Tennis Center www.gsibollettieri.com

Price: $5 resident court fee/$10 non-resident court fee/priced per person, per hour. North Shore Tennis Center’s 10 new clay courts and two hard courts are all lighted for play, and a full-service on-site pro shop guarantees players have all the necessary equipment for a great game. The center offers great programs for all ages, including tournament training. It also serves as the site of elite tennis tournaments. Its fantastic tennis program is legendary in the tennis community.

Tropical Park Tennis Center www.tropicalparktennis.com

Price: $3/$4 after 7 p.m./$2 youth/after 7 p.m. regular rates apply/rates are per person, per hour. Tropical Park Tennis Center offers year-round programs, private lessons, and individual and group sessions. Players may call or go online to reserve any of Tropical Park’s 12 lighted tennis courts. Reserve multiple courts for group lessons, parties and tournaments as well, with pricing catered to each group’s court needs. Its on-site pro shop provides a great selection of products for the convenience of its patrons.

Brickell Tennis Club www.cliffdrysdale.com

Brickell Tennis Club’s convenient location near downtown Miami allows for easy access, especially for players who live or work in the area, and anyone using public transportation. Players will be wowed by the state-of-the art tennis facility, including its seven Har Tru courts. With a specialty in tennis clinics, instructors here expertly teach and train players of all skill levels. Patrons can expect a supreme experience in an excellent facility, highlighted by superior accommodations and expert staff.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 35 ]

BEFORE

www.rubbitall.com 786-955-6649

Rubber Flooring

• Non slip and safe • Environmentally friendly • Available in many colors • Durable in any weather • Ready to use in 24 hrs • Lasts forever Any of these can be mixed to create • Non toxic a look that’s clearly your own

Empty Nest MIAMI (CBS4miami.com)

Divorce Rate Rising

Reporting Cynthia Demos

Debbie Jenkins thought she’D be marrieD forever. but it wasn’t meant to be. “I had my family and my children to help me through it,” she said. The 52-year-old mother divorced her husband after two decades of marriage. “Emotionally, physically we just couldn’t relate to each other anymore,” explained Jenkins. “We have to accept things as they are, not as you wish them to be,” insisted fifty something Thatia Cuchera. She ended her marriage last year. “I decided to take the risk on myself and take a chance on myself,” Cuchera said. These women have plenty of company. Since 1990 the divorce rate has doubled to 1 in 4 for couples over age 50. And researchers found after age 40 it’s often the wife who wants the divorce. “People are no longer willing to compromise to live an unhappy life just for the sake of a marriage,” said divorce attorney Barry Wineberger. He also explained how important longevity is to this trend. “We are all living longer. Spending four decades, five decades, six decades with the same person is becoming more difficult.”

Rachel Sussmen counsels couples and says there are other reasons. “Women in their 40′s and 50′s and 60′s feel very youthful, And if you’re in a marriage that your needs aren’t being met we have choices today.” Researchers found this generation of women has more financial independence. And baby boomers put an emphasis on individual happiness. Should you live 2 people unhappily or as roommates under the same roof? Why should you have to live that way? Financial adviser Jeff Landers cautioned that splitting up later in life can be complicated. “With timing, issues become very, very critically important, because people who are in their fifties or maybe early sixties when timing is right around the corner,” said Landers. But for these new divorce’s, it’s time to enjoy their independence “I was there to take care of everybody’s needs and I just feel like it’s my time now.” What really has changed is what’s inside of me and I feel so much more confident and so much more sure of myself.”

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 37 ]

Best Places To

Swim With The Dolphins

Dolphins Plus Key Largo, FL - www.dolphinsplus.com

Dolphins Plus is committed to the conservation and protection of marine mammals worldwide through education, research, experiential learning, and environmental awareness. The facility is located on a canal, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, thus creating natural seawater homes for the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. Dolphins Plus provides the option to swim with the dolphins or sea lions.

Dolphin Cove Key Largo, FL - www.dolphinscove.com

Dolphin Cove is a marine education and dolphin swim facility located in Key Largo where visitors swim with dolphins in a natural lagoon open to the Florida Bay. Dolphins Cove has a private lagoon where young children can enjoy swimming with the dolphins. The company provides snorkels, fins and goggles for the experience.

Theater of the Sea Don’t just get your feet wet, dive into the action and swim with dolphins in the beautiful blue waters of the Florida Keys. With dolphin swim programs, you’ll plunge into the remarkable world of these powerful marine mammals and come face to face with bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and other majestic cetaceans.

Islamorada, FL www.theaterofthesea.com

Theater of the Sea is an educational and entertaining marine animal park that provides swimming with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays. You can swim with the dolphins and even snorkel below the surface to interact with them. The lagoons, and lush, tropical gardens at are home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, sea turtles, tropical and game fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, marine invertebrates, colorful parrots, and birds-of-prey.

Dolphin Research Center Marathon, FL - www.dolphins.org

Dolphin Research Center is a non-profit educational and research facility that provides visitors with a place to learn about its family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. The center offers a variety of programs including Trainer for a Day, Researcher for a Day, Dolphin Encounter (deep water or shallow water), Dolphin Dip, and Play with the Dolphins.

Miami Seaquarium Key Biscayne, FL 33149 www.miamiseaquarium.com

Dolphin Harbor at the Miami Seaquarium is home to the theme park’s dolphin interaction program. The “Dolphin Odyssey” provides an interactive and educational classroom presentation before visitors don a wetsuit for the funfilled, deep water interaction with a dolphin. The “Dolphin Encounter” is a shallow water program for young and old alike who have a chance to touch, feed and play with a dolphin. There’s also a “Trainer for a Day” program available which provides a totally hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience.

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 39 ]

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

South Floridians Turn To

Sound Therapy For Healing

The number of people Trying alTernaTive medicine has exploded in The pasT 10 years. now, abouT 35 percenT of americans Try alTernaTive medicine before TradiTional medicine. people in souTh florida are trying something called Sound Therapy. Believers said it brings out your positive energy. How does it work? It works with the help of a didgeridoo, an ancient aboriginal Australian instrument, one of the oldest wind instruments in the world. Harmonic healer, Joda Cook uses it to practice sound therapy also known as vibration healing. “I put positive in and get the negative energy out of the body,” said Cook. He can sense where the tension is. “Sometimes I get to a certain part of the body and it feels like there’s a hand there holding it. Let’s me know that body needs more attention,” said Cook. Sue Monuse suffers from depression and anxiety. She believes she can feel the didgeridoo working on her different chakras and energy points. “Relaxing and tingling. It balances my whole energy,” Monuse said. In the past five years Sue has replaced a slew of pills with alternative healing and said she no longer suffers side affects. The ancient device is made of bamboo and at the top where the healer blows in air, it is covered by beeswax.

Monuse said she doesn’t just get balance from the didgeridoo but also from crystals through medical chin gong. Mao Ardissone who owns the Ayama Yoga Healing and Arts Center in North Miami said, “Everything in nature vibrates and has a sound and the color adds a form of vibration.” Ardissonne has been practicing Chinese medicine for a decade and said each crystal vibrates differently and should be paced near areas that need to be rebalanced. Also, he said Thai massage helps realign the body. It’s a kind massage, meets yoga meets chiropractor. Ardissone actually realigns a patient using his hands and feet and twisting the client on the floor. Charlie Himmelstern is a client who has severe scoliosis. “What changes is the tension between the bones and the muscles,” Himmeslstern said. Clients opting for alternative treatments to realign, readjust and refocus are trying alternative steps before traditional. “I’ve had people tell me I know you’re blowing out but it feels like you’re pulling things out of me,” said didgeridoo expert, Cook says. This serves as a testament that something is changing for the better. The procedures will run you about $80 an hour.

MIaMI (CbsMiami.com)

Ground Broken For

New Brickell coNdo Tower Ground has been broken for the newest high-rise to dot the Miami skyline. The BrickellHouse, located at 1300 Brickell Bay Drive, will be a 46 story luxury condo with a fully automated parking garage. Newgard Development Group said nearly 90 percent of the units have already been sold. They add that this is the first “luxury residential tower” to go vertical in the Brickell district since the 2008 real estate boom. “Brickell is coming back and what it means is that people are already betting on Miami again,” said Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. Once completed, the BrickellHouse will be one of the largest developments in the Brickell financial district. “This is a sign that we are sending to every investor, Miami is a good investment,” said Regalado.

The 374 unit tower will have cutting edge designs including an automated parking garage. “You basically come in, drop off your car, and the system will park the car by itself,” said Harvey Hernandez, president of the Newgard Development Group. “When you are ready to leave, from your phone or your iPad or from a phone call you call for your car and it will be waiting for you in two minutes.” The $170 million project is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

“This is a sign that we are sending to every investor, Miami is a good investment”

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 41 ]

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

June Unemployment

Picture Bleak

In South Florida and Statewide Reporting AlÂ Sunshine

Job creation declined significantly, with l , an important indicator in South Florida.

Job creation declined significantly, with littl South Florida got Some diSappointing jobS newS with the releaSe oF the Statewide unemployment report, with broward Seeing an increaSe in the jobleSS rate while miami-dade waS virtually Stalled. Statewide, the unemployment rate was unchanged for the second month in a row. The percentage of jobless in Florida stands at 8.6 percent. The Department of Economic Opportunity said the seasonally adjusted rate for June remained unchanged from the May figure and that nearly 800,000 Floridians remain jobless. Miami-Dade’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from 9.6 percent in May to 9.5 percent in June, seasonally adjusted. Job creation declined significantly, with little improvement in construction, an important indicator in South Florida. Broward saw it’s second straight month of job losses after enjoying almost 5 years of growth. Broward’s rate, which unlike Dade’s is not seasonally adjusted, jumped 3 tenths of a point to 7.6 percent. However, that could be blamed on a traditional summer slowdown in hiring in South Florida. Governor Rick Scott has made creating jobs the centerpiece of his administration, campaigning on a pledge to create 700,000 new jobs in seven years. Although the rate has dropped since Scott became governor, state economists say Florida’s unemployment rate has improved largely because people have left the work force, not because they are finding jobs. Scott argued the state’s dropping unemployment rate is because of changes he has been pushing such as removing regulations he believes deter creating jobs.

little improvement in construction, an important September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 43 ]

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami.com) –

FDA Approves First Pill To

Help

Prevent

HIV

Reporting Ted Scouten

[ 44 ] September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest

A drug that reduces the chances of getting HIV is about to hit the market and that’s great news for South Florida which leads the nation in new HIV case rates.

The Food and drug adminisTraTion has approved Truvada, the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection. A 3-year study showed a daily dose cut the risk of infection 42-percent, when accompanied by condoms and counseling. It’s a milestone in the 30-year battle against the virus that causes AIDS. “I think it’s something that should have been done a while ago,” said Rob Rowe. Gilead Sciences Inc. has marketed Truvada since 2004 as a treatment for people who are infected with the virus. While many people are excited that the pill will reduce the risk of infection, others worry this could make things worse because people will revert to reckless, dangerous sexual behavior. “They’re going to think that they don’t have to use protection, that’s what it’s all going to be about,” said Brian Benway. “I’m very happy that Truvada has been released by the FDA,” said Dr. Sheetal Sharma. Dr. Sharma works with Broward Health System and the Broward House Service agency. As an HIV specialist, he’s thrilled with the new prevention tool. But, he knows Truvada is not 100% effective in cutting the spread of HIV and does nothing to stop sexually transmitted diseases. “The downside is that don’t drop your guard regarding safer sex practices because syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, genital warts, hep c infections could still come in,” said Dr. Sharma.

Dr. Sharma said he’s also worried that some people might think you can just pop a pill before risky sex and be okay. “That’s a terribly wrong perception,” said Dr. Sharma, “Patients will want to do that, ‘Oh well, this is the evening before pill’, but it won’t work that way.” Health officials are hoping insurance will cover Truvada, which costs about a thousand dollars a month, now that it has FDA approval. “What we really need is a vaccine that would completely wipe out any chances of getting the disease and we really need to find a cure,” said John Fama. Health experts agree that the bottom line has remained the same for the last three decades; prevention and safe sex remain the keys to stopping the spread of HIV.

“The downside is ThaT don’T drop your guard regarding saFer sex pracTices because syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, geniTal warTs, hep c inFecTions could sTill come in,”

September 2012 CBS4 News Magazine Pinecrest [ 45 ]

Whooping MIAMI (CBSMiami.com)

Cough On The Rise In South Florida

“More and more people are choosing not to vaccinate their children” StudentS in Broward and Miami-Dade public schools are required to do it. Doctors warn against skipping it. Despite those facts, fewer South Floridians are getting vaccinations for whooping cough, and CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald reports cases in 2012 have skyrocketed. For Jan. 1 – July 9: • Miami-Dade County: 26 confirmed, 10 probable (2011: 32 confirmed) • Broward County: 26 confirmed, 2 probable (2011: 1 confirmed) Source: Aaron Keller, Public Information Specialist for Fla. Dept. of Health Note that Miami-Dade’s 26 confirmed cases don’t include cases to be reported during the remainder of 2012. “More and more people are choosing not to vaccinate their children,” said Dr. Peter Antevy, pediatric emergency physician at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. “That leaves their families really exposed.” Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is a contagious respiratory disease that spreads when those with the infection cough or sneeze near others. One sign of whooping cough is a cough that doesn’t subside within a few days. For kids, teenagers, adults and the elderly, pertussis can merely be a bad cough. However, the risk of contagion is still high because it lasts for about three months. Some people try to continue their day-top-day life at school or work without realizing they’re putting others at risk. In more extreme cases, whooping cough can lead to pneumonia, seizures, shock, even death. Children younger than 1 are the most vulnerable, said Antevy, the hospital physician. Though the coughing can be minimal or absent in infants, whooping cough can still cause pauses in breathing, Dr. Paula Thaqi, director of the Broward County Health Department, said by email. The number of cases spike every two to three years, with the last major surge in Florida occurring in 2009. According to the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Epidemiology, Florida had 497 cases that year. On the lower end of the spectrum, 2010 and 2011 had 328 and 312 cases, respectively. From the beginning of this year to July 7, the state Department of Health has confirmed 273 cases. Nationwide trends mirror those in South Florida. This year alone — through June 16 — there have been 13,946 cases across the United States, a twofold increase since 2011. Medical experts say whooping cough is highly preventable with a vaccination, which includes administering DTP vaccines to children in five different doses: at 2 months old, 4 months, 6 months, between 15 and 18 months, and between 4 and 6 years. One option is vaccinating the child with Tdap late in the mother’s pregnancy or immediately after birth, a strategy doctors call cocooning. Medical professionals also recommend having all other members of the immediate family vaccinated. However useful they can be, vaccinations are not entirely

flawless, medical professionals explain. “Pertussis vaccines are very effective, but no vaccine is 100 percent effective,” Thaqi said. “With pertussis circulating in the community, there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person, of any age, can become infected.” One reason many parents refrain from vaccinating their kids: they fear detrimental side effects. Eleven years ago, Wendy Callahan from Hawthorne in Central Florida, had her 2-year-old son vaccinated for whooping cough. He subsequently experienced seizures eight times a day for three months, she said. Callahan blames the increase in whooping cough cases on the vaccine itself. “Not only are they dangerous, they do not work,” she said. “You can’t poison yourself into health — vaccines are absolute poison.” Though she does not have formal medical training, Callahan said she regularly reads medical journals about vaccines. She encourages parents to bypass school mandatory vaccinations for their children by requesting religious exemptions. Of the 312 cases in Florida last year, there was no record of vaccination in 54.5 percent of them. “I have seen deaths from pertussis in my years,” Antevy said, “and it’s very sad to see a child die from a preventable disease.”

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