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    Maria Alejandra Castaño: Passionate Leadership at Loretta & the Butcher

    Coconut Grove, Miami’s oldest neighborhood, has quietly evolved into one of South Florida’s most successful business communities – and it’s no accident. With its blend of charm, strategy, and community, the Grove offers a blueprint for how local economies can thrive.

    At the heart of its success is a strong sense of community. And at the heart of the Grove’s bustling downtown district are independent businesses, like Loretta and the Butcher on Commodore Plaza, with Maria Alejandra Castaño at the helm.

    By cultivating a loyal customer base that values authenticity and true connection, Castaño’s quaint bistro tucked between the busy shops and other businesses on Commodore Plaza has fast become a beloved neighborhood staple.

    “Since the very beginning, we wanted to be more than just a restaurant. We’ve built real relationships with our guests and with other businesses in the Grove. We know their names, their favorite dishes, and make each visit one that feels like they’re home.” The loyalty and warmth of their customers continue to fuel the restaurant’s growth.

    Culinary Passion

    With a passion for Argentine cuisine and making guests feel at home, she’s created a fine restaurant that’s a one way ticket to Buenos Aires. Her journey proves that with the right ingredients, vision, and boldness, anything is possible.

    Beyond perfecting beef, Loretta & the Butcher honors an iconic Argentine culinary tradition, led by the passionate and determined Castaño. As a powerful woman in a male-dominated industry, she runs a restaurant that embodies authenticity, quality, and community in the deepest sense.

    Castaño’s love for food began in her childhood, growing up in Colombia where meals are a symbol of unity and tradition. “Since I was a little girl, cooking has been my passion and my way of expression. And I’ve always been fascinated by how the right dish can tell a story, awaken emotions, and bring people together.”

    Her admiration for Argentina’s beloved cuisine eventually led her to acquire Loretta & the Butcher, where she brings the essence of la parrilla (Argentine grill) to the Grove. With respect for each cut of meat and a dedication to using the highest quality ingredients, she ensures each dish represents the true flavors of Argentina.

    “Loretta & the Butcher is more than a restaurant; it’s a total experience. We want patrons to feel transported to Argentina through flavors, aromas, and the welcoming warmth of the atmosphere.”

    What Makes an Argentine Grill Great?

    A true Argentine “parrilla” is more than just grilled meats, it’s a whole ritual. “Everything starts with the highest quality cuts, cooked over fire with patience. Coarse salt is all the seasoning that’s needed to highlight the succulent meat’s true flavor.”

    But beyond the food, it’s about connection. “A true parrilla is meant to be shared with friends and family, with melted provoleta, a glass of wine, and, of course, chimichurri to add the final touch. It’s about friends and family gathering around the grill, living in the moment filled with passion.” At Loretta & the Butcher, every meal is designed to capture that spirit.

    Breaking Restaurant Industry Barriers

    Running a restaurant as a woman comes with some challenges, but Castaño has always met them head-on with the utmost confidence and perseverance. “The biggest challenge has been breaking biases and stereotypes in a typically male-dominated industry, and proving that female leadership is equally strong and strategic.”

    Balancing her roles as a businesswoman, mother, and wife is no easy feat, but Castaño has cultivated a restaurant known for both excellence and inclusivity. “Seeing Loretta and the Butcher grow, curating a unique experience, and being passionate about leadership shows that you can balance those three crucial roles without giving up your dreams.”

    The True Taste of Argentina

    Loretta & the Butcher’s menu is specifically curated to immerse their guests in the authentic Argentine flavor. Signature dishes include bife de chorizo, ojo de bife, and entraña, all grilled to perfection.

    Another standout is Arroz del Gaucho, a bold, comforting dish that echoes Argentina’s rich culinary traditions, alongside their world-famous empanadas, crispy on the outside, boasting a variety of fillings, and bursting with flavor inside. Each dish transports guests straight to Buenos Aires, one bite at a time.

    What’s Next for Loretta & the Butcher?

    Looking ahead, Maria Alejandra envisions expanding Loretta & the Butcher while maintaining its warm and welcoming atmosphere. “We’re exploring new opportunities to bring our delicious dishes to even more people, all without losing the signature warmth that defines us.”

    Her journey is far from over, and that passion burns bright, strong as ever. “Oh, I believe the best is yet to come,” she says.

    ABOUT LORETTA AND THE BUTCHER
    Loretta And The Butcher is located 3195 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. Visit www.lorettaandthebutcher.como to learn more or call 786-618-9982.

    Coming Out with Gabriel Páez: Tanya K. Bhatt on Identity, Leadership & Representation in Miami Beach


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    On this episode of Coming Out with Gabriel Páez, special guest Tanya K. Bhatt, Miami Beach Commissioner, joins the conversation to share her journey, advocate for inclusivity, and reflect on leadership through authenticity.

    To learn more, visit: www.miamibeachfl.gov

    For more shows, visit: www.CommunityNewspapers.com/cnewstv

    ABOUT US:

    Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcastsmagazines, and newsletters.

    #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest #kendall #broward #biscaynebay

    Grant Miller Talks Vision & Leadership with Hialeah Mayoral Candidate Marc Anthony Salvat

    Grant Miller sits down with Marc Anthony Salvat, Candidate for Mayor of the City of Hialeah, to discuss his vision, priorities, and the future of leadership in one of Florida’s most vibrant cities.

    For more info, go to:
    www.hialeahfl.gov

    For more shows, go to: www.communitynewspapers.com/cnewstv

    ABOUT US:

    For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area. 

    This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.

    Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.

    If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com

    #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest #kendall #broward #biscaynebay

    Vets And Badges: Making Sense of the US. involvement in Iran & Israel war


    After the cease fire. City of Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Larisa Svechin’s thoughts on U.S. military involvement in striking Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites. Will #history repeat itself in Israel and Middle East? Will recents war events bring change in Iran? And, what are the implications for U.S. interests and global security?

    About Vets And Badges Hosts:

    Robert Asencio is a retired police Captain, former Florida State Representative, US Army Veteran who served as a member of the Special Operations community with over 34 years of public service experience.

    David Magnusson is a retired police Chief and Military Historian who has nearly 40 years of public service experience.

    Vets and Badges Podcast is an initiative of HEALING – a non-profit created to support veterans, first responder and community stakeholders.

    For more visit:

    HEALING Corp.

    VAB – 2025
    Info@VetsAndBadges.com
    www.VetsAndBadges.com

    ABOUT US:

    For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area. 

    This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.

    Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.

    If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com

    #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest #kendall #broward #biscaynebay

    Grant Miller visits the Mitzvah Kitchen, where we all come together to feed those in need!

    Grant Miller visits the Mitzvah Kitchen, where we all come together to feed those in need!

    #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest #kendall #broward #biscaynebay

    ABOUT US:

    Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcasts, magazines, and newsletters.

    Experience Luxury Sleep Like Never Before This Summer with the Hästens 2000T

    Hästens 2000T

    Summer invites us to slow down, relax, and indulge in life’s most refined comforts. At Brickell Mattress, we believe true relaxation starts with exceptional sleep, made possible through the world’s finest luxury beds. Among our premium collection, the Hästens 2000T luxury mattress stands unmatched, offering an unparalleled blend of sophistication, craftsmanship, and restorative comfort.

     

    For over 170 years, Hästens has set the standard for luxury sleep. Renowned globally for meticulous attention to detail and unwavering quality, each Hästens mattress reflects generations of perfected craftsmanship. The Hästens 2000T, specifically, exemplifies this dedication with each mattress being hand-crafted, ensuring precise, individualized comfort that perfectly contours to your body.

     

    The secret behind the Hästens 2000T lies in its remarkable combination of premium materials. Layers of meticulously arranged horsetail hair, known for its natural resilience and breathability, blend seamlessly with fine cotton and pure wool. This unique composition delivers a luxurious sleeping surface that feels both plush and supportive, catering to your body’s every curve and contour.

     

    At Brickell Mattress, we understand the transformative power of restful sleep. This is why we proudly feature the Hästens 2000T among our premium offerings. Our commitment is to elevate your sleeping experience beyond mere comfort, turning every night’s rest into a luxurious indulgence.

     

    This summer, invest in your well-being and redefine your sleep experience with a Hästens 2000T luxury mattress from Brickell Mattress. Visit us online or explore our Miami showroom to begin your journey toward exceptional comfort and unparalleled rest. 

     

     

    This article is sponsored by Brickell Mattress, ushering a new era in high-end mattress shopping experiences. Our Soho loft-inspired store welcomes you to unwind in our Free-Wifi coffee lounge while you browse through our luxury mattress collection, featuring acclaimed brands such as Hästens. Visit us online or in store today.

    Michael Miller Talks Strive305 & Economic Growth with Miami-Dade Senior Advisor Manny Cid


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    Michael Miller chats with Manny Cid, Senior Advisor for Economic Opportunity at Miami-Dade County, about Strive305, community growth, and the future of economic development.

    For more shows, go to: www.communitynewspapers.com/cnewstv

    ABOUT US:

    Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcastsmagazines, and newsletters.

    #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest #kendall #brickell

    Tips to help Florida residents navigate health care more easily and save more money

    In the past, an imperfect and often complicated health care system, along with rising costs, impacted consumers’ ability to easily access care.

    In fact, nearly 11% of adults nationally and nearly 13% in Florida avoided care due to the expense in the previous year, according to the America’s Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report.

    As technology continues to reshape many aspects of our lives, employers and health plans are increasingly offering new digital tools, benefits, and programs that aim to make the health care experience simpler, more affordable, and better.

    Here are three tips to more easily connect with quality care and potentially save more money.

    Take advantage of digital tools that help you compare care options: Many people like to research products before making a purchase, and the same is often true when it comes to health care. In fact, a recent study found that nearly half of people research doctors before scheduling an appointment.

    Comparing care options ahead of time and making more informed decisions may result in better access to care and lower costs. Some employers and health plans now offer innovative solutions that aim to do just that.

    Some of these new digital tools provide personalized results through a mobile app and website that help people make more informed decisions — like UnitedHealthcare’s new Smart Choice provider search experience.

    This enhanced provider search experience creates a clear and straightforward approach to navigating care options by showing eligible members prioritized Smart Choice results with a dynamic score for each provider based on quality, convenience and the member’s health benefits and personal preferences.

    Eligible UnitedHealthcare members with employer-sponsored health plans now have access to Smart Choice through the member app and website. Talk to your employer and health plan about what’s available to you.

    Understand what wellness programs are available. About 80% of U.S. businesses with more than 50 employees now offer wellness programs, according to a recent survey, but many people don’t fully take advantage of all that’s available to support their health and well-being.

    Some employer wellness programs can help people stay focused on their health goals, manage chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, and even save more money, in part by utilizing technology.

    UnitedHealthcare’s Level2® combines the technology of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), easy-to-use member mobile app and a virtual care team of doctors, nurses, registered dietitians and a coach. Level2 aims to help people living with type 2 diabetes gain valuable insights to help improve their glucose levels.

    You may be eligible for incentive-based wellness programs available through some employers designed to reward healthier choices. With these programs, eligible members can earn rewards for completing tasks like taking a health survey, getting an annual checkup, walking a certain number of steps, tracking hours slept and more.

    Make your mental health a priority. Taking care of your mental health is important to your overall well-being as your emotional frame of mind may impact your physical health. If you’re struggling, treatment may help you feel better and live a healthier life.

    Mental health challenges continue to grow and can have a significant impact on working age adults and many others. To focus on just one condition, 40 million American adults suffer from anxiety disorders that can impact quality of life and well-being, and anxiety is now the No. 1 mental health issue among American workers.

    To address these challenges, many employers offer accessible and flexible mental health offerings — such as therapy apps and virtual counseling, which can provide convenient, confidential support.

    One example is Calm Health. It’s an evidence-based mental health app that provides personalized support to help users manage their well-being. Calm Health offers resources to help support in-the-moment mental health, including:

    • Mental health screenings
    • Coaching and therapy referrals
    • Personalized programs and daily self-care content.

    Some health plans also offer behavioral health care programs to help with substance use, stress, anxietydepression and more. Some health insurers also have specially trained advocates available to help members find the right type of behavioral health care or resources.

    Make virtual care a starting point. Virtual care, also called telehealth, has expanded from helping people who are already sick to detecting and preventing illnesses and more effectively managing chronic conditions.

    Many people enjoy the flexibility offered by virtual care, and some plans are now built around it. Virtual care offers 24/7 access to urgent care, in addition to access to medical and behavioral health and other care via a smartphone, tablet or computer — and transitions to in-person support, when necessary.   Other options may include virtual primary care for regular health visits or virtual therapy for care from a behavioral health professional.

    Marketing that Moves the Needle: How Miami’s Community News Builds Custom Campaigns for Advertisers

    At Miami’s Community News, we do more than just run ads — we create personalized marketing plans that help local businesses grow. Whether you’re a neighborhood shop or a large organization, we use a mix of print, digital, video, and in-person opportunities to get your message out and make real connections.

    Here’s how we do it:

    We start by learning what your goals are. Then we build a plan using a combination of tools that may include:

    Website Advertising
    Your ad or story appears on www.communitynewspapers.com, where thousands of readers come for local news and updates.

    E-Newsletters
    We can feature your business in one of our email newsletters that go out every week to people across Miami-Dade and Broward.

    Neighborhood Publications
    With 13 local print editions, we get your message into the hands of readers in communities from Kendall to Aventura and Broward County — neighborhoods we’ve been serving for decades.

    Social Media Posts
    We share your content across Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms — reaching thousands of people who follow us for news and community updates.

    CNEWS TV – Videos & Podcasts
    On www.cnewstv.com, we produce and post your in-studio podcast, on-camera interview, or sponsored feature — all recorded and edited professionally, then shared across our channels.

    On-Site Commercials
    We come to your business location to film short videos that you can use for social media, your website, or ads. It’s a great way to show off what you do and where you do it.

    Community Meet and Greets
    You can be a guest or sponsor at one of our monthly events, where we bring together elected officials, business owners, and community leaders. It’s a great way to get noticed and meet the right people — bringing people together is what we’re all about.

    Personal Introductions
    Sometimes, the best thing we can offer is a handshake and a name. We help connect you with people who can make a difference for your business.

    At Miami’s Community News, we help you tell your story — not just through ads, but through conversation, community, and connection.

    Let’s grow your business.

    Visit www.communitynewspapers.com or www.cnewstv.com, call 305-669-7355, or reach out directly to: Karina Soave at Karina@communitynewspapers.com or 305-582-9030

    Locally owned, community driven — since 1958. Bringing People Together.

    Miami Community Newspapers Hosts Meet & Greet Featuring Animal Services Director Annette Jose


    Miami’s Community Newspapers hosted a dynamic Meet & Greet bringing together business and civic leaders across South Dade. The event featured main speaker Annette Jose, Director of Animal Services, who shared impactful insights about the county’s efforts in pet welfare and community outreach.

    Also speaking were local leaders from across Miami-Dade:
    • John Eubanks – Vice Chairman, Palmetto Bay Business Association
    • Carlos Ribero – Chairman, GKBA & President of Profit Inc.
    • Johnathan Wilson – President, Pinecrest Business Association
    • Rick Alberty – Executive Director, ChamberSOUTH

    It was an inspiring morning of collaboration, community-building, and leadership in action.

    ABOUT US:

    Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcastsmagazines, and newsletters.

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