PROFILES October 2022

Costa Bella Realty Group A Concierge Luxury Realty Group

Florida is world renowned for its amusement parks, beach resorts, and warm sunny climate. Add to the abun dance of restaurants, retail stores and water activities and its clear why many choose Florida as their home. Purchasing a home or property should be a joyful experience after all; you are following your dreams by making this purchase. This is when you need a professional that understands your needs and takes the stress and head ache usually associated with buying a home and transforms it into an enjoyable and happy experience. Add to that, con cierge service and you have Costa Bella Realty Group, an established, trusted south Florida business.

Founded in 2016 by Real Estate Broker, Lonna Spitaleri, Costa Bella Realty Group offers one-of-a-kind concierge service. Located inside The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at 330 N. Federal Highway, Suite 200, Hollywood, Florida 33020. Where she serves as a proud member. Lonna has been a Florida resident for over 50 years. Having raised her three children here and now watching her grandchildren grow up in the idyllic, Florida paradise. Lonna knows Southeast Florida well and understands the needs of fami lies. Families go through stages as children grow, and eventually set out on their own. Her under standing of the changing needs of growing families, allows her to help her clients find exactly what they are looking for. With her experience and knowledge, she serves clients throughout south Florida.

With over 20 years of real estate experience, and her vast knowledge of the everchanging real estate market, Lonna is one of the most soughtafter real estate professionals. With her expertise and expe rience, she will get the most out of your investment property for you. Lonna stays abreast of changes in the market, as well as any new programs made available to home buyers. Costa Bella Realty Group provides services through out Florida. Including working with developers and handling commercial transactions. Whether you’re a first time homebuyer looking for a single family

home, have multiple properties or searching for a condo, Costa Bella Realty Group is there to serve you with experienced trained professional

Realtor Association with over 40,000 members. She is also a Florida Realtor Director. Being involved with the Realtor Association also has its perks. Being a

available to assist homebuyers. A recent program was just proposed in Florida from the Florida Legislature called’ The Hometown Hero Program’. This program seeks to reflect the Sunshine State’s deep sense of grati tude and obligation towards its essen tial workers. Those who put the needs of the state first in the wake of the pandemic. Such professionals as Nurses, para medics, educators, home health aides, law enforcement and fire fighters. They were among the most affected residents while serving on the frontlines of the pandemic. The purpose of this program is to give assistance with down payment and closing costs. Often, first time home buy ers are overwhelmed with the down payment and closing costs. It can feel discouraging, that’s when you need a knowl edgeable professional to explain the different programs available to new homebuyers. By being well versed on the new pro grams available, it allows Lonna to find the best match to fit her clients needs. To find out more information, or to schedule a complimentary consultation, call Lonna for details.

Lonna was selected as Business Woman of the Year in 2021 by the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. She is an inspiration to many aspiring realtors and entrepreneurs. The motto for Costa Bella Realty is “Realtors Committed to Fulfilling the Personalized needs of Our Clients” this is reflected by the outstanding services provided by caring, knowledgeable pro fessionals. With numerous fivestar reviews, and exceptional customer service, Costa Bella Realty Group is a company you can trust to meet your needs. Whether you’re buying your first luxury home, or a vacation home, Lonna will attentively lis ten to your needs and concerns, to find your dream home. Maybe you’re ready to sell and downsize or have an investment property that you would like to list. Regardless of the situa tion, Costa Bella Realty is there to serve you. Contact: 954-921-2800 to receive a free market analysis of any property. The user-friendly website makes finding your next property a breeze. http:// www.costabellarealtygroup.net

Medicare Open Enrollment Period Is Here!

Get In Touch With The Team At Hallandale Medical Center To Prepare

By Austin Torres

The annual Medicare open enroll ment period kicked off last week. From October 15th to December 7th all 64 million Americans enrolled in Medicare will have the option to review their cur rent health and drug plans and make any changes that will better suit their needs. Any coverage changes during this period will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023. As part of the HG Doctors family, the team at Hallandale Medical Center knows how confusing it can be to make sense of all the Medicare plans avail able and encourages you to take this opportunity to learn about open enroll ment, review your coverage plans, and ensure that you are optimizing your healthcare while also choosing options at a reasonable cost.

During the open enrollment period, recipients eligible for Medicare will have the opportunity to revisit their cur rent plan and decide whether or not it is the right plan for them. As our health care needs change over time, the serv ices needed to best care for ourselves, or our loved ones, may need to be revisited. Open enrollment is the time to start looking at what health plans are available, as well as the services, costs, and copays associated with these plans. “Straight Medicare” plans tend to only cover medical expenses and typically do not entitle an insured to dental, eyeglass, hearing aids, or other benefits. If a “straight Medicare” insured wants dental benefits, they would have to purchase a separate policy which then adds additional expense to the insured. Whereas, some Medicare Advantage plans not only include medical coverage, but also include dental coverage as well as

other benefits as part of the package.

CarePlus Medicare Advantage plans, as an example, will include medi cal coverage, but may also include routine dental, vision, and hearing cov erage as well as provide a monthly allowance for over-the-counter medi cines. Another benefit to some of these Medicare Advantage plans is that they may offer $0 copays for primary care and specialist visits.

Knowing which plan is best for you is important to ensure you have the proper coverages for your healthcare needs and at a price that is affordable. While some folks choose to stay with their current plan, there are those that may realize their current plan is not giv ing them the coverage they need at the price they can afford. Doing your due diligence during open enrollment is very important to ensuring you are maximizing your benefits and getting the most for your money.

For those interested in enrolling into straight Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, Hallandale Medical Center accepts a wide range of plans including most major insurance plans. As Hallandale Medical Center offers geriatric medicine they work hard to try and contract with most Medicare Advantage plans, including CarePlus and Humana Medicare Advantage plans. Since Hallandale Medical Center offers primary care, behavioral health, podiatry, and dental services, they try to contract with insurers to allow their patients to utilize all the serv ices under one roof. According to Randy Kirshbaum, Chief Operating Officer at Hallandale Medical Center, “we do our best to ensure that our patients can utilize all our services

under the roof. For example, our CarePlus and Humana Medicare Advantage patients have access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services to ensure we are doing our best at providing a 360-degree approach to their healthcare.” In 2023, some CarePlus and Humana Medicare Advantage plans will offer a wide array of benefits including dental crowns, root canal, complete or partial den tures, as well as many other services all at a $0 copay to their insureds. While Hallandale Medical Center accepts Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization plans (HMO) plans, they also accept Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.

While Medicare Open enrollment offers an opportunity for current Medicare participants to review and change their plans, those of you soon to turn 65 are also encouraged to pre pare. To stay up to date we strongly recommend you carefully review any Medicare correspondence you receive in the mail. Every year people enrolled in a Medicare health or drug plan receive materials from their plans like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC). These notices are important to review because they include crucial information regarding price and cov

erage changes. For additional infor mation, current and prospective patients can also contact Hallandale Medical Center to be connected with a licensed insurance agent who is able to answer any questions regarding Medicare Benefits.

Medicare Advantage plan pre miums are expected to see a decline in average premiums. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the projected average premiums will drop by nearly 8% to $18 per month next year. In recent years Medicare Advantage plans have expe rienced a sharp increase in popularity with almost 32 million estimated enrol lees as of next year. Many people are drawn to Medicare Advantage plans because they offer additional benefits not covered in traditional Medicare, including vision, hearing, and dental benefits.

While Medicare Advantage plans continue to grow in popularity it is important to do your research to find the plan that fits your needs and budget. To better serve our patients, and assist them in maneuvering the Medicare landscape, Hallandale Medical Center helps patients get in contact with licensed insurance agents who can answer any questions they may have regarding the different plans available.

We hope this information helps you make the right choices during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. For additional information on Medicare, or Medicare Advantage plans, you can call: 1-800-Medicare, or visit Hallandale Medical Center where we will help you get in touch with a licensed insurance agent. To learn more about Hallandale Medical Center, or its other centers Delray Medical & Dental, and Coral Springs Medical & Dental, you can visit their website at: https://hgdoctors.com.

Serving the Community

Auto Tags of Hallandale Celebrating Over 30 Years of Service

By Austin Torres

Among the many businesses in South Florida, few can say that they have been open for over 30 years. Thanks to the committed and outstanding cus tomer service of founder, Randy Giunto, Auto Tags of Hallandale is one of those few exceptional businesses that are able to celebrate that milestone. Through their unwavering dedication to delivering customer satisfaction and their “old school” approach to business, Auto Tags of Hallandale can proudly say they have been around since 1987 and are showing no signs of slowing down.

Randy, whose family roots in the area can be traced back over a halfcentury, attended elementary and middle school right here in the city. As a young man, he enjoyed playing many sports like baseball and football at City

Park (Bluesten Park) and since then, not much has changed. Randy is a still a major sports fanatic and his outgoing attitude and love of people have con tinued to make him a pillar of the com munity.

Randy has built a remarkable repu tation through his various relationships in the community. His love of people and desire to always give back to the com munity he grew up in, has garnered him an enormous and varying network of clientele from far and wide. Few can say that they have had the privilege of being in business for as a long as Randy has.

“I never left,” says Randy. “To be a part of this community for so long has really meant so much to me and our family. Through the years, even though we were based in Hallandale, we started to pick up new customers from

all over.”

Randy’s experience assisting cus tomers with a title, tag, renewal or the proper motor vehicle documents has helped establish Auto Tags of Hallandale as a premier business in South Florida. They offer a variety of services that include assistance in registering your vehicle, updating your decal, or replacing it if it has been lost or stolen.

If you are a new resident to Florida and the city of Hallandale and need to register your vehicle, then Auto Tags of Hallandale can assist you in this proc ess. Bring in your vehicle’s title from the state from which you are moving, proof of Florida insurance and a valid driver’s license or passport.

For those of you who have lost your plate or decal, you can come in with your valid driver’s license and your sig nature on the replacement form, which

can be found via a link on their website (autotagsofhallandale.com) and apply for a new one. If your plate or decal was stolen, then you can come with the same form and your license and the team at Auto Tags of Hallandale will also assist you in the application proc ess.

However, Auto Tags of Hallandale not only assists customers with tags, titles and renewals for automobiles, but they can also assist you with trucks, boats, motorcycles, mobile homes, trail ers and they will even provide notary service. Whatever the issue is, you can certainly always count on Randy and the team at Auto Tags of Hallandale to take care of your needs with a warm attention to detail and a commitment, that truly makes them stand out in a way that keeps clients coming back for more. Auto Tags of Hallandale’s client list include businesses such as: Chopper Zoo, Total Appliance, Wind Chill, LLC, Cusano’s Bakery and Lee’s Locksmith & Bicycle Shop. “The only way to stay in business in South Florida, is through building long lasting relationships with our customers. That’s why so many of our customers and clients will tell you that they won’t go anywhere else for their vehicle registration needs,” says Randy.

Little has changed at Auto Tags of Hallandale since they opened their doors to customers back in 1987. You can still expect the same warm wel come and authenticity from Randy that has made him such a popular figure in the area.

This month, Auto Tags of Hallandale will celebrate their fourth year at their new location in the popular 7th Avenue Village Shops.

“What a great location, our loyal customers will find us quickly, but we are also excited about the new busi ness that will walk in daily. We are right behind Marco’s Pizza and next to World Of Hearing,” said Randy.

For those of you planning on making a visit, you can rest assured knowing that in light of the Pandemic, Randy has enforced social distancing and wearing masks at his headquarters.

“People are wearing masks and social distancing. I’m only letting two people into my office at a time,” says Randy.

For those of you interested in visiting Auto Tags of Hallandale you can check out their location at 701 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Suite 106 Hallandale Beach, FL 33009.You can also contact Randy directly at: 954.456.5771.

Additionally, you can visit their website at: www.autotagsofhallandale.com

tant now more than ever that people hat is what

tomers in and out quickly so they don’t

Still Going been run by the Henkin/Blue family who have made it their mission to ensure each of their customers are taken care of and treated like family.

What sets Budget Drugs apart from other pharmacies is an unwavering commitment to their customers. Since they opened their doors, they have been filling prescriptions and offering free medical delivery for their patients in the local area. At Budget you can typically expect to have your prescrip tions filled within 10 minutes, which means you do not have to be bur dened by the frustrating experience of waiting several hours to get your medi cation. Additionally, the staff at Budget take the time to get know you and dis cuss any medication issues you might have. As soon as you walk in the door and come into contact with their staff you are instantly greeted with attentive ness and an unmistakable dedication to ensuring you are taken care of. Whether you want your medication delivered for free or just want to run in and quickly have a prescription filled, Budget is ready with unprecedented service.

Budget’s stellar staff consists of a

representatives, Angela Malcolm, Yelena Sidorevskaya and Gozel Begmyradova greet customers with a warm smile and are well versed in all of the products. Registered Pharmacy Technician Christina Senatus is also there to assist customers. Joining them are driver, Norberto Urquiza, and Scott Henkin, owner. The entire staff at Budget works together to make sure all customers are provided with exceptional service. “My favorite part about running this business is meeting people, talking to them about their issues and helping them with medicine,” says Scott.

Budget has a great selection of dis counted $1.00 greeting cards. Dis counted designer look sunglasses, 3 for $10. Discounted vitamins, cough and cold items and first aid supplies. For cus tomers who have Diabetes, Budget pro vides Diabetes products, services, and consulting. In addition, they have a full supply of Russian products for Russian customers. Budget personnel are fluent

educational video, as well as addi tional information regarding side effects, dosage, FDA information and information regarding the way certain medications react with other substances. On their website you also have the option of checking out their Diabetes Health Magazine as well as their Health Smart Newsletter.

If you are 65 years or older, Budget offers a free Medicare prescription drugs analysis to see what Part D Plan is best for you. The staff at Budget Drugs are able to do this for both existing cus tomers as well as non-customers. You only need to provide them with a list of medications from your previous phar macy to see what is the best Part D plan for you (with the lowest total copays for the year). Once the new plans come out for 2022 in midOctober, give Hector a call to set up an appointment to review your options.

“With everybody having similar co-

have to wait to have medication deliv ered to them, or talking to doctors about their medication, those are all the things we try to excel in so that we can best serve our customers,” said Scott.

Stop in and say hello to Tamie, Hector and the rest of this outstanding crew and truly experience the way a Pharmacy is supposed to be. Budget Drugs is part of Health Mart Pharmacies, a collection of over 3,000 independent pharmacies across the United States. Budget Drugs, a Health Mart Pharmacy, caring for you and about you.

Budget Drugs Is An Independent Pharmacy Located At The Entrance Of The Millennium Tower Medical Building At 2500 East Hallandale Beach Blvd. Budget Drugs Hours Of Operation Are: Monday - Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday 8:30 am – 2 pm. For Additional Information You Can Also Visit Their Website At: www.budgetdrugs.com Additionally, You Can Also Reach Budget Drugs By Their Phone Number: 954.457.8011.

Toula Amanna Uniting Communities Through Collaboration And Contributions

By Erika Cartwright

As an owner of multiple operating businesses, mostly restaurants and Real Estate in downtown areas, Toula Amanna currently employs over 200 people in south Florida. Among her businesses are the Deerfield Beach Café, which she received through the RFP Award of the Pier Restaurant, an honor for which Toula is grateful. She is the owner of the Flashback Diner Chain, with three locations in Boca Raton, Davie and Hallandale Beach. Flashback Diner has been named one of Florida’s top restaurants for over 30 years. Toula, daughter of a Greek emigrant family, began waitressing when she was 17 at LUMS Restaurant, where the first unit of the origi nal Flashback Diner is currently located in Hallandale Beach. Through hard work and deter mination, Toula later bought the LUMS Restaurant she was working at and opened it in 1990, as the first Flashback Diner location in Hallandale Beach. Toula credits her suc cess to the efforts of all the

good people who helped her achieve her dreams. Mentors, Staff and Family who helped her research, plan and exe cute with courage, integrity and especially, hard work.

Finding herself in a PostPandemic World as the owner of Real Estate and operating businesses in Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale and Hallandale Beach, Toula states, ”I’m also very grateful to the many people who are devoted to the community in which they serve. I truly credit them with my success in the past and during the Pandemic, for my survival in business: Mayors, Commissioners, CRA Directors, Town Council, City Staff, Planners, Resident Volunteers and SBA Officers. All those people that through the years saw the merit in taking old, decrepit buildings and renovating them into some thing new and exciting, while also creating jobs. During the Pandemic, these people were the beacon which we all fol lowed to get us out of hardship and illness.” Toula expresses her gratitude to everyone who was

instrumental in putting together grants and special programs to keep the businesses viable and to thrive after reopening. She credits Dr. Jeremy Earle, for his insight and concern, which resulted in the City of Hallandale Beach moving for ward and thriving with new development. As well as Eli Khazzam in Business Development, Christy Dominguez and Mayor Cooper. She states,” In the Town of Davie, the entire Council just celebrated the ReElection of their Team as it was, including Mayor Judy Paul and Councilmember Caryl Hattan, a testament from the people of Davie that everyone is happy with the work they are doing. Credit goes to the Town Administrator, Rick Lemack and the Head of the CRA, Philip Holste.” Her gratitude extends to Mayor Scott Singer, as well as the amazing City Staff, in Boca Raton, for their assistance in putting together grants and advertising campaigns to bring back to life the businesses in that City which are now boom ing again. In Deerfield Beach, the quick response of David

Santucci, City Manager, Mayor Ganz and Commissioners allowed for expansion of the exterior patio for social distanc ing through the crisis and extended us credit. Toula is thankful to Mayor Dean Trantalis in Fort Lauderdale, who navigated through a series of hardships for the City, during its exponential growth, as well as City Manager, Greg Chavarria for their integrity and professionalism.

“During the past two years, Managers and Staff worked diligently to sustain these busi nesses,” Toula stated. “Santos Melendez, Julio Izaguirre, Jamal Qazi, Karen Denike,

Pepper Parker, June Perrino, Joseph Bienaime, Louis Poulias, Jorge Almeida, Costas Koubis, and Eduardo Alonso-Morales. Also, my daughters, Mariella Amanna and Elizabeth Amanna, as well as many other employees, each of whom put their best self for ward with amazing results.

“Special thanks go to my decades-long friend and busi ness partner, Rochelle Matza, our CPA, for her amazing pro fessional acumen as she navi gated through the complexi ties of the SBA relief programs and taxation with the utmost patience and support in very challenging times. For the 25+

Toula Amanna

have moved away from the area such as Rose Bishop, our previous Controller and

her more than anything else, which is to return the incredible gifts she has received back to the Communities. She plans on the continuation of building and renovating buildings, in which people live, work and play, on a grander scale. She wishes to pass on the knowl edge and the thought process that created them, to the younger generations, Toula states: “Working in this direc tion, the time has come for me to send invitations to other business people, landowners and influencers to connect and plan how to best thrive in the new world of Technologydominated services, employ

ment challenges, rising costs, changing culture through Social Media, lack of credible information and complicated political climate.”An advocate for business owners, Toula states, “As I work in two distinct industries, in Commercial Real Estate and in the Restaurant Business, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss causes that will make our lives better, for which I have undertaken the initiative to work towards and invite others to join me, she continues, “The $3.02 Tip Credit in Wages, unchanged since 2003, must be increased. The FLRA and NRA must help Restaurateurs that they rep

resent to increase the tip credit accordingly, as now servers have greater income than the managers while the cooks and dishwashers work just as hard and the income distribution for restaurant workers is unfair. We also need the SBA to develop specialized programs for the Restaurant Industry. An incen tive to Banks to start loaning to Restaurants again, through guarantees of those loans and incentives to the Lending Institutions: Banks would rather stay away from lending to Restaurants in a Post-Pandemic World and we are in an industry the Nation needs very much for the jobs we create. In

the development of our cities, we must find common ground between Landowners, Developers, Politicians and City Government. I understand all sides, the developer’s and the land owner’s but most importantly, I understand the diversity and needs of the Community. I believe only clear and direct communication can bring results, as well as respect. We can partner up only with a per son we trust and respect.”

Toula Amanna, a remarkable business woman, a pillar in her communities, with integrity and vision. To connect, please con tact her at: Toula.Amanna@ RegulusAllianceCorp.com.

Office Staff Left to right: Ramon del Valle, Mariella Amanna, Thaddeus Vernon, Sandra Trujillo, Gilberto PaivaRochelle Matza

Find Exceptional Brands For Exceptional Discounts With Brand International

International will find your style for a price you’re comfortable with.

“Your eyes are so important,” Jacqueline said. “We make it easier than ever for you to come, bring your prescription and find the perfect frame that will have you looking and feeling great.”

When it comes to perfumes and eyewear, Brand has the best because they know you deserve the best. Some examples of the designer brands you’ll find waiting for you include: Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Vera Wang, Burberry, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Dior, Versace, and many more.

So with this vast array of prestige eyewear and high-end perfumes, you will never leave empty handed and you will always get what you came for.

With Brand, you know you’re getting the best deals at the lowest prices. Jacqueline and her staff understand that you don’t have to be a fashion icon to deserve the best brands. That’s why she started Brand International under the guidance of her late husband, Eliot.

For high end brands at a much lower price than the department stores, look no further than Brand International. Their knowledgeable staff, friendly service, and amazing prices will make you a regular customer.

You won’t find luxury brands at such a significant discount anywhere else in Broward. Most of these top quality products go for $200 or $300 retail price. However, at Brand International you will get the exact same designer perfumes like Dolce and Gabbana and Thierry Mugler’s at significantly lower prices.

By Felipe Castilla - At Brand International Perfumes in Hallandale Beach, the only thing more delightful than the fragrances on sale, is the customer service the shop provides.

Every day is a special occasion for Brand International and its courteous staff. From the moment you step foot at the store Jacqueline Kels, the store owner, draws you in with her magnificent assortment of high end perfumes and eyewear.

Whether you have a birthday, anniversary or you just want a special something for that special someone. Maybe you want to find that fine fragrance for yourself. Whatever the case, Brand International is always the right call.

No other store offers such a wide and varied assortment of top brand perfumes and eyewear like Brand International does.

Stop by to see for yourself as Jacqueline or one of her fine staff

members greet and assist you as quickly and courteously as possible. Jacqueline’s team of professionals will help you find the perfume fit for any occasion.

Perhaps the fragrance you’re looking for is out of stock. Well, that’s not an issue at Brand International where Jacqueline and her team go the extra mile to help you find that special scent for the perfect price.

You might even find that signature scent that is uniquely your own.

Although you’ll be utterly impressed by the perfumes, Brand’s excellent selections of designer eyewear are just as remarkable.

You’ll find the most fashionable frames and elegant assortment of eyewear at Brand without having to break the bank to get them. Everyone wants to find that set of glasses that will frame their face just right. It doesn’t matter if a pair caught your eye perusing through your favorite fashion

magazine or saw the perfect pair on TV, Brand international will get them for you.

Gone are the days where you have to drive from store to store comparing prices for a pair of glasses that are close to what you want but not quite what you’re looking for. Brand International is your one-stop-shop for all your eyewear needs.

They don’t only have brilliant designer sunglasses, they have a fine assortment of prescription glasses as well. Jacqueline wants to make it easy for you to buy a pair of eyeglasses that you not only see in, but also see your best self in. Operating with over two decades of experience, Brand

Other high quality perfumes available at Brand International include: Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Juliette has a Gun, Montale, and more.

Whatever brand you’re interested in, regardless of how hard to find it is or if it’s being made, Brand International will have it for you. After all, Elliot’s motto was always: “If you can’t find it, we may have it.”

It’s always difficult finding the right gift or even finding the right brand. But with Brand International walking you through every step of the way, you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you wanted or even something better.

Best of all, they are open seven days a week, so, you can drop in at your earliest convenience.

Brand International is located at 121 Northeast 3rd Street in Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009. Their hours of operation are Monday- Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm and Sunday 9:00am- 3:00pm. If you don’t live in the area or are unable to visit the store, you can always give Jacqueline herself a call at: (954)457-1969. Even living out state is not a problem. Brand International ships UPS all across the United States.

Jacqueline Kels

Brighten Dental Care Keeping Their Patients Healthy Through Modern Dentistry

Dr. Chander Gupta of Brighten Dental Care in Dania Beach takes an integrated approach to his practice.

“During the past thirty years I have seen patients with terrible oral prob lems, some of their own making by neglect of proper care or inability to seek proper treatment, but some have even been victims of poor workmanship in the past. Although I enjoy all aspects of dental care and improvement, undertaking these challenges brings me the most satisfaction in my work.”

Good oral care has many more aspects besides just maintaining a beautiful smile, it has aspects that can affect your overall well being. There are many health risks associated with poor oral hygiene and neglecting symptoms from chronic snoring. Many people are unaware of the effects the mouth and gums have on your overall health. But the dangers of snoring could be much worse than you realize, you could have a dangerous health problem called Sleep Apnea, which can cause myriads of other diseases like: high Blood Pressure, Heart Diseases, Diabetes, Depression, Anxiety, Stroke and feeling tired and sleepy even after a full night of sleep. It all happens due to the fact that you are deprived of oxygen while sleeping. As many as 1 in 5 adults have Sleep Apnea. Up to 80% of OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) sufferers are undiagnosed. CPAP has a failure rate of around 75% because many patients cannot get used to sleeping with CPAP.

Dr. Gupta can perform testing in his office that provides critical information to be sent to a sleep specialist for evaluation. Based on the recommen dation, he can fit a patient with mild to moderate sleep apnea a customized oral orthotic device that can replace a bulky CPAP mask and machine.

Dr. Gupta’s goal and passion is not just to improve your oral health but your overall health. He wants you to be healthy and looking good with modern dental options, such as Invisalign® .

Invisalign® Braces are clear, remov able aligners made of a flexible ther moplastic material that, when carefully fitted and following instructions, gradu ally straighten a patient’s teeth and bite. There are no brackets or wires and the appliance has none of the restric tions or discomfort that is associated with metal braces. “Not only is

Invisalign® hardly noticeable,” says Dr. Gupta, “but it is an effective correction device for any age, from teens to the elderly.”

Dr. Gupta says that most people do not realize how influential the health of their mouth is on their entire body. “Our mouths harbor Microorganisms like Bacteria and Viruses that can invade our Hearts, Lungs and Nervous System. Not only do those Microorganisms affect the individual, but they can eas ily be spread from person to person through kissing, sharing, even droplets through sneezing, coughing, shouting, and singing, as we recently have been warned regarding the spread of COVID-19.”

He adds that even if an indi vidual is diligent in their personal Dental Care, the foods and bev erages that enter their mouths contribute to the human biome that affects the entire body. Therefore, he recommends that regular dental checkups should be part of any health regime. One of the ways Dr. Gupta can give his patients great oral care is through technology. Besides traditional dental issues, Dr. Gupta has the technology to perform screenings to detect early Mouth Cancers and pro vide DNA Testing of Saliva to identify Bacterial Population and DNA Markers to to deter mine if you are prone to Periodontal Disease.

Dr. Gupta points out that most peo ple have tooth loss today due to tooth decay, Periodontal Disease or trau matic injuries. Although bridges between existing teeth may fill the gap, they are not always a feasible solution. In those cases, Dr. Gupta recommends Dental Implants to replace one, mul tiple or all missing teeth by creating a Prosthetic Root with the fusion of a tita nium screw into the Jaw and attaching customized matching teeth to become a permanent fixture, just like your own teeth.

Another option to fix tooth loss are Dentures, “Removable Dentures are an option in replacing full or partial tooth loss,” he says, “but they often can be problematic, especially for older patients whose gums slowly continue to

shrink.” At that point, he notes that Dentures begin to slip and the individ ual tends to use more Denture adhe sive, which gets swallowed and that is not good for their health. He says, “illfitting Dentures create sore spots on the gum line.” He continues by saying that the patient then self-medicates with an Over-The-Counter Oral Anesthetic like Orajel® that numbs the gums, but does nothing to heal the sore. He explains

dentistry with reasonable fees.” Dr. Gupta says that his office staff is happy to accommodate the patient with appointments, help complete Insurance forms and arrange for various payment plan options including Care Credit and Lending Club.

Our Health Care Coordinator, Miss Chandrally Mahajan, MPH (Master’s in Public Health, Epidemiology) has a strong belief in educating the public about Oral Health and its connection to Overall Health. She is a speaker at local Civic Organizations, schools and fre quent guest speaker on the Steve Kane Radio Talk Show on WNN 1470AM dis cussing preventive aspects of COVID-19 Epidemic. She assures that our office surpasses OSHA and CDC Guidelines.

“As a professional team,” Dr. Gupta says,” the goal of my staff and I is to

not chew properly which upsets their stomach and takes a toll on his or her health and general well-being.

The initial care you receive when dealing with overall oral health is extremely important, but what truly sets Dr. Gupta apart from others in his field is his attention to aftercare. “Proper fitting and continued monitoring are critical in all phases of dentistry,” states Dr. Gupta, “so complete care through the process is an absolute criterion in serv ice to my patients.” Dr. Gupta says that he and the labs he works with are fas tidious in their fittings and follow up care.

“Even with all of that,” says Dr. Gupta, “most important to us is that we treat our patients as if they are our own family members and provide quality

help keep our patients happy to enjoy a healthy life with their Bright Smiles.” The readers of this article are being offered a free consultation for snoring, Implants and Ortho Treatments.

Degreed as a DDS (Doctor Of Dental Surgery), Dr. Gupta performs Dental Surgery in his office in Dania Beach. The office is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, including Surgical Laser Equipment for the more up to date and professional Oral Care to improve your overall well being.

E. Dania Beach

Beach Fl

Dr. Chander Gupta DDS; MAGD Brighten Dental Care

Sleepy Hollow Halloween Brings Thrills And Chills To Gulfstream Park Village

South Florida’s Ultimate Home Store, Entertainment And Restaurant

Destination Welcomes Back Its Spookiest Event Of The Year

Get ready for some ghostly fun! This Halloween, one of South Florida’s favor ite events returns to Gulfstream Park Village. On Saturday, October 29 from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Sleepy Hollow Halloween will transform the open-air lifestyle cen ter into a haunted adventure that is sure to spook even the bravest of souls. The event is free and open to all ages.

As South Florida’s premier entertain ment, dining and restaurant destination located on the border of Broward & Miami-Dade Counties, Gulfstream Park Village provides year-round program ming and events, including its renowned Halloween extravaganza. This year’s event has been reimagined with a new, spooky theme and plenty of thrills for all ages.

Families are encouraged to dress in costume as they stroll through Gulfstream Park Village to collect candy and sweets, watch performances, and take photos. Guests tagging their pho tos with #GulfstreamVillage and posting them on Instagram can enter a contest for a chance to win a Gulfstream Village Merchant Gift Card.

The multi-faceted event begins as the storied horseman embarks on a journey to find his missing head with a canter into the Village. All guests are encouraged to catch a glimpse of the Headless Horseman at 7 p.m., rearing his horse as he enters a spooky fog-filled entrance at the Gulfstream Park Walking Ring before haunting guests at the start of the evening.

After spotting the Headless Horseman, keep an eye out for a series of flash mobs. These hidden-in-plain-sight performers will transform themselves into a dancing mob of ghoulish trick sters throughout the night, between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Their performances will be splashed against a backdrop of laser lights and fog machines to set the perfect stage.

From 6:30-8 p.m., Gulfstream Park Village will feature spooktacular themed candy stations through the Village, a safe alternative to neighbor hood trick-or-treating. With approxi mately 2,000 pounds of candy, each station also features music, lights, and live strolling performers. The ‘Carn-Evil

Performers’ will spook and delight near each candy station, with themes including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Creepy Carnevil Cir-cus, Zombies, Mummies, Vampires, and scary crea tures from Stranger Things—like Vecna and a Demogorgon!

Beginning at 8:15 p.m. in the Gulfstream Park Walking Ring is the highly anticipated Evil Costume Contest with up to $4,000 in cash up for grabs. Guests can also enjoy a selection of food trucks including Cuban Guys, Pollo Tropical and La Nostra Pizza, and bars with refreshments for purchase as well as music, performers and Miami’s very own Chris Cruz as the evening’s emcee and DJ.

“We are excited to present our rei magined Halloween event, Sleepy Hollow Halloween,” said Alex Schreer, Director of Experiential Marketing for Madison Marquette, the management company for Gulfstream Park Village. “This event is guaranteed to bring plenty of thrills, chills and ghoulish fun to all who attend. We look forward to wel coming the community to the best

The event takes place on Saturday, October 29 and is free and open to the public. For more information, please

Hungry for more? Gulfstream Park Village offers a variety of dining options, so there is something to keep everyone satisfied! Guests can enjoy options including Yard House, Christine Lee’s, Texas de Brazil, Häagen-Dazs, Pastry Is Art, Belly Fish, Bissaleh and Ten Palms at rant destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park Racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing but is also home to a casino and family-friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, fashion retailers, state-of-the-art bowl ing alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park, voted a 2020 Top Travelers’ Choice Winner by TripAdvisor, is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional info, visit: www.gulfstream park.com or call: 954-454-7000.

Elite Auctioneers

Free Appraisal Of Your Antiques, Modern Art, Estate & More

By Felipe Castilla

In the enterprising world of auction eering, Elite Auctioneers LLC stands out as a company truly dedicated to its craft.

President of the company Tracy Hayes and her husband Chris have established a team of experienced appraisers specializing in everything from designer jewelry, 20th century modern design, pottery and Chinese antiques to precious metals, art, por celains, estates and more.

They offer a variety of unique serv ices including appraisals, estate liquida tions, consignments, outright purchases, real estate and charity auctions. Elite Auctioneers even provides free apprais als and evaluations with no strings attached.

Originally from New York, Elite Auctioneers is a full-service auction and antique gallery that has been oper ating for over 40 years with unrivaled professionalism.

A family of former public administra tors auctioning for the state of New York, the people of Elite Auctioneers have a rich and trusted history of exceptional service.

In addition to their eclectic expertise and passion for antiques, they have a full time staff available Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ready to answer any and all questions regarding the auctioning process or their services.

Elite Auctioneers is conveniently located on 23033 State Road 7, Boca Raton Florida 33428 where interested sellers can have their items evaluated

Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

With their expansive network of buy ers, Elite Auctioneers works hard to guarantee sellers a fair market value for their item and get it sold to the right buyer. They have both local and online bidders through their partner sites Invaluable, Auctionzip, Live auctioneers and Bidsquare, making bidding easy and accessible regardless of location. That means no matter where you are in the world, you’ll have a front row view of all the items available.

“We have thousands of registered buyers throughout the world,” said Tracy Hayes.

Furthermore, Elite Auctioneers fea tures a live auction feed for their online and remote buyers to provide oppor tunities for both selling and purchasing from the comfort of your home.

The process of auctioning is intui tively simple. If you want to participate in an auction you can sign up to bid online. Their website even includes noti fications that inform visitors of the next auction. Once signed up with one of these vendors, you will be able to view Elite’s catalogs. If you don’t feel com fortable online, you can also save money by absentee or phone bidding.

For phone bidding, an expert staff member contacts you directly before your bidding lot enabling you to join in the bid the moment your item lands on the auction block.

Once the items are reviewed and approved, Elite Auctioneers sends out a contract to be signed, dated and

returned. Shipping can be carefully arranged at any time before the auc tion and once the items are sold, you receive a check in the mail after the buyer has paid. This usually takes place within 30 days of the auction itself.

Their commitment to client satisfac tion doesn’t stop there, however. Elite Auctioneers is also committed to mak ing sure the selling process is as simple as making a phone call. If you have an antique to sell, the appraisers with over 40 years of experience will personally come to your home and review your items for free and with no obligations.

If you’re looking to move and can not take everything with you, the Elite Auctioneers team will help you decide what you might be able to sell and what can be taken to your new home. These services don’t just apply to single items but entire estates as well.

Just a few of Elite’s notable and sat isfied clients include Binder and Binder Law Firm, the family of a PGA cham pion and the former owner of the Indiana Pacers Basketball Team.

In the case of estate liquidation, Elite Auctioneers take the added steps of providing clients with trained movers, professional photography, advertising and promotion to help move your items while doing everything in their power to secure a buyer.

Elite Auctioneers have a century of experience in liquidating partial and even full estates. Regardless of size, they will sell everything and anything of value as they have done for thousands of clients over the years.

The expert team of estate buying specialists evaluates the items of the estate and make an offer based on a fair market value. Once that is done and an agreement on price has been reached, the items will be removed from the estate and the estate itself will be meticulously cleaned.

It’s important to note that if there are items in your estate you want to dispose of, you must contact Elite for an evalua tion appointment before the liquidation process can begin.

Moreover, Elite makes the consign ment process just as easy. You can take photos of your items and email them to www.eliteauction.com. You should include important item information like the age, condition, any labels, the dimensions, manufacturing tags, and provenance. In September 2019, they hosted a charity auction event at the Lifetime Montel Williams Military Makeover Charity Auction and Gala. The event was to commemorate mem bers of armed forces as well as the vic tims and survivors of the tragedy that took place in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

“The auction was a success for a great cause, and Elite Auctioneers was honored to donate some great items to raise money for the families of the brave who served our country,” said Tracy Hayes.

Elite Auctioneers have a deeprooted belief in the work that they do because for them, auctioning is just as much about building and strengthening communities, as it is about selling antiques.

You can visit their web-site and look through their catalog of Asian antiques, art, furniture, coins, collectibles, home décor and ashion by visiting: www.eliteauction.com/eliteauctioneer Or contact their office directly at: (954) 205-3446 or (305) 332-7309

Elan Fine Jewelry:

Crafting You The Finest Jewelry In South Florida

By Austin Torres - When it comes to crafting fine jewelry, an individual must have patience, an enormous passion for designing, and of course, the eye of a visionary. For over twenty years, Elan Aburos has personified these qualities and they have set him apart as one of the most sought out jewelry designers in South Florida. Elan knows that each gem and stone tells a unique story, and for him crafting fine jewelry is not only his mission, but his passion project, a labor of love, and a special gift to share with the community.

Elan first came to the United States in 1985 and soon after began working in the Diamond District on 47th street in New York City, one of the premier diamond centers in the world. In 1989, Elan decided to move to Florida where

or platinum, picking only the most refined materials, Elan chooses, sets, and polishes each stone himself. Each finished product is a unique work of art. Understanding that each product carries a deep sentimental value, Elan goes above and beyond to make sure that each of his customers are happy with the final piece. When it comes to Jewelry, it is important to realize that each piece carries a certain emotional weight to them.

Jewelry is often passed down from generation to generation, and with each passing a piece will also accrue more of that special sentimental value. Having

jeweler for the King of Yemen.

At Elan’s Fine Jewelry you can

broach, or earring, there is no shortage of options to choose from at Elan Fine Jewelry.

At Elan Fine Jewelry you can also bring pieces in for repair. Over time you might notice that a certain bracelet might not shine the way it used to, or maybe the clasp on your favorite necklace is broken, making it impossible to wear anymore. Jewelry, just like any other product needs to be taken care of and maintained. Elan and his team provide a generous range of repair assistance along with refinishing and

he opened a booth in the International Jewelry exchange. It was not long before his reputation for meticulous attention to detail and unrivaled passion for his work earned him a loyal following. Each of Elan’s pieces are delicately crafted and inspected to assure customers will be fully satisfied. Molding and casting his own 18K gold

spent over twenty years pouring his heart into every product he has worked on and relishing in the joy that it has brought countless of his customers, Elan is a man that devotes himself fully to this work. As a matter of fact, jewelry also runs in Elan’s family. A Tel Aviv sabra, Elan was born into a jewelry family. His maternal grandfather was the personal

intimate experience with people who are dedicated to making sure all of your needs are fulfilled. One of the aspects that truly sets Elan apart from other jewelers is his eagerness to work with customers to bring

“If a customer is new, I encourage them to discuss their ideas and I give them a quick drawing, explaining my ideas and then create something very special for them,” says Elan, “I know my frequent customers, I know their likes and uniqueness so it becomes wonderful to design for them.”

Custom jewelry is perhaps one of the most timeless gifts. It can last several lifetimes and there is something truly beautiful about having your own unique piece of jewelry that cannot be found anywhere else. When it comes to personal gifts, there are few others that can compete with it. Whether it’s a necklace, custom ring, bracelet,

refurbishment services. Additionally, you can also bring in pieces for engravements. An engravement can be the difference between a common ring and one that will be kept as a family heirloom for generations to come. Have a special message etched into a piece to set it apart from all the others.

At Elan Fine Jewelry you can also bring in your jewelry for an appraisal. Elan’s years of experience and profound knowledge of the industry make him an expert in the art of evaluation, and his integrity will assure that you are given an honest and fair appraisal. No matter the type of service, Elan and his team promise you nothing less than a smile and total satisfaction.

If you would like more information about Elan Fine Jewelry you can visit their website at miamijewelry.net, email them at elanjewelry18@gmail.com or contact them directly at 305.935.0102. You can also visit their location at 19275 Biscayne Blvd Suite 62 Aventura FL, 33180, hours of operation: TuesdaySaturday 11:00 am- 5:00 pm.

Ediss Mold Remediation & Restoration: Meet Broward County’s Premier Mold Specialists

As an industry leader with over 15 years of experience the team at Ediss Mold Remediation and Restoration have developed an outstand ing reputation for delivering top tier customer service. Business owner and licensed general contractor (2014), Eli Ben-Nahum, who has worked in residential and commercial construction for over 20 years, dedicates himself to establish ing one of the most remark able mold removal companies in all of Broward.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, mold can cause a variety of health problems in people. Some of the most common symptoms of mold exposure are respiratory prob lems, eye irritation, and skin irri tation. Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, humid conditions that frequent in areas such as South Florida. Mold can enter the home through open doors, windows, vents, and cracks in the foun dation. Once inside, mold will begin to grow and spread quickly. Mold problems in the home must be fixed quickly. Studies have repeatedly shown that the longer mold goes untreated, the worse the prob lem will become. In some cases, people can even develop Asthma ing mold spores. HVAC Closets are the most common place mold can be found. It is a very common problem in South Florida, as the high humidity and warm weather create that perfect environment for black mold to grow. So if you have found black mold in your HVAC closet it is imperative you take action immediately.

For those experiencing any of these symptoms, as well as those who suspect there may be mold problems in their home, Ediss Mold Remediation provides an assortment of highly effective, healthbeneficial mold removal and

sanitizing services. They offer fog mold removal, mold reme diation, black mold removal, mold removal in air ducts, and sanitizing services to help any home back to normal. The truth is that mold spores can be found at any time in the air around us, and when they find their way into an HVAC closet, they can rapidly start to grow.

Especially here in South Florida where black mold grows faster

due to high humidity and warm temperatures. Your health and the health of your family can be significantly impacted without prompt and proper mold removal or sanitiz ing services.

Ediss also specializes in the

repairing of water leaks, another common source of mold. As IICRC certified and state licensed residential and commercial leak restoration service providers, the team at Ediss specialize in the treat ment of A/C condensation or

a mold problem in your home or business, or if you are expe riencing any of the symptoms of mold exposure, call the team at Eddis Mold Remediation today. They will be more than happy to come to your home and assess the situation, getting you back on the road to a healthy, mold-free life.

For more emergency 24/7 assistance you can contact Ediss Mold Remediation and Restoration at: 877.841.1665, or email them: info@edissmoldremediation.com.

You can additionally contact them at: 305.904.1936 and: 954.589.4624, or reach them at: edissmoldremediation.com, where you can also view more of their recent projects.

Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Homes

“Once You Walk Through Those Doors, You Are Family”

Joseph Scarano’s proud Italian Heritage has taught him compassion, warmth, hospitality and most impor tantly, the importance of family! At Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Homes their #1 Priority is to guide and support you through every step of your arrange ments and help you to pay Tribute to the Memory of your loved ones. They think it is important for you to under stand that Scarano Funeral Home is not just any Funeral Home - they are one with many years of experience. What sets them apart from other Funeral Firms? It’s the human factor. “The differ ence is in the caring. It’s not Business, it’s Personal. Our reputation is earned…not inherited” Scarano states.

In 1969 and at the early age of 15 he started his path. Joseph A. Scarano has over 50 years experience in the Funeral Business. With the love and support of his devoted parents, Larry and Terry Scarano and his loving sister Terry Ann, he opened the Pembroke Pines Location at 9000 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 in 1993. They are one of the few remaining Owned and Operated Funeral Homes in Pembroke Pines, Davie and Hollywood. They live by the order of the Golden Rule, no family is turned away due to lack of funds. “Once you walk through those doors, you are family,” Joseph said.

They offer a Complete Range of Services Including: Pre-Arrangements for Traditional Funeral Services, Private

Funeral Services, Direct Cremation, Celebration Of Life Memorial Services, Direct Burial and Worldwide Shipping Services. They believe in the “Freedom of Choice” and you can choose what ever Service you desire to meet your individual needs within your means.

Since South Florida is home to many residents from other areas, Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Homes specializes in Domestic and International Shipping Services from anywhere in Florida. They work with Consulates and the Receiving Funeral Homes to ease the burden of Complicated Shipping Details. Their experienced and Dependable Staff can assist you and all Funeral Homes 24/7.

The Scarano Experience

Joseph A. Scarano is confident that his Staff will comfort you during your time of Grief. All of their locations are beautifully decorated, spacious, clean and above all, provide the warmest welcome to you and your family during your time of need. For your comfort and privacy, they do not schedule Multiple Services at the same time. You will receive 100% of their attention and will have exclusive use of their Facility. They welcome and Proudly Serve all Faiths, Cultures and Traditions. At Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Homes, all Customs are Observed and Respected. At Scarano Funeral Homes, Joseph A. Scarano, the Owner is directly involved in the day to day Operations of the

Business and is intimately involved with each family.

Lifetime Price Guarantee

For as little as $100.00 Down you can plan and have peace of mind knowing you made it easier for those you love. Your Deposits are made to a Master Trust Fund maintained by the I.F.D.F. Independent Funeral Directors of Florida. There are No Interest or Finance Charges and it’s 100% Refundable. Did you know you have the right to Transfer your Existing Prepaid Funeral Home Contract to Joseph A. Scarano with no extra cost to you? They welcome, accept and honor all of their Competitors’ Prepaid Contracts.

Building a Legacy of Memories

As part of your Final Care Plans, you may want to secure your memories and stories. They offer guidelines in prepar ing for your On-Line Memorial Tribute, The Book of Memories™ and Companion Video.

For those who live in Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Dania Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Hallandale Beach who are faced with these decisions every day, the last thing that anyone needs is to be stressed with high prices and unnecessary charges that some Funeral Homes will throw at you - espe cially during a tough time. At Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Homes, years and years of experience have given them the edge in this Competitive Market.

Telephone price inquiries are gladly given 24 hours a day.

Scarano Presidential Circle Memorial Chapel 4351 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, FL 33021

E-mail: info@ScaranoFuneralHome.com

Phone: (954) 438-8222

Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel 9000 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

E-mail: Info@ScaranoFuneralHome.com

Phone: (954) 438-8222

Miami-Dade: (305) 945-7737

Toll Free: (800) 423-5901 www.scaranofuneralhome.com

Scarano Presidential Circle Memorial Chapel

Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel

“A Reputation Earned...

Inherited” Joseph A. Scarano

Ronnie Lukshinski’s New Hocke Shoppe

Provides Fast Cash For Pawn & Unique Jewelry & Watches For Collectors

By Marylynne Newmark - Ronnie Lukshinski is a great guy with a positive outlook. His interests are eclectic and his person ality sparkles like the jewelry and watches that surround him in his pawn and jewelry shop on NE 167th Street in North Miami Beach.

Even the name of his business, A New Hocke Shoppe, is an indication of his creativity and humor. Actually, an upscale pawn shop where shoppers from all socio-economic levels come for fast cash or to peruse the diamonds, gold and silver under glass and other rare and collectible items. Ronnie says he also takes pride in specializing in new and used designer handbags like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Chanel.

Ronnie has been at this same location more than 27 years and is not new to the jewelry business. Many oldtimers to the area may remember him as owner of two fine jewelry stores in the old Diplomat Mall on Hallandale Beach Boulevard almost three decades ago.

Always intrigued by jew elry and watches, Ronnie spent a lot of his early years attending shows, frequent ing estate sales, and visiting pawn shops as a collector and for resale. After selling his jewelry business in Hallandale, he returned to that pasttime until he met the previous owner of the shop he now owns. “After all,” he said, “this is what I love, so why not buy it?”

So, Ronnie became a pawn broker, a professional who offers secured loans to people with items of personal property used as collateral, much like collateral used in banking for personal loans.

Lending money for collateral or pawn can be traced to the earliest ancient cultures when individuals could acquire flexible currency quickly in exchange for cattle, produce and home grown goods, but would be able to retrieve back their belongings at preagreed terms.

Assyrian, Babylonian and Hebrew

laws were written thousands of years ago to create ethical codes for the exchange of goods for currency, involving charging interest. Pawn loans, however, involved temporarily trading valuables for funds that could be purchased back by a pre-agreed later date.

Interestingly, the origins of pawn

back in the 14th century, it was known that King Edward III of England was a frequent browser of pawn shops throughout Europe. Even Queen Isabella of Spain pawned her jewels to finance Christopher Columbus’ voy ages. During the 1800s with the growth of manufacturing and the influx of immigrants, people flocked to pawn

retrieved by the agreed time, he is able to place them into stock. Customers love coming in on a regular basis just to browse his unique items, often offered at amazing prices.

Pawn customers in need of fast cash appreciate the considerate services of his staff. Last year, Wilmar M. wrote in the Local Guide, “Best place ever. Very helpful and friendly staff. They are not just (here) to make money. They really do help you out of a jam.”

Ronnie also buys gold and silver for scrap at com petitive rates. As for fine jew elry and watches, he offers sellers the highest dollar mar ket value. Collectible items move quickly, especially if Ronnie or Olga are aware of customers’ interests. Musical instruments, estate jewelry and collector pieces are of particular interest to regular customers. And… those regulars bring others.

One reviewer on Yelp (Roseanne M.) sized it up perfectly by writing “This Pawn store is addictive. Whether you are there to buy, sell or just peruse their wares, the delightful staff is always happy to assist.” She added a thumbs up and rated the New Hocke Shoppe as 5-star.

shops have roots in China about 3000 years ago. Working independently, pawnbrokers would offer short term credit to peasants.

Ancient Greeks and Romans contin ued the tradition and created business entities serving the mainstream com munities, using goods as collateral that could later be retrieved.

These loans assisted business owners to purchase stock, meet payroll, and finance extravagances for the wealthy. Recognized as a legitimate enterprise,

shops to help them through the week. At one time, it was noted that there was at least one item in pawn shops for every man, woman and child in New York City. They would pawn clothing, tools, quilts and anything of value, only to retrieve them as soon as they could, often on a payout basis.

But the New Hocke Shoppe is more than pawn. Ronnie Lukshinski does appraisals for insurance, and buys jew elry that customers are ready to trade. When values on hold for pawn are not

Ronnie’s affable, easygoing and accommodating personality may be rooted in his early years in the hospital ity field after arriving in New York from Israel in 1980. After visiting friends in South Florida, he fell in love with Miami. “What’s not to love?” he asks. “It’s paradise on earth,,, and the people are great.”

With many international friends and customers, Ronnie speaks English, Spanish, Hebrew and quoting him, “un peu Francais.”

Whatever language he uses, twentyseven years in the same location cer tainly speaks for itself. In fact, it shouts out good service, loyalty and trust.

The New Hocke Shoppe 754 NE 167th Street, North Miami Beach 305-945-4999