The Florida Villager :: January 2016 Edition :: Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay by The Florida Villager

JA N UA RY 2016 ED IT I O N

HAPPY NEW YEAR Your Community Magazine!

Pinecrest Takes Part in Hour of Code

SCHOOL NEWS

YOUR HEALTHIEST YEAR: 2016

IT’S THEIR BUSINESS

A New Approach to Dental Health

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Comfortable private and semi-private rooms & bathrooms, specially designed to provide the most comfort to our residents. Big common areas where residents can watch TV, read or relax in the Key West activities room. Having an active social life is vital to our residents health and happiness. Many activities are provided.

Our Services: · Supervision of self-administration for medication. · Bathing-grooming, toileting, eating, medical appointment, housekeeping (laundry –lining and towels). · 24 hours emergency contact, security system and fire alarms. · Three tasty home-cooked meals each day and two snack. · Residents can also use Skype (tablet) in predetermined hours if they would like as well to keep contact with their family members.

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Keep your home and family healthy and free of pests and disease!

A New Year, A New You!

APPY NEW YEAR! WE HOPE THIS EDITION FINDS OUR READERS HAPPY, healthy, and recovering from a busy holiday season. January is such a great time of year - anything is possible, and we’re excited for what the future holds. This month’s beautiful cover features Tutti Bambini, your destination for all things pregnancy and baby related. Don’t miss the great article inside to learn about all the services they provide, from maternity and newborn, to photography and events (page 34). You can also read about ‘Miami’s Ultimate Baby Affair,’ which Tutti Bambini will be presenting for the third year in a row. This is also a wonderful time to prioritize what’s most important in life. Health should always be towards the top of the list, and fitness is a large part of that. Whether it’s massage therapy, yoga, or dance classes, just to name a few, there are many local options available for both adults and children. Everyone can find something that suits them! You can read all about it in this month’s special feature “Your Healthiest Year: 2016” (page 30). And speaking of yoga, don’t miss the great article by Sam Levine, owner of Sunshine Hot Yoga, to learn all about the benefits of practicing Bikram yoga (page 33). As always, be sure to check out our Events Calendar on page 10, for a comprehensive list of happenings around town. And don’t forget to connect with us via social media. You can find us on Twitter (@FloridaVillager), Facebook (The Florida Villager), Instagram (@thefloridavillager), and Google + (The Florida Villager). You can also find an on-line version of our publication at www.TheFloridaVillager.com. Sincerely,

Dan Bastien Dan Bastien President/Publisher

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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Bastien VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dana Bastien MANAGING EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Carneiro ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debbie Berman, Marisa Farrell ART DIRECTION, DESIGN & PRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Media One Five CONTRIBUTORS . . . . . . . . . Penny Daniels, Frank DeValdivielso, Mayor Flinn, Frank Istueta, . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mayor Lerner, Sam Levine, Dr. Charles F. Mahl, Tami Maier, Debbie Martinez, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sidharth Oberoi, John O’Rourke, Luis Ortega, Jess Rolnick, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Marta Sanchez Emden, Dr. Jose Soler-Baillo, Captain Jack Swerdloff

01.2016

editor@thefloridavillager.com • media@thefloridavillager.com

21,102 Mailed Copies. Total circulation is 22,000. Media One Five, LLC, DBA The Florida Villager (TFV), is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the cities of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, South Miami, south Coral Gables, and east Kendall as verifiable by US Postal statements. Additional free copies are available at locations throughout those cities and upon request by contacting this publication. Opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this publication. Media One Five, LLC, DBA TFV reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. TFV is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyrighted © 2013-2015 by TFV, Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

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CO NT ENTS :: JANUARY 2016

Obstetrics & Gynecology 16 Dr. Joseph Venditto will be joining South Miami Women’s Health on January 1st, 2016.

Dr. Venditto has been in private practice in South Miami since 2012. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas in San Antonio. He earned his Medical Doctor degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Venditto honed his training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, New Jersey. In addition to general Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Venditto was specialty trained and certified in minimally invasive robotic surgery. Dr. Venditto received the prestigious AAGL designation for excellence in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of the Florida Medical Association and American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. “Dr. Venditto brings special skills and a genuine, caring presence to our staff of dedicated health care professionals,” said Dr. Ed Phillips, founder of South Miami Women’s Health, who has practiced in the same location since 1991. “We are excited to welcome him to our group,” Phillips said. Dr. Venditto joins Dr. Phillips, Dr. Joyce Miller, Dr. Luis Roca and Registered Nurse Practitioner Katie Fitzgerald at South Miami Women’s Health, which offers a full range of women’s health care in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

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Drs. Phillips, Miller, Roca, and Venditto Katie Fitzgerald, ARNP R E A D E R ’S

305-665-9644

southmiamiwomenshealth.com 7000 SW 62nd Ave, Suite 350, South Miami, FL 33143 6

The Florida Villager

01.2016

EVENTS CALENDAR 8 January 2016 COMMUNITY CALL 12 News From Our Community COMMUNITY NEWS 14 Around the County 16 Pinecrest Gardens Artist in Residency 18 A Safe Trend for Miami-Dade Kids SCHOOL NEWS 20 Pinecrest Takes Part in Hour of Code STUDENT CORNER 22 Change is in the Air OUR MAYORS 24 What’s Happening in Our Communities? SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION 27 Game-Based Learning: Taking Minecraft from Toy to Tool A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU 30 Your Healthiest Year: 2016 HEALTHY LIVING 33 Yoga 101 FEATURE 34 Miami’s Ultimate Baby Affair ASK THE EXPERT 37 Diamond Tips 48 Book Review: Richard Duarte “Surviving an Urban Disaster - Quick-Start Guide” [Heritage Press] HEALTH & WELLNESS 38 A Non-Surgical Approach to Relieving Joint and Back Pain

47 MUSIC NEWS 39 Play a Guitar – For the Fun of It! IT’S THEIR BUSINESS 40 A New Approach to Dental Health HEALTH SERVICES 41 Hospice Care is a Specialized Care TRAVEL 42 A Mother-Daughter Walk Down the Yellow Brick Road REAL ESTATE TALK 43 Bon Appetit! ASK THE PLASTIC SURGEON 44 ResultsMD Weight Loss Strikes Again in the Fight Against Obesity PET OF THE MONTH 46 Meet Mokii PET HEALTH 47 State of the Art Management of Arthritis in Pets HEALTHY PET 49 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet THE MINDFUL DIVORCÉE 50 Be “All In” in 2016 CHAMBER NEWS 52 Chamber South is The Small Business Champion ASK THE EXPERT 53 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home SEEN ON SCENE 54 Snapshot from Around Town

It happens in a flash. Follow the tips below to keep you and your family safe! 

NEVER allow children near the grill

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NEVER use grills indoors

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NEVER leave grill unattended

In collaboration with Burn Centers of Florida, Inc., Kendall Regional Medical Center has a state-of-the-art outpatient burn clinic equipped with private treatment rooms that focuses on the postoperative discharge management of previously hospitalized burn patients. Physicians in the outpatient clinic also provide consultation and management of acute and chronic wounds, skin and soft tissue disorders. The Burn Center is staffed by specially trained Burn Surgeons, Burn Nurses, and a team of ancillary staff dedicated to providing high quality and compassionate care.

For more information about The Burn Center at Kendall Regional Medical Center,

call (305) 222-2200.

11750 Bird Rd. • Miami, FL 33175 • 305-223-3000

KendallMed.com

E V ENTS CALENDAR :: JANUARY 2016

1-3

1-10

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

A brand new production of the spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the Von Trapp Family that will thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winning Best Score. Arshtcenter.org

8-18

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY PRESENTS CIRCUS XTREME

It’s time for your family to be amazed by all the X-TRAORDINARY things you know and love about America’s favorite live family entertainment experience. Be astonished by UN-XPECTED circus spectacles you’ve never seen before and that can’t be seen anywhere else but at The Greatest Show On Earth. Aaarena.com

LOSTON HARRIS SINGS THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK

THE WIZARD OF OZ EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT

For more than a decade Loston has headlined at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan’s Upper East Side along with cabaret and jazz greats that include Bobby Short, Eartha Kitt, Elaine Stritch and John Pizzarelli. His list of CDs have all launched with rave reviews and his fifth release “Swingfully Yours,” features swinging arrangements of timeless standards from the Great American Songbook. 8 pm; Pinecrest-fl.gov

Visit the Wagon of Professor Marvel and create your own tornado in Dorothy’s bedroom. Explore Munchkin houses and meet Dorothy and her friends, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man. This exhibit is a marvelous adventure of self-discovery for the whole family. Miamichildrensmuseum.org

9-10

SOUTH MOTORS FINE ARTS FESTIVAL AT PINECREST GARDENS

14-16

15-17

One of Florida’s premiere juried art shows with a representation of some of the best artists and artisans from the US and abroad. Additionally there is a great selection of delicious food, live music and other activities for the entire family. Pinecrest-fl.gov

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING PRESENTED BY SHAKESPEARE MIAMI GARTH BROOKS RETURNS TO SOUTH FLORIDA Garth Brooks has broken his South Florida record. The previous record was set April 18-20, 1996, when Garth was at the Miami Arena. He sold 46,665 tickets. Currently he has sold over 46,670 tickets for the BB&T Center in Sunrise, FL and tickets are still selling. The concerts will be: Jan. 14th 7:30 pm, Jan. 15th 7 pm, & Jan.16th 7 pm. Official tickets can only be purchased at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks

WODAPOLOOZA Wodapalooza is a three-day festival at Bayfront Park that brings the world of fitness and the love of life to South Florida. What started as a primarily local event 4 years ago with 500 spectators and 125 athletes has blossomed into a worldwide competitive bonanza with 20,000 spectators and 1,500 athletes, representing 16 countries. Friday Noon – 8 pm; Saturday 8 am – 8 pm; Sunday 8 am – 5 pm Free admission. thewodapalooza.com

While the villainous Don John devises a scheme to shatter the nuptials of Claudio and Hero, the young lovers conspire to trick Beatrice and Benedick into admitting their much-denied love. In this powerful comedy full of sparkling wit, Shakespeare gives us the joy of love won and the ache of love lost. Free Admission. Friday & Saturday, 15 & 16 at 8:00 pm, Sunday, 17 at 7:30 pm; shakespearemiami.com

D E N TA L O F F I C E C O M I N G S O O N ! DR. GERMAN L MURIAS

DR. ERIC L MURIAS

CREDENTIALS:

⋅⋅ Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology

⋅⋅ Member of the Academy of General Dentistry

⋅⋅ Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry

⋅⋅ Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry

⋅⋅ Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology

⋅⋅ Member of the American Dental Association

⋅⋅ Trained in Implant Surgery and Restoration at Harvard School of Dental Medicine

⋅⋅ Graduate of New York University School of Dentistry

⋅⋅ Inventor of the “Drill Driver” manual instrument used for placing Implants and Bone Grafting ⋅⋅ Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, University of Florida Dental Center

The Florida Villager

01.2016

⋅⋅ Certified Invisalign Provider

INSIDE VISCAYA: A DAY AT THE RACES

On 16, 1915, James Deering’s boat - a cabin cruiser - won a race against Carl Fisher in the Miami Regatta. What better way to celebrate the fun of a historic race than with a toy boat race at Vizcaya? We’re encouraging teams made up of children and adults ... and, just like Fisher when Deering took home the trophy, sportsman-like conduct required. 10 am - noon. https://boatracingatvizcaya.eventbrite.com

23-24

CORAL GABLES FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

This is a fine art event with over 125 artist and also features Culinary, Performance and Musical Arts. The festival will take place in Downtown Coral Gables on Giralda Ave from Ponce De Leon to Le Jeune Road and on Salazdo Street from Alhambra Circle to Aragon Ave. B oth days 10 am - 6 pm. Free to the entire fine art show except the Art of Wine & Spirits area. Tickets for this area are $59. coralgablesartfestival.com

16-17

BEAUX ARTS FESTIVAL

Nearly 50 years ago, Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody Guthrie, debuted a clever, rambling tirade of a song called Alice’s Restaurant at the Newport Folk Festival that seemed to sum up all the sentiments of the 1960s counter culture. Join Arlo Guthrie on the Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour and celebrate the song that changed a generation. smdcac.org . 7 pm

ARLO GUTHRIE AT SMDCAC

This show features art, crafts and a variety of media from more than 300 exhibitors on the University of Miami campus. There is live music and other free entertainment, children’s art experiences, fabulous dining options, and free admission all weekend to the Lowe Art Museum. Beauxartsmiami.org

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Since 1986, the third Monday in January has been a federal holiday in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and civil rights leader dedicated to nonviolence.

SPEAKING SUSTAINABLY FILM SERIES “BILLFISH: BATTLE ON THE LINE”

Film series offered free to the public to engage the community with critical environmental issues of the twenty-first century and to inspire action. 7 pm. deeringestate.org

WWE RAW The Superstars of WWE Monday Night RAW return to South Florida for the first time in two years! Who will arrive in Miami as WWE World Heavyweight Champion just 1 day after the Royal Rumble? 7 pm AAAarena.com

PLACIDO DOMINGO The living legend will be performing a selection of well-known songs from his repertoire, hits from Broadway musicals as well as all-time audience favorites including “Granada” and “Bésame Mucho”. 8 pm For tickets visit: AAAarena.com

D E N TA L O F F I C E C O M I N G S O O N ! For over 25 years, we have successfully treated hundreds of patients with unattractive and poorly functioning smiles. Many business executives, media professionals, and figures in front of the cameras, whose success depends not only upon their knowledge but also upon their appearances, seek beautiful smiles with straight, white teeth to achieve ultimate success in their professional lives. When perceiving the perfect smile, the brain notices and focuses on three components: the gums, the border of the teeth, and the lips. Once all three aspects are corrected, you will have the perfect smile! Our state-of-the-art and multi-specialty dental practice, Murias Dental Group, will be opening an additional location soon in South Miami. If you would like more information or have any questions, please call our offices or visit our website:

305-821-0231 www.MuriasDDS.com

Get Back In The Game Dr. Gomez specializes in providing minimally invasive and noninvasive care for patients dealing with brain and spine conditions, including: Neck/back pain Herniated disks Spinal stenosis Brain tumors

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In-house physical therapy

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www.thefloridavillager.com

CO MM U NIT Y CALL PINECREST

VICE MAYOR

The Village Council approved a resolution ratifying the selection of Councilmember James E. McDonald as Vice Mayor for the 2015 – 2016 fiscal year.

SOCIAL SAFETY

The Pinecrest Police Department has launched an online campaign to provide safety tips via their social media accounts at @pinecrestpolice.

GARDENS ADDITION

Lacey Bray has joined Pinecrest Gardens as the new Education Coordinator. Bray was previously at Naples Botanical Garden.

SENIOR TRANSPORT

The Village has launched a transit program for Pinecrest seniors. The new on-demand system provides a bus five days a week that will pick up and drop-off at the door, for which the user must call and request a pick up a day in advance.

PALMETTO BAY

SPEED STOPPERS

After completion of the first installation of temporary speed humps along SW 83rd Ave last week, staff have now finished installation of the next phase of speed humps along 165th Terrace, between 82nd Ct. and 84th Ave.

STREET BEAUTIFICATION

The Public Service department will be contracting with a landscape professional to beautify the US1 medians located at SW 160th Street to SW 168th Street, and Wayne Avenue to SW 183rd Street. This project will include planting of trees and landscaping improvements.

MIAMI-DADE

FOND FAREWELL

Miami-Dade police commander Gregory Truitt has retired after a four-decade career. He has held the position of Palmetto Bay station commander since 2008. Miami-Dade Lt. Gadyaces Serralta will take over the role.

HIGH RENT

According to a study from website Apartment List, one in three Miami renters pay more than half their income in rent, making it one of the toughest cities to rent in the U.S.

SUPERIOR SCHOOLS

In a simulated test-run of proposed cut scores used to calculate Florida’s 2014-2015 School Performance Grades, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has outperformed the State.

Vote for the 2016 · BEST OF THE BEST READER’S CHOICE AWARDS

Look for the full ballot in the upcoming issues of The Florida Villager.

The Florida Villager

01.2016

PRIZE DRAWING for qualified entries. One winner selected at random.

VOTE ONLINE THEFLORIDAVILLAGER.COM/BESTOF2016

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Results will be announced in the May 2016 Special Issue: Best of the Best • Reader’s Choice Awards. EA WA R DS

Vote for your favorite! Rules are simple. 1. You must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license to qualify. 2. Complete at least 15 categories by April 15, 2016 to qualify (one entry per person).

R E A D E R ’S

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CO MM U NIT Y NE WS

Around the County PALMETTO BAY ZONING APPROVALS

Experience Nail Care in a Whole New Way!

The Palmetto Bay Village Council came one step closer to creating a walkable downtown area with its newly adopted Downtown Urban Village zoning code. The Council vote at a Dec. 14 Zoning Hearing marked the conclusion of the code-development phase, a process almost three years in the making that involved more than 100 public presentations. The code update was part of the downtown redevelopment effort that started in early 2013 for the purpose of encourage investment in the Village’s distressed commercial corridor along Franjo Road and US 1. The Palmetto Bay Village Council also approved a site plan for South Motors of Dade County that will not only modernize the look of the existing building, but will also add a new park to the “Village of Parks.”

PMS VALUES MATTER HONOREES

3400 SPA PEDICURE & MANICURE Must mention this ad

As part of Miami Dade County Public Schools, middle schools throughout the county are coordinating a Value Matters campaign, with each month of the school year corresponding to a different value. Respect was the theme for September, Responsibility for October, Citizenship for November, and Fairness for December. Throughout this campaign two students are nominated each month, one who embodies the particular value for the corresponding month and another who writes a compelling journal entry about the value. The student chosen who embraced December’s value of fairness was Kami Bumpers, president of the PMS “Mad Scientist” Club and a part of the PMS Green Team, Thespian Club and volleyball team. Catarina Dong won the journal entry nomination, writing that fairness means “everyone should be treated and regarded equally; that everyone receive the same opportunities. However, in this society filled with favoritism, prejudice, and oppression, many people do not experience fairness. And that…. Is unfair. Every human being should be treated with fairness, as it is a basic right and value.”

VICE MAYOR APPOINTED TO NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES COMMITTEE Pinecrest Vice Mayor James E. McDonald has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2016 Transportation Infrastructure & Services committee. This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions on issues involving transportation, including planning, funding, safety and security of public transit, streets and highways, aviation, railroads and ports.

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

Vice Mayor McDonald notes that transportation and traffic congestion is both a local and a national issue and that his appointment as a member of the NLC Transportation and Infrastructure Committee gives him a national perspective on how other municipalities are dealing with this important topic. “The appointment to a national forum complements my work as chairman of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities Transportation Committee, both of which enable me to better serve Pinecrest and its residents. Because, as we all know too well, Pinecrest is a small part of a growing area with traffic congestion and it is directly impacted by congested roads and lack of adequate mass transit in our metropolitan region,” said Vice Mayor McDonald. As a member of the committee, he will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the Administration and at home.

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Pinecrest Gardens Artist in Residency BY TFV STAFF

N AN EFFORT TO BRING INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ARTISTS TO THE public and spark a love for the arts, Pinecrest Gardens will welcome their first artist in residency in November of 2017. Patrick Dougherty, whose work is known as Stickwork, will join Pinecrest Gardens for a residency to create site-specific sculptural work. The work will be made possible via a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight Arts Challenge. Dougherty creates fantastical monumental shapes that ignite a sense of exploration with rich associations to childhood play and the shelters built by animals by intertwining twigs and branches. The sculpture will be comprised of truck-loads of community sourced saplings. The installation will require the participation of 100 volunteers who will span generations in age and will add dynamic creativity to the sculpture which is builtup branch by branch and twig by twig. Because of nature of the materials used the sculpture will last about two years.

Continuing its commitment to monumental sculptural exhibition and education of new audiences, Pinecrest Gardens hopes to partner with past local exhibitors of the artist and area arts magnet programs and other cultural institutions to plan cross-institutional educational programs to include a three-week student mentorship, film screenings, artist Q&A, student competitions, and a work-in- progress photo competition. These activities will take place during the expected two- year lifespan of the sculpture. Judging by the success of the first monumental sculpture offering—Philip Haas’ The Four Seasons which was installed in the Gardens from November 6, 2014 through April 12, 2015 and viewed by over 70,000 during those five months— it is believed that more than 330,000 individuals will view or interact with Dougherty’s work while it is installed. Dougherty’s first works were modest efforts that used sticks to build objects scaled to his own height. But as opportunities presented themselves, he began to integrate his work into architectural situations and then played sapling sculptures against natural settings. Through experimentation, he was able to upscale his efforts and to build work that seemed to spin across the tops of buildings and flow through groups of trees. Dougherty has created nine mammoth ephemeral works each year for over 30 years all over the world including at Deokpyeong Ecoland in Seoul, Korea, Jardin des Arts in Chateaubourg, France, TICKON Sculpture Park in Langeland, Denmark and the Contemporary Art Museum in Honolulu. Totaling, more than 265 sculptures to date.

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The Florida Villager

Ringling.com 01.2016

LOOK AT FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATISTICS SHOWS US A great trend of safer kids in cars. As Miami-Dade gets bigger, our per capita deaths in these areas are going down. Great news. No doubt the worst thing imaginable is anything happening to your child. For us in the Fire Rescue business there’s nothing more powerful than a quiet day at the Firehouse, after a crash scene with a child involved . Here are a couple of important safety points to remember in 2016. »» Seatbelts: They’ll prevent your head from making a sudden stop at the windshield, and/or your ejection in a rollover. They’ll save your life. If that’s not enough it’s the law. Please do it! The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration say 56 percent of teens that die in motor vehicle accidents have no seatbelts on. We’ve got to convince our kids it’s important. My 16-year-old son is a junior at Palmetto Senior High. I put significant effort, through various means, to get that point across. He’ll be reading this print as soon as it comes to my mailbox! The FHP website states that you cut your chance of dying in a serious crash by one half if you wear seatbelts. »» Car seats: Cor rect ly installed car seats are mandatory. We can’t have kids bouncing around in a car seat that wasn’t installed correctly. Call the Safe Kids Buckle Up Program at Miami Children’s hospital if you need help with your car seat. (305) 663-6800. »» Distracted Driving: This may be our biggest driving threat in current times. When you are behind the wheel forget the smart phone... driving is your only job. »» Speed: Why are we in a hurry? Slow it down. When we respond to crashes of cars going fast there are less chances for those drivers to react, and high chances for injury/death. »» The easy way: I say it each month. Tell your kids to help you remember these things. If your kids hear the little ditty, “Speed kills Dad,” they’ll never let you forget! I dare you to empower your kids to remind you of safety issues related to glancing at your phone. They’ll be on you like white on rice! Our year to year numbers are down, but please do your part to keep it that way. Review the laws, talk with your family about being safety conscious, and take it serious. The lives of your loved ones depend on it! You can reach Captain Jack Swedloff at jsmdfr@miamidade.gov.

S CH O O L NE WS

Pinecrest Takes Part in Hour of Code BY ANDREA CARNEIRO

OR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW PINECREST Elementary introduced students to world of coding via Hour of Code, a a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. Overall, the program, organized by nonprofit Code. org, engages students in learning to code online, showing them how many apps and software programs are created by engineers in the computer science industry. The goal of the exercise was for students to code both through “plugged” (computer coding) and “unplugged “ (paper-based) activities designed to expose kids to the world of computer science. “Coding affords students the opportunity to develop the problem solving skills and creativity necessary for any field they decide to eventually pursue a career in,” said Pinecrest Elementary Principal Lynn Zaldua. In addition to inspiring groups of students who

may not otherwise develop a passion for computer science, Hour of Code was also designed to give teachers confidence in teaching the subject… no matter what their background. In fact, according to Code.org tens of thousands of teachers and administrator decide to pursue computer science further post-program, either attending PD or offering follow-on online courses, or both. The program currently reaches tens of millions of

students in more than 180 countries, with the website offering tutorials in more than 40 languages Though this year’s Hour of Code was held during Computer Science Education Week (December 7-11), the website’s

tutorials remain online year-round, offering all ages of students the opportunity to work with subjects as diverse as Minecraft and Frozen . One recently launched tutorial helps students to write code allowing them to create fun challenges and games using Star Wars characters. Participants join forces with Rey to guide BB-8 through a space mission, then team up with Princess Leia to build their own game featuring R2-D2 or C-3PO. Students will also be able to play their completed games on smartphones, and share them with friends and family through a unique link. Launched in 2013, Code. org is dedicated to expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Believing that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science, the organization launched initiatives to enforce the idea that computer science should be part of core curriculum, alongside other courses such as biology, chemistry or algebra.

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EW YEAR, NEW ME? THE LINGERING QUESTION AND NEW CALENDAR YEAR leaves many with a desire to make life altering changes. However, many plan all of these great things to accomplish over the next 365 days but quit shortly in. The concept of “change” is something that many refuse to take hold of, and though the New year is a time to do things that are, well, new, they elect to keep their routine and goals in the past. I can’t remember the last time that late December rolled around and I didn’t make a list of new year goals. Each year, the list stays almost the same: get good grades, join a gym, make time for things that make me happy. For the most part, these are basic things. I could easily maintain these goals throughout the year. But the days go by and so do these plans and they never actually get fully accomplished. As I move closer and closer to a new chapter in my life, I’m making it a firm goal to follow through with my resolutions and get the best out of my last few months of high school. In a year, my life will be in a new city, with new friends, and new self goals, but now is my time to accomplish all of the things that (sadly) made it to the bottom of my list. While, like many others, I have pushed my New Years goals aside until they could be recycled for the next, this year, it is my resolution to prioritize any goal I’ve ever left behind. Jess is a Senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

Why You Should

LIST YOUR HOME IN JANUARY

BY ROSIE CRUZ-SOTERO, REALTOR®

Homeowners and their real estate agents connect at the beginning of the year to discuss sale options, typically for the spring. Naturally, there is planning that needs to take place in order to prep and market the home for a successful sale. Yet, with a proactive approach in early January, hitting the market in the New Year can yield great results. Here’s why: HOLIDAY CONVERSATIONS SPARK OUTCOMES Family holiday gatherings oftentimes lead to conversations around situational changes. Discussions surface about marriage, a growing family, end of year bonuses, salary shifts, inheritances, etc. These conversations trigger buyers to rethink their current situations, including homeownership vs. renting and related tax implications, upgrading, relocation, or even downsizing. Sellers have an opportunity to leverage these holiday conversations. Whether it’s a new buyer or an experienced one back in the game, they are ready to house hunt in January. If your home is for sale, it will likely pop up on their radar. TODAY’S BUYERS ARE OUT AND ABOUT, EVERY DAY Ringing in the New Year for buyers means they are off holiday mode and in the house hunting mood. Some buyers put their house hunting efforts on pause during the holidays, and are ready to resume their search in January. The desire to move into a new home early in the year is very real for them.

Today’s buyers have tech tools at their fingertips 24/7/365 they’re constantly being app-fed, texted, and emailed up-tothe-minute information on listings. Because of this, buyers are searching for available inventory every day, and are ready to dive in well before the spring. BEAT THE COMPETITION If you’re like most sellers who begin the process of prepping your home in January for a spring sale, you will be up against some considerable competition. That means there might be similar houses for sale in your neighborhood and price range, which affects the supply-and-demand scale. Buyers who are taking up house hunting again in the New Year after months of searching may have grown tired, frustrated and eager to find the right house now. Seize the moment with this ideal target buyer. Rosie Cruz-Sotero is a Realtor® and Certified Luxury Agent with The Keyes Company, part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. With over 15 years of marketing experience, Rosie is committed to exceeding client expectations through an unparalleled level of service, strategic marketing tactics, strong negotiation skills, and local market expertise. Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of The Keyes Company or The Florida Villager.

For more advice on the South Florida market  FIND ME ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK.COM/ROSIECSOTERO

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

S THE VILLAGE OF PINECREST USHERS IN THE 20TH anniversary of Incorporation, we have so much to be proud of and thankful for. We are both a long time neighborhood, first settled more than 65 years ago (with our Pinecrest Pioneers providing the oral histories), as well as a vibrant young municipality, attracting young families with our excellent schools, amenities (such as Pinecrest Gardens) and gorgeous canopy lined streets. We are proud to be known as the small town with the big reputation! Join us on March 12th to celebrate Pinecrest with a parade and community picnic at 10 a.m. The parade will run from Palmetto Elementary School to Evelyn Greer Park, ending with a picnic complete with music, kids’ activities and more.

EUGENE FLINN

MAYOR OF PALMETTO BAY

APPY NEW YEAR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN OUTSTANDing 2016 in which we will continue to focus on improving Palmetto Bay. Public Services continues drainage improvements in seven localized areas where flooding is an issue – then on to the next areas. Same is true for our traffic calming program. Temporary and permanent projects are being installed throughout the village with the goal of calming the traffic and keeping up our quality of life. We are also starting in earnest on our veterans park – possibly (probably) to be located on land provided to Palmetto Bay by South Motors. Personal health in the Village of Parks will be highlighted in 2016. There are numerous levels of Yoga classes, Mommy and Me, intermediate and senior programs. In keeping with what is truly “new,” Palmetto Bay will launch “Get Fit Palmetto Bay” in early 2016, a year-long series of events and programs to wellness, nutrition, and fitness for residents, employees, and business people in the Village. Get ready to join us -- and get ready to Get Fit! And lose the “Holiday 15” or just meet up and have fun within our community. There is a lot to offer – please participate! Happy New Year! Please continue to keep me up to date with what is important to you. There is a single e-mail from which you can reach all 5 members of your village council: council@palmettobay-fl.gov. My direct e-mail is eflinn@palmettobay-fl.gov.

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

SP OT LI G HT O N ED U CAT I O N

Game-Based Learning: Taking Minecraft from Toy to Tool BY SIDHARTH OBEROI, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER OF ZANIAC

F YOU’RE THE PARENT OF A CHILD SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE and 14, chances are you’ve heard of Minecraft. The wildly popular game has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, earning the adoration of kids and adults alike in the process. It has also earned the ire of millions of concerned parents who are worried that their kids’ ever-increasing screen time is doing more harm than good. Minecraft, at its core, is a sandbox game centered around the combining of individual elemental blocks to construct, or craft, anything from a simple structure to a functioning virtual circuit. While the game can be played in “survival mode,” where the player fends off ill-meaning “creepers” (read: zombies) who are bent on destruction, the true value of the game lies in its “creative mode”: an open-world, online playground where creativity and collaboration flourish. It is this creative mode that makes Minecraft a favorite tool of educators in the newly emergent game-based learning movement. In fact, Minecraft has developed a version of the game designed specifically for educators called MinecraftEdu.

Rather than rely on memorization or inelastic, linear worksheets, game-based learning leverages mechanics that are an inherent part of what makes playing games fun in the first place: creativity, trial and error, and the ability to personalize the problem solving process. Game players are used to observational analysis of gameplay, defining the needed skills for a desired outcome, and developing the skills needed to achieve that outcome. Game-based learning is incredibly powerful because it doesn’t just teach students the subject matter, it teaches students how to learn effectively through critical thinking, regardless of subject. These benefits are wrapped up in an experience that, for the child, still feels just like everyday play. With a properly crafted (no pun intended) curriculum like what we use at Zaniac, Minecraft can be used to teach concepts like biology, environmental science, physics, rocket science, and more, all using a game that kids already know and love. Students learn to apply the lessons learned through game-based learning to situations that they consistently encounter in the real world. Once a peer-based learning model is introduced via a safe, monitored server, students also cultivate social skills through collaboration and teamwork. Being able to play and solve challenges with their friends and peers makes for an experience that engages, excites, and builds confidence in a way simply not possible with traditional teaching methods. Unlocking the potential that games bring to the world of education is a great leap forward in preparing the next generation of critical thinkers, makers, and effective learners. Our mission at Zaniac is to bring this model to kids in South Miami and beyond, and empower them to do great things. The next time you see your child vehemently excited to play Minecraft, instead of feeling mystified or worried about the potential damage done by a dissociating toy, consider the good that could be done by channeling their desire toward the development of real-world, 21st century skills. All it takes is the right approach. Zaniac is located at 8322 S. Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143. For more information, please call 305.668.0605 or visit zaniaclearning.com.

If their New Year’s resolution is visiting the International Space Station, we are ready to take them.

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January 2016

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Pinecrest

This box will not appear on Position using this 305.501.2108 your ˚nal document. box as a guide. 9523 S Dixie Hwy Dadeland Plaza elementsmassage.com/pinecrest Savings on walk-in rate. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. The Elements Promise™ is not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash, bartered or sold. Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Substitute massage session equal in value and duration to original massage session. Not valid for discounted services and cannot be combined with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply; see studio for details. Each Elements Massage™ studio is independently owned and operated. License #MM31929

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

Women’s Health Experts:

Right For Any Age. Right In Your Neighborhood. Our new OB/GYN doctors can address your healthcare needs at every stage of life – from adolescence to after menopause. Plus, their office at Jackson South is close by. So whether you’re planning a family, facing complex women’s health issues, or would like to schedule your annual exam, we can help. Call us at 305-585-4 JMG to schedule an appointment.

Jamell Walker, MD Graduate of Stanford University, Harvard University, and Southern Illinois University Medical School.

Taalibah Ahmed, MD Graduate of Florida A & M University and Florida State University College of Medicine.

If you’re pregnant or become pregnant, Dr. Walker and Dr. Ahmed deliver at Jackson South Community Hospital and have special training to handle high-risk pregnancies.

A NE W Y E AR , A NE W YO U

Your Healthiest Year: 2016

BY ANDREA CARNEIRO

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KIDS

FAMILY

Elements Massage - Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Even if you don’t have a specific health issue, massage therapy can provide many benefits, such as enhanced sleep quality; more energy; improved concentration; increased circulation; and reduced fatigue. Elements Massage offers a customized therapeutic massage each and every time, building their business by prioritizing client’s wellness needs. The studio provides a wellness sanctuary for every client focusing on providing therapeutic massage to promote greater health and wellness. Elementsmassage.com

Corpo Yoga - Designed for kids four-to-eight- years old, Corpo’s kids class infuses yoga practice with creative and fun games. In addition to a physical activity, Yoga is a discipline that teaches children self-esteem and self-acceptance in a non-competitive environment, allowing them to explore their senses and relax. Benefits include balance of mind and body; techniques to help build focus and attention; building and maintaining a healthy and flexible spine; relaxation techniques and lessons in respect, compassion, and sharing. Corpoyogamiami.com

The Smiling Mind - Smiling Mind is a unique web and app-based program developed by a team of psychologists with expertise in youth and adolescent therapy, Mindfulness Meditation and web-based wellness programs. Billing itself as “modern meditation for young people,” this app aims to bring a sense of calm, clarity and contentment. With offerings from ages seven to adult, the entire family is sure to find calm in the back-to-school storm. Free, iOS and Android.

READY TO ROCK

There’s nothing like a good dance class to get your pulse racing and options abound at local community centers. For those who want to embrace Latin culture there’s the king of all group fitness dance classes: Zumba (zumba.com for classes). But if you’re looking for more technique, less Pitbull try Salsa, Flamenco or Line Dancing (all available at the Pinecrest Community Center) or Step Groove at the South Dade YMCA.

Make it a family affair with Pinecrest Dance Project (pinecrestdanceproject. com), where founder Glenda Cajigal offers Ballet, Flamenco, Salsa, Merengue, Ballroom, Belly Dancing and more. For your hip-hoppers, Hip-Hop Kidz offers classes at locations across South Florida from Pee Wee to a performance troupe and recently performed at a Miami Heat game. (hiphopkidz.net)

Get your dance on without leaving your house thanks to the geniuses at Amazon and meet Alexa. For those not in the know, the Amazon Echo (who responds to the name “Alexa”) is Suri-meets-Sirius for the techno-knowledgeable family. Connecting to a cloud-based voice service it plays music, reads the news, check sports scores or the weather, and more—instantly, filling the room with immersive, 360º omni-directional audio. Playing all your music from Prime Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more using just your voice, it’s the perfect companion for a kitchen dance party. $179.99; amazon.com

IN NEED OF A CHANGE

Stretch Zone - For too long, the stretch has been considered an appendage, a mere afterthought to the more widely heralded cardio component of a balanced workout. Further research suggests, however, that not only is the stretch an essential component of the balanced workout, but a preventative measure that ameliorates the effects of aging, prevents athletic injury, increases range of motion - even improves your golf and tennis swing. Stretch Zone Miami delivers a revitalizing professional-assisted stretch – specially designed tables utilize patented adjustable belts, pads, and straps that allow for the rapid extension of muscles further than the central nervous system would normally permit. This deep stretch produces a transformative full-body experience; not only reducing stress, stiffness, and soreness, but also delivering joint pain treatment, back pain relief, and a significant increase in range of motion. Stretchmiami.com

Forget T-ball and soccer for a few and infuse a bit of Chinese Kenpo into your life. A combination of ancient fighting techniques and modern scientific principles, the practice is an unending flow of motion, a force the can overwhelm any attacker. Every move creates a specific reaction in your opponent and each reaction leads you to your next move. It is through the study of this martial art that Black Panther imparts and instills the principles of discipline, respect, honesty, loyalty and justice. Equally important are the various physiological benefits, which include flexibility, agility, coordination, strength and speed. Blackpantherkarate.org

It’s been said that abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym so what better way to start off the New Year than with healthy cooking? Beginners can hit up the Whole Foods website (wholefoodsmarket.com) for monthly classes while more advanced cooks can head over to the Biltmore’s Culinary Academy for a variety of classes, workshops, team-building events, for both adults and children. Farmers’ Markets at both Pinecrest Gardens and Coral Gables City Hall offer local, fresh produce while apps such as Farmstand, Harvest and Locavore will help you find and pick what’s fresh and in season.

READY TO KICK IT UP A NOTCH

OrangeTheory - It may not be the newest trend, but HIIT seems here to stay thanks to its energizing effect and visible results. At the top of the heap? Orangetheory, the Gables and Pinecrest studios run by local fitness phenom Mike Singer. Participants strap on a monitor before working your way through treadmills, indoor rowing and weight room/resistance training blocks. With heart rates pushed to screens around the room, the aim is to keep yours in the orange zone for maximum effect. Orange 60 sessions are open to all adults and teens, ages 16 and older. All fitness levels are welcome as our program is specifically designed for everyone from power walkers to elite performance athletes. Orangetheoryfitness.com

See those masses of families descending upon Evelyn Greer Park and Palmetto Senior High school on weekends? It’s just the Pinecrest Premier posse. Established in 2001 and boasting more than 39 teams, the competitive and recreational programs draw raves from parents and kids alike… all over the county. Fall sessions begin in mid-September with an online registration in July, while spring sessions begin in mid-February with an online registration in December. Tryouts for competitive teams are held once a year immediately following the conclusion of the Florida State Cup Tournament. Pinecrestpremier.us

Looking to get in an extra workout? With Florida’s gorgeous weather at the top of its game, the New Year is a perfect time to explore local parks. In Palmetto Bay, Coral Reef offers a stellar jogging path, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields, a playground for the kids and gazebos perfect for tai chi and yoga. Over at Evelyn Greer Park in Pinecrest, amenities include 10 acres of park with ball fields, batting cages, play area and rec center plus a gazebo with Wi-Fi.

LOOKING FOR A MIND/BODY EXPERIENCE

Pilates in the Grove - Now with two locations to choose from (Grove and South Miami), Pilates in the Grove will bring athletes and beginners a sense of mind/body health via everything from barre classes to pre-natal to physical therapy and corporate wellness. In addition to longer, leaner muscles, by emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and concentration on smooth, flowing movement, Pilates allows students to become acutely in tune with their bodies. Pilatesinthegrove.com

Zaniac - Growing kids need a lot of physical exercise, but what about mental? South Miami’s Zaniac is a place where K-8 kids can master foundation skills, learn about math and technology, and become scientists — all while making new friends and having the time of their lives. Think everything from Lego robotics to Minecraft classes (yes, they’re educational!) to Tinkering (student work through electrical engineering projects.) zaniaclearning.com

Zenzations - Treat mom and dad (or sisters, brothers, grandparents?) at this holistic center where the menu includes everything from relaxing therapeutic massage to facials, reiki, acupuncture, detox programs and Bach Flower therapy among others. “When we avoid conditions that are known to hamper our health we strengthen our defenses,” says Zenzations owner Roberto Echevarria. “Our holistic healing center is dedicated to providing crucial knowledge to our community.” That means free lectures and open conversation on daily choices and lifestyle choices. Zenzations.com

The Florida Villager

01.2016

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You will absolutely gain flexibility doing yoga, but more importantly, you will create “structural integrity.” Yoga is body building. Bikram Yoga is designed with a set of checks and balances to help you achieve a natural body. It is diagnostic, then therapeutic. Once you know your limitations, you can slowly work to improve them. Before you’re going to gain flexibility, you have to gain the appropriate amount of strength and control. Exercises like running, weights, and cycling use “momentum,” while machines focus on “moving.” Yoga builds the body. Holding yoga postures in “stillness,” focuses on muscle control, moving slowly, efficient respiration, natural range of motion and fluidity, all while restructuring and re-educating the entire body. For those who can’t handle the impact of other exercises, yoga allows you to achieve great health!! It’s never too late to start!

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Most yoga postures utilize every muscle in the body. In fact, it’s almost easier to mention which muscles are not being used. The postures can create the same bursts of increased heart rate as a 100 yard dash, except they allow you to stay in one place, with zero impact. Just like any endurance sport, you learn how to coordinate cardio and respiration for maximum power. During the Bikram Series, there are a handful of postures designed to get the heart rate going!

R E A D E R ’S

Why the heat?

SEND US YOUR STORY IDEAS editor@thefloridavillager.com

SAT - SUN 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 4:00 PM

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Miami native Sam Levine is the owenr of Sunshine Hot Yoga, one of the fastest growing studios in south Florida. It is located at 13847 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL 33176. Check out their website at www.BikramYoga305.com for more information and class schedules.

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From the day you’re born, you breathe non-stop. In yoga, you learn “how to breath,” using the respiratory system to its full potential, and increasing lung capacity and range of motion. Yes, your lungs can change!! Bikram Yoga is a thorough workout, and breathing correctly is the key to achieving the benefits inside and outside of the yoga room. STRESS is one of the leading causes of disease. It can affect your hormones, blood pressure, sleep, and eating. Unfortunately, stress is a part of life, and can’t always be avoided. The list of research on stress related ailments is a mile long. How we cope is key. In yoga, “responding” rather than just “reacting” is what we practice, via breath control. Breathing can control your stress response and the physiological reactions that come with it. It’s like cross-training for your life!! Everyday, all over the world, people are improving their lives through Bikram Yoga.

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The heat aids in warming up the body, but the majority of it is created by internal heat, which is created by the exercise. If you want to bend metal, you first have to warm it up, or else it will crack. The body is the same. The heat helps to reshape the body. When warmed up, it increases the ability to absorb oxygen. It does take some getting used to, and most people adapt after a few classes. The well ventilated room is heated to a little over 100 degrees, with 40 percent controlled humidity. It isn’t like being in the sun though, so unfortunately it won’t improve your tan. The warming aids in detoxing the internal organs and glands, clearing the pores, and boosting the immune system and metabolism. When you sweat, you release impurities. In recent studies, Bikram Yoga was found to create tremendous benefits for arterial stiffness, arthritis, tendonitis, blood pressure, sleep issues, anxiety/depression, and an increase in bone density. You will lose weight if needed, lose inches, and gain muscle.

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FE AT U R E ™

s ’ i m Mi a e t a m Ulti Baby Affair F

OR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, TUTTI BAMBINI WILL PRESENT MIAMI’S Ultimate Baby Affair in 2016, at the Miami Airport Convention Center. In past years, the event has featured a unique collection of more than 50 national luxury baby gear brands and local trend-setting vendors along with experts, bloggers, and instructors who expose couples planning to conceive, expecting families, and new parents to services and products available to assist them in the wonderful journey of parenthood in a unique and exclusive way. 2016’s event promises to be the biggest one yet, with a full morning of workshops and classes followed by an afternoon of meeting with representatives from some of the best baby gear brands in the US. Attendees will have the chance to test out everything they will need for their growing families from car seats and strollers to carriers and mattresses. Tutti Bambini is the vision and creation of Lourdes Leon-Vega. The daughter of

The Florida Villager

01.2016

Cuban immigrants, Leon-Vega grew up working alongside her parents and siblings establishing one of the most recognizable brands in the South Florida community. “I am definitely a product of witnessing and partaking in hard work, devotion, excellence and loyalty,” she says. Ten years after having her first daughter, Leon-Vega found herself expecting a second child. Much had evolved in her life between her two pregnancies – she had greater demands as a mother, a wife, and as an executive in her family business. Eventually confined to bedrest due to pregnancy complications, Leon-Vega began looking to eliminate as much of the stress and time-consuming guesswork as she could to prepare herself for the arrival of her baby. She presumed she would easily find a company that would provide her with the products and services she needed. “I was amazed that none existed,” says Leon-Vega.

Amelia Vega-Horford, Miss Universe 2003, Wife of Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks), Mom to Ean. Shown here taking her private instore Baby 101 Class with Lauren Quiñonez, RN, Neonatal.

The rest is history. Today, Tutti Bambini’s Family of Brands include:

Tutti Bambini Maternity and Newborn The core brand, Tutti Bambini’s Maternity and Newborn division, provides the services, products, and education new families need during the most important part of their lives. They strive to live up to their motto for new and expectant parents everyday- “Everything Baby, Total Peace of Mind.” In today’s fast-paced, time-sensitive world, they understand that parents want to find what they need and get it to their homes as quickly as possible- whether it is a product, service, or information. At Tutti Bambini’s Maternity and Newborn division, clients find the best

baby and maternity gear and products from the most trusted brands on the market; the most up-to-date information on product developments and recalls, and educational classes in all areas of conception, delivery, child development, and child safety. In addition, Tutti Bambini’s Certified Baby Planners are readily available to aid families who need additional assistance getting ready for baby. They are specialists in their field and can work on everything from getting the nursery prepared for baby, helping mom pack her hospital bag, arranging childcare assistance, even assisting international clients find housing for long-term stays. Tutti Bambini’s classes are held in an intimate setting, whereby expert instructors can offer personal attention to all who attend, and participants have opportunities

Tutti Bambini Photography Tutti Bambini Kids Bringing high fashion at unbeatable prices, Tutti Bambini Kids carries a variety of lines to meet the needs of the families they serve, including organic clothing for infants, baptism and communion gowns, and trendy and traditional apparel and accessories for children from newborns to tweens.

to have all their questions answered as they prepare to embark on their parenting journey. Baby 101, Tutti Bambini’s Newborn Preparedness Class, and Lactation with Faith Ploude, IBCLC, are new parent favorites. Car Seat Safety Workshops and Inspections by a Child Passenger Safety Technician ensure that parents and caregivers transport children safely and use car seats correctly. Working closely with well-respected psychologists and counselors, Tutti Bambini also presents workshops on a monthly basis that focus on a variety of topics ranging from what to expect during baby’s first year, new trends in parenting for grandparents, and how to survive today’s “Modern Family.” And for families who are suffering from lack of sleep, there are a variety of workshops led by a trained and certified Gentle Sleep Coach!

Tutti Bambini Events

With Lead Photographer Christina Mendoza behind the lens and an amazing photography team, Tutti Bambini helps clients cherish important moments and milestones by capturing these special times and turning them into forever memories. Tutti Bambini is a full service photography establishment, offering studio (indoor & outdoor) and location shoots. The studio has an extensive selection of props to choose from to accommodate just about any theme.

Led by director Monica Pardo, the creative team behind Tutti Bambini Events provides clients with ideas and event planning services to make their dream events come true. Whether clients have a theme in mind or are starting with a clean slate, Tutti Bambini Events works to to coordinate the event and ensure that clients enjoy the party to the fullest. Each event is tailored to meet specific needs, and with a personalized and detail oriented approach, the client and guests are sure to be in awe of every aspect of the party.

Tutti Bambini is located at 7400 SW 57th Court, South Miami. From pregnancy to parenting, Tutti Bambini is South Florida’s everything baby, total peace of mind destination. Tutti Bambini is led by owner Lourdes León-Vega and her team of in-house experts, Tutti Bambini is a sophisticated maternity concierge establishment that specializes in preparing expectant parents for the big day and continuing to support families through the teenage years. With knowledge and experience, the Tutti Bambini Baby Planners guide parents-to-be through the baby preparation maze of endless shopping, researching, conflicting advice, and the general stress and confusion that comes with being a new parent of one or multiples. At Tutti Bambini, “Mom’s the Word” — meaning from preparing one’s nursery, to bringing home baby to breast- feeding workshops to losing stubborn baby weight to photography services — this premium concierge service has moms-to-be covered.

January 2016

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

AS K T HE E X PERT

We’re moving in January!

Diamond Tips BY JOHN O’ROURKE, OWNER, MONTICA JEWELRY

HOSE WHO’VE MET ME KNOW THAT I’M PASSIONATE about the quality of diamonds. In fact, I’m doing a series of videos on YouTube (search for “Montica Jewelry”) to help educate diamond buyers. There are four factors that affect the price and beauty of a diamond –cut, color, clarity, and carat. This month, I’ll provide a basic overview for the first two and in February’s issue, I’ll provide some insight on clarity and carat.

STOREWIDE

SAVINGS

CUT The shine of a well-cut diamond can actually make it appear larger than one might expect based on carat weight alone. The reality is that the quality of a diamond’s cut is crucial to its overall beauty. At Montica Jewelry, we always recommend investing in the highest cut grade that your budget will allow. It’s important to remember that cut and shape are two very different things. Diamonds come in varying shapes and sizes, yet only round-shaped diamonds can be cut to ideal standards. These standards allow for optimal light return – called “performance” - and as a result, rounds are the most sought-after shape in the world. All things being equal, a round-shaped diamond will cost more than other shapes of equal quality. Think of a diamond’s cut as its “engine.” The engine is what drives the performance of the diamond. By performance, I mean that brilliance, sparkle, fire, and scintillation of colors that make a diamond so unique. Poorly cut diamonds will not perform as well; appearing dull, glassy, or dark in those areas where light is lost out of the bottom and sides of the stone. It’s expensive to cut diamonds to ideal proportions. The finer the cut, the more powerful the engine, resulting in a beautiful and rare diamond.

COLOR Diamonds come in all different colors with red being the rarest of all. The color exhibited in a diamond is caused from chemical impurities. For example, boron could give a diamond a bluish tint. Colored diamonds can be exceptionally rare and quite an investment. Most of us are looking to find a diamond that faces up white, has no visible inclusions to the unaided eye, and sparkles like crazy. The human eye tends to detect sparkle (light performance) before color and this is precisely why color is typically considered the second-most important characteristic of buying a diamond, after cut. As a diamond’s size increases, its color becomes more noticeable. This is especially important to keep in mind if purchasing a diamond of two carats or greater. The visible difference between diamonds of one color grade, for example F to G or H to I, is minor and very difficult to detect with the naked eye. That being said, the difference in cost can be quite substantial. Diamond shapes that reflect more light (i.e. have more sparkle), such as a round or cushion, can actually mask some color in a diamond. This brings us back to why the quality of a diamond’s cut is so valuable. The type of metal in which a diamond is set can actually complement its color. Consider setting diamonds graded J or below in yellow gold. Platinum or white gold pair best with diamonds of a color grade of D through H as well as most I’s. Jewelers have charts that show color grades that can be a great visual aid to understanding how your stone is ranked – just ask and they’ll show you! John and his wife Marichi own Montica Jewelry. They are opening a new showroom in January at 500 South Dixie Highway, Suite 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146. See more at Montica.com.

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January 2016

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HE ALT H & W ELLNES S

A Non-Surgical Approach to Relieving Joint and Back Pain BY CHARLES F MAHL MD, GENLIFE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

HERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CHRONIC PAIN; IT IS SIMPLY acute pain that has been handled poorly for months or years.”

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Most joint pain, including neck and back pain is caused by damaged, unhealed ligaments and tendons. Even if there are disc problems, cartilage problems, bone spurs or other abnormalities present, pain may still be arising from damaged unhealed ligaments and tendons. Conventional treatments which include anti-inflammatory and steroid medication given either orally or as injection serve only to temporarily relieve the pain and may further reduce your ability to heal and, in the long run, will cause damage to your bones. Anti-inflammatory and steroid medication only treat the symptoms not the cause of the pain. Prolotherapy is the only therapy which successfully treats the underlying cause of most joint pain rather than treat the symptoms. Prolotherapy is used to treat arthritis, back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, TMJ, sciatica and more. The treatment is based on the theory that chronic pain is often caused by laxity or looseness of the ligaments that are responsible for keeping a joint stable. When ligaments and tendons are loose, the body compensates by using muscles to stabilize the joint thus resulting in muscle spasm and pain. A lack of ligament and tendon healing leads to chronic pain. Prolotherapy treatment involves a series of injections of natural solutions into the injured area, thus stopping muscle spasms and the associated pain. It is 80 percent or more effective in curing pain caused by damaged, unhealed connective-tissue and returning the structure to full load bearing capacity.

PLATELET RICH PLASMA PROLOTHERAPY PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Prolotherapy involves drawing blood, processing it and using the growth factors in this blood to start the healing and eventual pain relief. PRP prolotherapy is used for musculoskeletal injuries that require a bit more effect than dextrose prolotherapy, or for which dextrose prolotherapy has caused only a partial improvement and additional improvement or complete improvement is desired with a more powerful regenerative technology. PRP and stem cell prolotherapy therapy are less invasive and relatively inexpensive treatments of pain caused by acute and chronic injuries, as compared to major surgery.

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Stem cells are the body’s raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. They can regenerate into new cell types and replace injured cells and thus heal injuries and diseases. Stem cells are harvested from your own bone marrow or your own fat (usually from around the belly), concentrated and isolated and then injected directly into the painful area. Once injected, signals are sent to the brain that can “trick” your body into thinking that there has been a new injury and so the brain starts to send growth factors, healing factors, blood vessels and platelets to the area to treat the injury, relieve the pain and tenderness and begin the healing cascade. Degenerative arthritis of the hip, spine, knee, ankle, foot shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand can be treated with stem cell injections. Meniscal and labral tears, bulging or herniated discs, and certain cartilage deteriorations, including some bone on bone, can also be treated too. Stem cells offer new hope and are viable option to treat joint and bone problems that are causing pain because they have never healed in the first place. Charles F. Mahl M.D. is a physician/surgeon who specializes in the practice of Regenerative Medicine and Prolotherapy, Preventive Aging and Interventional Pain Management. GenLife Regenerative Medicine is located at 2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Ste 302, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Please call 305-332-7234 or visit www.genliferegenerativemedicine.com for more information or to schedule a consultation.

M U S I C NE WS

Play a Guitar – For the Fun of It! BY PENNY DANIELS

folk, jazz, reggae, rock, soul and pop. Playing the guitar is a mental and physical process. It can be played individually or in a group setting. The best thing you can do when you begin playing the guitar, is to receive lessons and watch/listen to other guitarists. You can often gain new knowledge and learn something new. Although the guitar is limited to three octaves (musical pitches), you can create a million plus unique songs. It is also one of the most convenient instruments there is. A guitar is very portable in comparison to many other instruments and can be used to play music almost anywhere. And once you learn how to play the guitar, it doesn’t take long finding others with that same interest and making music fill the air.

AISE YOUR HAND IF YOU HAVE EVER played “air guitar” when listening to music. Well … you are not alone. Air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which you pretend to play the guitar with exaggerated strumming and picking motions. It is often coupled with loud signing, lip-synching, fun and laughter. Playing the “air guitar” or even the guitar used in the video game “Guitar Hero” has inspired many people to start playing the guitar. This includes those without previous musical instrument experience or any musical knowledge. And for many, playing a musical instrument such as a guitar is something they have always wanted to do … it is an item on their “bucket list.” What is the guitar and how do you play it? The guitar is a popular musical instrument that makes sound by strumming or plucking the strings with one hand while pressing down the string behind the raised element on the neck of the guitar with the other. There are several different types of guitars to choose from – classical (nylon-string guitar), bass guitar, and the electric guitar – to name just a few. The guitar is recognized as a primary instrument in various types of music such as blues, bluegrass, country,

Getting started is simple: let the professionals at Musicians Discount Center in South Miami help you find the guitar that suits you and fits your budget, too. They are the one stop music shop that has been sharing their expertise with others for many years. They offer new and used instruments, instrument rentals, rent to own programs and music lessons. Stop in and let the sounds of music begin in your house today. Contact Musicians Discount Center at 305-255-9466 or visit them online at www.musiciansdiscountcenter.net.

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www.thefloridavillager.com

IT ’S T HEIR BU S INES S

A New Approach to Dental Health BY ANDREA CARNEIRO

EERING DENTAL IS NOT—AS THE SAYING GOES— your grandmother’s dentist. The office, run by Miami natives Dr. Yenile Pinto and her husband Peter, celebrates one year in Palmetto Bay this March, as well as one year of changing attitudes toward dental visits. “I wasn’t happy practicing the type of dentistry that I was seeing in other offices,” says Dr. Pinto. “I really wanted to open an office that created a patient experience that was second to none. I think when a patient comes into our office they pretty much know right away that it’s different from what they’re used to.” For the Pintos that means changing up everything from the reception room (think Wi-Fi, coffee bar and kids play area) to patient experience (blankets, flat screens, Bose headphones). And the Pintos dedication to patient comfort extends beyond just in-office amenities. “We never overbook our schedule and it’s office policy that our patients never wait more than 10 minutes,” says the doctor. On a daily basis the office sees a range of patients, calling themselves a “familyoriented practice,” and often seeing multiple members of the same family, from children to grandparents. “We also get a lot of busy professional types who, due to their hectic work schedules, really like the fact that we offer Saturday appointments.” Also attractive to busy patients is Deering online paperwork, allowing digitalsavvy patients to eliminate time spent filling out forms in the office and redirect it to personalizing their dental plans with the doctor (“I spend quite a bit of time with each patient, going over their x-rays and intraoral photos,” says Dr. Pinto).

Deering’s tech offerings within exam rooms include a digital x-ray machine (it produces up to 90 percent less radiation than conventional x-rays) and laser cavity detection. The office also offers comfort to those who fear any pain via Gentle Touch cream-based anesthetic and vibrating probe called a Dental Vibe, which stimulates nerve endings to reduce pain. And if all else fails, the doctor isn’t averse to some old-fashioned distraction. “I’ve had several patients tell me they were so engrossed in a movie they were watching that they nearly forgot they were at the dentist,” she says. Taking care of the local community is a personal pride for both Pintos. A graduate of Monsignor Edward Pace High School and the University of Miami (she attended dental school at New York University), Dr. Pinto grew up in Miami Lakes, while her husband Peter spent his childhood in Pinecrest, eventually introducing his wife to the area. “I just fell in love with [the Pinecrest/ Palmetto Bay area], in fact we live just down the road from Deering Dental and got married at the Thalatta Estate,” she says. “I love this part of Miami and couldn’t ask for a better location.” Looking ahead, the Pintos are looking forward to finding their place in Palmetto Bay history and working more and more with the community on philanthropic initiatives (they recently donated part of their profits to help with the medical bills of a local friend battling cancer). Says Dr. Pinto “I think it’s that our office is bringing back a more personal patient-centered approach to dentistry.” Deering Dental is located at 16709 Old Cutler Rd. Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. For more information, please visit deering-dental.com or to make an appointment call 786.257.1372.

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HE ALT H SERV I CES

Hospice Care is a Specialized Care

OR MANY YEARS, DEATH HAS BEEN A DISTANT, FRIGHTENING AND SOMEtimes mystical event. The notion of dying at home was foreign as hospice care was first introduced as late as the 1970s. Ill patients have often felt that staying at the hospital or at an inpatient facility is the only way to treat the disease. However, this pattern is changing. Ann Neuman of The New York Times wrote, “Hospice programs now care for 60 percent of all dying patients each year, at a total of 1.5 million.” Hospice care is a specialized care that provides support to the patient and their family during a serious illness. Hospice care focuses on quality of life rather than a cure to the illness. Now, as Hospice programs are more prevalent, patients and their families are sharing the death experience in the comfort of the same home where they have shared their cherished living experiences. One of the main goals of hospice is to care for patients so that they live comfortably and with dignity until they pass away. Another goal is to help the patient’s family feel comfortable and be with them in their final moments. There is still, however, a stigma against hospice care as there is misinformation and continued lack of trust toward hospice programs. Many do not know that hospice requires patients to have a prognosis of six months or less to live. Patients and their families often do not take advantage of the full six months because they are fearful; most patients enter hospice in the last four weeks of life. Hospice programs, like Hospice Care of South Florida, are available to support the patient and their loved ones with the care they need. Just as each person’s life is unique, so is his or her passing. It is important to acknowledge the patient’s wishes and have him or her feel comfortable when they need it the most. Although it may be difficult for the patient and their family to discuss pre-death arrangements, it is another way of acknowledging the patient’s approaching passing while also providing the family comfort that the decisions that will be made are the patient’s wishes. Hospice care programs often include platforms such as “Five Wishes,” which gives the patient a chance to explain how they want to be treated if they become seriously ill. It is the first living will that specifies the patient’s position about their personal, emotional, spiritual AND medical wishes. It allows the patient choose the person they wish to make healthcare decisions if they are unable to make it themselves. It also helps explain to the patient’s family, friends and doctor exactly how they wish to be treated if they are very ill. Most importantly, it provides comfort for the patient and their family during a very difficult time. The family will not have to make hard choices if the patient is unable to communicate, providing ease during this time. An advanced illness affects the entire family, not just the person who is ill. Those affected need and deserve ongoing support before and after a loved one’s death. Hospice programs, like Hospice Care of South Florida, have interdisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, and pastoral guides and volunteers that are available to take care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. Social Services personnel are available to assist, when requested, with the process of completing advanced directives. Making funeral plans before a patient’s death can also be helpful to the family in carrying out the patient’s wishes. If you have any questions about hospice care, please call Hospice Care of South Florida at 305-591-1606 for more details. You can also visit Hospice Care of South Florida at hospicesouthflorida.org for more information.

For Life’s Diﬃcult Moments Hospice Care of South Florida’s dedicated Interdisciplinary Team provides a broad range of services aimed at keeping the patient living comfortably and with dignity.

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W W W. H O S P I C E S O U T H F L O R I D A . O R G

January 2016

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www.thefloridavillager.com 01.2016

UCKED AWAY ATOP BEECH MOUNTAIN is an abandoned theme park that once a year comes alive with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy. The Land of Oz theme park opened in the 1970s but in 1975 suffered a horrible fire that destroyed most of the park. It closed it’s gates in 1980 but in the late 90s it rose from the ashes and became what is now known as Autumn at Oz. Once a year, during the first weekend of October, you can join other Wizard of Oz fans and skip down the yellow brick road. I couldn’t wait to get started on this journey with my daughter who just happened to be 18 at the time. The trick was going to be how to land two tickets. The website said “Sold Out” in big bold letters. Apparently, this is a bigger deal than I thought as tickets went on sale August 1 and within two weeks all 7,000 were sold. Undaunted, I called the office and hung up with two tickets waiting for me at Oz. Auntie Em, replete with apron, greeted us at the door and ushered us into the basement, as there was a tornado coming. We found ourselves walking into a wind tunnel with the tornado scene from the movie playing on the walls. There was a small model of the farmhouse twirling from the ceiling and the music playing announced Miss Gulch riding her bicycle passed me. We walked around the corner of a tunnel and into the same farmhouse from whence we came only this was one was sideways, windows broken, objects on the floor and furniture broken. Apparently, the house had finally come to rest. But where were we? We walked through the kitchen door with a quizzical look, as before us, singing his declaration, was the mayor of Oz. It appears by the stocking feet and red shoes sticking out from under the house, the wicked witch was dead. Very, very sincerely dead! Stepping off of the porch onto a path and past the “Welcome to Oz “ sign I could make out what could only be Glinda the good witch. She waved her wand to me and said, “Follow the yellow brick road.” I looked down and there it was before me. I gingerly put one red shoe (yes, I had on ruby red slippers) on it and then the other and for the next hour I had the most memorable time of all. As my daughter and I rounded the bend, we walked right into a cornfield and there he was, the scarecrow. Pictures taken we kept walking and came upon the tin man, he even let my daughter oil his elbow. Ahead of us was a cave and out jumped the cowardly lion. More pictures. By now we were in Munchkin land where Glinda’s bubble was perched atop a rock and several munchkins were running about. We could see it ahead of us in the forest, the witch’s castle. All of a sudden I heard a scream and turned around in time to see the witch with her broom and one of her monkeys in tow, sweep by us. I thought we had made it out in time but as we ran around the corner her guards stopped me. Looking like they had stepped right off the movie set, they pointed their spears at my shoes, my daughter snapped a picture. We passed through the poppy fields with no ill effects and on the road just steps in front of us was the entire cast, more pictures. We were almost there as we could see the emerald gates. We walked up and stood before a huge door with a sign that read, “Ring the bell.” My daughter walked up to it and rang the bell. Immediately the door flew open, “Who rang that bell? Can’t you read the sign, it says bell out of order,” and with that he flipped the sign over and slammed the door. I walked up and rang the bell again. The door flew open, “Can’t you read the sign?” I simply pointed to my feet where my ruby red slippers sparkled. “Well, well, now that’s a horse of a different color.” And we were in. I paused for a brief second, closed my eyes and clicked my heels three times. There really is no place like home. Debbie Martinez is a Miami Dade resident and Travel Editor for The Florida Villager. She can be reached at debbiemartinez1@mac.com.

R E AL ESTAT E TALK

Bon Appetit! BY FRANK DEVALDIVIELSO

R. OR MS. GENERAL CONTRACTOR, WHILE YOU’RE here why don’t you…?” The perils of great taste in remodeling a home can be very expensive and end up with you owning the castle on your street. If you’re thinking about remodeling your home, you may want to balance between your enjoyment of the upgrades and increasing the market value of the property. The flow of buyers that come to our community is constant, thank goodness. They generally are looking for little to no work in their new home... at least until they move in. The basic needs for buyers include a roof with a remaining life span that allows them to obtain homeowners insurance, a septic tank system and drainfield that are functional and serviced. County approved protection for windows and doors against high-speed windstorms. And of course, they don’t want pests (especially not termites). Once past those thresholds the comfort and convenience of the home is paramount. A floor plan that works for their lifestyle is probably number one on the list. The floor plan in your home will work for some of the buyers, not all. For example, some want a split bedroom plan with the master bedroom on one side and the remaining bedrooms on the opposite side. While other buyers want a stacked plan where all the bedrooms are on the same side. Not much that a home seller can do about that, within reason. “Certain upgrades and remodels can be beneficial to get more buyer eyes on a property, potentially bring in more offers or gain more equity from a home,” said National Association of Realtors (NAR) President Tom Salomone. In our community the upgrades and remodels that are attracting buyers are primarily the kitchen, the flooring, and updated bathrooms. Also, that the washer and dryer be in an airconditioned room and that there be generous closet space throughout the home. The new kitchens are now part of the family room, or vice-versa. You can gather around to make breakfast and spend a moment with your loved ones that are sipping their favorite morning beverage while sitting in the family room. Then off to school and work we go, comforted and grateful for the moment enjoyed together. When friends come over to share an evening, where do we always end up? It’s fun to see and share with each other the “goodies” that will be served, discuss recipes, favorite beverages, grab a cold one from the refrigerator or just plain hang out with friends in a not-so-formal setting. If you’re thinking about selling your home, please consider what really has to be done that will yield a positive return on investment. Or, would you rather account for the costs of the upgrades and remodels in the sales price, without dipping into your capital? There is some food for thought. Consult with your realtor, who is in and out of homes daily and very active in the market. It’s free and will help you gather important information to help in your decision. Frank DeValdivielso, a member the Miami FL Team and The Keyes Company, is based out of 2423 Le Jeune Road, Coral Gables, FL 33134. For more information you can reach Frank at his office, 786 378 8450, or cell, 786 273 8507. You can also email him at RealEstate@MiamiFLTeam.com and please be sure to visit www.MiamiFLTeam.com for the latest listing and news regarding real estate. Call to sign up for a free monthly market report of your zip code.

January 2016

www.thefloridavillager.com

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

INCE THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR, SOCIAL MEDIA posts have changed from pictures of greasy double bacon cheeseburgers and pepperoni pizzas to heaps of leafy spinach with a fist-sized portion of chicken. The wait for a treadmill at the gym has been longer than the line to get your child’s must-have’s on Black Friday. I think you catch the drift: People have started (and will quickly terminate) their New Year’s resolutions. What exactly, then, is the key to success as you try to melt away the fat that has accumulated after a year of weight loss shortcomings? At ResultsMD, we have acknowledged the requirement for close follow-up with weight loss patients in order for them to be successful in reaching their goals. As the cutting-edge leaders in weight loss by having performed the first Orbera intragastric balloon procedure in the southeastern United States, we are pleased to announce the release of a revolutionary smartphone application, ResultsMD Weight Loss. This invaluable tool will keep your doctor in your pocket, encouraging and guiding you along the road to wellness. One of the most common pitfalls in a country where almost 70 percent of the adult population is considered to be overweight or obese is reverting to old bad habits. Sure, you have lost weight, but have you kept it off? Our ResultsMD Weight Loss application will allow you to keep in touch with your expert medical weight loss physician with the touch of a screen. How is this possible? Here’s an example: The dozen chocolate-covered, cream-filled donuts sitting out at work might look tempting, but if you eat it, you must record it. Photo evidence of each meal or snack is recorded using your smartphone’s camera and is sent directly to the physician’s portal. This way, your physician is able to keep close tabs on the progress you have been making or the bumps in the road along your weight loss journey. While it is said that you become more fit in the kitchen than at the gym, frequent exercise is a quintessential piece of the puzzle. In the dawn of the smart “make-meskinny” device, there are several options available for you to track activity metrics such as your calories burned, steps taken, and heart rate. The ResultsMD Weight Loss app fully integrates your personal data from all Fitbit devices, including the Aria scale. In doing so, you and your physician have access to all of your information with real-time accessibility. In the coming months, the app will also include the capability of integrating data collected from smart blood pressure cuffs and glucometers. Our application also has a HIPAA-compliant video communication feature to securely connect you and your physician face-to-face. Before you are tempted to snap a picture of the leftover holiday cookies you are planning on demolishing, it might be time to open your browser instead and do some research on the plethora of medical weight loss services that are available to you. There are no limits to who can benefit from a medical weight loss program lead by a physician who has had years of success! From the first time dieter to the patient who is recovering from bariatric surgery, this breakthrough will change the way medical weight loss care is delivered in a way never done before. In conjunction with the ResultsMD Weight Loss app, your physician will work with you hand-inhand so that 2016 marks the beginning of a journey to forever create a new you. An International, multilingual Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Jose Soler-Baillo brings to South Florida a refreshing, modern approach to Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Soler-Baillo earned his Medical Degree at the prestigious Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, trained in General Surgery at the Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, and received extensive training in Plastic Surgery in Miami, New York, and Texas. Dr. Soler-Baillo is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. For more information please visit, resultsmd.com or email info@soler-baillo.com.

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Every month The Florida Villager randomly picks a Pet of the Month winner. Enter your pet today! Email entries to editor@thefloridavillager.com. Please send a high-resolution photo with your entry. Tell us a little bit about your pet…

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

PE T HE ALT H

State of the Art Management of Arthritis in Pets BY DR. MARTA SANCHEZ EMDEN

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Dr Marta Sanchez-Emden is the founder of the Animal Health and Rehab Center in South Miami. She has been practicing Veterinary Medicine in Miami for over 20 years. As a Certified Veterinary Journalist, she is the resident veterinarian for various national TV shows. She authored the book “CHIHUAHUAS : How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend,” available on Amazon. Follow her at youtube.com/ahrcvet, Facebook.com/dr.sanchezemden, Twitter @DrMartavet, and www.animalhealthrehab.com.

We would like to welcome DR. ARLENE JIMENEZ to Galloway Veterinary Hospital

O YOUR BUDDY IS GETTING OLD, AND IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE the end is near. Walks are getting shorter, going up/down stairs is harder, sitting down is difficult, and climbing up on your bed is not possible anymore. You know for sure your buddy is suffering from arthritis and the vet will probably prescribe a daily pain pill, right? Wrong. Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine over the last two decades, our pets are living longer than ever. Thirteen-year-old cats and dogs represent the average nowadays. Conditions related to old age such as arthritis, limited vision, dry eye, decreased hearing and senility are managed routinely. In the past, arthritis (osteoarthritis or OA ) was seen as an end stage condition with treatment limited to controlling the pain with strong medications with potentially serious adverse effects (remember those cortisone shots?). Today the goal of treatment has changed; we no longer just treat the symptoms. We can now slow the rate of development in OA and we can minimize its severity when it eventually develops in a more effective way. This newer medical philosophy is known as the “multi modal approach for OA management.” It involves the combined use of pain medications with different mechanisms of attacking the pain in order to achieve, as a group, better pain control with lower doses and minimal or no adverse effects. The beauty of the multi-modal OA management is that it is not limited to the use of drugs; it also involves integration of FDA veterinary approved pain control methods such as stem cell therapy, laser therapy, acupuncture, thermotherapy, massage therapy, therapeutic exercises, therapeutic analgesic/anti-inflammatory diets, nutritional supplements and weight management. A veterinarian certified in animal rehabilitation and, ideally, also certified in acupuncture, is the most qualified clinician to plan a strategy for OA management for your pet. He or she will not only diagnose the condition (ruling out other conditions with similar signs) based on palpation, x ray study, and gait evaluation, but will also be able to identify concurrent impairments that contribute to the disability such as trigger points, specific atrophied muscle groups, compensatory postures and areas of referred pain. A customized prescribed plan for your dog or cat’s specific motion impairments will then be formulated, including home exercises. Objective monitoring of your pets progression and modification of the program as the dog or cat improves, is a crucial factor for a successful outcome. As veterinary medicine advances, so is the pet’s expected lifespan. By successfully managing OA with the guidance of veterinary team experienced on cutting edge therapy for this condition, you will be able to maximize your pet’s quality of life in its golden years. Because after all, in dog’s years thirteen is the new seven.

R E A D E R ’S

7535 SW 62 avenue, Miami, Fl. 33143

January 2016

www.thefloridavillager.com

ASK T HE E XPERT Are you pAying too much Are you pAying too for your insurAnce? Are you pAying too much much for for your your insurAnce? insurAnce? Book Review BY LUIS ORTEGA, OWNER, SECURITY ARMS INTERNATIONAL

Richard Duarte “Surviving an Urban Disaster - Quick-Start Guide” [Heritage Press]

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

ITH SO MANY UNFORTUNATE EPISODES OF MASSIVE violence both abroad and domestically, a prudent person would stop to consider their level of readiness in case of an urban disaster. Even when we live in a civilized society and are safeguarded by laws and enforcement powers, a proverbial match to a powder keg may change the dynamics of our otherwise civil environment, leaving us (and our families) to our own devices. How prepared would we be for such an eventuality? This is a review of South Florida author, attorney, and lecturer Richard Duarte’s “Surviving an Urban Disaster - A Quick Start Guide.” (Heritage Press). Even at a “trim” 100 pages, readers will find this glossy-cover tome complete and relevant. Eleven chapters cover elements of survival ranging from sustenance to sanitation. Graphics and color-tabbed pages make for easy reference, and the book is easy to carry and to enjoy as a light read at a park, or while chatting with friends and family. Clearly, Duarte structured the book to be used in any order, making discreet sections that provide information independently of the others. But he does emphasize that “no matter how you choose to proceed, [when preparing for an urban disaster] the important thing is to get started.” First chapter “Urban Survival Basics” lists the “Core Survival Elements” which include, among others, water, food, personal defense, and hygiene. At the onset, the author indicates how we tend to “vastly underestimate the risks and to overestimate [our] abilities”, so we’d best pause to consider his “Steps to Urban Preparedness.” Here are the first five: 1. Expand Your Options 2. Focus on the Core Survival Elements 3. Don’t Focus on or Prepare for Specific Threats 4. Security and Self-Defense 5. Redundancy is King Even though this guide is not meant to be your only consult, it easily serves as a starting point in the right direction, so that you can make reasonable decisions based on knowledge and not fear. Let’s see some examples. Did you know that ... »» The very first priority in any survival situation is security and self-defense. No amount of food, water, or other supplies will do any good if you’re dead or seriously injured. »» You should formulate a food plan that provides at least 2,000 calories per person, per day, for no less than 90 days. Rice with beans is the ultimate survival food because of their combined content of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and protein. »» Clear water can be made safe to drink by heat, bleach, iodine, solar radiation, filtering, and UV light. Details on each of those methods are on page 30. »» Sanitation is probably one of the most neglected areas in survival planning. Mismanaging the removal of solid human waste will render an urban area completely unlivable. The rest of this useful book covers “bugging out” (leaving quickly), building a shelter, emergency vehicle kits, and legal preparations. Richard has painstakingly included basic tips and do’s and don’ts in each instance, providing us readers confidence in our ability to prepare for an urban disaster. This book and his “Surviving Doomsday” are available on Amazon and Kindle in English and Spanish, and in local stores, including Security Arms International. For the latest news and updates, you can connect with Duarte online: www.survivingdoomsdaythebook.com Luis E. Ortega owns Security Arms International, a disaster preparation outfitter in Palmetto Bay, FL. For further discussion, you may connect with him via his Doomsday Hotline via ceo@saiops.com.

HE ALT H Y PE T

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Pet BY TAMI MAIER

LOVING PET CARE IN YOUR HOME OR MINE

OALS AREN’T JUST FOR PEOPLE. THE START OF A NEW YEAR CAN SIGNAL a fresh start for pets needing a change in routine. For example, with more than 50 percent of pets in the U.S. classified as overweight, there’s no better time for owners to commit to a new diet and exercise regimen for their pets. Need more ideas? Here are 5 resolutions to make this year your pet’s healthiest year yet! 1. Update Pet ID Info Over the course of a year, a lot can change; people move, get new phone numbers, and forget to update their pet’s tags. Often they only remember once the pet is lost. If any of your contact information has changed in, don’t wait, update their tags and microchip information immediately. It’s the best way to ensure a lost pet makes their way safely home. 2. Choose an Age-Appropriate Diet Growing pets have very specific nutrient requirements to ensure their bodies grow healthy and strong. For example, some senior pets may have lower energy requirements, but have other medical issues like degenerative joint disease that may be helped with the appropriate diet. Choosing a diet specifically tailored to your pet’s life stage is a great way to keep them in optimal health. 3. Try a New Activity

with Your Pet From hiking to kayaking, it’s easier than ever for people to incorporate their pet into a new exercise routine. It’s a great way to bond, it’ll get you both out of the house, and both owner and pet will reap the rewards of a healthy physical activity. Meetup groups are a great way to find like-minded pet owners. 4.

Groom Your Pet Daily

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Brushing your pet serves many purposes. It removes excess fur from the coat, reducing the amount you find on your clothes and furniture. It helps distribute oils from the skin to the fur, keeping the coat shiny and healthy. Lastly, daily grooming is a bonding activity that demonstrates to your pet how much you love them by taking care of them in a very soothing manner. 5.

Teach an Old Dog a New Trick Studies show that mental stimulation can help reduce cognitive deterioration in aging animals. In other words, keeping your senior pet’s brain active can actually make it healthier! Teaching your pet new tricks and practicing those they already know are a great way to keep those neurons firing. Puzzle feeders, which force a pet to think through a task in order to be rewarded with a treat, are also an excellent way to keep a pet’s mind engaged.

Tami Maier, MS in Counseling Psychology, with current focus and certification on Aromatherapy for pets. A native of Miami, Florida, she is the owner and operator of Lux Paws Pet Sitting, a dog boarding, doggy daycare, dog walking and pet sitting business for 8 years. Tami strives to provide care for the whole dog through love, companionship, nutrition and exercise. You can reach Tami at 786.306.9192 or tami@lux-paws.com.

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

HE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER AND THE GIFT GIVING HAS ceased. If your list is like mine, the person’s name appears and next to it several options for presents. Let me ask you, “What gifts are you going to give yourself?” I hope by your name are listed the givens: faith, patience, hope, forgiveness, acceptance and self-love but what about the gift of being “All In?” Remember a time when you were “All In?” Do you remember how excited you felt and the subsequent exhilaration that came from having a purpose or goal? Well, this year make “All In” your mantra. My invitation to you is to commit to be “All In” with life. Not just one aspect of your life but all of it. When we are walking down the path of divorce, it is a challenge to be all in because you feel like all has been taken from you. Well, your marriage might be over, but your life isn’t. Often times in a divorce, you can’t let go of the past and so how can you be “All In” if you are still straddling that fence that separates your past life with your present life? Notice I didn’t say future life because I don’t want you living in the past or the future; I want you right where you are which is in the present. When you are in the present moment and committed to being “All In,” then and only then will you be able to enjoy your life. There are no do-overs and time does not stop for anyone so don’t trap yourself in the past or live with the fears or fantasies of the future. Here is what “All In” looks like. »» Job: Evaluate what you are doing for work. Does it bring you joy? Are you giving it your full attention? Do you find that you are complaining and blaming others for your discontent? Find ways to breath new life into your career. »» Finances: Create a full and honest budget and commit to stick to it. Look at ways you can save money and set up goals. »» Friends and Family: Let go of relationships that are toxic and foster those that uplift you. Make amends through forgiveness and acceptance. Cherish those that are in your life and wish those well that need to move on. »» Gratitude: Every morning list what you are grateful for and show how grateful you are by giving to others. Learn the gift of paying it forward. I know this is a tough one but please do not skip over this step. The importance of gratitude cannot be stressed enough. »» Learn the Lessons: Don’t try to avoid problems or bumps in the road. It is only through those times that you learn necessary lessons and grow. And through it all, laugh. Keep your sense of humor. »» Dream Big: My mantra is “Lose a dream, get a bigger one.” Don’t put your dreams on hold for any reason. Start today. And speaking of today, I once read that to get the most out of life, you should live each day as if it was your last. How would you live your last day? I know how I would, I wouldn’t worry about anything, I would spend it with the ones I love, get right with God and have peace in my heart and mind. I would be kind to others and get my affairs in order. If I could do that for one day, than I could do that everyday and what a way to live. Don’t waste one more minute of 2016, get “All In.” Debbie Martinez, MA is a certified, mindful life coach specializing in divorce (aka: heartbreak coach). She professionally coaches clients on how to avoid the breakup backlash and live better, not bitter. As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator trained in collaborative divorce, Debbie gives clients the tools they need to successfully untie the knot and stand strong in the wake of adversity. She brings her formal training and life experience into her coaching practice to empower and educate clients through their divorce journey and onto new beginnings. You can contact Debbie at debbie@thepowerofdivorcecoach.com.

making a difference

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Thank you for making this year so successful! Our business is built on your support and referrals. We have enjoyed working with so many of you over the years and are looking forward to working with new families as well as familiar faces in this new year. It’s a pleasure to extend our thanks and appreciation for your friendship and goodwill. Best wishes for 2016!! 6405 SW 102 STREET $1, 299,000 PRIME PINECREST 1.47 acre flagship lot in coveted school district. Newer, 1982 built property with many options and room to grow. Fantastic investmentopportunity to remodel, add to existing home or build new.

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The Florida Villager

01.2016

HAMBERSOUTH IS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR GREATER SOUTH Miami-Dade County, providing leadership and vision in our communities, including South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, and Greater Kendall. Since its creation in 1931, ChamberSOUTH has become an effective voice for local business and is committed to improving the economic vitality of the community. The Chamber invites you to join us in welcoming 2016 with a bang. We have an array of events to kick off the New Year which we know you’ll enjoy. The list below is only a taste of what we have to offer to help your company grow in an atmosphere built to make this your year. UPCOMING EVENTS Our Network Luncheon is a fun, NETWORKING LUNCHEON & informal event where you’ll meet NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION everyone in the room. We have Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 Orientation 11:00 am members who do 40% of their Luncheon 11:45 am business as a result of their regular Brio Tuscan Grille at The Falls attendance at this event. Want to 8888 SW 136th Street, Suite 380, Miami learn more about ChamberSOUTH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST: WELLNESS TABLE TOP EXPO and meet our amazing Ambassadors? Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 Come to Brio Tuscan Grille at The Registration 7:15 am Falls on Wednesday, January 13th, Miami Marriott Dadeland 9090 South Dadeland Boulevard, Miami at 11:00 am for our New Member Keynote speaker: Commissioner Orientation, then stay for a fantastic Juan C. Zapata, District 11 luncheon and quality networking Sponsor: Kendall Regional Medical Center Hosted by: ChamberSOUTH Wellness Committee beginning at 11:45 am. SAVE THE DATES The General Membership BOWLING TOURNAMENT Breakfast is ChamberSOUTH’s Presented By: ChamberSOUTH official monthly meeting. Join our Military Affairs and Chamber N-XT Committees Sunday, February 21st at 11 am hosts, the ChamberSOUTH Wellness Bird Bowl Bowling Center Committee, and presenting sponsor 9275 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165 Kendall Regional Medical Center, 17TH ANNUAL CHAMBERSOUTH BUSINESS EXPO at the Miami Marriott Dadeland Presented by: The Small Business Committee and hear from Commissioner Juan Wednesday, May 18th, 2016, C. Zapata, District 11 on Friday, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm University of Miami January 22nd, at 7:15 am. 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables Mark your calendars because ChamberSOUTH is rolling out our first Bowling Tournament. This event is in partnership with ChamberSOUTH Military Affairs and Chamber N-XT Committees. It will be a great opportunity taking place at Bird Bowl on Sunday, February 21st at 11 am. And don’t miss the 17th Annual ChamberSOUTH Business EXPO. It will be held on Wednesday, May 18th, 2016, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The venue is the Fieldhouse of the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami located at 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables. Attendance is free to the community, this event offers local businesses the opportunity to exhibit and promote their wares while reminding residents to “keep it local” support our community businesses. In addition to serving the business community by providing monthly networking opportunities, ChamberSOUTH is also a resource to the community at large. ChamberSOUTH is THE SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION. For more information on any of these events, contact ChamberSOUTH by visiting www.chambersouth.com or calling 305-661-1621.

AS K T HE E XPERT

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home BY FRANK ISTUETA, OWNER, ISTUETA ROOFING

VERY YEAR WHEN THE NEW YEAR ROLLS AROUND, many of us make resolutions to lose some weight, invest more money or spend more quality time with family and friends. But do you set goals for your home? In the spirit of new beginnings, this month we’re sharing some resolutions that will make your home a more beautiful, efficient, clean and green place in the coming year. Here are our top picks for the best home improvement resolutions for 2016 and how to achieve them: 1. Streamline your stuff. Each year we seem to get more and more stuff. Without regular purging, cabinets and drawers get packed, making it difficult to find the things you need. This year resolve to periodically walk from room to room, clearing anything that you don’t use, wear or love and donate it to charity. After the initial decluttering, think twice about what you bring in. 2. Make your home safe and sound. First, check your house for radon - this colorless, odorless gas causes more than 20,000 lung cancer

deaths each year. You can purchase a test kit at your local hardware store. Install a carbon monoxide detector and fire detectors on every floor. They’re also very affordable safeguards. 3.

Reduce your bills - and your carbon footprint. When people think of going green, they often think of solar panels or a hybrid car. But the best place to start is by decreasing your energy usage in your home: »» Turn off the lights when you leave a room; »» Shut off your A/C when you go out; »» Switch to compact fluorescent or LED bulbs and low-flow shower-heads; »» Don’t run your dishwasher or washing machine until they’re completely full; »» Shut off your power strips and/or set your computer to switch to sleep mode when not in use. »» Water your yard less or consider droughttolerant landscaping; »» Try composting. Work out a weekly cleaning system. Tips for keeping your mess under control: Daily: Dishes

go in the dishwasher…dirty clothes go in the hamper… and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet – every day! Weekly: Clean your entire house from top to bottom. Enlist the help of your family and divide the jobs among them. Or hire someone to help. 5. Get your home ready for entertaining. Each year many of us make a resolution to spend more time with family and friends, so why not give the areas you entertain in a little update? All it takes to get a fresh new look is a little bit of rearranging and a few updates such as a new accent color on the walls and/or a colorful rug or throw pillows. Spend some time rearranging your furniture so it is placed in conversation groups and not just facing the television. We hope that you and your family are enjoying the New Year and that 2016 is one of your best and most prosperous years ever! Istueta Roofing, South Florida’s Most Trusted Roofer Since 1985, can be reached at 305.671.9625 or online at www.istuetaroofing.com.

Here's the bad news: By the time you realize you have a leak it's already too late. Moisture has already stripped years of life away from your roof and has robbed you of your hard-earned money, without you even knowing it.

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SEEN O N S CENE

TOYS FOR TOTS Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts held its 4th Annual Toys For Tots toy drive, collecting more than 400 toys this holiday season. Pictured here is a small representation of the students who donated to this worthy cause along with Mercedes Diaz, coordinator, Carla D. Rivas, principal, and Maria Ibanez.

FPL EMPLOYEES RAISE MONEY FOR MCH FOUNDATION

EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES DAY On Tuesday, November 24, 2015, more than 160 high school students and teachers attended Exploring Environmental Sciences Day at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables to learn about diverse careers available in horticulture and environmental sciences. Students completed handson activities with environmental experts, scientists, and researchers to learn about plant propagation, conservation, arboriculture, and biodiversity.

Students learn about native orchid conservation.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS FOR THE ANIMALS

Student perform hands-on biological imaging tasks.

Students from Holy Cross Lutheran School with Mayor George Vallejo.

Oh what fun was had at this year’s 4th annual Holiday Lights for the Animal at the Humane Society of Greater Miami’s Soffer and Fine Adoption Center. The afternoon was filled with joyous cheer as children frolicked around the shelter completing an exciting scavenger hunt and enjoyed delicious treats and hot chocolate. Visitors enjoyed magical musical performances by the students of Fulford Elementary School, Holy Cross Lutheran School and the Voices of Cushman School choir.

Participants learn about horticulture and the care of plants.

The Florida Villager

As part of Florida Power & Light Company’s 2015 employee-giving campaign, more than 1,500 employees raised over $80,000 in just three months for Miami Children’s Health Foundation (MCH Foundation), the fundraising arm for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, formerly Miami Children’s Hospital. On Dec. 10, 2015, Marlene Santos, vice president of customer service for FPL, joined MCH Foundation and FPL employees to present the check, while former and current Nicklaus Children’s Hospital patients were on hand to accept the gift. The funds will help the organization further its mission of providing hope through advanced care for children and families. The employee donation is part of FPL’s commitment to making South Florida a better place to work and raise a family.

From left to right: Robert Onsgard (Branches Inc. Board Member), Maria Alonso (Bank of America Miami Market Manager), Leanne Tellam (Branches Inc. Director of Operations), Laurie Zapletal (Branches Inc. Board Member), Isabelle Pike (Branches Inc. Director of Development), Ed Deppman (Branches Treasurer), Brent McLaughlin (Branches Inc. Executive Director), and Gene Schaefer (Bank of America Miami Market President)

THE BANK OF AMERICA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION GIVES APPROXIMATELY $1.7 MILLION TO MIAMI NONPROFITS IN 2015

Cassie at her kissing booth.

01.2016

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation announced that more than 50 nonprofits in Miami have been awarded approximately $1.7 million in grants in 2015. Newly announced in the fourth quarter are grants to the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, which received $500,000, and this year’s Neighborhood Builders recipients - Educate Tomorrow and Branches, Inc. - which will each receive $200,000 in flexible funding. “These organizations do an incredible amount, but it takes collaboration and support from both the private and public sector to help them build thriving communities that positively impact us all,” said Gene Schaefer, Bank of America Miami market president. “I’m moved by the passion and dedication of those who lead Miami’s nonprofits and see the results of their efforts on a daily basis, including the dedication of the number of committed volunteers who contribute not only funding, but their time and skills to nonprofits.”

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SEEN O N S CENE UNITED WAY HELPS FAMILIES AT LIBERTY CITY EARLY LEARNING CENTER

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With a McCormick grant and the help of Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), United Way of Miami-Dade created a food pantry to benefit the 30-40 families whose children attend Liberty City’s A New World Academy. This is the second Community Cupboard United Way has created at a local early learning facility to provide qualifying families at the center with non-perishable food, personal, household and baby items. “A hungry child cannot learn at the same rate as others,” Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of Miami-Dade, said. “With 50 percent of households in Miami-Dade struggling to cover the basics of housing, food, transportation, child care and health care, United Way is proud to partner with volunteers and companies to help families get food on the table, have a safe place to live and are able to work and go to school.”

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P.O. BOX 566660, MIAMI, FL 33256

SERVING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

POSTMASTER PLEASE DELIVER IN HOME BY JANUARY 7, 2016.

PRST STD US POSTAGE

PAID

JACKSONVILLE, FL 322

To advertise in The Florida Villager call 786.505.1817 or email advertise@thefloridavillager.com www.thefloridavillager.com

PERMIT #1659

Lexus of Kendall

Thank You. Lexus of Kendall has been awarded the Elite of Lexus award for the 14th time. We would like to thank our neighbors, customers and friends for making this possible. We are committed to providing a Lexus experience that keeps you coming back.

Lexus of Kendall

We Promise.

Unmatched personal and professional service. You will get the car you want at a fair price. You will leave with a smile.

10775 S DIXIE HWY. (US1) • (888) 841-0402 • WWW. LEXUSOFKENDALL .COM • C4

The Florida Villager

01.2016