Miss Fort Lauderdale USA - Heather Lee O'Keefe featured in South Florida Magazine

VOL.3 NO. 1

Vera Kosarev Fred Astaire Coral Gables Socialite Events Roaring into 2020 STARability Foundation 4th Annual South Florida Celebrity Fest - F.A.N. Presidents & Philanthropists Elite Health Center Miami Raymond Lee Jewelers

Luxury Chamber Event

Ash Cigar Lounge Boca Raton Grand Opening

Dr. Tobi Rose Smith Visionary Leadership ELITE HEALTH MIAMI "Stay Young" Heather Lee O'Keefe Miss Fort Lauderdale Juliana LaBonte Designer of the Year F.A.N. Figaro Action Network Ron Goldberg Lamborghini Champagne 2020 FASHION ADVICE

JANUARY 2020

FOUNDER | Jay Shapiro Luxury Chamber Media Group jay@southflorida.in

Assistant to the Editor | Kolleen Poirier kolleen@southflorida.in

Fashion Editor | Juliana LaBonte juliana@southflorida.in

Travel Editor | Christina Ricci

Business Editor | Cindy Ragan

Real Estate Editor | Venus Proffer

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Traveling from Florida to Cuba in 2020 Insider Secrets they will not Share

South Florida Publisher Jay Shapiro Travels to Cuba Alone for the First Time and Share's His Experience with Readers

Q.) How can I travel to Cuba from Florida?

A.) Airlines only. Jet Blue, American Airlines and Delta fly from the Miami / Fort Lauderdale region and Southwest flies direct to Havana from Tampa. Its a particularly good time to fly to Havana because travel there is light and light flights means cheap airfare and faster travel time. We arrived in Havana 15 minutes early and on our return flight, we left Jose Marti airport in Havana over a half-hour early and arrived 45 minutes early in Ft. Lauderdale. There were only about 20 people on a plane large enough to hold roughly 200 people.

Q.) Is a visa needed?

A.) Yes, a visa is needed however you do not need to purchase it in advance. Online visa companies charge $85 plus fees for a total of $110 (or more depending on the company) if you wait until right before your flight the day you travel you can purchase the visa for only $50 from the Jet Blue counter agent. *check with the airlines to make sure this is still in effect before traveling.

Q.) What else is required to travel to Cuba?

A.) 1. Current passport not expiring in the next few months. 2. Health insurance. Don't have health insurance? Don't worry, the airlines cover this for everybody. Its already included in the ticket price. 3. A reason for traveling there. You need to have a legitimate reason to travel to Cuba. As a magazine publisher, I chose the category of Journalistic Activity. Some people choose family visits, religious activities, public performance, etc.

Q.) How about the hotel rooms in Havana?

A.) They run anywhere from $7.00 per night for a cheap hostel up to $300 per night for a four-star luxury resort. Paseo del Prado is the newest luxury hotel and is located right downtown in old Havana. If you love cigars and the ocean you may want to consider the Melia Hotels. MeliaCohiba is along the Malecon (Havana Seawall) and within walking distance of downtown Old Havana assuming you have good walking shoes.

Melia Habana is up the road about 5 miles or a $15 cab fare. Melia Habana is right on the ocean and has a huge luxury swimming pool and many high-end restaurants and bars. Other hotels to consider: Hotel Nacional, Hotel Inglaterra, and The Saratoga. We do not recommend spending less than $60 per night for a hotel unless you will be renting from a family. If you do you will be in for a rude awakening. Many of the hotels look like luxury rentals online advertised for $20 or $30 per night but when you arrive there you find out what its like living in an old dilapidated school building with no toilet paper, broken elevators, open windows with no air conditioning and a stench that would make you prefer living in hell.

Q.) How is the food in Cuba?

A.) The food is somewhere between bad to edible. Sometimes you can find good food but its a challenge. The problem lies in the fact that there are literally no grocery stores on the island. There are small government regulated bodegas and they offer some basic staples such as: cooking oil and a few other items. There are no candy bars or potato chips anywhere on the island. The food that is accessible to the local hotels and restaurants falls in line with staples and basics and must be sourced from many different places. The eggs from the egg tienda, the cooking oil from the salesperson or bodega, the meat from the carniceria etc. Some of the five-star hotels are wealthy enough to sneak enough quality ingredients in to make you a good meal. Perhaps they get quality gourmet ingredients from non-U.S. yacht provisioners or travelers from other countries who smuggle them in. Some of the wines on the shelf at the bodega are 2 times more expensive than they are in the U.S. The Saratoga hotel has great mixed drinks and good food but the condiments there are what we would call generic in the U.S. Melia Habana hotel has a great Italian restaurant.

Q.) What attractions would you recommend seeing?

A.) I'm more of an adventure traveler and I believe in traveling light and just showing up and seeing what happens and going wherever you feel like wandering. Cuba is very safe and there is no crime on the island. I wandered around some of the roughest streets of Havana at 2 am after a few drinks and there was no crime or problems. There are literally no drugs on the island. Prostitution is legal so that is not even a crime. 75% of the cars on the island are classic cars so you don't need to go anywhere special to see those. The Tropicana Club was founded in 1939 and they have nice dancing girls 24 hours per day. Just show up to downtown old Havana and start walking around. Almost everything on every block is historic!!

Q.) Do Cubans like Americans?

A.) They love Americans but sadly enough they despise President Trump. Many Cuban-Americans love our president but that simply is not the case on the island. Most people will tell you: Oh, I have a brother in Miami or a cousin in Jacksonville. Don't be afraid to be American but do NOT talk politics!!!

Q.) How do you get around in Havana?

A.) Taxi only. Almost every male on the island is a taxi driver. The licensed taxi drivers will have cars labeled "Taxi" and the non-licensed drivers will come up to you and ask you if you need a taxi. Non-licensed taxi drivers are willing to negotiate the price of the taxi fare. Many taxi drivers have old cars such as 1949 Chevrolets. Some drive newer cars which were built in China or Russia. One of the reasons I wanted to cut my Cuban vacation short is the fact that every few feet I walked someone was coming up to me saying: taxi? Taxi? You need taxi? It gets repetitive and old very fast. You will not need to look far to find a taxi because they will find you.

Q.) Is Cuba safe?

A.) Yes, it is very safe. There are no police in Cuba and the ironic part is that there is no crime either. Some people say that all of the police are undercover but that might just be a rumor to scare the locals and prevent them from committing a crime. If someone did commit a crime in Cuba the punishment would be very very harsh. Prostitution and 24-hour drinking are perfectly legal so you can have enough fun there without breaking their law.

Q.) What about the internet and cell phone usage?

A.) Your cell phone will not work on the island however its wifi will. Facebook works perfectly fine via wifi which is pronounced: We Fee in Spanish. At the hotel, you must purchase a NAUTA ETESCA internet card. ETESCA stands for Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba and its the state owned internet provider. First, transfer your American dollars to CUC – Pesos Convertibles at the receptionist's desk and then go to the desk that sells the ETESCA internet cards. Purchase either a one hour or five-hour card. They are only a few dollars. Then as if you were enjoying a scratch-off lottery ticket reveal the username and password and then enter it in your phone's wifi login.

>> continued.......

Q.) Which type of money do they accept in Cuba?

A.) There are 3 types of currencies in Cuba. 1. the old Peso which is only for the people who live there. 2. CUC or Pesos Convertibles which is the currency that was created by the government for tourists to use at local businesses. 3. your own local currency which many people will gladly accept. The Cuban currency system is designed so that the government, the local hotels and the Cuban people, in general, can all profit from currency exchange. When you bring $100 to the hotel they will only give you $87 in Peso Convertibles so $13 goes to the hotel and the Cuban Government. Some locals will exchange Pesos for Dollars one for one but be careful who you deal with because while there is virtually no crime on the island the people are hustlers and will try to talk you into buying a box of counterfeit cigars or taking a long cab ride etc.

Q.) Do they speak English in Cuba?

A.) No!! Many people under the age of 50 speak enough English to catch a cab and do basic things but the older people do not speak any English at all. Travel with someone who speaks Spanish.

Q.) Can I bring Cuban cigars home from Cuba?

A.) Yes, you can bring up to 100 cigars and one bottle of Havana Club rum. I bought a box of Cohibas and a bottle of rum and had it in my suitcase and the Cuban customs official stole them from me. He told me that the Rum was the wrong size which I know was total BS because it was the standard-sized bottle. I did have some other cigars stashed in my suit coat pockets that made it through. Once you get beyond the Cuban Customs section at the Jose Marti airport there will be no more searches. Walk into the furthermost section of the airport and there are two places that sell great Cuban cigars. One of them is duty-free and one of them is not. The duty-free place sells cigars for almost 50% cheaper and they are right next to one another. These are 100%authentic cigars. I bought a box of Partagas for $32 USD and they do accept US dollars in that section of the airport. The rum at the airport is more affordable than it is at the bodegas on the streets so do yourself a favor and buy your products at the airport but remember to buy them in the area where you board the plane. NOT in the area before you get searched. Upon arriving the U.S. customs asked me if I had any alcohol and cigars. I said: They took my alcohol in Cuba but I do have cigars in my suitcase. He let me right on through without even searching the suitcase. He was however shocked that Cuban customs illegally confiscated the rum. If there is any crime in Cuba its a crime against humanity and generally not committed by the common citizens!!!

HairClub® CEO Serves Thanksgiving Feast to Employees For over 40-years, HairClub®, the leading provider of hair regrowth, replacement and restoration solutions, has been serving men and women experiencing hair loss. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, HairClub's President and CEO, Mike Nassar, donned an apron and served turkey to employees and their families.

Mike was joined by other members of the executive team who graciously dished out traditional Thanksgiving favorites, as well as a variety of international dishes, reflecting the diversity of the HairClub family. Nearly 150 employees and their families dined on delectable recipes, including turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle, and papa a la Huancina, a Peruvian side dish made from boiled yellow potatoes, covered by a yellow, creamy cheese sauce and accompanied with hard-boiled eggs and

Mike Nassar, CEO of HairClub, with Jim Buto

black olives.

The Thanksgiving celebration took place on the spacious second-floor outdoor veranda at HairClub's Boca Raton, Florida, headquarters on a beautiful, South Florida night. The sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season filled the air. Children laughed and played under the stars while festive music echoed throughout the patio.

HairClub has a long-standing reputation for focusing on employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.

Throughout the year, HairClub employees enjoy numerous social events and actively participate in philanthropy in their communities. In just the past few months, employees have partaken in activities around Memorial Day, Independence Day, a Summer Party, Labor Day, Halloween, preparing food at a local food bank, collecting back-toschool supplies, providing free haircuts to residents of the Miami Rescue Mission, and a company soccer tournament, among others.

"It's certainly not lost on me that happy employees are the best employees," said Mike Nassar, President, and CEO of HairClub. "Our human resources department has been crushing it in this area, and it shows in employee retention and job satisfaction. Serving the turkey is just a small gesture I can make to reinforce how much I appreciate the hard work of our employees. We felt it important to include employees' families in the festivity because HairClub is our extended family, and we are thankful for them.

About HairClub® Founded in 1976, HairClub® is North America's number one provider of time-tested, proven hair regrowth, replacement, and restoration solutions. For more than 40 years, HairClub has helped hundreds of thousands restore their hair and transform their lives. Today, HairClub has over 120 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Aderans Co. Ltd., the world's leading provider of total hair loss alternatives.

Fall

2019

Entrepreneur Farhan Elvis Ahmed & His Team Launch Revolutionary Product in the Pet Industry Originally from India, and moved to South Florida from New York City with his MBA, Farhan Elvis Ahmed is known in Luxury Chamber circles simply as "Elvis.” He has long been a man who wears many hats and has an intense love for animals.

With investments in racehorses and other businesses, a taste for fine suits, cigars and a keen eye for luxury, Elvis thinks that beloved animals of all species (not only humans and horses) deserve the best of everything.

Being born in a business family and with the vision of collaborating his business and

LEFT - Elvis Writing His Business Plan RIGHT - Speaking at a chamber event

passion, Elvis strongly feels that Doggie Water 2Go has a great future. He loves his team and is grateful to everyone who has believed in him. A project now in the works for a couple

Elvis Direct Statement: "We will continue to deliver the best for every doggie child, contribute to the society- a world full of happy and healthy pets"

of years the actual launch of Doggie Water 2Go was a great success at SuperZoo 2019 in Las Vegas, NV which was held August 20-22 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The resulting support from the media and industry allies has been intense and an absolute pleasure says 27-year-old Elvis.

More about the product: Doggie Water 2Go, by Vital Pet Nutrients Inc. is the world's first portable solution for ultimate doggie hydration! It is the world's finest doggie water, packed with essential electrolytes. With the unique ‘Peel and Serve’ technique, safe and clean water is available at your fingertips in just 2 seconds! It is portable, healthy, travel-friendly, and packed with added essential electrolytes, which is not only beneficial to regain the lost hydration in your doggie but overall affects the health and happiness of your doggie child!

Satisfied Client

doggiewater2go.com

THE BOAT SHOW CELEBRATES ITS 60th ANNIVERSARY Largest In-Water Boat Show in the World Expands, Debuts Superyacht Village & Marina

The largest in-water boat show on the seven seas produced by Informa Markets, is celebrating its 60th annual premier exhibition of yachts, boats, marine products, and accessories. Located in the “Yachting Capital of the World” and recognized as the pinnacle of all nautical exhibitions, this year’s show will feature over 1,500 boats on display and 1,200 exhibitors spanning over three million square feet of exhibition space and six miles of floating docks. More than 110,000 visitors from around the world are expected to attend.

As part of the show’s 60th anniversary, the new Superyacht Village will be unveiled, expanding the show to seven locations and providing a notable display of some of the world’s most spectacular superyachts and exhibits.

Located at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina’s new “Pier South” property, the 3.5 acre site includes a new dedicated marina as well as an on-land exhibition space. The Superyacht Village will feature show-stopping vessels up to 400 feet as well as exhibits by renowned shipyards and yacht toys, including helicopters, personal submarines, and exotic and collectible automotive, and other luxury items to showcase the superyacht lifestyle.

Additionally, the Windward VIP Club has moved to a new in-water location anchored in the heart of the show on the main dock at Bahia Mar. Presented by Delta Private Jets, the Official Private Jet Carrier of FLIBS, in partnership with Ulysse Nardin, the Official Timekeeper of FLIBS, the new in-water VIP experience will feature an arched tent with outdoor terraces for shore and water views as well as a luxury premium open bar and gourmet food offerings, and a cigar lounge presented by Delta Private Jets, providing a unique setting to enjoy the excitement of this international boating spectacular.

Hollywood Comes to Hollywood Star-Studded Grand Opening Celebration Highlighted By Celebrity Red Carpet, Signature Guitar Smash, Show-stopping Light Show Premiere and Maroon 5 Concert

Morgan Freeman, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry and Joe Manganiello

Complementing the 450-foot high Guitar Hotel are a state-of-the-art Hard Rock Live performance venue for 7,000 persons, an expanded and updated casino with 195,000 square feet of gaming space, a 13.5-acre pool and lagoon experience with overwater cabanas, an ultraluxury spa and fitness center that spans 42,000 square feet, the extensive DAER nightclub and dayclub complex, more than two dozen innovative dining, lounge and entertainment options, a collection of high-end retail stores and more than 150,000 square feet of meeting space.

Dozens of A-list celebrities crowded an elevated red carpet at the base of a massive video wall to kick off the grand opening celebration at the Oculus, a stunning design feature at the entrance from a new grand porte-cochere. The Oculus encompasses elements of lush greenery, light and water, choreographed to music.

The signature Hard Rock Guitar Smash signaled the official opening of the expansion including the world's first-ever Guitar Hotel. The Guitar Smash followed greetings of welcome from leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Gaming, which own and operate Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

"The Guitar Hotel will attract visitors from throughout the nation and around the globe," said Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International. "They will experience a world-class entertainment, gaming and dining destination."

Morty Katz Joins Luxury Chamber Annuities Disability PPO/HMO Life & Health Long-Term Care Group Insurance Mortgage Protection Plans Final Expense Planning Morty Katz who entered the Insurance business in 1982 has been servicing the personal and small business market for 37 years.

We, at Morita Financial, strive to provide the most out of the box thinking to help the consumer obtain the most cost-effective plans and products in their quest for family and personal security. Our mission is to provide you with the right plan & policy -- not just any plan or policy.

954-854-6585

inscenter124@aol.com

LICENSED, BONDED, INSURED & REFERRED!! https://www.linkedin.com/in/moritafinancial/

Greek Lightning Arrives on Florida Shores No Gen-X girls we did not say Greased Lightning but something to get just as excited about has arrived on the shores of South Florida. Greek Lightning is a Rakomelo, a liqeuer from from Greece which resembles its Italian cousin Grappa. An aromatic mythical beverage made with grape brandy, secret herbs and honey. Cinnamon and honey comprise the gestalt of the flavor profile and while this meld is a Mediterranean favorite, many are unaware of the mythical qualities and health benefits long associated with the two. The natural beverage weights in at a moderate 48 proof and is bottled in the famed olive producing region of Kalamata, Greece. The honey comes from the Taygetos Mountains of Sparta. www.TheGreekLightning.com

Greek Lightning is available at: Big Daddy Liquors!

Christina Ricci - The Wedding Destination Specialist Founding Member Christina Ricci will be helping Luxury Chamber Media Group expand into the Beverly Hills / Los Angeles Market and spending her free time traveling to and networking at both South Florida and CA chamber events. www.EsteemedEscapes.com

Christina Ricci, President and Founder of Esteemed Escapes

by Avanti Travel Service, I have over 20 years experience designing perfect getaways for both individual and group clients‌I love to make dreams come true.

I believe traveling is a mode of learning about the world in a way that expands your mind, and creates memories that touch your senses to enrich you for a lifetime.

Faby Napoleon - Proud Member of Luxury Chamber of Commerce I'm Faby, a thirty-five-year-old fashion and style enthusiast who believes we were all born to be a Fabulous 1. My style is a mix of designer accessories and affordable fashions. I'm originally from Haiti and raised in South Florida where I also call home. I have a medical background but my passion is fashion and empowering women of all ethnicities and races. So put on your best outfit and rock your inner fabulous. Thank you for dropping by! www.TheFabulous1blog.com

The latest Ferrari one-off project, the SP3JC, has been officially consigned to its owner. Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the SP3JC was commissioned by a Ferrari client and collector whose brief set out to create a pure, uncompromising roadster using the chassis and running gear of the F12tdf.

The sole one-off car to be commissioned on this limited-series special, the SP3JC is the maximum expression of open-air motoring, harking back to Ferrari’s epic V12-engined spiders of the 1950s and ‘60s. The striking one-off makes an important and individual styling statement and represents the outcome of over two years of intense work, with close involvement from the client throughout the process.

The SP3JC features a very muscular stance with dynamic sculpturing on the flanks designed to emphasise the frontengine layout, a distinctive air intake outline at the front, and a dramatic rear fascia with horizontal slashes contributing to a wider stance.

The client’s passion for Pop Art is reflected in the strong graphics, and the unique combination of the Azzurro Met and Giallo Modena livery over the main Bianco Italia colour scheme underlines the car’s sensual volumes.

The sporting theme is reinforced by specific detailing such as split glass inserts on the bonnet to show off the 780cv V12 engine, a flying bridge between the fairings of the integral carbon-fibre roll hoops and a brushed aluminium external fuel filler cap.

The seats are trimmed in blue leather with a white insert. The blue leather extends to the lower dashboard and the colour is picked up in the contrasting stitching to the rest of the interior trim.

Sellstate Joins Forces with Luxury Chamber Ayala Friefeld and Matthew Abate

Ayala Friefeld and Matthew J. Abate are the Co-Founders of the A&M Lifestyle Realty Team

We specialize in all aspects of Real Estate. Investments, commercial, luxury, residential, relocation, rentals, land, and development.

We both share similar passions for helping others , community service, and strong family values .

This along with our personalities and our strong work ethics make us a perfect match. Working together we found that we professionally push each other to be better. We both enjoy giving back to the community through multiple avenues like JAFCO , Kids In Distress, Toys for Tots and most recently Pap Corps. We do so with donations, but more importantly our time.

Ayala's other passions outside of Real Estate include her art work . She soon hopes to have her art displayed in a gallery. She enjoys playing tennis , golf and the saxophone. She is most passionate about being a wife and mother to her 3 children.

Matthew's passions outside of Real Estate include coaching soccer, camping, fishing,hunting,cooking and most importantly his family.

Anguilla Beach, Cat Island Bahamas  $150,000,000.00Major resort potential !! Cat Island Anguilla Beach is a 1,407-acre government-approved subdivision on Cat Island in the Eastern Bahamas. .