South Miami News 12.25.2012

ALL TYPES OF COVERAGE

FROM OVER 100 TRUSTED,COMPETITIVE, INSURERS

305.238.1000Savings & Service Since 1950

BY MICHAEL MILLERExecutive Editor

It seems as thoughour fair mayor, PhilStoddard has finallyhad enough andthrough his attorney,sent letters to, (fromwhat I have beentold) John EdwardSmith, KennethHarms, Brad Cassel, CommissionerValerie Newman and everyone’sfavorite... Sharon McCain.

I’ve been told that the letters essen-tially said, stop saying bad stuff aboutthe mayor or else. And the letter alsoasks for the name of their insurancecompany. Golly folks, what the helldoes that mean? So, much craziness inthe City of Pleasant Living.

At a recent commission meetingVice Mayor Josh Leibman brought upthe idea of moving the election toNovember instead of in February,where it has been for many many years.Josh’s position is that more peoplewould come out to vote in November,when of course, there are more items on

Around Town Believe it or Not!

––––– See AROUND TOWN, page 8

DEC. 25, 2012 - JAN. 7, 2013

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– See INTERVAL, page 8

Interval’s Club Excellence global recognition program honors 17

Ron Magill named grand marshalfor Junior Orange Bowl Parade

One of Miami’s Community Newspapers –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Connecting local businesses. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––– See MAGILL, page 8

BY ALEX MARKEL

T he Junior Orange Bowlhas announced that localcelebrity Ron Magillwill be the grand mar-

shal of the 64th Junior Orange BowlParade on Dec. 30. Magill serves asthe “Goodwill Ambassador” for ZooMiami and has been involved withwildlife and the South FloridaCommunity for over 30 years.

Magill has made frequent televisionappearances as a wildlife expert onprograms such as NationalGeographic Explorer, the DiscoveryNetworks, the Today Show, The LateShow with David Letterman, CBS’This Morning, Dateline and CNN.Magill also has made many appear-ances on Spanish language programsincluding Sabado Gigante andDespierta America.

“Ron Magill is the perfect fit to begrand marshal of the Junior Orange

Zoo Miami’s “Goodwill Ambassador” Ron Magill will serve as grand marshalfor this year’s Junior Orange Bowl Parade.

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BY STEVE GERRISH

I nterval Leisure Group Inc. recently honored 17employees as part of its Club Excellence global recog-nition program. These awards are presented annuallyto outstanding individuals who make a difference inthe lives of colleagues and customers, who include

vacation exchange members, as well as resort and hotel clients.Winners participated in a variety of educational, recreation-

al, and leadership activities during their visit to Miami. Eachemployee received a Crystal Jade trophy, signed certificate, anda commemorative timepiece.

17 employees were honored recently as part of Interval Leisure Group’s ClubExcellence global recognition program.

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Page 2 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Dec. 25, 2012/Jan. 7, 2013

Dec. 25, 2012/Jan. 7, 2013 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 3

BY LEE STEPHENS

Cristopher Zambrana knew he wanted tobe a police officer at age 14, about the timehe joined the South Miami Police Explorers.What he didn’t count on is how profoundlythe experience would shape his character.Through Explorer training and the guidinghand of his advisor, Cristopher, 18, came tounderstand that giving is a far greater rewardthan receiving.

“I’ve learned so much that I don’t think Iwould be the person I am today if it wasn’tfor me doing this program four years ago,” hesaid. “I learned to be giving, and when yougive, people appreciate what you’re doingand they’ll show you that in the long run.”

Sage words but also a reality forCristopher, who willingly gave up his dreamto help his family survive a tough year. Now,

although he has been accepted to the policeacademy, he no longer has the tuition savedfrom working a full-time security job sinceshortly after his graduation from SouthMiami Senior High in May. That’s becausehe and his mother, who works as a janitor,provide the main support for their entire fam-ily, including two younger brothers (ages 17and 10). His father, who hasn’t been able towork since an accident on the job three yearsago, brings in a small amount of income buy-ing and selling cars, but it’s not enough. Asthe next eldest man of the house, Cristopherfeels the weight of providing for his family.

“Mom and I are the ones who try to makeup the difference (in income) for my dad sohe doesn’t get stressed out,” he says. “It’sreally important to them that I go to the acad-emy, and they have always helped me witheverything I needed for the Explorersbecause they knew it would help me becomea police officer.”

With training set to begin in January, the

Post is stepping up to help their fellowExplorer by collecting donations to makesure he realizes his dream. They have alreadyreceived pledges for $1,000 but tuition is$6,250, and they need to close the gap.Advisor Det. Joe Mendez believes there is noone from the Explorer program who deservesa shot at a law enforcement career more.

“His passion to become a police officer isoverwhelming. No matter how tired he is orhow mundane the task, he will do it to thebest of his ability,” Mendez says. “As muchas I hate to see him leave the Post, I believethis is his time to excel on a new level. TheSouth Miami Police Explorers may have losttheir leader, but the City of South Miami, ifhe so chooses, will gain a tremendous assetwhen he graduates.”

During his tenure as an Explorer,Cristopher has volunteered well over 1,500hours to the City of South Miami as well asits neighboring communities, and he led thePost to first and second place finishes twice

in competition. He also had a chance to seepolice work up close, especially during occa-sional ride-alongs with officers on duty. Inone case, he was on the scene of a shootingwhere the victim was the brother of a class-mate. But he had a job to do – crowd controland crime scene preservation. It was a diffi-cult lesson in the personal nature of the job,but it’s that aspect of his chosen career thathe relishes.

“I like being there for people when it’s thehardest time in their lives, and I like givingto the community. Being a police officer putsme closest to being able to do both thosethings,” Cristopher says.

You can help make that a reality for him.Your contributions – however big or small –may be made by check payable to the SouthMiami Police Explorer Post 256, 6130 SW72 Street, South Miami, FL 33143. Attn:Detective J. Mendez.

For information, contact Detective J.Mendez at <[email protected]>.

South Miami Police Explorer needs help to realizehis dream of a law enforcement career

His passion to become a police officer is over-whelming.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Cristopher wanted to be a police officer at a veryyoung age.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Dayan Martinez (left) who is also a South Miami Police Explorer and a graduate of the academy, helps CristopherZambrana set up tables at a recent event.

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The Annual Holiday Boat Parade &Canned Food Drive took place onDecember 15, its third year now, anddonated a lot of food to the Village’sHoliday Food Drive. Kudos to thePalmetto Bay Canal Association and all thecaring folks who gave canned goods andother foodstuffs for the cause.

The boat parade started in Coral ReefPark at 5:30 p.m. and traveled south on theC100 canal through Palmetto Bay, passingBill Sadowski Park, and ending in thesouthwest part of the village.

The canned food was collected for“Feeding South Florida” (formerly knownas the Daily Bread Food Bank), and partic-ipants in the boat parade were able to pickup canned food collected by residents whothen handed it off from the canal banks tothe boaters. The Palmetto Bay Canal

Association is made up of Palmetto Bayand Pinecrest residents who are both usersand stewards of the local canal system, andis made up of pleasure boaters, fishermen,skiers and even folks in canoes and kayaks.

The canned goods collected were pre-sented to the village at the zoning hearingon Dec. 17. What a great way to have a funholiday event that also contributes to aworthwhile project! There are photos of itall on the village website and on theirFacebook page, so check it out.

In case you didn’t know it... EveryMonday the village’s Weekly CrimeReport is posted online on the official vil-lage website at <http://www.palmettobay-fl.gov>. The one for the week of Dec 10,2012 to Dec 16, 2012 was the latest oneposted as of the deadline for this issue, andthere wasn’t a lot there for a good sizedcommunity. There were seven burglaries orthefts and a stolen license plate decal list-ed. In one case the police observed the bur-glars in action, caught and arrested themand returned the stolen property to theowner. Good show, members of the VillagePolicing Unit!

And by the way, if you’d like to getinvolved in the village’s Crime Watch pro-gram and help keep criminal activity to aminimum you should contact OfficerJudge of the village police or call 305-278-4018 to join a neighborhood CrimeWatch. The program “organizes neighbor-hoods of single-family homes, apartmentcomplexes, and gated communities tolearn about crime prevention, homelandsecurity, and disaster preparedness.”

Since our deadline for this issue fell aday or so before December 21 we can’tcomment on that whole “MayanDoomsday” thing, at least from a resultsstandpoint, but if you’re reading this dur-ing Christmas week when the papers comeout, then obviously we’re all still here. Andalthough not many folks took it seriouslyanyway, it should be pointed out that theMayans never did actually predict the endof the world on that date. Their long-viewmillennial calendar just happened to cycleon that date and a number of enterprisingfolks (some of them likely the same oneswho wrote books about the projectedcalamities of the “Y2K” effect on comput-

ers, which also turned out to be nonsense)decided to make money by exploiting peo-ple’s fears. Anything to make a buck, andnot even an honest one at that.

Best holiday wishes from all of us hereat Miami’s Community Newspapers, andmay the coming year be a better one foreveryone!

Thought of the Day:The highest result of education

is tolerance. — Helen Keller

Gary Alan Ruse contributed to thiscolumn.

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

A village holiday tradition yields charitable results

AROUND TOWN

Michael MillerEXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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BY NANCY EAGLETON

Only four out of 86 high school volley-ball teams make it to the 8A FHSAA GirlsVolleyball Finals, and the Coral ReefSenior High School team was one of them.

It was the first time in the school’s historythat the girls volleyball team made it to thestate competition. The road to the final fouralso included other historical firsts for theschool – first-place finishes in the GreaterMiami Athletic Conference volleyball tour-nament and Region 4-8A Championship.

“It really was a Cinderella story for us,”said Coral Reef head coach Yasmin Ortiz.“We weren’t expected to make it all the way.”

But they did. The team of four seniors,five juniors, four sophomores and twofreshmen battled a tough team from WinterPark in the semi-final game held on Nov.13 in Kissimmee. Although defeated, theBarracudas’ third place finish in the finals

was a just reward for a successful season.The team ended their playing season with a25-6 record.

“Getting to the state finals was alwaysthe ultimate goal for this team, and the girlsworked very hard to get there,” said coachOrtiz. “I went to state finals during highschool, and I wanted these girls to experi-ence that same success.”

Volleyball is Ortiz’s passion. After highschool, she attended college on a volleyballscholarship, played pro volleyball andcoached at the college level. This is the fifthyear she has coached the Coral Reef girlsteam, and each year the number in her team’swin column has increased. Ortiz also servesas the boys volleyball coach and teachesHonors Biology and Spanish at Coral Reef.

With a year-round focus on conditioningand training, there is no doubt that the CoralReef girls volleyball team will be a force tobe reckoned with again next year.

Coral Reef girls volleyball teamgoes to State Final Four Tourney

The Barracudas dream team. Front row, L-R: Captain Daniela Leal, Danielle DeSouza, Trina Malone; (middle row,l-r) Paulina Persson, Janel Kemp, Ashley Amoedo, Jasmin Hodge, Kristine Rios; back row, L-R: manager OscarRouco, Raquel Alespeitti, Andrea Alespeitti, Katrina Gonzalez, Erika Hyman, manager Malik Audain, BayleeWaterman, Adara Anselmo, manager Greg Deverson and head coach Yasmin Ortiz.

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BY DONNA SHELLEY

Miami-Dade County CommissionerXavier Suarez is challenging residentsof the county to “think vertically” whenit comes to the South Dade busway. Thestretch of bus lane which runs 21 milesfrom the Dadeland Metro stop to FloridaCity is getting a serious “re-think” bythe County. Currently, a study by theMiami-Dade Expressway Authority(MDX) is being conducted to examineways to maximize the travel route’sfuture use.

One proposal from MDX proposesmaking the route a toll road, wideningthe road and installing a series of elevat-ed overpasses to mitigate traffic onSouth Dixie Highway. As one of the

communities along the route, the Villageof Pinecrest expressed its disapproval ofthis idea. The Council passed a resolu-tion dated September 11, 2012, rejectingthis notion, citing concerns for increasedtraffic, a negative impact on local busi-nesses and the need to expand rail serv-ice southward.

Commissioner Suarez, vice chair of theMiami-Dade Regional TransportationCommittee, proposes that the busway betrenched underground for the full 21-milestretch. His concept uses only 60 of the 100feet of available right-of-way. The bus tripcurrently takes about one hour travel time.The proposal could decrease that time toabout 20 minutes. Suarez also suggests thatpedestrian and bicycle traffic establishedwithin linear parks would offer a pleasant

aesthetic above the underground busway.In a brief presentation to the County

Commission on December 10, 2012,Suarez stated that the proposal wouldtake care of two problems at once: theunderutilized busway and Florida Powerand Light’s (FPL) proposed above-gradetransmission lines along South DixieHighway. FPL has had considerableopposition to these lines from the com-munities that would be affected. Suarezsuggests that the underground buswayproject would present the perfect oppor-tunity for FPL to bury the lines.

Speaking about his proposal,Commissioner Suarez said, “The under-ground busway will link South Miami-Dade to major commercial and residen-tial areas with an effective transporta-tion system. Everything is there, thespace, the rolling stock and the need.

This will be a good step forward inimproving our public transit connectivi-ty and turn a liability (busway) into anasset.”

Suarez hopes to finance the projectusing funds from the administration ofmanaged lanes, surtaxes collected fromthe People’s Transportation Plan, as wellas funds that had been ear-marked byFPL for the installation of new transmis-sion lines. Currently, there are no costestimates for the project.

Commissioner Suarez representsDistrict 7, which includes Miami, CoralGables, Pinecrest, South Miami, theVillage of Key Biscayne and other areasof unincorporated Miami-Dade County.He has three office locations: the StephenP. Clark Center in downtown Miami,South Miami City Hall and the FrankieRolle Center on Dixie Highway.

Miami-Dade Transit at Busway, underground concept Dadeland North/Southtrain stations to Florida City.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Site Plan/Busway (underground) and Subway Linear Park Promenade concept.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Commissioner Suarez presents ideas for South Dade BuswayDec. 25, 2012/Jan. 7, 2013 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 7

the ballot. The dais was silent except for oneblurb, made by one of the elected clowns,which was essentially, that the people thatonly come out in November don’t really careabout South Miami.

And that helps me reflect on the people thatdo come out and vote: It’s THOSE voters thatput those clowns into office. Maybe if somenew November voters came out, that somereasonable people would wind up in office.

Ok, enough ink spent on the elected offi-cials. Gee, I just can’t stay away from thoselively folks at city hall that we currently callour elected officials. So, here’s a little more:

At the state of the city address last month,the mayor erroneously stated that Winn Dixieon SW 73 St, signed a 10-year lease. Sorry ormaybe hurray, there is no 10-year deal. Mysources though, won’t tell me if there is anydeal for Winn Dixie to stay after their lease isup in the very near future.

Does anyone know how long marijuanastays in one’s urine, or blood or in hair folli-cles? Maybe there is still time to ...ah ah takea test to determine if they (whoever thatmight be) have been partaking in the solemnsacrament of smoking a big blunt (large joint,for those initiated.)

And speaking of South Miami: Wouldsomeone submit a public records request andsee what public documents may have beenwritten and placed into files, before they lefttheir employment.

Had lunch over at Joanne’s Market onSW 67 Ave, just south of US1. It’s fresh,fresh fresh and this full service boutique-ele-gant- grocery has got it all and you ought toget over there and enjoy yourself.

I was recently there and had a beautifulsalad, custom made with romaine lettuce andmy favorite goodies: chicken chunks,raisons, cucumbers, carrots, tomato, purpleonions, green peppers, mushrooms and lotsmore and then some of course some vinai-grette dressing.

BTW, they also have lots of sandwichesperfect for lunch too.

May this New Year and each of the daysin it bring you joy and happiness for youand your family.

And may you also find a way to ‘Make aDifference.’

Thought for the Day:Make no little plans; they have no magic

to stir men’s blood. — Daniel Burnham

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

AROUND TOWN, from page 1

Bowl Parade” said parade chair KathleenSlesnick. “Magill has always been a greatmember of the South Florida communityand his international experience representsthe identity of the Junior Orange BowlFestival and the children who participate.”

Magill has extensive international experi-ence, traveling throughout Africa, India, andCentral and South America developing anddirecting conservation projects and Emmy

Award-winning documentaries focusing onthe wildlife of those regions.

The 64th Junior Orange Bowl Paradetheme is “Sailing to New Adventures”which commemorates the 500th anniver-sary of Ponce de Leon’s discovery ofFlorida. This year’s parade will be onSunday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m., along MiracleMile in downtown Coral Gables. Toreserve grandstand tickets call the JuniorOrange Bowl Office at 305-662-1210.

For more information on the JuniorOrange Bowl, call 305-662-1210 or visit thewebsite at <www.jrorangebowl.org>.

MAGILL, from page 1 –––––––––––––

“Recognizing people who are committed toour values and goals is one of the most enjoy-able things I do,” said Jeanette E. Marbert, chiefoperating officer of ILG. “Our Club ExcellenceAward winners lead by example and play a keyrole in creating a positive work environment.”

The 2012 Club Excellence recipients are:Warlito Asuncion, Cecilia Bagcal, and TianaRaymondo, Aston Hotels & Resorts, Hawaii;Matt Dawkins and Jackie Fry, IntervalInternational, London; Pam Garland, MeridianFinancial Services, North Carolina; Jo-AnnMcNew (Florida) and Annette Pugmire (Utah),Vacation Resorts International; Sarah Scannone,Interval International, Italy; Tresa Victorino,Interval International, Singapore; NoelBetancourt, Tony Knowles, Carlos Munoz,Cindy Perez, Jimmy Rabell, Interval

International, Miami, and Cary Rodriguez andScottie Wilson, Interval International, Orlando.

Interval Leisure Group is a leading globalprovider of membership and leisure servicesto the vacation industry. Headquartered inMiami, ILG has more than 3,500 employeesworldwide. The company’s primary operatingsegment is Membership and Exchange, whichoffers travel and leisure related products andservices to about 2 million member familieswho are enrolled in various programs.

Interval International, the segment’s principalbusiness, has been a leader in vacation ownershipexchange since 1976. With offices in 16 coun-tries, it operates the Interval Network of approxi-mately 2,700 resorts in more than 75 nations.

More information about the company isavailable at <www.iilg.com>.

INTERVAL, from page 1 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


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BY DONNA SHELLEY

Bluefish Sport has established a flagship retail store inSouth Miami. Opened in May 2012, the Bluefish conceptblends the functional qualities of fitness apparel with afashion-forward sensibility, resulting in active wear thatcan transition from the gym to the office with ease.

The soothing sounds of a fountain great you as you enterthe shop. Colors guaranteed to both calm and invigorateare compatible with the clean lines of the décor. Here theprinciples of Feng Shui are at work—something that isintegral to the Bluefish corporate model. Feng Shui is theChinese art of determining the most auspicious design andplacement of objects so that maximum harmony isachieved between the flow of the life force of the environ-ment and that of the user. At Bluefish the principle of thefive elements, wood, fire, earth, metal and water, are paint-ed on the wall. The colors associated with the five ele-ments are considered a projection of the positive affirma-tion achieved by the devotees of Feng Shui, according toowner and fashion designer, Barbra Quanstrom.

Primarily a wholesale business with worldwide distribu-tion, Barbra Quanstrom added to the mix an entire retailestablishment devoted to the exclusive sale of Bluefishapparel. Her chic designs can be worn just about any-where. Speaking about the cotton like comfort of theSupplex fabric from which the clothing is made, Ms.Quanstrom said,

“It is breathable, odor resistant, wicks moisture from the

body and allows for freedom of movement while support-ing the wearer.”

First developed in Brazil in 1998, Barbra Quanstrom

purchased the company about two years ago. She wantedto follow her passions for fitness, retail and fashion.Designing workout gear that is stylish and a pleasure towear taps into her business and artistic talents. For 25years she was involved in the fitness business, owning andoperating a gym for 10 years; she also owned an activewear company. Add to that her strong financial back-ground, keen fashion sense and the re-kindling of her loveof drawing, and you have the ideal candidate to head up ahighly successful active wear business.

“By interacting with the customer, another dimensionhas been added to my positive experiences in this busi-ness—I am even more inspired as a result of talking to mycustomers and hearing their feedback,” said Barbra.

The Bluefish line is carried at fine hotels, spas andsports-themed stores. The Bluefish Sport store in SouthMiami provides customers with the opportunity to shopfor the latest in the line amid peaceful surroundings.Clients are invited to try on clothing in a beautifullyappointed showroom separated from the selling floor andmay be offered a complimentary glass of champagne aspart of the experience.

South Miami was a logical choice for Barbra’s store.“South Miami is fitness-minded and there are like-

minded people who shop here. I have enjoyed shoppingand dining in this city for years and came to the conclusionthat our store’s demographic was right here. Every day Isee clients walking down Sunset dressed in our clothing,”said Ms. Quanstrom.

Bluefish: Fashionable and functional fitness apparel

Pictured are owner and fashion designer Barbra Quanstrom and herassociate, Lissie Aviles.

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BY DONNA SHELLEY

Volunteers armed with an assortment ofgarden tools attacked noxious vines andinvasive exotics as they cleaned up SouthMiami’s All-America Park on Saturday,November 3rd. About 45 sturdy volunteers,employees of South Miami Hospital, weredonating their precious time on a beautifulweekend morning as part of Baptist HealthSouth Florida’s “Day of Caring for OurCommunity.”

City Arborist Doug Baker identified theAll-America Park as the one most overduefor a good freshening up. Remarking on theprogress made by the volunteers, Baker said,“They accomplished a great deal todayremoving vines that were covering trees andexotics that really needed to go. I’m veryproud to be a part of this and I thank all thevolunteers for their work.”

The Day of Caring allows employees of theHospital to give a little something back to thecommunity and is part of a series of eventsover two weekends that include communities

in which other healthcare facilities of BaptistHealth South Florida are located.

“Our employees enjoy spending time withtheir families while volunteering for the Dayof Caring and we are very proud to be part ofthe South Miami community,” said LincolnMendez, CEO of South Miami Hospital.

Also in attendance were Mayor PhilStoddard, Vice Mayor Josh Liebman andCommissioner Walter Harris from the Cityof South Miami. As the Mayor removed arather healthy Philodendron vine from awell-established live oak tree he said, “Weare saving this tree from being smothered byvines and potentially damaged by high windsfrom hurricanes and other storms.”

Commissioner Harris was engaged indumping load after load of unwanted veg-etable matter. “This is a great thing for thecommunity and I’d like to see if we canarrange more days like this,” said theCommissioner.

All-America Park is located at 6820 SW64th Avenue in South Miami. It is a passive

park in a natural setting with a variety ofnative trees. There are a number of limestonebenches scattered around the park andamong the many native birds that frequentthe place, you may have the opportunity towatch a small parade of Peacocks or PeaHens who roam free. For more informationabout the Park, go towww.southmiamifl.gov.

South Miami Hospital prides itself oninnovative medical programs such as theCenter for Robotic Surgery, the Center forWomen and Infants, South Miami HeartCenter and a Level III Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit. The hospital is located at 6200Southwest 73rd Street.

Baptist Health South Florida, the region’slargest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcareorganization includes Baptist, BaptistChildren’s, Doctors, Homestead, Mariners,South Miami and West Kendall BaptistHospitals, as well as Baptist Cardiac &Vascular Institute, Baptist OutpatientServices and Baptist Health Enterprises.

South Miami Hospital Sponsors All-America Park Clean-Up Day

Pictured are (l-r) Commissioner Walter Harris, Vice Mayor Josh Liebman, Mayor Phil Stoddard, Lincoln MendezCEO of SMH, Jeanette Stone of SMH.

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SMH's Lincoln Mendez and Linda Sharp discuss theirgame plan.

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Rooney Brodie and Oliver Perez of SMH deal with aload of vines.

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Rooney Brodie, Manager of Community Relations andSpecial Programs attacks a determined vine.


BY KERRY GREEN-PHILLIPS

Students at the South

Florida Autism Charter

School (SFACS) in

Hialeah now have addi-

tional technology at their

fingertips, thanks to the

generous donation of

seniors from The Palace

Royale, an assisted liv-

ing community in

Kendall.

The residents, mem-

bers of the community’s

“ M a k e - a - D i f f e r e n c e

Club,” recently donated

brand new Apple iPads

to the school with a mis-

sion to provide education

and services to individu-

als with autism spectrum

disorders in Miami-Dade

and Broward Counties.

“One of our residents,

Georgina Roces, attend-

ed a club meeting and

shared a photo of her

grandson who attended

SFACS. She also men-

tioned the school’s wish

list for their special

needs students,”

explained Pamela Parker,

director of social activities. “The group

voted and decided to make this wonderful

school their next project.”

Throughout the summer, “Make-a-

Difference Club” members sold candy on

Friday’s in The Palace Royale’s lobby to

raise money to buy the iPads for the

school. Roces joined the ladies each week

— accompanied by the photo of her

grandson — to educate candy purchasers

about autism and the exceptional educa-

tion provided by SFACS.

“Unfortunately Mrs. Roces became ill

during the fundraising efforts,” Parker

said. “The club held a lovely reception for

her, where she was joined by family and

neighbors. She was presented with a beau-

tiful plaque which now hangs at SFACS.”

On Saturday, Aug. 18, the “Make-a-

Difference Club” members’ hard work

culminated with an emotional presentation

ceremony, held in memory of Roces. Four

Apple iPads, each engraved with “A Gift

to the Students of SFACS from The Palace

Royale,” were donated to SFACS.

Students, teachers and parents attended

the event.

“The Palace is so proud of this amaz-

ing group of residents who continue to

give their time and talents to noteworthy

causes throughout South Florida,” said

Helen Shaham, president of The Palace

Group. “They illustrate that age isn’t a

limitation and are already hard at work

raising funds to support another charita-

ble organization.”

Located at 11355 SW 84 St., The Palace

Royale features “catered living,” a new

concept offering all the services of tradi-

tional assisted living with special empha-

sis on residents’ cognitive abilities.

For more information, call 305-270-

7000 or visit online at

<www.ThePalace.org>.

The Palace Royale seniorsdonate 4 iPads to SFACS

The Palace Royale’s “Make-a-Difference Club” members (l-r) Chris Weiher,Shirley Skolnick and Connie Otero helped raised money to buy Apple iPads forstudents at the South Florida Autism Charter School.

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



The term “Snail Mail” proved appropriate when Kendall resident Barb Yager recently pulled a magazine out of hermailbox. Attached was a local critter that might have been catching up on its reading or just hitching a ride for theprice of a stamp. There are days when your computer may be slow, but you likely won’t find one of these in youremail.

Now we know why it’s called ‘Snail Mail’

BY DIANE HIRTH

The Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission (FWC) hasannounced the 2013 Python Challengewith its goal of increasing public aware-ness about Burmese pythons and how thisinvasive species is a threat to theEverglades ecosystem, including nativewildlife.

As part of the Python Challenge, boththe public and Florida’s python permitholders are invited to compete to see whocan harvest the longest and the mostBurmese pythons.

On Jan. 12, the Python ChallengeKickoff will initiate a month-long programof harvesting Burmese pythons from publiclands, and the public can see and learnmore about these large constrictors. Thekickoff is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at theUniversity of Florida’s Fort LauderdaleResearch and Education Center, which willhold its invasive species open house thatday.

“The FWC is encouraging the public toget involved in helping us remove Burmesepythons from public lands in SouthFlorida,” said Kristen Sommers, head ofthe FWC’s Exotic Species CoordinationSection. “By enlisting both the public andFlorida’s python permit holders in amonth-long competitive harvesting ofBurmese pythons, we hope to motivatemore people to find and harvest these large,invasive snakes. The Python Challengegives people a chance to sign up for a com-petition to see who can catch the longest orthe most pythons.

“Part of the goal of the Python Challengeis to educate the public to understand whynonnative species like Burmese pythonsshould never be released into the wild andencourage people to report sightings of

exotic species,” Sommers said.“We also expect the competitive harvest-

ing of Burmese pythons to result in addi-tional information on the python popula-tion in South Florida and enhance ourresearch and management efforts.”

Grand prizes of $1,500 for harvesting themost Burmese pythons will be awarded towinners of both the General Competitionand the Python Permit HoldersCompetition, with additional $1,000 prizesfor the longest Burmese python harvestedin both competitions. Funding for theprizes is provided by Python Challengesponsors. The largest Burmese python doc-umented in Florida was more than 17 feetin length.

Complete information on the PythonChallenge, including how to train and reg-ister for the competitions and more aboutupcoming South Florida events, is avail-able at PythonChallenge.org.

Many partners, including the Universityof Florida, The Nature Conservancy,Future of Hunting in Florida, WildlifeFoundation of Florida and Zoo Miami, areinvolved in the Python Challenge.

Florida currently prohibits possession orsale of Burmese pythons for use as pets,and federal law bans the importation andinterstate sale of this species.

The Python Challenge will concludewith a free Awareness and Awards Eventon Feb. 16 at Zoo Miami. Educational talksand exhibits will be available for all ages,with chances to encounter live Burmesepythons, meet the experts who research andcapture them, and learn about protectingthe precious resources of the Evergladesecosystem, including its native birds, mam-mals and reptiles. The winners of theGeneral Competition and Python PermitHolders Competition will be presentedwith their awards.

FWC seeks to increase awarenessby public with Python Challenge

Nationally recognizedauthor, adventurer and

entrepreneur Charles J.Kropke spoke to the

Dadeland-Pinecrest RotaryClub on Monday, Dec. 10,

about SOUTH BEACH:Stories of a Renaissance.

The lavishly illustrated coffee table-styled bookchronicles the businessentrepreneurs, builders

and civic leaders who pioneered Art Deco preser-

vation — transforming South Beach

into one of the travelworld’s most remarkablesuccess stories. Kropke

co-authored the book withEleanor Goldstein, a

nationally recognizedauthor, educator, and

philanthropist. Pictured atthe breakfast are Kropke

(left) and Dadeland-Pinecrest Rotary Past pres-

ident Ron Leiberman.

Author and entrepreneur Charles Kropkespeaks to Dadeland-Pinecrest Rotary Club





BY ALEX MARKEL

The Junior Orange Bowl Basketball

Classic has announced former Miami Heat

and NBA star Mark Strickland as the hon-

orary chair for this year’s holiday tourna-

ment. This year marks the 24th anniversary

of the tournament, which will take place at

Ronald Reagan/Doral Senior High School

on Dec. 27-29.

Strickland played nine NBA seasons,

most notably for the Miami Heat from 1996

to 2000. He has more than 20 years experi-

ence as a player and coach in the NBA,

CBA, and WBA. Strickland has extensive

coaching experience at the Division-1 colle-

giate level and professional ranks with the

NBL and NBA-Development League.

Strickland will be launching his Pogo-

Man Basketball Academy in Miami in

January 2013. Pogo-Man Basketball

Academy will offer personalized basic

skills and exercise programs. In addition to

personal coaching of other professional ath-

letes and youth, Strickland is head coach for

Gulliver Preparatory’s Junior Varsity team.

“The Junior Orange Bowl is very proud to

welcome Mark Strickland as the honorary

chairman for this year’s Basketball Classic”

said Chuck Little, tournament chair.

“Strickland has served as a role model both

on and off the court in the South Florida

community for many years and exemplifies

the message the Junior Orange Bowl con-

veys to all of its youth participants”.

This year’s JOB Basketball Classic fea-

tures some of the top teams from around the

state of Florida and the nation. Top teams

from South Florida include defending 8A

State Champion and JOB Basketball Classic

Champion Hialeah Gardens. The most

notable talent in this year’s tournament is 6-

foot-8 center Kennedy Meeks, a UNC com-

mitment, out of West Charlotte High

School.

Tickets will be available at the tourna-

ment site; admission is $7 for adults and $3

for children. All proceeds will benefit the

Junior Orange Bowl.

For more information on the Junior

Orange Bowl, call 305-662-1210 or visit the

website at <www.jrorangebowl.org>.

Ex Heat star Strickland honorarychair of Jr. OB Basketball Classic

BY NANCY EAGLETON

Pinecrest resident JudyAguirre’s thin and crispycookies always have beenpopular with everyone whoexperiences them. When sheshared them with the doctorsand nurses who were treatingher cousin Jani during herbattle with ovarian cancer, anidea was born — one greatproduct for one great cause.

Aguirre started her cookiecompany, Cookies for Jani,and began her mission of“baking for a cure, one cookieat a time.” She donates hercompany’s proceeds to theSylvester ComprehensiveCancer Center at theUniversity of Miami for can-cer research. Her deliciouscookies do so much more thanput smiles on people’s faces;they are a recipe for a cure.

“I chose the SylvesterCancer Center because it is acomprehensive center thattreats all cancers,” Aguirresaid. “So many people aretouched by this disease.”

Aguirre’s cousin Jani (JanetHaas) was diagnosed with ovarian cancerin 2006. She bravely battled and beat thecancer, and today the former professionaltennis player and University of Miami 1973Woman Athlete of the Year is back on thetennis courts coaching women’s tennisteams and student athletes at MiamiCountry Day School in Miami Shores.

But Aguirre knows that for others thebattle against cancer continues. More than1.6 million people will be diagnosed withcancer this year and she is determined tomake a difference in the fight against thedeadly disease.

The operation, which humbly began withJudy baking in her kitchen, now operatesout of a professional kitchen and requiresas many as four helpers during the holi-days. So, what is the secret ingredient thatmakes her cookies so irresistible?

“We all really enjoy baking these cookiesand that happiness and passion comesacross in the product,” Aguirre said. “Thesecookies are made with love.”

Her delicious cookies made with thefinest ingredients come in popular flavors,including chocolate chip, white chocolatechip, peanut butter and chocolate chip,coconut, chocolate coconut, M&M andoriginal, made with oatmeal, pecans and

cranraisins. New for the holidays, dulce deleche will be a Miami favorite. Aguirre alsorecently added gluten-free cookies to herlineup and says “they are the best gluten-free cookies ever.”

Bags, boxes and trays of cookies fromCookies for Jani make wonderful gifts forclients, co-workers, teachers, doctors, partyhostesses, family members and friends. Thebeautiful pink packaging features the HopeRibbon — a symbol that signifies the fightagainst all cancers — and a gift tag thatnotifies the recipient that their sweet treathas an even sweeter purpose.

“Our cookies make a very thoughtful anddelicious gift,” Aguirre said. “Everyoneenjoys receiving them and sharing them,and knowing that they support a goodcause.”

Aguirre graduated from the University ofFlorida and taught kindergarten for severalyears. The mother of three — Mindy,Andrew and Katie — is planning to expandher business, and her outreach. Proceeds ofher upcoming venture, Hugs and Pieces,will benefit the cancer services at MiamiChildren’s Hospital.

For more information and to place anorder, call 305-668-0055 or visit<www.CookiesforJani.com>.

Judy Aguirre is baking forcure, one cookie at a time

Judy Aguirre is busy baking this holiday season in her “Cookies forJani” kitchen.

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


BY GARY ALAN RUSE

A South Dade charitable founda-tion, the Early Development ofGlobal Education (EDGE), receiveda $10,400 in-kind grant from PaylessShoeSource which was distributed to520 children from low income fami-lies attending the EDGE Children forChildren school in Humacao, PuertoRico, on Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Each child received a $20 gift cardto purchase one or two pairs of newshoes from a local Payless store. Twoof the three EDGE founders, MercyHernandez and Irma Gomez, deliv-ered the gift cards to the children dur-ing a ceremony also attended by themayor of Humacao, Marcelo Trujillo;State Rep. Narden Jaime, as well asMaridaliz Matta and Zulema Cruz ofPayless ShoeSource stores inHumacao.

The school, Proyecto Head StartMunicipio Autonomo de Humacao, isone of a number of schools benefitingfrom the efforts of the EDGE in 10 coun-tries, impacting more than 13,000 chil-dren, including 40 percent in South

Florida.“Footwear is a basic need that many

of us take for granted, and yet a signifi-cant number of children need shoes,”said Hernandez, EDGE co-founder.“With rising unemployment and foodcosts, it is difficult for parents to coverbasic needs, thus making the holidaysan even more stressful time for strug-gling families. Groups and charities likeours who serve them are often insuffi-ciently financed.”

Hernandez said that studies show thatproperly fitting shoes can enhance self-confidence in children and aid in theirproper development and growth. Shedeeply appreciated the donation.

“The Early Development of GlobalEducation Charitable Foundationwould like to recognize PaylessShoeSource and its program ‘PaylessGives Shoes 4 Kids,’ the Caribe HiltonHotel of Puerto Rico, and donationsmade locally from the Perrine-PalmettoBay-Cutler Bay Rotary Club, PubGrill

Restaurant and Cooke Law Firm,”Hernandez said. “Without their supportand kindness this great event would not bepossible.”

Pictured at center are Mercy Hernandez (with sunglasses) and Irma Gomez of the EDGE Foundation; behind themare (l-r) Zulema Cruz and Maridaliz Matta of Payless ShoeSource and Mayor of Humacao, Marcelo Trujillo, and amember of his staff; between the Three Kings is State Rep. Narden Jaime.

(Photo by Arthur Asseo)

EDGE Foundation receives $10K for children’s shoesPage 18 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Dec. 25, 2012/Jan. 7, 2013


Luna Academy Preschool opensdoors to families in Kendall area

BY JOSE BOZA

Luna Academy, known for its progres-sive program in early childcare education,recently marked its grand opening forKendall area families at 9025 SW 72 St.

A local husband and wife team, Georgeand Amanda Luna, have created a newlyrenovated preschool facility tailored toyoung minds and complete with an openplayground.

“Our goal is to empower children withengaging programs in a warmhearted envi-ronment,” said Amanda Luna, owner andoperator of Luna Academy. “As we openour doors, we look forward to presentinglocal families with the highest quality ofearly childhood education available.”

The Luna Academy offers a triad cur-riculum aimed to provide preschool chil-

dren with a comprehensive approach to funlearning. Through Bilingual Learning, theprogram encourages rich vocabularydevelopment during stimulating lessonsand hands-on activities in Spanish.Additionally, with a special focus on cog-nitive, creative, emotional and socialskills, the program also consists of anABeka and Creative curriculum designedto build all the fundamental tools neededfor a successful school career.

Now serving children from infants toage 4, the Luna Academy currently wel-comes new enrollments and accepts chil-dren from the VPK and CDS programs.Operating hours are Monday throughFriday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For moreinformation, or to schedule a tour, call786-332-2189, or visit online at<www.lunaacademy.com>.

Pictured are Luna Academy owners Amanda and George Luna.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


Heat’s Mario Chalmers visitspatients and families at MCH

Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers visited patients and families at Miami Children’s Hospital on Dec.16 to hand out donated toys, Heat shirts and gift cards to the children and pose for photos. Chalmers wasjoined by his parents, Ronnie and Almarie, and sister Roneka, representing the Mario V. ChalmersFoundation. Members of the community can join Mario Chalmers to support the children and families atMiami Children’s Hospital this holiday season and throughout the year by donating online at mchf.org.

Lynn Sampson is pictured in Oceanview Shades and Drapery’s new Coral Gables gallery/showroom.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY BARI AUERBACH

When designing the magnificent new CoralGables gallery/showroom for OceanviewShades and Drapery, founder Lynn Sampsonhad two major goals in mind: “To create a‘wow’ customer experience, and inspire imag-ination with innovative home automation con-cepts and the industry’s most impressive, fash-ion-forward window products and homeaccessories.”

After gracing Miami’s Design District formore than eight years, Sampson decided tocapitalize on an exciting opportunity toexpand and open a larger gallery/showroom inCoral Gables, just south of Miracle Mile, fea-turing modern concepts in textile treatmentsand the latest trends in home décor.

“Window treatments ‘set the stage’ for thecolor schemes and aesthetics of South Floridahomes, where we especially require treatmentsthat can help control heat and glare whileaffording privacy,” explained Sampson, a suc-cessful entrepreneur with decades of expertisein fashion design, interior design and the tex-tiles industry.

“Beyond a myriad of shade options, todaythere is a growing interest in draperies and‘soft treatments’ that can be highlighted withcustom accents reflecting personal creativityand originality while bringing ‘fashion’ intothe home,” she said.

“My concept was to open a gallery/show-room where you can be inspired by vibrant newcolors and textures — plus we’re introducing anextremely unique, state-of-the-art ‘ImaginationBar’enabling everyone to ‘touch, feel and expe-rience’home automation and motorization capa-bilities that can control everything from mediato temperature and security.

Automation has become a huge part of the

home environment and now technology ismore user friendly than ever before, thanks towireless controls.

“When people walk into our newgallery/showroom, they’ll see virtually every-thing ‘moving’ — from shades and draperies— to lights illuminating their path. We’ve alsoplaced great emphasis on placement to-scale,so it’s easier to envision how whatever catch-es your eye would actually look in yourhome.”

Oceanview Shades and Drapery has forgedstrong alliances with major international man-ufacturers including Jab, Osborne & Little,Designer’s Guild, Coulisse, Rodolph andCrestron Home Automation Systems.

“These strategic partnerships support ourefforts to showcase fresh products and fashiontrends,” said Sampson, who also is committedto bolstering the local economy by creatingjobs for associates including professional dec-orators/consultations.

“Our clients can always receive insightfulanswers to their questions enabling them tomake informed decisions and select productswithin personal budgets that create comfort-able, beautiful rooms.”

Sampson is looking forward to welcomingnew customers and welcoming back existingclients from cities all over South Florida whoalways share rave reviews about “fashion withan attitude” shades, draperies, upholstery, bed-ding ensembles, wallpaper, rugs and morehome beautiful products beyond your wildestimagination.

For more information about OceanviewShades and Drapery, 2522 Ponce de LeonBlvd. in Coral Gables, complimentary consul-tations or available decorating services, call305-442-2628, visit oceanviewshades.com orsend email to <[email protected]>.

Oceanview Shades and Draperyopens new showroom in Gables

BY BERNADETTE MORRIS

Baptist Health South Florida employeesalways jump on the opportunity to volun-teer with Habitat for Humanity, havingsponsored 24 homes in more than 20 years.Recently, Baptist Health employees ofdiverse backgrounds joined forces for aspecial Day of Service: Caring for OurCommunity to help revitalize and improvehomes for low-income families.

“We ended up having 55 Baptist HealthSouth Florida employees and family mem-bers who worked hard for five hours. Thevolunteers were split up among fivehomes,” said Arlenna Williams, assistantvice president of Baptist Hospital of Miamiand Immediate past chair of the Habitat forHumanity Miami board of directors.

Williams added that the Baptist crew didexterior painting (including prep) on fourhomes. The organization also sponsoredthe home of one of its employees, TerrieUlmer, for which the crew handled land-scaping in the front and back yard (includ-ing removing debris, laying grass, andplanting trees and flowers).

Baptist Health South Florida conductedan informal program prior to the revitaliza-

tion project’s start. Akeem Brutus ofCommissioner Audrey Edmonson’s Officewas there to network with the new home-owners in Liberty City (CommissionerEdmonson’s district). Additionally, BaptistHealth’s chaplain, Rick Morrow, gave amoving invocation and Arlenna Williams,provided opening remarks. Not only wereBaptist Health employees assisting withrevitalization projects in Liberty City, butthey also had 13 other concurrent serviceprojects going on from Homestead toBroward.

“At Baptist Health, we believe that everyman, woman and child should have a placeto call home — regardless of their race orbackground or economic standing,” saidRicardo Forbes, chief diversity officer forBaptist Health South Florida. “BaptistHealth always has and will remain commit-ted to providing hospitality to every nation-ality.”

Baptist Health has been active withHabitat of Humanity for over 20 years,having sponsored a total of 24 homes.This year, the organization sponsoredthree homes. Baptist Health also has had227 employees volunteer for a total of1,362 hours, resulting in the completion

of one home and the support of severalothers.

Baptist Health South Florida is a faith-based organization that believes caring issharing. Composed of seven hospitals and

more than a score of outpatient facilities,Baptist Health is visited by more than amillion patients annually.

For more information, visit online et<www.baptisthealth.net>.

BHSF conducts a Day of Service to support Habitat for Humanity

Terri Ulmer proudly stands by her home which was sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––



BY CATHY GUERRA

The Deering Estate at Cutler will offer

$5 after-hour admission on the first

Wednesday of each month from 4 to 8:30

p.m. as part of “Winter Wednesdays.”

On Jan. 2 and Feb. 6, enjoy a glass of

wine or a picnic on the main lawn of the

estate and take in the rich evening colors

reflecting off the boat turning basin.

Chef David Schwadron Catering and

Joanna’s Marketplace are the official

picnic providers for the Deering Estate

at Cutler and can be contacted directly

for preordered meals. Call 305-238-

5881 for Chef David Schwadron

Catering and 305-661-5111 for Joanna’s

Marketplace.

The main grounds of the Estate will be

open to guests for a reduced rate of $5 and

Deering Estate Foundation Members

receive free admission. There will be lim-

ited access to the buildings, only rest-

rooms will be open. Guests will be able to

meander through the public outdoor areas

and enjoy the evening.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-

Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW

72 Ave.

For more information on the Deering

Estate’s educational and cultural pro-

grams, visit <www.deeringestate.org>.

Enjoy reduced after-hour admission‘Winter Wednesdays’ at Deering

BY RICHARD YAGER

The newest attraction at The Palms hasdebuted “take-in” dining along with beerfrom just about everywhere.

While introducing a suds-loving throng to500 choices of bottled beer — and 50 on tap— The World of Beer also opened its doorsto a “take-out/take-in” dining style that keptits inaugural crowd well fed on Dec. 3

A host of promotional specialties beganwith a raffle for prizes on opening night thatraised over $1,000 to benefit the SylviaAngel’s Foundation, a cancer fund thatassists serving personnel and families.

As several hundred attending the grandopening, the second of two beer emporiumsin the Kendall area began offering menuchoices from more than a half-dozen newrestaurants that have made The Palms a mag-net for eating and entertainment as well asshopping at SW 117th Avenue and KendallDrive (88th Street).

The World of Beer’s “eat-in” wrinkleallows customers to order almost any choicefrom gourmet hamburgers to Aussie steaksor Italian specialties from neighboringrestaurants just around the corner from Suite302, 8525 Mills Dr.

Among those who deliver in are: OutbackSteakhouse, Moe’s Southwest Grille, CGBurgers, Carmine’s La Trattoria, Chef

Chen’s Chinese Restaurant, La Fogata andSushi Maki of Kendall, all newly opened atThe Palms during the past two years.

Now in the last of three major phases toreplace the original Town and Country Mall,

The Palms contemporary design with a con-necting pedestrian plaza to attract both ashopping and dining “experience” seems tobe paying off.

“World of Beer will be the beer and enter-

tainment lovers’ destination in Miami,” pre-dicted Lisa Weatherston, director of market-ing for the RKE Franchising Group.“Dedication to excellent service, draft beerselection and top-notch live entertainmentsets us apart from the rest.”

The 3,160-square-foot business employsabout 35 service personnel, supervised byarea director Claude DeLucia and managerJamie Veillette, both of Kendall.

With The World of Beer open at Dadelandin East Kendall, The Palms’ locationbecomes the 34 in 11 Southeastern andMidwestern states to market rare imports anddomestic brews. For added local appeal,Kendall’s World of Beer features localFlorida brands including Schnebly, DueSouth Brewing, Tequesta Brewing Companyand Florida Beer Company.

A loyalty program awards customers withpoints for trying out uncommon beer selec-tions, and Monday through Wednesdaypatrons find one-quarter or one-half off reg-ular prices for draft or on-tap brews. A stackof board games from Checkers to “StressChess” is available to keep couples or four-somes happy while hoisting.

Hours at The World of Beer are Monday-Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, noon to 2a.m., and Sunday, noon to 1 a.m. For details,visit online at <www.wobusa.com>.

The World of Beer offers global tasting experience

Pictured during the opening of The World of Beer at The Palms are manager Jamie Veilette (left) and AimeeMekdeci.

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


ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFETWHERE YOU CAN EAT HEALTHY the best & freshest sushi in town!

Fine Japanese & Asian Cuisine, Sushi,Seafood & Hibachi Grill

8800 S.W. 72ND ST. MIAMI, FLORIDA 33173 • TEL: (305) 275-8801 • FAX: (305) 275-1249

PR

ICE

S

$17.95 (Mon-Thur)

$19.95 (Fri-Sun)

$8.95 (Kids 10 & under)

FREE (Kids 3 & under)

DINNER$11.95 (Mon-Fri)

$12.95 (Sat-Sun)

$6.95 (Kids 10 & under)

FREE (Kids 3 & under)

LUNCH

Same Elegant Buffet Feast Featuring

FRESH, JUMBO ALASKAN SNOW CRAB LEGS

Senior Citizens 60+ $2.00 OFF DINNER • Opening Hour: Lunch 11:30am-3:30pm • Dinner 5:00pm-10pm (Mon-Thu) 5:00-10:30pm (Fri-Sun)

Happyy HolidaysWe are open to celebrate with youOpen Christmas Eve and Christmas DayOpen New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

BY BRITTANY NGUYEN

Navarro Discount Pharmacy, the largestHispanic-owned pharmacy chain in theU.S. and an MBF Healthcare portfoliocompany, has opened its 32nd store at14055 SW 88 St. in West Kendall.

“The new store in West Kendall is wellpositioned in the Kendale Lakes Plazaamong other discount brand retailers,” saidJuan Ortiz, president/CEO, NavarroDiscount Pharmacy. “We are also pleasedto return to the Kendall area and meet thedemands of the community looking forNavarro’s everyday low pricing and uniqueassortment.”

The first 100 customers on opening dayreceived a free Navarro reusable bag filledwith product and there was free productsampling throughout the day. Free bloodpressure, glucose, cholesterol and weightscreenings were held on opening day con-cluding with a mini wine festival.

“The Kendall store has several newdepartments including a garden center,staffed opy center and a cafeteria,” saidGuillermo Mestre, store manager. The23,500-square- foot store layout featuresnew colors and enhanced signage inEnglish and Spanish, wider aisles, a fra-

grance section with added light boxes andmore products in the refrigerated food anddairy section.

Navarro’s unique services for cus-

tomers include a pediatric window forbusy parents, compounding pharmacyservices, a free Diabetes Club for adultsand children with diabetes, a Mommy and

Me Club and free prescription deliveryfor all customers.

Navarro’s signature products forHispanics also available in the West Kendallstore include Café La Llave Expresso coffeeand Fabuloso multi-purpose cleaner pluspopular brands such as Valentini, ElSembrador and La Fe. Navarro’s new VidaMia store brand products, with labels inEnglish and Spanish, also are availablethroughout the store in a variety of cate-gories including baby, beauty, food, house-hold, health and over-the-counter.

Headquartered in Miami, NavarroDiscount Pharmacy was founded inHavana, Cuba, in 1940 and opened its firststore in the U.S. in 1961. With 32 storelocations, Navarro is the largest Hispanic-owned drugstore chain in the U.S. As acommunity pharmacy, the stores cater toHispanic and ethnic markets and furtherdifferentiate themselves by offering manyproducts and services that are not found intraditional drugstores such as wirelessphones, designer fragrances, a large assort-ment of OTC and vitamins/supplementsand in-store health screenings as part theirWellness Wednesday program.

For more information, visit online at<www.navarro.com>.

Navarro Discount Pharmacy opens its 32nd store in WK

Navarro Discount Pharmacy’s new store recently opened at 14055 SW 88 St.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––



For Ticket Purchase $50 in advance $60 at the door Includes: Champagne Glass Live music, DJ Music & Party Favors

Experience the New Year in anOld Town with fun for the whole family:Cash Bar AvailableClassic Rock & Roll BandCall in Advance to Reservea Table 305-878-1410 y

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22400 Old Dixie Hwy, Miami, Fl 33172 www.cauleysquare.comFor more information: (305) 258-3543 / 305-878-1410



Accepting New Patients

Kiley Reynolds, D.O.Interventional Pain

Management Physician

Full Service PainManagement Care

American Board of Anesthesiology

8200 SW 117th Avenue,Suite 312, Miami, FL 33183

Ph: 305.595.7246Fax: 305 595 7242

www.superiorpainsolutions.com

Board Certifiedand

Fellowship Trained

Kiley J. Reynolds, D.O, physician owner, was introduced by theMayor of the

City of Miami, Tomas Regalado, during this exciting day. In attendance during

the day's celebration were theAssistant Manager of the City of Miami -Alice

Bravo, representatives from Florida SenatorMarco Rubio's office, members

of Chamber South, and other members of the Miami community. The ribbon

cutting represented a lifetime accomplishments for Dr. Reynolds whose goal

was to open his own practice to be able to help patients decrease their pain and

'Live your life again.' Dr. Reynolds stated 'this day represents the culmination

of hard work, dedication, and tremendous support from family and community.'

The day was filled with tours of this beautiful state of the art facility, free MRI

reviews and explanation for the public, fantastic raffle prizes, and refreshments.

Dr. Reynolds is a new pain management physician in the area who is fellowship

trained and board certified in Pain Management by the American Society of

Anesthesiology and American Board of Anesthesiology.

Superior Pain Solutions celebrated its Grand Opening on December 6th, 2012

In the FamousWarehouse District by the Falls next to Battaglia Shoes8845 SW 132 St. • Miami, FL 33176 | 305.491.5651

Where High end and vintage meet... With prices that can’t be beat!Where High end and vintage meet... With prices that can’t be beat!Open: Monday to Friday 10:30am - 6pm - Sat. & Sun. 10am - 5pm

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Everything in the Store

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GRAND OPENING IN OUR NEWLY REMODELED STORE

Where Class & Vintage Meet

Upscale Furniture Consignment Gallery




“Hottest Golf Store In Town”

7045 SW 87th Ave. • Miami, FL 33173(305) 275-9070 • Fax: (305) 271-6085 • [email protected]

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Custom Club FittingOne Stop Tournament ShopPre-Owned Equipment

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Page 32 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM December 24, 2012

www.superiorpainsolutions.comPh: 305.595.7246 Fax: 305 595 7242

Accepting New PatientsKiley Reynolds, D.O.Interventional Pain

Management Physician

Full Service Pain Management Care

Board Certifiedand

Fellowship TrainedAmerican Board of Anesthesiology8200 SW 117th Avenue, Suite

312, Miami, FL 33183



Miami Dade College recently hosted a reception to officially open “Toledo/Toledo: Full Circle,” an exhibition ofdesigner Isabel Toledo’s pieces and her husband Ruben Toledo’s paintings and drawings. The exhibition, free andopen to the public, will run through Feb. 2, 2013 at the college’s Museum of Art + Design located in the Freedom

Toledo exhibition of art, fashionopens at MDC’s Freedom Tower


BY JAVIER PEREZ

Reader fascination with all things magicalin modern literature continues — from theHarry Potter novels to most recently,Deborah Harkness’ A Discovery of Witches.

Modern witches may be fantastical, yet his-tory reveals that in third-century Babylonia, inthe land where the word “magic” originated,real-life enchantresses used incantations foreveryday needs and desires.

Novelist Maggie Anton, author of theacclaimed Rashi’s Daughters series, shares ayoung woman’s entry into this world ofancient sorcery in Rav Hisda’s DaughterBook I: Apprentice (Plume Original; August2012; $16)

As Rome battles Zoroastrian Persia fordominance, Babylonia is in conflict. Amidthe turmoil, Talmudic sage Rav Hisda andhis colleagues struggle to establish newJewish traditions after the destruction ofJerusalem’s Holy Temple.Hisdadukh, Rav Hisda’s beautifuland learned daughter, is coming ofage. As a child, when asked whichof her father’s two best students —Rami or Abba — she wished tomarry, she shockingly answered,“both.”

Precluded from Torah studiesbecause of gender, Hisdadukh embarkson the torturous path to become a cha-rasheta, or enchantress, under the tute-lage of her brother’s wife, Rahel.

Soon Hisdadukh marries the older Ramiand is caught up in marriage and motherhood,although it is clear that Abba has not lost inter-est in her. When her newfound happiness isderailed by a series of tragedies, a grievingHisdadukh must decide if her path lies in theway of sorcery, despite the peril.

With Rav Hisda’s Daughter Book I:Apprentice, Anton brings ancient Babyloniato life from a woman’s perspective — weav-ing historical detail with complex charactersfor an engaging story of love and faith.

For details visit <www.ravhis-dasdaughter.com>.

Maggie Anton is the award-winning author of historical fic-tion series Rashi’s Daughtersand Rav Hisda’s Daughter aswell as a Talmud scholar withexpertise in Jewish women’s his-tory. She was born MargaretAntonofsky in Los Angeles, CA,

where she still resides.Raised in a secular household, she reached

adulthood with little knowledge of her Jewishreligion. In the early 1990s, Anton beganstudying in a women’s Talmud class taught byfeminist theologian Rachel Adler. Twentyyears later, she continues her learning individ-ually and with a study-partner.

Anton will appear in conjunction with theJewish Book Fair on Jan. 10, 7 p.m., at theDave and Mary Alper JCC, 11155 SW 112Ave. in Kendall.

Maggie Anton’s new novel weavestales of sorcery in ancient times

Maggie Anton––––––––––––––

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BY SUE ARROWSMITH

The acclaimed Center for Literature and

Theatre @ Miami Dade College (MDC)

has announced that parents and guardians

of children ages 4-7 can request a copy of

the picture book How Rocket Learned toRead by visiting the Center’s website and

joining the Generation Genius Reads Club.

Rocket is the Fall 2012 Generation

Genius Reads Official Selection for First

Graders. Thousands of books already have

been distributed to kids through the

schools.

In How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad

Hills, a curious puppy named Rocket

learns how to spell words out from an

enthusiastic little yellow bird that wants to

teach.

In addition, Otto the Book Bear has been

chosen as the Spring 2013 Official

Selection for Kindergarteners. Otto

explores the world outside his usual home

and discovers a library full of book charac-

ters, just like him.

Both books encourage learning and

exploration and the value of challenging

yourself to do something new. Thousands

of Otto books will go to kindergarteners in

Miami-Dade and Broward schools in

January. Parents and guardians again will

be able to sign up individually to the

Generation Genius Reads Club to receive a

free copy of Otto.

“It’s all about developing love of books

and reading at an early age,” said Alina

Interian, director of Cultural Affairs at

Miami Dade College. “When kids love to

read, they have an easier time in school,

across the subjects.”

The Center is able to carry out these

book giveaways, and other literacy pro-

gramming for children, thanks to the gen-

erous support of foundations and other

sponsors.

The Center for Literature and Theatre at

Miami Dade College promotes reading,

writing and theater at locations throughout

South Florida by consistently presenting

activities open to all. Its Generation

Genius programs for children and teens

promote literacy and learning.

Its creative writing program has national

appeal, and courses are taught by local and

visiting authors. The Center produces the

annual Miami Book Fair International,

regarded as the largest and finest literary

gathering in the U.S. It also is home to

Prometeo Theatre, the nation’s leading

Spanish language, conservatory-style pro-

gram offering training for actors, and fea-

turing performances throughout the year.

In 2012, the Center celebrates its 10th year

with a renewed commitment to the

advancement of literary and theatre arts.

To request a free copy of the book and

for more information, call 305-237-3940

or visit <www.thecenteratmdc.org>.

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BY TERE ESTORINO FLORIN

Miami Dade College (MDC) is search-ing for more alumni to feature in its alum-ni advertising campaign, “I Am MDC.”

Over the years, this important campaignhas been instrumental in highlighting suc-cessful MDC alumni through daily ads inlocal newspapers and on college marketingmaterials.

Beginning in 1998, the “I Am MDC”campaign has featured more than 3,500successful alumni. It showcases the contri-butions MDC graduates make to the com-munity and beyond. Their success alsosends a powerful message to potentialMDC students, as it validates the quality ofthe educational programs offered by thecollege.

“My fellow alumni serve as an inspira-tion to us all,” said Annabelle Rojas (MDC’84), executive director of the Miami DadeCollege Foundation.

For more information about being fea-tured in the campaign, call 305-237-3792or email <[email protected]>.

Miami Dade College is the nation’slargest institution of higher education withan enrollment of more than 174,000 stu-dents. It also is the nation’s top producer ofAssociate in Arts and Science degrees andawards more degrees to minorities than anyother college or university in the country.

The college’s eight campuses and out-reach centers offer more than 300 distinctdegree programs including several bac-calaureate degrees in education, publicsafety, supervision and management, nurs-ing, physician assistant studies, film, engi-neering, and others. In fact, its academicand workforce training programs arenational models of excellence.

MDC also is renowned for its rich cul-tural programming. It is home of theMiami Book Fair International, MiamiInternational Film Festival, the MDC Live!Performing Arts Series, the NationalHistoric Landmark Miami Freedom Tower,a sculpture park and a large art gallery andtheater system. MDC has served nearly 2million students since it opened its doors in1960.

Miami-Dade College seeking alumnifor ongoing ‘I am MDC’ ad campaign

BY JORGE MARTINEZ

Join the Fellowship of Christian Athletesas they celebrate athletes, coaches and par-ticipating communities at the 42nd annualOrange Bowl Prayer Breakfast. BaptistHealth South Florida once again will spon-sor the prayer breakfast on Saturday, Dec.29, 7:30 a.m., at Jungle Island.

This year’s breakfast includes a rafflethat features exclusive travel and leisureprizes. The breakfast will be emceed byformer South Florida television sportscast-er Khambrel Marshal and will feature for-mer Florida State University football greatSammie Smith as guest speaker.

Smith was born and raised in CentralFlorida where he fell in love with footballat an early age. While playing at ApopkaHigh School he began a legendary footballcareer and was recruited by FSU underCoach Bobby Bowden. At FSU, he demon-strated his extraordinary talents as a run-ning back and played with football greatDeion Sanders.

Smith was drafted in the first round bythe Miami Dolphins under Coach Don

Shula. As a running back with theDolphins, he played with Dan Marino andlater went on to play for the DenverBroncos with Coach Dan Reeves and JohnElway. His NFL career ended when he wasinjured, and Smith retired from the gamehe loved.

Following his retirement from football,he made a bad decision that landed him infederal prison where he served severalyears. There he deepened his faith andaccepted his calling to ministry after beingreleased in 2001. For more than a decade,he has been speaking publicly about hisexperiences and working with student ath-letes through the Fellowship of ChristianAthletes.

He currently lives in Lake County,Florida, with his wife, Shalonda, and theirchildren.

Tickets for the Baptist Health OrangeBowl Prayer Breakfast are $30 each or$500 to sponsor a table of 10. The event isopen to the public. For ticket information,call 305-445-1600. All proceeds from theevent will benefit the Fellowship ofChristian Athletes.

OB Prayer Breakfast to featureFSU’s Sammie Smith as speaker


BY ANDRIA C. MUÑIZ

PortMiami welcomed Mickey, Minnie,Goofy and Pluto recently as Disney CruiseLine celebrated its new homeport withCaribbean sailings departing from Miamibeginning in December.

“We are thrilled to welcome DisneyCruise Line to PortMiami” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.“This is the first time the world renownedbrand will operate from South Florida.Disney Cruise Line is a great addition toour port’s growing roster of cruise brands.”

The Disney Wonder will begin sailingfrom PortMiami on Dec. 23 with a sched-ule of cruises to the Bahamas and WesternCaribbean. The Disney characters were intown on Nov. 28 to launch the move toMiami, which will serve as the cruise line’ssecond homeport in Florida.

“Disney Cruise Line has always cateredto the unique vacation needs of families —we are pleased to welcome them toMiami,” said Bill Talbert, president of theGreater Miami Convention and VisitorsBureau. “The powerful Disney and Miamibrands make a great combo in promotingour locale to visitors around the world.”

PortMiami, long known as the “CruiseCapital of the World,” is in the midst of amajor expansion that includes three newcruise lines and five newbuild vessels.

“The 2012-13 cruise season marks ourlargest expansion ever, bringing more newcruise brands and newbuild vessels here ina single cruise season than ever before,”said PortMiami director Bill Johnson.“Already the busiest cruise port in theworld, PortMiami looks forward to contin-ued growth of our cruise industry which isa critical component of South Florida’s

No. 1 industry, tourism.”In addition to the family-oriented

Disney line, the port recently welcomedupscale Regent Seven Seas Cruises to itsfleet. Regent began sailing from Miami inearly November and will add a second shipto itineraries in January. Additionally, theMediterranean line, MSC Cruises, willbegin sailing from PortMiami in the fall of2013 when it brings its newest ship, theMSC Divina here.

PortMiami recently welcomed theCarnival Breeze, the newest and largestship in Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet. Othernew builds arriving at the port includeOceania Cruise Line’s Oceania Riviera,and Celebrity Cruise Line’s CelebrityReflection. Additionally, in 2014,Norwegian Cruise Line will bring theNorwegian Getaway to homeport inMiami.

PortMiami is among America’s busiestports and recognized across the globe withthe dual distinction of being the CruiseCapital of the World and the CargoGateway of the Americas. PortMiami con-tributes more than $18 billion annually tothe South Florida economy and helps pro-vide direct and indirect employment formore than 180,000.

For more information visit online at<www.miamidade.gov/portmiami>.

PortMiami welcomes Disney with Mickey and Company visit

Mickey Mouse soon will be a South Florida regular when the Disney Wonder begins sailing from PortMiami.

CRUISE NEWS


Redland Heritage Festival returnsto Fruit and Spice Park, Jan. 12-13BY CATHY GUERRA

Celebrate the New Year at the 38th

annual Redland Heritage Festival on

Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13, 2013

at the Fruit and Spice Park located at

24801 SW 187 Ave. in Homestead.

The Redland Heritage Festival, a Fruit

and Spice Park staple event, celebrates the

unique heritage and history of the Redland

agricultural community. Participating ven-

dors will showcase traditional natural arts

and crafts and nurseries will sell native

plants and tropical fruit trees. There also

will be a children’s area featuring pony

rides, face painting and “Water Walking”

as well as a variety of entertainment for

everyone.

Featured entertainment performing both

onstage and impromptu throughout the

park include: “Archibaldo” the Living

Statue, “Old Fashioned” music with Ed

and Geraldine Birbaum, and the “Amazing

Chris” who will dazzle spectators with

mind boggling magic and storytelling.

Live animal shows and an educational dis-

cussion of native Florida wildlife will be

conducted by naturalists from Zoo Miami.

Animals featured include exotic birds, rep-

tiles, snapping turtles, and other incredible

creatures.

Admission is $8 per person and children

under 12 years of age are admitted free.

Doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.

For more information, call the Fruit and

Spice Park at 305-247-5727.

Fruit & Spice Park, operated by the

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation

and Open Spaces Department, grows more

than 500 varieties of sub-tropical fruits,

herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts from

around the world on 39 lush acres in the

agricultural Redland. The park offers daily

botanical tours, fruit tasting and naturalist

led workshops.

For more information, visit online at

<www.fruitandspicepark.org> or call 305-

247-5727.

BY GABRIELA LAMBERTUS

Cirque du Soleil returns to Miami withTOTEM, a new Big Top production. Writtenand directed by Robert Lepage, TOTEM pre-mieres on Jan. 10, 2013 for a limited engage-ment under the blue and yellow Big Top at itsnew Miami location — next to Sun LifeStadium, Lot 14.

Since its world premiere in 2010, TOTEMhas visited over 15 different cities in four dif-ferent countries and performed in front ofmore than 1.5 million spectators. TOTEMmarks the eighth Cirque du Soleil Big Toptouring show to visit Miami since 1989.

Tickets are now available online at cirque-dusoleil.com/totem.

The word “totem” contains the idea of theorder of species. We carry in our bodies thepotential of all species, all the way to ourdesire to fly — like the thunderbird at the topof the totem pole.

Written and directed by Robert Lepage,TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of thehuman species from its original amphibianstate to its ultimate desire to fly. The charac-ters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle,the symbol of origin for many ancient civi-lizations.

Inspired by many founding myths,TOTEM illustrates, through a visual andacrobatic language, the evolutionaryprogress of species. Somewhere between sci-ence and legend, TOTEM explores the tiesthat bind man to other species, his dreamsand his infinite potential.

The cast of TOTEM comprises 52 per-forming artists from 19 countries.

Sponsors that Cirque du Soleil gratefullyacknowledges are Infiniti, CGI, Xerox andSun Life Financial as the Official Sponsorsof the US 2012-13 TOTEM Tour.

For more information about Cirque duSoleil, visit online at cirquedusoleil.com.

Cirque du Soleil returns toMiami with new production

Pictured isa HoopDancerfrom thenew Cirquedu Soleilproduction— TOTEM.

(Photo credit:OSA images)

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BY NANCY EAGLETON

A tobacconist is an expert dealer in tobac-co and its related accoutrements.

My Tobacconist Smoke Shop in PalmettoBay definitely lives up to its name. The shop ishome to South Florida’s largest selection ofhookah, hookah accessories and tobacco, pre-mium cigarettes, pipes, pipe tobacco and more.

My Tobacconist recently celebrated itsfourth anniversary and its move to a new1,600-square-foot location on Fern Street —nearly double the size of its original location.The expanded space has allowed owners BenCarrasco and Wendy Gochenour to fill thewalls of their shop with more than 100hookahs, ranging in price from $20-$250.

Customers can choose from more than 80different hookah tobacco flavors, includingsuch popular brands as Starbuzz Tobacco,Social Smoke, Fantasia and Haze. For thosewho would like to enjoy smoking hookahwithout nicotine, My Tobacconist also offersa variety of non-tobacco alternatives.

Carrasco and his staff host a wildly popu-lar exhibition, demonstration and celebrationof hookah smoking every Wednesdayevening. Hookah Nite allows customers toexperience hookahs and try new flavorswhile mingling with friends in the indoorlounge and outdoor patio.

At My Tobacconist, customers will find avast selection of premium cigarettes, ciga-rette tobacco, rolling papers and clove cigarsfrom many of the world’s premier tobaccomanufacturers including Nat Sherman,Natural American Spirit, Djarum, Elements,Dutch Masters and RAW.

“I’ve developed relationships with well-known national and international manufac-turers to offer our customers the very bestproducts at the best prices,” Carrasco said.

Pipe smoking is making a comeback. MyTobacconist proudly stocks American-made

hand-blown glass pipes, a good choice forthe modern pipe smoker. Glass pipes can beblown into many forms and shapes and manyeven change color with use. Hand-blown,highly collectible and totally unique, eachpipe is a stunning work of art.

“We proudly support American glassblow-ers and don’t carry any imported glass,”Carrasco added.

Pipe enthusiasts also will discover that MyTobacconist has the largest selection of tradi-tional briar wood pipes in South Florida.

“These classic wooden pipes are like theones your grandfather smoked,” Carrasco said.

Hand-carved meerschaum pipes importedfrom Turkey make great gifts. These qualitypipes are carved from single blocks of meer-schaum, a mineral mined by hand in the sametraditional methods used hundreds of years ago.

For a healthier way to “smoke” try avaporizer from Silver Surfer, Magic-Flight orAtmos. Vaporizers heat the tobacco in a par-tial vacuum, and the active compounds arethen boiled off to form a vapor that can beinhaled. This process releases zero tar mak-ing vaporizing the healthiest way to“smoke.” My Tobacconist offers a full rangeof vaporizers and accessories.

Carrasco and his knowledgeable staff helptheir customers select the perfect product.Wander the shop and you will find uniquetreasures not found elsewhere: Novelty T-shirts and bags, jewelry, incense, candles,posters, wind chimes, masks and local artobjects. If you’re looking for a hip BobMarley item, My Tobacconist has that, too.

Stop by My Tobacconist Smoke Shop andstay awhile. The company is friendly, freecoffee is brewing and the vibe is great.

My Tobacconist Smoke Shop is located inFern Street Plaza at 9869 E. Fern St., inPalmetto Bay. For more information, call305-378-9223 or visit online at<www.MyTobacconist.com>.

My Tobacconist Smoke Shop offerspremier products and good vibe

The friendly team at My Tobacconist Smoke Shop will help you find what you are looking for and more.


The Subaru Outback has been a company

mainstay since it was introduced in Japan in

1994. For 2013, it gets revised styling, a new

and more efficient powertrain, and it debuts

the new EyeSight driver-assist system.

Additionally, chassis enhancements

improve both ride quality and agility, and

there are new amenities and audio/infotain-

ment capabilities.

Outback has a restyled front end, with new

headlights, grille, front bumper and fog

lights, giving it a more powerful appearance.

Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive dis-

tinguishes the Outback and it continues with

8.7 inches of ground clearance, higher than

many crossovers and some dedicated SUVs.

The 2013 Outback 2.5i models debut a

new double-overhead-cam (DOHC) 2.5-liter

FB series Boxer engine for increased per-

formance and fuel efficiency. The new

engine produces 173 hp and 174 pounds-feet

of torque. The new engine produces greater

low-end torque across a broad speed range,

making the 2013 Outback 2.5i models feel

more responsive in everyday driving.

Outback 2.5i and 2.5i Premium models

offer a choice between a standard six-speed

manual transmission and the second-genera-

tion Lineartronic CVT, which is standard on

2.5i Limited models. Outback 3.6R models

continue with a 256-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder

Boxer engine and five-speed electronically

controlled automatic transmission. Subaru

says the 2013 Outback 2.5i with the

Lineartronic CVT gets 24/30 mpg.

The 2013 Outback models debut Subaru’s

new EyeSight driver-assist system, which

integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-

Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane

Departure Warning. EyeSight uses a stereo

camera design developed by Subaru to pro-

vide a detection angle wider than that of

radar-based systems.

The EyeSight system processes stereo

images to identify the vehicles traveling in

front, as well as obstacles, traffic lanes and

other items. Below speeds of 19 mph,

EyeSight is capable of detecting pedestrians

or objects in the vehicle’s path and can acti-

vate in order to mitigate or even avoid the

collision.

Under certain circumstances, EyeSight is

able to bring the car to a complete stop. At

speeds above approximately 19 mph, EyeSight

can apply the brakes when an object is detect-

ed, and will attempt to brake if the driver takes

no evasive action, or does not brake appropri-

ately, to help mitigate collision damage.

The Lane Departure and Sway Warning

feature can detect if the car begins to wander

outside the intended lane without a turn sig-

nal being used, or if the car begins to sway

within the travel lane.

Intended for freeway use, EyeSight’s

Adaptive Cruise Control system can maintain

a safe distance from the vehicle in front,

braking and/or accelerating the car as needed

to maintain the driver-selected target speed

and traveling distance.

Pricing on the 2013 Subaru Outback starts

at $23,495.

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 Subaru Outback has new engine, revised styling

LET’S TALK CARS

Ron BeasleyAUTOMOTIVE EDITOR

Outback has arestyled frontend, with newheadlights,grille, frontbumper and foglights.


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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

Independently Owned

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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.

66 W. Flagler Street, Suite 300 • Miami, Florida 33130(305) 379-1500

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.



ARE YOU 62 OR OLDER? Then a Reverse Equity Mortgage could be right for you!

Para Información En Español: 305-491-6862

For A No Obligation Review Call786-247-0547

Equal Opportunity Lender

9485 SW 72 Street, Suite A150Miami, Florida 33173

FHA Approved Lender

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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Dec. 25, 2012/Jan. 7, 2013 Page 51

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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.

73600 SWW 1088 Ter

Spacious 5 bdrm, 3 bath home boasts over 4,200 squarefeet, with large screened in pool and outdoor bar. Updatedkitchen. Front bedroom combines two bedrooms to make

one large room. Spacious formal living and dining rooms.Perfect for entertaining. 2 car garage.

$795,000

19000 Pizarroo St

Mediterranean style home in Coral Gables! 4 bdrm/ 3bath, built in 1989. Renovated kitchen with custom cabi-netry, granite counter tops and stainless appliances. Onebdrm & full bath downstairs. Great for entertaining w/courtyard off dining room and pavered patio in backyard.1.5 car garage. $699,000/For rent $4,500 per month

170700 SWW 744 Pl

Tastefully updated 4 bdrm/3.5 bath, 3,700 sq ft home ingated community of Old Cutler Palms in Palmetto Bay.Beautiful kitchen, expansive living areas, great for enter-taining. Lush landscaping surrounds private pool andhome on just over 17,200 sq ft lot. 3 car garage.

$725,000

20020 Cutler Ct (Seller)

15995 SW 240 St (Seller)

4218 Braganza Ave (Seller)

15305 SW 77 Ct (Buyer)

605 W Flagler St TS6 (Buyer)

1155 Brickell Bay Dr #505 (Buyer)

935 Palermo Ave #2B (Seller and Buyer)

9394 SW 77 Ave #F9 (Buyer)

2020 SW 99 Ave (Seller and Buyer)

4990 SW 64 Pl (Buyer)

818 Medina Ave (Seller)

515 Palermo Ave (Buyer)


15725 SW 87 Ct (Seller)

13500 SW 73 Ct (Seller)

6525 SW 134 Dr (Seller)


810 Lugo Ave (Seller and Buyer)

23190 SW 157 Ave (Seller and Buyer)

8891 SW 208 Te (Seller)

1501 Bella Vista Ave (Seller)

12821 SW 82 Ave (Buyer)

1340 Blue Rd (Seller)

1519 Granada Blvd (Seller)

7620 SW 109 Ter (Seller)


10220 SW 86 St (Seller and Buyer)

15354 SW 170 Ter (Buyer)

3901 S Ocean Dr #8Q (Seller and Buyer)



18800 SW 92 Ave (Seller)


1430 Tunis St (Seller)



6201 SW 50 St (Buyer)



8010 SW 63 Pl (Seller)

421 Sevilla Ave (Buyer)


5990 Paradise Point Dr (Buyer)

8125 SW 152 St (Buyer)

12192 SW 123 Pass (Seller)

14601 Snapper Dr (Seller)

12041 SW 64 Ave (Buyer)

6222 Paradise Point Dr (Buyer)




Documents

South Miami News 12.25.2012