7.24.2012 Coral Gables News

JULY 24 - AUG. 6, 2012 –––––––––––– communitynewspapers.com –––––––––––– 305-669-7355

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ALI STACK

LIZ ARZA

KEVIN PRADO

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

This is another in a series of pro-files of outstanding students attend-ing schools in Coral Gables.

See profiles on page 7.

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NFTE receives $1,000 award fromDarden Foundation grants program

BY BELKYS PEREZ

The City of Coral Gables has extended thegrace period until Nov. 30 for enforcement of therestrictions pertaining to trucks parked in resi-dential and commercial areas, pending the out-come of a referendum on the subject.

The city has an existing ordinance that prohibitspickup trucks being parked outside of garages inresidential areas for aesthetic purposes. The refer-endum will ask whether or not the ordinance is tobe amended to allow a non-commercial pickuptruck on private, residential properties, if suchtruck has a fully covered bed and no more thanfour wheels.

The referendum will be held on Nov. 6.Residents would then have until Nov. 30 to comeinto compliance with the existing law or theamended law (depending on the result of the ref-erendum).

For information, contact Code Enforcement at305-460-5226.

City extends grace period to comply with truck restrictions

BY ROSIE TOBALINA

Construction began recently for a new round-about at the entrance to the University of Miamiat San Amaro Drive and Miller Road.

The project, which will improve and beautifythis campus entrance, is part of the 20-yearDevelopment Agreement signed between the Cityof Coral Gables and the University of Miami. Thenew roundabout replaces the existing traffic lightat the San Amaro/Miller Road intersection.

City staff worked with UM representatives toapprove street calming measures that will easetraffic through residential streets adjacent to thecampus. Funding for the roundabout work isbeing provided by UM. Construction is expectedto last until early fall.

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Pictured are Gary Marcoe, managing partner for Seasons 52 Coral Gables; Alice Horn, executive directorfor NFTE; Denise Erwin, sales field manager for Seasons 52; Mark Trowbridge, CEO of Coral GablesChamber, and Drew Kern, chair of the board for the Coral Gables Chamber.

(See story on page 6)

COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM July 24 - Aug. 6, 2012

July 24 - Aug. 6, 2012 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM

BY ROSIE TOBALINA

The City of Coral Gables recently refi-nanced most of its outstanding revenuebonds, which had been issued over the pastdecade.

The existing bonds held interest rates of3.98 percent and 3.50 percent and had beenissued through the Sunshine StateGovernment Financing Commission(SSGFC). Due to favorable market condi-tions, the city had the opportunity to refi-nance the existing loans for significant debtservice savings.

In order to take advantage of thisopportunity, the city and Public Financial

Management (PFM), in its capacity asthe financial advisor to the SSGFC, rene-gotiated the terms of the existing loanswith SunTrust Bank. After significantnegotiations, SunTrust agreed to a com-bined interest rate of 2.67 percent to refi-nance this debt, keeping the final maturi-ties of the existing loans the same. Theproposed transaction will result in thecity achieving $4.53 million of grossdebt service savings which represents$3.53 million of net present value sav-ings or 7.20 percent of the refundedamount. This equates to approximately$235,000 annually through 2031. Theloan closed this past June 5.

Coral Gables refinances loansresulting in significant savings

Mayor James Cason signs the loan documents.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


BY CASSANDRA R. NEWBY

The captivating Golden Gates/MoscowNights musical troupe from St. Petersburg,Russia will present a magical family showfeaturing Russian songs, lilting balalaika andaccordion instrumentals, folk stories, dances,and comedy routines on Thursday, Aug. 9, 7p.m., at First United Methodist Church ofSouth Miami.

Wearing colorful traditional costumes, the per-formers will thrill the audience with their musicalvirtuosity and soaring gymnastic footwork. Theperformance is free, but donations to supportRussian children will be accepted.

Audience participation is part of the show,so this may be your chance to see a balalaika

up close, and get some pointers on those fan-tastic leaps performed in Russian dance.Don’t know what trashotky is? You’ll findout!

Golden Gates performers (ages 10-18) aredrawn from students at St. Petersburg’sAuthor’s Aesthetic Music Secondary School,and are led by Vitaliy Bezrodnov. See more ofthe troupe at <www.RussianFolk.com>.

The church is located at 6565 Red Rd. inCoral Gables, (on the corner of Red Roadand Ponce de Leon Boulevard). The acousti-cally perfect sanctuary seats 600 so bring allyour friends and family.

For more information, call 305-667-7508or visit the Concerts/Cultural link at<www.firstumcsouthmiami.org>.

Russian troupe to perform in Coral Gables on Aug. 9

GoldenGates/MoscowNights musicaltroupe from St. Petersburg,Russia


A sold out crowd attended Coral GablesChamber “Trow Knows” event for the Mitchand Mark Show at Books and Books on July 6.

Guests were thoroughly entertained andinformed as the always enjoyable chamberpresident Mark Trowbridge interviewedMitch Kaplan, president of Books & Booksand a founder of the International Book Fair.Kaplan shared family history as well as expe-riences growing up in Miami Beach andenrolling in the University of Colorado toescape the Beach, which had an average ageof 68 at that time in his life.

Early on Kaplan had the vision of owning a

bookstore but took many turns on the roadlearning the trade along the way. As possiblythe best-known independent bookstore owneranywhere, he laments the only writer he hasunsuccessfully tried over the years to get for abook signing, for which his stores are famous,is Philip Roth.

Kaplan has such a rich history and has metso many incredible people that one only hopeshe will write his own autobiography to sharehis story with the world. It is certainly onebook this writer would love to read.

In another chamber activity, DoctorsHospital held a lovely reception on July 10 inits cafeteria for Coral Gables ChamberTrustees. The group was welcomed byDoctors Hospital CEO Nelson Lazo who saidDoctors was happy to take credit for the Heatvictory as it continues to provide medical carefor our National Championship Team and justdid surgery on Dwyane Wade. Guests for theevening enjoyed networking and possiblysome of the best hors d’oeuvres anywherefrom the hospital’s kitchen.

The food at Doctors has a reputation likenone other for quality and is probably the onlyplace where people come not just to seek greatmedical care but just to eat the food. Amongthose in the crowd enjoying the evening wereDanette Gossett, John and Ann Knowles,Sandy Robinson, Phillis Oeters, ElsaFigueredo, Phillip Magin, Stan Johnston,George Feliciano and many more.

On the non-profit front, High Heels andHand Shakes will be joining forces with theGFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club for itsnetworking fundraiser on Wednesday, Aug.15, at Crave in the Village of Merrick Park.By the way, Crave’s chef Josh Wahler andChristina Ward, marketing director andfounder of High Heels & Hand Shakes,advises that a portion of this month’s CraveCares menu will benefit Florida AspiraAssociation that promotes the empower-ment of the Puerto Rican and Latino com-munity through Latin youth. Every monththe charity changes and is one of many

ways Crave supports the community.Another such corporate citizen is the Westin

Colonnade, which has combined its annualGive Kids the World Ice Cream for Breakfaston July 26 with an opportunity for local char-ities to share the proceeds through ticket sales.Tickets are $10 for a full breakfast buffet pro-vided by executive chef Thomas Russo witha raffle, door prizes and more to add to a funmorning starting at 7:30 a.m. at the WestinColonnade. This year charity partners includethe GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club,Rotary Club of Coral Gables, Rotary Club ofSouth Miami, Gulliver’s Interact Club, and agirls baseball team to mention a few.

For information or reservations, callWestin’s Mike Wurster at 305 569-6530.

Until next time, keep making each daycount.

If you want to submit information for thiscolumn, please send your news via email to<[email protected]>.

Gables Chamber and charities schedule summer fun

GLORIA’S GAB

Gloria Burns

Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO of Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, (right) is pictured at recent CoralGables Chamber “Trow Knows” event with Mitchell Kaplan, president of Books & Books.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Enjoying the Gables Chamber Trustee Reception at Doctors Hospital are (l-r) Phillip Magin, Elsa Figueredo, StanJohnston and Phillis Oeters.

BY MEGAN DISCIULLO

NFTE, the Network for TeachingEntrepreneurship, today announced itreceived a $1,000 grant as part of the inau-gural Restaurant Community GrantProgram from the Darden Foundation, thecharitable arm of Darden Restaurants Inc.

The Restaurant Community GrantProgram is a local grants program intendedto help support nonprofit organizations inthe hundreds of communities Darden andits restaurant brands serve. The donationenables NFTE’s South Florida office toinspire young people from low-incomecommunities to take ownership of theirfutures through the power of entrepreneur-ship education.

Along with Seasons 52 and BahamaBreeze, all of the restaurants within theDarden family — Red Lobster, OliveGarden, Longhorn Steakhouse and TheCapital Grille — are helping to awardmore than $1.7 million in local grants tonearly 900 exceptional nonprofit organiza-tions nationwide. Nonprofits receivinggrants support one of Darden’s three key

focus areas: access to postsecondary edu-cation, preservation of natural resources,and hunger.

“Thanks to the generous support of theDarden Foundation, we have the ability toprovide entrepreneurship education schol-arships allowing deserving students toenroll in NFTE programs this comingschool year,” said Alice Horn, executivedirector of NFTE South Florida.

“Each grant is not just a check — it is anopportunity to make an impact, from pro-viding essential services in South Florida,to mentoring students in Phoenix and sup-porting environmental education in NewEngland,” said Drew Madsen, presidentand chief operating officer of DardenRestaurants Inc. “Our service philosophyextends far beyond the walls of our restau-rants. These grants bring that philosophy tolife by helping to develop a better future forthose we serve, one community at a time.”

For more information about the DardenFoundation, visit online at<www.darden.com/commitment/commu-nity.asp>. For additional information onNFTE, visit <www.nfte.com>.

NFTE receives $1,000 award from

Darden Foundation grants program



Alexandra (Ali) Stack will continue her role as editor-in-chief of Highlights, the Coral Gables High newspa-per. Stack, an incoming senior also was editor-in-chieflast year. She started on the newspaper staff in ninthgrade.

“I applied [for the newspaper] out of middle school.We had the editor-in-chief come and tell us aboutHighlights in Carver,” Stack said. “I was a writer for thefirst month. I ended up becoming an editor. It was hardbut I’ve learned a lot since then.”

Stack said the newspaper is her passion.“We’re doing something that we have a tangible

reward for,” she said.The paper publishes seven or eight times a year. When

she was a freshman, the newspaper was 12 pages withfront and back pages in color. Now the newspaper is 16pages with an occasional 20 pager.

“We’ve placed All Florida from the Scholastic PressAssociation,” she said. “We’ve gotten individual awardsfor layout and stories.”

It’s not just the paper that is a winner. Stack won theQuill & Scroll Newspaper Award from the school at theend of her junior year. She also won Junior ofDistinction.

For a change of pace, Stack plays varsity volleyball.Last year’s team had a rough go, but she is hopeful theywill be better this year. Stack also is the incoming pres-ident of the National Honor Society. She said they havehad a lot of collection drives in the past, but now shewants more hands-on activities, such as volunteering ata homeless shelter.

“I think NHS is the organization that brings serviceand academics together.”

Stack’s career plans may include journalism althoughshe also likes political science. In fact, this summer she’staking a course in political theory at Brown University.She likes political science so much she volunteered forthe Obama campaign in eighth grade and plans to volun-teer again this election season.

She plans to apply Early Decision to Brown. Her othertop choices are Yale, Tufts, University of Chicago andUniversity of California-Berkeley.

— Linda Rodriguez Bernfeld

Incoming Coral Gables High senior Liz Arza likes help-ing kids and she used to tutor a neighbor every day afterschool for an hour.

“He was a first grader. He went to Silver BluffElementary, which is where I went to,” Arza said. “When Istarted tutoring him, he didn’t have very good grades. Nowhe’s on the honor roll.”

Arza said the boy is very smart but he would get distracted.“I’m really proud of him. I’m constantly asking him

about his grades,” she said.She has continued helping students as a volunteer for

Breakthrough Miami, a program that helps underprivilegedkids excel in school.

“It’s like summer school but they have a lot of fun activ-ities,” Arza said. “It’s a college-oriented program. A lot ofthem are really bright kids. They have to be.”

Although Gables is a host school, Arza volunteered atRansom Everglades.

“I did any paperwork that they gave me to do. I would gofrom classroom to classroom to get the paperwork,” shesaid. “I did a lot of decorations for the cafeteria. I wouldgive them lunch every day. Anything the teachers didn’t do,that was us.”

Working with Breakthrough Miami taught herresponsibility.

“It was basically a job. You had to be there at a certaintime and leave at a certain time,” Arza said.

She hopes to take what she learned that summer andapply it in an internship.

“Miami-Dade has an internships finding program,” shesaid. “They look at your grades and attendance. You pickthe career choices you are interested in. I’m hoping I get theinterview and the internship.”

At Gables, she is the Class of 2013 vice president. Shealso is in the International Baccalaureate Honor Society, amember of Key Club, National Honor Society and on theboard for the Future Business Leaders of America. She haswon FBLA competitions, including first place in the entre-preneurship category at the district level.

Her future may include a career in medicine. For college,she is looking at FIU, University of Miami, Florida State,University of North Carolina and Yale. She also is consid-ering Hamilton, a small university that has both a goodmedical program and a good writing program.


STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

ALEXANDRA (ALI) STACK

Incoming Coral Gables High senior Kevin Pradoplanned to spend the summer working at an arts camp.He said the arts camp devotes itself to helping studentsreach their goals through singing and dancing.

He learned about the camp when he went on a cruiseand went to a lounge where they were having a show.

“I was impressed,” Prado said. “That’s when I meteverybody and I got to see the show.”

In order to work at the camp, he had to provide aresumé.

“They also do acrobatics, which is something I reallylike,” Prado said. “Part of the summer camp was to helpthem reach a better level of fitness.”

Prado is fit. He has to be to compete in the long jump,the triple jump and the 400-meter run on the Gablestrack and field team. He does well, placing in mostmeets.

He is interested enough in health and fitness that hehas interned at a medical clinic, observing the doctors dotheir work. He also has helped by filing paperwork. Theinternship was through school, so he worked two hoursa day.

“I enjoy helping the patients know what’s going on,”he said.

One thing he has learned is that while medicine isinteresting, he is more interested in going intoengineering.

“I always wondered: how do planes fly, how do cruiseships float?” Prado said. “I’m really good with math. Ithink it will also be in our best interest.”

Prado plans to do an internship with an architect tocheck out civil engineering.

His extracurricular activities at Gables include tutor-ing for Mu Alpha Theta — usually in algebra, althoughhe can tutor all the way up to trigonometry. As a juniorhe took Advanced Placement Calculus AB. Now, as asenior, he’s going to take Calculus BC. He will also takean International Baccalaureate math class.

Now as a senior, Prado will be getting serious aboutapplying for college. What he does know is that he plansto stay in state. He is looking at the engineering programat the University of Florida.


KEVIN PRADO LIZ ARZA


University of Miami Gallery presentsMiami Art Museum Staff ExhibitionBY ANNETTE GALLAGHER

The Department of Art and Art Historyin the College of Arts and Sciences at theUniversity of Miami (UM) presents theMiami Art Museum StaffExhibition at the UMGallery in the Wynwood ArtDistrict.

As a creative institution,Miami Art Museum (MAM)employs many talented indi-viduals to add art to life forthousands of children andadults through a wide rosterof exhibitions and relatedprograms. This summer,MAM will present the thirdMAM Staff Art Exhibition,showcasing the talents of itsartistically inclined staff.The exhibition is on viewthrough Friday, Aug. 24.

The exhibition will consist of 30 recentworks including painting, sculpture, pho-tography, installation and performance by21 artists. The artists are Raymond Adrian,

Michael Balbone, Kyle Barnette, DavidBrieske, Juan Carballo, Marcos Cherlo,Clifton Childree, José Herazo-Osorio,Kerry Keeler, Dave Kudzma, SinisaKukec, Rosa Naday Garmendia, Jay Oré,

Bennie Osborne, JahairaRios-Galves, PhaedraRobinson, Asser Saint-Val,Colin Sherrell, IsabelSobrevilla, Misael Soto andJanese Weingarten.

The exhibition is curatedby Jay Oré and is supportedby University of MiamiGallery. Oré, MAM’s chiefpreparator and curator forthis exhibition said, “I amhappy that UM is hostingthis event for us and I havebeen a fan of the program-ming at the gallery for sev-eral years.”

There will be an openingreception on Saturday, Aug, 11, 2 to 9 p.m.The UM Gallery is located inside the strik-ing Wynwood Building at 2750 NW ThirdAve., Suite 4.

As a creative institution, Miami Art

Museum (MAM)employs many

talented individualsto add art to life for

thousands of children and adults

through a wide rosterof exhibitions andrelated programs.


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• Breathe through your nose, not yourmouth, as much as possible;

• Use an over-the-counter artificialsaliva substitute;

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David Lawrence Jr. joins UM in guest lecturer roleBY BÁRBARA GUTIÉRREZ

The University of Miami School ofEducation and HumanDevelopment has announcedthat David Lawrence Jr., anationally known early child-hood education advocate,community leader, and formernewspaper editor and publish-er, has joined the school as“Education and CommunityLeadership Scholar.”

“We are extremely proudand pleased to have DaveLawrence join us,” said IsaacPrilleltensky, dean of theschool. “In his long and illus-trious career, he has been tireless in hisfight to improve the lives of childrenthrough a focus on early education andcommunity engagement. His experienceand sensitivity to the issues of education inour community will help enhance our cur-riculum and bring new excitement to ourschool.”

In his new duties at the UM School ofEducation and Human Development,Lawrence is appointed to the Teaching andLearning Department where he will serve asa guest lecturer in both Teaching andLearning and the Educational andPsychological Studies Departments. He alsowill assist Dean Prilleltensky in the plan-ning and administration of strategic priori-ties to advance the mission of the school. Hewill continue to lead the Early ChildhoodInitiative Foundation, based in Miami, andthe Children’s Movement of Florida.

“This will be my lifetime’s first opportuni-ty to be in a classroom regularly to teach andlearn and contribute — and otherwise helpthe dean any way I can,” Lawrence said.

“It so fits in with my work to build a

movement for America’s children.”After a long prestigious career in journal-

ism and retiring as publisher of The MiamiHerald in 1999, Lawrence hasdedicated himself to earlychildhood development andreadiness. As president of theEarly Childhood InitiativeFoundation and head of theChildren’s Movement ofFlorida his mission is to makechildren’s needs the top agen-da for the state. Through hisleadership in 2002 and again in2008, he spearheaded cam-paigns for the Children’sTrust, a dedicated source ofearly intervention and pre-

vention funding for the children ofMiami-Dade.

Lawrence serves as the Children’s Trustfounding board chair. He was a central fig-ure in the passage of the statewide consti-tutional amendment for free prekinder-garten availability for all 4-year-olds inFlorida.

For his work, Lawrence has been hon-ored with countless awards including“Child Advocate of the Year” by FamilyCentral, “Health Care Hero” by the GreaterMiami Chamber of Commerce, and the“Children’s Champion” award from theNational Black Child DevelopmentInstitute. He holds 12 honorary degreesand a Miami-Dade County Public Schoolis named in his honor.

Lawrence has long been associated withthe University of Florida — as a journalismgraduate, the recipient of an honorary doc-torate, a life member of the UF Foundationand, for the past decade, as “UniversityScholar for Early Childhood Developmentand Readiness.” A UF chair in early child-hood studies is named for him.

David Lawrence Jr.–––––––––––––––


BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD

When a traffic accident took the life ofMichael Sanchez and left Gabriel Maynoldia quadriplegic, Julio De La Mata and hisfriends had trouble coping with the tragedy.

They attended Sanchez’s funeral servicesand the annual mass honoring him, but foundit difficult to leave the tragedy behind as theytried to go forward with their lives.

Then last year De La Mata and his buddiesrealized they wanted to honor their fallenfriends and organized the Hoop4Hope event,a three-on-three basketball tournament.

“I decided with my business partner,Javier Perez, it’s time to turn our focus andour attention,” De La Mata said. “We shoulddo what we can for Gaby. Last year was anenormous success.”

The basketball event took place at St.Kevin’s Catholic Church and was so success-ful that this year it is being held on Aug. 4 atBelen Jesuit Preparatory School. The cost toenter is $150 per team.

“Now it’s a one day event, maybe nextyear, if we get a large crowd, a two-dayevent,” he says.

“Last year we had some big sponsors. Wehad Norwegian Cruise Lines, Hard Rock,Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Sports Authority.We expect support from all again. Last year

we had 150 participating and 500 spectatorsshowed up.”

This year they are expecting 300 partici-pants and 1,000 spectators.

While De La Mata is reluctant to talk aboutthe accident because there still are lawsuitspending, he does say it was one of Miami’sworst. The boys had left a party in the

Kendale Lakes area, near the golf course andtheir car ended up wrapped around a tree.

The money raised will go toward purchas-ing a wheelchair accessible van forMaynoldi’s use.

“Basically we have it within reach,” De LaMata said. “It’s going to be very possible forus to get it done.”

Putting on Hoop4Hope has changed De LaMata’s life for the better. He says giving backto the community helped him find himself.

He and his partner started the Giving MuchMore (GMM) Foundation. The initials comefrom Mike, the friend that passed away, Mack,his partner’s little brother who also died in anaccident on the way back from Disney World,and Gaby, their friend who is quadriplegic.

“Since this is our second year, everythingis generated toward Gaby,” De La Mata said.“This is just a stepping stone for the future.”

He said they are starting with the basketballtournaments but one day they hope to alsoproduce kickball or flag football tournaments.

“After that, maybe galas, silent auctions,things like that that the community wantsgoing on,” he said. “We’re going to be open-ing up the doors and look for other families[to help] — people who have been affected,as we have, by accidents. Young people aredying in cars. Not from drinking and driving,it’s from being young and dumb.”

De La Mata said the accident that claimedhis friend’s life caused a lot of dark years inhis life.

“It changed my life in the negative. You don’thave to go to the dark,” he said. “Other familiescould contact us and tell us their stories.”

For more information, go online to<www.hoop4hope.com>.

Childhood friends raising money, awareness through ‘hoop’ event

Teams to play basketball to help the victim of a car crash.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


BY KARLA DAMIAN

For the first time since it opened in 1984,Metrorail will add a new rail line that willprovide easy access to Miami InternationalAirport (MIA). On Saturday, July 28, Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) officially will open its23rd Metrorail station — the new MiamiInternational Airport (MIA) Station.

Trains serving Metrorail’s new OrangeLine will take passengers to all stationsbetween Dadeland Southand Earlington Heights,continuing west towardsthe new MIA Station.

The 2.4-mile Metrorailextension to MIA, whichruns parallel to State Road112 and crosses the MiamiRiver, is considered thecenterpiece of the People’sTransportation Plan(PTP). The PTP, which isoverseen by the Citizen’sI n d e p e n d e n tTransportation Trust(CITT), is the half-pennysales surtax approved byMiami-Dade voters in2002. Construction ofMetrorail’s extension andstation were funded with$404.7 million from the PTP surtax and$101.3 million from the Florida Departmentof Transportation (FDOT).

“This is such an exciting project for ourcommunity, and it’s going to be a hugebenefit for our residents and visitors,alike,” said Miami-Dade County MayorCarlos A. Gimenez. “By directly linkingour airport to our urban center, we’re join-ing the ranks of the great world cities —London, Paris, Tokyo — that alreadyenjoy this kind of dynamic, game-chang-ing connectivity.”

Metrorail’s new service will make it possi-ble for millions of Miami-Dade County resi-dents, visitors and airport employees to havea reliable and seamless Metrorail connectionto and from the airport’s MIA Mover, whichwill take transit riders directly into the air-port. It also will provide a boost to the localeconomy by creating jobs and facilitatingwork-related travel, reduce greenhouse gasemissions and improve travel time by takingvehicles off local roadways.

“With this new serviceto the airport, every hoteland business in downtownMiami, Coconut Grove,Hialeah, Kendall, andeverywhere else along theMetrorail system willnow be at the front doorof Miami InternationalAirport — the largest eco-nomic engine in theregion,” said Ysela Llort,Miami-Dade Transitdirector.

The new MIA Station isa multilevel structure thatwill provide passengerswith a central transferpoint to Metrobus andlater to Tri-Rail, Amtrak,Greyhound, tour buses and

other modes of transportation via the MiamiCentral Station, which currently is underconstruction. The Miami Central Station isbeing sponsored and built by the FloridaDepartment of Transportation.

For information on the Orange Line and newMIAMetrorail station, visit online <www.miami-dade.gov/transit> (on mobile devices,<www.miamidade.gov/transit/mobile>), orcall 3-1-1, Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. until 8p.m., and on Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.Closed on Sundays and during county-observedholidays.

Metrorail extension to MIA to begin service on July 28

“This is such anexciting project for

our community, andit’s going to be ahuge benefit for

our residents andvisitors, alike.”

— Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez

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BY RAQUEL GARCIA

The Miami Disc Golf Association(MDGA) recently installed an 18-holechampionship disc golf course at thePalmetto Bay Village Center in hopes thefast growing sport will continue to catch onin the community.

Similar to golf, the game involvesthrowing a Frisbee-like flying disc into abasket from approximately 230 feet awayon an average. Scores are based on thenumber of shots made into the basket. An18-hole course generally is around two tothree miles long with varied topographyand “hazards” spread out about the fairwayto challenge players.

MDGA president George Alvarez found-ed the not-for-profit organization in 2011and has since set up baskets in locationslike Fuchs Park and Gibson-BethelCommunity Center, but the Palmetto Baycourse is the largest so far.

“It is a great sport for anyone in anyshape and any age,” Alvarez said. “Withthe exception of the purchase of the discsthe game is free so it is an economical sportfor families and the baskets generally lastup to 20 years. It is also a great way to stayin shape as one round [18 holes] is gener-ally about two to three miles.”

The appeal of getting back to nature andspending the day outdoors seems to havecontributed to the growth of a sport thathas been around in various incarnations

since the 1960s. In the past decade, discgolf has more than doubled in popularityand is played in over 40 countries world-wide according to the Professional DiscGolf Association (PDGA) based out ofAtlanta, GA.

“When I lived in Charlotte, NC, therewere only three courses. Now they have upto 33. The sport has exploded and we arehoping to do the same thing for Miami,”Alvarez said.

The MDGA team has been around thecommunity visiting nursing homes, theYMCA, Special Olympics, and otherorganizations to teach interested playersand educate the public on the benefits ofdisc golf.

Although the Palmetto Bay VillageCenter course opened a month ago, theystill are in the installation stage. Funds arebeing raised to pay for baskets and keypadsfor scoring. To raise money for the coursea “Miami Vivo” social will take place atthe Palmetto Bay Village Center on July26. Restaurants, retailers, and health-cen-tered businesses will have booths and localmusic will be provided by “Van GoghListens” and DJ “Vibe.” The event is freeto the public with prices ranging from $5 to$10 for food and drinks at each station.

To find out more about the Miami DiscGolf Association and “Miami Vivo”fundraising events contact MDGA presi-dent George Alvarez at 786-457-6214 orsend email to <[email protected]>.

Disc golf course installed atPalmetto Bay Village Center

Miami Disc Golf Association president George Alvarez scores a basket.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


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BY REBECCA KLEIN

What better way to gather with fellow con-gregants and friends at a Friday night servicethan by devouring hundreds of pounds of milkchocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate.

Members and friends of Temple Bet BreiraSamu-El Or Olom in Kendall will have thechance to find out at the synagogue’s 20thannual Chocolate Lovers Shabbat Service tak-ing place on Friday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m.

The annual Bet Breira Samu-El Or OlomChocolate Lovers Shabbat service is thebrainchild of congregation member LindaHornik.

“This is my 20th Chocolate Shabbat,”Hornik explained. “It began, I guess, as a lark,20 years ago during a Temple calendar meet-ing, that the summer Friday theme Shabbatswere being assigned. There were the educa-tors, the lawyers, the doctors, the Sisterhood,the Men’s Club.

“I said, I thought it was in jest, that I hadlong ago left teaching and while I am a moth-er and always will be a mother, a mother’sShabbat did not have a real tug to it. My chil-dren were grown and on their own. So I said

the next best thing to loving my children wasmy love of chocolate. And so it began. It hasalways been something done with love andthe knowledge that everyone looks forward tothis every year. Chocolate Lovers Shabbat is asweet, sweet dream that I am allowed to pur-sue every year. After all, chocolate never goesout of style,” Hornik said.

The Chocolate Lovers Shabbat has beenpopular right from the start, especially attract-ing families with young children to services.Temple administrators and Hornik are expect-ing more than 300 people to attend the specialservice on Aug. 10. Hornik is planning a dis-play and tasting of more than 100 differentchocolate candies. An abundance of home-made chocolate desserts such as chocolatecakes, pies, and chocolate-covered fruits andnuts also will be on display for sampling.

Congregation Bet Breira Samu-El Or Olomserves both Conservative and Reform congre-gants. Rabbi David Schonblum leads theConservative movement and Rabbi JaimeAkelpi leads the Reform movement. The syn-agogue is located at 9400 SW 87 Ave. inKendall. For more information, call 305-595-1500.

Synagogue to celebrate Shabbatin a most delicious way, Aug. 10

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BY YANEIZA ECHEZARRAGA

Nicolas Ortiz, 15, of Miami, is theyoungest person in the country to participatein the Formula 1000 racing championshipseries.

His passion for speed and drive to succeedhave led him to achieve a high level of driv-ing experience by competing in difficult divi-sions, earning several wins and podium fin-ishes since a very early age. During his latestrace in May of this year at the F1000 GrandPrix of Motorsport in Canada, Ortiz, theyoungest driver on the racetrack, finished inthe top five.

Ortiz started racing go-karts at age 13.Since then, his sole focus has been to con-tinue advancing in the motorsport world andone day become a Formula 1 driver. Hisstrong commitment to racing has not, how-

ever, affected his performance at school.Recently recognized for his academicachievements, Ortiz is an outstanding stu-dent involved in various extracurricularactivities including volunteer projects withKey Club and Ventana de los Sueños, a localcharity that supports autism research.

Ortiz admits his family is part of thesecret to his success. Racing is a familyaffair at the Ortiz’s household. His parentshave committed not only long hours toaccompany him to his training sessions andraces abroad, but also all of their savings, asthe investment for each individual race canamount to hundreds of thousands of dollars.Native to Cartagena, Colombia, mom anddad are immigrants who came to the UnitedStates chasing the American dream and arenow very proud of their young son with bigdreams.

Nicolas Ortiz, 15, is youngestFormula 1000 racecar driver

Nicolas Ortiz––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


BY CATLEYA SORNMAYURA

Nicole Patrick of Miami has been namedone of only 43 Emerson Scholars receiving afull scholarship to attend Interlochen ArtsCamp, the world’s premiersummer arts program foraspiring young musicians.

Emerson scholars areselected to the competitivesummer arts program fromamong the top applicants.

Patrick, 18, is attendingInterlochen Arts Camp thissummer to study percussionand perform with distin-guished youth ensembles.She is the daughter of Chadand Lori Patrick. Althoughshe spent her first threeyears of high school atCoral Reef High School (CRHS), Patrickgraduated from Interlochen Arts Academy inInterlochen, MI. She studies classical percus-sion with her father and Sergio Carreno, anddrumset with Daniel Susnjar. At the ArtsAcademy, she studied with Jeffrey Irving andJohn Alfieri.

Patrick has played in the pit for numerousmusicals at Miami Children’s Theater andArea Stage Theater Company. She has wonthe Young Artist Award and Senior Honors atthe Academy as well as the John PhilipSousa Award at CRHS.

Patrick will attend the University ofMichigan as a double major for Jazz andClassical Performance. In the future, shehopes to play professionally for Broadwayproductions or tour as a musician.

“I am so happy I get to return toInterlochen after the best school year ever!”

Sponsored by Emerson of St. Louis, theEmerson Scholar Program provides theopportunity for outstanding high school musi-

cians to attend Interlochen Arts Camp, locat-ed in northwest Michigan. The EmersonScholars Award provides full tuition, privatelessons, and room and board for the six-weeksummer program. This is the 23rd year

Emerson has sponsored thescholarship program.

“Every year, Interlochen ArtsCamp brings together some ofthe most talented and motivatedstudents from around theworld,” said Interlochen presi-dent Jeffrey S. Kimpton.“Thanks to the generosity ofEmerson, we are able to extendeven more opportunities to tal-ented young artists by provid-ing them with an experienceunlike any other.”

To be eligible for theEmerson Scholarship, stu-

dents must be in grades 9-12 and demon-strate exceptional skill and proficiency onharp, string, wind or percussion instruments.

“To be recognized as an Emerson Scholarputs these students in a most elite and presti-gious group of talented people,” Kimptonsaid. “It is quite an honor, not only for thestudents themselves, but also for the peopleand places that helped them to become thepromising young musicians they are.”

Interlochen Arts Camp is part of the non-profit Interlochen Center for the Arts, theonly community in the world that bringstogether a 2,500-student summer camp pro-gram; a 500-student fine arts boarding highschool; lifelong opportunities for arts educa-tion and enrichment; two 24-hour listener-supported public radio stations, and one ofthe nation’s largest arts presenters with 600events annually.

For admissions information, call 1-231-276-7472, or visit Interlochen online at<www.interlochen.org>.

Nicole Patrick attendingInterlochen Arts Camp

Nicole Patrick–––––––––––––––––––

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BY SUE ARROWSMITH

Miami Dade College’s (MDC) HonorsCollege will host a 10-year alumnireunion on Friday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m., atthe college’s National HistoricLandmark Freedom Tower, 600Biscayne Blvd.

Honors College alumni are invited toattend.

The event offers alumni an opportuni-ty to see old friends, network and learnabout all the new, innovative happeningsat MDC.

Dubbed an “Ivy Stepladder” in amajor Time magazine report in 2005, theHonors College is a unique college-wideinitiative within MDC that is designedto meet the needs of a select group of

high-achieving, academically talentedstudents with demonstrated leadershipability who thrive from collaborations inan intensely focused, multi-dimensionallearning environment in and out of theclassroom.

During the past decade, these remark-able alumni have excelled academicallyand beyond while serving communitieslocally, nationally, and internationally.They have gone on to obtain degreesfrom Yale, Harvard, Stanford, JohnsHopkins, Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, Mt. Holyoke, Georgetown,University of North Carolina-ChapelHill and New York University, amongother top institutions.

For more information or to RSVP forthis event, call 305-237-7077.

Miami Dade College to host 10-yearreunion for Honors College alumni

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BY GRISELLE MARINO

Miami-Dade FireRescue saved threepuppies from a town-house fire that tookplace on Monday,July 9, in southwestMiami-Dade County.

Upon arrival, firecrews were advisedthat there was a litterof puppies still insidethe house.Firefighters were suc-cessful in locatingand rescuing the pup-pies from the burninghome. Paramedicstreated three puppieson scene by adminis-tering oxygen with apet oxygen mask thentransported them to alocal animal hospitalfor additional treat-ment.

All MDFR trans-port units areequipped with a set ofpet oxygen masks.The masks are used atfire scenes when petsare rescued and havesuffered smokeinhalation. They arespecially designed to fit over an animal’ssnout and come in three different sizes toaccommodate different types of domes-tic pets.

MDFR has been fortunate to have var-ious community organizations donate themasks. Pet oxygen masks are not dispos-able and can be cleaned and reused.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue saves puppies from fire

Lt. Karen Chambers treats one of the puppies administering oxygen with a petoxygen mask.

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As students and theirfamilies enjoy the finalweeks of summer vacation,the new school year beck-ons and Florida Power &Light Company has an-nounced its plan for sup-porting STEM (science,technology, energy andmathematics) education inFlorida schools for the 2012- 2013 academic year.FPL’s commitment to STEM education has led the company to develop a compre-

hensive inventory of tools and programs to help schools provide excellent and dynamicSTEM education to students.“Research shows that STEM education is critically important to ensure that today’s

students are prepared for tomorrow’s competitive economy,” said Pam Rauch, FPLvice president of Development and External Affairs. “We know that many teachersreach into their own pockets to supplement their teaching and to help bring lessons tolife. It is our hope that these programs will inspire additional creativity, ease burdenson our teachers and make a lasting impact on Florida’s students.”

Here is a brief overview of the various programs:

New traveling school assembly program, offered to schools at no charge• Designed for kindergarten through fifth grades in schools throughout FPL’s serviceterritory.• “Men in Black: The Kilowatt Connection” is a live drama that will delight students,while teaching them all about energy conservation.• Show is produced by the National Theatre for Children.• To schedule a show, call 800-858-3999, ext. 1

Adopt-A-Classroom Matching Donation• FPL will offer 1,500 classrooms $25 donations through Adopt-A-Classroom (orga-nization links teachers with community partners and funds to purchase supplies forthe classroom).• Middle and High School Teachers working in STEM subjects in the 28 school dis-tricts FPL provides service.• To qualify for the match, a teacher must receive at least $25.00 donation throughwww.AdoptAClassroom.org/fpl <http://www.AdoptAClassroom.org/fpl> .

Teacher Grant Programs• All public, private and charter school teachers in FPL’s service territory are eligibleto apply for grants to create classroom projects focused on any form of energy educa-tion.• Grants are awarded in increments of $500 to $2,500 and the application deadline isNovember 15, 2012. Winners will be announced by the end of this year.• For more information, please visitwww.fpl.com/community/learning/solarstations.shtml

FPL’s 2012-2013 plans to support STEM education in Florida is part of FPL’slarger commitment to the state. This is the fourth year FPL has supported the EnergyTeacher Grant Program, which has now awarded more than $122,000 for 120 teacherprojects across FPL’s 35-county service territory. The awards come from the NextEraEnergy Foundation, which is funded by shareholders of FPL’s parent company, Nex-tEra Energy, Inc., the nation’s largest producer of renewable energy from the windand the sun. Beyond the teacher projects, FPL has installed Next Generation SolarEnergy Station arrays at 14 educational facilities across Florida and built three large-scale solar power plants to supply power to its customers.

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BY KATHLEEN LABRADA

The Miami-Dade County Commissionadopted landmark legislation sponsored byCommissioner José “Pepe” Díaz during itsJuly 3 meeting designating the Miami-Dade County Animal Services DepartmentShelter as a “no kill’ facility.

“Pet owners and animal loversthroughout Miami-Dade have been wait-ing for a ‘no kill’ policy to be imple-mented at our Animal ServicesDepartment,” Commissioner Diaz said.

“The No Kill Equation provides alterna-tives to euthanizing animals by partneringwith community organizations and reach-ing out to residents about the importance ofsterilizing their pets to decrease our straypopulation. As a pet owner myself, I lookforward to seeing this plan in action in thecoming months,” he added.

“As the proud owner of two wonderfulpets, including a rescue dog, I’m pleasedthe county commission has adopted thispolicy,” said Miami-Dade County MayorCarlos A. Gimenez. “I hope this will fur-ther encourage residents to visit our shelter,adopt these loving animals and give thempermanent, new homes.”

Becoming a “no kill” shelter means hav-ing a 90 percent or better rate of animalssaved at the county’s animal shelter due tospecific programs developed by the “nokill” movement in the United States, whichprovides alternatives to animal sheltereuthanasia. The resolution is modeled afterthe No Kill Equation, a program modelwhich changes the way shelters operate andprovides the animal-loving public an inte-gral role in that operation.

A forthcoming mayor’s report will beconsistent with the No Kill Equation andinclude:

• Comprehensive Adoption Programs;• Free-Roaming Cat Trap/Neuter/Return

Programs;• High-Volume, Affordable Spay/Neuter

Services;• Large-Scale Volunteer Foster Care

Programs;• Rescue Group Transfers;• Proactive Pet Retention Programs;• Proactive Pet Redemptions;• Medical and Behavioral Programs;• Public Relations/Community

Involvement, and• Volunteer Programs.Miami-Dade County Animal Services

Department director Alex Muñoz hasembraced these ideas and wants to expandon the work already being done by the shel-ter, which last year saved a large majorityof stray and abandoned dogs.

“A lot more work is needed to reduce thenumber of cats brought to the shelter andincrease the number of cats adopted,”Muñoz said. “The implementation of ‘nokill’ programs will require the developmentand implementation of new programs andthe expansion of current efforts. The sheltercannot do this alone and like other successfulcommunities, we need our residents’ help.”

Animal Services Dept. shelterdesignated a ‘no kill’ facility

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Youngsters enjoy 2011Back to School Splash at The Falls. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY ALICIA WHITLEY

With the 2012 Florida Tax-Free Holidayproviding a bit of relief for parents duringthe back-to-school season, The Falls isringing in the new school year in style withthe eighth annual Back to School Splash.

As the mall prepares for this busy time ofyear, several retailers are getting ready foran eventful weekend with the latest fallfashions, accessories, school supplies andelectronics to start the school year off right.

The three-day sales tax break begins at12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and ends atmidnight on Sunday, Aug. 5. During thisperiod, retailers will not be required to col-lect state and local sales use tax on mostfootwear, clothing, backpacks and schoolsupplies priced less than $100.

The Falls has once again aligned withSouth Florida Parenting to host the Backto School Splash, celebrating the start ofthe school year and taking place onSaturday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 5,from noon to 5 p.m. each day.

This free, family-friendly event will fea-ture a trackless train that can transportfamilies between Macy’s andBloomingdale’s, bounce houses, sand cas-tle art, lunch bag decoration and othercrafts, and a pirate treasure hunt.Additionally, Holtz Children’s Hospital

will present a Teddy Bear clinic and SouthMiami Hospital will showcase crown andpirate hat-making crafts. Young visitorswill be able to enjoy a magic show presen-tation from James Changefield and danceperformances as well as classes courtesy ofHip Hop Kidz. Back to School-themedvendors will be on-hand to present a vari-ety of products and services to attendees.

“The Falls is thrilled to partner onceagain with South Florida Parenting to pro-vide a fun and convenient way for familiesto take advantage of the tax-free holiday,”said Dailen Rodriguez, director of market-ing and business development at The Falls.“Our retailers are providing incredibledeals this year on top of the tax-free dis-count which is sure to please parents, whileour event elements provide activities forchildren of all ages to enjoy.”

Shoppers will also find tax-free deals atDadeland Mall, Shops at Sunset Place andMiami International Mall.

Before hitting the mall, shoppers cancheck out even more savings by visitingthe Simon Retailer Showcase wherecoupons and other retailer deals await at<www.simon.com>. Not sure what clothesare school uniform approved? Stop byGuest Services for a list of school require-ments, which stores to find the appropriateattire and which stores have the best deals.

The Falls to celebrate tax-freeweekend with events, incentives


BY STEPHANIE ROJAS

The Greater Miami Chamber ofCommerce celebrated the accomplishmentsof outstanding local military personnel dur-ing its 25th annual Military Service Person ofthe Year Awards. The awards were presentedon Wednesday, July 11, at the chamber’smonthly Trustee Luncheon at Jungle Island.

The recipients of the 2012 MilitaryService Person of the Year Awards are:

Petty Officer Second Class DinorathAdams, United States Navy, United StatesSouthern Command;

Petty Officer Third Class JoshuaColumbo, United States Navy, United StatesSouthern Command;

Petty Officer Second Class Eric J. Ernst,United States Coast Guard, Air StationMiami;

Master Sergeant Francisco G. Gonzalez,United States Air Force, Homestead AirReserve Base;

Corporal Luchmy Luc, United StatesMarine Corps, Marine Forces South;

Master Sergeant Eduardo Marin, UnitedStates Air Force, Special OperationsCommand South, and

Sergeant First Class Marcos Vazquez,United States Army, Recruiting Command.

The program also recognized Colonel

Lettie Bien, United States Army (Retired),with the Lifetime Contribution to MilitaryService Award, and featured remarks byColonel Danny R. McKnight, United StatesArmy (Retired), veteran of the raid inMogadishu, Somalia as chronicled in themovie and book Black Hawk Down.

The 2012 Military Service Person of the

Year Awards were made possible through thegenerous support from presenting sponsors:Florida National University, American RedCross of Greater Miami & the Keys, UnionInstitute & University, and supporting spon-sors: The Allen Morris Company; The BeaconCouncil/Miami-Dade Defense Alliance; TheConroy Martinez Group; Florida Blue, ios

Health Systems; Morrison Brown Argiz &Farra LLP; Miami-Dade CountyCommissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, District 12,and Show Technology Inc.

For information about the chamber’sMilitary Affairs Committee, contact ReinaDeleon at 305-577-5438 or by email to<[email protected]>.

Chamber announces recipients of Military Person of the Year Award

Pictured are (l-r) Petty Officer Second Class Eric J. Ernst, Master Sergeant Francisco G. Gonzalez, Sergeat First Class Marcos Vazquez, Colonel Lettie Bien, Petty Officer Third ClassJoshua Columbo, Petty Officer Second Class Dinorath Adams and Corporal Luchmy Luc.

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BY ILEANA PORTAL

The Doral headquarters office ofU.S. Century Bank, located at 2301NW 87 Avenue, recently welcomedlocal McDonalds restaurantowner/operators and recipients ofthe 2012 HACER scholarships.Each year, the Ronald McDonaldHouse Charities/Hispanic AmericanCommitment to EducationResources (RMHC/HACER) awardsscholarships to high school seniorsof Hispanic descent. Since 1985,RMHC/HACER has awarded morethan $13 million in scholarships tomore than 11,000 Hispanic studentsin the U.S. Recipients are selectedon the basis of academic achieve-ment, financial need and communityinvolvement. Each year, HACER ofSouth Florida distributes more than$20,000 to local high school stu-dents; each student received $2,000to assist with his or her studies.

“As a community bank headquar-tered in Miami, it’s important for us to

work with local organizations that areimpacting our hometown,” saidArmando Trabanco, senior vice presi-dent and regional manager for U.S.Century Bank.

“At U.S. Century Bank we haveembraced education as one of our mostimportant causes and through the year,we support a number of initiatives thatare enabling the youth of our commu-nity to attain their educational goals.We welcome the students who arerecipients of these HACER scholar-ships and applaud the localMcDonalds owners/operators who aremaking these students’ dreams becomea reality,” he added.

“The HACER scholarship programhas grown and has helped thousands ofHispanic students pursue their educa-tional goals thanks to the generousdonations of McDonald’s owners/oper-ators in Miami,” said McDonald’sowner/operator Yoyi Rodriguez. “Weare pleased to have helped so manyHispanic students achieve their educa-tional goals.”

U.S. Century Bank hosts event for HACER Scholarship Awards

RMHC of South Florida HACER Scholarship winners (l-r) Kevin Pardinas, Melissa Quintana, Priscilla Suzal-Wright,Xiaowen Wu, Nicolas Carchi, Pamela Saavedra, Lissette Noda, Elianne Vazquez, Kendrick Cancio and Emily Salvador arejoined by Ronald McDonald at the 14th annual South Florida HACER Scholarship Award ceremony at US Century Bankheadquarters. Pardinas and Salvador were chosen from among thousands of applicants across the country for the nation-al $100,000 scholarship given to four students each year. Pictured in the back are Alejandro Krauskopf, David Beltran andMathew Penna.

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Further your fairway swing withclub fittings at Planet GolfBy Conchita Smith

The pros behind the driver at Planet Golf are taking the game to new heightsin South Florida. With the help of sophisticated technology like the FlightScope launch monitor, precise club fittings are becoming a new local industrystandard.Launch angles, ball speed, club speed, and spin can be improved substan-tially when outfitting a player according to Alfy Martinez. “The launch monitoris a fitting tool,” said Martinez. “It gives us the information we need to properlyfit the right club shaft for a golfer. A client who swings at 78 miles an hourcan substantially increase the speed of his driver and be swinging at 80, 81miles per hour.”Store patrons are invited to invest an hour or so with one of the experiencedstaff members and swing at the in-store hitting bay to determine proper clubfitting. The launch monitor and simulator will then take the data and formulatea profile for the right shaft and head club combination possibilities.“Getting fitted for the right clubs will help any golfer on a day to day basis,”

said Fittings Specialist NelsonMesa. “One of the most crucial ele-ments on the course is to have theright lie angles of club head toground for the best swing. You wantto make sure you are entering theground at the flattest and most effi-cient level.”Because grip will vary depending onindividual body type and arm length,customizing the club for the best fitis an indispensable feature optionfor best game play. Standard meas-urements of arm length and height

are also taken. “The days of just buying off the rack are over,” said Mesa. “Ifyou are going to invest between $700 and $2000 on a new set of clubs youwant to get something that will fit you for a while. We offer complimentary fit-tings for every club or set of clubs purchased.”Billy Baldwin estimates the savings to clients to be between $45 and $60 forthe no charge fittings. “We customize for the client to suit his or her needs,”said Baldwin. “We are here for a long term relationship. We treat our clientslike family and want them to feel secure so when they walk out of the storethey are taking home what they really need.”The Planet Golf family has over 30 years combined experience in the busi-ness, all under one roof. “Launching the fittings to make the game easierand more effective for our clients has been a big part of our transition herein the past year,” said Alfy’s twin brother Eddy Martinez. “We are so happyto all be working together, our clients are finding us and we are making themhappy as well.”“You come in the store and everybody is greeting you and in a good mood,”added Mesa. “People drive from all over Florida to visit Billy and the twins.They have done an incredible job helping golf evolve locally and state wide.”

The Planet Golf Family: Nelson Mesa, EddyMartinez, Billy Baldwin, Alfy Martinez andAlex Giraldi

Planet Golf Headquarters at7045 SW 87 AveTo find out more about Planet Golf,call [email protected]

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BY ERIK STEIN

In celebration of what would have beenthe 70th birthday of the Grateful Dead’sJerry Garcia, NCM Fathom Events andRhino Entertainment will present “ABirthday Celebration: The Grateful DeadMovie Event” on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 7p.m., at Movies @ The Falls.

During this special in-theater gathering,fans will be treated to the 1977 cinematicconcert journey The Grateful Dead Movie,as well as a special birthday commemora-tion on Garcia directed by JustinKreutzmann featuring the Dead’s Bob Weirand other surprise guests.

Tickets for “A Birthday Celebration: TheGrateful Dead Movie Event” are availableat participating theater box offices andonline at <www.fathomevents.com>. For acomplete list of theater locations andprices, visit the NCM Fathom Events web-site (theaters and participants are subject tochange).

The pre-show birthday commemorationfeatures Weir and other luminaries reflect-ing on Garcia and also gives fans an insidelook at Weir’s new state-of-the-art multi-media studio, the Tamalpais ResearchInstitute (TRI). Audiences also will see aslideshow of rare photos of the band set toa previously unreleased live track.

“Bringing The Grateful Dead Movieback to U.S. cinemas is the ultimate wayfor Dead fans to celebrate Garcia’s 70thbirthday,” said Shelly Maxwell, executivevice president of NCM Fathom Events.“This one-night event will allow fans togather at their local theaters to honorGarcia as they once again experience themusic that made him a legend.”

This one-night event will be broadcast tomore than 450 select movie theaters acrossthe country through NCM’s exclusiveDigital Broadcast Network. NCM FathomEvents and Rhino Entertainment recentlyteamed up for the highly successful cinemapresentation of “Grateful Dead SecondAnnual Meet-Up At The Movies 2012” inApril of this year, as well as “The GratefulDead Movie Event” in April 2011.

Recorded more than 35 years ago underthe direction of Garcia and co-directed byLeon Gast, The Grateful Dead Movie wasshot in October 1974 at the WinterlandArena in San Francisco prior to theGrateful Dead taking a two-year sabbati-cal. Debuting at the Ziegfeld Theatre inNew York City on June 1, 1977, the moviechronicles several different facets of theoriginal Dead Head phenomena andincludes band performances of U.S. Blues,One More Saturday Night, Casey Jones,Playing in the Band and Sugar Magnolia,among other Dead classics. The GratefulDead Movie has become an iconic staple ofpopular culture for Dead Heads.

Grateful Dead Movie BirthdayCelebration on the ‘big screen’

Ocwen Loan Servicing ChoosingPrincipal Balance Reductions overAggressive Foreclosure Defense

For a FREE consultation withBruce Jacobs & Associates,call (305) 444-2242or watch his free webinar:“Strategies for anUnderwater Mortgage” atwww.negotiatefromstrength.com.

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There may be good news if Ocwen Loan Servicing is handling yourloan. Ocwen is taking a new approach to help underwater homeown-ers. They call it the “Shared Appreciation Modification" (SAM)Program. The test for the SAM program is whether principal balancereductions produce better results than fighting against an aggressiveforeclosure defense.“It’s about time.” said Bruce Jacobs, a former bank lawyer who now

represents homeowners in foreclosure, “since I started fighting fore-closures in 2008, I found banks rejected principal balance reductions.They only considered debt forgiveness if the homeowner moved out ofthe home."Ocwen recently started the SAM program and has settled with home-

owners that are aggressively fighting their foreclosure in Court. These“SAM’s” reduce the principal balance of underwater mortgages to 95%of today’s fair market value. If the house goes up in value, the bank isentitled to a share of the profits when you sell.“I find many banks are still missing critical documents needed to

show the right to foreclose on underwater mortgages.” Said Jacobs,who is also a foreclosure defense client. “I had five mortgages on twoproperties underwater by almost $500,000.00. I stopped paying andfought. Now I have one mortgage left on one property. It was originallywith Countrywide Home Loan. I know they have serious problems withtheir paperwork. I wish Ocwen was handling my loan.”Jacobs is part of a national network of dedicated lawyers fighting

back against Banks. They train at seminars in Las Vegas, Orlando,New York City and online to share resources and develop cutting edgeforeclosure defense strategies. Many of the attorneys are former banklawyers who, like Jacobs, fight for meaningful help for their clients.Jacobs has also lectured in real estate offices and at continuing legaleducation seminars for other attorneys.“There are reasons banks filed “robo-signed” fraudulent documents

in foreclosures all over the country. Many tried to cover-up seriouspaperwork problems which made proving the right to foreclose in acourtroom difficult.” said Jacobs. “The goal for most of my clients iseither a meaningful loan modification with a principal balance reduction,forgiveness of the debt, or to fight to remove the mortgage from theproperty.”

By Ann Lino

• Owe more than your home is worth?• Not paying your mortgage?• Facing Foreclosure?


BY SANDRA RODRIGUEZ

Ultimate Miami LLC— creator ofMiami’s hottest talent competitionsshowcasing local rising stars in the fieldsof mixology, music and culinary arts —currently is accepting entries for the ulti-mate Miami bartender through Tuesday,July 31.

Participants will compete for a cashprize of $5,000 and the title of Miami’sUltimate Bartender. The inaugural eventtakes place on Saturday, Sept. 29, 9p.m., at Stage 305 inside Magic CityCasino and will feature eight finalistscompeting for the grand prize.American pop-punk band, Bowling forSoup, also will be present for a specialmusical performance.

“We are thrilled that Magic CityCasino will be the home of the ultimateMiami bartender competition and lookforward to witnessing the crowning ofMiami’s Ultimate Bartender onSaturday, Sept. 29, in our newest venue,Stage 305,” said Scott Savin, chief oper-ating officer of Magic City Casino. “Itwill be an incredible evening filled withgreat energy and entertainment includ-ing live music by Bowling for Soup. Weinvite the public to join us for this spe-cial occasion.”

Ultimate Miami’s mission is to discov-er and support local talent by providingthe competitive environment that allowsthem to shine. Phase One of the UltimateMiami competition requires participantsto complete a free registration formonline at <www.theultimatemiami.com>or submit it in person at the Magic City

Casino Players Club by Tuesday, July 31.Phase Two of the competition involves

an online fan vote that will determine thefinalists. Phase Three completes the com-petition, when the eight finalists battlefor the title of Miami’s UltimateBartender in front of a live audience onSaturday, Sept. 29.

As a grand finale to the day’s competi-tion, Bowling for Soup will take thestage. Bowling for Soup is an Americanpop-punk band, which originally formedin Wichita Falls, TX in 1994. The song1985 from their Top 40 album, AHangover You Don’t Deserve, reachedNo. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in2004. Their cover of the song Stacy’sMom was recently released as part of athree-track single. In addition, the song,Girl All the Bad Guys Want earned thema 2002 Grammy Award nomination.

UPCOMING ULTIMATE MIAMICOMPETITIONS:

• Ultimate Miami Band, Nov. 10; tak-ing entries starting Aug. 13.

• Ultimate Miami Food Truck, Jan. 5,2013; taking entries starting Oct. 8.

• Ultimate Miami Voice, Mar. 2, 2013;qualifying events starting Nov. 1.

• Ultimate Miami Dessert, May 4,2013; taking entries starting Feb. 4, 2013.

• Ultimate Miami Deejay, July 13,2013; Taking entries starting Apr. 8, 2013.

Magic City Casino, located at 450 NW37 Ave. in Miami, offers free self parkingwith valet parking available as well. Formore information about Ultimate Miami,visit <www.theultimatemiami.com> orcall 305-631-4536.

Last call: Miami’s UltimateBartender search underway


BY PAULINA NARANJO

The Greater Miami Convention andVisitors Bureau (GMCVB) hasannounced the 11th Annual Miami SpiceRestaurant Program — the wildly antici-pated summer celebration in whichGreater Miami restaurants offer dis-counted three-course lunch and dinnermenus.

To make dining deals spicier, new tothe program this year is a second option,which will be available simultaneouslyfrom Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, offering MiamiSpice fans more diverse and wide-rang-ing dining options.

The expanded format of Miami Spice— presented by American Express andsponsored by Stella Artois and Bacardirum — will consist of a two restaurantgroups: Luxury Restaurants and FineDining Restaurants.

• Luxury Restaurants will offer threecourse prix-fixe lunches at $23 per per-

son, dinners at $39.• Fine Dining Restaurants will feature

menus at $19 for lunch, $33 for dinner.All Miami Spice menus include an

appetizer, entrée and dessert as part ofthe fixed price, which excludes tax andgratuities.

“Our 2012 revitalized Miami Spiceprogram embraces the city’s ever-grow-ing culinary scene,” said William D.Talbert III, CDME, president and CEO ofthe GMCVB. “The expanded programgives Miami diners more options andmore opportunities to savor the region’sgreat restaurants.”

For an up-to-date list of participatingrestaurants, menus and scheduledevents, visit the Miami SpiceRestaurant Program’s dedicated websiteat <www.iLoveMiamiSpice.com>.Restaurateurs who wish to be consid-ered for Miami Spice should send emailto <[email protected]> forinformation.

Miami Spice restaurant program to offer expanded dining options


Byy Annn Lino

A newly formed full service immigration law firm, The Hermanni Law Group,recently established offices in Coral Gables and has since recruited severalnew attorneys to provide clients with a full plate of immigration services. Theimpetus for creating this firm came from Kurt Hermanni, who had earned agreat reputation as a skilled, honest and competent international lawyer ded-icated exclusively to the practice of immigration law.

Hermanni remembers a time when a client’s friend called from New York tohelp his detained nephew get a bond from an immigration judge in KromeDetention Center. Thereafter, the family only wanted him despite the addedtravel expenses.That level of trust and dedication has propelled the HermanniLaw Group to handle cases throughout the United States. That is not hard tounderstand given the number of cases in which immigrants have been vic-timized by less principled and trustworthy attorneys. Passionately committedto serve his clients, Hermanni has developed relationships that have dramat-ically increased his client base through satisfied client referrals.

Seeing the growing demand, Hermanni has recruited a group of outstand-ing lawyers all of whom have a general competency in general immigrationlaw but also have a focus in variety of critical areas. While Hermanni is fluentin English, Spanish and Italian, his entire team his fluent in English and Span-ish.

The firm is currently comprised of five full-time house attorneys: Kurt Her-manni, Senior Partner; Norma Lorenzo, Managing Attorney; and AssociateAttorneys Patricia Hernandez, Consuelo de le Ossa, Jenna McQuid andGreg Greenberg.

The Hermanni Law Group currently represents numerous internationalcompanies throughout the world, with clients in Latin America, Europe, Asiaand the Middle East, in support of their employees’ short-term or long-termplacements in the United States. Additionally, the firm represents clients fac-ing immediate removal from the United States and those seeking asylum,Cuban Adjustment and adjustment status. Successful representations havefocused on defense of marriage fraud claims and cases involving violenceagainst women. The firm’s distinguished clientele includes a former SouthAmerican President and his family, several foreign dignitaries, a former mili-tary General, military attaches, professional athletes, and foreign investorsfrom China, Serbia, Colombia, Venezuela, Spain and Italy.

The Hermanni Law Group is located at 2655 LeJeune Road, Ste. 800,Coral Gables, FL 33134. Ph: 305 640-8222 or Mobile 786-271-6699. Visitour website at www.legalizationlawyer.com.

Immigration Law FirmRecruits Top Staff

BY NANCY EAGLETON

At the three dermatology offices ofHector Wiltz Jr., MD, located in Kendalland Homestead, Dr. Wiltz collaborateswith Eric Bussear, MPH, PA-C, to helppatients of all ages achieve and maintainhealthy and beautiful skin.

They combine their knowledge and vastexperience to offer patients a full spectrumof medical and aesthetic dermatologic pro-cedures, including treatments to combatacne, skin conditions such as psoriasis,skin cancer and the signs of aging.

Dr. Wiltz, who is board certified in der-matology, received his medical degreefrom Temple University School ofMedicine in Pennsylvania and completed adermatology residency at UMDMJ-University Hospital in New Jersey. He hasbeen practicing at his Bird Road officelocated in Kendall Regional MedicalCenter for 20 years, and specializes inmedical dermatologic procedures.

Eric Bussear, PA, began his medicalcareer at the age of 19 as a Corpsman forthe U.S. Navy. He received his PhysicianAssistant degree and then obtained a mas-ter’s in Public Health from NovaSoutheastern University where he alsoserved as a professor. Bussear has obtainedvast experience in surgery throughout hismedical career, and specializes in cosmeticdermatologic procedures and surgery.

The pair offers a variety of treatments tohelp patients gracefully fight aging,including chemical peels, exfoliation treat-ments, Botox, injectable fillers and laserprocedures. To determine patients’ goalsand establish the best treatment plan,Bussear offers new patients a free cosmet-ic consultation.

Botox, one of Bussear’s favorite treat-ments, helps combat forehead and browlines and gives the eyes a lift.

“I love the results my patients achievewith Botox,” he said. “It’s the No. 1 cos-metic treatment in the country and there’sa reason — it flat out works. When admin-istered properly, it’s the perfect anti-agingremedy and it changes people’s lives.”

For a one-two punch against aging,Bussear recommends partnering Botoxtreatments with filler — such as Juvederm,Radiesse or Restylane — to replace vol-ume lost in the cheeks and lips and plumpup laugh lines.

“Lips are my specialty,” Bussear said. “Ican help patients achieve the lips of their

youth — lips that are fuller and have thatnatural edge.”

Dr. Wiltz and Bussear offer a variety oflasers, which are effective treatments forfine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, pig-ment disorders, blood vessels, vascularbirthmarks, psoriasis, angiomas, vitiligoand unwanted tattoos and hair.

“The CO2 laser remains the gold stan-dard for resurfacing skin,” Bussear said.“With this treatment, patients need to planfor downtime. On the other hand, the CO2fractional laser delivers powerful resultswithout the harsh side effects. I typicallyperform this laser on a Friday and peopleare back to work on Tuesday.”

In the age-old fight against acne, whichcan affect people at any age, chemicalpeels can be combined with pharmaceuti-cal grade exfoliating products to achieveclearer skin. These same treatments alsoare successful to combat pigmentationissues common in Latino and Asian skin.

Preventing, diagnosing and treating skincancer is a priority for Dr. Wiltz andBussear. They take time to educate theirpatients on the proactive and preventivesteps they can take to keep skin healthy atall ages and stages. Dr. Wiltz also is ateaching practice. Students from MiamiDade College and Keiser UniversityPhysician Assistant program shadow Dr.Wiltz and Bussear to gain clinical knowl-edge from expert dermatologists.

The offices of Hector Wiltz Jr., MD, arelocated at 11760 Bird Rd., Suite 451, 305-227-9233; 7400 Kendall Dr., Suite 411,305-670-0178, and 151 NW 11 St., Suite201, Homestead, 305-245-1332.

Hector Wiltz Jr. MD, helps put your best face forward

Achieve healthy and more youthful looking skin atoffices of Hector Wiltz Jr., MD.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY PAUL BORDEN

It seems such a natural fit — convertiblesand South Florida — you might think that itwould have been the first thing to come tomind when the board of the SouthernAutomotive Media Association (SAMA),which is based in Miami, began mullingover ideas for another event to add to itsyearly calendar.

When the organization was formed inMarch 2007, the first thing it did was workwith the South Florida Auto DealersAssociation to coordinate an awards pro-gram for the South Florida InternationalAuto Show.

That fall, SAMA selected its first “Star ofthe Show” of the event, which draws morethan 600,000 visitors annually in the fall tothe Miami Beach Convention Center — theCadillac CTS.

The following year, SAMA held its firstRides-N-Smiles event, treating pediatricpatients from Baptist Children’s Hospitalwho suffer from chronic childhood illnesssuch as cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s and Colitis,and brain injuries, to a day of rides aroundthe Homestead-Miami Speedway roadcourse in luxury performance cars.

In the past couple of years, that event has

grown to add families from MiamiChildren’s Hospital and continues to growthanks to the efforts of Bill Adam, SAMAvice president. The 2012 Rides-N-Smiles isscheduled for Nov. 10 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

But always in the back of everyone’s mindwas the idea of a third event for the spring to

balance out the schedule. It would be looselybased on the Texas Truck Rodeo competitionthat the Texas Auto Writers Association con-ducts in the Lone Star State, but featuringanother automotive segment. Though pickupsand SUVs are popular in South Florida, espe-cially when it comes to towing boats, theydon’t really fit into the area’s image.

Consideration was given to luxury cars.After all, you can’t drive up and downMiami Beach’s Ocean Drive withoutencountering at least one and usually severalexotics that make you stop and go “whoa.”That idea never got off the ground.

Then thoughts turned to the evolving“Green Car” market of hybrids and electricvehicles. But that didn’t take off either.

Finally, at a breakfast board meeting,someone broached the idea to feature a con-vertible competition, and that got unanimousand enthusiastic approval.

Thus “Topless in Miami” came into being.From the name, you might think this meet-ing was held during cocktail hour, but cof-fee, orange juice and tea were the only bev-erages on the table.

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne also wasthe unanimous choice for the headquarters asthe hotel not only is in an exotic beach loca-tion, but has a big auxiliary entrance thatwould serve as a staging area for the cars. Aconvenient, short driving area along CrandonBoulevard that presents several great photobackdrops is available right there as well.

It works this way: SAMA members takethe cars out for quick spins and score themon design, driving experience, and the easeof raising and lowering the tops. One-buttonoperations that secure themselves get highmarks. Several factory representatives are inattendance to answer questions and ridealong to offer additional information if themedia member desires.

The process begins in the morning andcontinues through late afternoon when allthe scores are tallied, and winners in four

categories plus an overall Convertible of theYear are announced during a banquet thatevening.

It is a fun to participate, but it’s not exact-ly an easy task. The quality of the 17 vehi-cles entered in the most recent (June 14) sec-ond annual competition reflects the stridesthe industry as a whole has made in recentyears in overall quality and design.

The other difficulty is getting the vehiclesinto a proper category as well as defining thecategories. Luxury, small and sports cars aresomewhat obvious segments, but a fourthpresented a bit of a challenge. The decisionwas made to classify convertibles with four-passenger capacity as “family” vehicles. Itworked out great in 2011 when the NissanMurano CrossCabriolet was the winner of the“family” category, but classifying the win-ning 2012 Chevrolet Camaro as a “familyconvertible” might be stretching things a bit.

But those are details that are to be workedout in the future. The turnout of 71 SAMAmembers for 2012, nearly 20 more than thenumber of members who took part in thefirst year’s event, would seem to be evidenceof the enthusiasm SAMA members have forTopless in Miami.

Other winners for 2012 are the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster as Convertible ofthe Year; the Jaguar XKR-S as LuxuryConvertible of the Year; Camaro as BestFamily Convertible; Audi TT S-TronicRoadster as Best Sports Car Convertible,and the Gucci edition of the Fiat 500C asBest Small Convertible.

The Fiat was a repeat winner in the catego-ry from the inaugural event in 2011, when theAudi R8 Spyder won the voting for 2011Convertible of the Year. Other winners in 2011were the BMW 650i, Chevy Corvette, and, asmentioned, the Murano CrossCabriolet.

But considering the support from the man-ufacturers and the turnout of the member-ship, a sixth winner on a bright, sunny SouthFlorida day was SAMA itself.

SAMA’s ‘Topless in Miami’ features top convertiblesPictured (l-r)

are the winnersof the SAMA

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BY ALICIA WHITLEY

Dadeland Mall has announced an excit-ing array of retail and dining options join-ing the property including Misaki, KingKone Hand Rolls, Strive and Crepe Maker.Additionally, Zara has expanded its storeand added a Zara Children section andKoko & Palenki has moved to a largerlocation within the mall.

“Dadeland Mall is always striving toenhance our exciting mix of retailers,” saidMaria Prado, mall manager. “We arepleased to welcome each of these vibrantnew tenants to the property.”

Misaki, a luxurious, high-end jewelerspecializing in pearls opened its doors inthe spring. The brand, which has been spot-ted on celebrities such as Julianne Hough,Nicole Scherzinger and Sarah Hyland,strives to combine the timeless and classicbeauty of pearls along with contemporarydesign. The 508-square-foot space is locat-ed next to Michael Kors.

Zara, the popular international fashioncompany offering on-trend looks forwomen, men and children, has expanded itscollection, which became available to shop-pers in May, to include a Zara Children. TheZara Children line offers sizes for boys andgirls that range in age from 2 to 14. The16,499-square-foot store is located next toSaks Fifth Avenue inside the mall.

Strive, a retailer specializing in footwear,recently opened 1,556-square-foot store

next to Nordstrom inside the mall. Striveoffers a wide selection of Crocs.

A Miami staple, Koko & Palenkiexpanded to a 3,147-square-foot spacebetween the Apple Store and Victoria’sSecret earlier this month. The shoe andaccessory-focused store offers designerlooks in familiar names such as Elie Tahari,Mystique, Pelle Moda, True Religion andBoutique 9. Stylish shoppers also can findapparel and looks from Alice & Olivia,DVF, Rebecca Minkoff and many more.

King Kone Hand Rolls just openedinside the food court and offers a healthier,unique dining option. The “kone”-shapedpackaging allows customers to enjoy theirselection on the go, forever changing theway sushi is consumed. A large selection of“kones” including spicy tune, ceviche,Mexican, crunchy salmon, dragon and moreare available along with traditional rolls anda variety of sides, desserts and “kombos.”

C repeMaker, a delicious addition in theeast mall area near Aeropostale and sched-uled to open mid-July, offers a wide varietyof sweet, salad and savory crepe combina-tions. Kids’ crepes and breakfast crepesalso are available. The CrepeMaker con-ception came from the Parisian street cartvendors, and after opening its first locationin 1992, the CrepeMaker now boasts loca-tions from coast to coast.

For more information, visit the SimonProperty Group website at<www.simon.com>.

Dadeland Mall welcomesvariety of new tenants


BY LEE STEPHENS

After piloting its programs locally for twoyears, UrbanPromise Miami officiallykicked off its services in the South Floridacommunity recently with an inaugural cele-bration at the Coral Gables Museum thatdrew nearly 300 attendees and raised$60,000.

UrbanPromise Miami, a non-profit organi-zation serving children in high-risk urbanareas in Miami-Dade County, is based on thesuccessful program model of UrbanPromiseCamden in New Jersey that works to helpyouth graduate and succeed in what has beencalled “one of America’s most violent cities.”For its success in Camden, UrbanPromise hasbeen featured on ABC’s 20/20 and the OprahWinfrey Network (OWN).

“We were inspired by the differenceUrbanPromise has made in Camden, andwe’ve replicated that model here,” said Dr.Ana M. Ojeda, co-founder and executivedirector of UrbanPromise Miami. “AlthoughMiami is often depicted as a tourist’s para-dise, the truth is Miami is one of the poorestbig cities in the country. The youth in oururban areas face overwhelming hurdles, andour role is to provide them with opportunitiesand support that might not otherwise be

available to them.”Through its after school and summer camp

programs, UrbanPromise offers tutoring,academic enrichment activities, professionalcoaching in reading, professional psycholog-ical counseling, and arts and sports activitiesto youth ages 5-18 at no cost. Its uniqueStreetLeader Program also provides teenswith vocational and leadership training, asthey are taught to serve as mentors and campcounselors to younger children in the pro-gram.

UrbanPromise Miami’s mission is to equipchildren for academic achievement, lifemanagement, leadership, and spiritualgrowth. Its after school and summer campprogram site currently is located in EastLittle Havana.

During the inaugural celebration,UrbanPromise Miami StreetLeaders sharedtheir experiences from participating in theprogram.

“The UP staff and interns taught me whatit meant to trust somebody for the first time,”said one 17-year-old in a written testimonialdisplayed at the event. “They were patientwith me and accepted me for who I was. Ifelt welcomed and loved from the moment Iwalked in, despite the walls I had put uparound me.”

Another event highlight included the“Chen Medical Challenge” issued by Dr.Gordon Chen, ChenMed senior vice presi-dent, who also serves on the UrbanPromiseMiami board. Dr. Chen called on attendees topledge a dollar a day to sponsor a child for afull year. Many attendees stepped up to thechallenge, filling out pledge cards to sponsorchildren for a full year of after school andsummer camp programs with UrbanPromise.

The celebration featured a live perform-ance of classic rock hits by local band PeopleYou Know and a silent auction. Guestsincluded Miami-Dade State AttorneyKatherine Fernandez Rundle, Judge AndreaRicker-Wolfson, Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat, Judge Deborah White-Labora,Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens, and Judge

Don Cohn, School Board vice chair Dr.Lawrence Feldman, and Coral GablesCommissioner Frank Quesada. Major eventcorporate sponsors included ChenMed,Mayoral Dermatology, and Cantera &Associates.

“We’ve started with a site in East LittleHavana, and we plan to continue growing toother under-served neighborhoods,” saidKristy Nuñez, Esq., UrbanPromise Miamico-founder. “The need is so great; we can’twork fast enough to meet it. Our vision is toequip children to avoid negative life choicessuch as dropping out, drugs, and crime andgive them the guidance and tools to graduateand succeed.”

For more information, visit <www.urban-promisemiami.org>.

Organization brings hope, opportunities to urban youth

Pictured (l-r) are Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle andUrbanPromise Miami co-founder Kristy Nuñez, Esq.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


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BY MELISSA LICHTENHELD

Mark Schusterman, athletic director andsoftball coach at Gulliver PreparatorySchool, is this year’s National High SchoolSoftball Coach of the Year, an award present-ed by the National High School CoachesAssociation.

Schusterman is a 32-year coaching veter-an in five sports. During his 26th seasondirecting the Raiders girls softball program,the team won its third consecutive statechampionship. Gulliver Prep, the first highschool in the county ever to take back-to-back state titles, won 3A state titles in 1998,2001, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

“In receiving this award, my thanks goout to my outstanding staff and coaches forall their hard work that allows me todevote time to this team of fantastic stu-dent athletes,” Schusterman said. “Thisaward also belongs to the softball coachingstaff, which has worked so hard to makeall this possible.”

This is Schusterman’s second consecutivenational award for coaching softball. In2011, ESPN Rise awarded Schusterman itsNational Coach of the Year title.

Schusterman, who began his coaching

career with Gulliver Schools in 1985, wasnamed Gulliver Prep athletic director in2007 after serving 13 years as athletic direc-tor of Gulliver’s Middle School. He hascoached softball, cross country, football,boys basketball and girls basketball. He ledGulliver to its first state title in 1998. In2009, he was inducted into the FloridaAthletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

A graduate of Florida InternationalUniversity with a degree in history, he beganhis coaching career at Miami Killian High in1980, then became head basketball coach atMiami LaSalle High in 1984. The next yearhe moved to Gulliver Prep, where he taughthistory classes for his first 10 years alongwith coaching.

In 2001, the Miami Herald named himMiami-Dade County Male Coach of the Year.He currently serves as Florida AthleticCoaches Association’s state softball chair and isa member of the Florida High School AthleticAssociation softball advisory committee.

The NHSCA is a nonprofit organization thatprovides leadership and support to coachesand administrators and their programs.

For more information about GulliverSchools visit online at <www.gulliver-schools.org>.

Gulliver’s Mark Schusterman namedNational HS Softball Coach of Year

BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD

Farms in South Miami-Dade County pro-duce most of the winter vegetables for thenation. In the summer, other crops take cen-ter stage, including mangos and other fruits.

Tom Rieder, a member of the Dade CountyFarm Bureau, said farming is the county’ssecond largest industry.

“It’s not just a job, it’s a way of life,”Rieder said. “Some of them [farmers] havegone to college, some have PhD’s. It’sbecome difficult because of the free tradeagreement and with the price of rents.”

Rieder should know, he’s a Realtor atRieder Realty, specializing in agriculturalreal estate, working the agricultural side ofthe business from Orlando south.

“I’ve been doing this for a little over 40years,” he said. “Agriculture has always beenmy focus. There are some real problems theyare having now. This free trade withMexico…”

Another problem is who is going to pickthe crops. The anti-immigration rhetoric andstrong anti-immigrant laws passed inAlabama and other Southern states havescared away many migrant workers. Cropsare often picked by undocumented immi-grants who are willing to do jobs thatAmericans won’t.

“There are a lot of people who physicallycan’t go out there and pick crops for 8-10hours a day,” Rieder said. “The farmingdown here is different from the rest of thestate. Most of our fields down here you gettwo crops a year.”

Those crops can be beans, tomatoes,squash and zucchini. Rieder said they arestarting to see some farmers growing sugarcane on land that ordinarily wouldn’t be usedfor farming but does very well for sugar cane.

Along with vegetable and fruit crops, theRedland and Homestead areas also are hometo land and container nurseries.

“One of our nurseries, Costa is probablyone of the largest in the country,” Rieder said.“We have a type of soil named marl. It holdsthe moisture and, because it does not havemuch rock in it, it’s easy for the farmers toroot prune.”

The soil clings to the roots, which helpskeep the plants and trees alive and thrivingwhile in the containers. It also helps when thetree is transplanted.

However, the nursery business is tied toconstruction.

“When construction fell off, so did the in-ground nursery business,” he said. “The con-tainer nurseries, they are shipping them allover the world. They’ve created a market.”

The advantages of farming in SouthMiami-Dade include access to water and landthat is less susceptible to frost.

Rieder said the Farm Bureau is encourag-ing farmers to look at the idea of selling pro-duce directly to the consumer.

“We’re trying to come up with a method ofbeing able to sell direct, trying to contactrestaurants and clubs,” he said. “We can pro-vide fresh fruits at a better price.”

There also are bus tours available. Thosetours take the people to packing houses andthey can buy fruits and vegetables right there.

“Most produce goes to Lakeland and ispacked and brought back down to Miami,”Rieder said.

Farmers work closely with the FarmBureau and the Farm Bureau works closelywith the agriculture extension offices of theUniversity of Florida on a variety of issues,including pesticides.

One of the most recent issues farmers havebeen alerted to is the Redbay AmbrosiaBeetle, which is harmful to avocado trees.

Rieder said farmers in the region are tryingto get federal funding for experimenting withnew types of farming, like hydroponic farm-ing, that could allow row crops to grow yearround.

Miami-Dade agriculturehelping feed the nation

Pictured are row crops growing in South Miami-Dade County.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Cutler Bay Business Association LuncheonNETWORKING on July 12, 2012

Photos by: Gary Alan Ruse

Cyndi Rogg andWade Nembhard draw businesscards for prizes.

Ivonne Cuesta (right), who is running for County Judge,receives a doorprize.

Cyndi holds pictures as Darryl tells about hisnew granddaughter.

Alva R. Royston, President of A. Randall Financial(left) and Sue Cruz, CEO of Playville Party Rentals.

CBBA President Cyndi Rogg (center) withother members.

Sally Sims, VP Marketing and Business Development,University Credit Union.

Wade Nembhard gave a presentation onsocial media marketing for business.

CBBA member Jean Tong Noon is picturedenjoying the meeting.

In the Palm Room of Palmetto Bay Village Center. A luncheon of barbeque burgers, hot dogs,fixings and treats.

CBBA Vice President Darryl Boyette (right) andhis wife Elizabeth provided the meal.

A good turnout of members networking despite therainy day.

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Audi has become a major player in theU.S., and a recent report that it sold morevehicles in June than in any month sinceentering the market 42 years ago onlyserved to solidify that fact. Audi set a newall-time monthly U.S. sales record with12,664 vehicles sold, a 26 percent increaseover June 2011, and the 18th consecutivemonthly sales record.

On the heels of those figures came theannouncement that Audi will bring back theiconic “allroad” in the 2013 lineup, a popu-lar model discontinued in 2004. Audi hon-chos believe the time is right for the returnof a station wagon type of vehicle with all-weather capabilities and great drivingdynamics. The new allroad does that andimproves on the original by combining thebest elements of a rugged crossover and anexecutive sedan. It’s faster and more fuelefficient, and with 7.1 inches of ground

clearance, it meets the outdoor lifestyleneeds of today’s consumer.

The allroad has a sleek design and a tallerprofile, rides on 18-inch wheels (19-inchersare optional), and has a unique single-framegrille design with vertical chrome struts andangled upper corners. Stainless steel skidplates and side sills, contrasting body trimand aluminum raised roof rails highlight theprofile, while matte-finished lowerbumpers and wheel arches are standard.Sleek headlights and circular fog lights fin-ish off the front, while circular dual-exhaustopenings polish the rear.

The allroad is wonderfully responsivewith its 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine that delivers211 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque,mated to a fuel efficient eight-speed auto-matic transmission. It clocks 0-60 mph in6.5 seconds; Quattro all-wheel drive is stan-dard and a new electromechanical steeringsystem saves weight, improves fuel econo-my and refines performance.

On the inside, the allroad is spacious,with plenty of front-seat headroom and 27cubic feet of cargo space, almost doublethat with the rear seats folded flat. Apanoramic sunroof is standard, along with

eight-way power seats, a choice of threewood inlays and a 505-watt Bang &Olufsen Sound System with 14 speakers.

The allroad is loaded with technology,including adaptive front lighting and Audiside assist, which uses radar to monitor thespace behind and beside the car and detectsany vehicles in adjacent lanes. An optionalDriver Assistance package adds adaptivecruise control, which keeps the vehicle at aconstant distance from the vehicle ahead.

Allroad also offers Audi Connect, aGoogle Earth integration to navigation that

gives panoramic high-resolution 3D satel-lite views and aerial imagery. Audi Connectalso provides a factory vehicle integrationof Wi-Fi service, allowing connections forup to eight devices.

Base price on the 2013 Audi allroad is$39,600.

Ron Beasley is the automotive editor forMiami’s Community Newspapers. He maybe contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext.261, or by addressing email to<[email protected]>.

Popular Audi ‘allroad’ returns in 2013 model lineup

LET’S TALK CARS

Ron Beasley

Audi allroad has a sleek design and a unique single-frame grille with vertical chrome struts.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RIVIERA HEALTH RESORT NEWS- July 2012 -

Combining post-acute care and rehabilitation services within a luxury bou-tique hotel environment, Riviera Health Resort is proud to announce thatit has welcomed its first guests to the state-of-the-art, 223-bed facility.Poised to redefine the way healthcare is delivered to South Florida, Rivi-era Health Resort features an array of complex care services that cater tothe needs of guests that require short and long term care as they transi-tion from the hospital to home, with an emphasis on post-stroke and hipand knee replacement recovery. Riviera Health Resort’s multi-facetedteam of trained specialists assist guests in expediting their recoveryprocess and restoring function through a highly-focused, personalizedprogram of integrated therapy. Call us today to schedule a visit. You andyour loved ones could not be in better hands.

Dr. Ismael Roque-Velasco, one of the area’smost respected professionals in the arena ofpost-acute care and rehabilitation, is the ChiefAdministrative Officer of the newly-opened Rivi-era Health Resort. Earning accolades for hisvisionary approach, Dr. Roque-Velasco brings20 years of success to the one-of-a-kind facility.“Dr. Roque-Velasco will be an instrumentalfigure in achieving the facility’s goal of redefin-ing the way healthcare is delivered,” said Rich-ard Stacey, CEO of Riviera Health Resort.

Congratulations toAlina Richardson

(L-R) Dr. Israel Cabrera, Medical Director,Riviera Health Resort; Julissa Diaz, MSPT,Clinical Liaison/Business Development, RivieraHealth Resort; and Ms. Alina Richardson.

Dr. Ismael Roque-Velasco NamedChief Administrative Officer

Our first post-elective surgery guest,who is now up and about, and backhome after rehabilitating from a totalhip replacement. Thank you for yourfaith in Riviera Health Resort.

Riviera Health Resort’s post-acute care and rehabilitation offerings are designed forindividuals who have experienced a recent injury, illness, procedure – such as jointreplacement – or suffered an impairment.

Our Services

Riviera provides guests with an intensive, highly-focused program of integratedtherapy, including physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy; neuropsy-chology with cognitive therapy; and IV therapy; wound care; cardiac recovery; sportsmedicine rehabilitation and more.

The facility’s Outpatient Rehabilitation offerings promote the continuum of care andwellness and include services such as functional assessments, physical therapy,audiology, vestibular rehabilitation, back/spine programs, women’s specialized well-ness, post-joint replacement programs, and sports medicine rehabilitation amongnumerous others.

Visit UsRiviera Health Resort is located at 6901Yumuri Street in Coral Gables. For a consul-tation and tour of the facility, contactRiviera’s guest services team at 786-517-6999 or visit www.rivierahealthresort.com

Riviera Health Resort Now OpenAccepting Medicare and Select Insurance Plans


BY KELLY ALLOCCO

The most comprehensive economic impactstudy of the nonprofit arts and culture indus-try ever conducted in the United States, Arts& Economic Prosperity IV, was announcedrecently by Americans for the Arts, thenation’s leading nonprofit organization foradvancing the arts and arts education.

Miami-Dade County’s Department ofCultural Affairs participated in tandemwith 181 other communities and regionsacross the country representing all 50states, focusing on two areas: (1) the eco-nomic impact of spending by culturalorganizations, and (2) the impact of event-related spending by these organizations’audiences.

Miami-Dade County’s nonprofit arts andcultural organizations represent a signifi-cant business industry in Miami-DadeCounty — one that generates almost $1.1billion in local economic activity, an almost17 percent increase over the last studyreleased five years ago. This spending —$673.95 million by nonprofit arts and cul-tural organizations and an additional$402.2 million in event-related spending bytheir audiences — supports 29,792 full-time equivalent jobs.

Attendance at cultural events also showsan increasing trend, demonstrating thatMiami-Dade’s audiences are growing, rep-resenting over 13.5 million cultural atten-dees annually as compared to 12.7 millionfive years ago when the last study was con-ducted. These results put Miami-DadeCounty among the top tier of comparable

metropolitan areas and demonstrate howthe arts are effective catalysts for strength-ening the economy and making Miami-Dade County more competitive nationallyfor business, tourism and the arts.

“This landmark study confirms what weall know to be true — the arts and culturalindustry in Miami-Dade County is a majorforce in making this a world-class metrop-olis for business and a great place to raiseour families,” said Adolfo Henriques, chairof the Miami-Dade Cultural AffairsCouncil. “Our outstanding cultural com-munity is putting us on the map as one ofthe newest and most culturally vibrantplaces in the world and as the ‘go-to’ desti-nation for economic and cultural innova-tion and diversity.”

The rapid rise of Miami-Dade County’sarts and cultural industry is a national suc-cess story. Today, there are more entertain-ment and educational opportunities forfamilies and children than ever. Miami’svibrant cultural life is a direct contributor tothe county’s resurgence as a center forinternational tourism and commerce.

Culture helps to understand and cele-brate the community’s remarkable diversi-ty and history. Investments in arts and cul-ture industry continue to enhance the qual-ity of life for Miami-Dade County’s resi-dents and visitors, strengthen the localeconomy and play a strategic role in devel-oping, attracting and retaining creative peo-ple, and nurturing creative industries.

The full text of the local Miami-DadeCounty study is available online at<www.miamidadearts.org>.

County’s arts and culture sectorgenerates $1 billion for economy

Community Newspapers

BY HOLLY ZAWYER

In recognition of the bravery and dedicationof America’s heroes, Hawks Cay Resort in theFlorida Keys has announced it will once againhonor military, fire and rescue, law enforce-ment and medical personnel through itsHeroes Welcome Program.

Running Aug. 20 through Nov. 18, the annu-al program features starting rates at just $99,special discounts on resort activities and a seriesof tribute events. A portion of proceeds of eachroom booked will benefit the Firehouse SubsPublic Safety Foundation and, through a uniquepartnership with renowned artist Guy Harvey,additional charity organizations dedicated toassisting our heroes and their families.

“Hawks Cay is a place for families to recon-nect and bond through unique and fun activi-ties,” said Sheldon Suga, Hawks Cay Resortmanaging director. “We are honored to be ableto host America’s heroes and their loved oneswith tributes, celebrations, and the relaxationthey deserve.

“This is our fourth annual Heroes Welcomeand we’ve expanded the programming this yearto include events and activities each weekendthroughout the season that honor the variousdivisions of our heroes — from police and fire tomilitary and medical personnel,” he said. “Thisis our way of giving thanks, paying homage, andabove all celebrating our heroic guests.”

The highlight of the Heroes Welcome pro-gram is the resort’s weekly “Heroes in Action”tribute ceremony that takes place every Saturdaynight at sunset around the Resort’s famous FirePit. The heartwarming slideshow and videopresentation feature pictures provided by guestsand iconic imagery that is followed by a lightingceremony as a tribute to all fallen heroes andthose currently in action. The evening continueswith live music under the stars.

Additional events planned throughout theprogram includes a touch-a-truck experience;fishing tournament, and the resort’s Down atthe Docks celebration, a dockside eveningevent featuring Coast Guard demos, local ven-

dors and live entertainment.Visit www.HawksCayHeroes.com for a cal-

endar of events.For the first time in the history of the pro-

gram, the resort has partnered with renownedartist Guy Harvey who will create a souvenirshirt commemorating this year’s HeroesWelcome and honoring its participants. A por-tion of proceeds from the program will go to acollection of charities selected by Guy Harvey,including Birdies for the Brave, which sup-ports members of the U.S. Armed Forces andtheir families. Another portion of the proceedswill go to Firehouse Subs Public SafetyFoundation, an organization created byFirehouse Subs, a fast-casual restaurant with508 locations, to better equip, educate andfund public safety entities.

While the $99 starting rate is limited toAmerican heroes, all resort guests can receivea special 20 percent off the best available rateby making a donation of $2 to supported foun-dations. For Heroes Welcome reservations,visit <www.HawksCayHeroes.com> or call 1-888-313-5749.

Hawks Cay Resort, located on Duck Key inthe middle Florida Keys, is the premier destina-tion in all of the Florida Keys for outdoor fun.

Alongside the emerald water of the AtlanticOcean, guests enjoy offshore, flats and back-country fishing; diving; kayaking; kiteboard-ing and standup paddle boarding programs;Cliff Drysdale tennis program; Segway toursand the only resort-based Dolphin Connectionprogram in the continental U.S.

The 60-acre resort boasts 177 guestroomsand 225 two- and three-bedroom villas, a full-service marina, five signature restaurants, salt-water lagoon, five swimming pools, kid andteen clubs and the award-winning CalmWaters Spa. A member of Preferred Hotels &Resorts and a AAA Four-Diamond Awardrecipient, the resort is owned and operated byNorthview Hotel Group, which completed a$35 million resort renovation in 2008. Theresort has been rated by local brides and votedThe Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick.

Hawk’s Cay Resort creates Heroes Welcome Program


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July 24 - Aug. 6, 2012 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 63

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Great for investment as a rental or to live. Hasscreened in porch going along property that looksdirectly at pool. On ground floors with no steps too.Freashly painted 3/2 with huge rooms and hugeclosets. Located at Castle Condo's out Kendall and109th.

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9390 W. Flagler Street, Apt. 221B................Only................. $99,000Gated community - open layout/tiled

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13231 SW 105 ave, Falls Area ............................................$474,0004/2.5 with 2 car garage/pool/large yard/Updated.11048 SW 154 Pl ..................................Pending...................$149,000Fabulous 3/2 Townhome with Garage, screened patio,tankless water heater

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Featured Listings

Thegood--First you see this updatedhome on the Internet. Eighty-fivepercent of buyers preview their

home on the Internet. The people boughtit in 2005 or they took out an equity lineon top of their mortgage and now they areupside down and need to sell. It hasupdated baths, granite kitchen and theymoved the pool to build a wrap aroundporch that is amazing for parties. Theprice is great and even your husband isexcited. You both leave work early so theback yard can be seen in the daylight.You love it!!! (Short sales are betterpriced than regular homes but not as goodas foreclosures. ) I put in a contract rightaway. What should you pay? Depends ifyou get in a competition. If that happensexpect to pay full price or more. Theseller usually has a lawyer they insist youuse-so they now pay your title becausethey are the escrow and title agent.Which does save you big money. You getthe house and now are thoroughly con-fused what the time line is. Be assured

friends will tell you horror short sale sto-ries—all factual of course. You only haveto put $1000 down. There is no moneyspent on inspections or an appraisal rightaway. How bad can it get?The Bad-So the money is sent to the

sellers title and escrow lawyer. I recom-

mend my customers to hand drop it by tosee the law firm or title company. If it isa PO Box that is not a good sign. Theseare the people who are negotiating theshort sale. A short sale is much moreabout the seller than the buyer. Now theseller must give extensive records show-ing they qualify for a short sale. Then thebank that holds the mortgage does anappraisal to see if the price is true marketvalue. If they want more money the bankwill counter. ( I just had a condo that wasbought for $48K get a counter of $67K .)If the bank changes the price you can can-cel the contract. (So what is an Approvedshort sales?--homes that already have theappraisal and the bank has approved thesellers financial situation-RARITY) Didthe sellers mention there are two mort-gages? Amuch harder short sale. That isa question to always ask!! Both mortgagecompanies can agree on the short sale butthe first has to okay the payoffs for thesecond. Maybe they want the secondmortgage to get $3000 and the secondmortgage wants $5000. Yes, this is usual-ly the pay off price even if the secondmortgage is $75K. The first mortgagecan nix it because they are in control.This after 6 months of waiting.The Evil-the bank approves the short

sale. Usually the bank gives 30 days butthe paralegal was on vacation and no onetold you-- now you have 25. The contractis LIVE and all dates start quick. Timefor that much bigger second deposit-ouch.The banks give exact dates with specificsand the sellers have to sign this. Makesure you get a copy. So now your mort-gage guy has to jump on the appraisal andyou need to have the inspection lined upyesterday. Don't forget to do the insur-ance inspections at the same time! If aproblem is found with the home the sellerusually doesn't have money to fix it butmaybe the bank does. One of my cus-tomers got a free roof--but that is a rarity.Are you excited to close and move in?Remember, the owners are living therefree. Do you think they want to movefast? Would you?Actually I work with a short sale

lawyer, Dania Fernandez, and we do thisall the time. No short sale is perfect butyou can find great deals. It is truly a les-son in patience. My sister, Christy foundout she was pregnant in June. Went intoshort sale contract in July. Life was good.She closed last week on her short sale.She delivers in two weeks. Then we aregoing to have an amazing party under herwrap-around-porch by her moved pool.

Should you buy a short sale? orShoot yourself in the foot. It might feel the same at times. So here iswhat you should expect in a short sale-the good, the bad and the evil.

July 24 - Aug. 6, 2012 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 61


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305-663-2100

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