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Cutler Bay SERVING SOUTH DADE
APRIL 3 - 16, 2012
Town works to keep residents informed about road project
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
T
o keep residents and business owners informed of the status of the Old Cutler Road Improvement Project that is now underway, the Public Works staff of the Town of Cutler Bay is making an unprecedented effort to get the word out as the construction advances. Rafael Casals, director of Public Works, stated recently with great enthusiasm that the town is doing everything possible to keep everyone informed to avoid unpleasant surprises and problems. “We’re ahead of schedule, but as we’re approaching the commercial district my primary goal is that we make people aware, that business owners know that we’re coming,” Casals said. “That’s why we’re going door to door. We take great pride in that. And the weekly meetings — that’s unique to this project, the aggressive public outreach effort that we have. Also we have the engineer here the second Tuesday of each month so people can come in and ask questions.” Those meetings occur at Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offer a one-on-one chat with the town’s project engineer/public information officer. People also may call for an appointment tailored to their schedules.
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ROAD , page 6
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Mayor and students connect in drive to ban plastic bags
Commissioner Moss welcomes guests to speak on tunnel and museum park BY VERONICA CAREY BUIE
M
Pictured (l-r) are principal Susan Lyle, Cutler Bay Mayor Edward MacDougall, teacher Adrian Delesdernier and student Dawson Delesdernier (front).
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
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n an innovative partnership between the Cutler Bay Mayor Edward MacDougall and area students, an effort is being launched finally to do something about plastic bags that are clogging waterways and endangering wildlife in South Florida. “In 2008 I made an inquiry about what could be done to regulate plastic bags, and at the time legal [the town attorney] advised me that there was a Florida statute passed by the legislature that no
municipality or government in the state of Florida could undertake any regulation of plastic bags until a full report was made by the Florida Department Of Environmental Resources,” MacDougall said. “The legislature said they would wait for a recommendation and paperwork to be filed Feb. 1, 2010. So the report was filed, and it is an absolutely perfect recipe for banning or regulating plastic bags. There’s no question about it.”
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BAGS, page 6
iami-Dade C o u n t y Commissioner Dennis C. Moss welcomed representatives from the Miami Access Tunnel Project and the Miami Museum Park Project as guest speakers for the March roundtable meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 7, at the South Dade Government Center, 10710 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay. Christopher Hodgkins, vice president, Miami Access Tunnel Project Concessionaire LLC, made a power point presentation with a brief update on the progress of the Port of Miami Tunnel (POMT) project. He shared that the Port Miami Access Tunnel’s employment outreach efforts “Operation 305” has resulted in reaching out to over 72 entities through job fairs and community forums. As a result they welcomed over 5,000 job applicants. To date they have hired 430 men and women and 83 percent of those hired were from Miami-Dade. The POMT project currently is being built by MAT Concessionaire LLC in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami. By connecting
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MOSS, page 6
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April 3 - 16, 2012
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Small Claims Court Clinic in Homestead on Apr. 12 BY ALEJANDRA CASTRO-NUĂ‘EZ
The Miami-Dade Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Division will host a free Small Claims Court Clinic on Thursday, Apr. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Homestead City Hall, 790 N. Homestead Blvd. Attendees will receive hands-on help for filing their cases in Small Claims Court. The Small Claims Court process will be led by Leonard Elias, Miami-Dade Consumer Advocate who will explain the county’s Small Claims Court system. In addition, Elias will provide a detailed explanation of how the Small Claims Court works and will answer questions
from participants. The Small Claims Court process is used by individuals to address disputes involving $5,000 or less, without the costly assistance of an attorney. Visit the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection website for instructions in English and Spanish on how to file in Small Claims Court as well as collect on a judgment. Legal forms are available for download from the website free of charge, or at the clinic for $5. For questions regarding the clinics or additional information, call the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Division at 305-375-3677.
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April 3 - 16, 2012
Inaugural golf tournament to benefit Good Hope Equestrian Training Center BY RAQUEL GARCIA
Since 1999 the folks at Good Hope Equestrian Training Center (GHETC) have been serving the special needs community by providing children and adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn how to care for and ride horses on their 20-acre equine environment at 22155 SW 147 Ave. The First Annual Swing “Fore” Hope Charity Golf Tournament fundraiser benefiting the Good Hope Equestrian Training Center will take place on Saturday, Apr. 14, at Keys Gate Resort and Country Club with registration beginning at 11 a.m. for a noon shotgun start. Nationally accredited through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), the GHETC offers therapeutic horseback riding for individuals and groups, disabled veterans returning from war programs, adult day training, companion service, and more. More than 800 children and adults have tangibly benefited from the program since its inception, according to executive director Peggy Bass. “There are so many situations like the child with autism saying their first word,” said Bass who holds a PhD in Exceptional Student Education. “We had one young girl who needed side walkers on either side of her while on the horse because of a debilitating palsy. She can now ride without the side walkers. Working with the horses takes developmentally disabled clients to a new level of self-confidence.” Referrals from agencies and doctors allow Good Hope to match services with clients who can best benefit from a horse friend to assist them in convalescence. The 12 horses on the property have been donated and all undergo a two-month trial period to make sure they are completely sound before working with clients. “Horses are non-judgmental creatures. They are kind and compassionate and forgiving,” Bass said. “The horse’s movement mirrors the pelvis and thereby helps with ambulation. They are majestic creatures that give back so much.” Golf Tournament sponsorship levels vary with a minimum entrance fee of $125 to include green fees, cart, commemorative shirt, awards, gift bag, and a banquet following the tournament with entertainment and open bar. Additional dinner tickets may be purchased for $40. Hole in One winner
Derrick and Lady Bug are good friends. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
will receive a new vehicle donated by Bill Ussery’s Mercedes Benz of Cutler Bay. Good Hope Equestrian Training Center relies on fundraising efforts, grants, and private fees in order to provide services. Horses Helping Heroes is a relatively new program aimed at assisting veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients from the Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center are bussed in to Good Hope as part of their in- and outpatient rehabilitative efforts. “We work in collaboration with the Bruce Carter VA to help returning veterans coming back from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other wars, as part of their in- and outpatient programs,” Bass said. “Depression and anxiety are two major counterparts of post-traumatic stress disorder. Because our clients are experiencing an activity they enjoy, endorphins are produced which reduces depression and thereby helps them get back to normalcy,” added Bass, who is an equestrian herself and started the first equestrian venue for Special Olympics in Miami-Dade County. To find out more about Good Hope Equestrian Training Center and the Swing “Fore” Hope Charity Golf Tournament on Apr. 14 at Keys Gate Golf and Country Club, 2300 SE Palm Dr. in Homestead, call 305-258-2838 or contact event chair Betty Quinn at 305-281-3014. Online registration available at <www.goodhopeequestriancenter.com>.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Project at Whigham Elementary takes students ‘back to nature’ Michael Miller EXECUTIVE EDITOR
AROUND TOWN We hear from Louis Saenz, a teacher at Dr. Edward L. Whigham Elementary School located at 21545 SW 87th Avenue in Cutler Bay, that a special project there is getting everyone involved and ‘back to nature.’ In late February to early March a garden plot was cleared and garden bed walls were constructed, then soil, compost, and manure were bought and put in the garden beds by the students, who layered and mixed in the soil materials. Plants were bought on March 19, right after Spring Break, and March 20 was planting day. About 290 students are involved. “Teachers and students from every grade level participated in planting plants, K-5th grade,” said Mr. Saenz. “There are three boxes, each 4 by 8 feet. Each grade level was assigned a half-box. A map of where plants will be located was provided for teachers.” Saenz, who is a 3rd grade reading teacher at Whigham, is in charge of the school garden and is excited about getting the kids up close and personal with plants, not only from
a science standpoint but also the added benefits of teamwork and a little extra fresh air and sunshine. They hope to get others in the community to check it out. Something else the kids will enjoy is Cutler Bay’s official Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 7 at 10:00 a.m. It’s for children age 9 and under, and takes place at Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 Street. There are prizes for “special eggs” found in each age group, and the first 100 children will get a 4 x 6” framed picture with the Easter Bunny. They’re inviting parents to bring their own cameras to snap a free picture of their kids with Mr. Bunny, and there’ll be free snow cones, a bounce house, a balloon guy and Ivan the DJ. Sounds like a great family outing! Call Parks & Rec at 305-238-4166 for more info. Concert news... South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) is presenting Turtle Island Quartet on Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. The musicians will play from their Grammy Award-winning album A Love Supreme, The Music of John Coltrane. SMDCAC is located at 10950 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay. Tickets are $30, $20, $10. $5 tickets are available on CultureShockmiami.com for students ages 13-22. A discount of $5 off orchestra level seats for students, seniors and active military
Whigham Elementary students are pictured at work in the school’s garden project. work in the school’s garden project. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
service members is also available. For ticket information the public should call 786-5735300 or visit <www.smdcac.org>. Starz in your eyes... talented actress Karen-Eileen Gordon, who had her start in South Florida and has returned for a number of movie and TV projects here, reminds us that the new show she’s in, “Magic City,” debuts on the Starz network on Friday April 6 at 10:00 p.m. Set in Miami Beach in 1959, with the beautiful people and mobsters at a lavish Art Deco hotel, it sounds like something you don’t want to miss. H u r ry, hurry! If you think new Busway planning went that-a-way, think again.
Miami-Dade Expressway Authority holds its first Citizen’s Advisory Committee meeting at the Coral Reef Branch Library April 3 at 6 p.m. to continue studying managed lanes on the express bus route adjoining US 1 south of Dadeland. MDX is reviewing installation of tolls to create speed lanes similar to those on I-95 for hyper-travelers preferring “managed lanes when their time is more valuable than the toll,” says the press release. Miami-Dade Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Division will host a free clinic from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 12 at Homestead City Hall, 790 North Homestead Boulevard, offering hands-on help to file a Small Claims Court case. County Consumer Advocate Leonard Elias will explain how the court system works and answer questions about resolving disputes involving $5,000 or less without assistance of an attorney. Thought for the Day: Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book. — Cicero, 106 BC – 43 BC
Gary Alan Ruse and Richard Yager contributed to this column. Got any tips? Contact me at 305-6697355, ext. 249, or send emails to <Michael@communitynewspapers.com>.
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ROAD, from page 1
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
The road improvement project is being done jointly with Miami-Dade County Public Works Department and is funded by the People’s Transportation Plan and the Town of Cutler Bay at a cost of approximately $7.5 million. It is designed to improve road safety, ease traffic congestion, enhance traffic flow and pedestrian mobility and improve the function and flow of mass transit. In addition, the project includes a new stormwater drainage system and street lighting, native landscaping, bus benches or shelters, a shared use bike path and traffic circles. All of this is taking place between SW 97th Avenue and SW 87th Avenue on Old Cutler Road. The estimated completion date is fall of 2013. “We’re not shutting down Old Cutler,” Casals said. “We’re keeping first one side, then the other open to minimize inconvenience. And in the business areas and side streets we’re trying to make sure that access is still provided.” Mayor Ed MacDougall said he is satisfied that the town’s outreach effort is making a difference. “I think that the current program we have in place is working marvelously,” MacDougall said. “I couldn’t be happier. I think not only the administration but the council members as well are making every attempt to keep the citizens informed. As it stands currently, I’ve had no negative feedback at all.” Bill Pasetti, manager of the Publix Supermarket on Old Cutler Road, expressed the viewpoint of a merchant
BAGS, from page 1
MOSS, from page 1
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MacDougall said that some of the countries that already have outlawed plastic bags are Rwanda, Somaliland, Tanzania, Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, India, Taiwan, Australia, Israel and the Maldives. “The United States is sitting here virtually doing nothing,” MacDougall said. “Only one bill was filed in the 2011 legislature to try to do something about it and it never made it past the House. Nothing was filed this year. I’ve spoken to our lobbyists and they’ve said that nothing can be done — that the lobbyists for the Retail Federation are too strong and it will just never happen.” Then the mayor received a simple handwritten letter from a second grade student at Whigham Elementary School. “Dear Mayor MacDougall,” the letter read. “My name is Dawson Delesdernier and I am 8 years old. When I go fishing with my dad there is plastic in the water.
April 3 - 16, 2012
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Work continues on the Old Cutler Road Improvement Project.
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affected by the project. “They’ve contacted us and basically told us what their plans are and what they’re doing, and they’ve given us pictures of what it’s supposed to look like,” Pasetti said. “They’ve been very cooperative and they’ve tried to accommodate our shopping center and most of the businesses in a good way, so I think it’s a very positive thing for the community.” Maria Porrata of Marlin Engineering, the contractor doing the work, said she is pleased with the way the road improvement effort is taking shape. “I think this is one of those projects that you take pride in as an engineer because it’s going to make such a difference for the people there and really beautify the area,” Porrata said. For information, call the town’s Public Works Department at 305-234-4262 or send an email to <oldcutlerroadimprovements@cutlerbay-fl.gov>. The fish are eating it and they are choking on it. Some cities have banned plastic bags. Please ban bags in Cutler Bay so that we don’t have plastic bags in the water.” Mayor MacDougall went out to the school on Tuesday, Mar. 20, to speak with the students and teachers about the issue and found not only support but the hope that student involvement could be the catalyzing force to get the legislature moving. “I told our lobbyists about the second grader and about my hopes to start a movement at each school at Cutler Bay to try to put together petitions to allow municipalities to govern plastic bags,” MacDougall said. “Now they’re telling us that this will work, that getting the schools involved will make a difference. “This is going to be a tremendous movement and I’m really excited about it. I want to get all the kids behind us and the [Miami-Dade] School Board as well. I think it’s going to change the course of where we’re headed.”
Pictured (l-r) are Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis C. Moss; Gillian Thomas, president/CEO of Miami Science Museum; Jose Garcia, government relations director, Miami Art Museum; Juan De Pazos, City of Miami; Christopher Hodgkins, vice president of Miami Access Tunnel Concessionaire LLC; Christina Casado, community image manager, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, and Denise Pojomovsky, public information manager, Miami Access Tunnel Concessionaire LLC. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
MacArthur Causeway to Dodge Island, the project will provide direct access between the seaport and highways I-395 and I-95, create another entry to the Port Miami besides the Port Bridge, and keep Port Miami, the community’s second largest economic generator, competitive. The POMT will improve traffic flow in downtown Miami by reducing the number of cargo trucks and cruise-related vehicles on congested downtown streets, and will aid ongoing and future development in and around downtown Miami. The project is scheduled to be completed in May 2014. Gillian Thomas, president/CEO of the Miami Science Museum, and Jose Garcia, director of government relations of the Miami Art Museum, both shared with Commissioner Moss’ roundtable guests a Power Point presentation and an overview of the Miami Museum Park project. The new Miami Art Museum will be one of the anchors for the 29-acre Museum Park overlooking Biscayne Bay and will include public gardens and sculpture installations. Museum Park is Miami’s urban redesign vision for the area now known as Bicentennial Park. This vital downtown park, a catalyst for the transformation of the district, is central to efforts to strengthen greater
Miami’s momentum as an emerging global capital. A vibrant mix of green space and cultural offerings, in addition to the landmark new facilities will continue to move us toward this goal. The other park anchor was designed by internationally recognized Grimshaw Architects. The 250,000-square-foot Miami Science Museum will be among the world’s most innovative and sustainable science museums. According to Grimshaw, which received the AIA National Honor Award for its design of the Horno: Museo del Acero in Monterrey, Mexico, the museum is intended to act as a demonstration of ecological and sustainability principles. The building will harness energy from water, sun, wind and even museum visitors to power exhibits and conserve resources. The museum is structured around a lushly landscaped indoor and outdoor “living core” of terrestrial and aquatic spaces, featuring a 600,000-gallon aquarium facility, a full dome 3-D planetarium, interactive exhibits, innovative technology and two additional wings of exhibition space, a learning center and cafes. The Miami Museum Park project is scheduled to be completed in 2014 and plans to open in 2015.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Girl Scouts 100th birthday celebrated at Town Hall BY GARY ALAN RUSE
The 100th birthday of Girl Scouts of America was celebrated at Cutler Bay Town Hall on Wednesday, Mar. 21, with an afternoon reception hosted by Councilmember Sue Ellen Loyzelle and with a proclamation presented to local Girl Scouts during the town council meeting that evening. Loyzelle, who had been a Girl Scout, wore a jacket decorated with the many merit badges she earned during her years in Scouting. “It turned out very well,” Loyzelle said. “I was excited about the attendance, with more than 65 people there. It was nice to talk to the girls and hear about what they’re doing, how excited they are to be Girl Scouts. I was surprised they were excited about the jacket I was wearing, and I told them they should start their own jackets.” Loyzelle said that she appreciated the support of everyone who helped, and enjoyed Sue Ellen Loyzelle (in jacket), Sharon Krutulis (with proclamation) and Lance Balding, are pictured with Scouts and other town officials. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Thalia Canales (left) and Mikayla Alsopp, both 12, are pictured at the event. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
the opportunity to catch up on the way Scouting is today. “Without the help of my volunteers it wouldn’t have happened,” Loyzelle said. “It was nice talking to some of the leaders about how Girl Scouts has changed over the years. They have online troops now and a whole variety of different ways you can be a Girl Scout from the traditional way that I grew up with. I want to learn more about it.” Representing Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, Sharon Krutulis, volunteer services coordinator, and Lance Balding, director of development and communications, attended the reception and meeting and received the proclamation given by Mayor Ed MacDougall and the other council members. Many area Girl Scouts also participated. Mikayla Alsopp, 12, is a Girl Scout Cadet in Troop 362 and enjoys the camaraderie and change of pace.
“My favorite thing about Girl Scouting is camping,” Alsopp said. “The S’Mores, sitting around the campfire, being in a tent; It’s different from being at home.” Thalia Canales, 12, and in Girl Scout Troop 307, said she enjoys the activities. “I like it when we stand in front of stores selling Girl Scout Cookies,” she said. “I also like when we have meetings, to get together, have our snacks and talk about how we want to change the world — and having friends.” Erica Casco, leader of Girl Scout Troop 362, said she thought that the 100th birthday of the organization was significant. “It means a lot,” Casco said. “It means women coming a long way, and always helping our girls to dream higher. It’s amazing.” She also appreciated the recognition for Girl Scouts that the special event conceived by Loyzelle brought to them. “Oh definitely, it does help out,” Casco said. “You always hear about the Boy Scouts. Now we want to hear about the girls. Scouting is something that I highly recommend to parents because it brings the girls more self-esteem and they become more empowered. It allows them to dream big.”
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April 3 - 16, 2012
UMSA residents have a right of self-determination R. Kenneth Bluh KENNETH’S COMMENTARY Government closest to the people is the best form of government. This has been self-evident since the time the United States of America was founded. The basic concept was that power to govern should be granted to the states except in the case of national concern such as the military, the printing of money and protecting our borders. The states can do it better as they are closer to the people and better understand their needs and concerns than our representatives in Washington, DC. Our state capital, Tallahassee, delegates to the various counties the creation of laws that are best determined on a more local level. And, the county delegates to the municipality the right to determine “local” laws. Miami-Dade has a history of local areas within the county determining that they want to keep control of their area at home. MiamiDade County is composed of two different levels of government. Approximately half of
the county is composed of municipalities — the City of Miami being the oldest having been created in 1896. The newest city, Cutler Bay came into existence in 2005. The second newest city, Miami Gardens, incorporated in 2003, is today the third most populous municipality in the county. The other half of the county’s “local” issues are governed by our county government whose primary responsibility is the handling of such countywide issues as the airport, seaport, water supply, sewer system, environment and transit. We have a history of areas within UMSA (Unincorporated Municipal Service Area) determining that they wished to create their own municipalities and govern their own “local” issues. Without exception every area that set out to create its own municipality has been successful. Starting in 1990 with the creation of the Village of Key Biscayne we have seen a string of municipalities come into existence. After Key Biscayne, we witnessed Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Pinecrest, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, Doral, Miami Gardens and Cutler Bay become self governing. As areas of UMSA incorporated the members of the Miami-Dade County Commission and the county mayor have had more time to focus on the “big” needs of the county having
less “local” issues to distract them from their primary goal, taking care of countywide issues. After a series of incorporations the members of the county commission believed that a “time out” from incorporation of new communities was appropriate. The feeling among the commissioners and the mayor at that time was that we needed a breather to assess the needs of UMSA and the responsibilities of the county government. Now, the time for self-evaluation is past. Some members of our county commission have expressed a desire to lift the moratorium on municipality creation and to permit the residents of UMSA to determine if they want to create their own cities. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez expressed his feelings on the subject during a recent meeting of the Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations (KFHA), stating that he was in full favor of lifting the moratorium on incorporation and letting the people determine their future. Recently members of the county’s Infrastructure and Land Use Committee voted in favor of ending the moratorium on incorporation and passed the question on to the full county commission for its Apr. 3 meeting. Once approved by the full commission, it is hoped those areas within UMSA that wish to incorporate may take up where
VIEWPOINT they left off a few years ago and let the members of the proposed communities determine their governmental future. It is only right that local issues are determined by a local government and countywide issues be given the full attention of our county government. As Washington lets the states, i.e., Florida determine statewide issues, Tallahassee lets counties determine their countywide issues so local issues can then be determined by locally elected officials of their individual communities. P.S. Interestingly, the very first column I wrote for Community Newspapers, at their request, was on the issue of incorporation. The column you are reading today is number “791.” Column number “1” was a long time ago. We appreciate your opinions on this column whether in agreement or disagreement. Please send your comments to (fax number) 305-6626980 or email to <letters@communitynewspapers.com>. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of this newspaper, its editors or publisher.
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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I probably would have no patience for any patients BY ERNIE SOCHIN
Vice Mayor Luckily, I am not a doctor. A lot of my friends are, but they have patients; I have absolutely no patience, at least not any longer. I used to have some and would get upset with the person behind me at the red light who beeped at me because my foot did not react fast enough to step on the gas the instant the light turned green. Now I am the guy beeping! Not because the guy or girl in front isn’t fast on the draw but because they are busy talking or texting on their cell phone. Those same people are in front of me in the passing lane (the left one for those who don’t know) cruising at 10 mph below the speed limit, oblivious to their surroundings. I also have no patience in banks. I have been going to bank tellers for all my adult life and all I do is take money out or put money in. It takes me a minute or so and I am gone. What in blazes is the person in front of me doing that takes up all the teller’s time and usually involves getting another teller involved as well. The few conversations that I happen to overhear sound like this: Teller: “I need two forms of identification to cash this check.” Customer: “But the other girl always cashes them for me. Can’t you ask someone else?” Another one:
Teller: “I’m sorry but there is no money in your account” Customer: “But I just made a deposit last week. The other girl always lets me withdraw money” I at first thought that there are language barriers but later learned from talking to various bank people that many people are just stupid and don’t understand what banks actually do. On occasion I eat at fast food restaurants for two reasons: One, I am cheap, and two, I actually like the food there. The problem is that they are only fast food for the intelligent among us. As a superior intelligent person, I usually look at the big signs above the cashier, select what I want, i.e. half chicken with two sides and a drink, have my money ready to pay for my food and go sit down to eat. What is that person in front of me doing that requires 10 minutes of dialog? Why did they wait until they got to the cashier to begin looking at the menu board and how many questions are there to ask about a hamburger, fries and a drink? Perhaps they need a special line for thinking people and another for the rest of the populace. How about those people who have 23 items in the fast checkout line and then want to pay by check without a check card or photo ID, or as someone I know intimately does, spend time digging through their purse to come up with the exact change. “I know I have 73 cents in here someplace… Just give me a minute.” Hey… It’s my minute and at my age I don’t have that many in reserve, so hurry up! In restaurants, I manage to say, “Give me the number 12 special.” Others close to me will say,” Have the onions browned well but not too well… remove the cheese from the salad and the skin from the chicken… I want my roll not toasted and with no butter and my fries not too fried, etc. etc.” I can’t stand it! (But somehow I manage) OK, I will soon be opening my new practice in the new Cutler Bay Medical Center. Just ask for Doctor Sochin and tell them you are one of his new “patience.”
Look over the menu before you get to the cashier. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Join us for lunch and networking! April 12, 2012 The CBBA will be hosting their Monthly Luncheon Palmetto Bay Village Center Between 11:00am and 1:00pm. Members $10 Non-Members $20
Speakers: Mayor Ed MacDougall Topic: What’s Going On in Cutler Bay
Pedro Garcia Miami-Dade Property Appraisers Office
James Thomas EDC Small Business Workshops Followed by Q&A
Lunch provided by: Stir Moon
WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US! To R.S.V.P. visit www.cbba.biz or call 305-609-1096
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April 3 - 16, 2012
Register now for flag football at Boys & Girls Clubs Kendall BY DUREE ROSS
Children ages 5-15 can “get ready for some football” thanks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s flag football program at its Kendall Club, 9475 N. Kendall Dr. Registration is underway for the spring/summer 2012 season which starts on May 21. Participants are asked to bring their team to register. (If a participant doesn’t have a team, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will place him or her on a team.) All teams are five-on-five. Divisions are ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-15. A maximum of 12 players can be on the 5-6 and 7-8 Division teams, and a maximum of 10 players can be on the 9-10, 11-12, and 13-15 Division teams. Ages are as of calendar year. Volunteer coaches are welcome. There will be two games a week plus playoffs. All players will receive a trophy at the end of the season. No games will be played May
25 and 28 due to the Memorial Day holiday. Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s sports programs are designed to provide a safe and healthy environment so that children can learn team skills, increase selfesteem, build character, become positive role models, and increase motivation as well as specific skills related to the sport. Sports programs are available during the afternoon to the early hours of the night, Monday through Saturday. This is the time of day when children, especially teens, are more likely to engage in harmful activities. Coaches are volunteers who help the children learn proper techniques for the sport. Registration is Monday–Friday, 2-7 p.m. Grading will be Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. Cost is $90 per player. for information or to inquire about coaching, contact Elston Lane at 305-279-3013 or 305-279-1119. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, visit online at <www.bgcmia.org>.
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Commission needs to do more to restore faith in government BY COMMISSIONER LYNDA BELL
Miami-Dade County District 8 On Tuesday, Mar. 13, I presented legislation to Miami-Dade’s Internal Management and Fiscal Responsibility Committee, (which I chair) to prevent any elected county officials from lobbying an officer of Miami-Dade County for four years after their terms of office have ended. This essentially doubles the current twoyear ban. Committee members voted 3-3 on the legislation, a tie vote that killed the item and prevented it from being considered by the full commission. Recently, Miami-Dade’s Commission has been moving in the right direction. We have adopted groundbreaking legislation I sponsored mandating registered lobbyists and county employees undergo ethics training. The contentious issue of commission term limits is up for the voters to decide during November’s general election. We have worked together to make it easier for our residents to petition their government by allowing them more time to collect signatures on voter-sponsored initiatives. However, there is more we can do to bring accountability and integrity to MiamiDade County. My colleagues and I must still consider legislation requiring elected county officials to seek an opinion from the Commission on Ethics and Public Trust if they are employed by an entity that receives county funding. And then there is the lobbying issue that failed to pass on Mar. 13. What do those actions suggest about us? Serve your time honorably and then with a wink and a nod suggest you’ll soon be back to make a buck? This is not what the people want. The intention of this legislation is to help guarantee that once your term in office has ended, it is time for you to move on. What good is it to pass term limits at
the ballot box if we then turn around and come back as lobbyists in two short years? This is precisely what Miami-Dade residents have been railing against justifiably for so long as it undermines the very spirit of governmental reform. It is clear that the residents of MiamiDade County are frustrated with the neverending tug of war between themselves and their elected officials. I joined them in their disappointment this week as several of my colleagues failed to realize the importance of stopping a “revolving door.” Their actions only work to perpetuate the sentiment that the county commission is out of touch. We must learn from the egregious actions of Jack Abramoff in the halls of Congress and other examples of government at its worst. We need to take steps to ensure that history is not repeated. After so much recent political turmoil and discord, our commission has a responsibility to prevent any future public corruption. We should be the legislative body that sets precedent, not follow what has been done in other counties and in Tallahassee. It is our responsibility as commissioners to listen to our constituents and acquiesce to their needs. This legislation is just one of many needed to restore the public’s trust that has been eroding over so many years. I thank my colleagues, Commissioners Esteban Bovo and Xavier Suarez, who supported my legislation, and I urge my fellow commissioners who were opposed to reconsider their stance on this item. I plan to resubmit this legislation as soon as allowed by the rules of the commission. For those who did not allow a full hearing on this item, I implore you to reach out to your constituents and see what they have to say on the issue. It is not lost on me that serving as a commissioner comes with great responsibility — one that is unmatched and built on public trust. This trust is all we have and we have ignored it to further our own ambitions once again.
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Black Point Yacht Club planning 12th annual Fishing Tournament BY ROBERT HAMILTON The Black Point Yacht Club will conduct its 12th annual Fishing Tournament on May 19. There will be thousands of dollars in gifts and prizes. Prizes include: First Place Total Aggregate 3 Fish, $1,250; Second Place Total Aggregate 3 Fish, $750, and Third Place Total Aggregate 3 Fish, $500. The angler meeting to register and obtain rules is on Thursday, May 17, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Rodbenders Raw Bar and Grill,
20400 Old Cutler Rd. Entry fee for club members is $125 and non-members is $200. For an additional $25, your BPYC membership for the captain is included. Weigh in begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. at Blackpoint Marina, 24775 SW 87 Ave. There is a fish fry to follow at 5:306:30 p.m. with awards presented 6:30-7 p.m. at grassy area between A and B docks. For information call chair Chuck Latshaw at 305-235-0494 (home) or 305766-2835 (cell).
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ASPCA sponsoring free pet vaccinations during April BY KATHY LABRADA
Thanks to the generosity and support of the ASPCA, Miami-Dade Animal Services will be offering free vaccinations for dogs and cats throughout the month of April. Vaccines will be administered at the Animal Services Department, 7401 NW 74 St. in Medley, during regular vaccination clinic hours. “Protecting the health of our community’s pets is an important step towards preventing disease within our shelter,” said Alex Muñoz, director, Animal Services
Department. “The department is grateful to the ASPCA for awarding a grant making this program possible.” Each year the department receives more than 30,000 abandoned and unwanted pets. The goal of Animal Services is to reunite lost pets with their families or find lifelong homes for as many animals as possible. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit online at <www.miamidade.gov/animals> or call 3-1-1.
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Miami-Dade Public Library looking for teenage poets BY VICTORIA GALAN
Celebrating April as National Poetry Month, the Miami Dade Public Library System is inviting teens, ages 12-18, to pick up a pen and participate in its annual National Poetry Month Contest. The contest runs through Apr. 30. Poems must be the original work of the participant, may be typed or written — double-spaced and attached to an official
entry form. Entry forms are available at any Miami-Dade Public Library branch or can be downloaded at <www.mdpls.org>. Poems will be judged on originality, artistic quality and emotional impact. First prize will receive a Kindle Touch 3G Ereader; second place will receive a $50 gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles. For more information, call 305-375BOOK (2665) or visit online at <www.mdpls.org>.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Lighthouse Dog Walk heightens awareness for service animals
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Hector Wiltz, MD., CPI. Board Certified Dermatologist • FXM Research Miami
Do you or someone you know have Rosacea? FXM Research in Miami is looking for males and females 18 years or older that suffer from Rosacea “Redness on forehead, cheeks, and nose with acne type lesions on your face” to participate in an eighteen (18) study-visit clinical research study. Medical Insurance is not required for study participation. Qualified participants will receive: • Evaluation by a Board Certified Dermatologist. • Investigational Study Medication at no cost. • Reimbursement for time and travel up to USD $800.00.
¿Tiene usted o alguien que usted conozca Rosacea? FXM Research en Miami está buscando hombres y mujeres de 18 años o más que sufran de Rosacea “Enrojecimiento en la frente, mejillas, y nariz con lesiones similares al acné”, para participar en un estudio clínico de investigación que requiere dieciocho (18) visitas. Seguro Médico no es requerido para su participación en el estudio. Los participantes que califiquen recibirán: • Evaluaciones por un Dermatólogo Certificado. • Los medicamentos bajo investigación a no costo. • Compensación por tiempo y transporte hasta $800.00.
For more information, please call / Para más información por favor llame: Pictured with members of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Urban Search and Rescue Team are (starting third from left) Miami-Dade County Public Defender Carlos Martinez, County Commissioner Sally Heyman, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Miami Lighthouse for the Blind president and CEO Virginia Jacko. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY CAMERON EHREN SISSER
More than 150 walkers with their guide dogs, service animals and regular pet companions pledged support for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to raise awareness for the amazing work service animals provide to those who are in need. The Miami Lighthouse conducted its fifth annual Walk, Waggle and Stroll Dog Walk at the Shops at Midtown Miami on Sunday, Mar. 25. This year’s event was hosted by Honorary ‘Dog’nitary MiamiDade County Commissioner Sally Heyman with WPLG Channel 10’s Sasha Andrade as emcee. “In addition to raising much-needed funds for our programs at Miami Lighthouse, which provide rehabilitation and vocational training to thousands of people every year, our fifth annual Walk, Waggle and Stroll Dog Walk raised a great deal of awareness for the presence of service animals in our community,” said Miami Lighthouse CEO Virginia A. Jacko, who is blind and uses a dog guide named Kieran.
Special recognition was given to Commissioner Heyman and Carol Russo who conceived the idea for the dog walk five years ago. Contest prizes for “cutest,” “lookalike,” and “most talented dog,” were judged by Miami-Dade County Public Defender Carlos Martinez, Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors chair Michael Silva, board director Lou Nostro and Dog Walk co-creator Russo. Also in attendance was Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. Music and sound engineering was provided by instructors in the Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program. The Miami Lighthouse Dog Walk was sponsored by The Shops at Midtown Miami, Brickell Motors, Met Life, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, Gray Robinson, Banfield Pet Hospital, Frances T. King Insurance Agency, Milton and Patricia Wallace, Rugsies Carpet & Drapery Cleaning, BizSolutions, Britto, WPLG Local 10, Susan Conroy Design, Absolute Graphics, Brooklyn Bagels, Fuze and Miami Global Colombian Lions Club.
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Wendy Walk to fight Liposarcoma set for Palm Island Park, Apr. 15 BY RAQUEL GARCIA
Life in the Landes family centered on mom, Wendy. The dynamic divorce mediator attorney who never missed a morning tennis match always was the strong anchor that twin children Matt and Ali, younger sister Jackie, and husband and father Robert came to depend on. When Wendy was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable cancer, the family went into action to be mom’s anchor of support as they started the annual fundraiser “Wendy Walk” to support the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative to find a cure. The Third Annual Wendy Walk will take place on Sunday, Apr. 15, 10 a.m., at Palm Island Park on Palm Island near Miami Beach. Liposarcoma are soft tissue malignant tumors that may go unnoticed because they are slow growing and painless. According to The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative research, “approximately 14,000 new cases of soft tissue sarcoma are diagnosed every year representing less than 1 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers.” Because patients do not feel sick, diagnosis is frequently delayed. “We were told there is no cure, no treatment, and a short prognosis, and that is when Matt, Ali, and I went into action,” said Jackie Landes, Wendy’s 20-year-old daughter and University of Miami junior. “We stayed up all night researching and in one night the concept of the walk was created. We ulti-
mately partnered with the largest funding initiative for sarcoma, the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.” The Wendy Walk happens in the three major cities where the family resides. The Miami Palm Island Park Walk began with the assistance of Hibiscus Island residents and Landes family relatives, Stephanie and Michael Rosen. Husband and dad Robert and 25-year-old son Matt are in California where Wendy is receiving treatment and so they host the Los Angeles Walk on Santa Monica Beach on May 6. Matt’s twin, Ali, is studying in New York City so she organizes the Central Park Walk to be held on Apr. 29. Since Wendy’s diagnosis over two years ago she has endured three surgeries, each lasting over 12 hours. The walks have helped to give her the courage to keep fighting according to her family. “Wendy Walk has been the shining light that has encouraged Mom and all of us to remain strong and committed to finding a cure,” Jackie Landes said. To find out more about the Wendy Walk on Apr. 15 at Palm Island Park visit WendyWalk.com or F a c e b o o k . c o m / T h e We n d y Wa l k . Requested minimal donations are $30 for children, $50 for adults, and $100 for families. Contact Ali Landes at 1-310-487-5488 or wendywalk@gmail.com to find out about becoming a Wendy Walk sponsor.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Commonwealth Institute to host former Secretary of State Albright BY DINA ALLENDE
The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) has announced “A Conversation with Madeleine Albright” to take place on Tuesday, May 1, from noon to 2 p.m., at the University of Miami Newman Alumni Center, 6200 San Amaro Dr. in Coral Gables. The former Secretary of State will speak to the region’s top women business leaders and will discuss her latest book Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948. Secretary Albright will be signing books after the event. The general public is welcome. Advanced registration is required for this event. Registration is available online at <www.commonwealthinstitute.org> , by email to Tiffany Spooner at <tspooner@commonwealthinstitute.org> or calling 305-799-6547. Tickets are $80 for TCI members, $100 for non-members; tables are $800 for TCI members, $1,000 for non-members.
The Commonwealth Institute (TCI) is a nonprofit organization that helps women entrepreneurs, CEOs and corporate executives build successful businesses through peer mentoring programs. Founded in 1997, with chapters in Madeleine Albright Boston and South –––––––––––––– Florida, TCI is committed to providing women with the tools, resources and expertise to help them advance their careers and grow their businesses through critical stages of development. For more information, visit <www.commonwealthinstitute.org>.
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Baptist Urgent Care Center opens on S. Dixie Highway
Baptist Health Systems opens an urgent care center in Pinecrest. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD
A Baptist Health Urgent Care Center recently opened its doors at 11805 S. Dixie Hwy. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. William Ricard, a regional director for the medical plazas, said the new facility already is well utilized by the public. “We’re pleasantly surprised on the upside,” he said. “We always assess whenever we go into a new community. We look to see where the patients are coming to the emergency department. It’s all about convenience to our patients and it all made sense.” The urgent care center always has at least one physician on site. Ricard said if it gets busier, they would have two. Baptist Health Systems has approximately 15 urgent care centers in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. “Our philosophy is to bring healthcare to your backyard,” Ricard said. “Why go to an emergency department, when you can go to your backyard.” Urgent care centers are designed for patients with non-life threatening symptoms. “We are there for, not emergency room symptoms… your sore throats, your common colds; it’s a great alternative,” he said. “Not heart attack, concussion or stroke. For those you should be going straight to the ER.” Because Baptist is non-profit, profits are put back into the healthcare system instead of into an investor’s pocket. “We give it back to the community,” he said. “We have a huge charity program. It’s part of being a non-profit. We give back to the community, charity care, community health — programs like that.”
Along with the urgent care center opened in Pinecrest, Baptist also recently opened one in Kendale Lakes on Miller Drive at 147th Avenue. They have an urgent care center on Kendall Drive just west of 127th Avenue as well as one in the Country Walk area along with the center in Palmetto Bay at 8750 SW 144 St., just east of S. Dixie Highway. The centers not only relieve the hospitals’ emergency departments of the minor emergencies but they also ease the pressure on primary care doctors by dealing with the those minor illnesses that might otherwise overwhelm their waiting rooms. “We are there to partner with our physicians and the community,” Ricard said. “We are there to help them with that, with their own decompression. I don’t believe they have enough resources to see all their patients that need to be seen at that moment. A lot of times, it’s a weekend or a holiday.” The urgent care centers forward the results to the primary physicians and they urge patients to follow-up with their doctors. Because area real estate is at a premium, it was not as easy to find the right place for the urgent care facility. It is one of the smaller urgent care centers with six rooms in addition to a triage room. “We think it’s the right size for the community that we serve,” he said. “It offers moderate complexity lab tests, which is more than the majority of the facilities of our competitors.” Because of its size, the Pinecrest facility is focused on urgent care and does not offer diagnostic services. Those services are available at the Palmetto Bay facility.
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W. Kendall couple designs and sells fashion jewelry BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD
Fara Sax always has had an eye for fashion. She always wanted to be an actress and her goal in life was to win an Academy Award. She never thought that one day instead she would become a jewelry designer and find as much pleasure in designing as she did in acting. Her journey to become a designer was unexpected. She did become an actress, working on stage and in commercials, securing parts on Miami Vice, Married to the Mob and The Fisher King. She really loved working on stage because of the immediate audience response. Today, she gets that immediate feedback for her jewelry. After leaving New York behind, she did temp work at Aerothrust Corp. in Miami, where she met the love of her life, Sam. It wasn’t long before they were married and had two children. “We came from such different backgrounds,” Sax said. “I grew up in New York and he grew up in Israel.” A few years ago, Sax decided to help a friend who was selling jewelry. Sax was selling ads and there were times when she would meet clients and end up selling the jewelry right off her neck. “It gave me a whole new start to a whole career,” she said. When her husband had to travel to Europe for a business trip and she asked him to check out jewelry manufacturing plants to see if they would work with them, her husband came back with a necklace and Van Galz was born. They started the business at home and it grew from the kitchen to the living room and even took over the dining room. Six years ago they moved into a warehouse near Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport where she creates new designs and he runs the business side. They go to shows to find new markets for their creations. The jewelry is brightly fashioned, trendy and yet has a vintage feel. “We do a lot of transitional pieces where you can go from day to night,” Sax said. “I like to design for everyday use. It’s to be worn, to be enjoyed.” She loves to use color in her designs. Her belief is every day is a Crayola Crayon moment. “Color creates mood,” she said. Her designs have gone through various stages. A few years ago she embraced leather and beads and the leather and crys-
Fara Sax, the designer of Van Galz Fashion Jewelry and Accessories, shows off some of her designs. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
tal collection was born. “I like the flavor of vintage but fashion forward,” she said. She has a line inspired by her grandmother’s button collection as well as a classic collection. She does a lot of bridal wear, items designed for the bridal party to the Mother of the Bride. When a new concept comes to mind, she sketches it out and then sends it to the factory in Europe with specifications. While she loves the creative side of the business, she also is firmly aware who her customers are. “What sells here is not going to sell in California,” Sax said. “And New York is different. Miami is bold.” One of the best aspects of her business is the ability to connect with all types of people. She loves being able to figure out what pieces will work best for a customer. “You are almost like a psychologist,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun.” For more information, call 786-7351187 or go online to <www.Vangalz.com>.
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April 3 - 16, 2012
Ethan Allen unveils new Design Center on S. Dixie CUSTOM SUITS • EXPERT ALTERATIONS At John the Tailor our mission statement is “to produce high quality men’s custom suits and shirts that fit as close to perfect the very first time. Also, we know how important alterations are to you, and we offer the best alterations Miami has to offer.” We have served the Miami community for over 28 years, Call us to schedule an appointment, at:
(305) 667-8768
5609 South West 74th Street, South Miami For more about this extraordinary family of tailors, visit:
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Pictured (at center, holding scissors) are Ethan Allen’s president and CEO, Farooq Kathwari, and Miami City Ballet’s Orene Harris, cutting the ribbon for the new state-of-the-art Ethan Allen Design Center in Pinecrest. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY NOVEMBER RAWLINGS
Chair, president and CEO of Ethan Allen, Farooq Kathwari, joined representatives from the Miami City Ballet for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fundraising event on Feb. 9. The festivities were in celebration of the grand opening of the new interactive Ethan Allen Design Center at 9775 S. Dixie Hwy. in Pinecrest. “The new Design Center showcases products from our five Signature Lifestyles — and a majority of them are new designs, with even more on the way for a total of 60 percent new products since September 2011,” Kathwari said. “Our focus on providing not only diversity of style and good value but also complimentary design service and white-glove home delivery are major differentiating attributes that set us apart, and we are very pleased to be back in the south Miami area.” At the grand opening event, guests mingled and toured the state-of-the-art facility
where the newest Ethan Allen products are arranged in eye-catching room displays. They also bid on silent auction items that included gift certificates for fine dining, tickets to a world-class ballet performance, and furnishings from the company’s own five Signature Lifestyles. All proceeds benefited Miami City Ballet, one of the largest ballet companies in the country, led by founding artistic director Edward Villella. Kathwari noted that Ethan Allen has been part of the American landscape for nearly 80 years and that every community the company serves is important. “We appreciate the warm response we’ve received from our friends in Miami and the surrounding communities,” he added. “We look forward to continuing the expansion of our Design Center network in the months ahead.” Ethan Allen plans to open several new Design Centers in the U.S. and abroad this year. For more information on Ethan Allen’s products and services, visit ethanallen.com.
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April 3 - 16, 2012
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Friends open new sub shop along US1 in Palmetto Bay
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After college, Philip Woerner (right) and Mario Bojorquez decided to own their own business and call it Good Times Sub Shop. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD
The Good Times Sub Shop opened in Palmetto Bay just before the holidays and it has become a hit with customers along the US1 auto sales alley. The sub shop at 17225 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite 102, is on the east side of the highway. Customers can eat in, order to go or order for delivery. There’s seating for 15 inside and a couple of outdoor tables as well. The sub shop is the creation of Philip Woerner and his best friend Mario Bojorquez, who graduated from Boston College and Georgia Tech, respectively. The two played three sports together in high school — track, cross-country and soccer. “That’s how we got to know each other,” Bojorquez said. The recent college graduates had worked at desk jobs but they wanted to do something entrepreneurial, so they decided to take a chance on a sub shop because they both loved subs. Woerner’s degree is in business marketing and Bojorquez’s is in industrial engineering. Both degrees come in handy for their new venture. “It’s been very good to have a partner with those skills,” Woerner said. He thinks differently than I do so it’s good to tag team.” Bojorquez said he has done a few things to streamline some of the processes to make the work more efficient. “How to make the subs, just thinking about how stuff works,” Bojorquez said. Good Times Sub Shop serves up both hot and cold subs. While the menu is primarily subs, they also have chicken wings with five different sauces. Plus, they carry sides like cookies and brownies. Growing up, the business partners had a favorite sub shop they would go to when they wanted a great sub. They kept the idea of those great tasting subs in mind when they
opened their own place. They also hired a consultant to help them learn how to cook properly and develop recipes. “He taught us how to make the food, how to manage the food, where to buy the ingredients,” Bojorquez said. One of the ways to maintain the quality is to make everything from scratch, including the dressings and all the marinades, “We prepare everything in the mornings,” Woerner said. The shop has hired two full-time employees while the owners split their managerial duties, with one working the opening and the other the closing of the store. They switch off so neither is stuck with one schedule. “I always knew I’d rather do my own thing than work for a big corporation,” Woerner said. “I have always enjoyed cooking, but I never envisioned myself as a sub shop owner.” Even so, he is doing it well and as a result, the business is thriving. “The customers that come are very loyal,” Woerner said. “Seventy percent that have come once have returned. We’re right under an office building, which helps.” Bojorquez said customers are coming back, but they are seeing new faces every day. At this point, the churrasco sub is the favorite by far. “I don’t think there is another sub shop in the area you can go to get a churrasco sub,” Bojorquez said. “What tops it off is our homemade chimichurri.” The sub shop is getting rave revues on Yelp.com and even iPhone’s Siri sends people in the area there for good subs. You can see the offerings at <www.goodtimessubshop.com>. The shop is open 11-7 p.m. MondayFriday and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. For information or delivery call 305-9647418.
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Sunshine Painting’s Robert Jude prefers a ‘hands-on’ approach BY GARY ALAN RUSE
Robert Jude, a Miami resident for 44 years and the owner-operator of Sunshine Painting and Restoration Co. Inc. for the past 26 years, prefers a simple approach to quality work. He does it himself. “What makes this really unique is the fact that you’ve got the business owner doing the job,” Jude said. “It’s a small company and I’m out there doing the work myself. Rarely do you find a company that’s been in business that long where that’s the case. It’s about quality, and that’s why we’re an A-plus company. Most of our work is by referral.” A Florida State University graduate, Jude got his start restoring older homes in the Key West area, then did new construction painting in Coco Plum as well as parts of Coral Gables and Pinecrest. Recent work has been mostly interior and exterior repaints of upper end homes in those cities, and Jude is pleased by the fact that 80 percent of his work is repeat business from satisfied customers. “One thing that I always hear my customers say is that we’re easy to deal with, we’re low key, and once we start a job we don’t go off and start doing some other
job like so many of these other companies,” Jude said. “We stay there from beginning to end.” Jude said that painting isn’t just to make homes look pretty, it’s also good preventive maintenance, especially in South Florida, where the moisture situation is unique. “It’s important to keep homes painted properly because if you don’t, you can end up with water intrusion and sometimes damage inside due to lack of caulking around windows and doors, or wood deterioration such as rot or dry rot from not having the surface protected.” His wife, Sheri, said that her husband likes to be a hands-on person for the sake of quality control. She finds that the business is somewhat seasonal as well. “We notice that our busy time of year is from Labor Day up until Christmas time,” Sheri Jude said. “It’s slower during the summer when people take vacations.” Sunshine Painting is a long-time member of the Better Business Bureau. For information, call Robert Jude at 305-6684344, send an email to <sunshineptgrest@bellsouth.net> or visit the website at <www.sunshinepainting.us>.
Robert Jude (right) is pictured with his wife, Sheri. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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Robert Taylor: He is more than just a personal trainer BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD
Before hiring former body builder Robert Taylor as a personal trainer, retired MiamiDade Homicide detective Wesley Dallas was badly out of shape. Now, he’s strong, lean and feeling a whole lot better. “I went from being an out-of-control diabetic with high blood pressure to now where everything is fine,” Dallas said. Dallas goes to Taylor’s Pinecrest home three times a week to work out. “I’m not just a personal trainer,” Taylor said. “I’m a life coach.” Taylor’s clients don’t just learn how to lift weights, they also learn about their bodies and what makes their body function better. Clients not only get homework from Taylor, they also are tested on their knowledge. He said when he finishes, his clients will have just as much knowledge as a personal trainer or more. “What always comes first is safety,” Taylor said. “This is what I teach all the young men and women that I train.” In fact, before he begins training anyone he requires them to get a physical first. “I have a medical form I give everyone,” he said. Then he works out a program for them to follow two to three times a week. Taylor educates his clients on the danger of
drugs, particularly steroids. When he competed in body building contests, he was known for his strong stance against performance enhancing drugs. He won a number of competitions, including the 1978 American Natural Physique Championship. Taylor likes helping teens get into shape for sports or just to feel good about themselves. He also trains older clients and has a different workout regime for that group. “I go for balance and stamina,” he said. “I teach them how to sit, how to stand, how to walk. Once they accomplish that, then the training starts.” Why teach seniors how to walk? He said that many seniors take short steps and their arms and legs aren’t in synch. “This is one of the most important moves for seniors,” Taylor said. “Young people, their main objective is to get big and strong and learn techniques in strength and power.” He also teaches the benefit of skipping. “Skipping is one of the most important exercises to do,” Taylor said. “It’s fun. It brings back childhood. You are also working your entire body.” Taylor has been into exercise and strength building since he was 14, so he has seen exercise trends come and go. “Everything comes back to weight training,” he said. “Remember, people used to say
Robert Taylor (right) helps Wesley Dallas exercise his way back to health.
weight training was bad for sports. I was doing it for the fun of it and it made me better in football and track.” He went from high school into the Air Force. A lot of the military personal would spend their off time sitting around and drinking, but he didn’t want to do that so he continued his weight training and worked his way into bodybuilding competitions. He was proud to show that someone could become a
championship bodybuilder through hard work alone — that steroids are not needed. “What I tell young women and men if you want something in life, you have to work very hard for it, you have to have good homework skills,” Taylor said. Taylor began training people in 1972, long before personal trainers became the norm. Today, he has his clients work out at the outdoor studio he built at his home.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
April 3 - 16, 2012
Spots by Rey’s Cleaners: latest in garment care
Pictured (l-r) are Angel Suarez Sr., Cristina Suarez, Maria Suarez and Spots by Rey’s owner Frankie Suarez. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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Walk into Spots by Rey’s and you quickly realize you are not in your parents’ dry cleaner. It’s trendy and modern, branded for today’s young professional, with a focus on quality, value and service. Bred from the legacy of Rey’s Cleaners, which has cleaned high-end couture for more than 40 years, Spots is different. In an industry little known for innovation, Spots combines its family heritage with the latest in garment care. “We geared this toward the young professionals who want professional services for their garments, but for whom quality and value is important,” said Frankie Suarez, who — along with his siblings Angel D. and Cristina, now the third generation — grew up in the business headed by their grandmother, Raquel Crespin, since 1970. In 1983, Angel Sr. along with Maria took the helm and through their efforts experienced exponential growth going from seven employees to 168 today. The Spots by Rey’s brand is about to expand across South Florida. Frankie and Angel D. are converting the 20 DryClean USA locations they’ve operated for years into the new brand and stand-alone business. The first stores opened on Alhambra Circle in Coral Gables, at Five Points in Coral Way, and The Crossings in Kendall. A South Miami location at 6635 S. Dixie Hwy. (305667-0041) opened in mid-March. Broward also will have several locations. In time, all company vehicles that pickup and deliver customer goods will bear
the Spots brand. The conversion will take about 12 to 18 months. “We’re not just rebranding the company, we’re completely reorienting its direction, retraining the people, and infusing them with a new philosophy,” Suarez said. “This is the culmination of a three-year process to differentiate our company, empower our game and gain market share.” Rey’s will continue serving high-end customers from Fisher Island and Miami Beach to Brickell, Coral Gables all the way up to Palm Beach. Spots will be an everyday brand delivering affordable dry cleaning and garment care. Spots also will perform alterations, as well as household items, like carpets and area rugs, comforters, table linens, leather and suede. They also have onsite drapery and upholstery cleaning services. Every garment and product will get a complete inspection to identify areas that require special attention — such as stains or minor tears. Every client will be asked about his or her preferences, and those details — how much starch to use, or whether to fold pants over a hanger, for example — will be entered into the new computer system. “We’re taking the time to note client preferences because we know that makes a big difference,” Suarez said. “We share Rey’s philosophy of customer care, attention to detail and outstanding service, but we’re going to bring that approach and value brand to more customers.” For more information, call Spots By Rey’s at 305-667-0041 or visit <www.SpotsByReys.com>.
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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April 3 - 16, 2012
New JOBC president inducted during annual award banquet BY ALEX MARKEL
Junior Orange Bowl Committee (JOBC) members and guests gathered on Wednesday, Mar. 14, at the Miami Springs Country Club for the Annual Installation and Awards Banquet. More than 90 people were in attendance to see the new JOBC members and board of directors inducted into their respective new roles and to honor outgoing JOBC president Dallas Brown. Don Slesnick III was inducted as the 42nd president of the JOBC. In attendance were Slesnick’s parents, former JOBC president Jeannett Slesnick and former JOBC president as well as former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick II. Those volunteers, sponsors, and organizations that supported the JOBC during the past year’s festival season also were honored and given awards for their hard work and dedication. JOBC executive director Mark Pidal presented Special Festival Sponsor Awards to the City of Coral Gables, Miami Children’s Hospital, and the Orange Bowl Committee. Brown presented Isa Goenaga and Norma Gavarrete with the James Charlton
Pictured (l-r) are Don Slesnick III, Dallas Brown, Robert Bueso, Peter Tolmach, Kathleen Kauffman and Donald “Rusty” Hill. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Outstanding Service Award, which is given annually to the Volunteer of the Year. Goenaga served as chair of the Royal Court Committee for the 2011-12 festival season and also was inducted as an active member of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee. Gavarette was a volunteer for the International Chess Tournament and the 63rd Parade and was inducted as an associate member. Junior Orange Bowl Parade chair Kathleen Kauffman presented the float awards for the 63rd Junior Orange Bowl Parade. Those who received this year’s awards were: Boy Scouts of America – Best Use of Creativity, Village of Pinecrest – Best Use of Earth-Friendly Design,
Miami Children’s Hospital – Best Youth Enthusiasm, Coral Gables Museum Winter Camp – Bank of Coral Gables Best Community Float President’s Award, Homestead Rodeo Association – Bank of Coral Gables Best Community Float, Pan Am: World Wings International – Best Use of Parade Theme. Abby Dresnick and Barbara Waters, cochairs of the 50th Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship, made a special presentation to all of this year’s tennis tournament volunteers. Goenaga honored this year’s JOB Queen and Princesses for their dedication and service to the Junior Orange Bowl during the festival season and the Junior Orange Bowl Princesses spoke about their experience as part of the 2011-12 Royal Court. Former Junior Orange Bowl president Rex Russo swore in the new active, associate, and life Junior Orange Bowl members. Cecilia Stevenson and Goenaga were sworn in as active members, and five new associate members were sworn in. They are Anthony Atwood, Laurie Schwarz, Adam Zwibelman, Felipe Calderon, and Gavarrete. Nancy Little, 2011-12 JOBC treasurer and Jobie’s Fun Day chair, was sworn in as a life member. Russo also swore in the board of directors for the 2012-13 festival season, which included Don Slesnick III (president), Dallas Brown (immediate past president), Robert Bueso (presidentelect), Kate Swain (vice president), Peter Tolmach (vice president), Kathleen Kauffman (secretary), Donald “Rusty” Hill (treasurer), Sam Burritt (director), Abby Dresnick (director), and Barbara Waters (director). For more information on the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, call 305-6621210 or visit the website at <www.jrorangebowl.org>.
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Coral Gables Medical Plaza: Room to grow BY NANCY EAGLETON Coral Gables Medical Plaza, located adjacent to Coral Gables Hospital, is home to 27 medical professionals who offer quality healthcare services to the community. The 70,000 square-foot class A medical office building, owned and operated by Healthcare Realty, has 10,000 square feet of ground floor space fronting SW 37th Avenue available. This space can be subdivided to accommodate several tenants. Move-in ready tower suites are also being leased. In addition, building signage is currently being offered, providing a tenant with top billing in the heart of the Coral Gables community. The dynamic mix of medical professionals and physicians at Coral Gables Medical Plaza, including many physicians from Tenet Florida Physician Services, offer healthcare in various specialties, including family practice, gynecology and infertility, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, urology, gastroenterology, cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine. Anthony Bared, M.D., a Tenet Florida physician, recently made Coral Gables Medical Plaza home to his practice. Dr. Bared is Board certified in Otolaryngology. He practices facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and is trained in the medical and surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. Dr. Bared grew up in Coral Gables, a stone’s throw away from his new medical office, and now lives nearby with his wife and newborn baby. He said the plaza’s location is not only conveniently located close to his home, but also offers numerous amenities that are important to his practice. “From the parking, to the building’s common area, to my reception area, it’s important to deliver a quality experience for my patients to go along with quality care,” said Dr. Bared. “In addition, the building’s proximity to Coral Gables Hospital and the Coral Gables Surgery Center provides an added convenience for my patients and me.” Coral Gables Medical Plaza is one of three Miami-Dade properties owned and managed by Healthcare Realty, which operates 209 similar real estate properties in 28 states. Like all Healthcare Realty properties, One 7000 Place in South Miami and Deering Medical Plaza in Palmetto Bay are also located next to hospital campuses. Healthcare Realty’s Portfolio Manager Wayne E. Stringer is based locally and his team of building managers, engineers and leasing agents understand what physicians like Dr. Bared require from their surroundings.
Centraly located at 2601 SW 37 Avenue ________________________________ “There is something to be said about the quality of the landlord, and having local leasing and management teams servicing the building,” said Stringer. “We deliver personal and prompt responses for service requests. We keep a watchful eye on the condition of the property and ensure that we maintain a clean, welcoming environment for our tenants and their patients.” Coral Gables Medical Plaza is currently undergoing a half-million dollar elevator modernization, which is now nearing completion. “Modern and efficient elevators will have a positive impact on everyone working in and visiting the building,” added Stringer. The building’s available medical suites are move-in ready. Each modern suite has its own private bathroom and exam rooms with sinks. Separate air conditioning systems in each space allow occupants to vary the temperature at any time for optimum patient comfort. Tenants of the building have 24-hour electronic card access, allowing medical staff easy access before and after hours. In addition, two levels of building security – video surveillance and a security guard – ensure a safe environment for staff and patients alike. Coral Gables Medical Plaza sits atop a covered parking garage, providing ample parking for all visitors. The plaza’s easy access to South Dixie Highway and close proximity to Coral Gables’ boutiques and restaurants make it a desirable location for the medical providers and the patients who visit them. Coral Gables Medical Plaza is located at 2601 SW 37 Avenue in Coral Gables. For leasing information, contact Wayne E. Stringer, portfolio manager, at 305-740-0778.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
April 3 - 16, 2012
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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April 3 - 16, 2012
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Actors’ Playhouse to celebrate 25th Silver Anniversary season BY LEE STEPHENS
Actors’ Playhouse celebrates its 25th Silver Anniversary during the 2012-13 season. Like the little engine that could, the company opened in a Kendall strip mall in 1988, survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992, then in partnership with the City of Coral Gables renovated and restored the historic Miracle Theatre into a three-stage performing arts center in 1995. One of 22 major cultural organizations in Miami-Dade County, and the largest self-producing company for Mainstage and Children’s Theatre in South Florida, Actors’ Playhouse has made its mark by providing artistic excellence, building community partnerships, and developing a new generation of theater supporters through entertaining and engaging programs. Over the years Actors’ Playhouse has been nominated for 256 Carbonell Awards and has brought home 71. Its Children’s Theatre is continually acknowledged as “Best of the Best” with the Kids Crown Award presented by South Florida Parenting Magazine, and its leaders are recognized for their business and artistic excellence. “Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is one of our most prized cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County, producing outstanding theatrical and educational programs for the community,” said Michael Spring, director of the MiamiDade County Department of Cultural Affairs. “We are extremely proud of their stellar achievements over the years as one of South Florida’s leading and award-winning theater companies.”
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season in 2012-13, Actors’ Playhouse will produce six exciting Mainstage productions. Opening the season Oct. 10-Nov. 4 is Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak’s Godspell. Based on the Gospel according to Matthew, a revival of the 1976 show is running currently at Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre. Next comes Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years, an intimate musical told from the perspective of a husband and wife whose marriage is coming apart, playing Dec. 5-30. The Fox on the Fairway, another farce by Lend Me a Tenor playwright Ken Ludwig, follows Jan. 16-Feb. 10. It’s a charmingly madcap adventure about love, life, and man’s eternal love affair with golf. And then, Mar. 6-Apr. 7, comes the first South Florida regional production of In the Heights, the vibrant Lin Miranda-Quiara and Alegría Hudes musical set in Manhattan’s multicultural Washington Heights neighborhood. “The last 24 years have proven our continued commitment to excellence,” said artistic director David Arisco. “Season 25 will feature hilarious comedies, poignant musicals and dramatic flair, our trademark eclectic mix of the best professional regional theater has to offer. My sincerest gratitude to all who have helped this organization reach its Silver Anniversary.” Subscriptions for the 25th Anniversary Season range from $185 for previews to $435 for Gala Opening Night subscriptions. To become a part of the “Miracle” as an Actors’ Playhouse subscriber, call 305444-9293 or order online at <www.actorsplayhouse.org>.
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Panter’s Pointers for Spring Swim Safety Spring is here! While the water appears warm and inviting, it is host to unseen dangers. Every day, around ten people unintentionally drown. Drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional death for people of all ages. Children ages 1 to 14 have the highest rate of drowning deaths, and more than one in five deaths from drowning are children under the age of 14. Supervision is key. Children in water whether in a pool or a bathtub should always be supervised by a responsible adult while in the water. Drowning is a silent killer. Children who are drowning may not be able to call for help because they are expending all their energy to keep their head above water. All children should have some form of swimming lessons. Studies have shown that formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88% in children. Sometimes supervision is not enough. Among children ages 1 to 4 years, most drowning deaths occur at home. Most children who die in home swimming pools were only out of site for five minutes. Barriers such as pool fences can prevent children from accessing the pool while out of site. There is significant reduction in the risk of children drowning with a four-sided pool fence. Adults should also invest in CPR training. In the time spent waiting for an ambulance to arrive, CPR can save someone’s life. Adults, alcohol and swimming can be a dangerous mix. In half of adult drowning deaths alcohol is a contributing factor. Alcohol adversely affects balance, coordination, and judgment, all necessary faculties for swimming safely. Alcohols’ effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat, which spring in intensity with the spring season. Panter’s Pointers for Spring Swim Safety: 1) Supervision, never leave children alone in the water. 2) Consider investing in a pool fence if you have a swimming pool at home. 3) Learn to swim, take a lesson. 4) Learn CPR, you might save a life. 5) Avoid alcohol, or drink moderately and responsibly. “Serving Our Community For More Than 20 Years”
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
305-662-6178 6950 N. Kendall Drive Miami, Florida 33156 Telefax: (305) 662-9472 • 1-800-PANTERLAW www.panterlaw.com
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April 3 - 16, 2012
New shows by artists Erika King, Meme Ferre to debut in Grove
Anal Fissure
BY SONIA MARTINEZ, RPH
An anal fissure is a small split or tear in the thin moist tissue (mucosa) lining the lower rectum (anus). Chronic anal fissures can be simply and effectively treated medically without the risk of incontinence associated with surgery (sphincterotomy). Topical therapy is directed at reversibly decreasing resting anal pressure, with a goal of allowing fissure healing without permanent damage to the sphincter (the ring of muscle that keeps the anus closed). Because a long interval of time between first symptoms and treatment negatively affects fissure healing and increases recurrence rate, treatment for anal fissure should be initiated early. Ask our compounding pharmacist for more information about topical formulations to heal anal fissures.
Photo by Ella Woodson Sonia Martinez, RPH - Marco Drugs
Marco Drugs and Compounding will provide you with compounded medications prepared with the highest standards and with high quality bulk materials, traditional prescriptions and high grade nutraceuticals, supplements and multivitamins. We provide to you health information in a clean, comfortable, fun and safe environment. Make us your doorway to total health. Marco Drugs & Compounding is located at 6627 South Dixie Highway, Tel: 305-665-4411 • Fax: 305-663-3258 Email:marcodrugs@bellsouth.net <www.marcodrugs.com> This article is intended to provide information on healthrelated matters. The ideas expressed cannot be used to diagnose or treat individual health problems and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction.
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q a i
Erika King’s Evolution of Spirit –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY MELISSA NOBLES
Two longtime local artists, Erika King and Meme Ferre, will debut new, vibrant and powerful exhibitions on Saturday, Apr. 7, as the Jim Hunter Gallery and Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF) Gallery welcome “Evolution of Spirit” and “Raw Energy/Energía Cruda,” respectively. With a master, retrospective collage collection, Erika King’s Evolution of Spirit displays iconic images of the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Statue of Liberty, Native Americans, angels and even Marilyn Monroe, through the use of familiar fragments of sheet music, stamps and torn foreign currency. Considering the collages a process of evolving spiritual moments, the ethereal paintings recall her fascination with the sky and cloud formations while traveling by air in 1965 to 2012. “The splashes of paint and connecting lines evoke energy and vibration waves which I feel unifies us all,” King said. “I take my time to focus on a fond, deep search for spirituality within each one.” Originally from Philadelphia, PA, King is a long-time Miami-based artist known for her corporate, commemorative and celebrity collages. She received formal training from L’Ecole de Beaux Art in Paris and has exhibited throughout Europe, Venezuela, New York City and San Francisco. Her corporate collages have been commissioned by American Express, Texaco, United Way, Anheuser Busch, Blockbuster Entertainment, AT&T Wireless, Nokia, Radio Shack and AIG, among many other Fortune 500 companies. Channeling similar self-exploration vibes, Meme Ferre debuts at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery next door, paintings with transcendent realities in her exhibition “Raw Energy/Energía Cruda.”
Combining colors of the Caribbean and the iconic mysticism of India, Ferre’s pieces transport the observer to separate experiences. Like the energies of the trade winds of the tropics, each abstracted brush stroke stirs up an intense, almost physical, force across the pieces colors. “In some not too distant future, we will all be sustained by the gathering of the wind emitted by energy and strokes of a paintbrush,” Ferre said. “These windy spirits, like distant drums, help us achieve a sustainable natural lifestyle, all using forces and energies as muses.” Ferre’s artwork currently can be found at Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico and Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center in Key Biscayne. She has exhibited in London; New York City; Washington, DC; Brooklyn; Miami; Palm Beach; Venice; Ibiza, and Provincetown, also as has debuted performance art and installations at such events as the Miami International Film Festival and the Miami International Book Fair. Ferre received a BFA from the Pratt Institute and an MA from New York University. She is a Museum Educator of Art in Public Places for MiamiDade County. Both the Jim Hunter Gallery and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery are funded by proceeds from the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Presenting special exhibitions throughout the year from their locations at Mayfair, both galleries are managed by the non-profit Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association and serve as a hub for cultural activities in Coconut Grove. Since its inception in 1963, the association has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools. For more information about the Jim Hunter Gallery and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery, visit on line at <www.cgaf.com>.
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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College professor moves with her family to Paris BY GISELLE-MARIE ROIG
Fresh on the heels of a difficult period in her life, New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James sold her house, took a sabbatical from her university job as a Shakespeare professor, and moved her family to Paris. Paris In Love: A Memoir (Random House; on sale Apr. 3, 2012) chronicles Eloisa’s joyful year in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. With no classes to teach, no committee meetings to attend, no lawn to mow or cars to park, Eloisa revels in the everyday pleasures of Parisian life — discovering corner museums that tourists overlook, chronicling Frenchwomen’s sartorial triumphs, walking from one end of Paris to another. She copes with her Italian husband’s notions of quality time; her two hilarious children, Anna and Luca, ages 11 and 15, as they navigate schools — not to mention puberty — in a foreign language, and her mother-in-law Marina’s raised eyebrow in the kitchen (even
Eloisa James (aka Mary Bly) (Photo credit Bryan Derballa)
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
FOOTNOTES
as Marina overfeeds Milo, the family dog). Eloisa learns the beauty of time wasted, all the while documenting her life in snippets on Facebook and Twitter. These posts, which she says became “as ephemeral and trivial, as sweet and heedless as our days in Paris,” provide the spark for her memoir told through a series of captivating vignettes and longer
essays. Like flipping through a photo album of memories, Paris In Love invites the reader into the highs and lows of a most enchanting family, framed by la ville de l’amour. In Paris In Love, Eloisa explores: • Coping with her mother’s death and her own brush with cancer — Two weeks after her mother loses her battle with cancer, Eloisa is diagnosed with the same disease; in an effort to “capture the acute beauty of life,” Paris becomes her new destination. • Relishing the joys of Parisian cuisine — The culinary delights of Paris became a character in Eloisa’s memoir, as she eats up all the city has to offer, from delectable cheeses to the after-work baguettes that scatter the streets with crumbs. • Her favorite places to indulge in Paris — In her “Unofficial Guide” at the end of Paris in Love, Eloisa divulges where to find the best chocolate, buy the best fitting lingerie, and discover hidden gems in overlooked museums. • The secrets to Parisian chic — Impeccably, yet effortlessly, dressed women on the Metro provided daily sartorial inspiration for Eloisa as she learns that a trench and little Goyard go a long way. • Helping her children adjust to a foreign
city — Moving American-bred, Italianspeaking kids to France can be quite the challenge. Between Queen Bees, skiing trips, and Harry Potter, Eloisa helps her children find their way. • How living in Paris helped her love her body — After eating one too many baguettes and no longer being able to fit into her jeans, Eloisa takes up jogging; but when she’s the only one running on the streets, she decides to live life through a rosy haze of chocolate and lingerie. • How moving to Paris strengthened her family’s bond — Surrounded by people speaking another language, her family learns to listen to each other in a new way. Paris In Love is the yearlong journey of a woman finding herself in a new city, and a family finding each other. Mary Bly (aka Eloisa James) currently is a full professor and co-director of the creative writing program at Fordham University in New York City where she and her family now live. Paris in Love is her first work of nonfiction. Eloisa James will be speaking about and signing her book on Thursday, Apr. 19, 8 p.m., at Books and Books, 265 Aragon Ave. in Coral Gables.
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Community Association Beat
What are PUD & condo riders ...and how are they best used? BY MITCH DRIMMER, CAM Community Association Manager
Do you know what a rider in a PUD (Planned Unit Development) or a condominium contract is? Riders are a part of the ownership document when a unit is purchased in a community with a condominium or homeowner association. Riders give community associations the right to notify a bank when an owner has stopped paying dues, and subsequently gives the bank holding the unit mortgage the opportunity to pay the assessment, adding that cost to an existing unit loan. (This isn’t to say that the bank must pay but its fair warning that notice for unpaid fees allow banks to step in and do the appropriate thing). A typical rider language: “If Borrower does not pay condominium dues and assessments when due, then Lender may pay them. Any amounts disbursed by Lender under this paragraph F shall become additional debt of Borrower secured by the Security Instrument. Unless Borrower and Lender agree to other terms of payment, these amounts shall bear interest from the date of disbursement at the Note rate and shall be payable, with interest, upon notice from Lender to Borrower requesting payment.” Condominium or homeowner association members should think of riders in the same sense of premiums received from an insurance company. Should they fail to pay the premium, the policy would be canceled. Banks holding foreclosure papers will always pony up unit payments due an association to protect their collateral. If no payment is forthcoming, the community association can notify the bank as the unit’s
lender to provide a chance to pay up, just as if they were the agency collecting the insurance premium. However, the procedure to notify banks in this way is rarely used. The Florida Legislature could very easily use riders as a starting point to improve timely collections of units in default. Instead of trying to strip the associations from their rights to collect late fees, late interest, attorney and collection costs, the Legislature could simply utilize what statutes exist to require banks to cover the costs of maintaining the unit and protect their collateral. If the bank wants to postpone foreclosure, that’s their God-given right. Associations then would never really have to engage a collection company or attorney to recover their money, and banks would not have to try to strip associations from their rights to collect such costs. Backed by lots of powerful friends in Tallahassee, many banks have gotten away with non-payments that the association needs to maintain their fiscal budgets. While I don’t know what’s next in the politics of this issue, associations can and should move forward to take title to foreclosed units because the law is clear in that regard. Any association can still recover delinquent costs when banks seek formal property ownership. Associations can also intervene by taking title to monetize unit income through rental programs. They can notify banks of their intent to take action, just as PUD and condo riders say they can. Riders are there for a purpose. So why not use them? Mitch Drimmer is a licensed CAM and is the Vice President of Association Financial Services, an accredited collection agency, specialty finance, business process outsourcing, specializing in community associations. For more information, visit <www.associationfinancial.com> or tel. 305-677-0022, ext 804.
April 3 - 16, 2012
Miami Heart & Stroke Ball raises funds for lifesaving research
Pictured (l-r) are co-chairs: George and Marla Bergmann of Bergmann Properties, Michele Chulick of UHealth, and Ian Pesses of Akerman Senterfitt. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY CRISTY PAEZ
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association conducted its 44th annual Miami Heart & Stroke Ball on Saturday, Mar. 10. The premier event brought together hundreds of Miami’s medical, social and philanthropic leaders at the Four Season’s Miami Hotel. This year’s co-chairmen included Michele Chulick of UHealth, Ian Pesses of Akerman Senterfitt, and George and Marla Bergmann of Bergmann Properties. The emcee was Maggie Newland from CBS4. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception prior to entering into the red-themed ballroom, where they dined on healthy culinary delights and listened to live music from Street Life Band. Guests were touched by a heartfelt testimonial from a woman whose husband died of heart disease and learned shortly after his death that their first child, Natalia, also has a heart defect. “Natalia Bee” took the stage and thanked all for their support. Attendees generously gave “open your heart” financial contributions that will go toward lifesaving research, education and community programs. During the special Cor Vitae Awards presentation, the organization honored two esteemed members of the Miami medical community with prestigious awards for their professional accomplishments in advancing the treatment and prevention of heart disease and stroke, which are the No. 1 and No. 4 killers, respectively, of American men and women. Dr. William O’Neill of the University of
Miami was the recipient of the Cor Vitae Award and Dr. Kathleen Schrank, also of the University of Miami, was the first female recipient of the Cor Vitae Stroke Award. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association presented the 2012 Dr. Sanford L. and Beatrice Ziff Big Heart Humanitarian Award to the Miami Marlins for their encouragement of physical activity and education among our youth. Other notable attendees included University of Miami president Donna Shalala, Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez. The Signature Sponsor of the 2012 campaign is Dade Medical College. Other sponsors of the 2012 gala included: The Saul & Theresa Esman Foundation; UHealth – University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Florida Healthcare Plus Inc., and Siemens/MedLab. Media Sponsors are 790 AM The Ticket and Miami Magazine. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association will continue their aggressive efforts to combat these deadly diseases and celebrate future successes at the 2013 Miami Heart & Stroke Ball which will be led by Ernesto and Sylvia Perez of Dade Medical College. For more information about the event throughout the year, call 1-954- 492-6911. To learn more about the American Heart Association, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit <www.heart.org>.
April 3 - 16, 2012
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BCH slated to perform free corrective facial surgeries BY BARBARA MOORE
A child’s smile is one of the greatest joys of life. Unfortunately, one in 800 children in the United States is born with a facial deformity. For the 11th year, Baptist Children’s Hospital will donate its facilities and charitable funds to perform corrective facial surgeries and other clinically needed reconstructive procedures for South Florida children. These operations will be provided at no cost for children whose families are unable to pay for these types of services. A screening to identify children who may be candidates for surgery will take place on Saturday, May 19, at Baptist Children’s Hospital. The surgeries will take place on Saturday, June 16. Types of facial deformities that can be corrected include: cleft palates, cleft lips, scars, tumors, burns, port wine birthmarks and congenital hand deformities. Baptist Children’s Hospital doctors from various specialties, including plastic surgery, dentistry and anesthesiology, also will
donate their time and expertise for this cause. To be eligible, patients must meet certain surgical and financial criteria. Patients must be 18 years old or younger and residents of Miami-Dade County or Monroe County. They also must present documentation substantiating their parents’ or guardian’s previous 12 months gross income. A financial screening must take place before the clinical screening on May 19. To make an appointment for the financial screening, call Baptist Children’s Hospital at 786-596-3673. Baptist Children’s Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. It also includes Baptist Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Baptist Outpatient Services. For more information, visit online at <www.BaptistHealth.net>.
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Heart of a Chef (HOAC): Eat j Play j Be Healthy Heart of a Chef is a unique culinary experience to take place on April 29 hosted by the Florida Heart Research Institute. This year’s event will be held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden from 4pm-7pm. (Presenting sponsors Florida Blue and Whole Foods- other sponsors include Le Cordon Bleu, Total Wine, Miami Dade Health Department, Make Healthy Happen Miami, GOYA, HealthCorps, Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club). The event emphasis is on the prevention of childhood obesity along with educating people of all ages to live a heart healthy lifestyle. Through the festival we will show the community how to incorporate healthy options through fun activities. We will have food tastings, wine seminars, education seminars, chef cookoff’s (not sure who yet). We will have one cook- off between high school MAST Academy (Maritime Science Technology Academy) vs. Coral Gables Senior High. Also featured will be Short Chef For the past ten years Short Chef has been working with children of all ages in South Florida, helping them to understand the great importance of eating a healthy balanced diet. Short Chef is dedicated to helping create awareness in children about the dangers associated with consuming foods and beverages that can be harmful to their bodies. The staggering numbers of childhood obesity and diabetes in children is a serious problem impacting the world today, which has led Short Chef down his current path to empower children with this knowledge. Tickets are $30 in advance ($35 at the door)- adult ticket includes two children’s tickets. To purchase tickets visit www.heartofachef.org Heart disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the U.S.
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Dr. Crowell takes care of the health and beauty of your skin BY NANCY EAGLETON
From acne to aging, skin rashes to skin cancer, Miami dermatologist Dr. Judith Crowell practices medical and aesthetic dermatology to effectively treat all skin conditions and help people look and feel their best. As we live longer and stay healthy longer, the skin may need a little help to look as young as our minds and bodies feel. Dr. Crowell specializes in topical, pharmaceutical, laser and surgical procedures to improve the look of skin at any age. Realizing that there is no one treatment that works for everyone, she and her medical team offer a variety of treatments designed to improve the appearance of aging skin, including chemical peels, exfoliation treatments, Botox, fillers and laser procedures. Dr. Crowell, named one of Florida’s top dermatologists, is one of only a few area dermatologists to offer HydraFacial, the newest advance in non-laser skin resurfacing. HydraFacial is the only hydradermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection in one treatment. “HydraFacial improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduces pores, tightens skin and gradually improves pigmentation,” said Dr. Crowell. “It takes 20 minutes, there’s no redness or downtime and after the treatment, the skin is glowing and smooth.” One of the most popular game-changers in the anti-aging fight is injectable botulinum toxin, otherwise known as Botox. “For frown lines on the brow and forehead, nothing beats Botox,” said Dr. Crowell. “It’s one of the best ways to look younger quickly. I do a lot of Botox and my patients have excellent results.” Dr. Crowell also offers injectable fillers to diminish the telltale signs of aging. Her favorite is Sculptra, which is made from poly-L-lactic acid and is the first injectable wrinkle treatment that helps replace lost collagen. With Sculptra, results appear gradually and are long-lasting. She describes Sculptra’s results as a mini-facelift, without the surgery, down-time and expense. “As you age, you lose fat and bone in your face and you get that hallowed look,” said Dr. Crowell. “The beauty of Sculptra is that it goes in places that other fillers cannot. It nicely plumps sunken areas of the face and gives you that look you achieve when you slightly pull the skin back at your ears.” Dr. Crowell offers a variety of lasers, which are effective treatments for neck and face wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, blood vessels, vascular birthmarks, scars, unwanted tattoos and hair. Non-ablative lasers have the advantage of allowing
HEALTH
&
April 3 - 16, 2012
Fairchild marking National Public Gardens Day with free admission
MEDICINE
Dr. Judith Crowell ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
patients to immediately return to daily affairs. Dr. Crowell said the CO2 laser remains the gold standard for resurfacing sun-damaged and deeply-wrinkled faces. Patients who choose the CO2 laser should plan on experiencing some downtime. “The results of this laser are excellent,” she said. “It redefines the face, resurfacing and tightening the skin.” Dr. Crowell’s team of aestheticians skillfully performs a variety of facials and skin tightening treatments to keep the face and body’s skin looking their best. “Choosing the best treatment depends on your goals, budget and the amount of downtime that fits your lifestyle,” said Dr. Crowell. “We offer a treatment to fit everyone’s needs.” Although cosmetic treatments continue to grow in popularity, Dr. Crowell spends much of her day practicing medical dermatology, treating diverse skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, warts, moles and skin cancer. Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body and is curable if detected and treated in the early stages. If skin cancer is detected, Dr. Crowell has a surgeon onsite who is completing a Mohs surgery fellowship. Together, they ensure patients receive the highest quality care and achieve the best outcomes. Dr. Crowell and her team are located in Snapper Creek Plaza, 7800 SW 87 Ave. For more information, call 305-274-0221 or go to <www.judithcrowellmd.com>.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for free on May 11. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BY MICHAEL GOODMAN
If you have not been or you are looking to return to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, plan to visit on National Public Gardens Day, Friday, May 11, to enjoy free admission. Held just two days before Mother’s Day, National Public Gardens Day is a national day of celebration that invites communities to explore the beauty of their local green spaces, while raising awareness of the important role public gardens play in promoting conservation, education and environmental preservation. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will mark this special day with free admission for everyone to enjoy its 83 acres of lush landscaping and admire the monumental sculptures of American artists Will Ryman and Dale Chihuly or simply sit on a bench and read a favorite book. As a special Mother’s Day treat, visitors also will enjoy a free native plant giveaway of many that were propagated at Fairchild’s nursery — while supplies last. Fairchild is one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in both Florida and international conservation. National Public Gardens Day is a wonderful opportunity for school groups, families and thousands of visitors to explore and discover their local public garden, while learning about the garden’s commitment to education,
research and environmental stewardship. “National Public Gardens Day offers the perfect opportunity for Fairchild to expose its beautiful setting and showcase its amazing plant collections to South Florida residents and visitors of all ages,” said Carl Lewis, director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. “It’s a privilege to be a community resource that works to educate, enlighten and inspire the public to value green spaces and to recognize the importance of natural conservation.” A partnership between the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and Rain Bird, the world’s leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, the 2012 National Public Gardens Day will showcase the contributions of public gardens with special events at many of the more than 500 North American public gardens. This annual recognition is supported by a national awareness campaign that includes broadcast public service announcements, media partnerships, local and national spokespeople, online contests and media tours all focused on communicating the importance of building sustainable environments through improved plant management and water conservation, education and community engagement. For more information on Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and National Public Gardens Day, visit online at <www.fairchildgarden.org>.
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Watch for warning signs of child abuse, neglect BY CHRISTINA DAIGNEAULT
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a key time to reflect on the state of child abuse and what can be done to identify and prevent this injustice. Family Resource Center of South Florida (FRC), one of the state’s leading child welfare private, not-for-profit organizations, is educating the public about the warning signs to help empower the community to play an active role in child abuse prevention. To that end, FRC announces an important and timely campaign during the month of April. Florida continues to be hit hard by the continued recession, causing cases of child abuse to be on the rise. Recent data from Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) for the Miami-Dade region supports this. According to DCF, the number of investigations per month increased in 2011, with an average of 1,262 investigations per month, up from 1,046 per month in 2010. Moreover, the number of local children in out-of-home care jumped to 1,746 per month in 2011, in contrast to 1,298 in 2010. In light of this, FRC is working especially hard to bring this critical issue to the fore-
front of the community by empowering the public with the warning signs of child abuse and neglect as well as knowledge of the tollfree abuse hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE). The five most common types of abuse and what the signs to look for are: Physical Abuse — Child has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, welts or swelling, sprains or fractures, lacerations, abrasions or black eyes. Sexual Abuse — Child has difficulty walking or sitting; demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior; experiences nightmares, bedwetting or sudden change in appetite, bowel habits or urinary habits; experiences social withdrawal, anxiety or depression, and/or becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14. Physical Neglect — Child is consistently dirty and has severe body odor; lacks sufficient clothing for the weather; begs or steals food or money; is frequently absent from school, and/or states that there is no one at home to provide care. Medical Neglect — Child has unattended medical or dental needs; lacks immunizations, or glasses; has an untreated psychological illness; has developmen-
tal delays, and/or is not receiving necessary medication for a chronic disease that can cause disability, disfigurement or death. Emotional Abuse — Child appears either overly compliant and passive or very demanding and aggressive; is inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example), and/or has low self-esteem, speech disorders, startles easily, depression or has attempted suicide. Parent constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child, is cold and rejecting, withholds love, treats siblings unequally, and/or is unconcerned about the child’s problems. Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized throughout the month of April with various events taking place to educate the public in South Florida and across the nation about the prevalence of child abuse and what individuals can do to make a difference. The Miami Heat has teamed up with FRC for a fundraiser to support FRC’s work in this area. Specifically, a portion of proceeds from tickets sold for the Friday, Apr. 13, Miami Heat game vs. the Charlotte Bobcats
will be donated back to FRC. Tickets purchased through <www.frcflorida.org/miamiheata> support the cause and include a discount code for friends, family, and guests. Dr. Oren Wunderman, executive director of Family Resource Center, discussed the agency’s commitment to reducing child abuse and neglect through the new education campaign. “This campaign is about engaging the community and raising awareness about the most obvious signs of child abuse as well as empowering people with action steps to make a difference,” Dr. Wunderman said. “The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal from their abuse and not perpetuate the cycle.” Family Resource Center provides child welfare and advocacy services to over 1,000 children annually in Miami-Dade. Approximately two-thirds of the children will be reunified with their parent(s), while one-third will become free for adoption. Family Resource Center works to respectfully treat, rehabilitate, and mentor troubled families through comprehensive, responsive care. Its goal is to keep families together, where appropriate, and strengthen loving ties to the family and the community.
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April 3 - 16, 2012
FIU breaks ground on Phase III: 1,500 race through Zoo Miami Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium raising $100,000 for homeless BY PAUL DODSON
Pete Garcia, FIU executive director for Sports and Entertainment, announced on Mar. 23 the start of construction on the third phase of Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium. The third phase will close in the north side of the stadium and is expected to be completed by Sept. 1. “The next phase in building Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium into one of the top facilities in college football has begun,” Garcia said. “This phase just further cements our commitment towards the development of the FIU football program. “We want to give our team and our fans the best possible gameday experience and turn Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium into a benchmark for stadiums across the nation. I am delighted that the university board of trustees, FIU president Mark B. Rosenberg and the university administration share our vision about the necessity and value of this facility, and I want to thank them for their support.” Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium opened its gates on Sept. 20, 2008. The stadium currently has a capacity of 18,000, featuring 1,500 club seats, a 6,438-squarefoot Stadium Club, an upper concourse and 19 premium suites. Seating includes both chair back and bench seating with backrests. “This is a real exciting time for our football program,” said FIU head football coach Mario Cristobal. “As you hear the sounds of construction going on and watch this stadium grow as we grow as a program, it truly adds a tremendous
amount of incentive each and every day as we step out onto the practice field to become a better program.” Adjacent to the stadium in the west end zone is the R. Kirk Landon Fieldhouse, which opened in the fall of 2009. The 50,000-square-foot, two-story facility is highlighted by a 14,000square-foot clear-span weight room that is used by all FIU student-athletes for strength and conditioning. “Athletics are an important part of the university experience and helps build alumni and community affinity,” Rosenberg said. “Today marks another step forward in the development of our increasingly competitive athletics program.” Recognizing the importance of FIU athletics, the university sought to advance its vision for the expanded stadium through the creation of the Stadium Campaign Task Force (SCTF). Established in the Fall of 2011, the SCTF is led by David Alfonso and R. Kirk Landon, who will spearhead the fundraising efforts for the expansion of the north side of the stadium, while providing oversight on the build-out. The creation of this task force serves as a critical fundraising catalyst. This year’s FIU Spring Game at Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium was scheduled on Friday, Mar. 30. FIU’s 2012 home opener will be on Saturday, Sept. 8, when the Panthers host the Akron Zips. For more information about FIU athletics visit online at <www.fiusports.com>. For more information about FIU, visit <www.fiu.edu/>.
Chapman Partnership chair Trish Bell (center); her husband, Dan Bell (left), and Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill participate in a health fair offered at the RunWild 5K event on Feb. 11. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY LEE STEPHENS
Chapman Partnership raised more than $100,000 to benefit its programs for the homeless during its annual RunWild 5K on Feb. 10 at Zoo Miami. Some 1,500 participated in the event. Cheerleaders from the Miami Heat and Robert Morgan Education Center, WSVN news anchor Diana Diaz, Zoo Miami communications director Ron Magill, and Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman primed the crowd of runners and walkers at the start line before they rushed into the zoo’s interior to music by the acclaimed Robert Morgan Band. Diaz and Chapman Partnership chair Trish
Bell greeted participants at the end of the race. The overall winner for the men’s category was Evan DeHart, 26, at 16.22 minutes. Guadalupe Merlos, 30, was the overall winner in the women’s category finishing in 19.32 minutes. Awards were presented to the top three finishers in each age category. Proceeds from the race benefit Chapman Partnership (formerly Community Partnership for Homeless). The organization helps the homeless put their lives back together with a comprehensive support program that includes emergency shelter, meals, health and dental care, day care, job training, job placement, and assistance with securing housing. To learn more about Chapman Partnership, visit chapmanpartnership.org.
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United Way Miami Wine and Advice for getting through a divorce Food Festival, Apr. 18-21 BY DEBBIE MARTINEZ
Divorce Coach
BY YANET OBARRIO SANCHEZ
Presented by American Express, the United Way Miami Wine and Food Festival, Miami’s first and foremost charity wine and food festival, will take place Wednesday, Apr. 18, through Saturday, Apr. 21, at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Mary Brickell Village and Village of Merrick Park. Bravo’s Top Chef Season 7 winner, Chef Kevin Sbraga, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, will headline the Interactive Dinner on Friday, Apr. 20. Fontainebleau’s Executive Chef Thomas Connell, will direct an exclusive dinner during Cellar-bration on Saturday, Apr. 21. All proceeds benefit United Way of Miami-Dade, supporting more than 120 programs in the areas of education, financial stability and health. For tickets, visit online at <www.miamiwinefestival.org> or call 1-877-820-3378. After its wildly successful debut in 2011, Brews & Bites Craft Beer Tasting returns as the opening event of this year’s festival on Wednesday, Apr. 18, sponsored by CBIZ. Guests will “tap” into 50 craft beers and micro-brews at dozens of tasting stations, with beers provided by Gold Coast Beverage and Brown Distributors, among others. Selections include: Cigar City Brewing, The Native Brewing Company, Palm, Boston Beer Company, Wynwood Brewing Co. and many more. Guests will pair their beers with food samples from 30 local restaurants, including Baru Urbano, Fado Irish Pub and Timo Restaurant. The VIP tasting begins at 6 p.m.; tickets are $75 per person. General admission begins at 7 p.m.; tickets are $55 per person. Brews & Bites takes place at Mary Brickell Village, 901 S. Miami Ave. On Thursday, Apr. 19, longtime festival partner, Village of Merrick Park will host Taste & Toast Fine Wine Tasting, sponsored by Miccosukee Resort & Gaming. This outdoor fine wine tasting brings more than 65 wine producers and importers together for a grand display of more than 200 wines from around the world, with more than 35 area restaurants providing a culinary backdrop. Guests will have the opportunity to speak with wine producers and chefs, and share their experiences on Twitter for a
chance to win great prizes. Participating restaurants include: 1500º, Crave, Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Sawa Restaurant and Lounge, Wynwood Kitchen and Bar, among many others. Bacardi USA, 97.3 The Coast and Crave Restaurant will host a VIP Lounge during the tasting with special treats and surprises. The VIP tasting begins at 6 p.m.; tickets are $150 per person. General admission begins at 7 p.m., tickets are $75 per person. Village of Merrick Park is located at 358 San Lorenzo Ave. in Coral Gables. Friday, Apr. 20, Food, Friends & Fun – Interactive Dinner, sponsored by Bacardi USA, is the ultimate good time for foodies, where tables will team up to cook their own dinners under Chef Sbraga’s tutelage, with Johnson & Wales culinary students serving as sous chefs. The evening commences with a Bacardi cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. featuring Oakheart Spiced Rum. Venue magazine will host an exclusive lounge. WSVN 7’s Belkys Nerey will serve as the mistress of ceremonies for the Interactive Dinner, which begins at 7:30 p.m., and includes a live auction between courses and a silent auction throughout the evening. Tickets are $400 per person and $3,200 per table of eight. The Interactive Dinner takes place at the Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. The festival culminates on Saturday, Apr. 21, with its highlight event, Cellarbration – Good Food and Award-winning Wines, featuring an exclusive dinner under Chef Connell. This gastronomic experience will be inspired by the hotel’s signature restaurants Gotham Steak, Scarpetta and Hakkasan, featuring delectable and diverse cuisine — from modern steakhouse and refined Italian, to four-star haute Chinese. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy stunning auction lots, entertainment and gold medal-winning wines from the Best in Glass Wine Challenge. A cocktail reception and silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m.; dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person and $2,500 per table of 10. Cellar-bration also takes place at the Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. For more information, visit online at <www.miamiwinefestival.org>.
My children want to leave pictures of my ex up in the house. Help, I can’t stand looking at them! I’m sure the impulse to use them as target practice is overwhelming so let’s try this. Let your children know they can keep whatever pictures they want of him and or the family in their room. If that doesn’t pass muster with them, pick out a couple of pictures that are less bothersome to you and put them in places that you won’t see them as often. FYI, the foyer table would not be a good place. I have always had a great relationship with my ex’s family before and after the divorce. It’s been four years and I’m sensing they are pulling away and when I voice my concern they make light of it. I don’t understand. Unfortunately, divorce separates families and in-laws are no exception. As difficult as it may sound, try not to take it personally. They could be getting pressure from your ex or they are just tired of trying to juggle the relationship. It’s not because they have stopped loving you, but when life situations change, sometimes relationships have to change with them. Maybe you can think of a way to restructure your relationship with them and then sit and be honest in your discussion. By you being proactive, they will feel the pressure has been lifted from them and you quite possibly will be able to maintain some type of relationship. Now that I’m divorced and the dust has settled, I’m overwhelmed with all the life changing decisions I’m faced with. Where do I even begin?
Where do you want to end up? Go from there. How are you going to reinvent yourself? Recognize that all things don’t have to be accomplished in one day or one month. Take one day at a time and pat yourself on the back at the end of the day for what you got done. Don’t focus on the few things that didn’t make it off your list. If you’ve been one that has always had your life planned out, accept that right now you might not know where you will be in four years. But, do one thing and that is to learn to enjoy the journey. What is Collaborative Divorce? I’ve heard the term before but don’t really understand what it is? Collaborative divorce is where the two parties agree not to litigate their divorce and work together. It is a non-adversarial approach. Each has their own attorney, but there is a joint accountant and a mental health professional present at the meetings. If at any time one party wants to litigate, the process is broken and the parties have to start from scratch with new attorneys. It is a great way to get divorced because it is a team approach and encourages the parties to work together and not against each other, which as we know, will draw the divorce process out unnecessarily.
Debbie Martinez is a Certified Divorce Life Coach. She has given workshops on divorce and women’s issues and has offices in South Miami. For more information, go to <www.thepowerofdivorcecoach.com>.
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April 3 - 16, 2012
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12451 South Dixie Highway • Miami • 305.235.2852
BY MICHELLE PALOMINO
rently is in its third season. Most recently, she was signed to Universal Republic Easter Weekend in Miami gets underway Record label and released her first single, with Bunny-Palooza 2012 at Put Your Hearts Up, which Miami Seaquarium, which debuted at No. 25 on the hops onto the Easter scene pop charts. Ariana has from Friday, Apr 6, to Easter more than one million folSunday, Apr. 8, with the lowers on Twitter and has largest parade in the event’s been named one of the more than 10-year history. Most Asked Actors Online The Easter Parade will above Charlie Sheen and feature as grand marshal Reese Witherspoon. Ariana Grande, who plays The Easter Parade will Cat Valentine, on the hit TV start at 12:30 p.m. on each show Victorious. In addition, day complete with marchguests will enjoy continuous ing bands, strolling perEaster egg hunts throughout formers, costumed characthe day, candy galore and ters and, of course, the Ariana Grande five acres of adrenaline Easter Bunny. –––––––––––––––––– pumping fun with bounce In addition, during the houses, Giant Fun Slide, Rock Climbing festivities, bunny hoppers should be on the Wall, plus many prizes and surprises. lookout for a Golden Egg, which will be A discount of $8 off admission to hidden in one goodie bag that will be given Bunny-Palooza is available with a receipt out during Bunny-Palooza. The Golden or coupon from Publix Supermarket. Egg will give one lucky child and up to Each day 10 lucky fans will have the three other family members or friends, opportunity to meet and greet Grande. For admission to Miami Seaquarium for their more information on Bunny-Palooza and entire lifetime. how to enter to win a meet and greet with Miami Seaquarium is located at 4400 Ariana Grande visit online at Rickenbacker Causeway. For more infor<www.miamiseaquarium.com>. mation call 305-361-5705, ext. 225. “Easter is a big deal at Miami Miami Seaquarium, South Florida’s Seaquarium,” said Andrew Hertz, general most popular tourist attraction, is a familymanager at Miami Seaquarium. “This year, oriented marine-life park open to the pubby bringing in a celebrity grand marshal, lic every day of the year. The park prowe are building on the tradition that we vides visitors with a greater understanding have created over the course of more than and appreciation for marine life through 10 years. The 2012 Bunny-Palooza will shows, presentations and marine-life be bigger and better than ever before. We exhibits. General admission to Miami are happy to welcome Ariana Grande to Seaquarium is $39.95 and $29.95 for chilour parade and invite all her fans to come dren (ages 3-9). out to see her.” More information on Miami Grande currently stars as Cat Valentine Seaquarium is available online at on the hit TV show Victorious, which cur- <www.miamiseaquarium.com>.
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Dodge Challenger: American muscle, world performance
Ron Beasley LET’S TALK CARS The boys at the gym could not stop ogling the 2012 Dodge Challenger after I maneuvered the big muscle car into a parking space. They cooed with delight and examined the car lovingly. But, after all, the Challenger is just what enthusiasts want — an iconic muscle car with V-8 power, retro styling, a comfortable ride and superb handling. The Challenger lineup has been renamed for 2012. The Challenger SXT model and Challenger SXT Plus package come with a lightweight aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 305 hp and 268 pounds-feet of torque; they get up to 27 mpg on the highway. The Challenger R/T model has the 5.7liter HEMI V-8 under the hood and delivers up to 375 hp, 410 pounds-feet of torque and 25 mpg on the highway. At the same time, Challenger’s secondgeneration rear-wheel-drive platform yields world-class ride and handling with all of the three available suspension tunings and high-
performance wheel and tire combinations: • Sport-tuned — standard on Dodge Challenger SXT and SXT Plus; 18x7.5-inch aluminum wheels with P235/55R18 tires; Touring Brake Package. • Performance-tuned — standard on Dodge Challenger R/T, available on Challenger SXT Plus with Super Sport Group; 18x7.5-inch aluminum wheels with P235/55R18 tires (R/T and R/T Plus); 20x8inch aluminum wheels with P245/45R20 performance tires (standard on R/T Classic, available on R/T and R/T Plus, included with Super Sport Group); Performance Brake Package. Super Track Pak — available on the Dodge Challenger R/T; 20x8-inch aluminum wheels with P245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 Three-season performance tires; High-performance monotube shock absorbers and springs; Performance brake package with high-performance brake linings. With customization options that include hood-to-fender stripes, dual stripes, bodyside stripes, nostalgic paint colors and a choice of seven different wheel designs, Dodge Challenger combines fun, nostalgia and power. New die-cast zinc steering wheelmounted paddle shifters are available on the Challenger SXT Plus package and on the R/T model with five-speed Auto Stick transmis-
Dodge Challenger is an iconic muscle car with retro styling, a comfortable ride and superb handling. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
sion. The race-inspired paddle shifters are positioned behind the thick-rimmed, threespoke steering wheel. The 2012 Challenger comes standard with a 900-watt, 18-speaker premium surroundsound system from Harman Kardon. The system has a 32-volt Tracking Power Supply (TPS) 12-channel Class D amplifier that delivers incredible acoustics and brings multi-dimensional sound. The new system uses GreenEdge speaker and amplifier technology to offer superior sound quality and
high Sound Pressure Level outputs with minimum energy consumption. The speakers are tuned for maximum efficiency and are perfectly matched to the amplifier output. Pricing on the 2012 Dodge Challenger starts at $29,995. Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to <LetsTalkCars@aol.com>.
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New New laser procedure for the treatment of chronic toenail fungal infection! OVER 500 PATIENTS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED!
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Pinewood Acres School Diamond Anniversary 1952-2012
1952
2012
Thank you South Florida for your support of Pinewood Acres for the past 60 years! For all of those who have come through our campus at school and camp, you are our heart and soul. We are honored to serve this community and we look forward to serving you for the next 60-plus years. Go Pioneers! +%. & / +)*,'
*)%
" * -%*) # $
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day spa.. Massage Therapy Services: • Deep Tissue • Swedish • Hot Oil • Thai
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Make your ANNIVERSARIES, BIRTHDAYS, PROPOSALS or just time with a friend even MORE SPECIAL? Couples, Families and Friends welcomed!
Get 10% OFF a 1 hour MASSAGE Come on pamper yourself a little you’ve earned it.
Open 7 Days a week • Monday- Saturday 9:30 am- 10:00pm • Sunday 10:00pm - 8:00pm (Walk-in or appointments are welcomed)
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April 3 - 16, 2012
April 3 - 16, 2012
FOR SALE
PIANO FOR SALE
Baldwin Acrosonic Spinet Piano And Bench. Recently tuned. Like New condition. Classic Baldwin Sound. Appraisals Obtained. Price is Negotiable.
305-256-9036 HELP WANTED
3/$67(5 5(3$,5
,QWHULRU &HLOLQJV :DOOV :DWHU 'DPDJH 5HSDLU 0DWFK $Q\ )LQLVK <UV ([S %HVW 4XDOLW\
7RP )LW]JHUDOG HELP WANTED
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Great South Miami Location THE BANYANS 6640 SW 71 Lane 3 Bdrms/3Bths 2 Story Screened Balcony Fireplace Very Spacious New Stainless Steel Appliances RAY C. BARNES & CO. REALTORS 305-665-9995 Call for Appointment
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SERVICES
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15 Years Experience Shane Smoleny 786-367-6713
HELP WANTED
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CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE PRO TRANSLATING INC. CORAL GABLES, FL
COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTENT EDITOR for public relations agency in Miami. Apply by mailing resume to: Acqua Communications Group, 1111 Brickell Ave. #1100 â&#x20AC;˘ Miami, FL 33131 Attn: Priscilla Colon
Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Communications +5 yrs. exp. Will serve as Median Relations Specialist for the Company, will promote and Review events, will write press releases to Media contacts; design brochures for presentations; will maintain the Social Communications in English and Spanish; Will also work on text translations using software such as SDL Trados and Kilgray MemoQ; and design and analyze websites using software such as Macromedia Dreamweaver. Will evaluate, redesign and maintain the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website; Will manage the communications risk and opportunities; Responsible for communications with board directors, personnel, and customers; Work on corporate image, organize events, responsible for PR, graphic designs, protocol and audio-visual equipment. Email Resume: hr@protranslating.com
REAL ESTATE
HELP WANTED
ANDREA
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BUSINESS ANALYST Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Bus. Adm. req. Responsible for analyzing bus. operations & offer knowledge in cost, financial commitments in order to project future revenues and exp. Mail resume to: Solmax Export Inc. 7950 NW 53 St., Suite 215 Miami, FL 33166
HELP WANTED
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HOUSE CLEANING I take pride in my work! Call Claudia 786-216-3344
2 adorable orphaned cats. Indoor and outdoor. Call Susan 305-233-6642
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DO YOU MAKE 100K PER YEAR? Do you want to? P/T, Huge Potential No experience Call 954-775-2545 HELP WANTED
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$&+(.13<4 ,0 64,0(44 '/ :34 92 (42104,%.( )13 /$0$* ,0* $&&1605,0* ),0$0&( %6'*(5,0* 2.$00,0* )1..18 62 5+( 13*$0,;$ 5,10<4 813-,0* &$2,5$. -018.('*( 1) )13(,*0 (9&+$0*( 4 ! -018. ('*( 1) "(0(;6(.$0 ,/2135 (92135 &6451/4 3(*6.$5,104 $0' 5$3,))4 23( 2$3( %64,0(44 45$5,45,&4 %$4(' 10 ,0)13/$5,10 $0' 4637(:4 *$5+(3(' 8,.. 813- 10 423($'4+((54 $0' 9&(. 231/15( 163 )3(,*+5 4(37,&(4 $%31$' (053$. 165+ /(3,&$ /$,. 3(46/( # 5+ (33$&( ,$/, 550 4 413,1
MEDICAL BILLERS Looking for & CODERS ARE TRUCK DRIVER with Class A or IN DEMAND! Class B License. Train to become Learn to become a Microsoft Office Septic Experience a Medical Office is a plus. Job Assistant! Assistant! includes general No Experience No Experience Labor of digging Needed! Needed! and lifting heavy Local Job Training! Local career training is equipment. now available! Job Placement Please call Placement Assistance Assistance available when training Chapman Septic is available after Service Inc. program is completed! program completed! at 305-661-0628 1-888-528-5547 for application. 1-888-528-5549 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TRAINING!
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Equity Residential seeks an exceptional Leasing Consultant for our Gables Grand Plaza (weekends reqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d). Apply online at www.equityappartments.com or fax resume to: 312-707-9825 EOE
MANAGEMENT ANALYST Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Management req. Review reports & confer with managment and users about format, dist. of prod. & to identify problems & improvements. Mail resume to: TVA Automotive Inc. 2184 NW 89 Pl. Miami, FL 33172
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ALTERATIONS
Get help from the best!
786.651.0862
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LEGAL COUNSEL NEEDED To oversee compliance and contracts for financial services company in Miami. E-mail resume to Devere USA, INC. at simon.pratt@devereandpartners.com
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Steve Epstein
305.546.5132
sepstein@acrmiami.com
RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST
April 3 - 16, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Dan Mayobre 305.992.4617
realtoroftheyear@aol.com
BUYERS SPECIALIST
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
0630GT
April 3 - 16, 2012
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- CLASSES FOR KIDS & ADULTS MATH Ɣ INTERNET Ɣ COMPUTERS PUBLIC SPEAKING Ɣ EBUSINESS Algebra, Geometry, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Email, FaceBook, Twitter, eBay, PayPal, Skype, Photoshop, Web Pages, iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Apps, Video Editing, Business Presentations.
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With my market savvy and knowledge of your neighborhood, I can sell your home fast and for top dollar. “Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!” Dr. Patricia Brumley Realtor - Associate Call Pat at 305-613-8421, I can make it happen!
Certified New Home Specialist
H
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist 12498 SW 127th Ave. • Miami, FL 33186 SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist E-Mail: brumleyp@gmail.com sensitive to age 50+ issues and priorities
Cell: 305-613-8421 • Fax: 305-251-4094 • Office: 305-251-4044
DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE NEED HELP WITH ALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCE RELATED ISSUES?
Paul Merker has helped hundreds of individuals and families 305.498.0704
PAUL MERKER, MS, CAP Addiction Therapist Confidential Counseling
merkerpaul1@aol.com 7600 SW 57th Ave, Suite 127 South Miami, FL 33143
April 3 - 16, 2012
April 3 - 16, 2012
“Home Improvement Specialist” All work guaranteed
Licensed and Insured Over 30 Years Experience
Jack Blanchard 786-897-4537
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• Door Specialist • Locks & Hardware • Cabinets & Closets • Windows • Custom Carpentry • Crown Molding • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling • Patching Plaster & Paintwork • Drywall & Partitions
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Your Neighborhood CPA McKenzie & Company Small Business Accounting The #1 CPA Firm in the state of Florida
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• Business and Personal Taxes Nathan • Business Valuation • Audits & Compilation Call Today • IRS Audit Assistance P-786-231-6694 • 501-c (3) Formation www.nathanmckenziecpa.com
Coral Gables, FL 33114
305.225.8535 Fax: 305.225.8575 Jorge@call-ultimate.com
Wherever you are in Miami-Dade County, we will deliver your package or document at your speed. Peace of mind comes from knowing that you have a company that you can trust to get documents from where you are to where you need them to be.
10 Year workmanship warranty, Up to 50 Year Material Warranty!
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Roofing Repairs • Tile Roofing Systems • Metal Roofing • Gutters Shingle Roofing Systems • Flat Roofing Systems • Custom Metal Work Specializing in Hurricane • Resistant Roofing Systems
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Factory Certified • 100% Customer Satisfaction We have the right products to fit your budget and needs
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Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
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PROTECT YOUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT NOW!!! We Manufacture and Install
Impact resistant Windows and Doors High Performance Accordion Shutters Hurricane Panels Call 305-803-7602 for a free estimate
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April 3 - 16, 2012
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Susan Moore Home Interior Re-Designer Rethink â&#x20AC;˘ Reuse â&#x20AC;˘ Redesign Transform the way you live using what you already have susanmoore77@gmail.com
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0$7+ 78725 :,7+ <($56 2) (;3(5,(1&(
$OO OHYHOV RI PDWK IURP WK JUDGH WR &ROOHJH 5HYLHZ IRU ILQDOV 0DWK 6NLOOV 3UH $OJHEUD $OJHEUD , DQG ,, 3UH &DOFXOXV &DOFXOXV &ROOHJH $OJHEUD DQG &DOFXOXV 6$7 $&7 35(3$5$7,21 5DQVRP (YHUJODGHV 3DOPHU 7ULQLW\ *XOOLYHU 3DOPHWWR 0LGGOH DQG +LJK 6FKRRO %HOHQ 5HDVRQDEOH 5DWHV :LOO FRPH WR \RX LI QHHGHG
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â&#x20AC;˘ Tree Trimming â&#x20AC;˘ Consultation â&#x20AC;˘ Stump Grinding â&#x20AC;˘ Landscaping â&#x20AC;˘ Lawn Services â&#x20AC;˘ Fertilization â&#x20AC;˘ Sprinkler Repair â&#x20AC;˘ Debris Removal â&#x20AC;˘ Backhoe Service â&#x20AC;˘ Driveway Pavers â&#x20AC;˘ Fencework - All Types â&#x20AC;˘ Chickee Huts â&#x20AC;˘ Outdoor Kitchens â&#x20AC;˘ And More
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Buying a home?
Buy with an FHA Reverse Mortgage â&#x20AC;˘ No monthly payments! â&#x20AC;˘ No income requirements! â&#x20AC;˘ No credit requirements! We can even refer you to a RealtorÂŽ in your area that works with buyers and reverse mortgages. Call me...
R. Kenneth Bluh
Manager: Reverse Mortgage Department, MLO, NMLS# 328257
786-247-0547 or KBluh@AmericanBSM.com
2600 Douglas Road, Suite 510, Coral Gables FL 33134 Lender NMLS # 217378
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Professional Counseling Stormy Smoleny Ph.D. LMHC, LP, NCPsyA
Individuals • Couples • Families • Groups
305-412-9885 9150 S.W. 87th Avenue • Suite 106 Miami, FL 33176 • www.StormySmoleny.com
A Personal Touch Fitness
Sensitive Personal Training
Sibyl Adams • • • •
Personal Trainer
NCSF Certified Reiki Master Post Rehab Training Functional Training for Older Adults
All ages and fitness levels welcome Fitness blogger for seniority matters.com
sibyladams@comcast.net
Phone: 786.395.1588
CORPORATE APPROVED
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The One Price Dry Cleaning Concept Offers the Best Value for Your Money Now Doing Pick-up And Delivery FREE of Charge $3.79 Dry Cleaning on Most Garments
$1.69 Laundered Men’s Business Shirts
305.259.3600 • 1-877-532-5565
50% OFF (In your first order)
New Customers Expires 2/29/12
Refer a friend and receive
25% OFF (On your next order)
NOW SERVING: Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, South Miami, CoralGables, Kendall In Dry Cleaning we offer:
In Laundered Shirts we offer:
State of the Art Dry Cleaning Expert Stain and Spot Removal Crisp Professional Pressing Knowledgeable Fast Service Lowest Possible Prices A Better Quality Shirt
White Collars and Cuffs Crisp Automatic Pressing Good Detail Finishing All Bottoms Accounted For Lowest Possible Price No extra cost for Silks and Fancies
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 7:00pm • Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
FREE Order of our
New Italian Donuts (6) on orders over $10.00 Limit one per order.
www.MaxPizzaMiami.com
Signature Pizzas
Entrees
Max’s All The Works
Chicken Parmigiana
Pepperoni, italian sausage, ham, mushroom, green peppers, onions, black olives, small 11.99 medium 16.99 large 17.99
Breaded chicken topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese 10.49
Meat Lovers
Fettucini Alfredo
Pepperoni, italian sausage, ham, bacon, ground beef small 10.99 medium 14.99 large 15.99
Creamy alfredo sauce served on fettucini pasta 9.99 add chicken 1.99 add shrimp 4.99
15455 S.W. 137 Ave., Miami, FL 33177
305.235.0825
I guarantee each pizza to Taste Great or your money back. Give us a try, you’ve got nothing to lose!
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SKAGEN is now available in Pinecrest
Zen Garden Studio & Gifts a division of My Derma Clinic
8517 SW 136th Street Pinecrest 305.253.4772 Open Tuesday through Saturday
8517 S.W. 136 St. Pinecrest, FL www.myDermaClinic.com