Pinecrest Tribune 1.3.2011

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TR R II B BU UN NE E T

Pinecrest Phone: 305-669-7355

ONE OF MIAMI’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

JANUARY 3 - 16, 2011

‘Walk for Witty’ set for Jan. 29

BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD

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reparations are underway for the 2011 version of the Walk for Witty to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and boost funding for thespian scholarships. This year’s walk is scheduled for Jan. 29. The Walk for Witty is being organized by Krysta Lee Garcia, president of the Palmetto Senior High Thespians. “Every four years, the Thespian president has the option of organizing the walk,” Garcia says, “but only every four years because it’s such a big undertaking. I’ve been working on this since I was nominated in May.” That includes working with Palmetto alumnus Noah Gray to film a series of public service announcements to run on the Palmetto TV broadcasts. Four years ago, 800 people participated in the walk and Garcia says she is expecting 800-1,000 people this year. “The community seems to be very willing and very accepting of the walk,” Garcia says. “It’s a blessing to expect so many people to come.” Registration forms are available for anyone to download from the <www.Pinecrest-FL.gov> website (go to “What’s New” and then to “Download

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Read in South Korea

We’ll take your old sports equipment! BY LEE STEPHENS

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Pictured is Pinecrest resident Lt. Colonel Joe “Hooter” Feheley and crew chiefs from the 482 Fighter Wing on deployment to the Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. And, yes, those are snowballs the guys are holding. Of course Col. Feheley remembered to take along a copy of his favorite hometown newspaper and sent us back this shot. Thanks for thinking of us, Colonel!

Positive PEOPLE

igh School students from all across South Miami-Dade County are gearing up for a huge sports equipment collection drive, with the equipment destined for distribution to needy children in the Dominican Republic. “We’re looking for anything sports related,” says Austin Miller, chairman of Patriots Outreach. “Shoes, equipment, clothes; we’ll take anything.” The drop off will take place Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Suniland Park, Southwest 128th Street and South Dixie Highway, during the Howard Palmetto Baseball Softball Association picnic. Miller says the idea is to help as many poor kids in the Dominican Republic as possible and the organization hopes to ship at least 3,0000 items to the Caribbean country in March. Board members for the organizing group include Brandon Kacer, Colin Zargham, Daniel Lynch, Jokari Birdsong, Jake Molkentin, Mark Maguire, Carlos Fanjul and Blake Hesser.

in Pinecrest

These Positive People help add to the quality of life in Pinecrest. Look inside for their stories.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

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Pictured are longtime Pinecrest residents Jonathan and Sandra Bertner enjoying the change of seasons with a friend in the mountains of North Carolina. Of course they remembered to take along a copy of their favorite hometown newspaper and sent us back this shot. Thanks for thinking of us guys!

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January 3 - 16, 2011

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Village to honor Hall of Fame member Andre Dawson BY LEE STEPHENS

Pinecrest will honor baseball Hall of Famer and long-time Pinecrest resident Andre Dawson by designating the main field at Suniland Park as Andre Dawson Field. Mayor Cindy Lerner and the Village Council will conduct ceremonies to honor Dawson and re-name the field at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, at Suniland Park, 12855 S. Dixie Hwy. “Pinecrest wishes to recognize an exemplary resident with an outstanding career as a professional athlete,” said Mayor Lerner. The designation of the Suniland Park field as Andre Dawson Field was approved by the Village Council earlier last year. Dawson’s professional baseball career spanned nearly 20 years, beginning in 1976. He played for the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, then ended his career with the Florida Marlins in 1996. His many honors include Rookie of the Year in 1977 and

Andre Dawson ––––––––––––––––––––– National League Most Valuable Player in 1987. In 2010, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The ceremony to re-name the Suniland field will be held in conjunction with the annual Howard Palmetto Baseball/Softball Association community picnic. For more information, go to <www.pinecrest-fl.gov>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Positive PEOPLE in Pinecrest

ISABEL BETANCOURT

Extracurricular activities are a big part of Palmetto High School senior Isabel Betancourt’s life. She does plenty of community service through the clubs she is involved with, including Interact, the Ecology Club, the Science National Honor Society, the National Honor Society and Invisible Children. For Interact, she is the director of community service and has participated in several beach clean-ups, made sandwiches for the homeless and worked on the Swim Miami project. Betancourt is a member of the Palmetto Honor Council. The members meet with students who have been caught cheating. The standard punishment is to give the students three hours of detention or three hours of tutoring if they were cheating for a better grade. “We’re helping them get good grades without cheating,” she says. “We give them good study tips.” The Honor Council helps the students understand they don’t have to cheat to achieve good grades. “We talk to them, we have a session with them, we get a good feel for them,” she says. “We understand the pressures. Instead of detention, which isn’t going to benefit them,

we’ll give them tutoring. This is a second chance. We always let them know that they cannot get caught cheating again.” Betancourt is a math and Spanish tutor and she’s working hard to make sure she gets top grades because she wants to earn an academic scholarship to college. She has been working as an intern at the zoo for two years now. The first summer she was a camp counselor and assistant to the zookeepers. As a camp counselor, she worked with the 9-11 year olds, walking with the kids around the zoo each day and teaching them about the animals. “After that, I became an unpaid zookeeper,” she says. “I work in the aviary. I feed the birds and I have to check on them to make sure they are healthy and are flying correctly.” There have been times when a bird escaped the aviary. Betancourt recalls one incident where a visitor let a bird out and it took them an hour and a half to capture it. “I’ve been there for a while now and I know all the zookeepers well. I like where I am. I want to become a vet,” she says. Betancourt says she thought about attending Colorado State University because they have one of the top veterinary programs in the nation. She also looked at North Carolina State and the University of Florida for undergraduate study, and Cornell for grad school. She has also applied to Florida State University. “My dream goal is to become a zoo vet,” she says. In fact, a zoo vet is mentoring Betancourt, calling her whenever an animal gets sick or dies. “She educates me on what it is to be a vet,” Betancourt says. “I love cats and dogs, but there is so much more than that.” She recalls an incident when a bird was ill and the vet treated it, and it seemed healthy enough to be returned to the aviary. But while she was holding the bird, it died. “Even a tiny bird dying had an impact on me; I almost started crying,” Betancourt says. “Birds are so complicated. I never had such an appreciation for birds until I started working at the aviary.” By Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

SHANNON BUSH Shannon Bush has accumulated more than 400 community service hours, many of them from working on her Girl Scout Gold Award. The Palmetto High School senior’s project benefited Camp Boggy Creek in upstate Eustis, a camp for children with severe illnesses. “They run weeklong summer camps and long weekends,” Bush says. “They give these kids a true camp experience. I thought it was a good group to work with.” Bush organized the creation of more than 1,000 tumbleweeds — yarn necklaces that are given to campers when they arrive. The necklaces were in short supply because there wasn’t an interest in making them, so Bush went to different Girl Scout troops and showed them how to make the tumbleweeds and restarted the project. The first scout troop was at St. Thomas. “I was really nervous to present it to them,” she says. “But they were junior Girl Scouts and they were really receptive to the project.” Bush had direct contact with at least three troops, but also made sure that every troop in the area received word of the project. “I kept track of the ones that I was working with and asked periodically about the others,” she says, adding that she and her troop made 1,000 of the necklaces. She has

not counted how many the other troops made. Bush started the project at the beginning of the summer before her junior year and finished early last March. She received the Gold Award last May. The other members of her troop also received their Gold Awards; the trio had worked on the PAWarness Fair project together. “I wanted to see if I could personally lead such a project on my own,” Bush says. “My passion is with children.” Her extracurricular activities at school include the school paper, where she is coeditor. “My main goal is to inspire a good staff relationship because we work together multiple hours every day,” she says. “Not only are we a good team, but friends as well. I try to work individually with each writer and editor, and I try to make them better writers, better journalists, better marketers and better designers. I think once we have that kind of relationship on staff, a great paper will come naturally.” Bush is also president of the English Honor Society. She says the club’s main focus is to expand the tutoring program. The tutors help students revise essays and improve grammar skills. Bush is also recording secretary for the Science Honor Society, treasurer of Key Club and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Social Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society and Invisible Children United. When she’s not busy with school and clubs, she volunteers at the Miami Children’s Hospital emergency room. She brings a variety of board games and coloring books for the children who are waiting to be seen. “My friends ask me how I can volunteer every Friday afternoon, but for me it’s not volunteering, it’s fun,” she says. “I really like kids and I want to be a pediatrician one day.” Bush was a summer scholar intern at the University of Miami last summer in the Howard Hughes Institute’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell research program. She learned basic laboratory operations and co-wrote a research paper. She has sent her college applications to Yale, the University of North Carolina, Washington University and the University of Florida. By Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

If you know someonewho deserves to be a positive person in the Pinecrest Tribune, send us an email at:

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Positive PEOPLE in Pinecrest

January 3 - 16, 2011

JOSEPH ROY

Palmetto High School junior Joseph Roy has a fun volunteer job. When not in school or preparing for a wrestling match, Roy works for Florida Team Golf, a company

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his uncle owns that organizes golf tournaments and after-tournament parties for charities. “At the warehouse, I get all the materials together, like the tents and all the chairs for the tournament, and then I go out and set them up,” Roy says. “At the tournament, I drive around in the golf cart making sure all the stations are good.” Roy stocks the stations with food or drinks, depending on the need. If there are food vendors, he checks with them to make sure everything is working and they have the gas needed to cook. In a year, he says he works four or five of the golf tournaments. Of all the ones he’s worked, one that he liked the best was the Alonzo Mourning Zo’s Summer Groove Golf Tournament. “All these restaurants come out and we eat all that good food,” he says. A perk of working that tournament was meeting Mourning and current Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade. Roy has worked at many of Miami’s best known golf courses, including Doral, Mel Reese and the Miccosukee in Kendale Lakes.

One tournament he has worked honors his cousin Max Roy, who passed away six years ago. Max died when at 13 years old in an ATV accident in Homestead. “We run a tournament dedicated to him and we have a foundation (The Max Roy Foundation) and it brings in money for Shake-A-Leg,” Roy says. “At night there is a dinner party and they have all kinds of raffle items and different wines that people can buy. There is an auction and the money goes to Shake-A-Leg.” Shake-A-Leg is a sailing program in Coconut Grove that teaches children and adults with physical, developmental and economic difficulties how to sail. Like most athletes, most of Roy’s after school activities revolve around his sport. He’s a varsity wrestler, so he’s either working out, practicing or he’s in a tournament. “I have practice every day after school until about 5:15; we have Sundays off and that’s about it,” he says. Wrestling became Roy’s main extracurricular focus during his freshman year. He started wrestling in the 140-pound weight

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category. Now he’s wrestling in the 160pound class. But he says keeping his weight under 160 isn’t easy. “I have to work out a few days before a match to get that weight down,” he says. This season he has moved from the junior varsity team to the varsity. He thinks the team will have a good season. “We’re looking strong,” he says. “I think we’re going to do well. We’ll have a lot of kids going to districts and regionals.” While the state tournament is the ultimate goal, Roy says they will have to work hard because getting that far is tough. Roy used to play baseball on a travel team. As a result, he was involved in Patriots Outreach, a charity that collected lightly used and new sports equipment. The baseball players collected the equipment at Suniland Park and at area schools, packed it up and shipped it to the Dominican Republic to be donated to needy children. He also gained community service hours by volunteering at St. Richard’s Catholic Church.

By Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

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WALK,

January 3 - 16, 2011

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Pictured is the car that was involved in the alcohol-related accident that killed student Helen Marie Witty in 2000. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Documents”). Advance registration is $10 and $15 at the event. Participants receive a tee shirt and a bracelet. Palmetto Thespians also have an ongoing bracelet sale. The bracelets portray the legend “Be safe, be sober, be someone.” Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the walk steps off at 9 a.m. from the Palmetto athletic field. The course meanders to Evelyn Greer Park, then back to the athletic field and should take about 60 to 90 minutes to complete. “We are going to have speakers from different organizations,” Garcia says. “Miami-Dade County is bringing out the simulation bus. We’re going to have a couple of activities.” Garcia says feedback has been good and advance registrations began arriving in early November, along with donations. “Students are actually willing to help,” Garcia says. “We went to 50 different locations and put up flyers.”

Garcia says that while some students might not remember Witty, a Palmetto High School student who was killed by a drunk driver in 2000, they can relate to what has happened to other students who have been involved in alcohol-related car crashes. “I think, unfortunately, we’re still not getting the message out,” Garcia says. “Drunk driving keeps taking lives. People must stop and think before getting into a car with a driver who has been drinking.” The Walk for Witty had already raised $15,000, not including registration fees, by the end of December. “We’re doing very well,” Garcia says. “We’re expecting a lot of people to register the day of the walk. We hope to raise $25,000 to $28,000.” The first $5,000 will go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the rest of the money will be used for scholarships, one of them earmarked solely for a Palmetto High student thespian.

PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grant Miller EXECUTIVE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ron Beasley WRITERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Rodriguez-Bernfeld, Gary Alan Ruse ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Albie Barnes, Roberta Bergman, Beatriz Brandfon, Celia Canabate, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Chasin, Enrique Chau, Sharon Christian, Lori Cohen, Amy Donner, Cecile Fanfani, Dianne Maddox, Denzil Miles, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ann Robbins-Udel, Fara Sax, Diane Sedona Schiller, Georgia Tait, Walter White PROOF DEPARTMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isabel Vavrek PRODUCTION GRAPHIC ARTISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isabel Ortega, Catalina Roca, Vera Salom, Marie Scheer, Isabel Vavrek, Sergio Yanes PUBLISHER EMERITUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ron Miller We will not return solicited or unsolicited editorial material including stories, columns and or photographs. If yoou send us anything, please make sure that you have duplicate copies of the material. Every issue of the Pinecrest Tribune is fully copyrighted, and all property rights, including advertisements produced by Community Newspapers and Miller Publishing. Using artwork and/or typography furnished or arranged for/by us, shall be the property of Community Newspapers. MILLER PUBLISHING and COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS are proud to publish the following newspapers: Aventura News, Biscayne Bay Tribune, Community Newspapers, Coral Gables News-Tribune, Cutler Bay News, Doral Tribune, Homestead News, Kendall Gazette, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Opa-locka Review, Palmetto Bay News, South Miami News, Sunny Isles Beach Sun. See us on the Internet: http://www.communitynewspapers.com

January 3 - 16, 2011

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John’s Mitzvah Project: Raising Funds for Charity

John Murray –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BY AMY BAENA

John Murray, a 12 year old from Palmetto Bay, is dedicating time from his busy schedule to raise funds for a great cause. As part of his Bar Mitzvah, which is when children start to bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, tradition and ethics, he has chosen Camp Hope as his Mitzvah Project. Camp Hope, a program of Catholic Hospice, is a bereavement camp for children in the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one and focuses on assisting children in dealing with their grief in a fun and safe environment. Murray has been attending Camp Hope with his mother, Bonnie, since he was a small child and has actively been volunteering for over four years. He enjoys the camp and says he could not think of a better way of giving back. “I am thrilled that John continues to be

involved with Camp Hope,” said Bonnie. “My husband and I are very proud of him.” Murray and some of his friends will be in Southland Mall, at 20505 S. Dixie Hwy., during the winter break spreading the word on Camp Hope, which will be held April 810 at Camp Owaissa Bauer in Homestead. They are also accepting donations for a chance to win a $100 gift card at Southland Mall. All proceeds will go to Camp Hope. Camp Hope strives to reduce the sense of isolation children feel after suffering a loss. At the camp, children have the opportunity to share their experiences with others who are experiencing similar losses and feelings. Camp Hope is staffed with professional nurses, social workers and trained volunteers to assist in many activities such as art, music and drama therapy, sports and games. For more information about Camp Hope or to register, contact Angela Melman at 305-351-7026 or send an email to <CampHope@CatholicHospice.org>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Palmetto High boys swim team repeats as state champion

Pictured is the Palmetto High School boys swim team after receiving the state championship trophy. They are the (front row l-r) Coach David Booher, Austin Manganiello, Nathaniel Jones; (back row l-r) Samuel Smiddy, Andrew Smiddy, Michael Tandlich, Blake Manganiello, Derek Chait, Jack Danon, Derek Iglesias, Brian Blum (Photo by Bryn-Alan Portraits by Prestige) and Sheri Horvitz. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BY GARY ALAN RUSE

For the second year in a row, the Palmetto High School boys swim team has won the Class 3A state championship. The state swim meet was held Nov. 13 at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando and brought together teams from throughout the state. “The funny thing was that we also won the championship last year on the 13th of the month, but on an earlier day of the week,” said Palmetto Coach David Booher. “I told the boys that it was kind of ironic. But I’m just overjoyed and ecstatic, and I’m very proud of the boys winning again this year. We lost so many good swimmers last year to graduation and they’re all in college now, so for our team to be able to come back and win again this year is amazing. All the boys swam really strong throughout the yea, and when it came time for districts, regionals and state, they ended up doing well in the relays. One of our boys had the fastest time ever posted.” There were more than 40 students, both boys and girls, who participated on the swim team during the year and 11 boys and

7 girls were in the state meet. “The state level is the highest they can go, but they publish their times in the national magazines and there’s a ‘mythical’ national champion chosen based on the best times of each team,” said Booher. “But it’s all done on paper; they don’t have a real swim-off. One of our boys was acknowledged at the national level last year, so we’ll have to see how we do this time.” Booher is just in his fourth year as coach at Palmetto, so winning the state championship two years in a row is all the more impressive. He previously coached at Coral Reef Senior High. He says he had a special reason for switching to Miami Palmetto. “It’s my alma mater, so I really wanted to come over and coach here,” he said. “The championships are not only a first for our school, I think it’s the first time any Miami team has done it since 1967. And we’ve had to do it while practicing in borrowed pools. Some of the other teams around the state have their own pools on campus.” Booher said that he thinks Palmetto has a good start on having a great team next year, too.

January 3 - 16, 2011

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Howard Drive ‘Giving Tree’ a success

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Howard Drive Elementary School students participated in the 11th annual Giving Tree sponsored by media specialist Arlene Young and art teacher Laura Rossano. Students brought wrapped presents to school that were placed under the Giving Tree and later given to less fortunate Miami-Dade County children. The students donated more than 160 presents that were later donated to the Homestead Homeless Assistance Center. Pictured (l-r) are Emma David, Victoria Estevez, Julia Schroeder, Savanah Maldonado, Priyanka Sookhai, Rossano and Young (standing).

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January 3 - 16, 2011

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ANNUAL CLINIC & PICNIC Saturday, January 15, 2011 @ Suniland Park 12855 South Dixie Highway Starting at 10:30am

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Sending holiday wishes to the troops Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen took part in the annual Holiday Mail for Heroes event on Capitol Hill. RosLehtinen signed holiday greeting cards for U.S. service men and women stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, with the Red Cross forwarding the cards to the troops during the Christmas season. Pictured are Luis Buentello, Odete Santinin, Red Cross representative Marin Reynes, Ros-Lehtinen, her daughter Patty, and interns Jean Pierre Martinez and John Stricker.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

‘CHARLEE and Chocolate Factory’ fundraiser coming to Pinecrest BY KRISTIN SEIGWORTH

CHARLEE Homes for Children, a private non-profit agency that has helped thousands of children in the Miami-Dade foster care system begin a new life, has announced its second “CHARLEE and the Chocolate Factory” celebration and fundraiser. The fantastic family-centered event will take place on Feb. 27 at Evelyn Greer Park in Pinecrest, and promises to indulge the senses with delicious treats and games. Children and adults alike can enjoy an assortment of carnival fun, games and sweet treats — all for a great cause. All proceeds from this decadent and delicious fundraiser will benefit CHARLEE Homes for Children, the largest foster care provider in Miami-Dade County,

serving more than 1,000 children and youth each year. Dave Barry, humor columnist, is master of ceremonies. Fun surprises are in store for the whole family. Event chair is Shelly Dimitrijevic and honorary chair is Paula Brockway. Event hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Evelyn Greer Park is located at 8200 SW 124 St. in Pinecrest. Advance purchase tickets (before Jan. 28) are adults, $100; children, $50. To purchase, call 305-779-9793 or visit online at <www.charlee.org>, and click on the CHARLEE and the Chocolate Factory banner. Ticket prices will increase after Jan. 28. For more information call Suzy Schumer at CHARLEE, 305-779-9600, ext. 641, visit online at <www.charlee.org> or send email to <info@charleeprogram.org>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

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January 3 - 16, 2011

• EDUCATIONAL AND TEEN ADVICE • Toby Rose ASK TOBY My son plans to go to Duke next year. He heard a rumor that there was some scandal regarding cheating. Is this true? Yes. Duke’s business school has severely punished 34 graduate students for cheating. For more information, go to Duke’s web site. Does sign language count as a foreign language? According to the College Board, American Sign Language does not count as a foreign language. I heard about fast-track applications for instant-gratification college applications? What are they? These are personalized applications. They may come with the student’s biographical information already filled out. Applying is free. They are being sent under a variety of catchy titles by at least 20 colleges and universities. Among them, Baylor (SnapAp), St. John’s University in Queens (FastAp), Loyola University in Chicago (Fast Track) and Tulane (Personal Application). The emphasis is ease, speed and the importance of this “limited offer”. If you have been chosen, apply now while you can. This is strictly legit and it does exist. Is it true that the University of Florida no longer has early admission? Yes. According to the UF, they will have only one admission deadline. The new deadline is Nov. 1 for all applications. What type of questions do colleges ask in a teacher recommendation? The following are some of the questions from the University of Pennsylvania application: • What do you know of this student’s intellectual qualities? What are your impressions of the student’s academic priorities? We are especially interested in any evidence you can give about the nature of his/her motivation for academic work. We are interested in the breadth and depth of intellectual interest; the originality, independence, and sensitivity he/she displays in coursework; and the quality of performance as compared to his/her classmates. • What personal qualities stand out in the applicant? Are there any features in the applicant’s background that will help us better understand his/her academic or extracurricular

performance? Are there any personal strengths, weaknesses, or problems you feel we should be aware of? • In your best estimate, how will the applicant respond to the academically competitive environment at Penn? • Do you have any reason to doubt this student’s academic integrity? • How would you compare this applicant to his/her entire class? • Please use this space for any additional comments about the applicant and his/her candidacy.

How do colleges know a student’s class rank? There is a space for guidance counselors to answer the following questions: • Does your school rank? • This applicant ranks ___ in a college prep group of __ • How many others share this rank? • Is this rank weighted or unweighted? • Is this rank cumulative? If it is cumulative, then which years does it include? • Of this applicant’s graduating class, approximately what percent plan to attend a four-year college? My son wants to get a job. His dad and I have repeatedly told him it is not necessary, but he really wants to get a job, and says it will look good on his college application. What do you think? During the school year, the only job a student should have is to study, make the best possible grades and have the highest possible scores on his/her PSAT, SAT and SAT IIs. Working in the summer is fine. Also, if the student must work to help the family, then of course the student should work. There is a place on every college application that asks students to list any work or internship experiences they have had during their high school or college years. Although that question is asked, it is not necessary to have worked in order to gain entrance to college. It’s best that a student avoid being spread to thin. Joining clubs at school and holding an office in one of those clubs will show leadership ability. Also, community service takes time. Usually, there is not enough time left after community service activities, school activities, and studying to have a job. Toby Rose is president of Toby Rose’s College Prep. She is an independent college counselor, was a Dade County Outstanding Teacher and served as chairperson of the Dade County School Board Academic Advisory Committee. Rose may be contacted by calling 305-238-7737 or via the Internet at <www.tobyrose.com>.

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DREWKERN.COM

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Read in Athens Pictured are Ellen Schwartzbard and Matt Shodell, with Jeremy (front left) and Andy Shodell holding a copy of their favorite hometown newspaper while on a recent vacation in Athens, Greece. That’s the historic Acropolis in the background. Thanks for taking us along, guys!

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We were once BY ROBIN KORTH

If statistics are correct, the majority of us will say goodbye to a spouse or two before we are through with our journey in the here and now. We grow and change, they don’t; they grow and change, we don’t. It is all a matter of perspective and probably the most basic “he said/she said” kerfuffle of all time, huh? This whole partnership thing can be so very hard; so darned confusing and painful. And, if we are honest, many of us do it for way too long. We stay and try so very hard. We become heroes in the hardship of “hanging in there” and holding it all together. What about that person we so loved and believed in? Where did they go, these lifepartners we’ve said goodbye to (or should have said goodbye to); the man or woman of our dreams that we married with dewy eyes and committed souls? I find that my love for the man I married is still very much there. The problems came when he became someone else; he failed to live up to my imaginings of who he was in our “we-ness.” And I so loved the ME that showed up when I was with him; at least in the beginning. We had a makebelieve “dream team” thing going on; the cultural imperative of the ideal marriage in “Leave it to Beaver” land. Then that ME got tangled and mangled as I tried to live up to an idealized vision of marital unity. The “she” of me and the “he” of him both morphed into less-thans as we fell so short of the “us” we thought we were creating. I kept hammering away because so much time had been invested; and so many things were wrapped in that two-of-us. Mine had become a four-of-us family arrangement with houses and homes, children and schools, pets and pantries, in-laws and holidays, jobs and vacations. I got disappointed and then I got hearttired and then I got lazy and then I got

INSIGHTS ON AGING This whole partnership thing can be so very hard; so darned confusing and painful. And, if we are honest, many of us do it for way too long. We stay and try so very hard. We become heroes in the hardship of “hanging in there” and holding it all together. scared. So, I quieted that fear with all the doings that “duo living” entails. A lot of discomfort can be quieted by routine and silence — my silence, his silence and the silencing of that inner voice. You know that one that you just keep slamming the door on; the one you ignore and tamp down with family events, television shows and “what’s for dinner?” I got used to it and I settled. I got lulled and dulled and time kept its march. Then one morning I really looked in the mirror and understood that the relationship I was trying to save was killing me. The reflected “bounce back” of the “me” in this broken “we” was a sad, lost lady with only my name riding her face. It was time to turn off routine and put aside the “must get dones.” It was time to really look at the dance I had been doing for so long. I took some long, deep breaths as I spent some long, deep time in thoughtful fact-looking. Then I pulled a suitcase down from the shelf. Robin Korth is a Pinecrest resident and publisher of the website Insights On Aging. She may be contacted at <robinkorth@gmail.com> or by going to <www.insightsonaging.com>.

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Palmetto Elementary Carnival 2010

Continued on next page

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Palmetto Elementary Carnival 2010

Continued on next page

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Palmetto Elementary Carnival 2010

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Cipriano’s Italian deli opens in Palmetto Bay Casalungo-style meatballs Marinara, sweet Italian sausage with roasted peppers and onions. Our “compliments to the chefâ€? creation is a delectable dipper, a fresh Italian sub roll heaped high with authentic Chicago-style Italian beef BY FRED JOHNSON sliced thin, then dipped in pipIt’s called Cipriano’s Deli, the sub ing hot broth and served with shop/pizza parlor/pasta place that’s bring- your choice of cheese and a ing fresh culinary delights of true Italian number of other toppings. Secondly, there’s pizza as cookery to an affordable neighborhood eatery. Cipriano’s opened Oct. 20 to a you know it, thin and crispy crowd of people and a line going out the Brooklyn style with all your favorite toppings. Then door. The brainchild of an accomplished chef there’s pizza like you never and a local entrepreneur, Cipriano’s, 17579 tasted before. Our adventurS. Dixie Hwy., caters to the family’s many ous chef ’s specialty pies moods for Italian food, with a varied menu include Scampi pizza and Chimi pizza, among many packed with one-of-a-kind selections. First, there’s a host of hefty hot and cold others. A variety of freshly presandwiches filled with your choice of Pictured are Cipriano’s proprietors (l-r) Richard Cipriano, Chef Peter Haessler, and Sheryl Cipriano. slow-roasted, cooked-on-premises Italian pared calzones round out your ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– beef and turkey; thoughtfully selected choices. To keep the kids happy, we’ve also Our chef’s creations for all of you pasta- (fresh tomatoes), garlic cream, or pink sauce. Italian meats such as cappicola, Genoa salami, prosciutto, mortadella; tuna and lovers include spaghetti, linguini, fettuccini Add scampi, chicken Parmigiana, home- included a typical kids’ menu with chicken chicken salad; chicken breast Parmigiana, or penne rigate with marinara, pomodoro made meatballs or Italian sausage for a true nuggets and fries, penne or spaghetti pasta feast. with their choice of sauce. You can also try our chef’s favorite “Our concept is to provide the finest and homemade soups — Butternut Squash freshest Italian/American foods for eat-in, PurĂŠe, Minestrone d’Estate Milanese and takeout and delivery, all at a reasonable LIGHTING SHOWROOM Pasta Fagioli. Or enjoy antipasto or a vari- price and I think we have accomplished ety of other salads. that, there’s something for everyone.â€? says LIGHT UP YOUR HOME To start, our Italian and not-so-Italian Richard Cipriano. AND YOUR LIFE appetizers and sides are scrumptious. Cipriano’s inviting dĂŠcor welcomes you FOR 2011 Since the Keys are “just down the road,â€? with Tuscany porcelain tile, black walnut our chef came up with a to-die-for recipe butcher block tables and black granite bar for conch fritters with his own homemade tops. Your hosts include Chef Peter mustard lime dipping sauce. Haessler, and Richard and Sheryl Cipriano. Our homemade authentic Italian desserts Cipriano’s is open Monday-Saturday from are all a great way to go home happy. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from Noon-7 They include Cannolis, Baba au Rhum, p.m. for eat in, take out or free delivery. Tiramisu and, again in honor of our neighFor information, call 305-278-3701 or bors, Key Lime cheesecake. go online to <www.ciprianosdeli.com>.

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First Bank opens Kendall branch

First Bank of Miami executives Jorge Triay and Nelson Alemany. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD

An introduction to Judaism for children of unaffiliated families

Children from Kindergarten–8th Grade will discover the treasure of Judaism — from values to vocabulary, stories and holidays, tastes and sounds.

Five Saturdays 10:30 am–Noon beginning January 29th This program is open to all children in the community. Temple membership is not required.

For registration or information, contact Joy Schandler, 305.667.6667 ext. 123, or email jschandler@tbam.org.

The Richard and Janet Yulman Campus • 5950 N. Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, FL 33156 • tbam.org

In 15 years of operation, First Bank of Miami has grown and expanded to five branches, including the new, long-awaited addition on Kendall Drive, which opened recently with a gala ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We always wanted to come to the Kendall area,” says Jorge Triay, First Bank president and chief executive officer. “The whole idea was finding the right location and finding the right market. This is the place for us.” Just a few years ago, First Bank officials placed a bid on a property they thought would be suitable for a branch location, but the deal fell apart. They were very happy when the property at 9851 N. Kendall Drive became available. The original building on the site was razed and the new bank was built to suit First Bank of Miami specifications. While the new building is a symbol of how well the bank is doing even in these difficult economic times, Triay says his employees know the secret to success. And it’s not what most people think about banking. “This is a people business,” he says. “It’s totally a business of people.” Triay says banking is a long-term people and relationship business. “We’ve been at it for 15 years,” he says. “We know relationship banking; not only is it the way to go, it’s a win-win for both the customer and us.” At a time when technology is allowing some banks to exist only on line and others discourage customers from visiting and dealing with live tellers in favor of doing transactions via computer, First Bank has

made it even easier for patrons to sit down and talk to someone. “We don’t have a dedicated teller line,” says Nelson Alemany, First Bank’s chief operating officer. “We do all transactions from a desk.” Those who do want to bank online have that option available, as well as online bill paying. And First Bank is up to date on technology with the most modern check deposit features. At the same time, First Bank keeps to the old fashioned principle of customer service. If a customer calls with a question, they reach bank employees and not a remote call center. And those employees remain constant, so each time a customer walks in they can expect to see familiar faces. Banks have taken quite a hit over the last few years, with many larger well-known banks making uncertain loans that are now in foreclosure. At First Bank, they are cautious but they are still making loans. “You cannot lend money to people who are going to have a rough time repaying it,” Triay says. At the same time, they are not buying into the practice of making loans so difficult to obtain that no money is being lent. “We want to provide solutions,” Triay says. Customers are concerned about the low interest rates on CDs and savings accounts. “Our mission is to find solutions,” he says. “We have things to offer to them. If you hold it for a while, it will make money.” First Bank is located at 9851 N. Kendall Drive. For more information, call 786visit 347-2801or <www.FirstBankMiami.com>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Homeowners Are Saving Big Money on their Flood Insurance Thanks to Miami-Dade County!

BY LUIS ESPINOZA

Communications Manager Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM)

Budgets are tight for many people during this holiday season! But as we look forward to concrete improvements in the economy, at least for now thousands of homeowners can enjoy the benefits from an annual savings on their flood insurance policies thanks to the hard work by MiamiDade County! That’s right, MiamiDade residents saved over $23.4 million last year on their flood insurance policies thanks to the work from the County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and other local agencies. That’s a savings of about $100 on each flood insurance policy for residents in special flood hazard areas of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Residents in low risk flood zones or some municipalities may have received a lower discount. This is a huge benefit that our residents receive thanks to the County’s ability to maintain an excellent rating of five (5) in the Community Ratings System (CRS) from the Federal Emer-

gency Management Agency (FEMA). “I am proud of the work we have done which has enabled us to obtain this significant flood insurance discount for the property owners of MiamiDade County. We have been able to maintain this excellent CRS classification for the past seven years,” said Carlos Espinosa, DERM Director. “Any savings that we are able to pass on to our residents is extremely important to us, especially during the current tough economic times. We will continue to work with Miami-Dade Public Works and other agencies to improve our local stormwater flood control system in order to maintain a good rating from FEMA and provide this flood insurance premium reduction to our community,” added Mr. Espinosa. Miami-Dade County received an excellent CRS rating of five (5) from FEMA in part due to its efforts to improve and maintain the local stormwater flood control system. This system is comprised of more than three million linear feet of stormwater drainage piping, over 80,000 catch basins, and more than 180 miles of secondary canals. The current County CRS rating results in a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums for properties in special hazard flood areas of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Premiums for properties outside the special hazard flood zones receive a 10% discount. For more information on the Miami-Dade County CRS Program, please contact DERM’s Water Management Division at 305-372-6529 or log onto www.miamidade.gov/derm. For questions about flood insurance coverage and rates, residents can call 1-800-427-4661 or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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Local artist Federico Carosio honored by Green Companies BY KIMBERLY PORTER

A reception for a new exhibit by artist Federico Carosio created a festive holiday party for guests at the Green Companies Dadeland Centre II on the evening of Dec. 16. Elizabeth Green of the Dadelandbased firm said the purpose of the company’s lobby gallery is that, “It’s good for the community; It will bring people together.” Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Carosio said he is a self-taught artist who began doodling as a two-and-one-half-year-old child. Later moving to Soho, New York, he began a professional career in 1974. When next settling in Miami in 1979, Carosio said he realized his passion for painting South Florida’s tropical landscapes, for which he is most well-known today. Commenting on the realism of Carosio’s work, Green said. “When you drive [down the streets depicted in his paintings], it feels like that with the shadows. The detail is

Pictured are Elizabeth Green of the Green Companies and artist Federico Carosio. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

amazing.” Carosio has been twice nominated for the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, singled out for his portrayal and promotion of Florida through his work, and rich colors that capture the intense light of the area. His work has been featured on the posters for the South Miami Art Festival, Pinecrest Fine Art Festival and Key Biscayne Art Festival. His work also has won the coveted “Best of Show” award multiple times. “I’m glad I do what I love,” Carosio said. “Each piece is a work of love, like a child; finishing a piece is a birth. I am looking for homes for my paintings, adoptive parents rather than buyers. “Buy my work. They tell me it will be valuable when I’m dead and I’m not feeling too well,” added Carosio with a laugh. The Carosio exhibition can be seen at the Green Companies Lobby Gallery in Dadeland Centre II, 9150 S. Dadeland Blvd., or by visiting online at <www.carosioarts.com>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

CHRISTINE STIPHANY, CRS REALTOR ESSLINGER WOOTEN MAXWELL, INC. ACCREDITED LUXURY HOME SPECIALIST

CHAIRMAN’S CLUB TEXT “EWMhome” TO 59559 FOR INFO ON ANY HOME!

305.903.8845

WWW.MIAMISPECIALHOMES.COM

•

EMAIL: STIPHANY.C@EWM.COM W

NE

94711 SW W 977 Street….................................Baptist Area Tennis Acre on Cul-de-sac, Street to street property with 5 Bdrms + office and bonus rooms, 3.5 baths, 2 car garage, over 4,600 SF, remodeled kitchen, heated pool & screened patio. Quality construction! 80% financing available! Offered at $997,000 M14181950

28000 Alhambraa Circle..........................…Corall Gables TENANTS DREAM HOME - Gated Mediterranean Palazzo near Biltmore Hotel. 6 Bdrms + Office, 7.5 Baths, 2car gar + auto courtyard, elevator, resort style pool. Offered at $14,500/mo.

72722 SW W 533 Ave.......................High Pines Charmer 3 Bedrooms plus office/studio 2 Bathrooms.. over 2300 square feet.. Updated Wood Floors.. Huge Family room,Gourmet Kitchen.., Beautiful pool in $699,000 lushly landscaped backyard. D1414532

12929 SW 60 Ave…...................................….Pinecrest Pinecrest Elementary!! Great Price!! New Roof!! Fireplace, 3/2 with 2car garage, screened patio, over 2,300sq ft on builder’s acre, beautiful trees! $675,000.

2400 Majorcaa Ave...................................... Coral Gables “Picture Perfect” 2/2 TH w/two parking spaces, Corner unit. Totally remodeled…..feels like a home! REDUCED $300,000 M1378565

ICE

1433 Morningsidee Drive………..…………Coral Gables ESTATE SALE!! Steps from Coconut Grove!! Great floor plan, 4/3 with 2car garage, screened pool/patio, new roof, 2800sq ft on 10,400sq ft lot. Reduced at $659,000

TARA A TOWNHOUSE!! 78700 SW W 899 Lane....Near Dadeland Estate Sale! Soaring ceilings! Over 2,500 sq ft, 2 master bdrms, office, 3 full baths, huge wrap around deck, 1 car garage. Offered at: $475,000.

D TE N RE

9245 SW 78 Ct.... Gated Pepperwood Near Dadeland 3 Bdrm, 2.5 Baths, 2 car garage, screened patio. Community tennis court & pool. Seller wants offers! Reduced $359,000 M1316676

PR

The Jade - 1331 Brickell Bay Dr #2002…...Downtown Miami 2 bdrms 2 baths, panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, over 1,500 sf, imported marble floors & wood in bdrms. Luxurious building. Represented Tenant $3,200/mo.

Free-Standing Corall Gables office building with US-1 frontage! FOR SALE OR LEASE! 706 S Dixie Hwy. 2 Story, 10 parking spaces, over 2,700sf, new roof, asking $849,000. Lease Top floorreception 1,350sf – 4 offices, conference room, area, Offered at $2,300/mo. Bottom unit – 650sf – 2 Offered at $1,350/mo. offices, secretary station,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

550 S. Dixie Highway • Coral Gables, FL 33146

January 3 - 16, 2011

PINECRESTTRIBUNE.COM

This Dog’s for You! This is Domar, a beautiful pure-bred Dalmatian. Domar weighs in at about 60 pounds and he’s four years old. He is inquisitive and cute, but he is pretty much a oneperson dog. This pooch has great potential and he’s trainable. If you would like to give Domar a good home, call the Born Free Pet Shelter, 305-903-6610, or go to <www.bornfree.petfinder.com>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Fit For Life — free teen weight loss program BY SHEILA STIEGLITZ

Following the success of 32 teens who lost a total of 429 pounds in this year’s Fit For Life Program, the Children’s Trust Fund has decided to fund the 2010 series of classes at the Alper JCC in Kendall. This life-changing program targets overweight teens and teaches physical and nutritional skills in an effort to curb the trend toward excessive weight gain. The entire series of classes is open to the community and free of charge. The program’s director is Evelyn Rosenblatt, a published author, national figure competitor, personal trainer, exercise physiologist and former Miami-Dade County high school science teacher. “The success of the Fit For Life program can be seen in the incredible results that the teens achieved in just 15 weeks,” said Rosenbaltt. “I was very proud that all of the participants completed the program and almost all the teens decreased their body fat percentages and showed an increase in both self-esteem and confidence. The information they learned gave them the tools and knowledge to live healthier lives. The teens’ final measurements revealed an amazing total loss of 354 inches which translates into 29.5 feet.” Fit For Life is structured to include three hours per week focusing on strength training and aerobic fitness with certified professionals, plus a one-hour per week workshop on nutrition, food preparation and healthy eating designed to modify existing behavior. Another part of the program includes goal setting with personal accountability, and upon completion of the program the teens should see improvement in physical fitness, self esteem and increased nutritional knowledge. Commitment and attendance are the key

components to successful results. At the end of the 15 weeks, the biggest bonuses are teens with enhanced self-worth, increased stamina and overall improved well-being. Carmen Gil was the “Biggest Loser” in the initial program, having lost over 10 inches off her waist and dropping 8 dress sizes. “I don’t know how I could have reached my goals had I not been part of it,” Gill said. “The transformations that I have seen

Fit For Life is structured to include three hours per week focusing on strength training and aerobic fitness with certified professionals, plus a one-hour per week workshop on nutrition, food preparation and healthy eating designed to modify existing behavior. in my body are remarkable. I still can’t believe that I fit into clothes that I hadn’t worn in years. And it wasn’t just me, but every single one of the 32 participants lost weight and adopted a healthier lifestyle.” The next session of Fit For Life begins Monday, Jan. 11. Students interested in participating should call Evelyn Rosenblatt at 305-498-7882 to register and begin the mandatory interview process. The Dave and Mary Alper JCC on The Jay Morton-Levinthal Campus is located at 11155 SW 112th Ave. For information about additional Alper JCC fitness, recreational and sports programs for the entire family, log on to <www.alperjcc.org>.

January 3 - 16, 2011

PINECRESTTRIBUNE.COM

Lower rates with a higher score Lynda & Mike

Morgan

REAL ESTATE Lenders are an increasingly difficult crowd to please. So if you’re looking for the best deal on a mortgage, you need a couple of strategies to improve your credit score. Lenders use that number to determine your risk of default, and it may be the single most important factor in your application. Scores range anywhere from a very risky 300 to a perfect 850. You’ll need a 750 today to get terms a 700 would have gotten you two years ago. Begin with a $16 investment at <myfico.com>, where your three reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are averaged into one representative score. A Zogby poll reports that one-third of all

people who request a credit report find errors. Your score is only as accurate as your information, so scour your report and correct errors immediately. This could boost your score by as much as 200 points! The largest percentage of your score is determined by your payment histories, but the second largest factor is your “card utilization rate,” or your total balances compared to your total credit limits. Ten percent is the ideal number (for example, $2,500 in charges when you have a $25,000 line of credit). If you correct errors, have an excellent payment history and get your debt-to-credit ratio down, you can expect to save thousands with a lower interest rate on your mortgage.

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ANYBODY CAN DO YOGA 5 WEEK BEGINNER COURSES Daily Classes for: M O N D A Y , JANUARY 10TH W E D N E S D AY, JANUARY 12TH S A T U R D A Y , JANUARY 15TH

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Bobbi Goldin & Staff A YOGA community of well trained knowledgeable instructors

Mike and Lynda Morgan may be contacted at the Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Offices at 12155 S. Dixie Hwy., 305253-2800 or by email at <mmorgan321@aol.com>.

www.communitynewspapers.com

www.yogamiami.com

bobbiji@yogamiami.com

8241 SW 124 St. 33156

305.969.5999

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2011 Chevy Corvette marks 58 years of production Ron Beasley LET’S TALK CARS I’m still somewhat amazed that the Corvette made it through the recent General Motors bankruptcy to continue as a part of the Chevrolet product line. After all, it certainly doesn’t meet the new criteria for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. But, survive it did and next year Corvette will mark 58 years of production to continue the claim to being “America’s sports car.” The 2011 Corvette model year sees the same product lineup, one that includes the base coupe and convertible, the rejuvenated Grand Sport and the Z06 and ZR1 performance models. The base Corvette and the Grand Sport models are powered by the LS3 V-8, while the racing-inspired Z06 is equipped with the 505-hp LS7 engine and built on a lightweight chassis. The ZR1 gets a unique supercharged LS9 6.2-liter engine and is the fastest, most powerful car ever

offered by Chevrolet. The 6.2-liter LS3 small-block V-8 engine in Corvette and Grand Sport models is rated at 430 hp and develops 424 pounds-feet of torque with the standard exhaust system. An optional dual-mode exhaust system brings the power to 436 horses and 428 poundsfeet of torque. A standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed paddle-shift automatic are offered. The Grand Sport was a runaway hit in its debut last year, accounting for almost half of all coupe sales and 70 percent of convertibles. The Grand Sport returns for 2011 with Magnetic Ride Control as an option that includes Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires when the car is equipped with a manual transmission. The Grand Sport has widebody styling that gives it wider fenders, a wider track, wider wheels and tires. It has revised shocks, stabilizer bar and springs, and specific gearing to deliver better handling, and it clocks 0-60 in a head-snapping four seconds. A launch control system is standard on models equipped with a manual transmission to optimize performance for full-throttle starts on a racetrack. In the competitive mode, the system will hold a predetermined engine speed while the driver puts the pedal

Corvette Grand Sport has a wider track with wide-body styling and wider fenders. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

to the floor, allowing a quick clutch release. The system modulates engine torque 100 times per second to maximize traction. Corvette models offer two suspension choices that allow you to choose the setup that best suits your driving style. The standard suspension is tuned for a balance of ride comfort and precise handling. The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension features magneto-rheological dampers that can detect road surfaces and adjust the damping rates to those surfaces almost instantly for optimal ride control.

The Corvette interior is inspired by the car’s dual-cockpit heritage. The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that looks like a leather panel. Pricing on the 2011 Corvette starts at $49,900. 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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January 3 - 16, 2011

Phantom power – an expensive ghost BY KENT CROOK President, Wiremasters Electric

Pictured are the owners of Lots of Lox (l-r) Steve, Jimmy and Nick Poulos.

THE ORIGINAL LOTS

OF LOX • Catering Available • Dine In or Take Out

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$6.45

MON. THRU FRI. 7AM TO 11AM

14995 South Dixie Hwy.

Tel: 305-252-2010 • Fax: 305-232-7560

NEW HOURS Open Monday thru Friday 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Dinner Specials from 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM Saturday and Sunday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

HOLIDAY CATERING AVAILABLE

Picture this: You’re preparing to leave your home to go to work or to take care of an errand. You turn out all the lights, the TV, maybe even your computer. But after you have walked out the front door, your home or apartment will still be buzzing with “phantom energy”. The Department of Energy estimates that 40 percent of the energy consumed by home electronics is owed to stand-by power; that’s the same as wasted power. This “phantom load” equals the annual output of 17 power plants or about six percent of the U.S. total residential electricity consumption. According to <www.gooddirtradio.org>, Gary Reysa (with 35 years as an aerospace engineer) is on a mission to educate consumers about phantom loads. Reysa says: “Phantom loads are a little bit like the dripping water pipe. It’s not a whole lot of flow at any given time but when you add it up over the year, it can be thousands of gallons of water. The kinds of things that show phantom loads are TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens, battery chargers, just about anything that plugs into the wall.” Added up over a year, these phantom loads use about 500 kilowatt hours of electricity. The cost is not only what shows up on your monthly electric bill but in pounds of CO2 reduction. To find out whether a device is drawing power or not, purchase a watt meter and plug it into the wall. Then plug the

WIREMASTERS device into the kilowatt meter and read exactly how much power the device is using. The simplest way to get rid of a phantom load is to unplug the device when you’re not using it. Try using a power strip for the devices in your entertainment center, so that simply turning off the power strip will also turn off the devices. A computer that is left on (although the monitor may be turned off) uses electricity even if you are nowhere near the keyboard. Reysa recommends using the computer’s hibernate or stand-by setting and plugging in the computer peripherals to a power strip so that turning off the power strip at night will save electricity all night long. When buying new electric items, Reysa urges consumers to check the Energy Star rated devices and then to check standby loads with an inexpensive meter. Although the phantom load for one device may be small, the average household may have 20 or 30 such devices, adding up to a large quantity of wasted energy over a year.

Kent Crook is president of Wiremasters Electric. Contact him at 305-378-4011 or visit <www.kcwiremasters.com> for more information

January 3 - 16, 2011

PINECRESTTRIBUNE.COM

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Crime Report The following is a list of crimes reported to the Village of Pinecrest Police Department during the week of December 13 - 19, 2010.

ARSON None AUTO THEFT None ASSAULT Case # 1005280 Location: 7800 Block of 115 St On Dec. 16, at approximately 2139 hrs, a known offender pushed, spat on and threatened the victim with a gun. The known offender fled the scene before the police arrived. BATTERY Case # 1005287 Location: 11100 Block of 71 Ave On Dec. 17, at approximately 1419 hrs, a known offender fleeing from police, jumped and damaged the victim’s fence and vehicle. The victim while attempting to stop the offender suffered minor injuries. The known offender was apprehended by police. Case # 1005294 Location: 8400 Block of 132 St On Dec. 17, sometime between 1530 hrs, and 1809 hrs, after having a verbal argument, the victim was hit with a belt on the lower back and held by the neck by a known offender. The known offender fled the scene before police arrived. The case is presently under investigation. Case # 1005320 Location: 6900 Block of 108 St On Dec. 19, at approximately 0718 hrs, after having a verbal argument, a known offender choked, pushed and threatened to kill the victim. The known offender fled the scene before the police arrived. The case is presently under investigation. BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) Case # 1005209 Location: 12261 S Dixie Hwy (Shear Limit) Sometime between Dec. 12, 2306 hrs, and Dec. 13, 0910 hrs, unknown offender(s) gained entry into the listed business by prying open the rear door and cutting the south side drywall to gain access to the adjacent business. Nothing appeared to be taken. Case# 1005215 Location: 12265 S Dixie Hwy (The Gold Trader) Sometime between Dec. 11, 1700 hrs and

Dec. 13, 1052 hrs, unknown offender(s) gained entry into the listed business by cutting a hole in the south side drywall and gained access to the safe, stealing cash, jewelry and a 37� LCD TV. The estimated value of the stolen property is $125,000. BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) Case # 1005285 Location: 11100 Block of 72 Ave On Dec. 17, sometime between 1258 hrs, and 1308 hrs, known offender (s) gained entry into the victim’s residence by smashing the south east bathroom door and stole jewelry and two firearms. The estimated value of the stolen property is $ 11,210. Case cleared by arrests. ROBBERY None SEX CRIME None HOMICIDE None THEFT Case # 1005246 Location: 13200 Block of 70 Ave Sometime between Dec. 6, 1400 hrs, and Dec. 14, 1842 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole a UPS package from the victim’s residence. The estimated value of the stolen property is $70. Case # 1005260 Location: 13300 Block of 69 Ave Sometime between Dec. 7, 1337 hrs, and Dec. 15, 1637 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole a UPS package from the victim’s residence. The estimated value of the stolen property is $72. Case # 1005275 Location: 6700 Block of 88 St Sometime between Dec. 12, 2251 hrs, and Dec. 16, 1551 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole jewelry from the victim’s residence. The estimated value of the stolen property is $1,750. Case # 1005295 Location: 13200 Block of 71 Ave On Dec. 17, sometime between 1259 hrs, and 1854 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole a UPS package from the victim’s property. The estimated value of the stolen property is $100.

Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10-5pm • Sat. 10-2PM Sun. - Mon. Closed

! "

8898 SW 129th Terr. • Miami, FL 33176 (Falls Warehouse District)

305.251.0959

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January 3 - 16, 2011

Crime Report The following is a list of crimes reported to the Village of Pinecrest Police Department during the week of December. 6 - 12, 2010.

ARSON None

value of the stolen property is $10,779. The case is presently under investigation.

AUTO THEFT Case # 1005123 Location: 6100 Block of SW 116 St On Dec. 8, at approximately1151 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole the victim’s 2006 Mitsubishi truck.

ROBBERY None

ASSAULT None BATTERY None BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) None BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) Case # 1005171 Location: 11500 Block of SW 72 Ct On Dec. 10, sometime between 1200 hrs, and 1615 hrs, unknown offender(s) gained entry into the victim’s residence by breaking a glass of a rear door and stole jewelry and a firearm. The estimated value of the stolen property is $8,400. The case is presently under investigation. Case # 1005174 Location: 10500 Block of SW 74 Ave On Dec. 10, sometime between 0930 hrs, and 1606 hrs, unknown offender(s) gained entry into the victim’s residence by breaking a rear glass door and stole jewelry and other miscellaneous items. The estimated

SEX CRIME None HOMICIDE None THEFT Case # 1005147 Location: 6700 Block of SW 88 St On Dec. 8, sometime between 2200 hrs, and 2330 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole a package, delivered by UPS, from the victim’s property. The estimated value of the stolen property is $143. Case # 1005158 Location: 7460 SW 118 St (Palmetto Senior High School) On Dec. 10, at approximately 0950 hrs, unknown offender(s) stole the victim’s cellular phone. The estimated value of the stolen property is $150. Case # 1005173 Location: 11000 Block of SW 60 Ct Sometime between Nov. 30, unknown time, and Dec. 2, unknown time, unknown offender(s) stole a musical instrument from the listed property. The estimated value of the stolen property is $1,100. The case is presently under investigation.

www.communitynewspapers.com

January 3 - 16, 2011

PINECRESTTRIBUNE.COM

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January 3 - 16, 2011

FWC REPORT Does the Ivory Bill Woodpecker still exist? BY RODNEY BARRETO Chairman, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

In the spring of 2005, news swept the United States and much of the world that the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, long thought to be extinct, had been found in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. The news was electrifying to birders and conservation groups. Gene Sparling, an amateur ornithologist from Hot Springs, Ark., had reported seeing one adult male Ivory Bill in the Cache River refuge on Feb. 11, 2004. Other ornithologists soon searched for documentation and proof that Ivory Bills still existed. They seemed to make their case when David Luneau of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock made a short, blurry videotape of a reported Ivory Bill taking flight from a tree. Some of the groups that reviewed the evidence and supported the claim that the woodpecker, with its three-foot wingspan and signature whitish ivory bill, still existed included the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Some wanted to believe that the gigantic woodpecker, known by such names as white-back, pearly bill and even Lord God bird, still flew safely somewhere. The name “Lord God bird” came from people seeing the bird and exclaiming, “Lord God, what a bird!” Had the short video clip been clear, that would have been one thing. However, ornithologists across the country weighed in, and many believed the searchers had spotted the smaller, common pileated woodpecker. Not long after the reported Arkansas sighting, a team led by an Auburn University professor said it had audio recordings of what members believed were the sounds of one or more Ivory Bills in the Choctawhatchee River basin in the Florida Panhandle. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) mobilized a team to deal with questions and issues about the Choctawhatchee finding, which proved untrue. To understand the discussion as to whether Ivory Bills still exist, you have to understand something of the bird itself and the history of our country. Adult Ivory Bills measured 19 to 21 inches, were bluish-black in color and had white markings on the neck, sides and back, resem-

bling a white saddle. Both male and female birds sported a prominent top crest, which was red in males and black in females. Early settlers and frontiersmen reported that male Native American Indians, particularly chieftains, wore the bills of Ivory Bill woodpeckers on their belts or as part of breast plates. The author of In Search of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, Jerome Jackson, points to the archaeological record showing that the heads and bills of both Ivory Billed and pileated woodpeckers were much in demand by Indians, sometimes far outside the birds’ range. He mentions the recent discovery of an Indian burial ground in Colorado with Ivory Bills on the deceased, more than 1,000 miles from recognized Ivory Bill habitat. Jackson and other authors accurately point to the fact that Indians armed with bows and arrows weren’t the death knell of the species. Logging was. Ivory Bills were found primarily in the Southeast’s virgin hardwood forest river bottoms and longleaf pine forests, and were well documented in Florida and a dozen other southeastern states. With their powerful chisel-like bill, they foraged on lots of dying and dead trees, such as sweet gums, ash and longleaf pine, removing the bark in search of insects and larvae. Ornithologists say Ivory Bills needed immense areas to feed – perhaps 10 to 12 square miles of old-growth forest per pair. As one forest after another fell to an expanding country’s insatiable demand for wood, Ivory Bills began to vanish. Ornithologists say the species was extremely rare after 1900. Nowhere was this more evident than in Florida. Whether an Ivory Bill was actually spotted in the Cache River NWR is still a matter of debate. I have my own ideas, but if the sighting was accurate, it would have required dozens and dozens of breeding pairs of birds over the past 100 or so years for birds to still exist today. Following the Cache River announcement, river-bottom searches were initiated in Florida and five other states. No definitive sightings emerged. We still have the pileated relative of the Ivory Bill, yet we want to believe the most magnificent woodpecker of North America still exists.

To find out more about Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative and Florida’s State Wildlife Grant program, go to <ww.MyFWC.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/Legacy_index.htm>.

January 3 - 16, 2011

PINECRESTTRIBUNE.COM

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Women’s health and exercise BY RICHARD BROWNE

Holistic Care Practitioner Excessive exercise and inadequate nutrition can lead to health problems such as low energy, menstrual irregularity, fertility issues, stress fractures, and osteoporosis, according to Loyola University Health System physicians. Female endurance sports athletes may be at risk for serious health issues. “Marathons and triathlons have become increasingly popular in recent years,” says Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, medical director of primary care sports medicine, Loyola University Health System. “Many who participate in these events are inexperienced athletes who do not properly care for their bodies while training. This can lead to irreversible damage to their health.” Distance runner Ashley Raymond, 23, was one competitive athlete who exercised six days a week on a 1,000 calorie-a-day diet. The intense exercise and poor diet caused her to lose 20 pounds in a short amount of time. Raymond experienced extreme fatigue, stopped getting her period, felt cold consistently and developed dry hair and brittle nails. “I thought restricting my diet would make me lighter and improve my performance,” says Raymond. “However, my lifestyle choices negatively impacted my health and kept me from running for nearly a year. I would encourage other female athletes to not worry about body image or weight loss while training. Eating well and taking care of yourself ensures that you have the energy necessary to train.” She plans to train for a marathon later this year.

ON HEALTH Female athletes put themselves at risk for health issues by burning more calories than their caloric intake from food. Caloric intake also can impact performance issues. However, women in particular tend to not alter their diet to compensate for the rigorous training endurance sports require. “If we can educate women on how to listen to their bodies and support themselves with proper nutrition, we can better protect their health,” says Dr. Haemi Choi, women’s sports medicine specialist at the Loyola University Health System. To ensure health and performance, women who exercise regularly should: *Consume carbohydrates two hours before exercising and immediately after. • Load up on calcium. • Eat small, well-balanced meals every three to four hours. • Ensure caloric intake is sufficient. In short have a well balance breakfast every day. Control your intake of refined sugars and reduce your food consumption at dinner-time. Remember you won’t be able to use much of what goes into your body at night, so eat light.

Richard Browne is a licensed acupuncture physician and has been active in the acupuncture and naturopathic professions for 20 years. For more information about acupuncture for the treatment of stress, call 305-595-9500 or email <richard@amcollege.edu>.

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January 3 - 16, 2011

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