cutler bay news 1.22.2013

BY GRANT MILLER Publisher

Happy New Year!Miami’s Community

Newspapers wants tostart the new year bythanking our many loyalreaders and offering youa chance to see theUniversity of Miami’s basketball team inone of several games against top AtlanticCoast Conference opponents.

You can get up to four tickets to one ofthe following games (while supplieslast) by sending an email to<[email protected]>.Please indicate the number of ticketsdesired as well as a second game choiceshould your first choice be unavailable.

Available games, dates and times areas follows:

Boston College, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7p.m.;

North Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2p.m.;

Virginia, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 9 p.m.;Virginia Tech, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7

p.m.;Georgia Tech, Wednesday, Mar. 6, 9

p.m., and Clemson, Saturday, Mar. 9, 2:30 p.m.All games are played at the

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‘Taste of the Bay’ seeking vendors, volunteersBY GARY ALAN RUSE

C utler Bay’s popular foodand fun event, “Taste ofthe Bay,” is scheduled forFeb. 24 and organizers areready for area food ven-

dors and volunteers to get on board.The festival debuted in 2011, presented by

the Cutler Bay Business Association, andreturned the following year to even largercrowds. It takes place at the Palmetto BayVillage Center, 18001 Old Cutler Rd., on theedge of Cutler Bay, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cyndi Rogg, vice president of the CBBA,said that “Taste of the Bay,” an event original-ly conceived to bring restaurant businessesand their prospective customers together, is agreat community event for the whole family.It also is a fundraiser benefiting area schools.

“We’re offering a playground for childrenand lots of kiddie activities,” Rogg said.“There’ll be local food vendors and businessvendors. The proceeds go to help localschools. We bought $5,000 worth of paperlast year to donate to our area schools. Wehad 5,000 to 6,000 visitors last year duringthe course of the day. We have live music anda belly dancing show. We’re going to have acar show, too, so there’ll be a full day of fun,activities and food.”

A dozen area restaurants usually participate,featuring cuisine to please every foodie, fromseafood to barbecue, burgers and pizza, Italianand Asian food and more. There always are sev-eral live bands made up of area musicians and adeejay to keep the music going between sets.

There will be plenty of free parking at the

center, and even a special parking lot forbicycles. Tickets can be obtained free aheadof time from the participating restaurants, orbought at the gate on the day of the event.

Vendors who wish to participate in theannual event may call 305-815-1536 for moreinformation. Volunteers are needed as well.

A special offer for our readers

Pictured(l-r) are

DarrylBoyette,

CyndiRogg,

PatriciaFarina

andDelores

Triana ofthe

CBBA.

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

T he Cutler Bay BusinessAssociation (CBBA) elected itsofficers and board of directors at

the end of December to serve during 2013.The group’s monthly meeting on Jan. 10

was the first with the new board in place.Jonathan Wilson, the new CBBA president,conducted the meeting and luncheon. Theguest speaker was Anapaula Lagarriga, anActionCOACH Certified Business Coach whospoke on the topic of setting business goals.

Wilson, owner of Intellaclaim PublicAdjusters, has been a longtime member ofCBBA but this is the first time he has been

elected as an officer of theorganization.

“As the next president, I planto bring unprecedented changesand innovation to the CBBA, todouble our current membershipand make sure our current mem-bers continue to see the valueand business growth from beingpart of this association,” Wilsonsaid. “This will be a great oppor-tunity for me, personally andprofessionally.”

The new vice president is Cyndi Rogg ofthe National Karate Academy, secretary isDarryl Boyette of Creative Cyberwebs, and

treasurer is Patricia Farina of Y ISew. Joe Lukose of Digital Print& Signs is the assistant secre-tary/treasurer.

Other members of the boardof directors are Angie Alstott,Pedro Castaneda, KevinKaufman, James Rogers, AlRoyston, Travis Sanders,Georgia Tait and Rock Todd.

The Cutler Bay BusinessAssociation Inc. was establishedin 2006 to benefit the business

community of the Town of Cutler Bay. For details about the CBBA visit online at

<www.cutlerbaybusinessassociation.com>.

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Collaborative cleanup efforthelps beautify community

Col. Donald R.Lindberg, Commander,

482nd Fighter Wing,Homestead Air Reserve

Base, and GreciaPereira, student at theHomestead Job Corps

Center, recently workedside by side along with30 other volunteers to

beautify the communityin south Miami-DadeCounty as part of the

Adopt-a-Road program.

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

The town’s fourth annual winter event,“Chili Day in Cutler Bay” on Saturday, Jan.5, was rated “a tremendous success” byParks and Recreation director Alan Ricke.

“We had larger crowds than ever before,an excellent band — the Andrew MorrisBand — and about 10,000 samples of chili,salsa and cornbread provided by the com-petitors and happily gobbled up by thosewho attended the event,” Ricke said. “Wehad 15 competitive entries and severalother chefs who provided chili in the ‘fun’category, meaning not eligible for anyawards.”

The chili cook-off festival took place inCutler Ridge Park and was presented bysponsor Mercedes Benz of Cutler Bay.Ricke said that more than 600 people castvotes for the People’s Choice Chili.

“The fan favorite was ‘Not Your Daddy’s

Chili,’ which beat out ‘The PinkPig’ by just eight votes,” Rickesaid. “Most of our town councilmembers, Mayor Ed MacDougall,Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin,Councilmember Peggy Bell andCouncilmember Sue EllenLoyzelle, were on hand to helppresent the trophies and over $800in awards and prizes.”

THE AWARD WINNERS ARE:CORNBREAD:

1st Place – Grillin’ & Chillin’Crew;

2nd Place – Country Cornbread,and

3rd Place – T&W SubstantialSubs & BBQ.

SALSA:1st Place – Team 305;2nd Place – Miami-Dade

Firefighters Local 1403/RidgeRats, and

3rd Place – Cutler Bay Hot Sauce.

CHILI:1st Place – Grillin’ & Chillin’ Crew;2nd Place – Not Your Daddy’s Chili, and3rd Place – Team 305.

Best Decorated Booth – Grillin’ &Chillin’ Crew;

People’s Choice Chili – Not YourDaddy’s Chili;

Best Firefighter Chili – Miami-DadeFirefighters Local 1403/Ridge Rats.

Anthony Goldberg’s team, the “Grillin’& Chillin’ Crew,” took the first placeawards in both the Chili and Cornbread cat-egories and Best Decorated Booth.Goldberg’s sister, Marie, part of the team,was thrilled with their victory and said shethinks the event is a good one.

“We are excited and proud of theaccomplishment of my brother,” MarieGoldberg said. “We’ve been in all fourof the chili cook-offs. I think it’s a won-derful event; it gives the communitytime to all get together. We’ve grown up

in the area, so when we go we see peo-ple that we’ve known practically ourentire lives, that you may only get to seeone or two times a year, at these events.It’s great for the kids because it hassomething for all of them to do. Mybrother looks forward to it every year,because cooking is his hobby.”

Jazmin Gonzalez of the “Not YourDaddy’s Chili” team had entered the com-petition for the very first time. She said thatwinning the People’s Choice Award meanta lot to her.

“I was extremely excited,” Gonzalezsaid. “I really wasn’t expecting it, butthat’s the award that I wanted the mostso I was very happy. I’ve been a bunchof times to the chili cook-off. I thinkI’ve gone every year and always had agood time.

“This year was a little bit differentbecause we were competing, but it was a lotof fun and definitely worth it. On my teamI had approximately 20 people. It was areally large group of us.”

The popular event is expected to returnnext year.

Chili Day in Cutler Bay draws record crowds

Pictured are theFirst Place Chiliwinners, the Grillin’and Chillin’ Crew,along with councilmembers PeggyBell and Sue EllenLoyzelle (far right).

Jazmin Gonzalez (center) of Not Your Daddy’s Chili, The People’sChoice Chili winners, holds the trophy with her team members andMayor Ed MacDougall (right).


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Ed MacDougall, who is also having abirthday on February 8th, will not only berunning for re-election as Mayor of CutlerBay in November of 2014, when his cur-rent term runs out, he will also be runningfor the District 26 seat in the United StateCongress. “Currently, I have put a teamtogether and we are beginning the processof building the campaign for 2014,” Edtells us. You can count on hearing moreabout this in the coming months. Best ofluck, Ed.

Wondering about the background ofdevelopment plans for Old Cutler Road?You can find all the relevant documents onthe Old Cutler Road Charrette at<www.cutlerbay.net/ocr.html>. Check itout.

Are you thinking of running? Withmany cities holding elections this year andnext, and lots of newcomers (and veterans,too) thinking of running for elective office,

now is the time for candidates to “get fit forthe campaign trail.” The Miami-DadeCommission on Ethics and Public Trust issponsoring a Campaign Skills Seminar thatis free and open to the public. The two-hour seminar takes place from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. on Monday, March 11, in theMcDonald Center in North Miami Beach,17051 Northeast 19th Avenue. Attorneyscan earn Continuing Legal Education cred-its from the Florida Bar. For more informa-tion or to reserve a seat, call RobertThompson at 305-350-0630 or email<[email protected]>.

Give peace a chance? Temple Beth Oris hosting a presentation called “LastChance for Middle East Peace?” at 7:30pm on Tuesday February 5. “In the fore-front of groups promoting non-extremistsolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflictis a Washington DC based organizationnamed J-Street,” says a press release wereceived last week. Miami residents willhave an opportunity to learn more about J-Street, Middle-Eastern issues and join thedebate at a presentation by J-Street’sRabbinic Director Rabbi Lawrence Trosterthat will examine and debate the role ofU.S. leadership in bringing Israel and thePalestinians back to the negotiating table.

Temple Beth Or is located at 11715 SW87th Avenue in Miami. For informationcall 305-235-1419 or send an email to<[email protected]>.

Remember a movie called “MiamiRhapsody” shown at the MiamiInternational Film Festival back in 1995?Well, it’s back! As part of the MIFF’s 30thAnniversary celebration “MiamiRhapsody” will have a special screeningon Friday, February 8, at the Miami DadeCollege’s Tower Theater, 1508 S.W.Eighth Street at 7 p.m. How special? Well,Sarah Jessica Parker, director DavidFrankel, Jeremy Piven, Carla Gugino andother cast members will be appearing inperson! They will also attend a CastReunion Party at 9 p.m. at the CoralGables Country Club, 997 N. GreenwayDr. in Coral Gables. It’s a classic, cleverromantic comedy set in Miami about theinfinite perils, and possibilities, of mar-riage in the mid-’90s. Cost is $130 for thegeneral public or $100 for Miami FilmSociety Members. That includes both thescreening and the party. For more informa-tion, call 305-237-FILM (3456).

Does your doggie dream of stardom?Well, here’s his or her chance (sort of). TheVillage of Palmetto Bay is doing screen

tests of pooches for a video being producedfor the Village’s Government Access TVStation WBAY. It takes place at PerrineWayside Park (the dog park) at 16425 S.Dixie Highway on Sunday, January 27th at11 a.m. Dogs big and small are welcome.For more info call 305-259-1234. Whoknows...today Fido could be appearing onVillage TV... tomorrow... the Broadwayrevival of “Fiddler on the Woof.” (Sorry.)

Homestead Rodeo and Parade isJanuary 25th through the 27th. This annualevent takes place at the Doc DeMillyRodeo Arena at Harris Field located at US-1 and Campbell Dr. in Homestead.Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $5 chil-dren. For times and additional informationvisit <homesteadrodeo.com>.

Thought of the Day:

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity,

and I’m not sure about the former.— Albert Einstein

Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.

Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669-7355, ext. 249, or send emails to<[email protected]>.

Is Mayor MacDougall heading for Washington?

AROUND TOWN

Michael MillerEXECUTIVE EDITOR


Cutler Bay News6796 S.W. 62 Avenue, South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355, Fax (305) 662-6980

www.communitynewspapers.comPUBLISHER ..................................................................................................................................Grant MillerEXECUTIVE EDITOR .....................................................................................................................Michael MillerEDITOR.................................................................................................................................. David BerkowitzWRITERS, COLUMNISTS..............................................................Ron Beasley, Kenneth Bluh, Robert Hamilton,

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BY BOB JENSEN

Dr. Jeanne Jacobs, president of theMiami Dade College Homestead Campus,will be guest speaker for the Feb. 4 BeaPeskoe Lunchtime Lecture series presenta-tion at the Homestead Community Center,1601 N. Krome Ave.

February is Black History Month andthe Homestead Center for the Arts presentsthis free series. The lecture begins at noon.

Dr. Jacobs became president of theHomestead Campus on Nov. 1, 2005. Priorto her current important post, she served asvice president for instruction at SinclairCommunity College in Dayton, OH, and asdean of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Jacobs brings more than 33 years ofadministrative leadership and teachingexperience in community colleges. Shebegan her career in higher education atCalhoun Community College in Decatur,AL, where she served as associate dean forHuman Resources and Legal Affairs, assis-tant to the dean of the college, and assistantdirector of Community Services and

Continuing Education. She also taught inthe English Department.

Her current community involvementincludes serving on the board of directorsof Homestead Hospital and trustee mem-bership on the Executive Council of theHomestead/Florida City Chamber ofCommerce, Homestead EducationalFacilities Board, and the Greater MiamiChapter of the Links Inc.

The late Bea Peskoe was an advocate foreducation, social justice and culture.Appropriately, she and her husband, Irving,had much to do with Miami Dade Collegeestablishing a campus in Homestead.

A simple lunch will be available for $10beginning at 11:30 a.m. by reservationonly. Call Barbara at 305-230-9185 before2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1. Handicappedaccess is excellent and ample parking isavailable.

The free series is presented with the sup-port of the Miami-Dade CountyDepartment of Cultural Affairs, CulturalAffairs Council, Mayor and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

Dr. Jeanne Jacobs guest speakerfor Black History Month lecture


Our governor is at it again. Gov. Rick

Scott on more than one occasion has

refused money from Washington knowing

that his refusal will not reduce the nation-

al debt, a good intention, but only give

federally collected taxpayer money to

benefit another state.

Now he is playing with the numbers in

saying that the cost of expanded

Medicaid, under the Congress’ approved

and Supreme Court-affirmed Affordable

Care Act, will cost the state of Florida,

you and me, $26 billion during the next

decade.

I would agree with the governor that we

the taxpayers of Florida could not afford a

$26 billion addition to our state budget, if

there wasn’t an income stream to offset

the cost. But, as the governor convenient-

ly forgot to tell us, the federal government

will give Florida between 95 percent of

the cost in 2014 reducing over the years to

90 percent in 2020 and beyond. Taking an

average of 92.5 percent of the cost of the

expanded Medicaid, the net cost to

Florida taxpayers over the next 10 years

would be approximately $2.6 billion.

I am sure the state could afford that

increase, even if the costs ran double and

the federal government stuck to its original

agreement. That would still cost us less

than a billion additional dollars a year.

Expanding the subject we must ask, if

we do not expand Medicaid to cover all

“eligible” Floridians, who would cover

their medical expenses? I can tell you

who: the local taxpayer-funded hospitals

around the state such as Jackson

Memorial here in Miami. I’ll bet my next

month’s Social Security check that the

cost to local taxpayers will be many times

greater than the $2.6 billion a year we

must come up with to cover expanded

Medicaid.

I will be kind and just say that I can’t

understand our governor making statements

to Floridians, to the press and, yes, to

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and

Human Services in Washington, that

Florida can’t afford the $26 billion cost,

forgetting to mention that Sebelius’ depart-

ment would be footing over 92 percent of

the cost. Not only did our governor make

himself look like an idiot for his statement

but made the voters of Florida look like

idiots for electing him in the first place.

It is not like the governor went to

Washington unaware of the federal fund-

ing or in general the major errors in the

financial projections. J. Eric Pridgeon on

the staff of Florida’s House Health Care

Appropriations Subcommittee told the

governor he questioned the study three

days after its publication. Pridgeon said

that the federal revenues for Medicaid

expansion, part of the Affordable Care Act

that would defray most of the cost to the

state, could not be ignored.

The governor can’t hide behind the fact

that it was just some state study generated

outside his office when in fact the gover-

nor is the very one who directed the

analysis to be prepared. I have no problem

with our governor having a different posi-

tion on a specific issue — that is the

American way. I do, however, have a big

problem with false information being pre-

sented to the public as fact when in fact

the governor knew all along that it was

not true.

This procedure seems to be coming the

“new” American way — a way of life I

fear that will destroy the very fabric of

honesty that created our great nation.

We appreciate your opinions on thiscolumn whether in agreement or disagree-ment. Please send your comments to (faxnumber) 305-662-6980 or email to <[email protected]>. Theopinions expressed in this column are notnecessarily those of this newspaper, itseditors or publisher.

KENNETH’S COMMENTARY

R. Kenneth Bluh • • • VIEWPOINT • • •Gov. Scott’s numbers on Medicaid do not add up


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BY ERNIE SOCHINVice Mayor

There always seemsto be a few who reallyhate me and are notafraid to tell me so.Those few that I havecome into contact withor otherwise met seemlike the type that are

angry with everyone and everything.I am not sure what makes them this way,

but the fact that I am a “politician” doeshelp the matter. After all, what do most ofus read in the newspapers virtually everyday? Various pols being arrested, indicted,accused, and just plain vilified by the press.

I for one view anyone elected by thepeople, who finds a way to steal or other-wise abuse his/her position to be amongthe lowest of the low. Of course I makesome enemies every time I vote for any-thing in my position as vice mayor. Youjust can’t help but alienate at least a fewpeople with everything that you do. Iwould much prefer being loved by every-one but that is not about to happen.

If you are reading this column you knowthat I have a penchant for humor, especial-ly the tongue-in-cheek type. A lot of whatI write I fear goes over the heads of somepeople. My home editor constantly warnsme of this.

A good example is when I wrote a col-umn featuring the song What’s the MatterWith Kids Today. She told me that mostpeople would not remember the song or themusical that it came from. Of course shewas right, as always, but I still go on.

Generally I see myself as a friendly littlecurmudgeon that nobody should be able tohate, especially for what I write in thisnewspaper. When I had my radio show, itwas a different scenario. Then I was able tohang up on people that I disagreed with andflush them down my toilet with a soundeffect that I had. Boy was that fun. Yesthere are times that I wish I had that soundeffect when I am on the dais but I am notallowed. Perhaps that is a good thing.

As to why people become so hateful, itbaffles me. Yes, I sometimes hate people.My sergeant in basic training for example.Once I passed basic, I forgot about Sgt.Varner (even forgot his name) that miser-able %$*&%^! But I moved on and for themost part try to find some good in peoplethat most others hate. It is hard to do some-times but most, not all, the time you canfind a little bit of good.

When I worked in my father’s factorysome years ago, there was a little signhanging on the wall that said, “There’s alittle bit of good in the worst of us and a lit-tle bit of bad in the best of us, so it hardlybehooves any of us to talk about the rest ofus.” For some reason that has stuck in myhead all these years. I guess the economy,the daily news reports, the Taliban, etc., isenough to make anyone angry but don’ttake it out on your friends and neighbors.

It seems a shame but I remember frommy days as a retail salesman, that I couldhave a hundred pleasant and nice cus-tomers in a given day but that one jerk whojust couldn’t be satisfied was the one who Iremembered that night.

Unfortunately, the same happens to menow. Not a day passes when someonedoesn’t come up to me on the street tothank me for bringing a smile to their facewith my articles but the one jerk is the onethat I remember the most. It’s a shame!

Well, what do you think about a newTV show called Everybody Loves Ernie?I can be reached, good or bad, at<[email protected]>.

Visit my website at <www.sochin.com>.

Everybody loves Ernie;well not everybody!

I really hated my sergeant in basic training.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY BEGOÑE CAZALIS

The City of Homestead will celebrate its100th Anniversary during a free outdoorfestival and concert on Saturday, Feb. 2,from 2 to 10 p.m. The family event willtake place at Harris Field Pavilion andRodeo Arena, 1034 NE Eighth St. (on thecorner of US1 and SW 312th Street).

The event will feature live rock, R&B andLatin bands; a kids zone with carnival games,rides, bounce houses and arcade; over adozen food trucks, and a historical showcalled “The Homestead Story.”

The concert will start at 3 p.m. featuringMiami’s favorite R8B band, Ike & Val.They will be followed by South Florida’shottest classic and contemporary rockbands, Mr. Nice Guy and Deck 52. Tejanosensation and international recordingartist Eddie Gonzalez will close the showat 9 p.m. A deejay also will play music inbetween bands and a cash bar will beavailable in the Rodeo grounds around theconcert.

The Homestead Centennial Celebrationwas organized by the HomesteadCentennial Steering Committee, workingon behalf of the Homestead City Council.

Members of the Homestead City Councilwill cut Homestead’s 100th birthday cake,and blow out the candles for 100 moreyears of prosperity.

Also, more than a dozen food trucks willbe parked between the Harris FieldPavilion and the Rodeo Grounds offering avariety of options for all palates. Vendorsand non-profit organizations will haveitems on display and giveaways in the samearea, which will direct the crowd towardthe entrance of the rodeo grounds where theKids’ Zone will be located.

Inside the Harris Field Pavilion a histori-cal show called “The Homestead Story”will take place at 4:30 p.m. The limitedseating presentation will require attendeesto have a free ticket, which can be retrievedat the Homestead Old Town Hall Museum,104 N. Krome Ave., prior to the event or atthe entrance of the Pavilion if they are still

available. The audience will experience thestory of Homestead with a fun and enter-taining show told in music about the historyof this unique city.

As the second oldest city in Miami-DadeCounty Homestead originally was opened tohomesteaders in 1898, and the only way inand out of the area was through a path calledthe “Homesteaders Trail.”

In 1904, Henry Flagler decided to extendthe railroad from Miami to Key West, andfarmers were able to transport their fruitand vegetables to Miami and other parts ofthe state. Many of the workers who helpedbuild the railroad stayed in the area andfounded the City of Homestead in 1913.Today, Homestead has gone from its origi-nal population of 121 to over 60,000 resi-dents and the little railroad town has blos-somed into a thriving city of diverse cul-tures and heritage.

Free festival, concert to celebrate Homestead’s Centennial on Feb. 2The event will

feature live rock, R&Band Latin bands; a kids

zone with carnivalgames, rides, bouncehouses and arcade;over a dozen food

trucks, and a historical show called

“The HomesteadStory.”


BY RON BEASLEY

Like many South Florida residentsUrszula Dudek has developed a love affairwith the beautiful bromeliad. However,Dudek has taken her passion one step fartherby marrying her fascination with her artisticability to capture the beauty of the tropicalplant on canvas.

Recently, one of her bromeliad renderingswas judged so precise and colorful that it wonthe hearts and minds of the judges at the recentstate bromeliad conference in Orlando andthey awarded her painting a first-place ribbon.

For the record, Dudek is a member of theboard of directors of the Bromeliad Societyof South Florida.

Dudek, 53, originally from Poland, saidshe has been painting for “just about all ofmy life.” She came to United States in 1994and initially settled in Chicago, where shelived for nine years before moving to Miamiin 2003.

“I remember when I first started think-ing about doing this [painting] a littlemore seriously was when I was 14 andthere was time to choose your life andcareer,” she said. “I was torn betweenbeing a herpetologist and being an artist.My art teacher pushed me into art and artschool — which was not easy in Poland —

and I was chosen, so I was very lucky.”Today, Dudek lives with her significant

other in The Falls area where the backyardgarden of their home is covered with a vari-

ety of bromeliads. She has a 25-year-old son,who recently graduated from FloridaInternational University. Her home also isher studio and her bromeliad paintings invarious sizes adorn the walls.

“Most people describe my work as photoreality, but I disagree,” Dudek said. “Inphoto reality, you are trying to hide the brushstrokes. In my paintings, you can see thebrush strokes. Sometimes you have to lookclosely, but they are visible. So, I really don’tknow what to call my art — realism?Certainly, but not photo realism.”

And while her subject matter today is thecolorful plants of nature, it was not alwaysthat way.

“This has changed with my aging,” shesaid. “Years ago I was more into painting peo-ple, but I was never a fan of architecture orlandscape painting; I liked painting people.But now I am more into nature with my work.

“And how can I not be into nature when Ilive in Florida?” she asks rhetorically. “Thisis really what impressed me when I movedhere, the plants and the beauty of nature; Iwas really in awe. And especially now, whenI am really into bromeliads, as you can see.” Dudek also is a very active member of thePinecrest Garden Club.

“It was via the Pinecrest Garden Club that

I was lured to the Bromeliad Society ofSouth Florida and I started coming to theshows,” she said. “And I just fell in love withthose plants.”

She became so enamored that she becamea member of the board of directors of theBromeliad Society of South Florida. “If you see my garden, you will understandwhy I love plants,” she said. “I love garden-ing and I do a lot of work in the garden. As aresult, this is what I want to paint.”

Dudek is active and in many other villageactivities. She even painted one of the dogsfor Mayor Cindy Lerner’s recent “SmARTyDogs” program that raised money for villageschools. The dog that she painted ultimatelyfound a very special home.

“My dog was bought — you cannot believemy surprise — by my significant other,” shesaid. “He bought my dog at the auction andthe dog is now standing in our garden!”

Dudek will exhibit her artwork inFebruary at the Wirtz Gallery in the FirstNational Bank of South Miami, 5750 SunsetDr. Her paintings will be on display alongwith the artwork of three other talented localartists — Pauline Goldsmith, JacquelineHannon and Barbara Hesse Baron. Theexhibit opens Feb. 1 and continues throughFeb. 28.

Artist expresses her love of bromeliads on canvas

Artist Urszula Dudek stands before a copy of herbromeliad painting that won a blue ribbon at the statebromeliad conference in Orlando.

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BY GUADALUPE O’LEARY

As tragic as the stories behind the numbers,is the fact that the staggering statistics of pre-ventable deaths as a result of drunk-drivingcrashes no longer shock the public psyche.

Last year in the United States, 10,839 peo-ple died in drunk-driving collisions — oneevery 50 minutes. Car crashes are the leadingcause of death for teens and one in three peo-ple will be involved in an alcohol-relatedaccident in their lifetime.

The nation’s largest not-for-profit organiza-tion that compiled these figures — MothersAgainst Drunk Driving (MADD) — continuesits mission to eliminate drunk driving, serveaffected victims, and prevent underage drinkingduring the 2013 Certified 5K Run Like MADDand 5K Walk Like MADD on Saturday, Feb. 2,at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St.

Now in its third year, the family-friendlyevent is a celebration-of-life spirited day forthe many MADD friends, supporters, organ-izers and affected families that have benefit-ed from the complimentary victim servicesprograms offered by the 32-year-old organi-zation. Every eight minutes a victim is assist-ed by MADD, whether with a shoulder to cryon at a cathartic meeting or a hand to holdduring one of the ensuing court trials that fol-low so many cases.

The Castillo Family of southwest Miami-

Dade County is one of those families grate-ful to MADD for helping them cope with theloss of father and husband Roberto Castilloin 2005. The 48-year-old world class runnerand businessman was stretching out at 7:30a.m. off SW 152nd Street on the morningHurricane Wilma was due when a severelyimpaired driver returning from a nightclubkilled him instantly.

“When my mom and I pulled up to thescene of the accident half an hour later Ithought what could my dad have possiblydone?” said son Robert Castillo Jr., who wasa 22-year-old FIU Sports Management majorat the time. “Never did I think something likethis could happen.”

Like so many families who cannot envi-sion a life-altering tragedy of that scopeentering their reality, Robert was over-whelmed and turned to MADD for help.

“Of course I had heard about MADD andyou sort of take them for granted until some-thing happens. My mom hides her pain andwouldn’t cry in front of me. I knew she andmy sister, Diana, needed someone to talk towho would understand.”

Today Robert is a basketball coach andelementary school physical educationinstructor who recently welcomed his firstson, Robert Castillo III, into the world. Heand his wife, Veronica; his mother, Diana,and sister are still active MADD supporters

who found healing and peace through theorganization’s support. They plan on listen-ing for the crowds’ cheers upon crossing thefinish line at Tropical Park Stadium after theRun Like MADD 5K on Feb. 2.

Janet Mondshein, MADD executive direc-tor, said the most beautiful part of the day ishow it brings victim families together to feel

the support of each other and the community.“It is a positive, fun event where people

are educated and enlightened,” Mondsheinsaid. “Victims are a stunning example ofwhy we choose to drive sober.”

For more information and to register orbecome a sponsor call MADD at 305-273-3744or go online to walklikemadd.org/Miami.

Walk/Run Like MADD 5K Festival offers community hope, healing

Pictured at the 2012 Walk/Run are (l-r) Chip Hobbs, Steve Rawlins, Luz Elena Llano, Marsha Maynard, and AngelaConway — employees of South Miami Hospital´s Addiction Treatment Center. (Photo credit: Jack Geist)

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BY SHEILA STIEGLITZ

South Floridians are invited to com-memorate U.N. Holocaust Memorial Dayon Sunday, Jan. 27, with specially selectedscreenings at the Cosford Cinema UMCoral Gables.

Ellen Wedner, director of the MiamiJewish Film Festival, has chosen featuresand documentaries that enlighten and pro-vide untold stories about a horrific time inworld history.

The films include Besa: The Promise (1p.m.), a true story about Albanian Muslims

who hid Jews duringWorld War II. Not onlydid these kind peopleopen their homes tostrangers at great risk totheir own well-being, butalso gave their sacredoath, the ancient besa, toprotect them and theirsacred texts.

The Last Flight of PetrGinz (3:15 p.m.) Thestory of Petr Ginz waslargely unknown untilthe ill-fated SpaceShuttle Columbia carriedthe boy’s artwork onboard. Born inCzechoslovakia, Ginzwas a child prodigy whoperished at Auschwitz.This inspiring film

reveals how his writings and illustrationscaptured the inhumanities of war withmaturity, objectivity and humor.

Foreign Letters (5:45 p.m.) is a bitter-sweet coming-of-age story and a love let-ter to the unshakeable bond of friendship.Set in the pre-email era of the 1980s,young Ellie, newly arrived to the U.S.from Israel, awaits letters from her bestfriend back home. Homesick, sufferingfrom the challenges of learning a new lan-guage and rejection at school, Ellie’s lifebegins to brighten when she meets aVietnamese refugee her age.

The film is based on the director’s per-sonal immigration experience.

The producers of Europa Europa pres-ent the German drama Child Prodigies,Wunderkinder (8:30 p.m.) told from achild’s point of view. With the onset ofWWII, the friendship of three musicalprodigies is tested as they deal with dif-

ferences of religion and nationality. Thechildren’s Jewish and German familiesmust decide if they will save each otherfrom the forces of both fascism and com-munism when the Nazis invade the SovietUnion.

Throughout the 10-day festival, filmsare screened at the Frank Theaters atIntracoastal Mall in North Miami Beach,the Colony Theater and the Regal CinemaSouth Beach 18 in Miami Beach. For com-plete movie listings and to purchase ticketslog on to <www.miamijewishfilmfesti-val.com> or call 1-888-585-FILM.

Tickets for the Miami Jewish FilmFestival, except for opening and closingnights, are $12.50 for general admission;$10.50 for seniors/students; $8.50 for FilmSociety members. A $160 Fast Pass pro-vides entry into all films. Film Societymembers receive discounts on tickets andfast passes and advance festival ordering.

Miami Jewish Film Festival coming to Cosford Cinema

In Child Prodigies, Wunderkinder the friendship of three musical prodigies is tested as they deal with differencesof religion and nationality.

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Foreign Letters is a bittersweet coming-of-age story and a love letter to theunshakeable bond of friendship.

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

FXM Research in Miami is looking for males and females 12 to 35 years of age thatsuffer from FacialAcne, to participate in an eight [8] study-visit clinical research study.Medical Insurance is not required for study participation.

Qualified participants will receive:• Evaluation by a Board Certified Dermatologist.• Investigational Study Medication at no cost.• Reimbursement for time and travel up to USD $800.00.

¿Tienee ustedd oo alguienn quee ustedd conozcaAcnéé Facial?

FXM Research en Miami está buscando hombres y mujeres de 12 a 35 años de edadque sufran de Acné Facial, para participar en un estudio clínico de investigación querequiere ocho [8] visitas. No se requiere seguro médico para su participación en el estudio.

Los participantes que califiquen recibirán:• Evaluaciones por un Dermatólogo Certificado.• Los medicamentos bajo investigación sin costo alguno.• Reembolso por tiempo y transporte hasta $800.00.

Do you or someone you know haveFacial Acne?

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FXMResearch enMiami está buscando hombres y mujeres de 18 años o más que sufrandeKeratosisActínica “pueden ser causadas por la exposición prolongada al sol, resultanen discretas lesiones abultadas, ásperas, secas, y escamosas en su cara y/o cuerocabelludo”, para participar en un estudio clínico de investigación que requiere cuatro [4]visitas. No se requiere seguro médico para su participación en el estudio.

Los participantes que califiquen recibirán:• Evaluaciones por un Dermatólogo Certificado.• Los medicamentos bajo investigación o placebo sin costo alguno.• Compensación por tiempo y transporte hasta $200.00.

FXM Research in Miami is looking for males and females 18 years or older that sufferfromActinic Keratosis “can be caused by prolonged exposure to the sun, result in discrete,rough, dry, scaly bumps on the face and/or the scalp”, to participate in a four [4] study-visit clinical research study. Medical Insurance is not required for study participation.

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BY SASHA HLOZEK

Chapungu SculpturePark, the world’s largesttraveling exhibit of Africanstone sculpture, hasannounced the arrival ofartist Agnes Nyanhongo toits current “Custom andLegend, a Culture inStone” exhibit at FairchildTropical Botanic Garden.

Ms. Nyanhongo is con-sidered among the mostimportant artists fromZimbabwe and has beennamed as one of the topfive women sculptors inthe world.

“We are very excited tohave Agnes joining us herein Miami, especially as thisis the first time we’veexhibited on the eastcoast,” said Roy Guthrie,Chapungu exhibit director.“We’re so glad that shewill be able to share herwarm, caring personalityand incredible skill withvisitors to the exhibit, aswell as in a more intimatesetting during workshops.”

Nyanhongo is from afamily of sculptors andworks in the hardest stone,preferring springstone,leopard stone and nyangastone. Her inspirations come from the role of women in traditional society and from theinteraction between family members. Much of her work is characterized by a sense ofpeace, calm and inner dignity. Demonstrating considerable courage in a predominantlymale field, she is respected and admired in her community and around the world.

On exhibit through May 31, the sculptures range in height from three to 10 feet andweigh between 600 and 6,000 pounds. They depict animals, families, customs, socialissues and creatures of legend. Carved primarily from opal stone, cobalt and springstone,the sculptures are grouped by theme in Fairchild’s lowlands: Custom and Legend, Family,Nature and Environment, Role of Elders, Role of Women, Social Comment, The SpiritWorld and Village Life.

The exhibit has garnered much praise and admiration around the world, including awriter at London’s Evening Standard saying, “These giant stone sculptures fromZimbabwe are the most hauntingly evocative images to come out of Africa in the past 100years. Undoubtedly the most important exhibition of contemporary African art ever seenin this country.”

For those interested in acquiring their own piece of art, the exhibit includes a tent fea-turing unique works that are available for purchase.

Aspiring artists have a chance to create their own masterpiece, as Nyanhongo will beleading several five-day workshops held Tuesday through Saturday in pavilion located inthe heart of the exhibit. No prior experience is required and the $500 ($625 for non-mem-bers) fee includes a sculpting stone from Zimbabwe, as well as a set of tools to keep.

For reservations and details, call 305-667-1651, ext. 3322.

Fairchild Botanic Garden welcomesworld-renowned resident sculptor

Protecting the Eggs by artist Agnes Nyanhongo–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY RAQUEL GARCIA

“I can’t wait to eat an orange,” said thepetite and feisty Abigail Desiatnikov of theU.S. moments after clinching her firstJunior Orange Bowl International TennisChampionship win in the Girls 12 division.

Another successful tournament has cometo an end after 10 days of tremendous ten-nis and mostly idyllic South Florida weath-er.

Desiatnikov defeated Ukraine’s DayanaYastremska (7-5; 7-5).

“I made it to the semi’s at Eddie Herr,the finals of Nike International, and nowwinning the Junior Orange Bowl,”Desiatnikov said. “That’s a lot of accom-plishments this year.”

The family made a deal that if she wonthe tournament, the holiday celebrationwould mean a trip to Arizona for theupcoming Arizona Super Nationals.

Michael Mmoh of the U.S. appears to beon his way to a bright future in tennisaccording to Peter Van Lieshout, travelingcoach for the IMG Academy.

“His dream is to win the Grand Slam,”Lieshout said. “He’s got the tools and tech-

niques; he just needs to keep improving.”Mmoh defeated Switzerland’s Marko

Osmakcic (6-4; 7-5).“This is my third Junior Orange Bowl

and it’s such a fantastic tournament,”Mmoh said after his big win. “I won’t becoming back next year and that’s a shame,but I plan on competing in the OrangeBowl.”

Mmoh won the Junior Orange BowlInternational Tennis Championship twoyears ago in the Boys 12.

“I wanted to come back this year strongand I didn’t lose a match,” he said.

Mmoh will go back to Bradenton fortraining with IMG Academy coach David“Red” Ayme for a few days and then toWashington, DC, for a holiday respitebefore the Junior Grand Slam in Brisbane,Australia.

In the Girls 14 division Maia Lumsdenof Glasgow, Scotland defeated GabriellaTaylor who is also from Great Britain (6-3;7-5). In the Boys 12 at Salvadore Park,Yshai Oliel of Israel defeated PatrickSydow of Aruba (6-3; 6-1).

Junior Orange Bowl Committee presidentDon Slesnick III grew up seeing his parents

involved in civic life through the OrangeBowl and decided to follow in their footsteps.

“My parents were presidents before meand I’ve always been involved with theparade; it is our marquee event,” Slesniksaid.

“My daughter, Cecilia, is 2 years oldnow and to see her jump up and downwhen the bands come down the street dur-ing the parade is wonderful. The JuniorOrange Bowl is a magical experience foryouth.”

Tournament director Jodi Steinbauer’steam of volunteers worked from sunup tosundown over the past 10 days and some-how managed to maintain their own athlet-ic endurance to make it another memorable

event.“Every year gets better and better,”

Steinbauer said.Slesnik wanted to give a special shout

out in gratitude to the volunteers whopulled it all together.

“I want to give thanks to all the volun-teers who managed 1,300 kids and par-ents and all that goes with that. To man-age it all without a hitch is a greatachievement.”

The Junior Orange Bowl Committee is anon-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicat-ed to the community of South Florida andthe youth of the world by providing oppor-tunities for wholesome, competitive andmulti-cultural experiences.

Stars of the future perform in JOB Tennis Championship

Yshai Oliel of Israel wins in the Boys 12.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Abigail Desiatnikov clinches her first Junior OrangeBowl International Tennis Championship win in theGirls 12 division.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––



BY PAUL ROBINSON

Can a Hurricane make it to Broadway?There is one former University of Miamistudent who certainly hopes so.

He is J Paul Nicholas and he is a risingactor and director plying his craft andapplying himself in New York City, proba-bly the toughest place to be a theater artistin the entire country.

A product of Miami Killian High, heearned an undergraduate degree from FIUin 1990, an MBA from UM in 1994, andmoved to the Big Apple in 1999. Since thenhe went on to earn an MFA in 2003 fromthe George Washington University inWashington, DC.

Despite enjoying many successes alongthe way, at times it has been a struggle forPaul. But he has stayed true to his passionand loyal to the pursuit of his dream. Andnow, finally, people are starting to takenotice.

In October 2012 he directed a revival ofthe Wendy MacLeod play The WaterChildren at Shetler Studios in NYC, whichwas favorably reviewed by The New YorkTimes, Backstage and the notoriously toughJohn Simon.

Backstage said, “Director J Paul Nicholasdelivers a clean, straightforward produc-tion” and John Simon said it was “niftilydirected by J Paul Nicholas…move heavenand earth to catch it.”

Then in November in Philadelphia he

performed in the world premiere of LucileLichtblau’s The English Bride at TheaterExile. J. Cooper Robb from PhiladelphiaWeekly said, “A searing performance: JPaul Nicholas is undeniably enigmatic,”and Debra Miller from StageMagazine.orgsaid, “J Paul Nicholas is charming and con-vincing — even surprisingly sympathetic.”David Anthony Fox from PhiladelphiaCity Paper said, “The character is likewisegiven a fine, nuanced performance by JPaul Nicholas, who manages to be thor-oughly charming, and a little frightening allat once.”

So what’s next?Broadway hasn’t called yet but Paul is

currently working with playwright JohnAnastasi to develop his latest (as yet unti-tled) play, with hopes of an Off-Broadwayproduction. In mid December he directed athree-day workshop of the piece, whichculminated in a private reading atManhattan Theater Club. And Paul contin-ues to appear in the long-running NBCseries, Law & Order: SVU as the publicdefender, Linden Delroy. This would markhis eighth season on the show.

Paul said someday he would love toreturn to his hometown and do whatever hecould to help grow the South Florida the-ater industry, as well as contribute to thedevelopment of young actors. In the mean-time he hopes to be seen on screens, bigand small, and makes landfall on Broadwaysoon.

Actor/director J Paul Nicholas hopesBroadway welcomes this Hurricane

J Paul Nicholas appears in the long-running NBC series, Law & Order: SVU as the public defender, Linden Delroy.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY BROOKE LEMAIRE

The Mayans used it to cure ailments andthe Aztecs used it as a form of currency.Spanish aristocrats made it into a sugarydrink. Regardless of how they used it, civ-ilizations throughout history have sharedone thing in common — their love forchocolate.

Celebrate all things chocolate atFairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s sev-enth annual International ChocolateFestival, sponsored by Whole FoodsMarket and AT&T U-Verse, Friday, Jan.25, to Sunday, Jan. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to4:30 p.m. each day.

Enjoy a decadent three days of cookingdemonstrations, lectures, plant sales and —of course — lots of chocolate sampling.Stop by the Edible Garden to find out howto make chocolate from scratch. Takehome a cacao or coffee plant at the PlantSale and start making your own delicioustreats.

Relax at the Chocolate Spa with minimassages and manicures or attend a yogaclass. Travel through the Rainforest,

Conservatory, Tropical Fruit Pavilion, andGarden House on the Choco Walk to smellchocolate-scented orchids, taste chocolatesfrom around the world, and participate inthe interactive demonstration “From Beanto Bar” presented by the Historic Divisionof Mars.

Don’t forget to walk through the newDiMare Science Village, which includesthe Wings of the Tropics butterfly exhibit.This year’s festival is sure to delight thechocolate lover in all of us.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden islocated at 10901 Old Cutler Rd. in CoralGables. Admission to the InternationalChocolate Festival is free for Fairchildmembers and children 5 and under. Fornonmembers, admission is $25 for adults,$18 for seniors 65 and older, and $12 forchildren 6-17. Those who walk, bike, ortake public transportation receive $5 offadult admission and $2 off child admis-sion. Those with a Military ID have freeadmission, with $20 for their spouses and$10 for their children.

For more information and a completeschedule, visit <www.fairchildgarden.org>.

Treat yourself to sweet weekendat Fairchild’s Chocolate Festival

Sampling some of the delicious chocolate treats is one way to enjoy the seventh annual International ChocolateFestival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

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Miami Dadeland Pinecrest RotaryClub to host charity golf tourneyBY RANDY LEE

The Miami Dadeland Pinecrest Rotary Clubwill be conducting its annual golf tournament onFeb. 8 at the Biltmore Hotel and Golf Course.

This is not only a fun event, but it alsosupports the club’s projects that assist chil-dren in need. Your support at this criticaltime will make a significant difference in thelives of needy children in the community.

Past tournament proceeds funded scholar-ships to deserving students who have greatpotential, and supported such worthy causesas “Up with Kids” and the Cystic FibrosisFoundation.

The Tournament begins with an 8:30 a.m.with a shotgun start.

Sponsorship opportunities still are avail-able. For information call 786-596-9099 orsend email to <[email protected]>.

BY ANGELA IBARRA

IHOP, one of America’s most popularfamily-friendly restaurants known for“everything you love about breakfast,” onceagain invites guests to enjoy free pancakesduring National Pancake Day on Feb. 5,while celebrating Children’s MiracleNetwork Hospitals’ 30th Anniversary.

On this day, the restaurant chain hopes toraise $3 million as the first national fundrais-ing campaign to kick off the 2013 fundrais-ing year for Children’s Miracle NetworkHospitals.

During National Pancake Day, the compa-ny’s largest philanthropic event of the year,more than 1,500 IHOP restaurants across thecountry will invite guests to enjoy a compli-mentary stack of IHOP’s signature deliciousbuttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.Guests will be encouraged to make a volun-tary contribution to the local Children’sMiracle Network Hospital or other localcharities. One hundred percent of the dona-tions will help local charities provide vitalequipment, life-saving procedures and criti-cal care for sick and injured children.

This marks the eighth year that IHOPwill celebrate National Pancake Day,which to date has raised more than $10million for Children’s Miracle NetworkHospitals and other local charities. In 2012alone, IHOP raised more than $3 millionfor Children’s Miracle Network Hospitalsand other charities.

Guests visiting participating IHOPrestaurants in support of Children’s MiracleNetwork Hospitals also will have the optionto purchase “Miracle Balloons” for $1 and$5 each, throughout the month of Januaryleading into National Pancake Day, with allproceeds going to the Children’s MiracleNetwork Hospital. Participating restaurantswill display the balloons in celebration ofChildren’s Miracle Network Hospitals’30th anniversary. Those who buy a $5Miracle Balloon will receive a $5 off dis-count that can be credited toward their nextvisit.

For more information on NationalPancake Day, or to learn about Children’sMiracle Network Hospitals and make anonline donation, visit online at <www.ihop-pancakeday.com>.

IHOP to offer free pancakes,raise money for kids hospitals

Curry Middle School winscounty volleyball crown

Lamar Louise Curry Middle School in Kendall recently won the Miami-Dade County Public MiddleSchool Girls Volleyball Championship while going undefeated (11-0) for the 2012 season. Team mem-bers are (l-r, back row) Coach Armando Cuervo, Stephanie Malta, Alexandra Gonzalez, MariolaRodriguez, Michelle Cuervo, Leana Lu, Melanie Casal, Alison Gaitan, Coach Sonia Martinez and CoachTony Gonzalez; (front row) Carla Garcia, Melanie Cuervo, Alyssa Gonzalez and Juliana Perez.

BY BROOKE LEMAIRE

Gala in the Garden, the annual “socialevent of the season,” arrives at FairchildTropical Botanic Garden on Saturday,Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m.

Now in its 20th year, the black-tie eventis Fairchild’s major annual fundraiser,with all proceeds supporting programs inconservation science, education, horticul-ture and collection management. Thetheme of this year’s gala is “BotanicalTapestry” and the co-chairs are SwaneeDiMare and Frances Sevilla-Sacasa.

The event’s activities will ensure anelegant and enjoyable evening. The nightbegins with a cocktail reception and silentauction at the Shehan Visitor Center.Guests then proceed to the exquisitely litand decorated Lakeside Marquee sur-rounded by a tropical paradise for anunforgettable night of first-class diningand dancing to the sounds of The SoulSurvivors Orchestra.

The stunning décor and delectable din-ner is provided by Le Basque, a premiercatering company based in Miami.Courtesy cocktails are provided by GreyGoose Vodka, a gala sponsor.

Individual tickets start at $600, andtables for 10 can be reserved for $6,000.To purchase tickets, contact SusannahShubin at<[email protected]> or call305-667-1651, ext. 3375.

For more information on Gala in theGarden, visit<www.fairchildgarden.org>.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden isdedicated to exploring, explaining andconserving the world of tropical plants. Itis one of the premier conservation andeducation-based gardens in the world anda recognized international leader in bothFlorida and international conservation.Fairchild is a not-for-profit organizationwith 45,000 members and is located at10901 Old Cutler Rd. in Coral Gables.

‘Botanical Tapestry’ awaits guestsof Fairchild’s Gala in the Garden



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BY WOODY GRABER

Children and families are invited to takea trip across the United States in MiamiChildren’s Museum’s new educational“WEEBLES Coast to Coast” exhibit, Jan.26 through May 5.

In the exhibit, created by Milwaukee’sBetty Brinn Children’s Museum in collabo-ration with HasbroInc., visitors willtravel to each ofthe 50 states toexplore U.S. geog-raphy, history andculture. Exhibitactivities featurefavorite Americantravel, sports andleisure pastimes,music from acrossthe nation, and funand importantinformation aboutwell-known peo-ple, places and his-torical events.

Children willpower a riverboatdown theMississippi, hit a home run at Fenway Park,build the Saint Louis Gateway Arch, ride amule into the Grand Canyon, snorkel inHawaii, explore the Florida Everglades andmuch more.

Visitors will enjoy planning their “trip”with a giant U.S. map and a touch-screenkiosk featuring the country’s geographicregions, important state facts, nationallandmarks and popular tourist destinations.Murals of beautiful American landscapesprovide the backdrop for engaging playareas that represent U.S. regions: Western,Mountain, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast

and Northeast, and create memorable stopsat the seaside, mountains, forest and desert.A special reading area is dedicated to U.S.geography, history, travel, and the idea that“a book can take you anywhere!”

The 2,500-square-foot exhibit is designedfor children ages 4-10. Hands-on activitiespresent opportunities for children to buildcognitive and social skills, be physically

active, curious andimaginative, andexpress them-selves throughmusic, movementand art.Educational con-tent in the exhibitreflects develop-mental milestonesfor early learnersset by the NationalAssociation for theEducation ofYoung Childrenand national aca-demic standardsfor school-agechildren.

The education-al “WEEBLES

Coast to Coast” exhibit is an adventure ofself-discovery for the whole family, only atMiami Children’s Museum, 980MacArthur Causeway on Watson Island,from Saturday, Jan. 26, through Sunday,May 5. Entrance to the exhibit is includedin each regular admission to the museum.Admission is $16 for adults and children,$12 for Florida residents, free for childrenunder 1 year and admission for members iscomplimentary.

‘For more information contact the muse-um at 305-373-KIDS (5437) or visit<www.miamichildrensmuseum.org>.

Take trip around the countrywith Weebles exhibit at MCM


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BY ALEJANDRA SERNA

Florida Grand Opera (FGO) has

announced the appointment of a new direc-

tor of development, Amy Funk, effective

Jan. 7. She will work closely with FGO’s

general director and CEO, Susan T. Danis,

a former colleague, in mapping out the

fundraising program as the company

approaches its 73rd anniversary.

“I am very excited to work with Amy

again, this time as part of the Florida Grand

Opera family,” Danis said. “She is an

engaging and results-driven professional

with a gift for cultivating relationships, and

her expertise will be a great addition to our

development team.”

Most recently, Funk served as the senior

associate director of annual giving for the

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, where

she started the initial rollout of a $4 million

capital campaign, engaging board members

and executive directors across seven

YMCA centers to expand local board mem-

bership and giving. She also was funda-

mental in securing a $1 million gift for the

YMCA and helped oversee a $12 million

capital campaign at Midwest Palliative &

Hospice CareCenter while running their

annual giving program.

Funk began her nonprofit career working

side by side with Danis in 2006, serving as

campaign manager for the public phase of

Sarasota Opera’s $20 million capital cam-

paign. Prior to entering the nonprofit field,

she made strides in the corporate sector

with companies such as MBNA America

and GE Capital.

Funk has a Bachelor of Arts in History

from Millikin University and earned a mas-

ter’s degree in non-profit management,

with distinction, from DePaul University in

June 2012. Funk currently is in the process

of moving to Miami with her husband,

Andrew Funk, an established operatic bass,

and their 7-year-old daughter.

Florida Grand Opera (FGO), the oldest

performing arts organizations in Florida,

celebrates its 72nd year of continuously

producing grand opera during the 2012-13

season.

Amy Funk–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

FGO appoints Amy Funk director of development


Marco Drugs & Compounding is locatedat 6627 South Dixie Highway,

Tel: 305-665-4411 • Fax: 305-663-3258Email:[email protected]

<www.marcodrugs.com>This article is intended to provide information on health-related matters. The ideas expressed cannot be usedto diagnose or treat individual health problems andshould not be taken as medical advice or instruction.

Sonia Martinez, RPH - Marco Drugs

Photo byElla Woodson

Dark Spots on your Skin

Marco Drugs and Compounding will provideyou with compounded medications preparedwith the highest standards and with highquality bulk materials, traditional prescrip-tions and high grade nutraceuticals, supple-ments and multivitamins. We provide to youhealth information in a clean, comfortable,fun and safe environment. Make us yourdoorway to total health.

BY SONIA MARTINEZ, RPHHyperpigmentation is a dark spot or

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BY LUCIANA SALAMÉ

Devon Seafood + Steak, an upscale but moderately pricedcontemporary American restaurant, opened its first SouthFlorida location in Kendall on Saturday, Jan. 12.

Here, diners will find a deliciously affordable menu ofprime steaks and fresh ocean fare, served in a chic yet unpre-tentious setting. At the helm of Devon’s kitchen is executivechef Scott Barrow, who has been tantalizing diners’ palates atDevon Seafood + Steak in Chicago for the past 12 years.

With its mouthwatering menu, impressive wine list, greatcocktails and modern new location, Devon Seafood + Steakis perfectly positioned to become the area’s hot new diningand lounge destination.

The ambiance at Devon is the epitome of casual elegance.Walls lined with reclaimed wood and accentuated by softhues of gray and blue make guests feel as though they are din-ing on a luxurious yacht. Cozy brown leather booths andchairs, and wooden tabletops give off a warm and invitingenergy while the steel, glass-encased wine cellar and blackgranite bar extend the nautical theme.

Devon seats 150 in the spacious dining room, 66 on theoutdoor patio, which boasts beautiful waterfront views, and28 in the private dining room. The lounge offers seating for48 guests and the intimate wine cellar room seats 12.

Executed by Chef Barrow, the flavor-forward, value-orientedmenu at Devon has plenty of delicious and diverse seafood andsteak options. Standout appetizers include mini New Englandlobster rolls served on a butter toasted sweet roll with chilledlobster salad, watercress and Old Bay spiced fries ($11.50);crispy tempura shrimp sushi rolls with cucumber, soy, wasabiand pickled ginger ($8.50), and jumbo lump crab cakes with

Creole remoulade and mango tartar sauce ($18). Devon willoffer a succulent array of fresh, raw East Coast oysters, BeauSoleil from New Brunswick ($2.50 each); Salt Ponds fromPoint Judith ($2.50 each); Quivett Creek from Rhode Island($2.75 each), and Rhode Island Wilds ($3.50 each).

Devon boasts an impressive array of entrees including blackgrouper with sweet potato maque choux, crawfish, Andouilleand espelette pepper sauce ($33); pretzel crusted trout with herbroasted potatoes, haricot vert, endive and bacon mustard vinai-grette ($28), and Nantucket bay scallops with butternut squashpuree, roasted cauliflower and a sweet and sour bacon gastrique

($31). The carefully selected prime steaks include a six-ouncecenter cut filet mignon ($31); a 12-ounce USDA Prime NewYork strip ($41), and an 18-ounce USDA Prime bone-in ribeye($45). All steaks are served with a choice of two seasonal sides.

In addition to the diverse menu, Devon Seafood + Steaklaunches Happy Hour on the patio and indoor bar, Mondaythrough Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Overseen by bar manager JeffMerritt, Devon’s handcrafted cocktails such as Pink Pops – X-Rated Fusion Liqueur (premium French vodka, rich bloodoranges, Brazilian passion fruit) and Domaine St. MichelleBrut, and the signature Devon Margarita – Sauza Hornitostequila, Agave nectar, Courvoisier VS, triple sec and margari-ta foam – as well as house wine and champagne by the glasswill be offered at an unbeatable $6. Well drinks and beer arediscounted during Happy Hour. Raw bar selections, such as $1oysters and $3 lobster claws will be available — the perfectcomplement to a glass of champagne or specialty cocktail.

Devon Seafood + Steak works with quality fishmongersand artisan producers to ensure only the highest-quality ingre-dients are used in the restaurant. Devon will purchase selectprime steaks from Jackman Wagyu Beef Ranch as well aswork with the dayboat program at Lynn Brother’s Seafood tosource sustainable seafood, both of which are located inFlorida. These high standards are implemented in the con-cept’s multiple locations which include Chicago, IL;Milwaukee, WI; Philadelphia and Hershey, PA.

Devon Seafood + Steak is located at 11715 Sherri Lane,inside The Palms at Town & Country in Kendall. Hours ofoperation are 5 to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 5 to 11p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.Reservations can be made online and via phone. Call 305-275-0226 or visit the website at <www.devonseafood.com>.

Devon Seafood + Steak opens first SF location in The Palms

Cozy brown leather booths and chairs, and wooden tabletops give off awarm and inviting energy.

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


BY TERESA MARTINEZ

Season two of the Belen Jesuit Cultural Series willinclude a performance by Puerto Rican actor, singer, com-poser and television personality Carlos Ponce on Saturday,Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. The Belen Jesuit Jazz Band conducted byMarlene Urbay will perform alongside Ponce’s classicAmerican and Latin standards.

“We are excited to welcome Carlos Ponce to the Belenstage,” said Jesuit Father Pedro Suárez, president of theschool. “He is not only an accomplished singer and actorbut he has managed to do both in English and Spanish. Ourstudents in the jazz band are looking forward to perform-ing with him and we are excited to invite the public tocome to our theater for what will be a fantastic evening.”

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School-Roca Theatre is locatedat 500 SW 127 Ave.

Show and ticket information are available online at<www.belenjesuit.org/culturalseries>.

The Belen Cultural Series is a cultural resource to the community while continuing toenrich the lives of students, their families, alumni, Belen faculty and administration.

Net proceeds from the Cultural Series benefit the Belen Scholarship Program. Everyyear Belen provides financial assistance to over 300 students, distributing $1.8 millionannually.

Carlos Ponce–––––––––––––––––––

Carlos Ponce concert to benefitBelen Jesuit Scholarship Fund


BY NANCY EAGLETON

The new year started on a positive note atSouth Miami Hospital as its new EmergencyCenter and Surgical Suites opened for patientcare earlier this month. Part of an $80 millionexpansion and renovation project that beganin 2010, the two-story addition enhances thehospital’s ability to serve patients from thecommunity and around the world.“South Miami Hospital’s new Emergency

Center and Surgical Suites represent a signif-icant milestone in the hospital’s 52-yearhistory,” said Lincoln S. Mendez, chiefexecutive officer. “This investment in ourcommunity demonstrates Baptist Health’scommitment to providing patients and theirfamilies expert, compassionate care.”Neurosurgeon Joseph Traina, M.D., long-

time South Miami Hospital physician andmember of the hospital’s Board of Directors,performed the first surgery in the new operat-ing rooms – a lumbar spinal fusion – on Jan.2. The following day, South Miami Hospital’sChief of Surgery Jorge Rabaza, M.D.,performed the second surgery in the newfacility – a robot-assisted gallbladder removal.The new Surgical Suites has 16 large

operating rooms equipped with the latestequipment and technology to supportadvanced surgical procedures, including thou-sands of robot-assisted surgeries performedeach year at The Center for Robotic Surgeryat South Miami Hospital. A fifth roboticsurgical system is among the technologicaladvances added to the new Surgical Suites.Robot-assisted surgery is revolutionizing

the field of minimally invasive surgery. TheCenter’s robotic systems enable surgeons tovirtually extend their eyes and hands intopatients’ bodies, helping to make complexoperations more precise and less traumatic.

For patients this means smaller incisions andless blood loss, shorter hospital stays andquicker recoveries.“More and more patients are asking for

robot-assisted surgeries,” said Dr. Rabaza.“Our new facility will help us continuemoving forward as one of the nation’s leadingsites for advanced robotic surgery, researchand education.”The specially-trained and Board-certified

surgeons at the Center for Robotic Surgery atSouth Miami Hospital perform gynecological,urological, colorectal, weight-loss and chestand throat surgeries using robotic technology.Several surgeons at the Center are consideredpioneers in the robotic surgery industry. Theyhave developed new ways to use the robot,and surgeons from around the world come totrain with them. The Surgical Suites’ observa-tion gallery facilitates physician and stafftraining.The new 40,000 square-foot facility is

four times larger than the hospital’s originalsurgical center. Ceiling-mounted surgicalequipment in the spacious suites keeps thefloors clear and gives the surgical staff moremobility during procedures. The robot’ssurgical camera relays the surgeon’s precisemovements to several flat screen monitorslocated around the room.The high-tech facility’s scrub stations, con-

trol desk and physician and nurse work areasare all strategically situated with efficiency –and patient safety – in mind.To complement the new Surgical Suites,

construction of 36 new pre- and post-procedure rooms and a new Central SterileProcessing is expected to be complete by theend of the year.To learn more, visit

www.BaptistHealth.net/SouthMiamior www.SouthMiamiRobotics.com.

High-tech healthcare: South Miami Hospital’s expansion and renovation enhances advanced surgery capabilities.Photo by Donna Victor

South Miami Hospital opens newSurgical Suites and Emergency Center

BY ANALY MENDEZ

Some 100 boys will descend upon theUniversity of Miami’s Frost School of Musicon Saturday, Jan. 26, for a morning of choralmusic making hosted by the Miami Children’sChorus, a Coral Gables non-profit music edu-cation and performance organization.

“Bring on the Boys,” a singing workshopfor boys with unchanged voices, developed bythe MCC, seeks to get boys excited and inter-ested in singing again. The past few decadeshave seen the steady decline of boys in schoolchoruses and many are asking why.

Put quite simply, boys say they just are nothaving fun in choir. The Miami Children’sChorus is looking to change this perceptionand the singing workshop for boys aims tomake singing a more dynamic experience foryoung boys.

The workshop, led by MCC music directorTimothy A. Sharp, will prove to all involvedthat boys can sing and that singing can be fun.Sharp has served as music director of theaward-winning Miami Children’s Chorus formore than two decades and teaches generalmusic at Vineland K-8 Center in Miami-DadeCounty.

As a performer he appeared with the cho-rus of Florida Grand Opera for five seasonsand he continues his FGO work, preparingchildren to appear in opera productions,including this season’s La Boheme and TheMagic Flute. Sharp has been awarded aMAXIE award by the New World School ofthe Arts in recognition of his contributions tothe arts for children; named Educator of Noteby the Young Patronesses of the Opera, andArts Teacher of the Year by the Children’sCultural Coalition.

The “Bring on the Boys” half-day work-shop explores the lifelong possibilities ofmaking music by singing. With the support ofSharp, the Miami Children’s Chorus, and theUniversity of Miami’s Frost Men’s Chorus —Maelstrom — boys in Miami-Dade Countycan be inspired, learning to feel comfortable

expressing their artistry and musicality.Maelstrom will perform for the boys during

the workshop and later will join them on stagefor a short free public recital at the conclusionof the workshop. They will serve as positiverole models for young boys with aspirationsof singing long term. At “Bring on the Boys,”boys can feel free to experience the joy ofbeing part of a choral group in a positive andsupportive team like environment much likethat of a sports team.

The truth is that choir provides an excellentpoint of entry for boys and families interestedin music and vocal training. Many male mem-bers of the Miami Children’s Chorus gotinvolved in singing and performing becausethey attended the “Bring on the Boys” work-shop. Some have even continued their musiccareers beyond middle and high school, study-ing to be music educators and vocal perform-ers in some of the countries leading musicschools, including the University of MiamiFrost School of Music.

For just $20 participants will get the highestquality singing instruction from MCC musicdirector, a workshop T-shirt, sheet music totake home with them and an afternoon snack.More importantly they will have the opportu-nity to meet boys from distant neighborhoodsof Miami-Dade County who share similarinterests and new friendships will be forged!Also, Miami-Dade County school musicteachers are encouraged to observe the work-shop and take some ideas to their own schools.

Be a part of this exciting workshop onSaturday, Jan. 26, 9 a.m.-noon; check-inbegins at 8:30 a.m. The workshop will takeplace at the University of Miami Frost Schoolof Music Victor E. Clarke Recital Hall.Registration is required. To register call theMCC at 305-662-7494. Group rates are avail-able. The deadline to register is Thursday, Jan.24.

For more information about the MiamiChildren’s Chorus, and its complete seasonschedule, call 305-662-7494 or visit online at<www.miamichildrenschorus.org>.

Miami Children’s Chorus to presentsinging workshop for boys, Jan. 26


BY NICOLLE NOEL UGARRIZA

René Marie is an award-winning singerwhose style incorporates elements of jazz,soul, blues and gospel. She is a fierce inde-pendent songstress who started her careerin her 40s.

Her show, called “Experiment In Truth,”comes to South Miami-Dade Cultural ArtsCenter (SMDCAC) on Friday, Jan. 25, at8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 26, at 8:30 and10:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3:30p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 onthe day of the show. Buy tickets online at<www.smdcac.org> or call the Box Officeat 786-573-5300.

The center is located at 10950 SW 211St. in Cutler Bay. Free parking is available.The SMDCAC Cabaret Series is sponsoredby Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay.

René Marie has become a heroine tomany — a woman of great strength exud-ing stamina and compassion, oftenexplaining how finding her voice and selfthrough singing gave her the courage toleave an abusive marriage. But since therelease of her recording debut,Renaissance, this Colorado-based singerhas also evolved into one of the greatestand most sensuous vocalists of our time.

Unmistakably honest and unpretentiouswhile transforming audiences worldwidewith her powerful interpretations, electri-fying deliveries and impassioned vocals,René Marie has drawn a legion of fans andmusic critics who find themselves not onlyentertained, but encouraged and evenchanged by her performances.

It is hard to believe that Marie didn’t singprofessionally until after she turned 40. Butin fact the Virginia native, married at 18,mother of two by 23, and a member of astrict religious group with her then hus-band, only occasionally sang in publicwhile she was focused on raising a family.It was in 1996 that Marie’s eldest son,Michael, urged her to take the plunge topursue a career.

“He told me that was exactly what Ineeded to do” she explained.

Two years later following an ultimatumby her husband to either stop singing orleave their home, she chose to leave after23 years of marriage.

What followed was a whirlwind of suc-cess and great critical acclaim rarely seenin the jazz world, from the LA Times to theWashington Post, from the Miami Heraldto the Chicago Tribune. She has receivedseveral awards throughout her career

including Best International Jazz VocalCD by the Academie Du Jazz (Paris,France) and has graced the BillboardCharts multiple times propelling her toheadliner status at major festivals in theU.S. and abroad including the prestigious

Women In Jazz festival at the John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;the Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC; theEdinburgh Jazz Festival (Scotland);Shanghai Jazz Festival (China), amongmany others.

René Marie to perform at SMDCAC Cabaret Series

Jazz singer René Marie


BY LUCIE O’SULLIVAN

A new and very welcome addition to theculinary scene in Palmetto Bay is the Indianrestaurant Ayesha.

Ayesha owner Mike Hussein says he waitedfor more than three years for what he calls “theperfect Village location” to become available.He says he wanted a site large enough to servethe Pinecrest community with corporateevents and Indian-style entertainment.

Hussein has a rag-to-riches story and is thepersonification of the American dream. Heemigrated from Bombay 27 years ago andbegan life here selling ice cream on the street infront of the Flagler Station mall. Today he runsfour successful restaurants, the others locatedin Key Biscayne, Palm Beach and Jupiter.Husain’s dream is to open more restaurants inMiami and maybe even develop a franchise topass on his passion for Indian food.

Patrons can expect a gastronomical delightin this unique and charming restaurant. Theflavors of Bombay are mixed with the spicesof southern India. Classic Indian dishes arefound on this menu, items such as tandoorfish, shrimp, lamb and naan breads. Ayeshaeven offers an excellent wine selection, as

well as chilled Indian beers Taj Mahal andKing Fisher.

Ayesha’s chef, Arvind Kumar, is a familymember who loves to whip up his specialty,the Slumdog Millionaire, a simple but delec-table chicken tika marsala.

Hussein says he wants to give his cus-tomers a personal touch and his concept is“on the spot” cooking using only the freshestof ingredients.

“Everything is cooked with love and noth-ing is pre-prepared,” he said.

Hussein is passionate about cooking andrunning his restaurant where he works 16-hour days. He adds that the restaurant isnamed for his daughter.

“I believe anything is possible with hardwork and passion for what you do,” he said.“America is still the land of opportunity!”

Ayesha Restaurant is located at 14151 S.Dixie Hwy. For information, call 786-732-4480.

DININGOUT

Ayesha Restaurant is an ‘Indian delight’

BY MAYRA HERNANDEZ

As South Floridians ring in the new yearand pledge to make their health a priority,TeamFootWorks, producers of theMercedes-Benz Corporate Run Series, isannouncing the 2013 5K Run/Walk racedates and welcoming the series’ new ben-efiting charity, United Way.

Having attracted a record-breaking29,000 participants in 2012, the race seriesonce again will take over South Floridawith three runs beginning in FortLauderdale on Apr. 4, continuing in WestPalm Beach on Apr. 17 and concluding inMiami on Apr. 25. Registration for eachrun is now open.

“United Way is committed to the healthand wellness of its employees and the vari-ous communities it serves,” said Harve A.Mogul, president and CEO of United Wayof Miami-Dade. “The health and wellnessof others impacts us all. When individualshave the opportunity to better health, thefull potential of our young people is real-ized; business productivity increases,healthcare costs are lowered and we all win.

“We’re honored to be involved with theMercedes-Benz Corporate Run series andlook forward to working withTeamFootWorks to help transform peo-ple’s lives and create healthy communitiesthroughout South Florida.”

The Mercedes-Benz Corporate RunSeries attracts more than 1,100 SouthFlorida Companies and incorporates a spe-cial competition to award the overall men’s,women’s and co-ed teams in 20 differentindustries. The run is open to employees ofbusinesses, corporations, government agen-cies, financial institutions and non-profits— regardless of company size.

Known as “Florida’s Largest OfficeParty,” everyone is encouraged to partici-pate and join their company team to walkor run as a group. Beginners can “ease intoexercise” with friends, gain inspiration andmotivation to continue walking and run-ning to improve overall health, while com-petitive runners have the opportunity toshine among their co-workers and lead thecorporate team to victory. Often this is thefirst step towards greater health and well-ness amongst South Florida employeesand their companies.

The runs will be held at the followinglocations:

Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, Apr. 4, 6:45p.m., Huizenga Plaza, 32 E. Las OlasBlvd.;

West Palm Beach, Wednesday, Apr. 17,6:45 p.m., Meyer Amphitheater, 104Datura St., and

Miami, Thursday, Apr. 25, 6:45 p.m.,Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd.

“Whether the race series is your firststep toward fitness or an office tradition,the Corporate Run is about having fun,getting healthy and boosting companymorale,” said Laurie Huseby, race direc-tor, Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run. “Thebenefits of adding fitness to your life arenumerous and we’re proud to be commit-ted to that process for more than 28 years.”

Sponsors of the 2013 Mercedes-BenzCorporate Run series include the localSouth Florida Mercedes-Benz Dealers,American Airlines, BB&T, Baptist Health,Club Med, Sharp, UPS, Pearl Izumi,Southern Waste Systems and more.

For more information, contactTeamFootWorks at 305-666-RACE(7223) or visit <www.mercedesbenzcor-poraterun.com>.

Mercedes-Benz Corporate Runannounces South Florida dates


I liked the new Audi allroad when attend-ed the press preview last summer and drovethe car across the Colorado Rockies; I likedit even more after test driving it in Miami’straffic-snarled streets for a week.

The allroad (Audi specifically spells thename without caps for some unknown rea-son) is best categorized as a station wagon,albeit, a very nice station wagon. It combinesall-weather road capabilities with the drivingdynamics and style that are hallmarks toAudi.

The allroad returns following a seven-yearhiatus and it debuts in a package thatimproves on the original in significant ways— it is faster and more fuel efficient and itbenefits from all of the technological advan-tages that the Audi product line has experi-enced during the past decade.

The new allroad combines what premiumbuyers are looking for in a rugged crossoverwith the refinement of an executive sedan. It

is powered by the 2.0 TFSI turbocharged anddirect-injected, four-cylinder engine thatdelivers 211 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torqueand is paired with a fuel-efficient eight-speedautomatic transmission. Audi engineers havetuned the allroad to deliver plenty of torque atthe right times for effortless passing, acceler-ating from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds.Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.

The allroad has a new electromechanicalsteering system that saves weight andimproves fuel economy — part of the Audiultra philosophy of optimizing materials while,at the same time, improving performance.

The allroad is at home on today’s urbanroads and gravel driveways alike, and areprogrammed Electronic Stability Controlassists drivers in bad weather and just aboutany other kind of driving condition.

As for design, the allroad has a uniqueSingleframe grille design with verticalchrome struts and angled upper corners,stainless steel skid plates and side sills, con-trasting body trim and alu-optic aluminumraised roof rails. Matte-finished lowerbumpers and wheel arches are standard,while paint finishes are available in GlacierWhite, Ice Silver and Phantom Black.

The allroad has the new Audi designtheme of sleek headlights and — in versions

equipped with xenon-plus lights — the sig-nature new LED lighting design. Circular foglights finish off the front and circular dual-exhaust openings mark rear.

The standard panoramic sunroof adds tothe cabin’s spacious feeling. Interior refine-ments include eight-way power seats, option-al heated front seats, a choice of three woodinlays, and a 505-watt Bang & OlufsenSound System with 14 speakers, which auto-matically adjusts volume and timbre to ambi-

ent noise in the car. The Sport Interior pack-age for allroad features 12-way power frontsports seats and Driver Assistance.

Pricing on the 2013 Audi allroad starts atunder $40,000.

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

2013 Audi allroad is a station wagon with style

LET’S TALK CARS

Ron BeasleyAUTOMOTIVE EDITOR

Audi allroad has a Singleframe grille with vertical chrome struts and angled upper corners, stainless steel skidplates and side sills, contrasting body trim and aluminum raised roof rails.

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

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DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE NEED HELP WITHALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCE RELATED ISSUES?

Paul Merker has helpedhundreds of individualsand families

PAUL MERKER, MS, CAPAddiction TherapistConfidential Counseling

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7600 SW 57th Ave, Suite 215South Miami, FL 33143



BUSINESSBUSINESS BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS

Dr. Patricia BrumleyRealtor - Associate

Certified New Home SpecialistCRS - Certified Residential Specialist

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist -sensitive to age 50+ issues and priorities

12498 SW 127th Ave. • Miami, FL 33186E-Mail: [email protected]

LET ME SELL YOUR HOME!With my market savvy and knowledge of yourneighborhood, I can sell your home fast and for

top dollar. “Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!”Call Pat at 305-613-8421, I can make it happen!

Cell: 305-613-8421 • Fax: 305-251-4094 • Office: 305-251-4044

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Property Tax AppealsFor houses, hotels, apartments, shopping centers, office buildings,

restaurants, warehouses, hospitals, commercial properties.Contingent basis. $20 filing fee.

Law Offices ofPost & Gonzalez, P.L.

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our quali�cations and experience.

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• Tree Trimming• Consultation• Stump Grinding• Landscaping• Lawn Services• Fertilization• Sprinkler Repair• Debris Removal• Backhoe Service• Driveway Pavers• Fencework - All Types• Chickee Huts• Outdoor Kitchens• And More

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[email protected] Phone: 786.395.1588

Cutler Bay Business Association LuncheonNETWORKING on January 10, 2013

Photos by: Gary Alan Ruse

Richard Masso, Al’s Lawnmower; Peter Valerioti,University Credit Union.

Diana Cruz, University of Phoenix; Tia Diaz Balart,the SEED Foundation.

CBBA members networking with each other duringthe luncheon meeting.

Darryl Boyette, Cyndi Rogg, Patricia Farinaand Delores Triana.

Anapaula Lagarriga explained the importanceof having goals and plans.

Diagramming the path for converting leads tonew clients in business.

Sally Sims, University Credit Union; Joe Lukoseof Digital Print & Signs.

Mercy Hernandez of Old Cutler Academy andVice Mayor Ernie Sochin.

Delores Triana, Jean Tong Noon, JonathanWilsonand Patricia Farina.

CBBA members enjoying the delicious mealprovided by Mangu Mangu.

Newly elected CBBA President JonathanWilsonaddresses the group.

. January’s guest speaker Anapaula Lagarriga,a certified business coach.



What’s The Difference? Don’t be confused

305.267.1426

• 25 years in Tree and Landscape Care,disease control, nutritional programs, interiorand exterior pest management and treetrimming services.• Fully licensed, insured, State CertifiedPest Control Operators and ISA CertifiedArborist.• On-going,in-house, twice a weektechnician’s training.• Quality control personnel conductingon-site property evaluations• All vehicles have GPS for routingefficiency and tracking.• One Two Tree is a drug free work placeand all employees undergo backgroundchecks.• Family owned company you can trust.

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OPENING DOORS TO SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

ESSLINGER WOOTEN MAXWELL, INC., REALTORS305.329.7744 • [email protected] • WWW.DREWKERN.COM

DREWKERN

As a second generation real estate professional, and a Miami native,I have an intimate understanding of our local market.

Let me help guide you through the sometimes turbulent waters of buyingand selling your most valuable asset. The process should be easy and enjoyable

when you have the assistance of the right professional.

10740 SW 121 StLovely 3 bdrm/ 2 bath family home in thePine Shores community. Bright and spa-

cious kitchen with lots of storage and roomfor a large eat-in area or den.

Formal living & dining rooms. Privatefenced backyard with covered patio and

pool. 2 car garage.$385,000

19825 SW 87 CtWell-maintained 3 bedroom/2 bathroom,over 2,000 sq ft home in Cutler Bay. Largeliving areas. Tile floor and carpet through-out. Eat-in kitchen overlooks screened inpatio on a beautifully landscaped, 9,520 sqft lot. 2 car garage$215,000

1900 Pizarro StMediterranean style home in Coral Gables!4 bdrm/ 3 bath, built in 1989. Renovatedkitchen with custom cabinetry, granite

counter tops and stainless appliances. Onebdrm & full bath downstairs. Great for en-tertaining w/ courtyard off dining room andpavered patio in backyard. 1.5 car garage.$724,900/For rent $4,500 per month

4821 Ronda StExquisitely updated 4 bdrm/3 br, 3,250 sqft home on quiet Coral Gables street. Ex-pansive eat-in kitchen, spacious familyroom, living room & dining room. PristineOak hard wood floors throughout. Lushlandscaping on large, 11,886 sq ft lot. Im-pact windows and doors. 2 car garage.$975,000

10820 SW 74 Ct4 bdrm/ 2 bath, well-kept home on a wide,canal front lot in Pinecrest. Ready for yourupdates. Formal dining and living room.Large kitchen overlooks partially coveredbrick patio and pool. Beautifully land-scaped including a screened-in orchid

house. Shutters throughout. 2 car garage.$674,900

364 SW 19 RdBeautifully renovated Old Spanish home inThe Roads. 3 bdrm/2 bath with 2,374 sq ftof living area, on a 6,750 sq ft lot. Kitchenhas stainless steel appliances, gas range,

granite countertops, and wood cabinetry.Indoor laundry. French doors lead to patio

overlooking landscaped backyardand work shed.

$495,000

17070 SW 74 PlTastefully updated 4 bdrm/3.5 bath, 3,700sq ft home in gated community ofOld Cutler Palms in Palmetto Bay. Beauti-ful kitchen, expansive living areas, greatfor entertaining. Lush landscaping sur-rounds private pool and home on just over17,200 sq ft lot. 3 car garage. $725,000

2756 Day Ave #403Great opportunity for young professionalsor investors. 2 bdrm/ 2 bath condoin secure & gated, Grove Haus building.Updated kitchen. Laminate flooringthroughout. 1 assigned parking space.1 block from Biscayne Bay. Walkingdistance to the shops and restaurants ofCoconut Grove. $235,000

NEW LISTING NEW LISTING

SOLD

SOLDSOLD


cutler bay news 1.22.2013

Documents

theedge of cutler bay

taste ofthe bay

following year

area schools

old cutler

local food vendors

new year bythanking

area musicians