Sunny Isles Beach Confirms Fang Oliver International Ambassador to Asia

By

-

January 30, 2012

#15-12.15 — Left to right: Commissioner George “Bud” Scholl, Commissioner Jeanette Gatto, Vice Mayor Lewis J. Thaler, Sunny Isles Beach International Ambassador to Asia Fang Oliver, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Commissioner Isaac Aelion.

On December 15th, 2011, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Vice Mayor Lewis Thaler and city commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Fang Oliver as Sunny Isles Beach “International Ambassador to Asia.”

The international community of Sunny Isles Beach is growing! Our city is fast becoming world renowned throughout Asia and popular Asian communities within the United States. This is particularly due to the global travels and diligent work of our resident Fang Oliver. At the December commissioners meeting, Mrs. Oliver expressed herself humbly and respectfully, vowing to continue working hard to promote Sunny Isles Beach in every city she visits around the world.

Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and English, Mrs. Oliver is owner of Fang Oliver International Realty and Director of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce North America. Fang is also current Vice President and 2012 President designate of local Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Miami.

The Sunny Isles Beach International Asia Ambassador appointment recognizes Fang’s international knowledge, local achievements and community service. As an active member of the World Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, Fang has widely promoted Sunny Isles Beach to thousands of her fellow Asian community leaders while traveling many months in Taiwan, China, Thailand, Canada, France, Spain, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Guatemala, Australia and throughout the USA.

Working with Ms. Ibis Romero, Executive Director of the Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council, Fang is delighted to see our international residents, visitors and tourism grow. Fang is currently working with city officials, Florida Taiwanese dignitaries and Senators in Taiwan to develop a Sunny Isles Beach sister city tourism partner with Toucheng Township in Yilan County, Taiwan. Toucheng is a fast growing oceanfront resort community popular with tourists for natural hot spring hotels, whale watching, yacht marinas, fishing, surfing, museums and a black sand beach with a view of the only active volcano in Taiwan. The volcanic “Turtle Island” is located just five miles from the Toucheng coast!

Born in 1971 in Taiwan, Fang experienced personal poverty but always directed her struggle to complete her education. Fang was ridiculed and discouraged by many but vowed to travel to the United States and successfully earned her Master’s degree from Columbia University in NYC. While working on her doctor’s degree, Fang taught English in Passaic County College in New Jersey before moving with her husband to Sunny Isles Beach in 2004. Since then, Mrs. Oliver has returned on business with invitations to meet many dignitaries and statesman within Taiwan. In 2008, Mrs. Oliver was honored to become a United States citizen.

Today as a licensed Real Estate broker, Fang is actively introducing our Florida’s Riviera lifestyle to distinguished Asian students and affluent investors worldwide. Our growing Asian community of residents in Sunny Isles Beach includes dignitaries and business owners that greatly appreciate the values of their waterfront purchases creating increased demand on our local inventories. In Sunny Isles Beach, our new Chef Phillip Ho restaurant on Collins Avenue is sure a welcome treat for Asian travelers and residents to enjoy Chinese authentic delights.

In her concurrent role as Vice President, Asia Division with J. Milton & Associates, Fang is welcoming new clients from Asia, assisting a smooth transition for EB-5 green card relocation to Sunny Isles Beach. You may contact Mrs. Oliver via Info@FangOliver.com or www.FangOliver.com for more information of the growing Asian community and learn about American citizenship through real estate investment. Someday we may envision direct flights from Asia to Miami Int’l Airport and a nearby Asia village to include a variety of Asian grocery, tea house, restaurants, cultural entertainment and specialty shops.

Sponsors and Scholarships added to existing Scholarship Program

By

Chief Fred Maas

-

January 30, 2012

38-chief-fred-maas1-200x300 — Chief Fred Maas

We are proud to announce that the 2012 College Scholarship Program has become even MORE INVITING to prospective college students. The number of scholarships available has now been increased to (9) nine, each of them at a $2,500.00 award per winning student. How did this come about?

The recent addition of several sponsors who are contributing both their financial and manpower support to the program is how this happened. The Sunny Isles Beach School Trust who helps sponsor the gala event as well as forms the backbone to the committee and the legwork involved has become a named sponsor.

Additionally, the Kiwanis Club of Sunny Isles Beach and North Miami Beach has joined as a sponsor of one scholarship due to the generosity of two donors to the Kiwanis Organization. Finally, the City of Golden Beach has joined “our team” by the gracious donation of (2) two scholarships for student/residents of Golden Beach who are college bound.

Vice Mayor Lewis Thaler conferred with the Special Projects Advisors to this program, namely Chief Maas and Susan Simpson and all agreed that since the process was already in place, let’s welcome the Golden Beach Community to join us. “It really seems to be the prudent and efficient way to go,” Thaler was quoted as saying. Everyone agreed and now the program just gets bigger and better and more beneficial to our college bound seniors.

But wait. No one is handing this to you. There are requisites and obligations and service to community involved. So we suggest you drop by either Sunny Isles Beach Government Center 1st floor or the Pelican Park Community Center or visit the Internet to secure your application from anyone of these three (3) sources.

Good luck and get started for your chance of securing one of those many scholarships.

Addicted to Asian

By

Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer

-

January 30, 2012

SHARI-LYNN.COLOR-(A) — Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer

The last column I wrote (which was before I “disappeared” for 10 days during the end of 2011) was about Chow Down Grill & Lounge, an amazing Chinese food eatery (well, actually two – one location is in Surfside on Harding Ave. and the other in South Beach on 9th and Alton), which happens to be the closest thing to “New Yorkstyle” Chinese food (sans the MSG, cornstarch, and added sugar) that I have tasted since coming to Florida. Every time I go there – and I tend to head to the South Beach location, although the intimate Surfside space is just around the corner from my condo in Aventura, I try something new. This time it was the organic chicken wings, which were tiny, perfectly fried, and super-delish and Pork Chow Fun, which provided thick rice noodles with just the right amount of chewy and give; and were filled with flavor.

Since then, I have been obsessed with Asian food, eating it everywhere (partially to compare, also because I cannot get enough and it is embarrassing returning to the same place day after day) and I cannot get enough of it in my body. Mostly Chinese, Chef Josh makes the best sweet and sour tofu in town – hands down, but there isn’t much competition, after all – who makes their own? I stop into Mr. Chef in Aventura solely because I can walk there. I admit, they do have a decent shrimp & lobster sauce – the shrimp are big and tasty – and are cooked just enough to pop when I bite into one. Eggrolls, one of my “guilty pleasures”, are always tough. Why? Because you grow up with “long and thin” or with more “girth” and that’s what you get used to, so by the time you are a grown-up – only one way will work. I like mine thicker – Mr. Chef’s are thin. It doesn’t make them bad…just different.

I also crave Japanese quite often. I look at sushi and sashimi as food groups. I’ve been motoring over to Katana (on 71st street) for the inexpensive plates of fish that are moved round and round on a water belt. I love the salmon sashimi. Served on a bed of onion (which I could do without!) and a dollop of mustard sauce (which I love), it could be one of the greatest surprises…ever! The salmon is sweet and buttery, just the right amount of fat and flesh…true beauty. The spicy scallop and spicy yellowtail are served in a band of Nori atop rice. Fresh, flavorful, great consistency – right on the money.

I also found Sushi Deli on the 79th Street Causeway, whose intimate digs and selection of fresh fish make me remember why I went in there to begin with. This is a place where they take their craft seriously – so don’t go if you’re strapped for time. But if you can chill out, poke around and wait for the hand cut pieces of tuna, yellowtail, salmon…or let the chef get creative for you.

But wait – there’s more to come. I want to expand my cravings to Thai, and when I get the yen for curry, it’s Eddie Hill or Thai House II. Being that I am of the “wimpy tongues”, I tend to stay closer to Massaman and Penang curries. Rich, thick, creamy and filled with flavor, any protein works in either dish – or try it with just veggies to really lighten up the meal. I always love Thai soup including Tom Yum – made with Coconut Milk, Keffir lime, lemongrass (which I happen to grow in my garden), mushrooms, and more. Dangerously to me, I could eat gallons.

So, what’s the point of this? Well, I am not sure, other than be it Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese – what may seem pedestrian, or foreign, or heavy, or whatever, are some of my greatest pleasures in life. When I think of chef Josh’s house-made peanut and duck sauces, it reminds me that Chinese food is meant to be eaten…often.

Shari Lynn Rothstein has been writing about food, wine, lifestyles and fashion for more than 20 years, in New York and Florida. She resides in Aventura. Shari can be reached at shari@slkcreative.com for comments, questions thoughts.

Buying a Condominium?

By

Ray Princiotta

-

January 30, 2012

A condominium is a good option to consider when shopping for housing in today’s volatile Miami/Dade real estate market. Many desirable condominium units are currently listed and are worth looking into for price and value. Condo living offers convenience and amenities like property maintenance and community living. However, the smart shopper should be aware there are some special considerations when buying a condo rather than buying a house.

A major consideration is that of control. Generally the condo buyer is a co-owner of a total facility which includes all properties and is managed by a Board or a Condo Association. Condo owners, at purchase, agree to abide by the rules and regulations that control all business of the facility. A home owner has no such rules and can, within legal limits, make all decisions about his property.

After viewing and liking the condo unit and the community, the prospective buyer needs to find out how much it will cost to own and live there. Top of the list is the Association’s Monthly Assessment fee which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. This fee usually covers the staff and maintenance of common areas such as lobby, elevators, hallways, parking garages, roof, facade, pool, gym, landscaping, etc. In other words, the fee includes pretty much everything outside the perimeter walls of the unit.

The Monthly Assessment is supplemented by Special Assessment charges for unanticipated repairs and/or capital improvement projects such as re-roofing and facade refurbishing. This charge is generally allocated pro-rata according to each unit’s percentage of common elements. Property taxes may or may not be handled by Special Assessments.

All costs of maintaining and repairing everything within the perimeter of the unit fall to the owner. This includes all kitchen and bathroom fixtures, floor covering, light fixtures, painting, etc. Owners are also responsible for insuring the contents of their unit, including fixtures, flooring, furniture and personal property.

After tallying up all the costs, the prospective buyer needs to check out the financial stability of the condominium community. Potential purchasers should review the Association’s financial records to determine it’s ability to manage finances. The Association needs to have appropriate amounts of funds set aside for the day-today operation of the community. If the Association is lacking funds that may be an harbinger of poor maintenance and upkeep in the future.Another concern is the overall status of the accounts receivable including the number and percentage of owners who are late on their monthly fees, and the total amount of money due the Associations. Financial acuity and transparency are of prime importance to the prospective buyer. Any indication otherwise is enough to postpone a sale.

The final task here is a careful reading of the Condominium Rules and Regulations. These are often the Quality-Of-Life issues that the Buyer needs to understand in order to ensure his total compliance. These will include rules for parking, pets, noise levels, number of people that can live in a unit, regulate use of common areas, changes to the exterior of the unit such as awnings, window treatments; in other words, anything that has the potential to change the exterior of the condominium unit. If there are questions, they must be discussed and conclusions be reached.

If everything seems satisfactory, condo living can offer a terrific lifestyle but it is important to buy into a good community with a financially strong and well-run Condominium Association.

Palm Beach County students organize a benefit concert for Nicaragua

By

Community Press Releases

-

January 30, 2012

Embarking on a new way to involve South Florida’s youth in philanthropy, Atlantic Community High School junior Samantha Kerker collaborated with students and faculty members at six Palm Beach County high schools to present a benefit concert Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at Mizner Park Amphitheater, in Boca Raton. Proceeds from this evening of music will build a Food For The Poor school in Chinandega, Nicaragua.

“By all of the students coming together in these Students For The Poor chapters, it has given us the strength and power to really impact a plethora of students lives,” said Samantha. “This school in Nicaragua will benefit hundreds of students, and will allow them to have a proper education. With more students getting a proper education, the generations will become stronger and wiser, and will eventually overcome their developing country status.”

Performers to include The Kinected (Pop Music), Kasper featuring Syxx Ent (Hip Hop/Rap), Amanda (Pianist, singing Adele songs), and Siren (Rock Band). Participating Students For The Poor chapters include Atlantic Community High School, Suncoast Community High School, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Palm Beach Central High School, Boca Raton Community High School, and West Boca Raton Community High School.

For additional information regarding benefit concert sponsorship levels, and tickets, available at $20 per person, please contact Monique Shaw by calling 1-877-654-2960 ext. 6069 or by emailing moniques@foodforthepoor.com. Information about how you can start a Students For The Poor chapter at your school is also available by request.

Samantha’s idea to start Students For The Poor chapters in Palm Beach County was inspired by the questions her peers asked about her Food For The Poor mission trip to Nicaragua. She found the travel experience to a developing country to be so unlike her experiences in the United States.

‘Train – or complain’

By

Bari Auerbach

-

January 27, 2012

Around this time of year, anyone who made a resolution to get in better shape is either psyched up to keep training – or still just complaining about weight plateaus or stubborn trouble spots. The good news is, it’s never too late to start attaining fitness goals or maintaining a fit physique with exercises that can be performed at a gym or in the comfort of your own home.

Better Butt: Olympic swimming champion Dara Torres highly recommends this elevating butt exercise: Prop a small stability ball up against a wall. Lie on your back facing the ball with your butt against it, arms at sides, feet on ball, knees apart. Lift your butt, hold for a beat as your bring knees together and then lower to start.

Toned Arms: Armed with light weights or even water bottles, you can do these arm and shoulder “Push, Pull, Kickback” sculpting moves recommended by celebrity trainer Kacy Duke.

Assume a squat position with legs bent about 45 degrees. Hold a light dumbbell in each hand, arms bent so the weights are positioned in front of the chest, palms facing each other. Extend arms straight out, pushing weights forward. Then bend elbows, squeeze shoulder blades together, and pull weights back to either side of chest. Finally straighten arms out behind you.

Great Legs: To tone and firm legs, bodyweight squats are multi-tasking exercise since they also recruit glutes, hamstrings, abdominals and lower-back.

To perform a bodyweight squat, stand with feet a little more than shoulder width apart, toes pointed 30 degrees out. Squat down pushing your butt out behind you, until you reach the desired depth. Push through your heels and then extend your legs until your knees are straight again. For an added challenge, you can perform squats holding dumbbells in each hand or weighted bar behind your neck.

Flat Abs: For “abs-solutely” amazing abdominals, try these movements on a stability ball: While lying on the ball, crunch up holding a dumbbell in one hand. Then switch dumbbell to other hand and repeat (instead of the dumbbell, you can also crunch up while holding a small medicine ball with both hands).

Motivation/Inspiration: Two health and fitness related events coming to Aventura could help you reach your goals before it’s time to make another New Year’s resolution!

Aventura Mall will host the Health & Lifestyle Expo, Saturday, Jan. 28 from noon-8 p.m. This event will be a unique gathering of a select number of doctors, healthcare providers and businesses sharing the goal to improve the lifestyle of people in South Florida. The news anchor team of WPLG Local 10 will also be at the event to greet shoppers.

On Sunday, Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Aventura Community Recreation Center is holding a Fitness and Wellness Fair promoting fitness and healthy lifestyle activities. The event will feature a live DJ, healthy lifestyle classes and demonstrations, plus fitness assessments with blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings by Mt Sinai Medical Center. Local businesses will also be on hand with refreshments. A free six month Community Recreation Center individual membership will be given to a lucky winner, who must be present at the drawing. For more information, phone: 305-466-3883 or visit cityofaventura. com

Holistic Health Care Miami promotes ‘wellness in the workplace’

By

Bari Auerbach

-

January 27, 2012

holistic-healthcare — Maria Stellato and Adriana Perez

Have you been working behind your computer for hours, straining your back? Has meeting a tight deadline left you uptight and stressed? If increasing wellbeing and productivity is your goal, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Maria Stellato and Adriana Perez – co-founders of Holistic Health Care Miami.

Stellato and Perez, licensed in Oriental and Chinese medicine, are promoting “wellness in the workplace” by providing holistic therapies that can create a positive effect on mind and body health.

“We believe holistic healing treatments are the most natural and effective way to correct energy imbalances in the body in order to achieve maximum health,” Stellato explains.

“We can treat a variety of symptoms and disorders using non-invasive, holistic modalities including acupuncture, massage and physical therapy, Chinese herbs, homeopathy and hypnotherapy, “adds Perez. “Healing Reiki treatments, skin care and nutritional counseling are also available.”

My aching back! If muscle pain has you off your game, ask for massage or physical therapy. Cupping treatments can also be given by an acupuncturist placing cups on specific body parts to create a vacuum effect relieving muscle pain and tension.

Aachoo! If office absenteeism is on the rise, prevent illness with an acupuncture treatment to help the body activate the immune system.

Ouch! If you bumped your knee on a file cabinet, try a Moxivustion treatment with an herb called mugwort that can accelerate the healing process.

Oh no! If the power went out in the middle of your power point, experience a Reiki treatment for stress reduction and relaxation.

Yawn! If you’re having trouble sleeping and your meeting is at 7 a.m., a hypnosis session can help overcome sleep disorders, depression and phobias. Short & sweet! If you’re a busy professional, hurry to Holistic Health Care Miami’s

“Short & Sweet” cost-effective, 20 minute sessions providing fast results when you’re in a rush or on a budget.

“We empower our patients by educating them on different approaches,” Perez says. “We find that bringing people into balance is the key to preventing and treating disease.” Stellato emphasizes, “Treatment goals can be realized through education and lifestyle changes leading to better health and greater success driven by ‘wellness in the workplace.’”

For more information about Holistic Health Care of Miami located at 17150 Northeast 19th Avenue in North Miami Beach, phone: 305-949-9828 or visit holistichealthcaremiami. com

DEAL KILLERS – PART 2 Overpricing and Ultra-conservative Appraisals

By

Ray Princiotta

-

January 27, 2012

In the process of buying and/or selling properties , appraisals are required by law but can create huge stumbling blocks. The more you are aware of possible pitfalls, the more you are able to deal with the current Florida real estate market. The old saying, “It ain’t over til it’s over” has never been more true. You’ve made a deal, Buyer and Seller are happy, and the Buyer’s bank needs an appraisal before moving ahead. Sounds great…well, maybe… but maybe not.

Here is an example. You decide to sell your home and you interview 3 real estate agents. They all make good presentations, have nice listing packages and marketing plans, and each one provides you with the all important Comparative Market Analysis, (CMA.) Agent # 1 says, based on his CMA, the listing price should be $349,000. Agent # 2 says, based on his CMA, you should list at $355,000. Agent # 3 thinks your unit is so much nicer than the competition and says it should be listed at $399,000. Of course you think your home is better than the neighbors, so you decide to go with the higher listing of $399,000. All the stars align and, two days after listing on the MLS a qualified Buyer appears who is being transferred to Miami and needs a home quickly. The offer he makes is gratifyingly near your asking price, you accept, and the buy/sell process begins. You celebrate, thinking it’s really much easier than you thought it would be.

The property goes under contract for the asking price of $390,000. The Buyer wants to finance 80%, which seems fine. Then the Buyer’s bank orders an appraisal. For many reasons, none of which are in anyone’s control, local appraisals are currently coming in horribly low, way under value. The appraisal comes in at $335,000 and everyone is screaming.

So how could this happen? It turns out there were no comparable sales in the immediate neighborhood, so according to normal and customary appraisal standards, the Appraiser expanded the search area and found a property that was similar. Unfortunately the expanded area, while adjacent, took in a completely different neighborhood on the other side of the highway where houses historically sold for 20-25% less than where the Seller’s house was located. Thus the $335,000 figure, while completely unfair, met the current guidelines and the Appraiser does not have the authority to change the appraisal. And the bank would not lend more than 80% of the appraised value.

Let’s look at math to understand what exactly it is that throws this whole deal off killer:

So the Buyer comes back to the Seller and says, “I don’t have the additional $44,000 to close; plus I’m not going to overpay for the property which the appraiser says is only worth $335,000.” Regardless of the facts the appraisal is flawed, and the Buyer’s feeling is valid. Finally, the parties can’t come to terms, the contact is cancelled and now the entire selling process begins again. The moral of this story: for the foreseeable future it appears that appraisals will be coming in low, so take this fact into consideration when pricing your condo to sell.

PRICE YOUR PROPERTY RIGHT FOR TODAY’S MARKET.

Festinger named COO of Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort

By

Nancy Eagleton

-

January 27, 2012

Robert Festinger has been promoted to chief operating officer at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort in Sunny Isles Beach. He was previously vice president of sales and marketing. In his new position, Festinger manages 480 employees and oversees the daily operations of the Newport Group, Kitchen 305, Seven Seas Aveda Spa & Salon, Newport Marketing, Newport Hospitality and Newport Vacation Club.

The Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort maintains 98 percent occupancy in its 321 rooms. Festinger attributes this success to the resort’s beautiful location, affordable rates, impeccable amenities and quality customer service.

“We go the extra mile to make our guests feel that this is their ‘home away from home,’” Festinger said. “We make everyone feel comfortable and yet remain unpretentious in our approach.”

Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort’s world-class amenities include 18,000 square feet of meeting space with top-notch catering services, the 7,500 square foot Aveda Spa & Salon where guests can relax and be pampered and Kitchen 305, named a Top 10 area restaurant by The Miami Herald.

Festinger began his career in the hospitality business in 1997 as the social and corporate catering sales manager at New York’s Terrace on the Park. He then moved to Florida to join The Signature Grand Catering Mansion and Conference Center in Davie. As the catering manager and director at the Starwood Hotel and Resort at the Westin Fort Lauderdale, he received the Starwood 2006 Platinum Award. He later joined the Chicago City Center Hotel & Sports Club and Inn of Chicago to oversee event and catering operations. Festinger returned to Florida in 2008 and began with the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort as director of sales and marketing.

Festinger said that throughout his career, his management style has remained ‘hands-on’ in order to meet the needs of his employees and the clients they serve.

“I am responsible for the livelihood of 480 people and that is a responsibility that I take very seriously,” concluded Festinger.

Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort is located at 16701 Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach. For more information, call 800-327-5476 or visit <www.newportbeachsideresort.com>.

Football Food

By

Shari Lynn Rothstein-Kramer

-

January 27, 2012

Just a few short weeks ago I was sure that my personal football season was coming to an end, and then it happened. The New York Giants beat the Jets…and the Cowboys (yay!)…and then the Falcons…and the Green Bay Packers…and just hours ago, down went the 49ers. Such a pity… NOT!

I am and have always been a die-hard Giant fan. They were always my football team. And being in Miami, I’d love to tell you that I feel something different, but quite frankly, I don’t. So, why am I telling you all of this? Well, mostly because it is a hot topic (check out Sport’s Center tomorrow morning), but even better, because more games equals More Game Food!

And even thought the next game is the final game of the season, it is the Super Bowl, so when the Giants meet the Patriots, the food is going to have to be unbelieveable!

I love fussing and cooking; getting ready for the games… deciding what we will cook as we watch our boys play their hearts out. We’ve been trying to go interesting, tasty – but healthy. Last week, I made French Onion Soup. Now, before you “poo-poo” it and say “No, too complicated…” hear me out. I have a way to make it so that anyone can be a hero. A bag of yellow onions (medium to large size), 2 quarts of beef broth (if you want to cheat go buy the packages. If you want to keep it pure, roast cow bones and boil them in water. Either way, it’ll taste delish. Next steps, stew the onions down on a long, low flame. Dust them with sugar (for caramelizing), salt and pepper (for flavor). Keep mixing, taking care that the onion doesn’t burn and stick on the bottom of the pan. When they are brown and mushy and can practically form a ball, it’s time for the liquid. Beef broth – in! A capful or two of Brandy – in! Not enough – add one more! Ok. Back to the heat. Add to crocks. The float toasted Italian Bread, top with Gruyere cheese, plop into the burner and when it’s golden brown and bubbling, edges oozing over – it is ready.

You can’t go wrong with this. If your friends do not like it … well, they’re lying! It’s that good. But seriously, the point is that you can make great food – that is good for you too (Okay, at least not bad for you). There are a few carbs in the croutons and some fats in the cheese, but other than that – the broth has next to no calories, the onions have none either. Voila!

We’ve also made Turkey Burgers, Potato Bars. Here a fun one. Bake up a bunch of potatoes. Red, Idaho, Yukons, white, Sweet…they are all good. Cook at 400 degrees for 35 minutes or until soft. Finish them on a grill for a textured skin. Place sour cream, butter, blue cheese crumbles, steamed broccoli, chili, maple syrup, ketchup, cottage cheese, pulled chicken, bacon crumbles, etc. in little bowl. Everyone gets a spud. Everyone gets a fork, knife and spoon. Everyone designs their own! This is a fun, healthy, and easy way to please.

Of course, there are many other ways to “score” – Mexican is always a crowd pleaser (nachos, tacos, burritos…get adventurous – sauté fish. This not only makes it more exotic, but healthier!

Tonight we beat the 49ers while eating the most delicious meatball heroes known to man. My husband killed it with these big, flavorful, well-cooked meatballs. What made them so great? First, they were made with love (aw…he really does add a special something something to them). Second, he uses turkey, not beef, so they are leaner and healthier for you without ever losing flavor. He mixes 93-7 turkey with an egg, salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan cheese, and oregano (but you can put in whatever else you’d like!), mixes it, makes little balls and instead of frying them, he puts them in a big roasting pan in and bakes them at 400 degrees for 15 minutes on the first side and then flips them and cooks them for 7 minutes on the other side. They are finished when they’re browned on all sides and cooked through to the center.

Then the “sanwich” part begins. We used three kinds of cheese (provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan). We bought fresh Italian bread. We scooped the insides out, and placed the balls in and cheese on top. Broil it briefly, checking it continuously. When the cheese is bubbly and brown, it is ready. And damn, it is good!

We have a few more weeks before the season comes to a close. I cherish Sundays at my house. It’s always a big deal. I am sad that the season is coming to an end, but I am so excited that we are one of the last teams standing. So with next week a “buy”, we can formulate a plan to feast during the big game. What will we eat while the Giants play their hearts out? We’ll just have to wait ad see…

Shari Lynn Rothstein has been writing about food, wine, lifestyles and fashion for more than 20 years, in New York and Florida. She resides in Aventura. Shari can be reached at shari@slkcreative.com for comments, questions thoughts.

What every restaurant should know about mobile marketing

By

Juan Manuel Colome

-

January 26, 2012

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Juan Manuel Colome – CEO, Infoseek Technologies, Inc.

The emergence of mobile marketing among businesses seems to mirror the buzz of social media – everyone is talking about it but few businesses are using it and of those using it, few are using it well. The following is a list of some of the potential opportunities and challenges that marketers will need to acknowledge if they are going to have a chance at harnessing the power of mobile couponing.

According to the 2010 U.S. Local Mobile Advertising and Promotions Forecast, text message marketing spending was $90 million in 2009 and is expected to hit $8 billion in the next four years. Yet despite this rapid growth, text message marketing and coupons are still in their infancy.

Although most businesses are fully aware of the marketing potential of text message couponing, many are still not using it in effective ways. Here are some tips that are working for our clients.

Keep it simple Text message coupons are permission-based so make sure that you give your customers a good reason to opt-in and receive your deals. One-way to do this is to offer customers an incentive while they are already engaged with your product. An invitation to text a keyword to a short code is a welcome diversion when the receiver might be waiting in line to be seated. Choose a keyword that has some sort of relationship to your brand. Keep it short and simple – avoid random numbers, hyphens, underscores, or any other symbols that customers might forget to insert.

Timing is everything If you want your customers to act on your mobile coupon, you need to catch them on the move and create a sense of urgency. If you want your customers to grab a burger today at lunch, for example, you should send mobile coupons at around 10:00 a.m. – right when their stomachs are starting to growl. To add a sense of immediacy, the coupon should expire after lunchtime.

Start a conversation Text coupons have the ability to communicate directly with your customers. First, auto-replies are a must when sending text coupons as they are the first step toward creating more meaningful and advantageous customer relationships. Anytime a customer opts-in to receive your mobile coupons, it is important to thank them for inviting you to earn their business.

Another way to start a conversation with your customers is to ask them what kinds of deals they are interested in. For example, a burger place can send a text that says, “Lunch deal of the day – would you rather have a free burger or two free side items with the purchase of a combo meal? Text ‘burger’ or ‘side’ to vote.”

Making the most of your mobile coupons The redemption rate of mobile coupons is nearly 25 percent higher than printed internet coupons. It is roughly 10 times greater than mail or newspaper distributed coupons at a fraction of the cost. Mobile promotions can do more than just increase sales for your business; they can also create more meaningful, lasting relationships with your customers.

Juan Colome is founder and CEO of Infoseek Technologies an Internet Marketing Firm located in Miami, Fl.

For case study examples of text marketing success contact Juan @ Jcolome@InfoseekTechnologies.com or call 786.447.7948 and a free two week trial.

http://InfoseekTechnologies.com

Stress and our future

By

Dr. FRANK MAYE

-

January 26, 2012

”]

“My Best Health Portal” describes the following as the most searched health issues of today. The ranking for top ten medical problems including disease and symptomatology:

Rank Condition
1 Back or neck problems
2 Allergies
3 Arthritis or rheumatism
4 Difficulty walking
5 Frequent headaches
6 Lung problems
7 Digestive problems
8 Gynecological problems
9 Anxiety attacks
10 Heart problems or chest pain

Sixty percent of all those searching the internet have stated that they have sought advice from alternative medical practitioners for the above conditions in the last 24 months. As a result 30 percent will visit their primary care physician and most will ultimately walk away from both frustrated.

Stress is the common factor in all of the above examples with the exception of structural issues brought about by an accident. Very few physicians will check for stress as a contributing or causal factor for any of these conditions. Insurance companies do not pay for stress evaluations. However, you do want to manage what hurts you or makes you seriously ill right?

Stress can be chemical, environmental, or a result of childhood trauma. Whatever the cause may be, your body sees stress as a signal to fight or to run away.

Remember that feeling after running a long distance? Your body reacts to stress in the same way. Remember feeling scared? Your body remembers this awkward feeling also. You were not physically engineered to function while scared, sick, or tired. Illness is often nature’s way of saying you are not in balance.

A simple review of functional blood testing suggests to me if a client’s body is showing signs of wear and tear. A saliva test can tell me if your stress chemistry is abnormal.

Environmental reasons are easy to evaluate. By listening to what is occurring at work, in a marriage, with children, or as parents, we can resolve concerns in the above mentioned areas and bring balance.

Childhood issues remain with us in our day dreams. Re-living them produces a stress response that our physical body experiences as real. Looking at these issues with forgiveness can be of great help. We have our own way of addressing these issues confidentially and with care.

Maye Holistic Med is proud of our gentle approach to health issues. Acupuncture is extremely valuable for managing stress. Scalp acupuncture as well as auricular (ear) acupuncture is particularly effective. Chinese herbal pharmacology and homeopathy provide a first line of defense against stress and the chronic illnesses it can cause.

Should you be searching the internet regarding one of the conditions listed at the beginning of this column, please stop and take our free stress test and give us a call. Should you need a referral to a primary care physician or specialist we will be happy to help you.

Dr. Frank Maye, DOM (NMD) is a Diplomate of Naturopathic Medicine and a Diplomate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Maye graduated from Community School of Traditional Chinese Healthcare, Inc. Dr. Maye continued his studies at American Naturopathic Medical Institute where he was awarded a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a designation of (NMD). Along with his private practice, Dr. Maye currently researches for Scintilla Software Industries in the field of Bio-energetics, Resonance Homeopathy, and Nutritional Nano technology.

Dr. Maye can be reached at 305-668-9555 or email:mayeholisticmed@aol.com. Visit us at: mayeholisticmed.com

Sunny Isles Beach Confirms Fang Oliver International Ambassador to Asia

Sponsors and Scholarships added to existing Scholarship Program

Addicted to Asian

Buying a Condominium?

Palm Beach County students organize a benefit concert for Nicaragua

‘Train – or complain’

Holistic Health Care Miami promotes ‘wellness in the workplace’

DEAL KILLERS – PART 2 Overpricing and Ultra-conservative Appraisals

Festinger named COO of Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort

Football Food

What every restaurant should know about mobile marketing

Stress and our future

Advertise

Company

Latest Miami News

January 10, 2026

January 10, 2026

January 10, 2026

Follow us