FROM THE EDITOR

CAPEHART

X BEHIND THE SCENES

MANNING UP

Talk about men of style! This month I went behind the scenes at Miami’s massive (and totally high-tech) Telemundo Studios with veteran journalist José DíazBalart, MSNBC host and anchor of NBC Nightly News Saturday edition. Managing Editor Melissa Puppo spent a duo of days interviewing and photographing this year’s “FLI Guys”—four of Laudy’s most dapper dudes—on the gorgeous grounds of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale.

LIFE & STYLE

Ahhh, November. At long last, we see the return of cooler and crisper days, while the bright South Florida sun shines overhead. These are truly the times that remind us how lucky we are to live, work, and play here in Fort Lauderdale.

This month’s issue of Fort Lauderdale Illustrated is dedicated to men of style. Here’s looking at you, men. Whether you’re a car guy keen to ogle the world’s fi nest exotic automobiles (page 17), you’re hankering for a mix of game-day fun and luxe pampering with your bros (page 18), or you’re in the market for some new sartorial selections (page 22), our pages are chock-full of stories you’re sure to love.

It’s only fi tting that in this issue we return to one of our reader-favorite features, our “FLI Guys,” honoring this year’s crop of stylish and accomplished local gents. You’ll meet Jason Carter, the handsome host of Inside South Florida on WSFL-TV; John Hall Nelson, who keeps his fashionable fi nger on the pulse of all things luxury interiors and architectural design; Aimé Mabika, a pro-footballer playing skilled defense for David Beckham’s InterMiami FC soccer team; and Dustin Robinson, a savvy attorney, advocate, and venture capitalist working in the cannabis and psychedelic medicine space. Don’t miss the full story by Melissa Puppo on page 42.

Speaking of stylish men, nobody makes on-air journalism look (or sound) as good as José Díaz-Balart. Whether you’ve seen him report in English on his MSNBC weekday show, anchor the Saturday evening news on NBC, or host Noticias Telemundo in Spanish, Díaz-Balart is known for his journalistic integrity and community-minded focus. With elections (and their inevitable results) upon us this month, journalists like Díaz-Balart play a key role in helping voters connect with the facts they need to make an informed decision at the ballot booth. Read more about Díaz-Balart’s storied career in Linda Marx’s feature, “Reporting for Duty,” on page 50.

This issue marks a few fi rsts for Fort Lauderdale Illustrated. Turn to page 67 for our new “Charity Datebook,” your go-to guide for Laudy’s most prestigious local organizations and fundraising festivities. And for all of your design desires, we’ve added a new Home section starting on page 91, with stories sure to inspire your interior interests.

Here’s to a stylish season!

Kristen Desmond LeFevre klefevre@fortlauderdaleillustrated.com