Inside Miramar / Pembroke Pines (May-Aug 2023)

FEATURED ON PAGE 11

“We Measure Our Success by the Success of Each Individual Child!”

Message from the Mayor Wayne M. Messam

Greetings Miramarians:

Right before summer, I had the privilege of participating in the African American Mayors Association’s (AAMA) 2023 Economic Mobility Leadership Institute (EMLI) Mayoral Cohort, along with other African American mayors from the United States. Out of eight participants, I was honored to be awarded a $30,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant will be utilized to implement a strategic plan focused on wealth creation and poverty reduction, in line with the foundation’s goal to uplift those experiencing poverty and enhance their economic opportunities.

I am excited to announce that as a result of the grant, we are about to launch a new program aimed at promoting Financial Literacy among both our residents and city employees called Knowledge of Financial Education (K.O.F.E.). This initiative is part of my mandate to support the financial security of our community.

The program will provide access to valuable resources and education on

money management, budgeting, credit, retirement, and other essential topics like estate planning. Additionally, there will be a dedicated toll-free hotline connecting individuals with financial coaches, offering all the tools needed to lead financially secure lives.

The K.O.F.E. program is administered by Consolidated Credit, a certified credit counseling service that employs credit counselors and financial coaches to assist individuals in managing their credit and overcoming debt.

Please sign up to receive email updates from the city on MiramarFl.gov or follow the city’s social media @cityofmiramar on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or on the Nextdoor app to be the first to know when to sign up to take advantage of these resources.

Mayor Wayne M. Messam, CGC, LEED AP, BD+C

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CONTENTS

MAYOR WAYNE MESSAM

4 Knowledge Of Financial Education

COMMISSIONER

ALEXANDRA P. DAVIS / MIRAMAR

7 Comings and Goings with Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis.

PUBLISHER’S INSIGHT

10 D.R.E.A.M For Miramar.

DR. BARBARA SHARIEF

12 Your Wellness Update From The Desk of Dr. Barbara Sharief APRN, DNP, FNP.

INSIDE REAL ESTATE

18 Real Talk with Rafael - Is Real Estate A Good Investment.

McKINNON LEGAL - ALWAYS IN YOUR CORNER

20 Florida’s New Equal Time Sharing Presumption.

WORD SEARCH FUN

20 Legal Terms This Issue.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

23 A look Back At Who We Lost.

MIRAMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT

26 Back-To-School.

MIRAMAR FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

28 Home Safety For People With Disabilities.

MAYOR FRANK C. ORTIS / PEMBROKE PINES

30 There Is Always Plenty To Do In Pembroke Pines.

ISSUE 28 — MAY/AUGUST 2023

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Chris Koval ckoval@insidemiramar.com

ART DIRECTION JGP Media, Inc. art@insidemiramar.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Mayor Wayne Messam

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

Mayor Frank C. Ortis

Dr. Barbara Sharief, APRN, DNP, FNP

Attorney Christina A. McKinnon

Realtor® Rafael Amador

The views and opinions in any of the published adverts or articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Inside Publications, LLC. and reflect no endorsements.

For rates and information, call or email Chris Koval at 954-562-7682 | ckoval@insidemiramar.com

Message from Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

Hello Friends & Neighbors!

Community engagement is at the forefront of my mission to provide resources, events, and support for our residents. This summer has been filled with a plethora of vibrant celebrations that aimed to strengthen community bonds, and it was an honor to share these experiences with all Miramar residents. My motto of “Putting You First...Keeps Us First” will continue to be my guide and I look forward engaging more in the future!

Our summer kicked off with a bang on May 11th with a highly successful job and career fair event that helped residents advance their careers and move towards a brighter future. Haitian Heritage Month was another highlight on May 13th, with an exciting cultural celebration and exhibit that showcased the richness and uniqueness of Haitian traditions.

Our efforts continued with the Foxcroft Community Resource Fair on May 20th, which focused on supporting our residents one person at a time while making services more easily accessible and consistent throughout the city. Mother’s Day weekend brought an opportunity to celebrate incredible moms with a fantastic Mother’s Day Brunch and Movie on May 12th. The evening culminated with the anticipated Shabba Ranks stage show where patrons enjoyed a pre-party celebration followed by his epic performance.

June brought a new dimension of engagement with CaribbeanAmerican Heritage Month. On June 1st, we kicked off the month-long celebration with so much swag, right here in the City of Miramar. This was followed by our Save a Life Day on June 3rd, an educational event that empowered and educated residents to take steps that can save lives. Finally, the highly anticipated Taste of the Caribbean Islands event at Vizcaya Park on June 24th brought the Caribbean islands vibrantly

to life, showcasing the contributions of our Caribbean community members to the development of this great country. Father’s Day and Juneteenth gave us an opportunity to honor our fathers and appreciate the progress African Americans have made in fighting for freedom and equality.

July was no different, with our 4th of July event. A concert ending with fireworks brought the entire Miramar community together for a delightful day of celebrations. On July 14th, we had the Usain Bolt Fundraising Banquet to raise funds for the for the Do the Right Thing of Miramar Inc. and the Usain Bolt Foundation. The aim of these foundations is to build strong values and positive character traits in our youth. We unveiled a sculpture in honor of Usain Bolt, worldrenowned athlete and the fastest human in the universe at our Ansin Sports Complex on July 15th. It was a historic moment as this is the first monument erected for Art in Public Places/Arts in the Park, and the second statue of Usain Bolt done by the sculptor, Basil Watson in the famous “To the World” pose!

Upcoming Events:

Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis Presents Latin Nights Gala & Award Ceremony

October 6th – Miramar Cultural Center

7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis Presents Black British Heritage Celebration

October 21st – Miramar Cultural Center

6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Please take care of yourselves and each other!

Your Humble Servant, Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis

PUBLISHER’S INSIGHT for Miramar

If you are reading this article from my magazine, I wholeheartedly thank you.

As promised from my previous issue, I wanted to update and provide everyone with some exciting news as it pertains to changing the City of Miramar’s City Charter so we can move away from being an at large voting city to what almost every other city in Broward County has been for decades – a municipality divided into districts with district voting. The Mayor, of course, will still be the Mayor at large and will not have a district. If we win at the ballot box with a special election in Miramar and the residents vote YES to districting the city, this outcome would transform politics as we know it for the betterment of the residents of Miramar. If we are successful and the residents vote YES to districting, the newly elected officials will have a District that they represent and, most importantly, they MUST LIVE in the district they run in. District elected officials are what I like to call HOMETOWN Commissioners that know the ins and outs of the district they represent. They know the residents in the community and what they want and need because they live in the same community as them. And they will fight on behalf of those residents.

PUBLISHER’S INSIGHT Reaching all of Miramar and Print Isn't Dead I

progress. You will be able to make donations on the website as well. Remember, folks, it takes money to run a campaign. The needed funds will come from your donations because at the end of the day, this will be an election for those who want to move the city forward with districts and hometown commissioners rather than continuing with a system that allows people to stay in control and never lose their power. The first big hurdle is getting 9,000 signatures on a petition. I am extremely confident we will do that. We have over 50 volunteers ready to go and start knocking on doors. Once the signatures are certified by the Supervisor of Elections, a date will be set within 90 days of the certification to have either a special election in Miramar, or we could jump into an already set election next August 2024 (Primary) or November 2024 (General), significantly reducing the overall cost of the effort.

n the last issue I kind of teased everyone with the pending news that Inside Miramar was going to be mailed to every home and business in Miramar starting with the next issue. Well, the next issue is here and we are now reaching all of Miramar. For the first time, all of the residents in the City will be received an informative, timely, entertaining, and business driven magazine at the same time.

Ι am so thrilled that so many of the staple businesses that started with us a year ago continue to advertise in the magazine. We also added 13 new businesses to this issue. The need to advertise and promote your company is alive and well. There is a misconception that print is dead or on it’s last leg and that online is the end all be all for advertising. I say, “not so fast”, print in particular is extremely important because in many cases it becomes the trigger point for you to read, research and react. A reader sees an advertisement or something going on in the City and then follows up by going to that particular company or City website and getting more information and then hopefully becoming a customer or attending various City events. It’s also vital to hear from our key City officials. They will continue to use Inside Miramar as a resource with the intent of bringing you the information you need to know every 45 days.

We started a Political Action Committee (PAC) earlier this year called D.R.E.A.M. It stands for District Representation Equals All-Inclusive Miramar. Our website will launch on September 15th and it will provide a tremendous amount of information and real time updates on our

I have never been so excited as I am to take on this task, first because I’m not alone in this vision. So many passionate residents have come forward and are eager to help in any way they can. Secondly, there is a real pathway to victory. It’s going to take a huge amount of blood, sweat and tears, but we are going to succeed because at the end of the day, it is the right thing to do in moving the city forward.

Before we know it, school will be out and summer will be here. Enjoy the spring and Mother’s Day feel to this issue of Inside Miramar in the city you call home.

beginning September 15th Our email is: info@dreamformiramar.com

To learn more, go to: dreamformiramar.com

I hope you take the time to read up on the great things happening in the City as well as all of the Summer Camps you will find in this issue.

INSIDE MIRAMAR - THE MAGAZINE

Raising Mindful Humans with the Montessori Approach

Your Wellness Update from the Desk of Dr.

Barbara Sharief APRN, DNP, FNP

It really is almost Summer all year-round in Florida, so we must be mindful to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19 and the summer flu. As a Family Nurse Practitioner for adults and children I have seen a rise in COVID-19 positive patients this summer. Many think that they have a simple flu because the summertime flu can present with the same symptoms as COVID-19. However, COVID-19 symptoms last longer and appear to affect the respiratory system longer than the flu. COVID-19 symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from very mild to severe illness. Some people who have been infected don’t have any symptoms.

Because COVID-19 is spread very easily the best precaution you can take is to wash your hands, avoid touching your face, use hand sanitizer when you are not near a sink or bathroom, and keep at home COVID-19 test readily available. If you start to feel sick with symptoms such as fever, body pain, headache, cough, chills, and sore throat, test for COVID-19 at home. If you test negatively, schedule an appointment with your primary provider as there are medications available to lessen flu symptoms.

Remember if you have pre-existing conditions like obesity, asthma, diabetes, and heart disease you are at risk of experiencing more severe symptoms of COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID-19 there are medications available to shorten the time and lessen the symptoms as well. Most importantly try to stay up to date on your COVID-19 Vaccines. The current CDC guidelines are listed below:

What You Need to Know

• Everyone aged 6 years and older should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date.

• People aged 65 years and older may get a 2nd dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

• Children aged 6 months–5 years may need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the number of doses they’ve previously received and their age. If you have questions or need further information you can schedule an appointment with my office 954.967.1900 or visit my website at: www.drbarbarasharief.com

Enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you for your back-to-school physicals and sports clearance.

Happy trails!

Dr. Barbara Sharief APRN, DNP, FNP

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REAL ESTATE – REAL talk with Rafael / Business Insider

Is Real Estate a Good Investment?

Historically, real estate has been a safe bet when it comes down to investing. For the most part, properties ultimately gain value over time.

Ex. 1: My grandmother purchased her home in Miami Gardens in 1974 and paid $35,000.00. Today’s market value on the same home is estimated to be worth $368,219.00 based on the county appraiser’s office. Comparable properties in the area have sold for between $300,000.00 (in 2020) and $428,000.00 (in 2021) with some obvious differences in upgrades and condition.

Ex. 2: My mother bought her home in Miami Lakes in 1985 and paid $64,900.00. Today’s market value on the same home is estimated to be worth $270,480.00 based on the county appraiser’s office. Comparable properties in the same development have sold for between $320,000.00 and $355,000.00.

Ex. 3: More recently, my wife and I purchased our home in Broward in 2015 and paid $410,000.00. Today’s market value on the same property is estimated to be worth $591,230.00 based on the county appraiser’s office. Comparable properties in the same development have sold for between $580,000.00 and $610,000.00. Even in this short period of time, properties have shown a significant increase in value.

My point is Real Estate has historically proven to be a good long-term investment. Much like the stock market, the real estate market has his peaks and valleys but ultimately, the value increases over time.

Interest Rates as a Factor…

One of the main factors holding back potential buyers and investors are interest rates. We saw a dip in interest rates a few years ago. Many homeowners refinanced their homes to secure the lower rates. My wife and I refinanced our home and secured a 2.99 interest rate lowering our monthly payment and even changing our home loan from a 30-year to a 15-year note.

Home inventory is more important than interest rates. If you find a property that checks all the boxes and is your ideal home, put an offer in. While buying at a higher interest rate may seem like a bad financial move, it’s important to remember that you can always refinance when the rates go down. Interest rates go up and down but letting your dream home escape you because of higher interest rates can be heartbreaking.

If you’re thinking about buying a property, whether as a primary residence or an investment property, give us a call. You can rely on our expertise to help you throughout your home buying adventure.

For more information on buying or selling your home, please contact:

Rafael Amador, Realtor® Commercial & Residential Real Estate REAL ESTATE EMPIRE GROUP 954.710.2345

Florida’s New Equal Timesharing Presumption

The new law requires the Court to evaluate all of the factors outlined in Section 61.13(3), Florida Statutes, and to make written findings of fact when modifying or creating a timesharing schedule. Most significantly, the new law creates a rebuttable presumption that equal timesharing of a child subject to a Chapter 61 proceeding is in the best interests of that child. It also establishes that a party must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that equal timesharing is not in a child’s best interests to rebut this presumption.

Further, timesharing schedules agreed to by the parties and approved by the Court do not require the Court to evaluate and make written findings of fact as to all of the best interest factors outlined in Section 61.13(3), Florida Statutes; however, the Court must make such written findings if there is no agreement by the parties.

The new law also creates a basis for modifying a parenting plan upon a parent’s relocation more than 50 miles from the other parent’s residence.

When determining a parenting plan, the judge will consider what is in the best interests of the child. Ultimately, the child’s

LEGAL TERMS - WORD SEARCH

best interest will override any legal rights or desires of either parent. The court must carefully look at every aspect of a child’s life and determine what parenting plan would best serve them following a divorce.

There are different factors that go into determining what is in a child’s best interest. The judge will consider both parents’ ability to meet the child’s needs as well as their willingness to forge a meaningful relationship with the child.

The court will also consider a parent’s fitness. This includes reviewing any allegations of domestic violence, substance abuse, or criminal activity. These issues could push the court to award sole parenting time to one parent. A local timesharing attorney could outline all of the factors the courts will take into account when creating a parenting plan.

If you are on the verge of divorce or planning to separate from your partner, your relationship with your children is likely at the forefront of your mind. A dedicated attorney could help you protect your parental rights and your relationship with your children. Before taking any legal action, contact our firm to speak with a Miramar child custody lawyer.

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Back-to-School

As summer vacations begin to wind down and parents start preparations for their children to return to school, let us not forget that as a community we must ALL do our part to keep kids safe.

Motor vehicle traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children 2-14 years old. Most of these fatalities could be prevented with the proper precautions: Make sure children are wearing their seatbelts. Teach your children to cross at the appropriate crosswalks and not run through traffic. Do not double park or block crosswalks, as it reduces the visibility for other children and vehicles. Adhere to speed limits, stay alert and take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas. Remember to put the phone down when driving!

The Miramar Police Department wants to assure you that we are committed to the safety and future of the youth in our community. We were the first agency in Broward County to provide full time school resource officers in every public school (two officers at the high schools). Today, our charter schools benefit from our School Resource Officer program as well.

Although school safety is a top priority, it is important to note school resource officers provide more than security. Teaching students life lessons, such as goal setting, character traits, and providing information on bullying and drugs abuse prevention is a role many officers have in our schools. Connecting with students, by bridging the gap between law enforcement and the next generation is important.

We understand community engagement is key to building trust and meaningful relationships. Having our officers interact with students and staff on a daily basis has been beneficial to building that trust. Officers, many of whom are a familiar face to students, often become a second support system outside the home - mentoring and counseling students and assisting them in times of need or crises.

School resource officers are not only located at the schools for students, but also for faculty, staff, and parents. Our officers handle issues and crimes that may occur within the school, but they are also a resource for families – providing information on services and outreach programs available to residents in need. From the first day of kindergarten to high school graduation and all the other milestones in between, our school resource officers are here for your children and our entire community.

As the first day of school approaches, we would be remiss if we did not remind parents to be prepared and arrive to school early to avoid high traffic times. Many parents on the first day of school want to capture these precious moments by picture or video, but please be considerate to those around you. We suggest snapping these photos before leaving your home and having all supplies ready for drop off. Doing this will help alleviate traffic congestion.

We also recommend that parents and guardians take a few minutes to speak with children about the consequences of texting, or posting on social media, threats of violence. All threats are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and will not be tolerated.

In closing, please remember that communication is key to working together effectively. If you see something, say something. Please report any suspicious activity immediately.

We wish each child a safe and successful school year!

2023/24 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Home Safety for People with Disabilities

There’s no place like home. It is a place to relax, share laughs with family, and enjoy home cooked meals. But did you know that the majority of fire deaths occur in the home? Help everyone in the home stay safe from fire.

HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS

Home fire sprinklers protect lives by keeping fires small. Sprinklers allows people more time to escape in a fire. When choosing an apartment or home, look for one that has home fire sprinklers.

SMOKE ALARMS

• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

• Test your smoke alarm at least once a month by pushing the test button. If you can’t reach the alarm, ask for help.

• For added safety, interconnect the smoke alarms. If one sounds, they all sound. This gives more time to escape.

• Smoke alarms with sealed (long-life) batteries work for up to 10 years. They can be helpful for people who find it hard to change batteries.

• Smoke alarms expire. Replace them every 10 years.

PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

• Smoke alarms and alert devices are available for people who are deaf or hard or hearing.

• Strobe lights flash when the smoke alarm sounds. The lights warn people of a possible fire.

• When people who are deaf are asleep, a pillow or bed shaker can wake them so they can escape.

• When people who are hard of hearing are asleep, a loud, mixed, low-pitched sound alert device can wake them. A pillow or bed shaker may be helpful. These devices are triggered by the sound of the smoke alarm.

ESCAPE PLANNING

Include everyone in home escape planning. Each person should have input about the best ways to escape. Home fire drills are important. Everyone in the home must participate in them. Keep a phone by your bed in case you can’t escape and need to call for help.

TALK WITH SOMEONE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT about your escape plan. Ask them review your plan. Ask if your fire department keeps a directory of people who may need extra help. If you have a service animal, agree on a plan to keep the animal with you during an emergency.

Miramar Fire Rescue Department

miramarfd.org

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

Message from Mayor Frank C. Ortis

Dear Readers:

This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the horrifying terrorist attack on the U.S. On Monday, September 11, 2023 the City of Pembroke Pines will remember and honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives during those attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania during a special ceremony. It will be held from 8:30 am to 10:30 am at Memorial Park adjacent to the Charles F. Dodge City Center, located at 601 City Center Way

This solemn ceremony, which is free, will begin with the Presentation of Colors by the City of Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Department Honor Guards. All ages are encouraged to attend. It will also include guest speakers, community leaders and patriotic music featuring local school bands and area musicians. Those in attendance are encouraged to tour the statues that are part of Memorial Park. For more information regarding the City of Pembroke Pines observance of the 9/11 Anniversary or Patriot Day, please call 954-392-2116

Also, an important note, please be sure to mark your calendars and tell your friends about the Annual Veterans Employment Expo which will take place on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carl Shechter Southwest Focal Point Community Center Campus , located at 301 NW 103 Ave . If you are a veteran in need of a job, I

strongly encourage you to attend. It’s a great opportunity to meet directly with hiring managers in our area, from a variety of companies and organizations. Here in Pembroke Pines, we appreciate the support our veterans have received from the business community, and we especially appreciate our veterans for their service. For more information, please call the Center at 954-450-6888 .

It’s back - the very popular Touch-A-Truck Vehicle Expo will take place on September 23, 2023 from 10 am to noon at the Charles F. Dodge City Center . Children will have the opportunity to get up close and explore, climb and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery, construction vehicles and all sorts of other equipment used for transportation. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please call 954-392-2116 or visit www.ppines. com/specialevents .

And, just a reminder that September 10th marks the peak of our hurricane season. It only takes one storm to make an impact. Let’s all be prepared. Please check out our Pembroke Pines Prepared Hurricane Resources at www.ppines.com/hurricane where there are videos, important information and resources at your fingertips.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 954-450-1020 , or by e-mail at fortis@ppines.com

From your Mayor, Frank C. Ortis City of Pembroke Pines