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July 2013 | miramar town times

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publisher's page

Make Time for Family

T

he kids are out of school and the tempera-

tures seem to reach new record levels every day. While we struggle to find meaningful things for our kids to do, we should not forget that summers are meant to spend time together as a family.

We all get caught up in our busy professional lives and sometimes need to be reminded of why we are working so hard. Our children are the core of our family life and their bored expressions these days remind us to head out for one of those great American traditions -- the family summer vacation.

So let’s turn off the smartphones and tablets for a few days, disconnect from the internet, and instead spend some time at the beach, visit the Everglades, read a book, go camping, play a board game, see a movie together, jump in the pool, or just chill out in the back yard.

These quality moments together are what we and our children will remember for some time to come. So let’s enjoy the heat and each other.

Have a great summer!

Publisher/Owner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SVEN BUDZISCH Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Levin sales manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Koval Account Representatives . . . . . . . . . . Garry Isabelle, Joyce Bak,

Vanessa da Rocha, Kim Mills, Mariem Garcia Office manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabriela Moscoso Art Direction, Design & Production . . . . Barry Stock, Grace Umlauf staff photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Stock

Visit us online: www.miramartowntimes.com 1960 N Commerce Parkway, Suite 3, Weston, FL 33326

Ph: 954-306-1007 • Fax 954-306-1008

Sincerely,

Sven Budzisch

editor@miramartowntimes.com • graphics@ourcityweston.com Total circulation is 20,000. Quantum International Corporation, DBA (OCW), is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the city of Weston verifiable by US Postal statements. Additional free copies are available at locations throughout the city of Weston and upon request by contacting this newspaper. Opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Quantum International Corporation, DBA OCW reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. OCW is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyrighted 2010 by OCW, Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

Publisher/Owner

Contents

Ask the expert

calendar July 2013

Real Estate

8

26 Flat Feet & Tight Calf Muscles: A Bad Combination

Community Events

28 Tight Supply of Homes for Sale Continues to Frustrate Buyers

community news 10 10 12 12 15 16

Pet of the month

Rotary Club of Miramar-Pines Welcomes New Officers and Board Local Kiwanis Group Spreading Cheer with Christmas in July Event Local Mayors Honored for Service to the Community Power Company Prepares for Hurricane Season Haitian Culture Celebrated at New Festival Botanical Garden Gets a Makeover

28 Your Pet Could Be Our Pet of the Month!

Legally Speaking 30 How to Effectively Wipe Out Second Mortgages, Avoid Foreclosure and Stay in Your Home

20

cover story

18 Miramar’s Brightway Insurance Has You Covered

15

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR 20 A Legislative Update

Can Do Kid

20 Miramar Student Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

School News

22 Students Pledge to Stop Bullying 22 Early Childhood Joins the “TOUCH” Program

eye care

24 Guide to Summer Eye Care

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July 2013 | miramar town times

Photo contest 31 The World’s Favorite Newspaper™

SEEN ON SCENE 32 Community Snapshots

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July 2013 | miramar town times

JOHNSON STREET

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calendar July 2013

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Wags N Tales – Practice reading to a pet therapy dog. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Broward County. 2 p.m., ages 5-10, register by calling 954357-8090. Miramar Branch Library, 2050 Civic Center Place. 954-357-8090, ext. 8180.

11th Read Any Good Books Lately? – Join the Friends of the Miramar Library for their monthly Book Club. This month’s book: “ The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows by Daniel Kahneman. 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Call the library to order a copy of the book.

Miramar Branch Library, 2050 Civic Center Place. 954-357-8090, ext. 8180.

cue).The tournament is scheduled for August 24th and August 25th & September 7th and September 8th, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Vizcaya Park, 14200 SW 55 St., Miramar. Registration is $15 Individual and $30 Teams for Miramar residents. For more Information please call Shun or Frank at 945-883-6800.

13th Homeowners Workshop – ”What is My Option With My House?” A panel of housing experts will discuss current changes to the housing market and topics such as loan modifications, short sales, HARP refinancing, home equities, tax implications and more.

11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Miramar Branch Library, 2050 Civic Center Place.

954-357-8090.

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16th

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12th

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Good for Body and Soul – A guided relaxation session followed by Amrit Yoga instruction. This class is offered to the community as a practice in applying the teachings of Yoga to improve health and well-being. Please bring a mat. No charge. 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Miramar Branch Library, 2050 Civic Center Place.

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20th Christmas in July – The 13th annual Christmas in July event will be held at the BB&T Center in Sunrise. This project is put together by 12 Kiwanis clubs throughout Broward County, including the Miramar/Pembroke Pines Chapter, to benefit local homeless children by providing them with a day of fun, food, and a distribution of new clothes, shoes, underwear, toiletries, and school supplies. Every dime is vital to purchase items that must be new like socks and underwear. To donate, please visit kiwanismiramarpines. com and hit the Donate button under Events & Projects.

Geo Jane Story Time Fun – Geo Jane and her trusty sidekick, Diggy-Boo, globe-trot the world unearthing long lost stories of ancient civilizations, jewels and mummies too. Come get lost and found on an adventure full of illusion, song and surprise. Get ready to join Geo Jane as she takes you with her on one of her amazing assignments and embark on a thrilling quest to uncover buried mysteries!!

11:00am-12:00 p.m. All ages welcome.

No registration required. Miramar Branch Library, 2050 Civic Center Place. 954-357-8090, ext. 8180.

Branch Library, 2050 Civic Center Place. 954-357-8090, ext. 8180.

Ends 7/31 Register for Fire Protection Assessment Fee Exemption – Effective 2004, all residential units were assessed a Fire Protection Assessment Fee. You may be eligible for an exemption from this fee if you meet certain criteria and submit an application with all of the required documentation. The City of Miramar will accept applications for a Residential Hardship Exemption for the Fire Protection Assessment Fee through July 31st. Qualified homeowners must meet strict income and residence eligibility criteria.

Applications are available at city facilities and on our website http:// www.ci.miramar.fl.us/socialservices/ .

8/12-13 Grant Writing Workshop – The City of Miramar and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants management workshop in Miramar. Learn how to administer government grants and stay in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. This training is recommended for grant recipient organizations across all disciplines.

Tuition is $595 per person and includes everything: two days of world-class instruction and a 400 page participant guide and reference binder. Police Substation, 2811 Southwest 186th Avenue, Miramar, Florida 33029.

More information including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials and online registration is available at http://grantstraining.com/ miramar08

27th

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in Broward will be vying to see who gets the most donations, so be sure to say you support the Weston Relay.

For more information contact Lindsay Malpica at 954-609-9344.

Pool Table Tournament – The deadline to register for the City of Miramar’s Pool Table Tournament is July 12th. The City is looking for the best individual and team to show off their skills with a pool cue. If you think you have what it takes to be the best and are 18 years of age or older come out and compete. Prizes will be given for first, second, and third place. B.Y.O.P.C. (bring your own pool

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18th Relay Rally – Support the Weston Relay For Life by attending the Relay Rally at Blue Martini at the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale from 6:309:30pm. It’s a friendly competition to raise money to benefit the American Cancer Society. Twenty-four cities

July 2013 | miramar town times

Summer Reading Program Banned Books Discussion – One of the most extraordinary literary works of the twentieth century, Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence, was banned in England and the United States after its initial publication in 1928. The unexpurgated edition did not appear in America until 1959, after one of the most spectacular legal battles in publishing history. Come join us for a spicy book discussion. Refreshments provided. 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Miramar

Ongoing Kids Chess Club – Sign your children up for the Chess Club at Miramar’s Vizcaya Park. The club meets every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and are taught by Gildardo Garcia, an International Chess Grand Master. $70 for residents for four sessions. $84 nonresidents. 14200 S.W. 55th Street. Call 954-822-7533 for more information.

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community news

Rotary Club of Miramar-Pines Welcomes New Officers and Board

By Julie Levin

T

he Rotary Club of M iramar -Pines recently welcomed its new

one of the signature fund raising events in Miramar; donations to the Miramar Police Athletic League (PAL); continued support of Exceptional Theatre Company, slate of officers and directors. The group’s annual installation event was which provides drama classes to persons with physical and intellectual chalheld May 22 where Ellen Blasi, the Governor for District 6990 installed Diane lenges; book and shoes donations to local Roberts as President. Also installed, Robert schoolchildren; provided scholarships to Smyczynski, President-elect; Ruben Levy, Everglades High School students; supported Secretary; Robert Bell, Treasurer, as well as the Interact Club at Everglades High School; Board members Ligia Corredor, Dr. Carleen mattress donations for the maternity secSpano, Dr. Gail Quigley, Beatriz Corredor, and tion of Children’s Harbor and hosted two Max Ragoobir. exchange students from Italy and Denmark.

Roberts, the new President, said her goal Internationally, the club also supported for the 2013 -2014 year is to increase the club’s Fundamira, a non-profit organization dediinvolvement in the community in terms of both cated to educate children in the South Pacific the number and type of its projects. To that 2 Region of Colombia in the Narino region, end, she said she plans to work closely with along the Mira River. leaders in both Miramar and Pembroke Pines Backed by its motto of Service Above Self, to learn where their help is needed most. Also Rotary International is an organization of on the agenda, promoting awareness of the business and professional leaders, known Rotary Club’s many projects and activities. as Rotarians, united worldwide who provide “Our club has been carrying out projects in humanitarian service, encourage high ethical the community as well as overseas, with many standards in all vocations, and help build people being unaware of our activities,” she goodwill and peace in the world. They are said. “We have to do a better job of getting the always looking for new members.

1 3 general public aware of our work by utilizing traditional media, as well as the internet and 1. Rotary District 6990 Governor Ellen Blasi presenting the Rotarian of the Year award to Ligia Corredor social media.”

The Rotary Club of Miramar-Pines meets every Thursday 2. District Governor Ellen Blasi formally inducting President Diane Roberts Some of the projects the Rotary Club of 3. (l-r) District Governor Ellen Blasi welcomes the new board from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Those interested in the club’s members for the Rotary Club of Miramar-Pembroke Pines: Miramar-Pines took on in 2012-2013 included activities or membership should call 954- 443-0600 or President Diane Roberts, President-Elect Robert Smyczynski, Club Secretary Ruben Levy and Club Treasurer Robert Bell their annual 5K/10K run which proves to be 954-658-2917.

Local Kiwanis Group Spreading Cheer with Christmas in July Event

By Julie Levin

I

t ’ s not often Santa shows up in J uly, but

he will be making a special exception this month in order to help some very deserving children. The 13th Annual Kiwanis Christmas in July event is set for July 20 and the local Miramar-Pembroke Pines Kiwanis chapter will be among those turning out to benefit the county’s homeless children.

The event, which will be held at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, is put on by all of the Kiwanis Clubs in Broward County. Their goal is treat Broward’s homeless children to a day of fun, as well as presenting each child with a personalized backpack jammed

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with new clothes, underwear, socks, shoes, personal hygiene items, and school supplies.

“Every single child will get a backpack that is specifically for them,” said Angie Font, the Secretary of the Miramar-Pembroke Pines Kiwanis Club.

The backpacks are being put together by local Kiwanis members, who have been sorting donations for the children since early summer. They’ve been joined by students from local Kiwanis service clubs. The club relies on donations from the community, but also on fundraising efforts like their recent Scavenger Hunt to be able to purchase new items for the kids. In addition to the backpacks, the kids also enjoy a day of fun, entertainment, A portion of the donated items ready to be lunch and a visit from Santa Claus. sort and packed for Christmas in July The local Kiwanis club has been grams in local schools, such as Key Club and K-Kids. serving the Miramar and Pembroke The Kiwanis Miramar- Pembroke Pines chapter Pines communities since 1991. They are a will be organizing its donations up to the July 20 dedicated group of volunteers who strive Christmas in July event, and always need more help. to serve their neighbors and children and If you are interested in donating funds or in kind items, create a positive impact one child at a time. please contact them at kiwanismpp@gmail.com Kiwanis of Miramar-Pembroke Pines plans for more information. Online donations are being many service projects throughout the year accepted by clicking on the Donate tab under Events and raise funds to provide college scholar& Projects. For more information, visit their website at ships for local high school students. They www.kiwanismiramarpines.com also sponsor several service leadership pro-

July 2013 | miramar town times

Summer Camp Graduates Advance to Next Belt Level!

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community news

Local Mayors Honored for Service to the Community

By Julie Levin

T

he leaders of two

Southwest Broward communities were recently honored for their support of small business in our area. Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley and Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis were presented with the Partner America/U.S. Conference of Mayors “Small Business Advocate Award” recently at the monthly meeting of the Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce. The awards were presented by Jeffrey Bean of the Guest Speaker Lou Mosca, Pembroke United States Conference of Mayors Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis, Jeffrey Bean, based in Washington, D.C., for their United States Conference of Mayors, and Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley efforts and support of small business in their respective cities. “It is no secret that small business is what drives any economy. Though they don’t make the big headlines in what they do, they are what makes a community a vibrant and robust place to live,” said Mayor Moseley Among the reasons given for the honor, the City of Miramar’s tremendous business growth under the Mayor’s leadership and business model. The Miramar Park of Commerce is one of the largest corporate parks in Broward County, and is home to thousands of employees from more than 160 national and international companies. Infrastructure improvements and a dynamic economic development plan have been Mayor Moseley’s top priorities.

Mayor Ortis was honored for the Annual Mayor’s Kids Day event which celebrates children while providing exposure for local businesses. Under the Mayor’s

leadership, the City of Pembroke Pines has created their first ever economic incentive for business recruitment, been proactive in amending City codes to support small businesses and will be creating their first Economic Development Strategic Plan in the near future.

The Miramar Pembroke Regional Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting is held on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Southwest Focal Point Community Center, 301 NW103rd Avenue in Pembroke Pines. For more information about the Miramar Pembroke Chamber of Commerce please call the Chamber office at 954-432-9808.

Mayor Moseley was also recently installed as a member of the 2013-1014 Broward League of Cities Board of Directors. The Broward League of Cities is a non-partisan, non-profit organization representing the 31 municipal governments and more than 80 associate government, non-profit and business organizations within Broward County. Chartered in 1957, the organization is dedicated to increasing awareness and providing resolutions to issues that affect day-to-day operations at the county, state, and federal levels. At its May 4 meeting at the Signature Grand, the group installed Davie Councilmember Susan Starkey as its new president, succeeding Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Bobby DuBose.

Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley was among the newly installed 2013-2014 Broward League of Cities Board of Directors.

Power Company Prepares for Hurricane Season

By Julie Levin

N

ow that we are in the midst

of hurricane season, we should all have our personal storm preparations and supplies in place. As you prepare your home and family, keep in mind that those that help keep our electricity humming are also preparing to face any potential storms. Since March, FPL has been doing major structural improvements in Miramar to make sure key facilities fare well in major storms.

The utility’s spokesperson says that in turn will benefit local residents and business owners. “Although FPL delivered its best reliability on record in 2012, we’re always working to make it even better,” said Ben Wesley, FPL External Affairs manager. “We’re upgrading our systems across Florida that serve critical local facilities – hospitals, police and fire stations and others – as well as major thoroughfares and commercial areas.

In order to be able to restore service faster after a storm, FPL has been focusing on reinforcing a main power line serving the Miramar Fire-Rescue Department, Pembroke Pines Water Treatment Plant and nearby homes and

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businesses. According to an FPL press release, the upgrades will make the system stronger against powerful winds and help the area return to normal more quickly following storms. The project is expected to be completed in August.

FPL says the upgrades are just the latest in a series of improvements made in and around Miramar since the last major hurricane season in 2005, which produced a record number of storms and hurricanes including Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Wilma. Since then, the utility company has invested more than $1 billion across its 35-county service area to improve the electric grid. Other local improvements in and near Miramar in 2013 include inspecting approximately 2,550 utility poles, clearing vegetation from 100 miles of power lines and inspecting eight main lines using cuttingedge infrared technology to detect and address potential issues.

Hurricane season began June 1 and will end November 30. Forecasters have predicted a busy season, with at least 18 named storms and nine of them hurricanes.

July 2013 | miramar town times

Stem CellS Will Change mediCine aS We KnoW it. iS Your Child readY? Banking stem cells may not be as obvious as saving for college, but with more than 1,700 clinical studies underway, this simple decision could mean just as much to your child’s future well-being and quality of life.

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community news

Haitian Culture Celebrated at New Festival

By Julie Levin

T

he aroma of griot, crab cakes , Djon Djon and other Haitian

delicacies greeted the hundreds of guests who turned out recently for the first annual Festival d’Haiti in Miramar. Designed to celebrate and preserve Haitian culture, the festival was held May 11 at the Miramar Branch Library. “We wanted to offer a taste of all things Haitian, including music, dance and fun,” said Lisa Jackson, Supervisor of Adult Services at the Miramar Branch Library.

In addition to food vendors, the festival included vendors, storytellers, artists, crafts for the kids and live entertainment which was temporarily held up due to rain. Among the performers: DJ MC Luckner Plaisir, Nicole Moretta and her Butterfly Dancers, Singer and soloist Yvette LeBlanc, guitarist Pokito and his band, storyteller Lucrece Louisdhon-Louinis and more. Jimmy Moise, the founder of Le P’ti Club, premiered his new documentary “Vibrant Images” The event was hosted by the Broward County Libraries Division, along with the Haitian Unity Foundation, Friends of the Miramar Library, Community Access Center and Le P’ti Club.

Guitarist Pokito (left) and his band

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miramar town times | July 2013

15

Community News

Botanical Garden Gets a Makeover

By Julie Levin

T

he next time you are visiting the M iramar Town Center , make

sure you find a few minutes to visit a serene and colorful new addition. The Botanical Garden at the Miramar Cultural Center / Arts Park is blooming spectacular new colors, thanks to a recent makeover. The makeover was completed thanks to a community partnership with Home Depot. “We approached Home Depot to act as ‘curator’ and help us improve our existing garden by designing a signature look that would complement the Ansin Family Art Gallery and Vanishing View, the commissioned art piece by Alison Sky,” said Miramar Cultural Affairs Deputy Director Camasha Cevieux through a press release. “They loved the idea, saw the possibilities and a unique partnership was created.”

The Botanical Garden now provides a lush and serene setting for guests to meander through, as well as an ideal spot for weddings and other functions.

The exotic new botanical garden offers a look at many tropical plant species, including orchids, lilies, bromeliads, oleander and bamboo, as well as succulent mini-gardens of cactus and palms. Not only will guests enjoy the brilliant foliage around them, they’ll also be able to learn about the different species of plants and trees. For an added boost of color, the A serene setting: new plants and walking logo of the Cultural Center paths at the botanical garden

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The management team at Home Depot, Mitchell Palermo, Jason Stratemeyer and Jeffrey Beesing, brought an additional group of Home Depot associates to create the updated garden. For their efforts, they were recognized at a recent Commission meeting by the Mayor and City Commissioners.

Dozens of football players and coaches from nearby Archbishop McCarthy High A bird’s eye view of the refreshed garden School in Southwest Ranches also came by to lend a hand to create a true community effort. “This truly was a unique partnership and we thank everyone at Home Depot for their collaborative vision as curators of the Miramar Cultural Center’s Botanical Garden, which not only reflects the cultural vision of Miramar Cultural Center, but is an artistic extension of our theater and gallery,” added Cevieux. “This is a new landmark for visitors and we thank the more than 20 volunteers from Home Depot branches in Miramar, Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale; football players and their coaches from Archbishop McCarthy High School; and Jude Hodges, owner of Chick-Fil-A, Miramar, for sponsoring lunch on one of the volunteer days.”

If you’d like to check out the botanical garden, visit The Miramar Cultural Center | ArtsPark, located at 2400 Civic Center Place on Red Road, north of Miramar Parkway, in Miramar.

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Miramar town times · cover story

Miramar’s Brightway Insurance Has You Covered

By Debby Teich

and real estate agents. We can also be found on the web at www.brightwaymiramar.com.

What can customers expect when they contact your agency? When current and potential

clients call our office, they can expect to receive world class service. Our agents are trained to identify client needs by asking the right questions, to educate clients on the different coverage options available, and to provide several choices of insurance carriers. We can accomplish all of this and provide written quotes in less than an hour. We also work directly with lenders and realtors to ensure that a closing is never held up due to a problem with the insurance.

A

Matt and Minnie Currey

t Brightway Insurance in Miramar,

agents understand that your house is your home, your car is your freedom, and your family is everything. Using a friendly, consultative, service-oriented approach, Brightway’s agents help clients select from a full line of nationallybacked insurance products. With just one phone call, clients can protect all of their valuables, while saving money, time, and hassle. Call today and experience the Brightway difference.

Matt Currey, who owns the agency with his wife Minnie, answered some commonly questions about his agency.

What insurance products do you offer?

We are a personal lines, independent insurance agency. We offer homeowners, flood, auto, umbrella, and life insurance. We represent many different companies and not just one brand.

List some of your key carriers. The key

Homeowners carriers include: Tower Hill, People’s Trust, Gulfstream, Federated National, Security First, United Property & Casualty and Prepared. The key Auto carriers include: Travelers, Safeco, Metlife, Progressive, Infinity and Mercury. Our team of agents will shop these and other carriers to help you find the best coverage and the best premium for your budget.

Why did you and your wife open the agency? Minnie and I opened the office two

years ago, because we wanted consumers to have more choices when it comes to homeowner’s insurance. We represent over 30 A-rated, home insurance carriers, who are actively writing policies in the area.

What is the secret to your success? We take

the time to educate our customers about their options and provide them with more choices.

This allows them to find the coverage and premium that best fits their needs.

How do most of your clients find out about your agency? Most of our business comes from

referrals from satisfied clients, mortgage brokers,

18

July 2013 | miramar town times

What is the difference between your agency and traditional agencies? The big-

gest difference is that we provide consumers with more choices. We can also provide quotes in about an hour, which makes us faster than most agencies. Traditional insurance agencies consist of agents and customer service representatives located in the same office. When the workload in a traditional agency is heavy, agents often take time away from helping new customers in order to handle customer service work.

Describe your team of customer representatives. Brightway Insurance has a team of

over 50 licensed, professional customer service representatives, who are centrally located in Jacksonville. They assist customers and take over 4,000 calls per week. We are virtually paper free and all documents are scanned into our system, giving employees access to client files with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Is Citizens the only choice for homeowner’s insurance? No. We represent more than 30 car-

riers who are writing new policies in Florida. In fact, Citizens is usually our last choice, since it now limits liability coverage to $100,000 (instead of $300,000) and excludes screen enclosures and carports from coverage. In addition, Citizens has been mandated to increase annual premiums by a minimum of 10% per year.

For most of our clients, we can provide better alternatives.

What homeowner’s insurance products do you offer? We offer Homeowner’s, Fire, Renter/ Landlord, Flood, and Personal Articles.

Why is it important to have flood insurance? Homeowner’s policies do not provide

coverage against flooding. If water comes from the outside to the inside of the home and you don’t have a flood policy, you may not be covered. We live in Florida, where we are surrounded by water. We are subject to torrential rains, so our risk can be great. If you are in a high risk area and have a mortgage, most lenders require flood insurance. If you are in a low risk area, then it’s not required. Most people are not aware, however, that about 1/3 of all flood claims come from the low risk areas. Flood insurance is very inexpensive.

What flood insurance products do you offer? We offer standard and excess flood policies.

How do you help your clients select the product that fits their needs? We begin by

understanding our clients’ needs, so we can help them select the right products. After discussing the pros and cons of each carrier, as well as coverage and price, we help clients make the best decision for their needs.

How do you help clients as their needs change? Every year, we offer clients the opportunity to review their policies and coverage to determine if their needs have changed. We also touch base with our clients a minimum of four times per year. We proactively advise clients when changes in the insurance environment affect their insurance choices.

Why is it important to have homeowner’s insurance? You never know when a disaster is

going to strike, so having home insurance provides you with peace of mind. If a disaster strikes, you know that you have the resources to rebuild and repair. Whether it is hurricanes, tornados, flooding, fire, lightning, etc., homeowners insurance provides assistance in a time of need.

Brightway Insurance helps you protect the things that are important to you.

Why is it important to have auto insurance? Since auto insurance is required by law, it

is important to protect yourself with an affordable liability policy that has enough coverage.

Liability insurance will protect you if you cause an accident. Although nobody plans to cause an accident, they do happen.

What auto insurance products do you offer? We offer Automobile, Motorcycle, and Boat.

Do you offer quotes online? Yes. Clients can complete a form on our website and we will provide them with quotes within one hour of receipt during normal business hours.

Brightway Insurance in Miramar is a bilingual office. It is located at 14453 Miramar Parkway. For information, call 954-367-8090 or visit www.brightwaymiramar.com.

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miramar town times | July 2013

19

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Can Do Kid

A Legislative Update

Miramar Student Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

Lori C. Moseley, Mayor

D

ear M iramar R esidents:

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of several pieces of legislation that may have some impact for our City.

Local Government / Claims Bill Process Reform HB 7123 did not pass. The legislation would have increased the liability cap local governments from the current amount of $300,000 to $3 million for an individual and $4.5 million per incident.

Public Meetings: Neither the Florida Constitution nor the Sunshine Law specifies that members of the public have the right to speak at public meetings. This bill creates a new section of law that requires members of the public to be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on a proposition considered by the board or commission of a state agency or local government. This opportunity to speak does not have to occur at the same meeting at which the board or commission takes official action. The bill authorizes a board or commission to adopt rules governing the opportunity to be heard. This is awaiting action by the Governor.

Liens: This removes the requirement that warranty deeds include a blank space for the grantee’s social security number. The bill also provides that a lien by a governmental or quasi-governmental entity for an improvement, service, fine, or penalty is valid against a creditor or subsequent purchaser only if the lien is properly recorded in the county in which the property is located. The bill excludes liens for taxes, non-ad valorem or special assessments, or utilities from the recording requirement. If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect October 1, 2013.

Stormwater Management Permits: The legislation authorizes municipalities and counties to adopt stormwater adaptive management plans and obtain conceptual permits for urban redevelopment projects. If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2013.

Communications Services Tax (CST), Local Business Tax (LBT), Internet Sales Tax Streamlining and/or any means of reducing these taxes did not pass.

Leadership in the House and Senate want to attempt to simplify and update the CST and LBT, particularly as technology continues to quickly evolve within the telecommunications industry as well as to address the internet sales tax collection issue. Local governments could be heavily impacted by changes in these three issue areas. The issue that is a concern is the desire to make the changes ‘revenue neutral’ to local governments. With a reformulation of the CST this may mean larger urban cities and counties would have their CST funds taper off and smaller urban municipalities would not be as impacted.

Pain Clinics and funding for Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP): As it pertained to local governments, the bill would have preempted to the state all regulation of the licensure, activity, and operation of specified pain management clinics. Currently, there is no statutory provision that expressly preempts the regulation of operations in pharmacies, health care clinics, health care facilities and pain-management clinics to the state of Florida. This did not pass.

As the 14th largest city in the State, Miramar must take a vital interest in what the Florida Legislature passes since it could have immediate and drastic impacts on our residents’ quality of life. It is our role and intent to ensure that our residents receive any benefits decided by the State and to mitigate those decisions that may have a negative impact to them as well.

Warmest regards, Lori C. Moseley Mayor

Got News?

email editor@miramartowntimes.com 20

July 2013 | miramar town times

By Julie Levin

A

local student has a new honor to add to his already

impressive list of achievements. Anthony Perez, this year’s Salutatorian at Everglades High School in Miramar, is the recipient of a prestigious national scholarship. The 18-year old was recently named a 2013 Gates Millenium Scholar. “It is a tremendous reward, opportunity and responsibility,” said Perez. “I’m very grateful to receive an award so rarely given and view it as a chance to go far with my education.”

Anthony Perez

Perez was named to the honor after compiling an impressive resume throughout his high school career. Ranked number 2 in his class with a weighted GPA of 5.25, his many accomplishments include serving as president of the Chess Club, the Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, as well as being a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies. Recently, he was a Silver Knight finalist in the science category. He’s also been honored with numerous awards, including the 2013 National Innovation Award, the 2012 Harvard Book Award, the 2013 Gold Engineering and Math Award, the 2012 Freedom Foundation Award, and AP National Scholar. “What inspires me is the need to make my family proud and a natural competitive nature, coupled with an understanding of the importance of an education and an interest in the sciences,” said Perez, who plans on attending Stanford University to study computer sciences.

Perez was also a three-time Everglades High School Science Student of the Year and a two-time Math Student of the Year. Outside the classroom, Miramar Mayor Lori C. Moseley appointed Perez to the City of Miramar Teen Council Advisory Board.

1,000 students from around the nation are named to this year’s Gates Millenium Scholarship Program and Perez is one of only five from Broward County. The other winners are Andres Badel of Deerfield Beach High School, Kiona Elliot of Northeast High School, Stephania Novembre of McArthur High School and Chanique Vassell of Boyd Anderson High School. Scholarship recipients receive scholarships that can be used to pursue degrees in any undergraduate major at the accredited college or university of their choice. The scholarship program is supported by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the United Negro College Fund.

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School News

School News

Students Pledge to Stop Bullying

Early Childhood Joins the “TOUCH” Program

By Julie Levin

F

or the second

straight year, students in Miramar and the surrounding areas went into their summer breaks vowing to do more to stop the problem of bullying. The students, in grades four through eight, literally pledged to stop bullying during two unique dance performances.

The performances, called Through the Red Door, were held May 10 at the Miramar A performance by the student dancers of the Nest Cultural Center / Arts Park. of Living Arts Performing Arts Organization Co-sponsored by the City of Miramar, Through the Red Door is an original concept created by Nolwen Lalanne, the founder and director of the Nest of Living Arts Green House Dance Company, also known as NOLA. Using the talents of students ages 12-19, the show used dancing, acting and the spoken word to educate and raise awareness about the bullying epidemic taking place in schools. Lalanne says it is a more visual and memorable way to send a message to the young audience. “I created this program because combining movement and acting with dialogue is a such a powerful visual expression of emotion and one which I felt would engage the students much more strongly than just a lecture about bullying,” said Lalanne.

The student performers also delivered personal testimonials to the audience about their own experiences with bullying.

Afterwards, the more than 1200 students watching the show from the Miramar, Everglades, West Broward, McArthur, and Flanagan zones Students take the anti-bullying pledge had their chance to act; simultaneously reciting a “Silence is Participation” anti-bullying pledge.

According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the Florida Department of Education, almost 20 percent of students nationwide say they have been bullied in 2011. Approximately 33 percent of Florida public high school students experienced some form of bullying both on school property and electronically due to their weight, size, or physical appearance, and/or because of their sexual orientation.

Miramar Mayor Lori Cohen Moseley and Commissioners Yvette Colbourne and Wayne Messam also addressed the students. Plans are to bring the Through the Red Door program back next year.

By Julie Levin

M

iramar ’ s E arly Childhood programs are expanding efforts

to make sure their young students develop and sustain healthy habits that will last a lifetime. They’ve signed on with a program that’s bring a broad approach to childcare environments when it comes to healthier diets, active lifestyles and physical fitness.

Called “TOUCH”, or “Transforming Our Community’s Health”, the initiative is sponsored by the CDC, Broward Regional Health Planning Council, The Early Learning Coalition and Family Central. “It really resonated with what we are doing in our centers already and it provides new ideas and resources,” said Karen Lewis, Miramar’s Early Childhood Superintendent.

The goal of the “TOUCH” program is to educate the children on the importance of gradually reducing the amount of sugar consumption and TV viewing time and increase the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and increasing daily physical activity. The idea is to help get the kids moving to establish good habits for the rest of their lives. TOUCH provided daily activity kits that the children can use either outdoors or inside on a rainy day. They also provided new play equipment, like hula hoops, balance beams and balls, and new ideas on how to use the equipment that is already in place. Lewis said because they are accredited preschools, outdoor play time is already a big part of their curriculum. “This helps us take it up a notch because they really target this age group,” she said. Through TOUCH, outdoor play will now include both free play and structured activities.

The TOUCH Program also provides new food for thought about nutrition. The Early Childhood Program currently participates in the Child Care Food Program through the State of Florida, and provides the children in the centers a nutritionally sound breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack each day. To supplement that, a nutritionist will visit the preschools to talk to the children about healthy choices, both in school and at home. There will also be new storybooks for the children to read. Lewis says a key part of the program is making sure they make gradual, easy changes.

“What we like about the TOUCH Program is that it is very aware that change needs to happen gradually and become part of your routine and your lifestyle,” she said. Miramar’s Early Childhood programs are licensed by the Bureau of Children and Family Services, Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Division.

The TOUCH Program is offered at the following locations: the Vicki Coceano Youth Center, Miramar Civic Center, Sunset Lakes and Silver Shores. For more information, visit the City’s website at http://www. ci.miramar.fl.us/socialservices/childhood/

Student dancers led by Nest of Living Arts founder and director Nolwen Lalanne (center)

22

July 2013 | miramar town times

eye care

Guide to Summer Eye Care MiraMar The Fountains of Miramar (Next to El Fogon) Dr. Michael Chesen 2909 Dykes Rd., Miramar, FL • 954-437-9733

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ow that summer has finally arrived, it is time

to keep your eyes protected from summertime hazards.

Here are some tips to stay safe in the sun:

▸▸ Make sure you have sunglasses with 100% UV Protection – and try to wear them every time you go outside. If your glasses don’t guard against 100% of UV rays, they may be resulting in more harm than benefit. Be aware that proper UV blockage doesn’t necessarily cost more – plenty of reasonably priced brands provide full UV blockage. ▸▸ Choose shades with more surface area. In the realm of UV defense, the larger the better. Try to opt for a pair with wraparound frames and wide lenses. ▸▸ Wear a broad brimmed hat or visor. While glasses are a good first UV barrier, a wide brimmed hat will provide the extra protection you need to guard your eyes from the sun’s rays. ▸▸ Sport sunglasses on overcast days. Even when the sun doesn’t seem to be shining, UV rays are still able to peek through the clouds and harm your eyes. Don’t let a cloudy day fool you.

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July 2013 | miramar town times

▸▸ Keep sunglasses protected. Your sunglasses are a precious commodity and should be treated accordingly. It’s worth it to keep them in a closed place to keep them free from scratches, breaks and dirt. ▸▸ Stay hydrated. Drinking a minimum of 2 liters of water a day will not only keep you and your skin hydrated, but it will keep your eyes moist and hydrated as well. ▸▸ Stay away from midday sun. Stay indoors as much as possible particularly in the late morning and afternoon when the sun is at its strongest and the highest levels of UV are in the atmosphere. ▸▸ Consider purchasing polarized lenses. Since they reduce glare from reflective surfaces, polarized lenses are great for water-based activities and driving. ▸▸ Use goggles when swimming to safeguard your eyes from bacteria in the water or swimming pool chemicals. Make sure the goggles have UV defense UV resistant as well, since sunlight reflects off water and can double UV exposure. ▸▸ Be careful with sunscreen. When applied too close to the eyes there is a chance it will enter the eye and cause discomfort.

For further assistance with your summer eye care and eyewear needs, contact Dr. Michael Chesen at 954-437-9733. Pearle Vision is located at 2909 Dykes Rd., in the Fountains of Miramar Shopping Plaza.

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Ask the expert

Flat Feet & Tight Calf Muscles: A Bad Combination

By Robert H. Sheinberg, D.P.M.

T

he foot has two primary functions during

gait. It first acts as a shock absorber when the foot hits the ground. This helps soften the impact during walking and running. Once it is ready to push off it acts as a rigid lever.

This helps the foot plant to the ground very firmly and allows a person to push off very smoothly and efficiently.

Flat feet occur when the ligaments connecting the bones together are loose. They allow the foot to act like a loose bag of bones when they hit the ground. This allows the foot to absorb shock very well. However, it does not allow it to act like a rigid lever during push off. In an attempt to stabilize the arch and to improve walking and running the muscles in the lower leg have to work harder than normal during activity. These muscles usually fatigue prematurely, causing pain. Pain may also be present in the inner knee and the lower back region as well as the body tries to stabilize an unstable foot.

Call the Pest Control Professionals Home · Business · Commercial The calf muscle is the large muscle in the back of the lower leg. When this muscle is excessively tight it puts further stress on the arch causing the arch to flatten further. The muscles have to work even harder, making it difficult for children and teenagers to participate in sports and activities without a significant amount of discomfort and fatigue.

Verifying this combination is critical to the overall wellness of an individual.

If the calf muscle is excessively tight it should be put in a cast to stretch it. Once the calf muscle is stretched then an orthotic is made for the foot to give it better balance and position. Occasionally physical therapy is necessary to keep the muscles flexible and to also improve overall coordination and balance in the person experiencing the problems. This produces a great long-term outcome.

A failure to diagnose and correctly treat this problem will almost always lead to long-term problems. These include chronic pain and possible arthritis in the foot and ankle. It will also aggravate underlying knee and back problems. The earlier the treatment, the better the long-term result. Orthotics should not be made until the calf muscles have been adequately stretched out.

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July 2013 | miramar town times

Robert Sheinberg, DPM, is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Diplomat American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He is a partner in Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in treating infants, children, teens and adults. His partners are Dr. Al DeSimone, Dr. Fernando Moya, Dr. Alexander Bertot, Dr. Mark Fishman, Dr. Carlo Messina, Dr. David Shenassa, and Dr. Nathan Vela. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine in Weston is located at 1600 Town Center Blvd., Suite C, (954) 389-5900 and in Pembroke Pines at 17842 NW 2nd Street, (954) 430-9901.

Real Estate

Pet of the month

Tight Supply of Homes for Sale Continues to Frustrate Buyers

By Patrick Simm

D

emand for homes nationwide and, in particu -

lar, South Florida continues to remain strong. Buyers are rushing to purchase properties before home prices are not affordable. Leading this eccentric buying frenzy are cash transactions by international buyers, along with Wall Street hedge funds/Investment firms who are taking advantage of the current opportunity. This segment of buyers is a large part of the reason that we are now experiencing an astounding 18%20% appreciation rate in most areas of South Florida.

This shrinking supply of homes for sale continues to create havoc for buyers and has placed many at the mercy of sellers. Buyers literally have very little time to view and make offers on newly listed homes for sale. The thought of viewing a home and then wanting time to think about making an offer are long gone.

Many of the properties attract bidding wars! Sellers are, without a doubt, in control and many times accept all cash offers at asking price or above that waive contingencies fort appraisals and/or inspections. This, in turn, creates a burden on buyers who rely on lender financing and are in need of a seller’s assistance in the form of a monetary credit towards their closing costs. Most recently, circumstances whereby sellers have been willing to assist buyers with closing costs have been almost non-existent.

S

noopy is a male three -year old pure bred B eagle . H is favor -

ite person is his mommy and grandma because they love to baby him.

Snoopy loves teddy bears and especially likes tearing them up. He also loves the outdoors, smelling trails of other animals, eating, and loves play fighting. He also likes shredding tissue paper and sitting comfortably with people. He hates when other dogs get more attention than him, when someone tells him to get off the couch, or when you move him while he’s sleeping. His favorite things to do are eating and taking drives with his head out of the window.

Your Pet Could Be Our Pet of the Month!

Escalating home prices combined with rising mortgage interest rates have created a greater urgency to buy now. The tendency in these situations is for people, both buyers and sellers, to become irrational. Sellers tend to ask more for the properties than the property is worth. Buyers, on the other hand, seem to give in to the price demand. The encouraging news is that prices are still moderate; mortgage rates are still low, hovering around 4% for a 30-year fixed loan; and it’s still a great time to buy in South Florida!

This scenario brings back harsh memories of the 2005 housing era. The major difference is that back then creative financing in the mortgage lending industry was more prominent. The present infrastructure is much stronger, because a large percentage of sales are cash transactions. This element alone will make a huge difference when this market cycle begins to settle down. The market, like almost everything in life, is cyclical, so at some point in the near future it’s going to change. Leading indicators abound that can cause us to speculate, but we just don’t know exactly when.

Patrick Simm, Managing Director of the Simmsational Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Realty Partners SW can be contacted at 954-709-8258 for all your Real Estate related questions and/or inquiries.

Visit www.PatrickSimm.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/OneCoolRealtor.

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July 2013 | miramar town times

Every month Miramar Times randomly picks a pet of the month winner. Enter your pet today!

Email entries to Editor@MiramarTownTimes.com.

Please send a high-resolution photo with your entry.

Tell us a little bit about your pet…

Animal name & breed:______________________________________ Age and gender of animal:__________________________________ Favorite person:___________________________________________ Favorite toy:______________________________________________ Likes & dislikes:____________________________________________ Favorite thing to do:________________________________________ Last seen:________________________________________________

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29

Legally Speaking

How to Effectively Wipe Out Second Mortgages, Avoid Foreclosure and Stay in Your Home

By Omar J. Arcia, Esq. Foreclosure Defense and Bankruptcy Protection Attorney

T

housands of homeowners in our community are 20-50%

upside-down on their home mortgages and are looking for a way out. Some are frustrated in their attempts to modify their home loans, and others simply choose to give up their home because they don’t know or are unsure of their rights. Wouldn’t it be much easier to save your home if you only had a first mortgage to worry about? Also, since the real estate market is improving, think of all the equity you could build up years from now if you could wipe out your second mortgage or credit line today?

For homeowners who have taken out a second mortgage on their home and lines of credit, facing our current economic climate can be particularly challenging. This is especially true if the second mortgage or credit line is about to convert or has converted from an interest only to a principal plus interest payment. Additional liens on your home beyond your initial mortgage, however, can be wiped out through a Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy filing. When mortgage liens are removed from a property during bankruptcy proceedings, it is referred to as “stripping” the lien.

Many bankruptcy courts permit a second mortgage or line of credit to be extinguished if the total amount owed on the first mortgage exceeds the fair market value of the home. For example, if you owe $200,000 on the first mortgage of your principal residence, and $150,000 on your second mortgage of that same residence, BUT your principal residence is only worth $195,000, the $150,000 second mortgage would be wiped out in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy without any tax consequences. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, second mortgages and lines of credit can also be completely eliminated down to the appraised value of the home on investment properties.

To qualify, the court will generally require proof that the home is worth less than the amount owed on the first mortgage, which can be established through a certified appraisal that is accepted by the court. In an environment where home prices in most markets have fallen at least 30% or more, many borrowers could qualify for this option.

Tax liens and association liens can also be stripped off in Chapter 13 reorganization proceedings to the extent that the lien does not attach to equity in the property. More importantly, if your income level qualifies, you will be able to catch up on any past due mortgage payments through affordable installments spread out over 3-5 years, or even modify your first mortgage through a loss mitigation program offered by South Florida bankruptcy courts. This allows you and your family to stay in your home, and none of your creditors will be able to contact you, harass you with annoying phone calls or proceed with a foreclosure during the bankruptcy.

More detailed explanations of different options available to homeowners in foreclosure, at risk of foreclosure, or considering bankruptcy are discussed in a new consumer-friendly DVD developed by the Arcia Law Firm entitled “Fight For Your Home,” available for purchase on our website. If you mention that you heard about the DVD through this magazine, you will receive a FREE copy during the appointment to discuss your case in detail with a member of our qualified legal team.

If you are struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments, or if you just received a foreclosure summons, contact the Arcia Law Firm today at 954-437-9066 to schedule a free consultation, or visit www. arcialawfirm.com for more information.

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July 2013 | miramar town times

Photo contest

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SEEN ON SCENE Military Appreciation

Dolphins Go Mini Golfing

Miami Dolphins players Brandon Fields and Marcus Thigpen share their mini-golf skills with youngsters from Henry S. Reeves Elementary School during an end of the year celebration at Monster Mini Golf in Miramar. Other players taking to the course included Dan Carpenter, John Denney, John Jerry, Jorvorskie Lane, Richard Marshall, Rishard Matthews, Lamar Miller, Kyle Miller, Marvin McNutt, Mike Pouncey, Josh Samuda, Austin Spitler and Jason Trusnik.

Photo credit: Miami Dolphins

Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley was among the many volunteers that came together recently to make care packages to send to troops overseas. The event, held at the Urban League of Broward County, was organized by the Broward League of Cities. The packages also included letters of support from school children and elected officials in Broward County.

Rotary Honor

Robert Goltz, President and CEO of the Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce was honored recently by the Rotary Club of Miramar Pines with its Paul Harris Fellow Award. The award is the highest honor that a non-Rotarian may receive from the organization.

Scholarship Winners

Natalie Giron (Flanagan High School), Jhanelle Neita (Everglades High School) and Tamara Watson (Flanagan High School) show off their scholarship certificates from the Miramar-Pembroke Pines Kiwanis chapter. Each student selected received $500 towards their college education expenses. Funds for the scholarships were raised during the Kiwanis group’s recent Pancake Festival.

Giving Back

Representatives from Whole Foods, Pembroke Pines recently presented a check for $3,700 to the Miramar Cultural Trust, which was the latest beneficiary of the store’s 5% Community Day. Each quarter Whole Foods selects a local nonprofit to participate in this unique opportunity where five percent of the net daily sales are donated to the nonprofit.

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July 2013 | miramar town times

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