JUNE 14, 2012
Planning for summer vacations - make yours a safe one BY KATHERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLE State Attorney, Miami-Dade County
s we begin the summer season, many South Florida families start planning their highly anticipated summer vacation. For those whose plans involve leaving town, the last thing you want to worry about is the security of your home. Here are some tips that will help secure your home while you and your loved ones enjoy a fun and safe vacation. • Be sure to notify your local police agency about your departure and return dates, and give a name and telephone number of a neighbor, friend, or relative to notify in case of a burglary, fire or other emergency. Officers who routinely patrol in your area will periodically check your home. • Contact the post office and request your mail not be delivered during the days you will be away. Your carrier will deliver your “held” mail upon your return or you may choose to pick it up at your designated post office branch. • Newspaper deliveries should also be placed on hold while you are away so that they do not pile up and alert any passersby that your house is unoccupied. • Make arrangements to have your grass cut and watered while you are gone. Have someone check daily to remove outdated papers and circulars from your doorway and yard. • If you have valuables in the house, take them to the bank for storage in your safety
A
––––– See
SUMMER VACATIONS, page 5
Zoo Miami announces opening of HEALTH CARE CORNER new Playworld Playground
BY VIANCA H. ROSAS, MPH Director of Research and Innovation, United HomeCare
Advances in Home Care a Boost for Senior Care
Recreational area features new “wet” and “dry” playgrounds for kids to enjoy. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY CINDY CASTELBLANCO
oo Miami has announced the opening of its new Playworld Playground that contains two play areas — Jungle Journey and Ocean Voyage. With more than 1.5 acres of play and picnic space, kids ages 12 and under have plenty of room to explore the splashing water features and jungle
Z
gym while parents supervise in comfortable shaded seating. In the Jungle Journey playground, children have 11 play features to help them create their own adventures. While the jungle gym could keep them busy for a while, kids can find themselves making their way past a wobbly bridge, through a hollow log and escaping life–––––––––– See
PLAYWORLD, page 5
MBy 2030, there will be 72 million people in the United States over 65 years of age, representing nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population. Here in Florida, this group already accounts for 17 percent of our population. That means that Florida families, government and businesses alike have to work faster and harder to meet the health care needs of our aging population than other regions of the country. And we have to work smarter to make the most of every healthcare dollar in our strained economy. For all these reasons, home care emerges as an effective, efficient choice for meeting many of the care needs of our expanding older population. Doral-based United HomeCare provides this update on the expanded role of home care and the industry’s efforts to raise the efficiency and effectiveness of care. • TeleHealth Monitoring: This state-ofthe-art technology provides qualifying patients and family members with remote
–––––––– See HEALTH CARE CORNER, page 5
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Doral Business Council Trustees • 800 AM The Biz
• JetStream Federal Credit Union
• ActionCOACH
• Kendall Regional Medical Center
• BankUnited
• Lennox Industries
• Baptist Health South Florida
• M. Gill & Associates
• Baptist Medical Plaza at Doral
• Mercantil Commerce Bank
• Cargo Ventures/ Miami Free Zone
• Simon Property/ Miami International • Mall
• Citibank • City of Doral • Clear Channel Outdoor • Comcast Business Services • Covanta Energy • Dale Carnegie Training • Doral Golf Resort and Spa
MARK your
CALENDAR
• Miami Dade Aviation Department
JUNE 2012
• Miami- Dade College Foundation, Inc • Miami- Dade Limestone Products • Association • NMG Consulting, Inc. • Palmetto General Hospital
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Signature Breakfast DORAL AS A GLOBAL COMPETITOR Wednesday. Registration: 7:20 am / Program: 7:45 am InterContinental Hotel at Doral Miami 2505 NW 87th Ave.
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After Hour Connections Divine Savior Academ Wednesday, Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 10311 NW 57th St.
29
Business Spotlight Dale Carnegie Friday. Registration: 7:30 am / Program: 8:00 am Miami Free Zone 2315 NW 107th Ave., Suite 2M9-10
• Perry Ellis International
• Doral Tribune
• Port of Miami
• Florida Power & Light
• PS Business Parks, Inc.
• Gold Coast Beverage Distributors
• Sofitel Miami
• Great Florida Bank
• South Florida Workforce Investment
• Great Waste & Recycling Services, LLC
• SunTrust Banks, Inc.
• Hialeah Hospital
• The Corradino Group
• Hyatt Miami at The Blue
• Univision
• Inter Continental at Doral Miami
• Waste Management
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6769 S.W. 62 Avenue, South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355, Fax (305) 662-6980
PUBLISHERS .........................................................................................................................................................Grant & Michael Miller EDITOR ..............................................................................................................................................................................Richard Yager WRITERS, COLUMNISTS .................................................Bari Auerbach, Ron Beasley, R. Kenneth Bluh, Gloria Burns, Robert Hamilton, Gary Alan Ruse, Ike Seamans, Lee Stephens, Al Sunshine ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES........................................................Albie Barnes, Beatriz Brandfon, Roberta Bergman, Celia Canabate, Cecile Fanfani, Enrique Chau, Diane Chasin, Sharon Christian, Lori Cohen, Amy Donner, Diane Maddox, Denzil Miles, Fara Sax, Diane Sedona Schiller, Georgia Tait, Walter White BOOKKEEPING ......................................................................................................................................................................Jesus Toledo PROOF DEPARTMENT.............................................................................................................................................................Isabel Vavrek RECEPTIONISTS........................................................................................................................................................................Gaby Cruz ART DIRECTOR........... .........................................................................................................................................................Maria Scheer GRAPHIC ARTISTS.............................................................................................................Isabel Ortega, Catalina Roca, Vera Salom, Isabel Vavrek,Sergio Yanes We will not return solicited or unsolicited editorial material including stories, columns and or photographs. If you send us anything, please make sure that you have duplicate copies of the material. General Provisions: Every issue of Community Newspapers is fully copyrighted, and all property rights, including advertisements produced by Community Newspapers. Artwork and/or typography furnished or arranged for/by us, shall be the property of Community Newspapers. No such ad or any art thereof may be reproduced without the prior consent of Community Newspapers.
Editorial e-mail: cneditor@gate.net • www.communitynewspapers.com
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SUMMER VACATIONS from front page ––––––––––––––––––––––––———–––––––––––––––––– deposit box. Deposit extra cash that you are not taking with you in your bank account. • Move valuables so they can’t be seen from the windows. Be sure you have a list of all your appliances, furniture, and valuables. • Make sure to repair any broken windows, door locks or window locks before your trip. • Put any lawn furniture, bicycles, and other moveable objects away before leaving. Items left out while you are gone can easily be stolen.
• Arrange with a neighbor, friend, or relative to watch over your house. Give them a key and let them know where or how you can be reached in case of an emergency. • Make sure you take their telephone number with you so you can check with them during your trip. • Give them your car description and license number. It is important that they know how to reach you at all times while you are away. Stay safe and have a very fun-filled vacation!
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THE HERITAGE SCHOOL FOUNDED IN 1971 13300 SW 120 Street • Miami, FL 33186 • Ph: 305-232-2222
“An International School”
PLAYWORLD from front page ––––––––––––––––––––––––———–––––––––––––––––– size gorilla and hippo figures. Their imaginations may take them on a wild journey, but kids remain safe on spongy floors as they bounce around the playground. After their jungle adventure, kids can cool down by splashing through spouting blow holes and overflowing buckets of water in the Ocean Voyage playground. This water-themed area includes 28 features that are guaranteed to get kids dripping wet. It would be hard to stay dry around water shooting cannons, a whale tail waterfall, and touch-activated rods spraying water. The ocean theme comes to life with shells and glossy starfish on the floor as guests walk in. “This $1 million state-of-the-art playground has been a highly anticipated addition to Zoo Miami,” said Eric Stephens, Zoo Miami director. “We are so excited to open it and offer our guests a top-notch play experience.” Directly next to the playgrounds are two new shaded pavilions that are available to
rent for special events like birthday parties or picnics. With parents and kids sure to work up an appetite, the Playworld Playground is conveniently located next to the new and improved Oasis Grille. There guests can chow down on everything including hotdogs, salads, fruit, burgers and refreshing drinks in the shade of the African outpostthemed area before heading to their next adventure in Zoo Miami. Speaking of adventures, now guests can rent pedal boats, water tricycles and kayaks on the lake at Amazon and Beyond on weekends (Friday-Sunday) and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St. General zoo admission is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child (3-12), plus tax. Children under 2, zoo members and parking are free. Zoo Miami’s hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m; ticket booths close at 4 p.m. For more information visit <www.zoomiami.org> or call 305- 251-0400.
HEALTH CARE CORNER from front page ––––––––––––––––––––––––———–––––––––––––––––– access to home care providers on a daily basis for vital sign monitoring. Patients with conditions such as congestive heart failure, COPD and diabetes stand to benefit from this user-friendly, interactive service. • Holistic Therapies: It’s important to recognize the mind-body connection in wellness, especially for those who must deal with chronic conditions every day. For example, home health aides trained in yoga therapy are empowered to use these techniques to promote the health and wellbeing of the clients under their care. • Research-Based Initiatives: Some home care providers can offer early access to emerging advances in care through participation in health care research. United HomeCare’s Techno-Savvy Seniors program, funded by a grant from the Alliance for Aging of Miami-Dade, and Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors), sup-
ported by grant funding from Health Foundation of South Florida, are two such examples. • Caregiver Support Programs: Non-professional family caregivers are the backbone of our system for caring for frail elderly and disabled adults. They too need care and support to balance all their responsibilities. Doral is home to MiamiDade’s first Caregiver Resource Center, with outreach programs for the community and employers such as the Working Caregiver Assistance Program. As this year’s recipient of the Beacon Council’s Healthcare Services Award, and a leader in the cause of advancing home and community-based care for all Floridians, United HomeCare encourages readers to make the most of what home care has to offer. To learn more, visit www.unitedhomecare.com or call (305) 716-0710.
2012-2013 School Year PRE-K (AGES 3&4) THROUGH 8th GRADE The Heritage School offers an Enriched Integrated Curriculum; Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, Physical Education, Technology, Languages, Wireless Laptops, Computer Lab, Robotics. SMALL CLASS SIZES LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS 10-Acre Campus, Swimming Pool, Baseball Field, Soccer Field, Camera Surveillance System, Edline Access via Internet to Grades, Homework, Etc.
Visit our website and apply online!
www.heritageschool.org We accept McKay & Step Up Scholarships
50% DISCOUNT IN SUMMER CAMP for new students (PK3-3rd Grade) who enroll in our 2012-2013 School Year.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
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Millennia Atlantic University
Summer Mini-Term Starts June 25th
• Accredited by ACICS to award Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degrees • Financial aid available for those who qualify
LOCATED IN DORAL
• Classes in Spanish for first year Spanish-speaking students
Discover Your Potential. Discover The World.
786.331.1000 • www.maufl.edu
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PROJECT MANAGER:
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Develop technological strategies for infrastructure, electrical, lighting, audio and video automation systems for markets in Latin America. Analyze project infrastructure, determine and provide technical and troubleshooting solutions. Coordinate with product management, design engineering and project procurement team in order to effectively generate project estimates. Coordinate and conduct technical pilots and competitive reviews communicating with prospective clients to refine project requirements and convert concepts into proposed solutions. Requirements: Masters Degree. Job in Miami, Florida. POLARIS CONTROLS INC.: Email resume to : info@polariscontrols.com
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Hectorr Wiltz,, MD.,, CPI.
• Fitness & Defense •
Do you or someone you know have Rosacea?
Pre-school Martial Arts Creates Positive Vision
Board Certified Dermatologist FXM Research Miami
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.
Julio G. Anta GET FIT WITH ANTA Pre-school students are something like sponges. They’ll absorb anything to which they’re exposed. They learn by touching (kinesthetic), hearing (auditory) or seeing
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:
(305) 220-5222
11760 0 Bird d Road,, Suite e 452
Miami,, Florida a 33175 5 • www.fxmresearch.com m
Hectorr Wiltz,, MD.,, CPI. Board Certified Dermatologist FXM Research Miami
Do you or someone you know have Psoriasis? FXM Research in Miami Miami is looking for males or females 18 years or older that suffer from moderate to severe plaque Psoriasis to participate in a clinical research study. Medical Insurance is not required for study participation Qualified participants will receive: • Evaluation by a Board Certified Dermatologist. • Investigational Medication at no cost. • Compensation for time and travel.
¿Tienee ustedd o alguienn quee ustedd conozcaa Psoriasis? FXM Research in Miami está buscando hombres y mujeres entre 18 años o más que sufran de Psoriasis moderada a severa para participar en un estudio de investigación clínico. Seguro Medico 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 su tiempo y transporte.
For more information please call / Para más información por favor llame:
(305) 220-5222
11760 0 Bird d Road,, Suite e 452
Miami,, Florida a 33175 5 • www.fxmresearch.com m
Suited up for ‘Little Ninja’ training: Julio Anta with JonPaul Anta, Leeann Hickey.
(visual). When exposed to all three styles of learning, learning improves, just as the same traits of “Little Ninjas” pre-school martial arts program teaches. Our nationally-acclaimed “Little Ninjas” program is a detailed curriculum that focuses on improving pre-school age children’s (ages 3-4) basic motor and listening skills. Such skills help them enter society with a more confident and enthusiastic outlook. They’ll become better stu-
dents at school, better listeners and more ambitious about their future. We believe that the time between ages of three and four are the most important years of a child’s development. A good age-appropriate pre-school martial arts program will enhance positive development in a fun and motivating way. Pre-school martial arts kids enter a martial arts or sports program with balance, coordination, basic techniques and a focus that enables them to succeed and advance at an acccelerated rate. In our “Little Ninja” class, children are exposed to positive social interaction, learning to work with others and follow directions from instructors trained specifically to work with preschool-aged children.The “Little Ninjas” curriculum develops eight major skills necessary for participation in any sport or activity while reinforcing social values. The skills include focus, teamwork, control, balance, memory, discipline, fitness and coordination. Children are rewarded with skill stripes for those which they develop, each of a different color. All eight color skill stripes must be awarded to advance to the next belt level. Between two and three months, Ninjas with eight skill stripes are tested for color belts to keep class work exciting and challenging. Children will learn how to set goals and achieve them by accomplishing new rankings. It’s what makes “Little Ninjas” educational and fun, too! Children learn values and skills that will help them live a lifetime of focus and discipline while striving to be ‘the best.’ Instructors create a positive attitude in children without demanding it. That’s why a pre-school martial arts program can give your child an edge in life.
Julio Anta, head instructor at Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense since 1998 and a Doral Tribune columnist since 2000 can be contacted at 305 599-3649 or via the internet at <www.antakungfu.com> or at <fitdef@aol.com>.
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June 14, 2012
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Taiwan Cooking Skills Specialty of Chef Liu
From left: Benjamin Hong, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez, Aurora Liu, Chef Liu, Jose Marti, generalmanager of InterContinental at Doral, Charles Cheng, Dorothy Cheng. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Chef Liu, a visiting gourmet chef from Taiwan, in partnership with the Doral Overseas Chinese Business Chamber and the Overseas Compatriots Affairs Commission of Republic of China (Taiwan) recently appeared in Doral for an exclusive food tasting event. The InterContinental at Doral Miami hosted the intimate affair as guests marveled at Chef Liu ‘s intricate carving skills, transforming a watermelon into a decorative flower and preparing ‘Sticky Rice-Tai Nan’ style and ‘Pineapple Sweet & Sour Ribs’ for all to enjoy. Among many guests attending were 40 key trade commissioners, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez, and Miami business leaders who included members of the Doral Business Council, Nubielena Medina, Ana Hedman, and Gloria Burns.
Chef Liu creates, Dorothy Cheng describes Taiwanese fare.
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It’s Time to Halt the FCAT BY KAREN ARONOWITZ, President, United Teachers of Dade
Last month, after Florida's writing scores plummeted following the raising of "standards," I called for a moratorium of the FCAT. It's time to retire this torture device to the dungeon of bad ideas masquerading as accountability. Do you know what a 3 means on the FCAT Writes test? A 4? Do you know what a score of 3 or 4 meant last year? Or what it will mean next year? Nobody does. But the fact that the scoring of these 45 minute first draft essays "raised the standards" is taken as a sign that the scoring itself met some kind of basic standard in validity and reliability. Except that it didn't. Many who say that our students should know grammar and spelling are pursing their lips in disapproval of our teachers' instruction. I hear disapproval from those who last wrote an essay forty years ago. Since then, they have written short texts and emails without a care for punctuation, spelling, or grammar. LOL! I myself, a moderately good speller, am typing while my iPad corrects errors as I go. Typo or lack of knowledge? I'll never tell! Yet one day in March, our students sit down with a pencil and a piece of paper and are told, "Write an essay! BTW, one point off for every misspelled word." Those who think the FCAT means something about a student's understanding of content are sadly mistaken. The math portions are often out of sequence of instruction. It is wrong to test students on material in which they have yet to have received instruction.
As for FCAT Reading, all the hodgepodge of strategies taught will not advance our students' understanding unless they learn content. Reading comprehension takes place as students study content. You remember content, don't you? Science. History. Geography. Literature. Content instruction requires students to write essays on topics that test their understanding of the content area. And yes, our students’ handwriting is deplorable because they use the technology of their time, which corrects spelling and grammar as they write. But that is not what Florida's FCAT is all about. It's a state test that doesn't inform of us of how our students perform on a national platform. It takes weeks of time from instruction with a number of interim assessments required, often as frequently as every 3 weeks. It promotes strategies over content instruction. And when millions of our tax dollars disappear into the coffers of the test makers, they are not held accountable when the scores don't come back on time or accurately. Instead, our state punishes our students and teachers on the basis of their FCAT scores while forking over millions of dollars to the brothers and in-laws and assorted family friends of politicians and governors. It's time to call a halt to the FCAT. As Florida works to implement Common Core Standards with tests that show how students perform throughout the nation, we should save the millions of dollars wasted on the FCAT to reinvest in our public schools. We should use this money to provide a comprehensive education to all our students that includes physical education, the arts, music, and enhanced vocational-technical programs. These are the steps in education that provide our students the necessary skills and learning that lead to their success in work and life. The United Teachers of Dade represents 35,000 teachers and school support personnel in MDCPS. The union is committed to being a leader in creating public school reform, fostering a quality public education for all students and elevating the professional status of teachers, paraprofessionals, office employees, and all school support personnel.
June 14, 2012
Hialeah’s Johanna Delgado Wins $5000 Scholarship Florida National College’s (FNC) nursing student Johanna Delgado of Hialeah was the First Prize winner of the McGraw Hill “Get Connected and Win Video Contest” and will receive $5,000 scholarship to help towards her studies at FNC. Johanna’s winning video was selected from over 100 videos that were submitted
from students across the country. In addition to Johanna’s scholarship, her Professor, Mrs. Elizabeth Cuervo, won an iPad3. The top three winning videos will be featured on several McGraw-Hill websites and social media channels. To view all of the 50 winning videos and prizes, visit <http://getconnectedandwin.com/>.
Alexandra Farrar Haverford Graduate Alexandra Brady Obando Farrar, daughter of Jorge Obando of Doral, a graduate of Country Day School, was one of 307 graduates of Haverford’s Class of 2012 on May 13. Obando Farrar received her Bachelor Degree in English during commencement ceremonies in Haverford, Pa. Obando Farrar’s senior thesis, capstone of Haverford’s academic experi-
ence, was “Multiple Breaking Bodies: A Preliminary Exploration Into Identity Formation in Breaking and the Headspinning Bodies Portrayed in Popular Media.” While studying at Haverford, Obando Farrar wrote for The Bi-Co News, which covers both Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges. In 2011, she also studied in Buenos Ares, Argentina.
Cariola Group Adds 150 to Doral Staff Cariola Group executives and State Rep. Luis Garcia marked the grand opening of the company’s new corporate facilities and call center which will create up to150 new jobs in the area. Cariola Group marked the occasion at its new facility in Doral located at
7255 NW 19th St. at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. The company creates distribution channels, communications and technology services by self-managing its investments, according to Cariola Group President, Mariano Cariola.
Doral MDC Hosts ‘The City’ Exhibit Miami Dade College (MDC) West is hosting The City: Lyric and Icon of a Space, an exhibition of works by Miami artists currently on display at its gallery through July 10. The exhibition is free and open to the public. MDC West is located at 3800 N.W. 115 Ave. Featured artists include Ana Ochoa, Andrea Ackner, Yeraldine Ordonez, Cristina Villamil, Baruj Salinas, Michelle Sague, Said Bazze Fernandez, Jose Luis Diaz Montero, Cristina Keller, Lourdes de la Riva, Karla Turcios, and Pedro Vizcaino.
The exhibition is a joint collaboration of MDC West, Nagari magazine and the Doral Art and Culture Chamber of Commerce. Curated by Edward Reboll of Nagari magazine, the exhibition presents different perspectives of cities and towns, and their social and emotional impact. Spanning a wide range of visual media and cultural influences, The City brings a unique balance of artistic concepts and expressions, while also serving as an educational tool. For information, tel MDC Art Gallery System at 305-2377700.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Walmart Expansion Adds 200 Staff Members in Doral The wait was over in mid-May for Doral residents to view Walmart’s completed expansion, at 8651 N.W. 13th Ter. where area employment was boosted by 200 staff members. Originally opened in 1994, the store was recently renovated to ease customer shopping by increasing the store’s size by more than 100,000 square feet. The Doral store added 200 new associates due to the expansion. Customers now find a full line of grocery items, fresh produce, meats, seafood, a bakery, a cafeteria, a coffee bar and an expanded electronics department. Eddie Marciniak, Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez celebrate opening Joining store manager Eddie
Walmart employees cut ribbon with Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez
Marciniak and store associates to celebrate the grand opening at a May 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony were County Commissioner Jose Diaz and Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez. Shoppers enjoyed product samplings from several Latin and American vendors during the weekend. “With the opening of the grocery side, Walmart continues to be a big part of the positive economic development for the City of Doral,” said Mayor Bermudez. “Walmart provides job opportunities and
career choices for everyone from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people wanting to gain work experience,” said Marciniak who began his Walmart career in 1994 in a management training program. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 10,000 retail units under 69 different banners in 27 countries. Fiscal year 2012 sales were approximately $444 billion with more than 2 million employed worldwide.
www.communitynewspapers.com
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The Hermanni Law Group specializes in all immigration matters
By y Ann n Lino The Hermanni Law Group, a full service immigration law firm, was founded by Senior Partner, a graduate of the Roger Williams University School of Law, Kurt Hermanni, in an effort to better serve his clients with all types of immigration issues. Hermanni, of Venezuelan descent, has earned the reputation of a skilled, honest and competent international attorney. Fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Hermanni’s client list has included a former President from South America and his family, several foreign dignitaries, a former military General, military attaches, professional athletes, and foreign investors from China, Serbia, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain and Italy. The firm is currently comprised of five full-time house attorneys: Kurt Hermanni, Senior Partner; Norma Lorenzo, Managing Attorney who specializes in business visas; and Associate Attorneys Erica Perez-Luque, Kerry Anne Donohue, and Karamat Qayum. The group represents numerous international companies, with clients in Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The following is an overview of the various business visas the firm handles: NON IMMIGRANT BUSINESS VISAS: • E-1 / E-2 Treaty Trader and Investor Visas are visas available for Foreign Nationals Investors and traders and their employees may receive visas. • H-1B Specialty Occupation (Professional) Visas are available for professional workers with at least a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent work experience). • L-1 Intra-company Transfer Visas are available to executives, managers and specialized knowledge employees transferring to their employer's U.S. affiliate, parent or subsidiary. • O-1 Extraordinary Ability Worker Visas are a category set-aside for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability. • P-1 Artists and Athletes Visas cover professional athletes, artists and entertainers. IMMIGRANT BUSINESS VISAS: • Permanent Labor Certifications allows an employer to hire a foreign worker to work permanently in the United States. • EB1 Foreign Nationals of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers and Multinational Executives and Managers. • EB-2 Workers with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts or Business. • EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals: • EB-5 Investor / Employment Creation Visas The Hermanni Law Group is located at 2655 LeJeune Road, Ste. 800, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Ph: 305 640-8222 or Mobile 786-271-6699. Visit our website at www.legalizationlawyer.com.
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June 14, 2012
Learning to manage your money important in today’s economy
Al Sunshine CBS MONEY WATCH When students go off to college for the first time, many have no idea how to budget, how to look for sales or how to get the best bargains. These are not uncommon situations, especially when someone doesn’t have a lot of practical experience with handling money. Credit cards get maxed out and student loans accumulate and it’s often hard to keep up. Sometimes however, a school advisor can help advise a student how to manage his or her money and show how to budget. There is a relatively easy way to manage money and pay off bills. For starters, pay bills on a bi-weekly basis. For example, take the minimum payment and split it into two payments. Send the first payment in once the bill is received and then two weeks later send the other payment. This cuts down on the interest that is accrued on the 28-day cycle on which most credit cards base their percentage rates. Some financial consultants suggest that their clients take a piece of paper and draw a triangle on it. On the left hand corner, starting at the base write $10, then working your way up double the amounts — $20, $40, $80, $160, $320. If $320 is the most you can afford to save, then write it at the top of your pyramid. Then on the right side, work backwards — $320, $160, $80, $40, 20, $10. If you keep doing this consistently, in three months you can save up $1,500 or more. This style of saving is
good if you get paid on a weekly or biweekly basis. It doesn’t work for monthly pay periods. Limiting spending also is very important for young adults to keep in mind when managing money. Make everything last longer; nearly everything can last an extra week or more. Getting help from an outside source can also be useful in helping to choose when and where to spend cash. Accountants are great, especially for business-related issues. However, their fees can be fairly high, so a consultation can be expensive. Investment advisers also are good, but they are going to want you to open an account and their fees are often based on what you buy. Continuing education classes run by your town or county also can provide guidance in money management issues. If your questions are tax related, help can be found at tax advisors like HR Block. Teens can learn about saving as early as high school, and someone who saves 10 percent of their income now and continues through the future will be well equipped for life. Teens should start a simple money market account in which they can start investing money. A small amount taken out of a checking account every month — say $25 to $50 — can be put into the money market fund, proving a way to work savings into a monthly budget. A small amount saved on a regular basis accumulates over the years. It also is wise to avoid credit cards, at least initially, and to substitute a debit card instead. Better yet, pay cash as much as possible. Building an emergency fund of three to six month to live on is a good idea, especially in times like these where unemployment is especially prevalent.
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June 14, 2012
Grand Prize Chevrolet delivers customers winning experience BY NANCY EAGLETON
Taking care of the customer is not a new thing, but at Grand Prize Chevrolet, owner Ralph Sifford and his team take customer service to the next level. “I want people to have that Grand Prize experience — the feeling you get when you’re winner,” said Sifford, who has owned the dealership since 1992. “That’s why I chose the name Grand Prize Chevrolet. And that’s what we do here – we deliver that winning experience.” This commitment to going above and beyond customers’ expectations has paid off with used car sales at Grand Prize up 44 percent and new car sales up 11 percent over last year. Sifford said the key to success is delivering excellent customer service every step of the way — from the customer’s shopping experience to sales, service, operations, financing and product delivery. High standards are top priority at both of Sifford’s privately owned dealerships. He also owns a Chevrolet/Cadillac and GMC/Buick dealership in Nanuet, NY. His vast business experience of 37 years operating General Motors dealerships, 20 years
Grand Prize Chevrolet recently completed an extensive renovation to better serve customers. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
running a service station, and experience in commercial banking, commercial real estate and community political service, has molded the savvy business owner. But Sifford isn’t complacent. He looks forward and changes with the times. The service experience at Grand Prize Chevrolet often begins before the cus-
tomer even visits the showroom. A highly proactive Internet department maintains inventory listings online and connects with customers 24/7 on Facebook, Twitter and at GrandPrizeAuto.com. “Customers begin their search online, so it’s important that we reach out to them and start the service process at this time,” Sifford said. “We are always looking for new ways to provide our customers with excellent service.” Once at the dealership, customers will find an updated, state-of-the-art facility. Grand Prize Chevrolet was one of the first in the country to complete a renovation to meet the new GM brand standards. The dealership is sleek, modern and comfortable. The customer waiting area features a computer lounge with Wi-Fi, TVs, snacks and a playroom for children. Grand Prize now has a new building entirely devoted to pre-owned vehicle sales, which are seeing an upswing during this economic downturn. “Our pre-owned vehicles are all certified and come with a maintenance plan and
extended warranties,” Sifford said. “It’s like getting a new car, but it’s more economical.” Sifford is especially proud of the Chevy lineup. In recent years, Chevrolet has introduced more vehicles that get 30 mpg or more than any other brand — an important feature considering the rising gas prices. All new vehicles have three- to five-year warranties, with 100,000-mile powertrain warranties. On Star — the high-tech system that provides drivers with automatic crash response, navigation, roadside assistance, remote unlocking and hands-free calling — comes standard on all new vehicles. “In my 37 years in the automotive industry, On Star is one of the most revolutionary developments I’ve seen,” Sifford said. Grand Prize offers new car owners free maintenance for one year, including tire rotation, oil change and filter. Vehicles are serviced by GM certified technicians in one of the dealer’s 44 modern service bays. The collision center repairs all makes and models and works with customers’ insurance companies to make the process simple and easy. And when customers’ vehicles need repairs or maintenance, Grand Prize offers free drop-off and pick-up. “That’s how we create the Grand Prize experience,” Sifford said. “We treat our customers like family.” It’s important to Sifford to support the community that has supported his business. Grand Prize is the sponsor of the Sunshine Corvette Club and the Dade County Farm Bureau. The dealership proudly supports youth sports programs such as the Kendall Hammocks Optimists Club and educational programs at Robert Morgan Educational Center. Grand Prize Chevrolet is located at 11701 SW 152 St., right off Florida’s Turnpike. For more information, call 305235-8200 or visit online at <www.GrandPrizeAuto.com>.
June 14, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Community Association Beat
Everything you wanted to know about collections - but didn’t ask! BY MITCH DRIMMER, CAM Community Association Manager
Boards of directors, managers, and even attorneys in Florida are more confused today about the complexities of community association collections than ever before. So how should an association approach the problem and devise the right solution? There’s so much disparity in opinions given by association attorneys regarding collections that boards need to first establish a procedure and move forward confidently in the knowledge they have chosen wisely. So who do you believe — and how can you choose “wisely” when authorities don’t agree on a standard of what can or cannot be done? Or even worse, what should or should not be collected? Answers lie in the questions boards should ask their collection solution, whether an attorney or collection agency. Among those questions: • How is the association being charged for services rendered? • How are the fees structured by your collection solution? • Does the collection solution defer fees, or is the association required to pay as they go? • Will your attorney defer costs for court actions? • Has your collection solution proposed that if they don’t collect their fees from a delinquent owner, subsequent purchaser, or foreclosing bank, will they then forgo their fees? Those just begin the kind of questions your board needs to ask. Others: • How does your correction solution define “statutory cap?” • Does it believe the association is only entitled to recover the lesser of 12 months
or 1% of the first mortgage, or does it believe the association is also entitled to recover all late interest, late fees, collection costs, and reasonable attorney fees? There’s a tremendous spectrum of opinion on answers to such questions and the company you choose that believes an association is entitled to more will invariably collect more. That’s why the collection solution should be carefully questioned about what entitles a foreclosing entity to “safe harbor” provisions. Some maintain that a first mortgage forecloses is entitled to receive a write off. Others say that a bank needs to comply with a stringent procedure to qualify for “safe harbor,” i.e., the lesser of 12 months or 1 % of the first mortgage. Boards should know whether the entity collecting money is going to put up a fight by reviewing service, notices and assignments to uncover defects, and then negotiate a settlement beyond the paltry amount a “safe harbor”allows. Answering a question with a question has been dubbed by some as the “Socratic Method” but clearly, boards of directors cannot make decisions unless they have solid answers to those questions. If you ask your collection partner: “What will happen if that is done?”, they may give you various scenarios. So perhaps it would be best to rephrase the question this way: “Do youu believe that if we do this, the result will be that?” The only way to best do this is to know the right questions to ask in the first place, and understanding what the various answers could mean. Mitch Drimmer is a licensed CAM, an instructor at FCAP, and is the Vice President of Association Financial Services, an accredited collection agency and specialty finance company specializing in community association collections. For more information, visit www.associationfinancial.com, Tel: 305-677-0022, ext. 804.
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June 14, 2012
Baptist Health graduates inaugural class of Nurse Executive Academy BY STEPHANIE ROJAS
opportunity to work on individual career development plans through Baptist Health South Florida organizational projects. graduated the inaugural class of “Many of the participants in its Nurse Executive Academy on our Nurse Executive Academy May 14. have made great advancements in The talent management protheir careers at Baptist Health,” gram was launched in 2010 to said Marlly Cadavid, Baptist reinforce Baptist Health’s goal of Health’s director of Nursing developing and promoting nursWorkforce Development and ing leaders from within the organcoordinator of the inaugural ization. The Academy aims to Nurse Executive Academy. mold the future of Baptist Health “Seven of our academy graduates by creating a talented pool of canhave already been promoted to didates for chief nursing officer assistant vice president and direcand other executive positions. tor positions, which speaks to the “The Nurse Executive caliber of our participants.” Academy is just one example of Baptist Health South Florida is how Baptist Health strives to prothe largest faith-based, not-formote exceptional leadership in profit healthcare organization in nursing,” said Deborah S. the region. Baptist Health Mulvihill, MSN, RN, FACHE, includes Baptist Hospital, South Baptist Health’s corporate vice Miami Hospital, Baptist Pictured are members of the first class of Nurse Executive Academy graduates. president and chief nursing offiChildren’s Hospital, Baptist –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– cer. “We are very proud of our Cardiac & Vascular Institute, inaugural class and we look forward to the academy’s inaugural class. The exec- porates human resources talent manage- Mariners Hospital, Homestead Hospital, seeing the academy graduates continue to utive training program includes mentor- ment and leadership development best Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist ships, projects and formal classes with practices to enhance the participants’ Hospital and Baptist Outpatient Services. succeed at Baptist Health.” Fifteen nurse leaders were selected participation from Baptist Health execu- leadership capacity. For more information, visit online at The academy members also had the <www.BaptistHealth.net>. from across the organization to make up tives and managers. The academy incor-
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Performing Arts, Awards & Graduations at MCS MIAMI CHRISTIAN
UPDATE
BY GLORIA BURNS
Miami Christian School was a’buzz with activity during May with students showcased in the performing arts and athletics. A band concert, orchestrated by Derek
Robert Barrueco and Ashley Andrews perform at Jazz Band concert.
Shute featured the American-styled rock ‘n roll of the 60’s and 70’s while Choir Director Diana Cummings led choral selections for an evening of nostalgia and music that made everyone want to dance. Two weeks later, the drama department under the direction of Christina Stocker’s production
of Alice in Wonderland played to a standing room only audience with scenery and costumes as wonderfully creative as the cast. Mixed in with all the performing arts activities, the Athletic Department held its annual sports banquet while other award ceremonies honored student achievements in academics, service, character and leadership in elementary, middle and high school grades. The last week of school culminated with graduations for Kinder-5 and Eighth Grade followed by the Senior High School graduation at Florida International University. * Each year, Miami Christian takes pride in a graduating class that excels in numerous areas and the Class of 2012 was no exception with 39 impressive seniors accepted into more than 50 different colleges and universities, including a nationally-ranked (No. 5) university. More than $600,000 worth of first-year scholarship offers and more than $2,500,000 in fouryear scholarship offers were received by 63% of the graduating class. In addition, 51% of the students graduated with honors (46% of that group with highest honors) while 57% received the prestigious Presidential Service Award. Other statistics of note: more than onethird of the class scored in the top 14 percentile or higher in Math and Reading nationwide, and 43% of the class attempted AP and/or FIU Dual Enrollment Courses for college credits before graduating high school. Almost one-third of the class attended
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MCS between 12 and 15 years with onequarter of the graduating seniors receiving the highly esteemed King David Award for character, and another one-fifth planning to play varsity sports in college.
and George Abo of Sam’s Club provided the treat, mingled with attendees and offered membership and renewal discounts. MCS has enjoyed a long standing relationship with Sam’s Club and is most grateful for the ongoing support.
* Once school was out for students, teachers and staff continued work but were treated by Sam’s Club to a veritable feast as the Faculty and Staff’s ‘End of the Year’ luncheon. C. C. Gatewood, Yesenia Dolz
Sam’s Club representatives (l-r) Yesenia Dolz, C. C. Gatewood and George Abo donated MCS luncheon.
Eighth grade graduate Victoria Vila receives diploma from Dr. Lorena Morrison.
* Finally, re-enrollment is open for the 2012-2013 school year. Tel. Gladys Mata At 305-221-7754, Ext. 771 for a tour and information, Monday thru Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ask about the new Scholar’s Program in the high school for the new school year. For information, visit the MCS Facebook page at <on.fb.me/mcsvictors> or the MCS website <www.miamichristian.org>.
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June 14, 2012
Chapman Partnership collecting school supplies, uniforms for homeless kids BY LEE STEPHENS
Every year the Chapman Partnership provides all school supplies for every child living at either one of its centers. “It takes a great load off parents’ shoulders knowing that their kids will have what they need on the first day of school,” said Patricia Vila, marketing director of Chapman Partnership. “Over 1,000 schoolage children come through our centers each year.” To reach its goal Chapman Partnership relies on the community to assist in collecting items needed for about 200 children who currently reside at its centers — ranging from toddlers to high school age. “We provide each child with uniforms, backpacks and all other supplies such as pencils, notebooks, calculators, basically anything and everything you
can think of,” Vila said. You can drop off donations at Chapman Partnership’s downtown Miami center, 1550 N. Miami Ave., or the Homestead center, 28205 SW 124 Ct. If you need more information, call 305-329-3003. Chapman Partnership provides a wide array of services to help the homeless in Miami-Dade County rebuild their lives while offering dignity and respect. It is the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, commissioned to site, build and operate two Homeless Assistance Centers in downtown Miami and Homestead. Chapman Partnership empowers homeless men, women and children to build a positive future by providing the resources and assistance critical to growth and stability. For more information, visit online at <www.chapmanpartnership.org>.
June 14, 2012
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Team Florida Baseball to host first Golf and Poker Tournament, July 7 BY RAQUEL GARCIA
While a junior at Ransom Everglades High School, Dan Otero, now a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, said one of his best opportunities to prepare for a future with Major League Baseball came from his days with Dave Westberry’s Team Florida Baseball. “Dave is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in baseball,” Otero said during a recent telephone interview. “He never wants to take credit for anything but he gives high school players an incredible chance to compete and learn the sport.” Team Florida was established in 1985 by president and head baseball coach Dave Westberry to assist young players with the college recruitment process and get them to the next level of play. The not-for-profit organization, Team Florida, is hosting its “First Annual Golf Extravaganza and Poker Tournament” on Saturday, July 7, at Redland Golf and Country Club, 24451 Krome Ave. Registration opens at 11 a.m. and a shotgun start is set for 1 p.m. “We want to reach out to past players and bring them back to the family,” Coach Westberry said about the fundraising event. “We haven’t seen some of these guys in a while. It’s a great way to find out where they are and what they have been up to while helping the kids.” Team Florida competes in the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) and Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA) by bringing promising young ball players from as far north as Pensacola to the Euclid, OH, CABA High School World Series every July. More than 400 former Team Florida players have gone on to play at the college level and beyond. Major League Baseball clubs such as the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Florida Marlins have
welcomed alumni players onto their rosters. “We have had kids graduate from West Point and Harvard and go on to the big leagues,” Westberry said. “Our coaches have all been or currently are high school coaches. I work for the Department of Corrections and we have veteran police officer coaches. We know how to instill values for success on and off the field.” Otero said Coach Westberry also was a strict disciplinarian and no one got special treatment. “We learned how to follow instructions and discipline ourselves to be on time and play hard. It didn’t matter who you were; if you didn’t follow the rules, you didn’t play.” The Golf and Poker Tournament will help raise funds for this summer’s CABA World Series trip. “The first year we went to Ohio was in 1988 and there were 12 college teams represented,” Westberry said. “This is a national tournament and a showcase tournament. Last year there were 65 college teams watching and this year there may be more.” Eligible students for Team Florida must have played and passed high school baseball (along with SAT and ACT pre-college exams) and have a potential future in the sport. The Golf and Poker Tournament will help raise money to finance the trip for players from varied socio-economic backgrounds so everyone has a chance to travel and play. “We have been doing Team Florida for 27 years now and we are getting support from guys who have played in the past,” Westberry said. “Everybody is excited about the tournament; it is something new and we’re trying to get the word out. It’s really ultimately all about the kids saying they had a great time playing, and the parents, too, who I have met over the years and become friends with. The camaraderie is the best reward.” For more information contact Coach Dave Westberry at 786-258-6184 or Coach Phillip Wisser at 305-283-5277.
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June 14, 2012
Expanding world class care at the Baptist Cardiac Institute BY RAQUEL GARCIA
When Dr. Barry Katzen’s mother had a stroke 20 years ago, the use of blot clot dissolving drugs for the brain was in its infancy. Already a practicing physician, Katzen and his colleagues attempted an aggressive treatment to save her life, but to no avail. It was then that he decided there must be a better way to treat cardiac and vascular patients. A Miami native and medical director of the Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute (BCVI), Katzen recently addressed an attentive audience during an informational forum at the home of Monica and Hector Betancourt in Coral Gables. Hosted by Baptist Health Foundation Founders Society members Karel and George Foti, the event was an opportunity to educate the community about the $60 million expansion project BCVI launched last fall. “There was early interest in using clot busters when my mother had a stroke, but very little familiarity,” said Katzen. “So I wound up treating her with my colleagues to try to do something which ultimately wasn’t successful. But I determined at that point that we are going to have a stroke program here that is innovative and will save lives.”
Pictured (l-r) are Sean Kramer, director of development for the Baptist Cardiac Vascular Institute; event hosts Hector and Monica Betancourt, Founders board member Karel Foti; and Dr. Barry Katzen –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Although even as a kid growing up in his Miami Beach neighborhood Katzen knew he wanted to become a doctor, his mother’s case — and that of his father who passed away in his 50s as a result of cardio vascular disease — helped drive his dedication to the improved treatment of cardio and vascular disease. Since founding the BCVI in 1987, Katzen has been a pioneer for improved treatment of heart disease, stroke and related circulatory issues. “When the institute was founded in 1987, it was extremely unique to integrate care around the entire body,” said Katzen. “At the time, stroke, heart disease and kidney problems were treated separately. Everyone was treating the same problem, just in different parts of the body. Because heart
attack and limb loss and diabetes are very much related and dependent on the circulatory system, integrated treatment (such as ours) has now become standard practice.” Katzen enjoys being on the cutting edge of new treatments and innovation in health care. “BCVI has become internationally recognized as one of the top 10 cardiac and vascular programs in the United States,” he said. “We recently noted our 1,000th treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The first patient we treated was probably the fifth case in the country. Back in the early ’90s, if a patient had an aneurysm that was about to burst, they would be in the hospital for about 10 days and it would take three to four months to get back to normal. Today a patient with the same disease leaves the hospital in 24 to 48 hours and is back to work in a week or 10 days.” The expansion campaign for the BCVI was officially launched with a sold out Celine Dion concert at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Dec. 16 that raised $6 million towards the expansion. Dion credits Katzen and the BCVI Institute for performing a cardiac procedure that saved the life of her husband, Rene Angelil. With the sophistication of arts and culture in South Florida over the last 20 years, Katzen says medicine has similarly advanced and grown in sophistication. “It was our intention to become a world class facility back in 1987 and that is what we are trying to do; provide the best quality care as well as drive innovation through clinical research. “As we look ahead to celebrate our 25th anniversary we are continuing to develop patient care around the hardening of the arteries. This affects the heart and the legs and the brain and creates a lot of death and disability in all of us. These kinds of dramatic changes and less invasive cardiac and vascular care extend the lives of patients in a simpler way.”
June 14, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
‘This Book is Close to my Heart’ — Leonard Pitts BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD
Newspaper columnist Leonard Pitts, who won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2004, has changed gears with his latest book, Freeman, which takes place a few weeks after the end of the Civil War, “Freeman has probably been in my head for years,” Pitts says, “ever since I read about former slaves and their history, and trying to reunite their family.” The book’s protagonist is on a quest to find his wife, whom he hasn’t seen in 15 years. “It’s a testimony to the power of love and family,” Pitts says. This book is close to Pitts’ his heart. He is a fan of historical fiction and has always wanted to write a historical novel. Freeman touches on an aspect of history that is little known. “A lot of people don’t know what it was like after the civil war.” Pitts says. “It was a mess; it was not just a civil war and 600,000 men dead; right after that, you have the president assassinated, two great traumas right on top of each other. It’s remarkable that the country survived.” In Freeman, protagonist Sam Freeman has been away for 15 years after escaping from his owner. There was an ill-advised escape attempt that left his son dead. Freeman’s wife, Tilda, blames Sam for their son’s death. “That was their only child and it is 15 years later when he returns to look for his Tilda,” Pitts says. “She has been sold, but he doesn’t know it. The original owner was relatively humane and enlightened; she allowed her slaves to learn to read and didn’t believe in separating families. That was why the wife didn’t want to run. But the humane slave owner had financial trouble and had to sell her property, including the slaves.” Tilda is sold to a brutally cruel man who is slightly crazed from the loss of his son in the war. While Sam is traveling to the south from Philadelphia, the slave owner is forcing Tilda at gunpoint to walk westward from Mississippi in hopes of finding territory where his rights as a slaveholder will be upheld. “Sam and his wife didn’t get a chance to see each other to grieve, Pitts says. “There is this pain and he needs her forgiveness or for her to slap his face. That added an extra level of emotional complexity. He’s going back not just because he loves her, but because of the emotional pain.” Pitts says he is fascinated with the idea
BOOKS
Book cover Freeman by Leonard Pitss ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
of what people will do for love and family. This is Pitts’ third published novel and this time he is working a book tour that will take him to Virginia, North Carolina and four cities in Florida, including a signing date at Books and Books in Coral Gables on June 9 at 7 p.m. “There’s nothing like being in a book store,” Pitts says. “When you write a book, you’re saying something like, ‘Boy, they’re going to love this!’ But you don’t get feedback until three years later after it is published. I’m looking forward to listening to what people have to say.” Pitts says that when he writes a column, he gets feedback almost immediately; some good, some bad. Still, even though it takes years for a book to go from concept to publication, Pitts says he would rather write fiction full time. “But I have been in the middle of things for so long,” says Pitts. “I am sure that if I gave up writing a column there would be times when I would miss being able to insert my opinions into the public discourse.” For more information, call 305-4424408 or go to <www.booksandbooks.com>.
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June 14, 2012
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