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YOUR VISION IS OUR FOCUS

Dr. Alan Mendelsohn M.D. F.A.C.S.

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Every Moment Counts

It matters to have an exceptional children’s hospital right here in our community. Families trust our team of compassionate specialists to partner with them and provide lifesaving, life-changing care that gives a child the chance to enjoy every moment.

You, too, can help save a child’s life. Donate to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and help us make every moment count for children like Zavyer and Leyra.

Zavyer and Leyra, who have hydrocephalus with Dean Hertzler, MD

SHOP N OW

PUBLISHER Michelle Simon

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Kevin Gale

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melanie Geronemus Smit

EDITORIAL

DIGITAL EDITOR Sean d’Oliveira

COPY EDITORS Jennifer Clements, Mary DellaValle, Doug Kaufman, Megan Kusek, Jason Morgan

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$694.7 million in government revenue.

Unless the governor reconsiders, though, this will be the state of affairs, so what to do?

Our cover subject, Ty Sutton, CEO of The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, takes a business-like approach, so losing roughly $125,000 from the state doesn’t have a major impact. That’s smart.

However, a lot of the arts community consists of struggling small organizations, so we should also applaud those who help. For example, the BBX Capital Foundation recently provided $201,000 worth of grants to organizations that drive arts and culture and The Our Fund Foundation awarded $300,000 in grants through its 2024 Arts & Culture Fund.

I’m trying to do my part as editor of Lifestyle by making the arts a prominent part of our coverage. My advice: Support the arts for the delights and insights they provide and have a good time doing so.

Kevin Gale Group Editor-in-Chief SFBW and Lifestyle magazines

Correction: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa Director of Golf Sean Olson’s last name and title were incorrect in the November issue.

LEADERS IN PHILANTROPHY

MEET THE PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR FUTURE

LEADERS IN PHILANTROPHY

MALENA MENDEZ

PRESIDENT & CEO

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF BROWARD COUNTY (954) 584-9990 | MalenaM@BBBSBroward.org

What causes do you support?

I’ve been a long-term supporter of many important nonprofits in our community, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, where I now serve as President and CEO. I was a consistent volunteer and donor because I believe in its mission of empowering youth through mentorship.

Now, as CEO, from the inside looking out, I see the great need for volunteers to serve as Bigs. I recognize that our time is at a premium as we navigate home, work and community life, but what many people don’t realize is that “It Takes Little to be Big.” We ask our Bigs to meet with their Littles only two times a month. And while the time is little, the impact is big.

What philanthropist do you most admire and why?

My mother had a heart for philanthropy and taught me the importance of giving. Although she was only able to make small contributions, as a Cuban immigrant working in a factory and my father in a butcher shop, she still managed to give to others. As a child, I remember watching her write $20 checks for years to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and La Liga Contra el Cancer (League Against Cancer). Her message was always the same, “It’s not how much you give, you just need to help. Every little bit counts.” She instilled in me a commitment to philanthropy and taught me that giving – even a little bit – is a privilege.

What impact are these causes making in South Florida?

Research shows that Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring relationships change lives for the better, forever. 100% of youth in Broward graduate high school, 99% stay out of the Juvenile Justice system, and 90% maintain or improve their attitudes toward risky behaviors. Our Bigs positively influence their Littles, so Littles make better choices and ultimately have successful futures, which is what we’re all about. Plus, our Bigs say their lives also are positively affected by their mentoring relationships. In many instances, Bigs establish friendships with their Littles that last a lifetime. This is impact.

LEADERS IN PHILANTROPHY

KELLEY MORRIS

PRESIDENT/CEO

MEMORIAL AND JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATIONS

Office: 954-265-7244 | kmorris@mhs.net

What made you get into the field of philanthropy/ fundraising?

I come from a family with deep roots in health care. My grandmother was a nurse, and I have other relatives who were physicians and healthcare executives. I have a master’s degree in health care administration and had to complete a one-year fellowship at the Texas Medical Center to graduate. My last rotation was in the philanthropy office at Baylor College of Medicine, and I knew it was my calling. Philanthropy is such a critical part of healthcare, not only in providing financial support, but also for building strong and enduring relationships in the community. These two elements combined create lasting and transformative change. I believe it’s a privilege to serve the mission of Memorial Healthcare System and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Where do the philanthropic gifts/donations go to?

The difference between a good institution and a great institution is philanthropy. Philanthropic support provides a margin of excellence by helping organizations go beyond basic services to offer cutting edge technology, innovative treatments and expanded care options that benefit the entire community. Healthcare is always evolving and there is a need for continuous investment in our facilities, medical research, and patient-centered care. Currently, we are utilizing philanthropy to expand and enhance our mother baby, fetal, and neonatology services since we are a destination for care for high-risk deliveries in the region delivering over 15,000 babies a year. Additionally, our cardiac, oncology, and neurosciences programs are all growing with the support of philanthropy. Our mission is to care for the needs of our growing community, and that is made possible through philanthropy.

What challenges do you face in philanthropy?

Building and maintaining relationships is the best part of my role. It’s interesting to watch as demographics shift. We are in the midst of the greatest wealth transfer in our lifetime. As baby boomers age and pass on their wealth to younger generations, it is estimated that $68 trillion dollars will change hands over the next two decades. Younger donors may prioritize different causes than their parents or prefer a different kind of involvement. My philosophy has always been to meet donors where they are and that’s more important now than ever.

GIULIANA HIRSHSON

FINANCIAL ADVISOR, VICEPRESIDENT

PNC INVESTMENTS LLC

200 E Broward Blvd., Ste 1310 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

561-237-6101 | Giuliana.hirshson@pnc.com

What cause or causes do you support?

I support several different causes including the Royal Dames of Cancer Research, Slow Burn Theatres and Beaux Arts Fort Lauderdale.

What led to support those causes?

In the case of Slow Burn Theatres the impact that they make in the community extends beyond the stage by providing valuable employment opportunities for local actors, designers and artists, fostering creative growth in South Florida. Through outreach programs such as senior workshops with $10 show tickets, sensory-friendly performances for neurodivergent audiences, and special pricing for students, Slow Burn ensures the arts are accessible to all, making live theatre an inclusive and enriching experience to the entire community.

Royal Dames of Cancer Research is nonprofit in where we are all volunteers. Knowing that the volunteer hard work in helping all what is necessary to raise funds bring me the satisfaction of knowing that we are giving back to society and hopefully soon to the world. It was founded by a group of women believing that the cure for cancer could only be found through research and began to support the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute, now located at NSU. RGI’s patented therapeutics are showing great promise in treating many types of cancer, and most recently, Glioblastoma. We continue the founder’s legacy by having raising fund events throughout the year.

At Beaux Arts we all volunteer with the goal to encourage an understanding and appreciation of the arts. Beaux Arts supports Museum on the Move, an innovative new education program that brings 6000+ Broward County sixth graders to NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale for an interactive tour and learning experience. Beaux Arts also hosts an annual Spring Honoree Luncheon to help garner support for future art education initiatives at NSU Art Museum. We provide support to the Art Museum by contributing to the museum’s ongoing operations & enhancing its educational programming and outreach. Through our formal fundraisers and informal activities, we form friendships and have fun while pursuing our goals.

ANA VEIGAMILTON

President, José Milton Foundation

CSR Officer, United Property Management Co-Founder, Cecil & Ana Milton Family Foundation

ERIC MILTON

Chief Technology Officer & Owner’s Representative United Property Management Jr. Board Member, José Milton Foundation Board Member, Cecil & Ana Milton Family Foundation

What cause or causes do you support?

(Ana) While we as a family are inspired to support many causes, we focus our philanthropic and volunteer efforts on education, access to quality healthcare, and resilience-building for our community. Having escaped communism and Cuba’s totalitarian government, we can attest to the power of education – it is the one thing that no one can take away. Education leads to opportunities, and a STEM education, especially, can cross borders.

What led you to support those causes?

(Eric) The Miltons are University of Miami graduates. Mom and I attended UM on merit-based scholarships and feel compelled to give back so that others can benefit from a ‘Canes education! Every great community is anchored by great universities, and UM is leading the way!

(Ana) As a trustee of the university, I am proud of its meteoric rise to become a renowned research institution with a highlyranked healthcare system. Celebrating its Centennial in 2025, UM contributes to the growth and resilience of South Florida.

(Eric) We are also committed to the American Red Cross. Being in the multifamily housing space, we see how devastating a house fire can be for a family. The Red Cross is always there to comfort and help those residents affected by tragedy. We engage the Red Cross to run our First Aid/CPR/AED Training. Our team members are out in the community, ready to respond, thanks to their Red Cross Certification!

(Ana) The Red Cross leverages the power of volunteers and donor generosity to build resilience. We support with time, talent, and treasure. Eric chairs the annual Party in Red for Young Professionals and hosts CPR Training. I serve on the Board.

How can we engage newcomers to support our causes?

(Ana) Volunteering is a fun way to meet people and help our community thrive. This is the message we need to spread. Engaging our young people to get involved and give back is especially important. I am so proud of Eric for continuing our family legacy and for encouraging his friends and colleagues to embrace the transformative power of philanthropy.

JENNIFER HOMAN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ART AND CULTURE CENTER/HOLLYWOOD 1650 Harrison Street Hollywood, FL www.artandculturecenter.org

What cause or causes do you support?

As the head of the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, the arts are a big part of my life. I am also on the Board of Canine Assisted Therapy and a Member of the Miami Book Fair, JA Circle of Wise Women, and BBBS Women on the Verge.

What led you to support those causes?

My family is very civically minded, so we were always helping at some function. I grew up in the arts with my mom continuously taking classes, my Aunt and sister, Julie, attended art school, and the latter has been an art teacher for 30 years. I took photography courses, have a History of Art Minor and worked in film and fashion after college with an interest in production and directing. When I have down time I read. I worked briefly with the Miami Book Fair and have volunteered for several years. We are lucky to have one of the largest and oldest book fairs in the world in our backyard. Mentorship is important, none of us get anywhere in life alone. I was a Big Sister in 1997 and have been a supporter of Big Brothers Bigs Sisters for decades. Junior Achievement likewise

has a deep connection to mentorship and education critical to the long-term life success of our kids.

What are the biggest challenges your causes face?

COVID impacted everyone, and non-profits are still getting back to a baseline as so many relocated or disengaged. Marketing is a costly line item and the way people get their information and engage these days is varied and changes rapidly. It is a big expense to stay on top of trends and technological advancements, which is an obstacle for even the highest resourced organizations.

What philanthropist do you most admire and why?

When I first started working in non-profit at Kids In Distress, I was fortunate to meet Jim Moran. He was such a genuine person, and truly embodied the adage that charity starts at home. JM Family continues to be a top place to work in the world because he valued people first. His life-long commitment to his employees and community is unparalleled.

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LifestyleBrie ng

December means Art Basel and Art Miami

Art Miami will take place Tuesday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 8 and showcase impressive presentations featuring paintings, drawings, design, sculpture, video art, photography and prints from more than 160 innovative galleries from more than 21 countries.

“This year, we’re expanding boundaries, fostering new connections and continuing to celebrate Miami’s rich cultural landscape,” says Nick Korniloff, executive vice president and director of Art Miami Fairs.

Seven new galleries will join this year and participants will see fresh perspectives and bold works from Bildhalle (Amsterdam), Blond Contemporary (London), Frascione Gallery (Palm Beach), Gallery UG (Tokyo), Isabel Sullivan Gallery (New York), Jacobson Graphics (London) and Rueb Modern and Contemporary Art (Amsterdam).

The event is held along Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami at the Art Miami Pavilion, One Herald Plaza at NE 14th Street.

Miami Art Week also encompasses over 20 satellite fairs, according to a guide by the Greater Miami Convention and

Visitors Bureau (www.miamiandbeaches.com).

Tickets for the official event must be purchased at www. artmiami.com/tickets and cannot be purchased onsite at the event.

However, an array of locations and businesses also have their own events.

On Lincoln Road, which has more than 15 art galleries, plans for Art Week include art installations, pop-up galleries and interactive experiences:

• “XO World,” a 12-foot-high, 24-foot-long jacks-inspired sculpture by contemporary abstract artist Daniel Anderson, made from 20,000 pounds of stainless steel.

The “X” signifies “love” in sign language, and the “O” is represented by a globe.

• “Dream Machine,” (above) a 10-by-13-foot larger-thanlife butterfly wing sculpture represents the materialization of our innermost wishes by poet Rubem Robierb.

• Beauty, a pop-up gallery featuring artwork (example above) by internationally known actor, director and writer Jordi Mollà (best known for his starring roles in Blow and Bad Boys II).

Miami Design District’s lineup ranges from interactive installations to art exhibitions, pop-ups

and more, including:

• MDD Annual Design Commision – Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s Pearl Jam

• Cartier Trinity 100 Pop-Up

• Craig Robins Collection 20242025 Exhibition The Sleep Of Reason

• Alteronce Gumby’s Living the Dream Mural

• Bony Ramirez Musa Coccinea Mural

• The Office MIA Art Gallery’s Solo Exhibition By Jeremy Shockley

Here are some other exhibitions and events:

• Lee Gihun, Bastien Soleil, Sven and Patrick Penkwitt

exhibitions at Lina Cerrone Gallery

• “Tropical Brainstorm” exhibition featuring Piper & Skye at The Goodtime Hotel

• Chris Rivers exhibition at Arlo Wynwood

• Eternal Creations, exhibition by BitBasel at The Sagamore South Beach

• ‘Rhapsody for a Beloved World’ exhibition by Marielle Plaisir via No Vacancy Miami Beach

• The Betsy Hotel’s display of works by more than 15 new artists alongside its growing permanent collection, all curated by co-owner Lesley Goldwasser.

Artwork, Photo credit/ Jordi Molla

Photo Credit/ Erik Galindo

Art Basel

Art Basel Miami Beach, is returning to the Miami Beach Convention Center from Dec. 6-8 with VIP previews the preceding two days. It’s billed as the biggest and most prestigious international art fair in North America, drawing about 80,000 visitors a year.

This year, 286 galleries from 38 countries and territories will showcase works by thousands of emerging, mid-career, established and blue chip artists. Chiachio & Giannone, Detail of La Famille dans la Joyeuse Verdure (right).

The show will present a refreshed artistic program, welcoming its largest cohort of new exhibitors in over a decade, a press release says. Meridians, the show's trademark sector for monumental artworks, will feature 17 large-scale projects by renowned artists from the Americas and beyond, including Alice Aycock, Rachel Feinstein, Roberto Huarcaya, Zhu Jinshi (pagoda artwork to left), Portia Munson, Jose Parl6, Lee ShinJa and Franz West. For more information, visit artbasel.com. ■

• Saturday, Nov. 30: Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida

• Sunday, Dec. 1: New Canon Chamber Collective

OTHER ARTS HAPPENINGS

Night at the Garden

Fairchild’s Night at the Garden (formerly NightGarden) is back for its sixth season on Thursdays to Sundays, Nov. 15 to Jan. 12, 2025. The exhibit with twinkling lights, interactive displays and festive surprises is set in the beauty of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami.

Show Hours are 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission prices range depending on the date and time from $32-$45. Children three and under are free. (thenightgarden.com/miami/). ■

New Mural

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County has announced the completion of West Palm Beach-based artist Craig McInnis’ new large-scale mural “Interconnected” (facing page, bottom) at the Cultural Council’s headquarters in downtown Lake Worth Beach.

Holiday Music Lineup

Galleria Fort Lauderdale has announced the lineup for its free Holiday Music Showcase, which takes place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22 near Altar’d State:

• Saturday, Dec. 7: Master Chorale of South Florida

• Sunday, Dec. 8: University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Carolers

• Saturday, Dec. 14: South Florida Symphony Orchestra

• Sunday, Dec. 15: The Girl Choir of South Florida

• Saturday, December 21: South Florida Pride Bands

• Sunday, Dec. 22: South Florida Chamber Ensemble ■

ArtServe Exhibition

ArtServe, an incubator for the arts in Fort Lauderdale, has a free public exhibit called “Anthropologist’s Delight.” The exhibit features local artists who have imagined what their artwork might reveal about their lives and culture when unearthed by future generations. It will be on display at 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard until Jan. 3; Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ■

A Nutcracker Twist

Downtown Doral has launched the first-ever World of Nutcracker experience. The approximately 45-minute immersive journey takes up to 25 guests every 15 minutes through iconic scenes and retellings of The Nutcracker, blending live performances with captivating projection displays. (WorldofNutcracker.com) ■

Money for the Arts

BBX Capital hosted an Arts & Culture Grant Presentation and reception at its offices in Fort Lauderdale. The BBX Capital Foundation provided $201,000 worth of grants to local organizations that drive arts and culture in Broward County. ■

Art BBX Bill Beckman, Lois Marino, Jarret Levan, Jacqueline Lorber, Mark Nedlin

CHARITIES

Men of Style

Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s BBX Capital Men of Style presented by Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 6-9 p.m. Twelve new leading men will rock the runway amid entertainment by DJ Jay McCracken and gourmet bites. (www.galleriamall-fl.com) ■

Arts Access Grants

Funding Arts Broward (FAB) has awarded two new Arts Access grants, amounting to $300,000, to the South Florida Symphony Orchestra and the Arts Prevails Project. These grants aim to enhance both organizations’

arts education initiatives in Broward County Public Schools. The funding is made possible through contributions from FAB’s

ity sector. Matthew Linderman, president, COO, general manager of Boca West Country Club, and George Petrocelli, director

Union-Wade, actress Tia Mowry and professional athletes. ■

Getting to see Taylor

AutoNation treated three courageous cancer survivors from South Florida to a special surprise, receiving pairs of tickets to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Miami. Veronica Alba from Margate, Camila Sacher, a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine student based in Coral Gables, and Madeline Mordarski, a dedicated volunteer with various breast cancer organizations, were honored with the opportunity to enjoy the concert alongside a guest in AutoNation’s luxury suite at Hard Rock Stadium.■

Help for Holy Cross

In a remarkable contribution to Holy Cross Health’s 69-year history, philanthropists Wanda and Jim Moran Jr. and the Wanda & Jim Moran Foundation have donated $6.5 million, which will facilitate the acquisition of a dedicated CT scanner, improving the Emergency Department diagnostic capabilities. The gift also will allow for the transformation of an existing X-ray room in the department into a dedicated CT room..

RETAIL

Hippólito lands in the Gables

The U.S. flagship store of luxury Latin American fashion label Hippólito has opened at 2617 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. Hippólito offers a stylish collection of menswear and womenswear. ■

Tribute to Ed Morse

The Ed Morse Automotive Group founder and namesake Ed Morse was posthumously inducted into the Florida Automobile Dealers Association’s Dealer Hall of Fame. Teddy Morse, CEO and chairman of Ed Morse Automotive Group, had this reaction to the recognition: “My grandfather was a war hero, an automotive trailblazer and icon, generous supporter of the South Florida community…but most importantly he loved his family, country and employees above the rest…my grandfather would have been extremely proud.” ■

Armina Stone arrives

Armina Stone announced a partnership with the Miami Heat through June 2027. Known as one of the largest natural stone importers in the U.S., Armina Stone has just expanded to South Florida with a new 35,000-square-foot stone gallery and fabrication facility in Hialeah and a luxury showroom, Armina Luxe, soon opening in the Miami Design District. ■

Get your Pilates on

Incarcerated No More

The Florida Mental Health Coalition is launching its Incarcerated No More program to help those in transition with an event at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Empire Social Lounge in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, text “Nomore” to 707070. ■

Santa’s Workshop

Pilates & Or has opened a new studio at 141 NW 20th St., Suite D2, Boca Raton. It features 15 Pilates reformers and showcases the choreography of founder Or Kahlon, a former soloist with both the Royal Ballet of Spain and Nederlands Dans Theater. ■

Exotic handbags

A benefit for Kids in Distress called Santa’s Workshop, will be held at 4 p.m. on Dec. 12 at River Market, 2410 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. It will feature signature cocktails, a live auction, Santa, a petting zoo and bounce houses. Olivier Salon and Spa is one of the presenters.

Beach Ball

The spirit and revelry of New Orleans came to life during the YMCA of South Florida’s Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll) themed Beach Ball Gala, presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The ball raised more than $750,000 for the Y’s water safety and drowning prevention programs. ■

Avant-garde luxury handbag brand Piper & Skye partnered with contemporary Miami artist Gustavo Oviedo to launch “Harmony of Controlled Chaos,” a limited-edition collection of accessories made from pirarucu fish leather from the

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR

Celebrate the holiday season with a twist at It’s the Most Wonderful Crime of the Year from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center. This glittering murder mystery dinner show invites guests to unravel a yuletide mystery lled with holiday comedy. Attendees will gather information, bribe others for clues and strive to crack the case before the comedic act turns tragic. Guests are encouraged to dress in their most festive holiday attire to create a colorful spectacle as they work to uncover the culprit. This event is for adults only. (https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/)

HOLIDAY POPS

The City of Boca Raton is hosting the Holiday Pops concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. The Symphonia Boca Raton, conducted by the visionary Jacomo Bairos and accompanied by the Florida Atlantic University Chorus, will bring musical magic and holiday classics to the stage. (www.myboca.us/CommunityEvents)

5 for December

WISDOM OF THE CENTURY

Wisdom of the Century is a heartfelt homage to 90 extraordinary nonagenarians and centenarians who have signi cantly in uenced Florida’s vibrant cultural scene. The book beautifully captures their wisdom, experiences and legacies through engaging narratives, stunning photography and thoughtful design. The book seeks to preserve the inspiring stories of its subjects, o ering valuable insights for future generations. The book launch will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the HistoryMiami Museum, which is also hosting the exhibition from Dec. 12 through Feb. 16, 2025. (https:// historymiami.org/)

CARTIER’S TRINITY100

HOLLY JOLLY SYMPHONY FÊTE

The 8th Annual Holly Jolly Symphony Fête hosted by the Palm Beach Symphony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16 at the Cohen Pavilion in the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, West Palm Beach. Attendees can look forward to a festive luncheon featuring a wide-ranging silent auction and holiday music. Proceeds will support the symphony’s music programs, outreach e orts and educational initiatives. (www. palmbeachsymphony.org/support/ holly-jolly)

Photo credit: Capehart Photography www. sunsettequilafest.com/)

Cartier will be hosting an experiential pop-up in the Miami Design District from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 8. The immersive experience at 23 NE 41st St. will take visitors through ve distinct spaces that explore the collection’s journey from its creation by Louis Cartier in 1924 to its in uence today. The limited collection, launching globally in January 2025, introduces ve new designs inspired by the Maison’s legendary bestiaries.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

FIND AN ARRAY OF PRESENTS FOR THE SPECIAL PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE

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23 Telmont Champagne Réserve De La Terre: $105.40; reservebar.com

26 Society De La $70; societydelarassi.com

27 Manojo Mezcal : $49.99; manojomezcal.com

25 Ghost Tequila Blanco and Reposado : $30.99, $39.99; ghosttequila.com

28 Whynter Cigar Humidor : $238.62; amazon.com

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Pier Sixty-Six outlines gastronomic adventures

Pier Sixty-Six is unveiling details about its restaurants as a billion dollar redevelopment approaches the finishing line.

The iconic revolving Pier Top (seen above) at the top of the original hotel tower will be one of the three signature waterfront restaurants. The other two are Calusso and Sotogrande.

Here are details on each from a news release:

• Pier Top, perched on the 17th floor of the spire-crowned tower, has been reimagined with a seductive, modern twist. Retaining its signature Googie-style architecture, Pier Top will have rotating 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, skyline and the Pier Sixty-Six marina, which is the largest superyacht marina on the eastern seaboard.

• Calusso (seen on the next page) will offer a sophisticated dining experience with tableside and curated presentations of the finest seafood, handcrafted pastas, premium meats, fresh vegetables and

desserts — all inspired by the culinary traditions of the French and Italian Rivieras. Designed by combining the essence of Southern European luxury with South Florida’s coastal charm, Calusso's interior will feature a refined setting with thoughtful design elements.

• Sotogrande will honor the bold flavors of southern Spain and the eastern Mediterranean, featuring sharable plates, authentic spices and a lively social atmosphere. The design evokes the warmth and vibrancy of the Mediterranean coast with organic textures and rich earthy tones that are designed to transport guests to a sun-kissed seaside village. The layout will encourage sharing and socialization through large communal tables and bright, inviting spaces that reflect the essence of the Mediterranean.

Pier Sixty-Six was the cover story in the October edition of SFBW magazine (SFBWmag.com). It will include an abundance of luxurious residential offerings and a 2 ½-acre multilayered pool deck.

Pier Sixty-Six, owned by Tavistock Group and managed by CoralTree Hospitality, will have 12 restaurants and bars. Pier Sixty-Six will open in December as Broward County's first hotel in two decades with this many food and beverage destinations.

“Pier Sixty-Six is furthering Fort Lauderdale’s new gastronomic revitalization,” says Colm O'Callaghan, vice president and managing director for Pier Sixty-Six. “Our approach is to create a dynamic food and beverage epicenter that offers diverse experiences from a sophisticated restaurant inspired by the joie de vivre of the French and Italian rivieras to a casual eatery bursting with flavors embracing its local roots. We are proud to be a part of the city’s hospitality evolution.”

Here are details on some of the other venues:

• Garni will be an upscale bistro-style café offering all-day brunch, seven days a week, complete with a juice bar, Champagne Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar, and live breakfast stations. The menu blends French-inspired dishes with American classics, featuring options like crêpes, pastries, omelets with caviar, and a dessert buffet.

• The Nectar Room will be an adults-only poolside venue offering Asian-inspired bites and

artisan-crafted libations. Featuring an energetic rum bar and sake-infused cocktails, The Nectar Room’s design blends the lush vibrancy of a tropical oasis with sleek modern elements — from sophisticated outdoor seating to colorful décor, native plants and warm lighting.

• Saltbreeze, an indoor-outdoor family pool café will have a modern Latin-inspired menu coupled with an extensive tequila and agave spirits catalog for what’s billed as Florida’s best poolside margaritas.

• Windows on 66, site of the resort’s former lobby bar, will debut as an airy space with floorto-ceiling windows serving shareable bar snacks paired with a curated selection of vodkas and gins from around the world.

• Sweet 66 will be a whimsical candy dreamland and pays tribute to the flavors of Florida with handmade confections.

• Pelican Landing will open in 2025 as a casual waterfront eatery accessible by boat within the marina promenade, where guests can savor local flavors. True to its name, Pelican Landing will serve as a landing place and retreat for those stepping off yachts or simply seeking favorites such as conch fritters.

Festivals

SoBe Wine and Food

Tickets are now available for the 24th annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One.

The four-day star-studded event from Feb. 20-23 will return to Miami Beach with more than 105 events, Food Network’s biggest culinary icons, Grammy-winning artists, popular lifestyle personalities, and more than 500 chefs, winemakers and spirit producers.

Returning fan favorites include:

• Rachael Ray hosting the 18th annual Mike's Amazing Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons.

• Aarón Sánchez hosting Tacos & Tequila, presented by Tequila Cazadores.

• The 135,000-square-foot Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village featuring living cooking demonstrations from Food Network personalities, 1,200 products for sampling and more than 45 restaurants,

• New events include:

• Alex vs Miami, hosted by Alex vs America’s Alex Guarnaschelli and Eric

Adjepong, will be a latenight dance party with chefs competing to create the best dish of the night inspired by local flavors.

• Guy Fieri will host Tournament of Champions, an epic culinary competition with four teams, each led by a past tournament winner.

• Tyler Florence will host Masters of Fire, celebrating the art of grilling and outdoor cooking.

• Duff Goldman will host a comedy show and dessert party.

• Asian Night Market will be hosted by Zimmern, Jet Tila and AartSequeira and feature a performance by Rev Run. Tickets for the festival are available at sobewff.org.

Openings

daTwo in the Gables Da Silva Hospitality, the family-owned company behind Coral Gable’s Zucca, has two concepts coming this winter to the city. The first concept revives Hereford Grill, which closed during the Covid pandemic. It will re-open at its original location, 782 NW 42nd Ave., with 252 seats, a contemporary

dining and market experiences, including LaBiga (pizzeria), a pasta concept, a grill and fish station, PortaVia (a gastro market offering dine-in and take-home options) and a Dolci station featuring desserts and gelato. Zuccaly will also have a bar area featuring fine Italian and global wines, Italian craft beers, and cocktails in a vibrant atmosphere.

daBurgers on OPB has brought its award-winning burgers to a new location at 2031 E. Oak-

La Birra is known for freshly baked homemade buns, premium Argentine meat and unique in-house toppings. Hailing from Buenos Aires, La Birra’s burgers have won accolades such as the Best Burger at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

Drinks on the pier has opened at Sunny Isles’ historic Newport Fishing Pier, offering craft cocktails and eats directly above the Atlantic Ocean.

The food menu includes shareables (guacamole & chips, wings, coconut shrimp and

chicken tenders), salads and sandwiches (turkey club, burgers, grilled chicken, fish tacos and hot dogs).

XBooze it up or not Twisted Tonic planned a Nov. 16 opening for its 3,000-square-foot rooftop space at Lincoln Eatery, 723 Lincoln Lane, Miami Beach.

Its concept includes three tiers of alcohol content: libre (no alcohol), splash (reduced alcohol) and stiff (standard alcohol).

daHungry for hoagies?

Entrepreneur John Wiggins unveiled the upcoming launch of his new hospitality venture, Johnny’s Hungry Hoagies. The first location, 790 East Broward Blvd., Suite 11B, Fort Lauderdale, will open in early December. It will be situated in the plaza of the Laureat apartment building.

The highlight of the menu is the Johnny’s Epic Steak Sandwich, featuring a half pound of hand-sliced USDA prime steak accompanied by grilled onions and mushrooms.

XPadrino’s, a South Florida Cuban restaurant brand, planned a Tuesday, Nov. 19 opening of its first full-service bar, which will be at its remodeled Hallandale Beach location at 2500 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd.

The bar will have a vibrant mix of green hues and a mirrored wall. It will debut a lineup of handcrafted mojitos and cocktails such as Classic Mojito, Cielo and Pinar Del Rio.

The redesigned restaurant will have a vibrant and tropical ambiance while simultaneously paying tribute to Cuba’s classic 1950’s style and tradition. Diners will be welcomed with iconic elements, such as an entry accent wall adorned with hundreds of Cuban cigar branded

box lids, green monochromatic hues throughout the space, including furniture and decor, a banana leaf-printed mural wall and more.

Tres Leche, Key Lime and Arroz con Leche at Padrino’s

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT 5

BOUCHON BISTRO

THREE-STAR MICHELIN CHEF’S OUTPOST IN CORAL GABLES

WHERE: 2101 Galiano St., Coral Gables, FL, 33134 PHONE: (305) 990-1360

WEBSITE: https://www.thomaskeller.com/coral-gables- orida/bouchon-bistro

CELEBRATED CHEF: Bouchon’s Thomas Keller is the rst and only American-born chef to hold multiple top three-star ratings from the Michelin Guide. Other accolades include The Culinary Institute of America’s “Chef of the Year” Award and the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Chef” and “Outstanding Restaurateur” Awards. He is known for The French Laundry in Napa Valley and Per Se, in New York City. He is the author of six cookbooks that have sold 1.5 million copies.

THE SCENE: The mid-day Sunday drive was a breeze without all the weekday tra c. Take time to explore Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile, swim in the Venetian Pool or visit The Biltmore Hotel. As we turned o Douglas Road, we passed through the historic entry into the city’s business district — the Alhambra Entrance, a stone structure that looks like a bridge with two towers. Just a few blocks away was the 1924 Mediterranean-style La Palma building, a tting home for a French bistro. A huge bowl of owers behind the reception desk, a gleaming, mirrored bar and an impressive display of seafood in curvey glass cases set the tone. The interior was designed by Keller’s long-time collaborator Adam D. Tihany of New York City. Colorful French country oor tiles, a parlor palm and prints of objects and their French names made it feel like

Bouchon has an impressive selection of seafood, i

the French countryside.

ENJOY THE WINE:

We got some great reommendations: The 2016 Meursault, La Barre Dessus – Clos Marguerite was a smooth white wine that was a great palate cleanser. The Chateau DuTertre, Margaux 2011, a red Bourdeau blend, was light and smooth. An electronic tablet o ers an extensive list of choices. The cocktail list includes

the French 75, Bijou, St. Germain Spritz and Boulevardier.

STARTING OFF:

The sectional-style baguette had a thin crispy outer layer and a very so inside. The Escargot de Bourgogne came in pu pastries — great for dipping in the sauce. The endive salad was artfully arranged and had creamy so chunks of blue cheese. The Foie Gras

Saute was melt-in-yourmouth deliciousness and so was the Gnocchi á la Parisienne, which was a much more delicate pasta than the typical Italian version.

ENTREES AND DESSERT:

The menu o ers seasonally changing classic French dishes such as roast chicken, steak frites and croque madame. We split the Boeuf Bourguignon — braised short rib with ngerling potatoes, French round carrots, pearl onions, bacon lardons and a Bordelaise sauce. It had a masterful complex avor and was fork tender. The other entrée was Truite Grenobloise, sauteed Idaho rainbow trout with cauli ower orets, capers, lemon suprémes, brioche and beurre noisette. It was perfectly prepared and the lets slid right o the skin. The star side was the Champignons de Paris, button mushroom in a tasty veal juice. Save room for the Pro teroles with ice cream and a chocolate sauce

poured tableside and the Chocolate

SHORT TAKES

> Happy Hour: Tuesday-Saturday, 4-6 p.m.,

> Hours:

Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.

Monday–Thursday: 4-10 p.m.

Friday: noon to 10 p.m.

Saturday: noon to 10 p.m.

> Bouchon emphasizes seaonal items and fall/winter brings Boudin Noir, blood sausage with potato purée and caramelized apples; Saumon Poêlé, panseared Scottish salmon with French green lentils, matignon of root vegetables and red wine jus; and tender Con t de Canard, duck prepared in a multi-step time-consuming fashion.

> The prices at Bouchon are reasonable given the quality of the food and service, but you can get an extra boost with the recent three-course prix- xe L’Express Lunch and Dinner menus.

Mousse.

Conﬁt de Canard

The Grand Plateau seafood tower

Relax and feel like you are in the French countryside

HOLIDAY FEASTS AND TREATS

FROSTY’S HIDEAWAY

ADDRESS: InterContinental Miami, inside Freddy’s, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami

THE BUZZ: Don’t tell St. Nick you’ve snuck away to this underground Christmas pop-up drinking den (or maybe he’s there imbibing, too). Tucked away like a hidden winter wonderland, it’s like a magical sleigh ride straight into the heart of Christmas cheer with festive décor, twinkling lights and cozy nooks for selfies. The speakeasy style hideaway is open only on select Friday and Saturday nights through Saturday, Dec. 21. Order up the Yule Mule, Noel Margarita and Santa’s Smokey Pecan Old Fashioned for a taste of the season. Reservations are a must with only two seatings at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

CONTACT: (305) 577-1000; WWW.ICMIAMHOTEL. COM/FROSTYS

CREATIVE CELEBRATIONS FOR DINING, DRINKING AND DECKING THE HALLS. BY

MICHELLE F. SOLOMON

STUBBORN SEED

ADDRESS: 1010 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

THE BUZZ: Enjoy the night before Christmas with a culinary journey from Jeremy Ford, the winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef” during Season 13 of the hit culinary competition show. At the Michelin-starred restaurant, Ford offers an eight-course chef tasting menu (like the seafood dish above) or elevate the experience to the 10-course tasting menu. Some of the chef’s choices are coconut shrimp ceviche, handmade potato gnocchi, a potato crusted Atlantic swordfish, dry aged duck and dessert. Go for broke with the amber Kaluga caviar enhancement. Happy holidays, indeed! Contact: (786) 322-5211; stubbornseed.com

3LE COLONIAL

ADDRESS: 601 E Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach

THE BUZZ: How about something a bit different than the traditional for Christmas and Hanukkah? At this French-Vietnamese restaurant, specials on Dec. 25 include two small plates, a lobster and winter squash bisque and a Hamachi Crudo with scallops, celery, watermelon, radish and roe eggs splashed with a coconut lime dressing. For the entrées, try the black-tea cured Hudson Valley duck leg with parsnip, squash and saffron braised beans. Come to a celebratory close with a decadent housemade triple mousse enhanced with lemongrass syrup.

CONTACT: (561) 566-1800; www.lecolonial.com

SHOOTER’S WATERFRONT

ADDRESS: 3033 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale

THE BUZZ: Santa Claus docks at Shooters every Saturday for brunch in December. Enjoy buffet style or a la carte brunch items. Santa’s fave is the custom omelet and waffle station and he’s been known to hang around at the ham and roast beef carving station. But he’s happy to take a break to snap a picture for the nice and those who are naughty, too. Contact: (954) 566-2855; shooterswaterfront.com

CONTACT: (954) 566-2855; shooterswaterfront.com

MIA ROSEBUD

ADDRESS: 150 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton

THE BUZZ: Restaurateur Alex Dana has been a part-time Boca Raton resident since the 1980s spending the other part of the year in his hometown of Chicago, where the original Rosebud launched in 1976. Now, he’s brought the flavor of Chi-town to Boca with Mia Rosebud. The Italian restaurant doubles as a steakhouse serving a choice 24 oz. delmonico and The Carmine, a 16-oz bone-in filet chop topped with fragrant Lyonnaise potatoes. A happy hour favorite that’s a must is Mia Rosebud’s filet mignon slider, a juicy piece of meat on a brioche bun with pickles ($9).

CONTACT: (561) 462-3000; rosebudrestaurants.com

CORSAIR KITCHEN AND BAR

ADDRESS: Inside the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa, 19999 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura

THE BUZZ: A decadent buffet experience perfect for holiday feasting features a delectable selection, including a raw bar with stone crab claws, ceviche and a sushi boat; mini lobster rolls, a salad bar and antipasto salad; a carving station with ham and lamb chops and a sweet ending with mini desserts and the must for the holiday – buche de Noel aka Yule log.

CONTACT: (786) 279-6800; jwturnberry.com

7 LA FUGA

ADDRESS: 2900 Riomar St. at the Kimpton Shorebreak, Fort Lauderdale

THE BUZZ: An Italian tradition, the Feast of Seven Fishes is celebrated on Christmas Eve with seven savory dishes ranging from Scampi Fra Diavolo – jumbo shrimp, garlic, parsley and bruschetta to an overflowing seafood cioppino (fisherman’s stew) of scallops, mussels, clams, grouper and shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce. You don’t have to know Italian to enjoy the feast of the fishes. Just say mangia!

CONTACT: (954) 908-7308; lafugarestaurant.com

CONSTELLATION CATERING GROUP

ADDRESS: 2151 NW 1st Court, Miami

THE BUZZ: Looking to make an impression on family and friends? With its culinary class, some of the area’s most high-end cultural institutions call on Constellation when they’re serving the stars. Whether it’s a holiday dinner at home or a big New Year’s Eve blowout, the specialty here is creative and interactive — themed gourmet grazing tables, champagne towers, a roving caviar cart and various menu options featuring fresh locally sourced ingredients that are personalized right down to the dessert and drinks. Never lift a finger but get all the applause for hosting one heckuva celebration. CONTACT: (786) 626-1852; constellationcatering.com

MASTRO’S OCEAN CLUB

ADDRESS: 3000 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale

THE BUZZ: What’s so wonderful about spending Christmas in South Florida is dining in a tropical wonderland, palm trees swaying, a cool night breeze and looking out over the Intracoastal Waterway. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this seafood-centered restaurant’s menu has jumbo lump crab cakes or a lobster cocktail among the many appetizers. Mouth-watering entrees include its signatures: Bigeye tuna or a jerked spice Florida grouper, which are nothing short of a holiday treat. The perfect ending is Mastro’s famous cinnamon and pecan butter cake that sweetens the season.

CONTACT: (954) 561-4800; mastrosrestaurants.com

MAREVA 1939

ADDRESS: The National Hotel Miami Beach, 1677 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

THE BUZZ: Leave the hassle of cooking at home and indulge in seasonal menu items such as winter coleslaw, turkey breast with chorizo and raisins crumble, and baby marble potatoes. Before diving in, start out with the must have at Mareva 1939 — Executive Chef Sergio Chamizo’s Spanish cheese board complemented with toasted Marcona almonds. To share with the table, order the big pitcher of house-made sangria; red, white or sparkling.

CONTACT: (305) 532-2311; mareva1939.com

Arsy-Varsy

Atelier

Batch

Burt

Lucille’s

ManCave

White

Lifestyle Media Group bringing you local expert advice that matters. Lifestyle Media Group brings you local expert advice that matters.

advice expert

Lifestyle Magazine’s experts weigh in on 2024’s hottest issues, trends and topics that affect our everyday lives.

UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING ACNE

IF NOT NOW… WHEN?

Look and feel your best NOW! As the years pass, we all slowly lose our ability to produce our own hormones and that limits our ability to live well. Our goal is to optimize your hormone balance so you can feel your best. Many times, a simple tweaking of your hormones can make all the difference in the world.

As a dermatologist specializing in acne treatment, I understand the physical and emotional impact that this common skin condition can have on individuals. From teenagers struggling with hormonal breakouts to adults dealing with persistent blemishes, acne affects people of all ages and backgrounds. In this expert advice blog, I will share insights and recommendations on managing acne effectively.

One of the most crucial steps in managing acne is understanding its underlying causes.

DENISE GUEVARA

FAAD

Premier

954.791.4498

954-860-7500

lowteflorida.com

premierdermatologypartners.com

Contrary to popular belief, acne is not solely the result of poor hygiene; rather, it is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, hormonal imbalances, and environmental factors. By addressing these root causes, dermatologists can tailor treatment plans to target specific triggers and pathways contributing to acne development.

When it comes to treatment, personalized care is key. Dermatologists have a variety of therapeutic options at their disposal, ranging from topical medications like retinoids and benzoyl peroxide to oral antibiotics and hormonal therapies. By assessing each patient’s skin type, severity of acne, and medical history, dermatologists can recommend the most appropriate treatment approach to achieve optimal results.

In addition to medical interventions, adopting a comprehensive skincare routine is essential for managing acne. Dermatologists often advise patients to use noncomedogenic products, establish a consistent cleansing regimen, and avoid harsh scrubbing or picking at acne lesions. Moreover, incorporating lifestyle modifications such as stress management techniques, dietary changes, and regular exercise can complement medical treatments and support overall skin health.

LowTE Florida utilizes the scientifically proven BioIdentical hormone pellet system. Pellet therapy is not new; hormone pellets have been used with great success in the United States, Europe, and Australia since 1939. More than 80 years of research has illustrated the benefits and safety of pellet implants for administering hormones to both women and men. Our pellet therapy uses bioidentical, allnatural estrogen and testosterone, delivered by tiny pellets inserted just under the skin. Over the next several months, the pellets release the hormones and are eventually absorbed completely. What makes us different? Our pellets are made from the highest quality plantbased materials and are compressed at hundreds of pounds of pressure – enabling them to deliver constant levels of hormone replacement for months at a time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This prevents the roller-coaster ride of the other modes of delivery (pills, shots, patches, gels, creams, etc.). In addition, our patented dosing system is exact. Through precise testing and proper consultation, the most accurate dose is prescribed for each patient’s unique body chemistry. Your pellets are inserted by only well-trained certified experts who have years of hormone replacement therapy experience.

At LowTE Florida® we provide individualized treatment based on your biochemistry and your medical history utilizing the bioidentical hormone pellet therapy – grounded in science, not guesswork. Call today to schedule your FREE Consultation with Bio-Identical Hormone Expert, Carolyn Zaumeyer, 954-791-4498.

Ultimately, successful acne management requires a holistic approach that combines medical expertise with patient education and personalized care. By working closely with a dermatologist and following their guidance on skincare, lifestyle habits, and treatment options, individuals can take control of their acne journey and achieve clearer, healthier skin in the long term.

IF NOT NOW… WHEN?

UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING ACNE

DENISE GUEVARA

RDE, FAAD

Premier Dermatology Partners®

5353 N Federal Highway, Suite 303

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

954-860-7500

premierdermatologypartners.com

954.791.4498 lowteflorida.com

One of the most crucial steps in managing acne is understanding its underlying causes. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not solely the result of poor hygiene; rather, it is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, hormonal imbalances, and environmental factors. By addressing these root causes, dermatologists can tailor treatment plans to target specific triggers and pathways contributing to acne development.

LowTE Florida utilizes the scientifically proven BioIdentical hormone pellet system. Pellet therapy is not new; hormone pellets have been used with great success in the United States, Europe, and Australia since 1939. More than 80 years of research has illustrated the benefits and safety of pellet implants for administering hormones to both women and men. Our pellet therapy uses bioidentical, all-natural estrogen and testosterone, delivered by tiny pellets inserted just under the skin. Over the next several months, the pellets release the hormones and are eventually absorbed completely. What makes us different? Our pellets are made from the highest quality plantbased materials and are compressed at hundreds of pounds of pressure – enabling them to deliver constant levels of hormone replacement for months at a time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This prevents the roller-coaster ride of the other modes of delivery (pills, shots, patches, gels, creams, etc.). In addition, our patented dosing system is exact. Through precise testing and proper consultation, the most accurate dose is prescribed for each patient’s unique body chemistry. Your pellets are inserted by only well-trained certified experts who have years of hormone replacement therapy experience.

CAROLYN ZAUMEYER

NURSE

advice expert

SPONSORED

CONTENT

TWELVE WAYS OF GIVING TO OLDER ADULTS

The New Year brings renewed hope for achieving personal goals and finding happiness. Neuroscience shows that giving can significantly enhance your joy and improve your overall health. Acts of kindness can reduce stress, combat depression, keep your mind engaged, and provide a sense of purpose. While volunteering offers essential support to those in need, it can also bring even greater benefits to you. It’s important to consider various causes when giving, especially older adults, who are often overlooked. United HomeCare invites you to volunteer with us.

or visit unitedhomecare.com avusconnect.org

As the largest nonprofit organization serving seniors, disabled adults, and their family caregivers in South Florida, we are acutely aware of the needs of older adults. Many frail elders experience isolation and loneliness. Your support as a volunteer is crucial in helping them remain engaged in the community as they age. Our mission is increasingly vital, especially as the older adult population continues to grow. After all, “There’s just no place like home.”

Here are 12 ways you can help older adults in South Florida: 1. Volunteer your time and talents. 2. Donate to charitable organizations that assist the elderly. 3. Spread the word! Inform your neighbors, family, and friends, and share on social media. 4. Advocate for the elderly. 5. Buy a gift certificate for personal home care services. 6. Visit an assisted living facility or nursing home to offer your time, talents, and engaging conversation. 7. Help an elderly neighbor. 8. Teach your children to treat elders with dignity and respect. 9. Assist a family caregiver. 10. Stay involved in your community. 11. Learn from the elderly; they are a treasure! 12. Consider adding volunteering and charitable giving to your bucket list this year. You’d be surprised by the impact you can make.

For more information on how you can support United HomeCare®, please call 305.716.0710, or visit unitedhomecare.com

The Stone Law Group

adults, and their family caregivers in South Florida, we are acutely aware of the needs of older adults. Many frail elders experience isolation and loneliness. Your support as a volunteer is crucial in helping them remain engaged in the community as they age. Our mission is increasingly vital, especially as the older adult population continues to grow. After all, “There’s just no place like home.”

For more information on how you can support United HomeCare®, please call 305.716.0710, or visit unitedhomecare.com

Todd Stone graduated from the Washington College of Law, The American University in 1992 after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Affairs in 1989. Since beginning his career as an Assistant Attorney General, Todd has focused his legal practice on business and probate litigation. He was selected as a Top Lawyer in Broward County by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated Magazine (2021) and is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Todd has also served as President of a number of community and legal organizations throughout his 30 year legal career, including the B’nai B’rith Justice Unit, the Broward County Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, America Inns of Court, Stephen R. Booher Chapter, Tower Forum and Broward Days. He continues to be involved through other organizations, including the Susie and Alan B. Levan NSU Ambassadors Board and the Riverwalk Trust.

VIEW BY LAND

Experience the 53rd Anniversary of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.

• Culinary Courtyard

• Free Activities

Parade V iewing Area

• Enjoy a festival atmosphere

Live Entertainment before and after the Best Show on H2O!

Located off Las Olas Boulevard and the Intracoastal.

Children ages 3 and Under are FREE.

D y a

n oulevard nder are FREE . or

Your Favorite Boat

Vote for Your Favorite Boat

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP - Vote for your favorite boat to win round trip travel and track Santa. Visit winterfestparade.com/santa or search Winterfest Santa Tracker in your App Store, powered by

WATCH ON TV

ONE HOUR SPECIAL: Winterfest® Television Special is shared around the state through a network partnership with WSVN (Fox Affiliate) and Bally Sports Sun and is rebroadcast throughout the holiday season.

SOUTH FLORIDA: Watch the Winterfest® Television Special on WSVN 7. SEE IT LIVE: Look on Winterfest Social Sites, Facebook Live

LOCALLY: The ‘World’s Most Watched Boat Parade” can be seen live on Fort Lauderdale’s city station Comcast Channel 78.

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DESTINATION GOLF

Lifestyle takes a look at some of Florida’s top golf destinations

By Steve Pike

TJW MARRIOTT MARCO ISLAND BEACH RESORT

A touch of the Pacific in southern Florida

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, with its expansive, private beach, is an ideal destination for golfers, families and couples. The 664-room property gives off a bit of a South Pacific feel and also shows off one of South Florida’s more beautiful barrier islands.

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort has two terrific, private golf courses — Rookery at Marco and Hammock Bay Golf Club. Each were designed by Jim Hardy and Peter Jacobsen.

Although Rookery and Hammock Bay have their own distinct design styles, each course shows off the wonders of South Florida’s natural habitats. Look closely around Rookery (7,100 yards, par 72), for example, and you’re likely to see alligators, blue heron and possibly a bald eagle.

has up to seven sets of tees.

“The two courses are distinctly different,’’ said Director of Golf Anthony Schmid. “At Rookery, you have maybe 15 holes with some kind of water and forced carries. Hammock Bay is more a link-style layout that’s cut through the mangroves. Better golfers prefer Rookery because they love the challenge. But if you ask, ‘Which is your favorite?’ you get a split. It’s not all based on ability level.’’

JW Marriott Marco Island

Beach Resort

400 S Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145

Hammock Bay (6,985 yards, par 72) is an Audubon gold-certified sanctuary layout with 18 individual and distinct holes, fairways lined with live oak trees and a more rolling terrain than The Rookery. You never feel like you’re playing the same hole twice.

The Rookery and Hammock Bay each feature Paspalum Platinum fairways (salt tolerant and eco-friendly) and TifEagle greens (super dwarf Bermuda grass). Each course

Back at the resort, be sure to check out the times and dates for the live fire dancing (a tribute to its South Pacific ambience); go on a sailing/shelling excursion; or my favorite, take a Yamaha WaveRunner tour through the 10,000 Islands of the Everglades. It might be the most exhilarating two hours you’ll spend all day.

For the less adventurous, the Spa by JW is a great way to relax.

The resort has plenty of dining options. If you want something on the upscale side, try Ario, and maybe even go with the chef’s dining experience.

Two poolside favorites are Quinn’s for coastal seafood and 400 Pazzi’s, which offers an outstanding array of pizzas and sandwiches.

LLA PLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT

A rare opportunity to play along the beach

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples is one of the great destinations for families, couples and golf buddy trips in southwest Florida.

The beachfront resort – one of only a handful of properties actually on the beach along the Paradise Coast – has made an impressive comeback after being closed in various stages since Hurricane Ian decimated the Naples area in September 2022. Fortunately, the course was still open after Hurricane Helene.

neighborhood (not affiliated with LaPlaya) still stands as a gateway to LaPlaya Golf Club

In 2001, the Palm River course, through a partnership of new owners Stephen J. Lockwood Co. and Barron Collier Companies, brought in acclaimed golf course architect Bob Cupp to re-design the course, which reopened as LaPlaya Golf Club in 2002 – the same year the resort made its debut.

La Playa Beach & Golf Resort

9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL 34108

The resort’s newly renovated guest rooms and suites offer views of the Gulf of Mexico and make a headquarters to explore all things Naples, including the city’s eclectic shopping and dining areas.

The course plays 6,902 yards from the back tees and features five sets of tee boxes. Cupp basically created a “what you see is what you get,’’ layout, but with plenty of water hazards and some narrow fairways to keep players honest.

The original course at Naples Beach & Golf Club opened in 1929. LaPlaya Golf Club was born in 1958 as the Palm River golf community – really the first of its kind in Southwest Florida. Located just a few miles from the resort, much of the Palm River

The resort’s Baleen restaurant is one of Naple’s top rated and offers views of the Gulf. There’s even a dining option right on the sand if you make a reservation.

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is a showcase for how a combination resort and members club can seamlessly operate.

TTHE BOCA RATON

Michael Dell’s firm upgrades resort

Critics argue that after the sale of Boca Raton Resort & Club to Michael Dell’s MSD Partners in 2019, which included a name change to simply, “The Boca Raton,’’ Addison Mizner’s legendary resort became more style than substance. However, that “eye of the beholder’’ argument can be postured either way. There is no doubt, however, that the resort has a significantly fresher feel and look than under its years under the Blackstone Inc. umbrella.

suites.

When the Beach Club Hotel opens, it will give The Boca Raton a total of five hotels (Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower and Bungalows) amid 200 waterfront acres.

The Boca Raton

501 East Camino Real

Boca Raton, Fl 33432

For example, a $200 million renovation included a redesign of the resort’s public areas; the debut of new restaurants; and the restoration of the report’s signature Cloister tower.

The reimagining of the property’s Beach Club Hotel will be unveiled in January, featuring more new restaurants, a new-look lobby, featuring a new bar and café; a new fitness facility and oceanside event space, and renovation of the hotel’s 207 guest rooms and

The Boca Raton golf course — originally a Donald Ross design known as the Cloister Inn Golf Club when it opened in 1926 — is a solid, 6,253-yard, par 71 layout, featuring five sets of tees. Ross designed the course in between the time he built two of his more noted Palm Beach County layouts — Gulf Stream Golf Club (1924) and Seminole (1929).

There’s nothing hidden or quirky about the course, which is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Golf legends Tommy Armour and Sam Snead each served as golf professionals at the resort.

The golf course is exclusively reserved for resort guests and members.

TTHE BREAKERS PALM BEACH

Ocean Course regarded as oldest active course in Florida

Pinehurst, N.C. touts itself as the “Home of American Golf,’’ thanks in part to Donald Ross and his masterpiece, Pinehurst No. 2. But before there was Ross, there was Alexander Findlay.

A Scotsman like Ross, Findlay came to the U.S. in 1887 — basically to be a cowhand at the Merichiston Ranch near Fullerton, NE., a not-so unusual occupation for young British men of that era seeking better lives outside of Victorian England.

at Palm Beach Golf Club, Harry Vardon — then the world’s best golfer — won a 36-hole one-up against his old friend, Findlay. The Palm Beach Tribune called it the “greatest golf match ever played at Palm Beach.” Findlay and Vardon, who stayed on to win the 1900 U.S. Open at the Chicago Golf Club, played more than 4,000 holes of exhibition golf over the next few years and laid the groundwork for golf in America.

The Breaker Palm Beach

1 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480

But Findlay, a champion golfer, couldn’t get the game out of his system. Thus, he’s credited with building the first contiguous golf holes in the U.S. — now lost on the plains of Nebraska — sometime between 1887 and 1889.

In 1896 — four years before Ross moved from Massachusetts to the Sandhills — railroad tycoon Henry Flagler signed Findlay to design the Palm Beach Golf Club, adjacent to his Breakers resort. That course, which opened in 1897, now is the Breakers Ocean Course. It’s generally considered the oldest active course in Florida, although the Belleair Country Club is sometimes listed as a tie for opening that same year. The Breakers Palm Beach is still considered the standard-bearer for luxury resorts in Palm Beach and South Florida.

But let’s stay with golf. On Feb. 22, 1900,

The course is immaculately landscaped and offers great views of The Breakers classic hotel building with its Mediterranean-style architecture. The Ocean Course plays only 5,778 yards (par 70) from the tips. But that’s enough for most resort guests and members.

In late 2018, the course emerged from a full-scale renovation by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones.

Meanwhile, The Breakers Rees Jones Course in West Palm Beach — about a 20-minute shuttle ride away from the resort — gives even low-handicap players all they can handle. Jones in 2022 renovated the course (7,104 yards, par 72) by reconstructing several holes to allow for expanded shot selections and modified bunkers to improve sightlines and playability.

Play at the courses is open to members and resort guests.

TTIBURÓN GOLF CLUB

The history of golf in Naples and Southwest Florida goes back nearly 100 years, but it wasn’t until Tiburón Golf Club opened in Naples in 1998 that the area became a premier golf destination. Prior to that, the Naples area in southwest Florida was primarily known for its plethora of golf course communities, particularly along the north/south U.S. 41 corridor.

That’s still the case, but Tiburón Golf Club has helped spark growth — golf and otherwise — east of U.S. 41.

ture crushed coquina shell waste areas, along with pine straw lined fairways. With more narrow corridors than the Gold, the Black generally is considered the more difficult of the two courses, meaning that if you are the “average’’ resort player, it might be best to begin with the Gold.

Tiburón Golf Club

2620 Tiburon Dr, Naples, FL 34109

Managed by Troon, the Club’s two Greg Norman-designed golf courses — Gold and Black — are considered among the best in all of Florida.

Need proof? Consider that Tiburón (Spanish for “Shark”) has hosted such high profile professional events such as the the LPGA Tour’s season-ending CME Group Tour Championship; the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout; and the PGA Tour Champions’ Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO.

The Gold Course (7,382 yards, par 72) begins with a long par-five (573 yards from the tips) and sets the tone of the layout that shows off a nice blend of traditional and modern course design. There’s nothing particularly fancy or tricked up about the Gold, it’s simply a solid test of golf.

The Black (6,949 yards, par 72), which opened in 2001, features Norman’s signa-

Each course has “hybrid’’ tees along with its regular tee boxes, which makes it easier for players of all abilities to select the proper distances.

Tiburón Golf Club’s 27,000-square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse includes three dining rooms, a private member locker rooms and lounge areas and a pro shop. From the pro shop to the staging area, guests receive the traditionally solid Troon service, making Tiburón Golf Club one of the “must play’’ destinations in South Florida. Tiburón is designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International.

Tee times can be booked at www.tiburonnaples.com/golf.

Tiburón Golf Club is located adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, one of two Ritz-Carlton properties in Naples. The other is the beachfront Ritz-Carlton Naples a few miles to the west.

The Tiburón Ritz location includes a water park with three waterslides and 600 feet of mellow, meandering waterways for a leisurely float.

Greg Norman courses created a golfing destination

The undulating form of

will be a signi cant addition for the

Ombelle

downtown Fort Lauderdale skyline.

Curve Appeal

OMBELLE BRINGS A HIGHLY DESIRED AESTHETIC

By Kevin Gale

Downtown Fort Lauderdale has had a surge of high-rise residential developments, but one group of critics hasn’t always been happy.

Members of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission have critiqued some projects as being overly boxy and lacking in distinctive architectural features.

However, that clearly won’t be the case with the upcoming Ombelle Fort Lauderdale.

The 43-story twin towers at 300 NE 3rd Avenue in Flagler Village have a distinctive curvy design. It’s the first of three Fort Lauderdale projects planned by Dependable Equities, a Brooklyn-based vertically integrated real estate investment firm and New York City’s ODA Architecture.

It’s further affirmation of the attention downtown Fort Lauderdale

is drawing nationally.

“We try to pick an area that has the fundamentals to support growth and to support luxury development,” says Isaac Schlesinger, a cofounder of Dependable Equities. “Our design is going to be on par with the nicest development that anybody can imagine as well as the finishes of the apartments.”

Ombelle will include 775 residences, over 11,000-square-feet of ground floor retail and over 100,000 square

The sauna at Ombelle will have a garden view

feet of indoor and outdoor amenities.

Schlesinger and co-founder Simon Dushinsky, who is also principal and founder of the Rabsky Group in New York, are responsible for developing thousands of luxury residential units there and have more than 2 million square feet under construction. The firm owns and manages a real estate portfolio of more than $4 billion.

Schlesinger says Dependable Equities is basically a continuation of Rabsky, which has been around for three decades and focused the last 15 years on a lot of high-end influential areas in Brooklyn, where it has done millions of square feet of residential. Schlesinger thinks they might be the most active residential developers in Brooklyn these days.

EXPANDING TO FLORIDA

“When we expanded three years ago to Florida, we opened up Dependable Equities and we’re looking to continue the same business model as we have done in the past years in Brooklyn to deliver a very, very high-quality residential development,” Schlesinger says. Dependable Equities has its own in-house general contractor, “which gives us an edge not only completing everything on time and the quality, but our budget is just what our construction cost is.”

avoid busting the budget.

The key for buyers is that units will be offered at a very attractive pricing for a project with a lengthy list of amenities, Schlesinger says. Units are starting in the $400,000s.

The studios and three bedrooms will range from 465 square feet to just over 1,648 square feet, while penthouses will range from 2,400 square feet to just over 2,600 square feet.

Ombelle will offer the latest smart building technology, top-of-the-line appliances and exceptionally finished Italian custom designed kitchens and bathrooms. Each residence will feature airy, sophisticated interiors with designer-curated finish packages, open concept designs and 10-foot

of community.

Wellness and lifestyle-driven amenities are being curated by Arch Amenities Group, which manages 496 sites globally.

The north tower will include a landscaped indoor lounge space, a chef’s kitchen, dining room and dining lounge, a grab-and-go eatery, a dedicated coworking suite with lounge seating, private workstations and private conference rooms, a library, a music room, a recording studio with instrument storage and two private recording pods, a creative arts and crafts studio, a resident lounge and entertaining space and a fully equipped game lounge.

Two indoor pickleball courts with windows on the side will be located on one of the corners of the garage level, Schlesinger says. “We think that’s going to be very cool.”

Developers usually stick with boxy designs, because it’s cheaper to build than a building with curves, Schlesinger explains. However, Dependable Equities’ in-house team was able to work with ODA to come up with an eye-catching design and

ceilings in main living areas.

Residents will have the option to choose fully furnished units and may rent out units for a minimum of 30 days.

The property’s lobby will have a wow factor at 15,000 square feet with an artistic cultural garden. Schlesinger says it will give the feeling of arriving at a grand hotel/spa. The ground floor will include a reception area, multiple lounges and an exclusive residents-only café — designed to foster social interaction and a sense

The south tower features an additional indoor lounge space, a world-class state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with private training, Pilates, massage room, immersive studio and yoga studios; a wellness lounge with an outdoor sauna, cold plunge, treatment rooms, an experiential shower, steam room and sauna complemented with an outdoors Zen Garden; a video game room alongside a swing sports game simulator, and a children’s playroom with indoor and outdoor space. Outdoor, residents will have exclusive access to a resort-style lap pool and a plunge pool with pool-side cabanas and a summer kitchen with multiple seating areas.

This unit’s open, airy living room features a sweeping view of the Atlantic coastline. Residents can opt to have their units delivered fully furnish and rent them out for a minimum of 30 days

“Because we’re building this large development, there’s going to be different people with different needs. So, we have put in every amenity that you can imagine,” Schlesinger says.

“We feel and think that this is going to make a difference in Fort Lauderdale,” Schlesinger says, noting that making a difference is a bedrock of the company’s philosophy. It’s one reason Dependable Equities chose Fort Lauderdale over Miami, which has an abundance of national developers.

Schlesinger said he expects construction to start in mid to late 2025. Dependable Equities is already talking with lenders and he doesn’t expect any issues because of its successful track record. That would contrast with dozens of projects in Flagler Village that have approvals but no announcements about financing.

FINDING OPPORTUNITY EARLY ON Dependable Equities has three acres south of the New River at 633

SE Third Ave. (currently where the Trial Lawyers Building is located) and 101 SE 7th St.

“We see there’s a lot of development coming up south of the river and we feel that the downtown, the same way it expands north of Flagler, is going to expand south of the river,” Schlesinger says.

Schlesinger and his partner like to identify potential areas for projects early. For example, the identified the promise of Brooklyn’s North Williamsburg neighborhood about 20 years ago and it has turned into a global destination.

“We’re one of the first who were building luxury residential in that neighborhood and today it’s just one of the hottest neighborhoods, not only in Brooklyn, but even New York City as a whole.”

A City of Fort Lauderdale website says 633 SE Third Ave. has approval for 830 units and 101 SE 7th St. across the street has approvals for 630 units.

Schlesinger says details are being

finalized. ODA’s website has a stylish rendering for a 47-story 633 SE Third Ave. with tubular shapes and scalloped balconies that keep the building from looking overly massive.

Schlesinger noted the new Federal Courthouse under construction about four blocks away at 1080 SE Third Ave. and likes his sites’ proximity to Rio Vista, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most prestigious neighborhoods.

He says, “We liked the fact that we were able to secure a three-acre site in a very densely populated downtown area, which gave us opportunity to create a really beautiful development that people will be able to appreciate and enjoy rather than kind of going and finding small sites and then building what I call ‘pencil towers.’”

The lengthy list of amenities at Ombelle will include one pool that will get morning sun and another for the a ernoon

THE BAER’S

Flair

CATHY BAER TALKS THE LATEST FURNITURE TRENDS AND A BIGTIME ANNIVERSARY FOR THE FAMILY BUSINESS

By Jesse Sco

From Scandinavian-styled everything to Art Deco dabbles to Art Nouveau rocking chairs, furniture trends have come, gone and repeated. Amid the ebbs and flows, a constant in the South Florida space has been Baer’s Furniture.

Jacksonville down to Pinecrest and points in between. Fun fact: the first Baer’s store was actually in South Bend, Indiana, and its first Florida store, in Dania, opened in 1968.

The company is the brainchild of namesakes Melvin and Lucille Baer. Today, the company is managed by their grandson CEO Jerome Baer, Executive Vice Presidents Larry

and they need to be able to comfortably accommodate them. We carry stock for immediate delivery so our clients can have their homes set up and ready for the holiday season.”

Stepping inside a Baer’s store is a true explorative-meets-educational experience. Its selections span the living room, bedroom, mattress, office, outdoor and window treatment spectrums, with a solution for seemingly anything in between. Beyond items to browse, the company offers free interior design services and has an extensive delivery operation statewide.

With roots dating back to 1945, the home furnishing and services destination now has 16 stores throughout the Sunshine State, stretching from

Baer and Cathy Baer, and CFO Ira Baer. Few folks have their finger on the pulse of South Florida furniture trends like Cathy, who oversees eight South Florida stores from Stuart down to Pinecrest.

Amid all of its business endeavors and entering the holidays, Cathy Baer has a few observations on what’s most in demand at the moment.

“This time of year, dining rooms and sleeper sofas are in high demand,” she says. “People are having guests over for holiday celebrations

Beyond the holidays and what Baer calls “the biggest trends of 2024 and since the beginning of the COVID pandemic” has been morphing homes into true oases of comfort and utilizing outdoor spaces more and more. In addition, motion furniture – which is any piece of furniture that has the ability to rock, swivel, recline or move – continues to gain steam over traditional, stationary furniture. Even mattresses with adjustable bases are becoming more popular. Baer adds, “real formal is out and casual is in. People are looking for inviting, comfortable cozy spaces. Years ago, most furniture had straight lines and angular corners. We are seeing curved sofas and soft edges becoming more popular.”

Among the brands leading the charge are Natuzzi Editions, for its leather offerings, Bernhardt, Lexington and Tommy Bahama. Baer says “Tommy Bahama offers a relaxed interpretation of resort living. They use an array of natural materials that add a lot of texture and interest to their collections. Tommy Bahama really captures and brings that outdoor living feeling inside.”

Looking ahead to the new year, Baer’s will celebrate its 80th anniversary toward the end of 2025. Plans

‘REAL FORMAL IS OUT AND CASUAL IS IN. PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR INVITING, COMFORTABLE COZY SPACE.’

for the celebration are still very much being solidified. On the milestone, Baer says, “For 80 years, the Baer Family has been here to serve our clients. It’s always great to hear the stories of our multigenerational customers buying from the same store as their parents and grandparents. It is impressive that this or any other business can survive four generations.”

As part of the 80th anniversary celebration, Baer says its employees will be front and center. Currently, the company has approximately 750 employees across its operations.

She says, “We couldn’t have done any of this without our amazing and valuable employees, who are all like family to us. In fact, we have an employee who has been with Baer’s 63 years and counting. In today’s world, it is unusual for employees to stay anywhere 25-35 years; we are fortunate that we have many. You do not see that longevity with too many businesses anymore.”

As for the next generation of Baer’s, things seem to be in great, familial hands with David Baer, Vice President of Operations; Danielle Baer, Vice President; Samantha Baer

Haubenstock, Assistant Manager and Jaime Baer, Assistant Manager Baer says, “The fourth generation is already working and thriving within the company. One doesn’t know about the future, but we will be striving for five generations!”

THE ART OF A

The champion specialty services leadership team: COO Kyle Hough, founder Raul Llopis (an international martial arts champion), CEO Carlos Hernandez, and president Duane Hough photographed by Eduardo Schneider at Canino’s Karate and boxing studio in Dania Beach

Champion

Champion Specialty Service’s low-key corporate headquarters is a good example of the cliché of “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Drive by it as you are about to cross the Florida East Coast Railway tracks on Southwest 22nd St. in Fort Lauderdale and it seems like just another concrete block building found in industrial areas throughout the city.

What’s inside, though, is a company whose revenue is running over $200 million a year and with roughly 1,200 employees at any given time. Moreover, there’s a vibrant corporate culture that offers great lessons on how to operate and grow a business while treating employees well.

You may not know Champion, or confuse it with the sportwear retailer, but it’s likely you benefit from its work every day. About half its business is installing specialized coatings (paint, corrosion control, fireproofing, flooring and marine industry).

Those workers painting the soaring overpasses at I-595 and I-95? That’s Champion. It also worked on CB Smith Water Park, iThink Financial Amphitheater, cranes at PortMiami, Rybovich Shipyards, Seminole Hard Rock Stadium and FPL’s tanks and pipes at Port Everglades.

explains the company name. Llopis is a highly accomplished fighter, including being a three-time WKF World Muay Thai Champion.

ACCELERATING GROWTH

Hough was ready to leave a previous employer and do things his own way when he joined Llopis, which led to a business transformation.

“They would paint houses. They would do small jobs, and Raul was very happy with that,” Hough says. “Well, that’s not my M.O. I came in and right away we’re on I-595 blasting and painting bridges. We’re painting the new ballpark that they were building in Miami for the Marlins.”

The company ran into some financial constraints, which led to its purchase by Hough and his friend, CEO Carlos M. Hernandez, a former Marine with a background in law enforcement who owned a specialty coatings business.

Hough’s wife, Tracey, and brother, Duane, already had the business rolling down the tracks, but it really took off when Hernandez came aboard, Hough

says, “and you can visually see that achievement. I’ve taught all the kids that you can’t demand respect. You can only temporarily command respect. The only way to keep it is to earn it.”

You can do a lot of studying on martial arts strategy, “but there’s nothing like spending time in a ring and learning that lesson in the ring, because when you don’t learn it, you pay for it and you feel it. It’s immediate,” he says. “Oh, you make a mistake — ‘I should have done this.’ So, I take that with me in business as well.”

Martial arts teaches you the patience it takes to be in business, he says.

“There’s times where being an entrepreneur, you get your butt kicked from the time you wake up in the morning to the time you go to sleep. And then, guess what? You can’t go to sleep because your mind won’t stop working. And it’s easy for someone to say, ‘This is too much. This is why most businesses fail.”

I DON’T THINK THERE’S ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT MATCHES OUR SERVICE OFFERINGS AND OUR INDUSTRY DIVERSITY

says.

Total revenue is close to $300 million since 2010.

Flip a light switch on and the power may come from an FPL generating plant that Champion helps maintain, whether it’s gas, wind or nuclear power. Brush your teeth and the water may have come from a water treatment plant that it helps maintain. Flush the toilet and Champion may have a role in maintaining the sewer plant.

“I don’t think there’s another organization that matches our service offerings and our industry diversity,” says Kyle Hough, chief operations officer, who purchased the company in 2012 with Champion CEO Carlos M. Hernandez. It was started in 2006 by Raul Llopis, who is a close friend to Hernandez and Hough.

A common thread among the trio is their interest in martial arts, which

They bought Llopis out, but he still has a contracting business that works with Champion on some projects and isn’t a stranger at Champion’s HQ.

Duane is a combat-decorated Marine and led the company into Department of Defense business, such as fuel storage and tank restoration globally.

The brothers practiced Okinawan karate when they were younger and moved into more mixed martial arts later on. “I always enjoyed punching and kicking people,” Hough quips. For many years, a gym near the office was open to disadvantaged youths.

SETTING THE CULTURE

The fighting sports culture played a key role in forming Champion’s corporate culture.

“There’s an inherent respect for the people who have achieved,” Hough

Martial arts also teach humility, which is important because many business failures are related to ego, he says. The foundation of Champion’s workplace culture acknowledges that people often spend more time at work than they do with their own family. “Why should you spend more time at work under a stressful situation and be unhappy when we can just not do certain things and do other things to create a place in which you can feel achievement, you can feel a sense of community and you can walk around here and feel free to talk to anyone you want,” Hough says. Once a month, he fires up the grill and has a cookout for everyone to celebrate that month’s birthdays. The company also brings together 350 people from all over the country for a three-day leadership meeting, which is not a cheap undertaking.

“The point is to bring everyone together to remind each other that we’re humans first,” he says. Sure, it’s a competitive world and there’s a job to do, but “one of the things I always hate is when people say, ‘It’s just business.’ … Because most times people use that term after they’ve done something terrible

… right after they’ve done something everyone knows is wrong.”

UNIONS AND SAFETY

Another interesting aspect about Champion is its unionized workforce, which means employees have health care and a pathway to retirement. There are members of just about every building trade union, including painters, electricians, pipefitters, boiler makers and iron workers.

Union labor is often in short supply, so Champion finds recruits and then brings them to the unions so they can participate in apprenticeship programs, Hough says.

Safety is also a major concern since the work Champion does is extremely dangerous. Before he joined Champion, Hough was working in Philadelphia when a piece of high-pressure equip-

ment broke and knocked him 30 feet into a wastewater treatment tank, smashing the back of his head. He was evacuated in a helicopter. His wife knew he often worked hundreds of feet in the air and thought she was coming to identify his body as she came to the hospital.

Fortunately, he wasn’t permanently injured, even though he had staples in his head and soft tissue damage along his back. No wonder then that Hough thinks a lot about families when it comes to safety. The metrics are good, too. On a scale used by insurance companies, anything below a one is good and Champion is 0.42.

“Most of our competitors struggle maintaining something below a one,” he notes.

That’s something when a chunk of your workforce has the gritty complexities of decommissioning nuclear power

plants in New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York state. A big part of its business is also related to handling asbestos, lead and mercury.

Hough, who shared many great philosophical and management points during the interview offers some final thoughts at the end.

“Remember humanity and remember that as you run your business or you’re part of a business that you can create change. Have the gumption to do it and don’t be scared — do it! If it’s for the betterment, it starts with us. If we rely on larger institutions or government or other folks for change, they’re going to change us to their benefit. But, if we want to change to our benefit, we have to start with us. We can’t just take the status quo and roll with it.”

That’s the Champion way.

Champion sta ers, its founder and family members Front row: Carlos Hernandez, Duane Hough, Raul Llopis, Kyle Hough, and Jenny Guzman; back row: Tristan Hernandez, Parker Hough, Corey Hernandez; Bailey Hough, Treyvon Price and Ivy Horn

BEDROOMS/BATHS: 4 bedrooms + den/4.5 bathrooms

HIGHLIGHTS: Uniquely situated on an iconic waterfront property with access to both the beach and the bay, The St. Regis Residences, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale is the splendid private centerpiece of a vast tropical paradise. Masterfully designed by Arquitectonica, with elegant interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners, this sun-splashed waterfront destination rede nes barefoot luxury living in the yachting capital of the world. With expansive water views, a world-class marina, exclusive dining options, a private beach club, serene green spaces and a wealth of unparalleled amenities, every aspect of this property re ects the signature St. Regis brand — delivering bespoke service and impeccable design for an extraordinary lifestyle.

LISTING PRICE: $8,526,822

Artist’s Rendering

ART MEANS BUSINESS

CEO OF THE BROWARD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

BY MICHELLE F. SOLOMON PHOTOGRAPHY BY EDUARDO SCHNEIDER

TY SUTTON

SUTTON

With his boyish looks and wide grin, Ty Sutton, the new president and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, is the first to admit that he’s achieved much already in his career and has yet to turn 50.

At 49, Sutton has been a CEO or executive director running the business of performing arts for nearly two decades.

“It happened very young for me. And so, you know, when I think about it, I have been sort of a fixture in my career,” says Sutton. He’s not only been a fixture, but he’s also been a fixer.

“I have run four major performing arts centers now –in Colorado, Texas, Indiana and Ohio, and all of those jobs were coming to solve a problem.”

But when he took over the reins of the Broward Center and its affiliated venues in February, Sutton knew he was inheriting a place that had already been through its fixing.

Kelley Shanley had helmed the performing arts center for 25 years since 2009 before he retired in 2024. Under Shanley, the Broward Center mounted its monumental capital expansion project, “ENCORE! Building Community through the Arts” in 2011. More than $60 million was raised to upgrade the facility to a state-of-the-art performance venue primed for the future.

“Kelley was a great leader and so was Mark Nerenhausen [Broward Center’s CEO from 1998 to 2009] before him,” Sutton says. “I knew both of them very well.”

“I came in here without a mandate,” Sutton says. To put it all in context, he brings up the Broward Center’s history.

“Back in 1987, people weren’t building performing arts centers like this one. And a group of people here for a decade before had said, ‘We need culture. We’re not Miami. We need this.’ Buddy [Robert B.] Lochrie was one of them.”

Lochrie, who passed away in 2009, was the founding chairman of the Broward Performing Arts Foundation in 1985 and was instrumental in getting the required private funding to build the center and create an endowment.

“You know, they went out in the community, and they made promises, and they fulfilled all those promises. But one thing that hasn’t happened and that they didn’t control was this area around the building, which is now going through a massive redevelopment,” Sutton says.

One of the ideas he repeats frequently during the interview, looking out at the picturesque view from the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, is the notion of the prime spot on which the Broward Center is positioned along the New River.

“I would just love to see us really create this area as a thriving arts and culture district,” he says. He talks about the cultural institutions near Riverwalk: the NSU Art Museum, the Museum of Discovery and Science and Esplanade Park, a frequent location for outdoor performances. “It’s just an opportunity to create,” he says.

Sutton also oversees the Broward Center’s affiliate venues, including the iconic The Parker, formerly known as the Parker Playhouse, which got a $30 million facelift completed in 2021, spearheaded by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. Also under the Broward Center umbrella is the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the campus of Nova Southeastern

PHOTO BY HALMARK

University and the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center.

When the lights are up at all four venues, 30 shows can happen in a week, says Sutton.

“You know, it’s interesting. Nationally, if you talk to people in the performing arts, it’s not Miami, it’s Broward. And people know the Broward Center because we have two of the busiest theaters in the country – the Au Rene here at the Broward Center and The Parker.”

SELF RELIANT

There’s a business model that the Broward Center runs on, too, which is different than the other large performing arts center to its south, Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center, and the opposite of most other performing arts centers around the country.

“We’re not financed by government, so we have to perform like a business,” he says. Money from Broward County’s cultural division typically represents only about 1 to 2 percent of funding.

“Government funding doesn’t factor into any of our programming,” says Sutton, so when Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed funding to all arts organizations across the state in June, it had almost no impact on Broward County’s performing arts centers. “We’re a $65 million budget and we get $150,000 from the state, if we’re lucky.”

Sutton talks the numbers like the CEO of a multi-million business. “We’re about 85 percent earned revenue and about 15 percent contributed — a lot of that is from foundations and individual donors.”

He arrived at the Broward Center with a stellar

reputation and his own accolades. During his six years as president and CEO of Dayton Live in Dayton, Ohio, five venues were under the Dayton Live brand, including opening the PNC Arts Annex and the Dayton Live Creative Academy, a performing arts education center. Before that, he was executive director of the Butler Arts Center at Butler University in Indianapolis; led the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center in Midland, Texas; and managed an $8.2 million renovation at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Collins, Colorado, which shut down for a year during its major overhaul.

A COLLEGE HOBBY

The career trajectory to the top of the performing arts venue business started off as a hobby in college. Sutton grew up in San Francisco, then headed to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City – “a big school, 30,000 people.” He majored in political science. “I thought I was going to do law or finance. I knew a lot of people in the finance world.”

And then, he says, he started working on the college’s concert committee. “It was for the student government, and I had grown up in the arts. I sang all through high school, but I knew it was never a career, it was just something I enjoyed, being in different choirs.”

He recalls that it was the mid-1990s and as college students do, those who had committed to putting on the shows started dropping out. “We had a lot of money I could spend and as people bailed, I just kept booking artists.”

He had tenacity and he started calling people and got to know managers who were saying, ‘Hey, you have real money, and you can pay.’’’

The next thing he knew he had booked Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band and Tim Reynolds, member of TR3. He started working for promoters in Salt Lake City. “I really started learning the business.” He did get his degree in political science from the university and met his now wife, Polly, there.

“She was finishing her master’s degree, and I was working there.” After being a successful concert promoter, the university hired him to do their programming. “We met in the arts.”

Polly danced with the Utah Ballet at the University of Utah School of Dance, professionally with Charleston Ballet Theatre, the Anaheim Ballet, American Folk Ballet and has been on the dance faculties at Brigham Young University and Butler University. Since the couple and their two children moved to South Florida, she is enjoying time as a Pilates instructor for Club Pilates Studios at several Broward County locations.

As he continued to be successful in the concert promoting business, Sutton says, “I never thought it was my career. It was always, well, I’ll do this for a while because it’s fun and then I’ll go do finance or get a real grown-up job.”

Then the grown-up job came – he worked for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic and Paralympic Games and was eventually hired by the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

Now, with Fort Lauderdale at his feet, Sutton says he’s looking decades down the road at what the Broward Center could be. “What do we need to be in the community?” And he understands some hurdles such as the private development happening downtown. “You can find common ground with private developers, and I’ve built a lot in my career, so I get where they’re coming from. But I think if we can lead in terms of continuing to tell our story better about what the experiences we offer mean to people, then developers want in on that – they want to know how they build on that.”

His vision for the Broward Center is that it’s the epicenter of a vital arts and entertainment district. “I think if we all really lean into that with streetscapes and beautification and walkability and restaurants and all the things that, well, that we don’t have right now, I think that’s exactly where we can be. But we still have to stay focused on how we continue to make it worthwhile for people to come here, to keep making the experience better and better.”

His years working in sports honed his strategy in what it takes to excel in the C-suite of a performing arts center. “It’s the same as sports. You have to put out a winning product for people to want to come, right?”

June 19 - 26, 2025 | Amsterdam to Nuremberg

Great Composers along the Rhine River is the first in a series of exclusive travel programs exquisitely curated by Maestra Sebrina Alfonso for South Florida Symphony Orchestra patrons. These meticulously crafted journeys seamlessly blend history, art, architecture, food, wine, and classical music to create truly bespoke experiences.

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• Full Minibar (restocked daily)

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Itinerary:*

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Day 2: Bonn, Germany

Day 3: Koblenz, Germany/Rhine River Gorge/ Rüdesheim, Germany

Day 4: Mainz, Germany

Day 5: Wertheim, Germany

Day 6: Würzburg, Germany

Day 7: Bamberg/Bayreuth, Germany

Day 8: Nuremberg, Germany (Disembarkation)

*Subject to change

Starting at $3,999 per person based on double occupancywhen booking by December 31, 2024.

CHEFS HELPING THE HOMELESS

Broward Partnership recently held a highly successful Chefs Helping the Homeless event sponsored by BMW of Pembroke Pines. This gathering brought together the nest chefs and top restaurants in the community for a memorable evening addressing homelessness in Broward County. Since its launch in 2007, this annual event has endeared itself to diners while o ering essential support for the Partnership’s mission to fund essential homeless services. (Photos courtesy of Broward Partnership)

Lifestyle Media Group and friends: Austin Bergman, John Merkel, Ryan Morris, Kellie Hensley, Kim Sarni, Melanie Geronemus Smit, Scott Dunseath and David Diaz

Broward Partnership Host Committee: Tom Campbell, Joanne Snead, Emily Stark, Katie Masucci, Lois Marino and Jerry Gutierrez

Jerry Subkow, Elissa Spiro and Ellyn and George Levie

Phil DeBiasi, Kelly McCormick, Ana and Zach Simpson, and Joe MasucciJackie Fine, Katie Masucci, Lorraine Shim, Beatriz Miniaci and Ana Simpson

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PUBLIC RELATIONS IS YOUR BUSINESS’S SECRET WEAPON

Remember the days when a useful product and word-of-mouth were enough to build a thriving business? Those days are long gone. Today, businesses need more than just a good product and service; they need a strong public relations (PR) strategy.

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PR: The Power Move to Propel Your Business Forward

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PR Is More Than Just Press Releases

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NOT MY DAUGHTER... FIND A CURE NOW!

Not My Daughter... nd a cure now! (NMD) hosted its muchanticipated 15th annual shopping boutique and luncheon, “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pink Lemonade,” at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center. The event attracted more than 500 attendees, all dedicated to supporting NMD’s mission of raising funds for the Patient Support Services Center at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and for breast cancer research.

(Photo Credits: Jessica Kaufman)

Not My Daughter... nd a cure now! committee

Wendy Hunter; Bob Mayersohn, Parkland City Commissioner; Christine Hunschofsky, Florida Representative

Rachel Poland; Johanna Torres; Denyse Hostig; Michelle Simon; Jessica Powers; Jessica Isrow; Stacey Spicer

Johanna Torres, NBC6 South Florida Anchor/ Reporter; Denyse Hostig, Founder, NMD; Michelle Simon, Publisher, Lifestyle Media Group

Beth Rosenstein, Trade Area Vice President Florida/ Georgia at Bloomingdale’s; Denyse Hostig, Founder, NMD

Stacey Udine and Lexi Udine

FASHION FORWARD FOR PAWS LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW

The October Fashion Forward for PAWS Luncheon and Fashion Show, hosted by Neiman Marcus Boca Raton and chaired by Christy Gumberg and Julie Strauch, achieved a remarkable milestone by raising over $85,000 for the Humane Society of Broward County.

Dana Weiss, Dena Stein, Dawn Dellapina, Julie Strauch, Christy Gumberg and Megan Escamilla

Margaret Meldeau, Helena Kolenda and Dawn Dellapina

Anna Nordmann, Joan Brelsford, Sharyl Jennaro, Maureen Jacobson, Marlene Coppola and Lisa Gothier

Julie Strauch, Lanie Morgenstern and Christy Gumberg

Karina David, Michal Gizinski and Tina Khoury

Shelley Perlstein, Melissa Edwards and Fader Reichard

Jeannie Hudson, Christopher Agostino and Christy Gumberg

Penny England, Jamie Stiles and Julie Strauch

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Running a successful law firm is all about structure. Whether you need help with growing your practice, managing clients, building a solid foundation, or preparing it for future transitions, Maria Medina with The Coaching Network is here to help. With over 15 years of experience in Marketing and Business Strategy, Certified Professional Coach Maria Medina can help you build a law firm that works for you. From streamlining operations to attracting ideal clients, she’s ready to guide you to success.

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