Our City Plantation: March 2023

MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS

NEUROTOXINS

DERMAL FILLERS

BODY CONTOURING LASERS

HORMONE THERAPY

HAIR RESTORATION

SEXUAL ENHANCEMENT SERVICES

WE ARE THE GOLD STANDARD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gaby

more than 16 years of experience in the real estate sold more than $600 million in real estate alongside has helped hundreds of people realize their real full-service Realtor®, She works with buyers, sellers, investors in real estate transactions. Gaby is currently top 1% of all realtors in Broward County among estate agents. also a former Journalist and Marketing Specialist, her analytical perspective to assist her clients in decision-making. She understands one of the most difficult consumers is dealing with an unresponsive agent.

Makes Xtreme International

Different

International Realty is a family-owned company founded dynamic duo of Gaby and Tony Martinez. Tony, a renowned real estate trainer, brings his wealth of knowledge to the table. The Martinez family strongly believes others is the key to both happiness and success. crisis, such as hurricanes or pandemics, the Xtreme quick to mobilize and organize food drives, providing disaster zones. Moreover, the family has partnered with Leanette Fernandez from Benchmark Mortgage to drive for less privileged elementary schools in County for the past five years, bringing joy to over 800 every year during the holiday season. Witnessing the these children’s faces on delivery day is a truly experience, and it is something that the Xtreme family a part of.

Contributed to Gaby’s Success?

Gaby’s most valuable qualities are patience and standing, and she applies these every day in her business. English and Spanish and also speaks Portuguese. mentoring new and seasoned real estate agents to achieve success. What sets Gaby apart from other real is that she makes herself available to her customers just a phone call away. No matter if it’s a holiday or you will always have Gaby by your side.

Words to Live By

“Completely immerse yourself in training. You need to know Nowadays, customers have access to anything: anyone computer or a cellphone can find a property online. If you succeed and convince a customer to work with you, you knowledgeable.”

PUBLISHERS

Christy & Terry Jaillet publisher@ourcitymedia.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Christy Jaillet

ART DIRECTOR

Tom Rowe

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Alana Brodie

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Nancy Koval nancy@ourcitymedia.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

John Brodie, Denise Caligiuri, Adrienne Collins, Mariem Garcia, Caleb Furlong, Carlos Medina, Kenny Rodgers, Silvia Silva

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jon Duka, Terry Jaillet, Dr. Robert Donoway, Dr. Micheal Cohen, Andrea L. Jakob, Mayor Nick Sortal ADVERTISING INFO sales@ourcitymedia.com

VISIT US ONLINE ourcitymedia.com

954-306-1007

400 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway Suite 200C • Sunrise, FL 33325

GOT NEWS? EMAIL THE EDITOR! editor@ourcitymedia.com

Sonia “Gaby” Martinez

Chief Operating Officer/Broker/Owner

Xtreme International Realty

THE BEST IN COLLEGE PREP

JOIN

(for students entering Grades K-12 only)

November 8, 2022 9:15am

To speak with an admissions coordinator, call 954-262-4506 or email uschooladmissions@nova.edu.

March Is Women’s History Month

This year, Women's History Month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate once again and honor the women who have made a significant impact on our society.

Over the past decades, we have seen incredible advancements in women's rights and empowerment, and we must continue to strive toward equality and equity for all women.

As we recognize the achievements of women in our community, it is important to also acknowledge the challenges that still exist. Despite the progress we have made, women continue to face barriers in many areas, including pay equity, representation in leadership roles, and access to education and healthcare.

However, the inspiring women who have come before us give us hope and motivation to keep fighting for a better future. Women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who broke down gender barriers in the legal field and became an iconic figure for women's rights, serve as a reminder of the power and potential of women.

Women's History Month is not just about celebrating the past, but it is also about inspiring the next generation of women to reach their full potential. Let us continue to uplift, empower, and celebrate women in all their diverse and incredible forms. Here's to another year of honoring the women who have made and continue to make history!

Sincerely,

Christy & Terry Jaillet

MARCH 3

Rock the Park Free Concert

The 2022-23 Rock the Park Concert series are free, outdoor, live musical events held on the first Friday of every month through April. The events take place at Plantation Central Park’s ball fields, located at 600 Central Park Drive. This month’s event will feature The Rock Show Band, specializing in 60s, 70s, and 80s rock and roll. Food trucks start serving at 6:00 p.m., and the music begins at 7:00 p.m. No dogs allowed. Participants are encouraged to bring their blankets and/or lawn chairs to set on the lawn while they enjoy tunes outdoors.

MARCH 4

Plantation Farmers Market

Plantation hosts a Farmers Market featuring fresh, certified Organic and non-Organic produce, locally produced honey, homemade hummus, plants and orchids, fresh cut flowers, breads and Danishes, olive oils, cheeses, dips, spreads and more. It is located at Volunteer Park, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more info call 954-452-2558.

MARCH 4

Broward County Waterway Cleanup

Join your neighbors across Broward County’s largest and longest-running environmental events. The annual event brings volunteers together for one today to celebrate our beautiful environment and remove trash from our community and waterways. There are over 30 locations across the county where you can help make a difference. 9:00 am till 1:00 pm. Scan the QR code to register and select a location. Turn to page 22 for more info.

MARCH 8

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.

MARCH 11

Yoga in The Park

Get your weekend stretch in with FREE Yoga in the Park every Saturday! 9:3010:30 AM at Jim Ward Park, 301 NW 46th Ave. No registration required! For more information call (954) 452-2510.

MARCH 13

Flamingo Gardens Orchid Society

Spring forward with Flamingo Gardens Orchid Society! This month FGOS members will present "Orchid Repotting, Dividing and Culture Discussion" followed by a Q & A session. Doors open at 7:00 pm, the program begins at 7:30 pm at Flamingo Gardens, Mary N Porter Learning Center, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie.

MARCH 14

Senior Cinema: The Whale Seniors 55+ are invited to enjoy a movie at the Jim Ward Community Center every Tuesday at 10:30 am (second showing at 6:00 pm). Freshly popped popcorn and light refreshments will be provided. This week’s movie will be the award-winning film “The Whale” starring Brendan Fraser. For more info please call (954) 585-2344. Hows at the Jim Ward Community Center, 301 NW 46th Avenue.

Now’s the Right Time

Terms and conditions: O er redeemable only when customer purchases a qualifying Generac PWRcell Solar + Battery Storage System from an authorized Generac dealer* and registers the PWRcell Solar + Battery Storage System on Generac.com. O er not available at retail, wholesale, or e-commerce businesses where Generac PWRcell Solar + Battery Storage Systems are sold. Refurbished products are excluded from this o er. PWRcell Solar + Battery Storage System must be installed and activated in order for the customer to be eligible to receive the Ecobee Smart Thermostat. Proof of purchase along with other documentation may be required to be submitted to receive this o er. Individual prices may vary. Generac reserves the right to modify and/or rescind this o er at any time without notice. O er valid only on qualifying purchases made in the United States (excluding American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada. Customer has 60 days from the day of PWRcell Solar + Battery Storage System registration to redeem their o er for an Ecobee Smart Thermostat.

MARCH 16-19

St. David Carnival

Bring the whole family to a fantastic carnival. Rides & attractions for all ages. Grab something to eat at the International food court or country store. Free parking. 3900 S. University Dr, Davie. For more info call 954-475-8046 or visit www.saintdavid.org.

MARCH 18

Florida AIDS Walk & Festival

While HIV and AIDS have fallen out of the spotlight in recent years, the epidemic is far from over. An estimated 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV, and 15% of them don’t know it. Florida AIDS Walk works to bring attention to this pressing issue, educate and inspire our community to work together, and end the epidemic once and for all. We walk for the more than 100,000 people living with HIV in Florida. We walk to remember those who no longer can.

MARCH 17

St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrated on the 17th of March every year, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most popular days of the year to travel to Dublin. For centuries, the Irish have celebrated the day as both a religious and social holiday. South Florida has become one of the go-to locations to celebrate Saint Patricks day in the United States. So, kiss me if you’re Irish.

MARCH 22

Hump Day Food Trucks

Skip the cooking on Wednesday evenings and instead pick up delicious food at our Drive-Thru Food Truck Event!

From 5PM - 9PM every Wednesday you can stop by Volunteer Park and order food from a variety of food trucks.

Volunteer Park, 12050 W Sunrise Blvd.

7:00 am till 3:00 pm at Fort Lauderdale Beach and Park, 1100 Seabreeze Blvd. Visit www.floridaaidswalk.org for more info.

MARCH 25

Plantation Farmers' Market

Plantation hosts a Farmers Market featuring fresh, certified Organic and non-Organic produce, locally produced honey, homemade hummus, plants and orchids, fresh cut flowers, breads and Danishes, olive oils, cheeses, dips, spreads and more. It is located at Volunteer Park, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more info call 954-452-2558.

MARCH 18

Courage to Fight Gun Violence

AAUW Weston and Mujeres Latinas empowering women will hold a public meeting on Gabby Giffords’ legacy on “Courage to Fight Gun Violence” from 2 – 4 pm at Weston Community Center, 20200 Saddle Club Road, Weston, 33327. All are welcome to attend. For more information, email westonaauw@gmail.com.0.

Meet a Wellpath Healthcare Hero from Broward County

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have two siblings — a younger brother and an older sister.

Growing up, I lacked confidence. I was very timid and shy. I didn’t like being involved in anything because of my speech impediment. My mom was my biggest supporter, she pushed me to give my best and to not be concerned about what others think.

Kayla Brantley, RN, BSN

Director of Nursing

Joseph V. Conte Facility

Joined Wellpath in 2019

Initially, I started working at a nursing facility, but I soon realized there was a greater purpose waiting for me in corrections. It was the best decision I ever made.

What is your Wellpath career path?

“I soon realized there was a greater purpose waiting for me in corrections. It was the best decision I ever made.”

Today I live in Plantation, Florida with my husband of 10 years (Will), my 3 children (Trey, Zoe, and Greyson) and my dog (Ginger). I love to travel, exercise and spend quality time with family and friends.

My career at Wellpath has been nearly four years in the making. Initially, I started as a part-time night shift charge nurse. That eventually led to a fulltime night shift equivalent. I eventually transitioned to the full-time charge nurse position, which led to my current position as the Director of Nursing. Wellpath has an unparalleled managerial support staff. They foster an environment of personal and

professional growth that creates opportunities for advancement. What is the best part about your work?

I can proudly say I love my job! I enjoy working with talented professionals who truly care about improving their patient’s health. I’m proud of this institution and look forward to building a better Wellpath in the future. Is it unsafe to work in a jail?

I understand the apprehension of working in corrections. I, too, thought the opportunity may be unsafe. This is a myth. The truth is Wellpath is fostering a safe and healthy environment which is noticed as soon as you walk in the door. The security staff is great at making sure the nursing staff is able to get their job done safely and effectively.

MOBILE SCHOOL PANTRY DELIVERS FOR HUNGRY STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Mobile School Pantry is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization established in 2013 to help alleviate hunger through the provision of nutritious food to children and their families at Title 1 Schools in South Florida.

The Mobile Pantry affords the chance to reach a greater number of schools and families, allowing them to serve those who are unable to access a food pantry in their neighborhoods with little burden for the school.

One in five children in South Florida live in food-insecure households. Mobile School Pantry understands that hunger is a reality facing children and families in our communities and gives families an opportunity to get fresh fruits and vegetables in their neighborhoods with very little burder on schools.

How Mobile School Pantry Works

MSP works with schools to establish a pop up Client Choice pantry on site. Students and their families can access nutritious food items from these pantries

with no questions asked. The goal of the school pantry program is to provide not only food but connections to additional services for the family in order to achieve long-term solutions to end hunger and malnutrition.

Children and families are referred to the Pantry by the guidance counselor or social worker at the school. There are two qualifications to participate in the programStudents must be enrolled in a participating school and need a helping hand.

MSP offers a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, and non-perishable food items in a farmer's market-style atmosphere at no charge to families in need of food assistance. The program operates once a month at each school. During this time, they distribute an average of 14,000 pounds of food items and serve 450 to 750 children and families.

How You Can Help

There are a number of ways community members can help MSP end hunger. Financial donations are always welcome.

A Culture Of Caring

At Oakmonte Village of Davie, our every effort is dedicated to the safety, comfort, and care of our residents. Our entire staff is continuously practicing infection-control procedures to ensure that both residents and staff stay healthy and happy.

Oakmonte Village of Davie’s beautiful 199-unit boutique-style Luxury Senior Living Community offers a continuum of care for seniors including Catered Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care. We also offer restaurant-style dining, luxurious accommodations, washers and dryers in each apartment, a wellness center, 80-foot pool, activities & more. If you are ready, your new home awaits! Please call 954-982-2323 or visit us online at www.OakmonteVillageDavie.com.

In addition, MSP accepts anything from cases to truckloads of food and non-food items that are dry-stored, frozen, fruits and vegetables, meat products, or surplus; and for any of the following reasons: surplus or seasonally packaged, cosmetically damaged or code-dated, unlabeled or mislabeled, discontinued or test-market, private-label brands, or under/over-weight items.

MSP welcomes volunteers ages 14 and older. On the day of the pickup, fresh produce and other nutritional goods are sourced from several local partners and are delivered to an outdoor packing location. A limited number of volunteers pack all items. The families are then able to select the items they would like, using reusable bags, helping to lower food waste.

▸ Mobile School Pantry's (MSP) mission is to provide nutritious, healthy grocery items to students and families at low-income schools throughout South Florida. If you know a child or a family that may benefit from their program visit www. mobileschoolpantry.com.

We are conveniently located 4 Miles West of the Florida Turnpike in Davie, next to the David Posnack JCC.

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIRES YET ANOTHER INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

Dr. Earlean Smiley agreed to terms with Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) to serve as the school district’s interim superintendent. The retired school administrator was selected by the school board in a 7-2 vote. She was Superintendent of McCormick County Public School District in South Carolina from 2010 to 2013 and was the Principal of Blanche Ely High School. School Board negotiations were led by Chair Lori Alhadeff. Smiley’s compensation package is said to be valued at approximately $300,000.

The move comes after the departure of controversial Superintendent Dr. Vickie Cartwright. After agreeing to a separation agreement, Cartwright said, “I am confident that the district will continue to thrive under new leadership, and I do wish the district continued success in the future. Thank you for your support and your understanding.”

Smiley’s initial focus will be on improving the culture within the district’s administration.

“I’ve heard many board members talk about toxic culture,” Smiley said, “I want to move out of the culture that we’re in, to a

culture where we can thrive at every level.”

Smiley, who is 71 years old, will fill the role as the School District looks for its fourth leader in just three years.

“She has a no-nonsense personality, and I believe that is what Broward County Public Schools needs right now,” said Broward School Board Chair Lori Alhadeff, “This is how I know that she’s going to be tough but fair and a very strong leader.”

Leadership at BCPS has been a political hotbed since the Tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The fact that the school board and Dr. Cartwright were frequently at odds with Governor Ron Desantis during the COVID pandemic made matters only more difficult. Desantis frequently quarreled with Broward County over back-to-school rules and mask requirements.

The rift between Tallahassee and BCPS culminated when Desantis removed four board members last August. He had convened a Grand Jury to investigate the root causes of the Parkland tragedy and used his powers as governor to remove the board members after the grand jury’s findings suggested the

school board was partially at fault.

Desantis' hand-picked replacement board members were at odds with Cartwright from the moment they took their seats, eventually voting to terminate her during a late-night meeting just days before three of them were to be replaced following the November election. In a twist of fate worthy of a TV melodrama, Cartwright was reinstated by the new board two weeks later, only to be pushed out for good a month later.

Dr. Smiley will remain interim superintendent until the board recruits a new, permanent leader. Finding the best candidate to lead the nation’s sixth-largest school district will likely be a challenge, given the chaotic history of the last three years. Dr. Cartwright was hired after former Superintendent Dr. Robert Runcie was indicted for allegedly lying to a grand jury in 2021.

“We’re not looking to rush it, but we want to make sure that we have Dr. Smiley in place for enough time for us to be able to do the national search for a permanent superintendent,” said Alhadeff.

THE PLANTATION PRESERVE GOLF COURSE Hires New General Manager

Kathryn Marlow, the former principal at Seminole Middle School has a new career: She's the new General Manager of the Plantation Preserve Golf & Club.

Kathryn earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a Major in Management from Florida International University. During her educational endeavor, Kathryn attended college as an exchange student abroad at the prestigious Cambridge University in England. She fell ‘in love’ with history and pursued an educational career teaching Social Studies in Broward County. Kathryn earned her Master’s degree in Ed Leadership at Florida Atlantic University while continuing to teach full-time.

She rose through the ranks first as an Assistant Principal at South Plantation High School which ultimately led to being appointed Principal at Seminole Middle School in Plantation in 2010. She served as Principal there for the next 12

years. Kathryn retired from the school system after 34 years of Public Service.

Kathryn is a sports enthusiast with Football and Golf as her top two sports to watch and follow. Her love of golf ran so deep that she started a golf team at Seminole Middle School to bring the joy of golf to the students at her school. As a result, Seminole Middle School produced the 1st Place Girls Single Champion at the County Championship after only two years of the team’s existence. Kathryn never missed a golf tournament.

When not working or watching Football or Golf, Kathryn really enjoys cooking and spending a lot of time outdoors. She is a huge animal lover and has an intense interest in tropical fish maintaining two large tanks at her home in Plantation. Kathryn is married to Jon her husband of 27 years and they reside in Plantation with their two sons Tyler & Dylan. Jon is currently a high school principal for Broward County Public

Schools in Deerfield Beach. Kathryn and Jon have been residents of Plantation for the past 30 years.

▸ Plantation Preserve Golf Course is located at 7050 W Broward Blvd. The course is owned by the City of Plantation and is one of South Florida's finest public golf courses. For Scan the QR code for T-times or more info.

GIS MAPPING BRINGS NEW INSIGHTS TO PLANTATION EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS

By E.F. Israel

When the U.S. Department of Transportation mandated that every city in the nation evaluate each of its street signs for their “retroreflective quality,” – how well a sign reflects light so it can be read in the dark -- the City of Plantation knew it had a daunting task on its hands. The city didn’t have the technology or the manpower to inspect, repair and/or replace its more than 5,000 signs. The project remained on the back burner for years.

Plantation Department of Public Works staff member Allison Bruegger had an idea. Why not use the cutting-edge tools of GIS to chart the path to a solution?

GIS – short for geographic information systems – is a powerful software mapping system that’s changing how location-based work gets done. A cousin of the GPS on your smartphone, it incorporates complex, customized data that keeps ongoing work organized and provides insights, real-time information and updates on a project’s progress.

Sign by sign, street by street, the “impossible” job is getting done. Bruegger recently presented the results of her team’s successful effort to the Broward County GIS Users Group, a quarterly meeting of public and private-sector users engaged with the technology.

“It was a really good example to share,” she said, noting that other cities are dealing with similar street sign issues. “I’m glad I have colleagues I can reach out to. Broward County is doing a lot of work with GIS.

$15

Bruegger, a GIS Analyst, put together a plan to attack the problem using a GIS-generated map. She partnered with Paul Gallagher, hired in 2021 as a GIS Collector, who went into the streets of Plantation armed with a GIS-equipped iPad, charting the location of each sign and noting what work needed to be done. That technology linked up with Plantation’s sign shop, which documented repair and replacement in real-time.

Photo By: The City Of Plantation

Help Make Broward County Beautiful at the Waterway Cleanup

Boward County Waterway Cleanup will be held on Saturday, March 4th, 2023. The cleanup is open to volunteers of all ages and is a great way for students to earn community service hours. This year’s event will be hosted at more than 30 different locations across the county.

The Broward County Waterway Cleanup, organized by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, is the county’s largest and longest-running environmental event.

The first Waterway Cleanup was held in the late 1970s to help ensure that both the community and the marine industry could enjoy our local waterways.

Last year more than 1,100 volunteers of all ages joined with more than 300 boats/personal watercraft throughout 35 sites across Broward County to remove 25 tons of trash and debris from our inland waterways.

To volunteer for the event, you must first complete the registration form and sign the waiver. When registering, you will be asked to choose one of our more than 30 site locations to clean up at.

Once you have registered, on the day of the event, you will arrive at your site location, and a site coordinator will provide you with additional instructions on cleaning up at that specific location.

Participants are strongly recommended to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for the event. Each volunteer will receive a Waterway Cleanup T-Shirt. The event is open to all ages. However, kids 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Ghea Adeboyejo, MD & Krista Kant,

MD

About Dr. Adeboyejo and Dr. Kant

Dr. Adeboyejo and Dr. Kant provide women’s health care from adolescence through menopause. By listening and educating, we are able to help women make the best choices for their wellness.

Dr. Adeboyejo is Chair of the Department of Maternal/Child Health at the new HCA University Hospital on Nova University’s campus; she leads a team dedicated to bringing cutting-edge medical excellence to all women in South Florida. With a disposition as calming and positive as Dr. Ghea Adeboyejo’s, it’s no wonder why she has become one of South Florida’s most sought-after OB/GYNs.

Dr. Kant grew up in coastal Alabama. After completing her schooling and training, she was in private practice for ten years as a general OB/GYN in Clearwater. She relocated to the Fort Lauderdale area in 2019 and has been practicing as an OB hospitalist until joining Oasis in February 2022. She loves the personal connection with her patients that private practice provides. Her general interests include well-woman care, contraception, sexual health, low-risk and high-risk obstetrics, gynecologic surgery, abnormal uterine bleeding, postmenopause, and perimenopause.

What Makes Their Practice Unique

Both Dr. Kant and Dr. Adeboyejo have spent years practicing obstetrics and gynecology, serving the women of Florida. They are intimately aware of what has worked well in women’s healthcare and what has not. They know what it feels like to be uncomfortable in a doctor’s office and set out to design a healthcare experience to put women at ease. They offer the same level of up-to-date care, comfort, and accessibility that they expect for themselves, family, and their neighbors to every patient.

What Contributed to Their Success?

Both doctors contribute a significant amount of their success to their extensive clinical experience, approachability, and willingness to think outside the way things have always been done helps

Obstetrician Gynecologists

Oasis Obstetrics & Gynecology

to set us apart. In 2022 they launched Oasis Obstetrics and Gynecology. They operate their business with the mindset that: “empowered women empower women.” When you authentically love what you do, it shines through. They are changing the way women experience and expect health care.

Something to know about Dr. Adeboyejo and Dr. Kant

When they met four years ago, they instantly clicked because they had the same love for what they do and shared a vision to take women’s care to the next level. They love being part of the community and seeing patients through every phase of their wellness journey. The team of healthcare professionals at Oasis OB/GYN share the same passion and integrity.

Dr. Carolina Vera

Aesthetic Physician

The Vera Medical Institute

About Dr. Vera

Dr. Vera specializes in nonsurgical treatments to help patients in their journey to achieve the best versions of themselves. Originally from Colombia, Dr. Vera moved with her parents and sister to Fort Lauderdale when she was just nine years old. Armed with intelligence, determination, passion and street smarts, she graduated at the top of her high school class and had the prestigious honor of being immediately accepted into Nova Southeastern University Medical School’s dual admissions program straight out of high school.

Being passionate about saving lives, Dr. Vera was drawn to Trauma and Emergency Medicine, eventually becoming a full-time Emergency Room physician in Broward and Dade Counties. Her relentless drive for excellence helped save countless lives. After a successful ten-year career in the ER, Dr. Vera decided to open a private practice to pursue her other passion: Aesthetics.

The Vera Medical Institute is the culmination of Dr. Vera’s twin passions and abilities: her eye for aesthetics and her skill as a physician. She is on the cutting edge of age management medicine, a proactive and preventative approach focused on optimal human function, appearance and quality of life.

What The Vera Medical Institute Different

Dr. Vera and her team take great pride in offering the latest and proven-to-work technologies in the industry. She treats every patient individually and tailors each treatment to their specific needs. They offer every aesthetic treatment under one roof, so patients never need to go elsewhere. The practice has won Our City Plantation’s Best of Plantation award for three years running!

What Contributed to Dr. Vera’s Success

Dr. Vera credits treating people as individuals as a key to her success. She approaches every patient uniquely and seeks to understand that what you see on the outside is a reflection of what is on the inside and offering treatments that will help both.

Something to know about Dr. Vera

Dr. Vera’s passion and professional mission is to help her patients feel confident and beautiful in their own skin without invasive surgical procedures, while maintaining a natural appearance.

Sonia “Gaby” Martinez

Chief Operating Officer/Broker/Owner

Xtreme International Realty

About Gaby

Gaby has more than 16 years of experience in the real estate industry, has sold more than $600 million in real estate alongside her team, and has helped hundreds of people realize their real estate dream.

As a full-service Realtor®, She works with buyers, sellers, renters and investors in real estate transactions. Gaby is currently ranked in the top 1% of all realtors in Broward County among 42,500 real estate agents.

Gaby is also a former Journalist and Marketing Specialist, so she brings her analytical perspective to assist her clients in their decision-making. She understands one of the most difficult frustrations of consumers is dealing with an unresponsive agent.

What Makes Xtreme International Realty Different

Xtreme International Realty is a family-owned company founded by the dynamic duo of Gaby and Tony Martinez. Tony, a renowned speaker and real estate trainer, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. The Martinez family strongly believes that helping others is the key to both happiness and success. In times of crisis, such as hurricanes or pandemics, the Xtreme family is quick to mobilize and organize food drives, providing aid to disaster zones. Moreover, the family has partnered with the likes of Leanette Fernandez from Benchmark Mortgage to sponsor a toy drive for less privileged elementary schools in Broward County for the past five years, bringing joy to over 800 children every year during the holiday season. Witnessing the happiness on these children’s faces on delivery day is a truly fulfilling experience, and it is something that the Xtreme family is proud to be a part of.

What Contributed to Gaby’s Success?

Two of Gaby’s most valuable qualities are patience and understanding, and she applies these every day in her business. She is fluent in English and Spanish and also speaks Portuguese. She enjoys mentoring new and seasoned real estate agents to help them achieve success. What sets Gaby apart from other real estate agents is that she makes herself available to her customers and is always just a phone call away. No matter if it’s a holiday or a weekend, you will always have Gaby by your side.

Gaby’s Words to Live By

“Completely immerse yourself in training. You need to know your stuff. Nowadays, customers have access to anything: anyone with a computer or a cellphone can find a property online. If you want to succeed and convince a customer to work with you, you need to be knowledgeable.”

Dr. Elizabeth Kerr Amador

Dentist & Business Owner Midtown Dental Studio

About Dr. Kerr

Dr. Kerr is an owner and practicing dentist at Midtown Dental Studio. She practices a broad scope of general dentistry, including same-day crowns, clear aligners, cosmetic treatments, and Botox, to name just a few.

Originally from Southern California, Dr. Kerr moved to Florida after graduating from Detroit Mercy Dental School. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry and is especially passionate about developing genuine relationships with her patients. Committed to the idea of comprehensive dental care, she remains active with study clubs and continuing education.

Outside of the office, you can find her enjoying the outdoors and all that South Florida has to offer with her family. She and her husband, David, recently developed a new hobby together of tackling DIY projects in their home. She has two daughters: Hope, who is 3 years old, and Nora, who is 1.5 years old.

What Makes Midtown Dental Studio Different

Midtown Dental Studio sets itself apart by treating our patients as family. Dr. Kerr and her team strive to understand each patient’s unique situation and circumstances in order to provide them with treatment that is personalized to their needs in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

They stand behind their work and strive to provide concierge dental care to all patients. Dr. Kerr uses the leading technology that is guiding the dental profession today to stay ahead of the curve. Her team has over 100 years of combined experience in the dental field, they have a wealth of knowledge to help and support our patients on their journey toward dental health.

What Contributed to Dr. Kerr’s Success?

Dr. Kerr measures her success by understanding her patients’ mindset about dentistry. She considers turning a fearful and apprehensive patient into a comfortable and relaxed patient as her greatest success. This allows her to open the door to having honest discussions about the link between oral health and overall health.

Her success can be attributed to leaning into her greatest passions. Dr. Kerr is passionate about creating an exciting culture in her practice that focuses on treating people right, standing by their work, and loving what they do.

Dr. Kerr’s Words to Live By

“As a woman in the medical field, I would like other young women considering dentistry to know that it is important to be

exceptional and to stand out from the crowd. By working hard and staying committed to your vision, anything can be accomplished. It is possible to be an exceptional doctor, businesswoman, wife, and mom.”

SCAN CODE TO LEARN MORE

REVIEW AND UPDATE YOUR ESTATE PLAN REGULARLY

By Andrea L. Jakob, Esq.

Imagine this scenario: Wendy spent her life creating a nice asset portfolio. The assets are at a bank (let’s call it “Sun-bust”.) She named her husband as her initial beneficiary and her children as the alternate or contingent beneficiaries. Now imagine that Sun-bust is sold to another bank (let’s call it “Tru-not”.) Tru-not has taken over all of Sun-bust’s client accounts. Somehow during the transfer, the beneficiary designations were lost and Tru-not had no record of them. Then Wendy dies. When her family finds out the beneficiary designations weren’t transferred over, what should they do?

Our friend John has a job at Publix. He has a good job, a comfortable salary, and a nice home. However, John has never thought about what would happen if he lost his job or became ill or injured.

One day, John is involved in a car accident and is unable to work for several months. During this time, his expenses continue to mount. He still has a mortgage, car payments, and other bills to pay. However, John has no savings and no disability insurance, so he quickly finds himself struggling to make ends meet.

“Continuity planning” refers to organizing one’s personal finances and lifestyle in the event of job loss, disability, or other unexpected events.

The goal is risk management. To protect your loved ones you must reduce any long-term risk for businesses and family investments. Many of my clients have never heard of an umbrella policy, let alone a business succession or continuity plan.

If this sounds like you or your family, keep reading.

When the pandemic hit, many businesses and families were unprepared for an economic downturn or loss of resources.

Here are some ways to reduce your risk of loss and plan for the future:

▸ Obtain an “umbrella policy.” Many car insurers do not offer enough coverage to protect you against liability claims. Unfortunately, a bad accident with multiple injuries can wipe out your savings. An umbrella policy provides extra coverage. Check with your car insurer to see if they offer one to bundle with your auto plan. Also, consider purchasing disability insurance or life insurance to provide financial support in the event of the unexpected.

▸ Figure out your family’s needs and dynamics to plan for short- and long-term scenarios by identifying potential events that could disrupt your finances and lifestyle, such as job loss, illness, or death.

▸ Create contingency plans for both personal assets and your business, such as establishing an emergency plan. Aim to build up a savings account that can cover your expenses for three to six months.

▸ Other asset protection strategies include the transfer of rental property to a business entity.

▸ Trusts can also be used to transfer property to another, minimizing risk and financial loss and at the same time, potentially reducing tax consequences.

By reviewing and updating your plan regularly you can account for changes in your circumstances or goals. In Wendy’s case, she should have reviewed the beneficiary for her accounts annually, such as at tax time, saving her family the hassle of a potential probate estate.

And of course, preparing an Estate Plan with a competent Estate Planning attorney will help you plan for any unexpected events that could disrupt your life, finances, and lifestyle.

▸ Andrea L. Jakob, PA is located at 12401 Orange Drive, suite 219 in Davie. They can be reached at 954-862-1479 or on the web at www.jakoblegal.com.

IMPINGEMENT SYNDROMES IN DANCERS

ain in the front or back of the ankle can occur from a dancer standing “en point” or “demi point.” Pain behind the ankle is due to a bone prominence that pinches the soft tissue or due to a fractured bone or cartilage in the back of the ankle (Os Trigonum). A deep pain in the back of the ankle is felt and is made worse if the foot points down.

Treatment includes rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. If the pain does

By Dr. John Goodner

Pnot improve, a Cortisone injection is given to decrease inflammation and scar tissue. Unresolved pain may be treated surgically, thus allowing a full return to dance. The back of the ankle is cleaned out and a small piece of bone may be removed with arthroscopic surgery to allow the dancer to return to full activity. Rarely an open procedure is needed.

Pain in the front of the ankle is usually caused by thickening of the ankle joint lining and can cause pain while moving the leg forward on the foot. This impingement syndrome is usually associated with an ankle ligament injury and can become very painful, especially the first thing in the morning when getting out of bed to walk or after sitting for a short period of time and getting up to walk. The inflammation and soreness usually lessen with activity but return later on in the day. Physical therapy and a short course of anti-inflammatory medication may be necessary to reduce the inflammation in the ankle joint.

If that does not improve, a Fluoroscopic Guided Cortisone injection may be necessary to reduce the thickening of the soft tissue. If conservative measures fail, a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection can be given

into the joint to improve healing potential. In some cases, the impingement in the front part of the ankle does not improve and arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to completely regain the ankle mobility without discomfort.

In some cases, a small spur is present on the front part of the lower leg bone. This can cause chronic pain and stiffness in the ankle. If present, arthroscopic removal of the bone spur is also performed to allow the dancer to resume activity.

Prognosis is excellent with full return to dancing with proper treatment.

⊲ Dr. John Goodner is a Board Certified Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in sports medicine foot and ankle injuries, foot and ankle arthroscopy, lower extremity trauma, and lower extremity deformities in infants, children, teens and adults. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine is located at 17842 NW 2nd St Pembroke Pines, FL 33029-2806

Tel: (954) 430-9901 The practice website is SouthFloridaSportsMedicine.com. Instagram @SouthFloridaSportsMedicine and Twitter @SFLSportsMed

OFFERING SAME DAY & EARLY MORNING APPOINTMENTS & CONSULTATIONS

NEW PATIENT $300 | FOLLOW UP (WITHOUT X-RAY) $100

$800

SURGERY CONSULT $350 | X-RAYS $50 PER AREA | PRP $800

INJECTIONS

$550

STEM CELLS $1200 | SHOCKWAVE (5 SESSIONS) $600 | INJECTIONS

ORTHOTICS $400 | CASTS $200 | LACERATION REPAIR $550

MEDICARE | BLUE CROSS | BRIGHT | UHC | CIGNA | AETNA | AMBETTER | TRICARE | WORKERS COMP | ACCIDENTS/LOPS

MEDICARE | BLUE CROSS | BRIGHT | UHC | CIGNA | AETNA | AV MED AMBETTER | TRICARE | WORKERS COMP | ACCIDENTS/LOPS

SIMPLY | SUNSHINE | OSCAR | MEMORIAL PHO

NEW PATIENT $300 | FOLLOW UP (WITHOUT X-RAY) $100

SURGERY CONSULT $350 | X-RAYS $50 PER AREA | PRP

STEM CELLS $1200 | SHOCKWAVE (5 SESSIONS) $600 |

ORTHOTICS $400 | CASTS $200 | LACERATION REPAIR

SIMPLY | SUNSHINE | OSCAR | MEMORIAL PHO

NEW PATIENT $300

Dr. Carlo Messina

of the Month

My name is FJ and I am 2 year old Rottweiler. My Dad is in the US Army and has been deployed to Lithuania. While my Dad is gone My Aunt Abby takes such good care of me. I like to splash in our pool and play with my brothers Bruno and Charlie.

CHICK-FIL-A, FIRST WATCH, & BOLAY ON TRACK

By Nick Sortal

Three more restaurants are in the pipeline at Plantation Pointe, also known as the Motorola property, at University Drive and Sunrise Boulevard. Plans are to add a Chick-fil-A, a First Watch and a Bolay (There are about 15 fast-casual Bolay locations in Florida, serving custom-made “bols.”)

The additions, if approved by the City Council, would be on the west side of the property, not far from Habit Burger. A traffic study will be conducted to mitigate potential traffic back-up for Chick-fil-A.

The city’s Development Review Committee heard preliminary plans for the projects on Jan. 24. The review committee is the first stop for developers and the city staff to exchange thoughts, with the idea of solving preliminary issues before moving on to the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council. So any new restaurant fare is at least a year away.

A Caution about Artificial Turf

More residents are using artificial turf for their lawns, and believe it or not, that’s of concern to the city.

The fake grass is usually impermeable, meaning that rainwater is not absorbed on the owners’ pieces of property that have artificial turf. That creates a strain on the rest of the stormwater system. Our engineers calculate how much of a neighborhood is rain-absorbent and our drainage systems are built accordingly.

Just so you know, the code in Plantation currently is that no more than 10 percent of a homeowners’ yard can have artificial turf, and none is allowed in the front yard. So, please, understand that there are limits to your uses.

City staff will be reviewing our code soon, with the Planning and Zoning Department likely being the home base for the deepest dive. When that happens, I’ll let you know.

Marjorie Faye Boyles Honored

Councilmember Erik Anderson read a proclamation for Marjorie Faye Boyles, a long-time educator at South Plantation High. She served as a media specialist from 1973-2005 and passed away recently at age 95.

She was also responsible for helping coworkers adopt modern technology, Relay for Life, Operation Shoebox (supplies for soldiers), Hurricane Charlie Relief and gardening-related activities.

Nob Hill Road guardrail coming

The City Council approved $85,210 to build a guard rail on the west side of Nob Hill Road, south of Cleary Boulevard.

One home along that road has been hit by cars three times. This is a project I asked our staff to accelerate soon after I took office. Construction will begin soon.

Ethics for electeds

Broward County requires all elected officials to take a four-hour ethics and open records training annually, and I fulfilled that obligation on Friday. The Broward League of Cities arranged the training, with city attorneys in our county serving as instructors.

Presenters covered many situations, much of which have vital nuances. But here is my one-sentence ethics summary: If you're saying "do you know who I am?" or accept gifts, tickets or privileges above and beyond what the general public gets, then you are violating the ethics code. I'm fortunate that 30 years of newspapering already drilled that into my head.

▸ My newsletter focuses on governing in Plantation as it relates to our residents/customers. You can also get info on parks, police, and other city interests by visiting our website.

▸ To schedule a meeting during my office hours on Fridays, email AskCityHall@Plantation.org or call 954-797-2222.