Aventura Magazine November 2024 by Palm Beach Media Group

DOCENT DIARIES

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH 5 MIAMI MUSEUM GUIDES

DEAD HEAT

SOUTH FLORIDA’S ECO-WARRIORS FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Culture Club

POP GOES THE PHOTO

PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID LACHAPELLE SETS UP SHOP IN AVENTURA

To experience the Collections visit one of our flagship showrooms

DOWNSVIEW of JUNO

12800 U.S. Highway 1 - Suite 100,Juno Beach, FL (561) 799-7700 www.downsviewofjuno.com

DOWNSVIEW of DANIA

1855 Griffin Road - Suite C-212, Dania Beach, FL (954) 927-1100 www.downsviewofdania.com

DOWNSVIEW of BOSTON

One Design Center Place - Suite 241,Boston, MA (857) 317-3320 www.downsviewofboston.com

FEATURES

60 DREAM WEAVER

Photographer-to-the-stars David LaChapelle sets up shop in a new Aventura studio

By Paige Bowers

70 GUIDING LIGHTS

Go behind the velvet ropes with art guides from five of Miami’s most iconic museums

By Nila Do Simon

76 MELTDOWN

Climate change has had drastic effects on South Florida. Learn how local experts are working together to shape a safe and sustainable future.

By Paige Bowers and K.S. Meyer

82 LA ISLA BONITA

Lauren Baccus says that one of the best aspects of her job at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is connecting guests with the museum’s artwork.

DEPARTMENTS

AVENTURIST

The Museum of Ice Cream is a feast for the senses

22 FILM SCENE

Three screenings to catch at the Miami Short Film Festival this month

24 AROUND TOWN

Car enthusiasts will delight in two in-town auto shows, a new way to play on Lincoln Road, the Movember movement celebrates men’s self-care, and more

28 SPOTLIGHT

Magic City galleries wow with world-class exhibits

30 BOOKING IT

A Floridian spin on Thanksgiving feasts

32 AGENDA

Mark your calendar for these ﬁve can’t-miss events

34 Q&A

The Historic Hampton House combines art and culture to save a legendary piece of Black Miami

36 PROFILE

MODEL:

DAVID LACHAPELLE

LOCATION:

LOS ANGELES

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

DAVID LACHAPELLE, JOHN SCHOENFELD, JASON ALTAAN

PHOTO ASSISTANTS: GLEN VERGARA, ETHAN HAUG

PRODUCTION

ASSISTANT:

THOMAS PAGANO

GROOMING:

JENI CHUA OF EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS, USING MORITEK BEAUTY AND BALMAIN HAIR

STYLING:

JOSEPH HOGAN

WARDROBE:

CUSTOM JACK TAYLOR

SHIRT, CUSTOM STEFAN

MEIER GRAPHIC

TROUSERS

Artist Shawn Kolodny keeps his eye on the ball

STYLE

39 IT LIST

Find a bag to ﬁt your personality

40 THE LOOK

From girly to glamorous, bows can do it all

42 THE EDIT

Sweaters suitable for the Sunshine State 44 JEWELRY BOX

Feeling blue—in all the right ways—in topaz 46

The eyes have it with help from these products

48 TRENDING

Ways to combat bloat this holiday season

JOURNEYS

51 WANDERLUST

Two divine destinations in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit

56 HIGH ROAD

The Ineos Grenadier mixes Land Rover style with BMW power

58 HIGH SEAS

The Dutch-built Lekker 45 is a guaranteed head-spinner

TOP DENTISTS

92 DENTIST PROFILES

Our guide to Miami-Dade’s premier dental practitioners

SIP & SAVOR

101 OPENINGS

Casa Neos is the new hot table for Miami’s style set

102 LOCAL BITES

Torno Subito and Felice bring a taste of Italy to Brickell, Pecorino’s continues the legacy of Perricone’s Marketplace & Café, Sixty Vines blends wine, cocktails, and global-inspired plates, and four reasons to love Yaya Coastal Cuisine

106 MINDFUL MIXOLOGIST

A caffeinated cocktail to shake up for National Espresso Day

HOME

109 INTERIORS

Organic tones set the stage for a homeowner’s art collection in a renovation of an Aventura townhome

110 BY DESIGN

How to pick the perfect paint to freshen up your space

111 ELEMENTS

Decor designed to elevate your mood

112 INSPIRED LIVING

Incorporate the philosophy of Vastu Shastra into your home

SOCIAL STUDIES

115 SEEN ON THE SCENE

Pics from Miami’s most fabulous events

LAST WORD

120 ON THE RECORD WITH...

Miami City Ballet’s Lourdes Lopez keeps us on our toes and dishes about all things dance in Miami

Editorial Director

Daphne Nikolopoulos

Editor in Chief

Kristen Desmond LeFevre

Creative Director

Olga M. Gustine

Executive Editor

Mary Murray

Fashion Editor

Katherine Lande

Automotive Editor

Howard Walker

Travel Editor

Paul Rubio

Libations Editor

Jules Aron

Web Editor

Abigail Duﬀy

DESIGN

Art Directors

Airielle Farley, Jenny Fernandez-Prieto, Ashley Meyer

Digital Imaging Specialist

Leonor Alvarez-Maza

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Jane E. Enos, Allison Wolfe Reckson, Gaylene Salomons

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Paige Bowers, Alena Capra, Mallory Jacobson, Caitlin Granﬁeld, K.S. Meyer, Nicole Neal, Jesse Scott, Skye Sherman, Nila Do Simon, Liza Grant Smith, Susie Stanton Staikos

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jason Altaan, Gabor Jurina, David LaChapelle, Steven Martine, John Schoenfeld

SUBSCRIPTIONS 800-308-7346

33480 aventuramagazine.com

Publisher Terry Duﬀy

ADVERTISING

National Sales Director

Deidre Wade, dwade@palmbeachmedia.com

Account Managers

Sandy Silverman, ssilverman@aventuramagazine.com

Sima Kohen, skohen@aventuramagazine.com

Libby Lekach Roﬀe, lroﬀe@aventuramagazine.com

Digital Account Manager

Ryan Hollihan, rhollihan@aventuramagazine.com

Advertising Services Coordinator Elizabeth Hackney

Marketing Manager

Rebecca Desir

PRODUCTION

Production Director Selene M. Ceballo

Production Manager Lourdes Linares

Digital Pre-Press Specialist George Davis

Senior Designer Jeﬀrey Rey

Advertising Design Coordinator Anaely J. Perez Vargas

Production Coordinator Ileana Caban

Digital Marketing Manager Tyler Sansone

OPERATIONS

Chief Operating Oﬃcer Todd Schmidt

Accounting Specialist Mary Beth Cook

Accounts Receivable Specialist Ana Coronel

Distribution Manager Judy Heﬂin

Logistics Manager Omar Morales

Circulation Manager Marjorie Leiva

Circulation Assistants Cathy Hart, Britney Stinson

Circulation Promotions Manager David Supple

IT Manager Omar Greene

SUBSCRIPTIONS 800-308-7346 In Memoriam Ronald J. Woods (1935-2013)

HOUR MEDIA, LLC

CEO Stefan Wanczyk

President John Balardo PUBLISHERS

Your health hasanewaddress

THEWELLBayHarborIslandsismorethan

Residences from $1.4 M

Now Under Construction. Move-in Next Year.

EXCLUSIV ESALE SBYDOUG LA S ELLIMA ND EV ELO PMEN T MARKETIN G Thisprojectisbeing developedby1177BayHarborIslands LLC, a Delawarelimitedliability company (“Developer”), which has alimitedright tousethe

ofTerra andTHEWELL.

and allstatements,disclosuresand/or of theproject.The Terra and THE WELL groupsof compan es are eachcomprisedofseveral

X

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

THE EYES HAVE IT

WHAT’S COOKIN’?

Hitting kitchen countertops just before Thanksgiving is Modern Cuban by Miami’s own celebrity chef Ana Quincoces. As I prep for our family feast, I’ll be jotting down the ingredients I’ll need to make Quincoces’ pavo de Thanksgiving con relleno de jamón (or Thanksgiving Day turkey with ham stuﬃng). Page 30.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then all the more reason to make sure the skin that surrounds them is looking its best. Don’t miss our favorite picks on this month’s Beauty page. I can’t help but endorse my own go-to eye item:

Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Eye Cream with Retinol. (And yes, I’m pretty sure one of the actual ingredients is magic.) Page 46.

THE CULTURE OF CREATIVITY

In this month’s issue of Aventura, we celebrate all things art and culture. Part of this celebration springs from the anticipation of show season returning to our shores with a fresh crop of stage performances and gallery exhibitions. The other part comes from the chance to showcase the local creatives whose vision and energy make Miami-Dade the ultimate culture club.

David LaChapelle is one of those creatives. When David called me several months ago to let me know he would be opening a new studio in Aventura, I was floored. I mean, this is one of the most iconic visual artists of our time (or any time), working in mediums from photography to music videos to film. But when he offered to let us publish a deep selection of his works as a photo essay—and, on top of it all, shoot a never-before-seen self-portrait for our cover—I had to pinch myself. To see some of our favorite images from David’s prolific portfolio and learn more about his storied career, turn to page 60 for “Dream Weaver” by Paige Bowers.

Some of the people on the front lines of art in Miami are the folks who make it their life’s work to share their love of art with others. They’re the museum guides who squire guests about, pointing out key works and dispensing insider tips. Nila Do Simon caught up with ﬁve of these art aﬁcionados to get their take on what’s great about their jobs and the artwork that surrounds them in “Guiding Lights,” starting on page 70.

Speaking of people working behind the scenes in the arts, I’d like to take this opportunity to shout out the incredible artists and photographers who make this and every issue of Aventura a feast for the eyes. Words matter, but killer design and striking images keep things popping. I’m eternally grateful for their dedication and skill.

Kristen Desmond LeFevre klefevre@aventuramagazine.com

AVENTURIST

THE INSIDE TRACK TO ALL THINGS NEW AND NOW IN MIAMI-DADE

SWEET SPOT

After a limited-time-only stint at the Faena District in 2017, the Museum of Ice Cream Miami is back—this time in a permanent home in the heart of downtown at Miami Worldcenter. The new iteration offers two stories and 14,000 square feet of sweetness that transports visitors to a pastel-hued, sprinkle-coated wonderland. Stroll through 10 interactive exhibits, including the orange-saturated Cream Liner (a 1960s-era, Creamsicle-themed luxury airliner experience), the Hall of Freezers (a trippy interactive space featuring dozens of mysterious refrigerator doors for guests to explore), and the famous slide and sprinkle pool (inspired by Gianni Versace’s Miami Beach mansion pool) for an afternoon of delicious diving. Hang out and snap requisite Instaworthy photos in each room for as long as you like. Guides are on hand to keep things fun and safe—and to distribute ice cream treats on demand. (museumoficecream.com/miami) —Kristen Desmond LeFevre

Inset: The scoop wall at the new Museum of Ice Cream

Below: The Cream Liner offers vintage aviation vibes in shades of orange and white.

AVENTURIST

FILM SCENE

SHORT ORDER

THIS FESTIVAL OFFERS FILM FABULOUSNESS IN 30 MINUTES OR LESS

BY JESSE SCOTT

For having the word short in its name, the Miami Short Film Festival sure has become a longtime favorite. The 2024 event, slated for November 8-10 throughout the 305, marks the twenty-third edition of the homegrown affair.

It’s the brainchild of local director William Vela, who has grown the festival from the smallest of gatherings to a truly international affair. “It started with me renting 50 folding chairs, having a friend let me use his old gallery space, and showing my short film to friends,” Vela says. “Now, we’re reviewing 1,000 short films a year, we have 45 countries represented, and we’ve screened more than 2,000 films to date.”

Films included in the 2024 Miami Short Film Festival will be shown at O Cinema in Miami Beach, Silver Spot in downtown, and the Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay. The festival’s vision is encapsulated in three themes: “Crossing Borders, Binding Stories,” “Beyond Borders, Beyond Imagination,” and “Breaking the Limits, Building Bridges.”

While the festival attracts filmmakers from all over the world, a pride point has been the influx of Miami-bred submissions. Vela says the festival typically received five or six dozen submissions from Miamians. “While we may not have the longest history of filmmaking here, we are always looking to help provide a platform where we can and really nurture our community,” he explains.

“Miami really is a trampoline from the world into the United States, the No. 1 movie market in the world,” he continues. “With our festival, we’re able to attract highquality content from Latin America, Europe, and everywhere in between. We want to attract even more. Our goal is to become the Sundance or Tribeca Film Festival of the short films world. And I think we are on our way.” (miamishortfilmfestival.com)

THREE TO SEE

Vela says these three key films should be on your mustnot-miss list at this year’s Miami Short Film Festival

Little Haiti, Miami, USA, directed by Miami’s own XF Serrano. This nearly nineminute flick centers on Cuban native Erma, who is searching Little Haiti for a man who appears in a piece of art that her son painted. Erma doesn’t speak English, so she enlists the help of a 14-year-old Haitian-American teenager to aid her in her search.

15-minute

Sharmin, a young girl whose mother is murdered by her father. As she tries to find witnesses to defend her father from inevitable execution, she endures a battle between hope and fear.

film tracks a divorcee’s romance with her lawyer, who serially seduces and rejects her—a true tale of manipulation and deception.

Witness, from Iranian director Aida Tebianan. This

film follows

The Roses

from Chinese director Qiao H. This 15-minute

AIDA TEBIANIAN

QIAO H

AVENTURIST

AROUND TOWN

REVVED UP

Whether you’re fan of fancy exotics or restored relics of an era gone by, motorheads can rejoice in two big-time auto shows parking it in the 305 this month

Deering Estate’s Twelfth Annual Vintage Auto Show

1

Presented by the Antique Automotive Club of America, this event will take place November 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with tickets starting at $13 for adults and $6 for children. The hallmark of the event is the array of circa-1965-or-older vehicles showcased throughout the historic estate’s 450-acre grounds. Complementing the antique car vibe, there will be a vintage automobile scavenger hunt that lets guests use photo clues to identify select cars on display, as well as an auto show–themed craft activity for kids, lawn games, and nature preserve tours for those looking to mix their motors with some meandering. (deeringestate.org/events/vintage-auto-show)

The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills’ Seventh Annual Exotics Car Showcase

On November 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., this upscale shopping utopia will be home to the Seventh Annual Exotics Car Showcase. Free and open to the public, the car show will feature more than 250 curated vehicles and an anticipated attendance of at least 5,000. The layout is easy to navigate, with such zippy areas as Ferrari Row, Hypercars Lane, and Lamborghini Row. Among this year’s confirmed gems are a Bugatti Chiron valued at more than $3 million, a selection of Pagani Huayra Roadsters priced in the $3 million-plus range, and several Formula 1 race cars. If these speedsters aren’t in your budget, there will be games and simulators to take for a spin on-site, too. (exoticsatthecolonnade.com)

—Jesse Scott

ROAD RHYTHMS

A NEW GROOVE IS FILLING THE 400 BLOCK OF LINCOLN ROAD WITH SWEET SOUNDS. THE “HARMONICS INSTALLATION” FEATURES MELODIOUS CHIMES, XYLOPHONES, AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS APLENTY IN A QUAINT GREEN SPACE TUCKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE POPULAR PEDESTRIAN THOROUGHFARE. CONSIDER IT YOUR SAFE SPACE TO LET GO OF SOME STRESS AND ENHANCE YOUR COGNITIVE ABILITIES (YES, THERE ARE OODLES OF STUDIES SHOWING MUSIC DOES EXACTLY THAT). “MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO UPLIFT SPIRITS AND UNITE COMMUNITIES,” SAYS ANABEL LLOPIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE LINCOLN ROAD BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. “WITH OUR NEW ‘HARMONICS INSTALLATION,’ WE’RE THRILLED TO BRING THE JOY OF MUSIC TO LINCOLN ROAD. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN IN THE FUN AND EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF MAKING MUSIC TOGETHER.” THE INSTRUMENTS ARE OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, SO SHINE LIKE THE STAR YOU ARE. (LINCOLNROAD.COM)–J.S.

YOUR VISION IS OUR FOCUS

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

Preeminent Laser Cataract Surgeon Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Fellowship Trained Glaucoma Specialist including Glaucoma Lasers & iStents

Considered “Doctor’s Doctor” in South Florida

Dr. Nathan Klein O.D.

Renowned Contact Lens Specialist, including Scleral Lenses

Comprehensive Adult & Pediatric Care

Expert in Diagnosis & Dry Eye Treatment

Specialist in Myopia Management

HYDRATE

Drink Up

Anthony Bold, the Miami-based founder and CEO of Drinkwatr , is on a mission as bold as, well, his last name: “to revolutionize global access to highquality drinking water.”

MEN’S HEALTH

MOVEMBER IS MEN’S ME-TIME MONTH

Everyone deserves a little me time. For men, November has become a month to focus on men’s health with the rise of the “Movember” movement. What started in the late 1990s with a group of Australian gents growing out their mustaches for charity has exploded into an annual global phenomenon raising awareness of men’s health issues including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and mental health. Beyond medical appointments, Movember reminds men to take time for self-care. Here are three of our favorite Magic City spots where you can sit back and submit to a little practical pampering.

The Well Groomed Gentleman is billed as a men’s salon and spa oﬀering straight-razor shaves, the spectrum of haircuts, facials, manicures, pedicures, and even waxing. Tucked on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, the salon provides guys with a free drink from its fully stocked bar while they wait for their service to begin. (wellgroomedgentleman.com)

Grumen Barbershop has all the barbershop and spa staples: beard trimming, haircuts, nail services, and facials. Its diﬀerentiator is an in-salon cold plunge. If you’ve never taken the plunge, prepare for immediate achy muscle relief, increased circulation, and an undeniable mood boost. (grumenbarbershop.com)

ManCavefor Men oﬀers haircuts, shaves, manscaping, massages, and beard coloring. Five of its 20 nationwide locations are in Miami-Dade County, including in Doral City Center, Coral Gables, River Landing, Little Havana, and Palmetto Bay. (mancaveformen.com) —J.S.

Instead of sugary powders and supplements to add into your routine, Bold’s 20-ounce bottles are unique in that they already contain a proprietary blend—potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and pink Himalayan minerals—that provides electrolyte support, alkaline pH balance, and antioxidants to help you perform at your peak. In addition to hydrating benefits, these minerals have been linked to reduced inflammation, increased energy and mental clarity, and better cardiovascular health. If you are under 200 pounds, the brand recommends drinking four bottles per day for optimal hydration; athletes and those over 200 pounds should drink even more.

Sustainability is also a focus: Bold’s water is encased in biodegradable, BPAfree plastic bottles and eco-friendly packaging, plus a full UV label to ensure the water stays fresh. Look for the white bottles at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami in Brickell, the Miami International Airport, and athletic clubs and grocery stores across Miami-Dade County and beyond. (drinkwatr.com) —Skye Sherman

Anthony Bold (above) created Drinkwatr with a proprietary blend of minerals and a focus on hydration, performance, and sustainability.

SPOTLIGHT

GALLERY GLOW UPS

PUT THESE WORLD-CLASS EXHIBITS FROM TWO HOT MIAMI ART GALLERIES ON YOUR TO-VIEW LIST

BY KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE

VISU CONTEMPORARY

Miami Beach’s favorite ﬁne art gallery highlights both established and emerging artists. Don’t miss its latest exhibit, oﬀering a collaborative insight into the worlds of high fashion and professional ballet. (visugallery.com)

WHAT: “Pari Dukovic: En Pointe—Dance & Fashion” WHEN: Now through November 16

THE BUZZ: Displayed in a gallery space for the ﬁrst time, 30 images by awardwinning photographer Pari Dukovic showcase a decade of high-fashion designers’ costumes created for New York City Ballet (NYCB)’s annual Fall Fashion Gala.

Dukovic shot the couture designs on 11 NYCB dancers, and his images capture the beauty and strength of the dancers juxtaposed with the bespoke sophistication of their haute couture ensembles. These include Thom Browne’s distinctively tailored suits, Iris van Herpen’s articulated carapaces, Sarah Burton’s lavish ombré and embellished designs for Alexander McQueen, and Virgil Abloh’s rigorously ruched tulle. Other notable designers whose costumes appear in the exhibit include Prabal Gurung, Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez, Valentino, Gareth Pugh, and Zac Posen.

LINA CERRONE GALLERY

Located in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, this gallery—featuring international contemporary art—celebrates its ﬁrst anniversary with four must-see exhibits. (linacerronegallery.com)

WHAT: “Masquerade” by Lee Gihun WHEN: Now through December 31

THE BUZZ: Inspired by the tale of Noah’s Ark, Korean artist Lee Gihun’s work critiques Western worldviews through a combination of traditional Korean painting techniques and modern materials.

WHAT: “Odysseus” by Bastien Soleil WHEN: Now through December 31

THE BUZZ: French underwater photographer and free diver Bastien Soleil’s work explores the complexity of compositions both above and below the surface of the water. All his work is done in a natural, underwater environment without digital tricks or artiﬁcial light.

WHAT: “Oh What Beautiful Flowers” by Patrick Penkwitt

WHEN: Now through December 31

WHAT: “False Idols” by Sven

WHEN: Now through December 31

THE BUZZ: French graﬃti artist Sven creates canvases that pulsate with the hustle and bustle of urban life: pedestrians, vehicles, storefronts, buildings, and especially walls—his favorite muse—which bear textures, colors, and layered histories that inspire him.

THE BUZZ: Though he started his artistic journey as a photographer, Miami-based artist Patrick Penkwitt’s aesthetic vision has expanded into painting intricate, imaginative worlds that evoke a sense of play. His prints feature famous sports ﬁgures like Lionel Messi and LeBron James.

COURTESY OF LINA

PARI

DUKOVIC

Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer, Bastien Soleil

Masquerade 41, Lee Gihun

Never Fall,Sven

Messi, Patrick Penkwitt

BOOKING IT

FLORIDIAN FEAST

PUT A SUNSHINE STATE SPIN ON YOUR THANKSGIVING DAY MEAL WITH HELP FROM THESE COOKBOOKS

BY MARY MURRAY

THE FLORIDA VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK

FLORIDA KEYS COOKBOOK

Part-time Islamorada resident Victoria Shearer pays homage to the Florida Keys through her exploration of the region’s culinary history, local lore, and archival photos. For this third edition, she added more than 60 new recipes that home cooks of all levels can whip up themselves. (pineapplepress.com)

This new release by Dalia Colón is a celebration of Florida’s crops, from oranges and tomatoes to cabbage and cantaloupe. Across more than 100 plant-based recipes and 12 essays, Colón honors the state’s unique enclaves (such as Tarpon Springs and its Greek restaurants) and food traditions (like Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival). (daliacolon.com)

Thanksgiving Pick: Coconut-almond carrot soup

MODERN CUBAN: A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH TO CLASSIC RECIPES

Slated to be released just in time for Thanksgiving, Modern Cuban is by Miami-based celebrity chef Ana Quincoces and features a foreword by Gloria Estefan. It is packed with creative updates to traditional recipes, making it the perfect tome to unite families in the kitchen this holiday season. (anaq.com)

Thanksgiving Pick: Pavo de Thanksgiving con relleno de jamón (Thanksgiving Day turkey with ham stuﬃng)

NORMAN VAN

AKEN’S FLORIDA

KITCHEN

Regarded as a

pioneer of new-world cuisine, chef Norman Van Aken has helped to deﬁne Florida ﬁne dining in recent decades. Released in 2017, this successful cookbook spawned an Amazon streaming series titled Norman’s Florida Kitchen (normanvanaken.com)

Thanksgiving Pick: Squash salad with red cabbage, carrots, merkén, pepitas, pomelo, and honey-soy dressing

Thanksgiving Pick: Skillet green beans with orange

« Strawberry (daliacolon.com)

EAT YOUR HEART OUT: ALL-FUN, NO-FUSS FOOD TO CELEBRATE EATING CLEAN

Palm Beacher Daphne Oz excels in crafting tasty dishes without the guilt. This cookbook (her fourth) boasts 150 clean recipes that are free of gluten and reﬁned sugar— and all created with the goal of helping readers feel and look their best. (daphneoz.com)

Thanksgiving Pick: Glutenfree banana pumpkin muﬃns (for breakfast!)

CHIP

DEBI HARBIN

Country Bay Music Festival

November 9-10

Country music stars Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band headline this second annual event at the Miami Marine Stadium, with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay. Enjoy crisp brews at the Boots & Beer Garden and bites from on-site local vendors and food trucks. (countrybaymusicfestival.com)

Miami Book Fair

November 17-24

Now in its forty-ﬁrst year, the Miami Book Fair features more than 400 local, national, and international authors. Stroll the street fair at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus or participate in writing workshops, author meet and greets, and speaking events. (miamibook fair.com)

Miami Dolphins Home Games

November 17 and 24

This month, the Miami Dolphins play back-to-back home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The team squares up against the Las Vegas Raiders November 17 and the New England Patriots November 24. Grab your tickets, don your favorite fan gear, and prepare for a ﬁn-tastic time. (miami dolphins.com)

Garden Bros Nuclear Circus

November 27 to December 1

Set in a theatrical, Europeanstyle, ﬁve-ring tent at the Miami Fairgrounds, this 100-minute performance features skilled circus artists from 22 countries. Watch as they perform stunts like the human slingshot, the human cannonball, and motorcycle tricks. Clown antics, gymnastic feats, and more round out the fun. A kids’ zone features a rock wall, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, and a giant slide for extra entertainment. (gardenbros circus.com)

Urge Miami Thanksgiving LGBTQ+ Festival

November 29 to December 2

Join in on three days of celebration—inclusive of themed dance events, musical performances, and art installations—at one of the most anticipated LGBTQ+ festivals in the United States. From pool parties at the Royal Palm South Beach Miami resort to throwdowns at Lummus Park, get ready to dance the day and night away as DJs spin tunes into the wee hours. (urgemiamifestival.com) —Caitlin Granﬁeld

AVENTURIST

HOUSE RULES

CURB GARDNER II HARNESSES THE POWER OF ART TO REVITALIZE OVERTOWN’S HISTORIC HAMPTON HOUSE

BY SUSIE STANTON STAIKOS

Call it a tale of two cities. In 1954 (when segregation laws were in effect) both Miami Beach and Overtown saw hotels open—the Fontainebleau and the Booker Terrace Motel, respectively. On the beach, the Fontainebleau welcomed musicians like Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and Lena Horne to entertain guests. But when the last rounds of applause died out and the curtains went down, Black performers had to leave Miami Beach to find accommodations elsewhere. That meant consulting The Green Book—a periodical

listing businesses known to offer services to Black travelers—and a drive to Overtown. There, the hotel that’s known today as the Historic Hampton House (HHH) was one of several establishments that offered safety and shelter for Black people. Now led by Curb Gardner II, HHH is in the midst of a renaissance—not only telling the tales of its storied past, but forging ahead into a vibrant future. Aventura caught up with Gardner to get an inside look at what’s next for this key piece of Black Miami history. (historichamptonhouse.org)

BOB GOMEL

Above: Boxer Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) and Malcolm X celebrated Clays’s 1964 world heavyweight boxing title together at HHH.

Art on display at 2023’s “Gimme Shelter” exhibition at the Historic Hampton House (HHH) included Album by Howardena Pindell, Smashed Guitar by Naama Tsabar, Paul Pfeiffer’s Television Boxing Footage, and wall paintings by Sadie Barnette (rear right) and Sanford Biggers (front right).

Aventura: Who were some of the celebrities who stayed at HHH?

Gardner: It was a place of refuge. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sammy Davis Jr. are among the many musical icons [who were guests]. Frank Sinatra stayed here because he would not be separated from his Black band members. Tennis player Althea Gibson and boxers Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) and Joe Lewis were guests at the Hampton House. In 1964, then-22-year-old Clay won the World Heavyweight Championship against Sonny Liston and celebrated with his entourage (including Malcolm X) at the counter in the Hampton House’s café. Photographs of the day now cover the walls; visitors even can go into the room where [Clay] stayed. Martin Luther King Jr. gave some of his speeches and press conferences here. From the outside terrace, King wrote part of his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Have their rooms been restored for visitors to experience?

Visitors of the Hampton House can step into history to see the rooms ﬁtted out with the original small sitting area, kitchenette, bathroom, and bedroom.

What happened to the HHH after segregation came to an end?

Once the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 and the Housing Act of 1968, ending segregation, Hampton House went dark in the 1970s for the next 23 years. It became derelict and was about to face the wrecking ball when it was saved by members of the community to become a cultural center and was given funds for renovations from the City of Miami and private donors.

How has the HHH changed since then?

Major renovations have been done. The rooms on the first floor have been gutted to make way for large gallery spaces, which we are filling with art. We had a star-studded Art Basel 2023 due to the relationship we have with Palm Beach contemporary art collector and curator Beth Rudin DeWoody with our art initiative. She curated a hugely successful exhibition called

“Gimme Shelter,” which got attention throughout the world. She has been instrumental in understanding how to use art to empower people and empower communities. Beth continues to collaborate with us to bring more art to HHH. What can visitors look forward to this season at HHH?

The lounge where history’s musical icons played and jammed together is still at the heart of HHH. We have our “From BeBop to HipHop” concert series, which honors all the artists who played here before. It launched [this fall], with a lineup including Gregory Porter, Tracy Chapman, Diana Krall, and Patti Austin. We also have our “Sounds of Freedom” exhibition featuring art from Leonor Anthony and photography by Roberto Pollio—with images of jazz legends like Sarah Vaugh, Dizzy Gillispie, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington. We will also participate in Art Basel and Miami Art Week again this year with works from Beth Rudin DeWoody’s collection.

What is the modern mission for HHH?

Our aim is to shift it from a cultural center to the only Green Book museum in the world. The mission is to use the rich history of its past, drawing on the icons [who stayed here]. They used their talents to bridge the world through music, art, and sports. With that talent, we move forward with programing that bridges social, racial, cultural, religious, gender, and ethnic divides.

ORIOL TARRIDAS PHOTOGRPHY

BOB GOMEL

COURTESY OF THE HISTORIC HAMPTON HOUSE

Left: Amanda Ross Ho’s Do Not Disturb hangs on an original HHH door nearby Cymbals by Christopher Myers and XK by Lauren Halsey. A woven textile portrait by Kandy G. Lopez and vintage textile boxing gloves by Zoe Buckman are exhibited against the hotel’s original bathroom tiles.

Below: Malcolm X photographs Clay and his entourage celebrating at the HHH Café in 1964. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is pictured at a press conference at HHH in 1966.

The HHH’s restored facade

A neon sign by Patrick Fernandez and Soundsuit by Nick Cave greet visitors.

PROFILE

SPHERES OF INFLUENCE

FROM FASHION SHOWS TO ART SHOWS, INSTALLATION ARTIST SHAWN KOLODNY’S SCULPTURES ARE BUBBLING UP IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES

BY NICOLE NEAL

Artist Shawn Kolodny can pinpoint the exact moment things, well, blew up. There he is on November 22, 2022, wearing a gray T-shirt and gym shorts in the hallway of his Normandy Isles home, affixing a pump to giant silver orbs and inflating them until he’s engulfed in a sea of shiny spheres. The 20-second video—showing preparations for his debut large-scale artwork—proved to be just the right combination of silly and mesmerizing. When the dust settled, more than 1.67 million Instagram viewers had registered their approval.

“The next six months turned out to be the craziest ride of my life,” says Kolodny, who adds that his status as an artist went from “struggling” to “sought-after” at head-spinning speed after that video and the final product—a 30-by-40-foot walk-through installation—was unveiled at the 2022 Art With Me festival. “All sorts of magic started to happen,” he recalls.

But the magic almost didn’t happen at all. In early 2020, after 25 years managing nightclubs and restaurants in New York City, Kolodny made a full-time move to Miami, intent on turning his hobby of oil painting and silkscreen printing into his vocation.

It was a gamble, but Kolodny’s entrepreneurial streak made the risk tolerable. “I was used to living without a steady paycheck,” he says. His work ethic gave him the necessary discipline. “There’s a saying that you have to make 50 or 60 pieces before you get to piece No. 1,” he explains, noting that his practical side kept him grounded: “I gave myself a timeline.”

A year and a half later, he was considering returning to hospitality, says Kolodny, now 53 and living in Miami Beach. And then,

a chance art project led him to the oversize orbs that now define his career. Kolodny was painting (and contemplating the end of his artistic life) when he found himself revisiting a familiar theme. “All my life, I’d made little circle doodles up and down the sides of paper,” he says. What if he created a 3D version of that motif?

On August 15, 2022, he sprayed fuchsia paint onto marble-sized wooden balls, artfully arranged them in a small shadowbox, and captured the process on video. His normally sluggish social media feed perked up. “I got a little bit of Instagram love,” he says. “I thought, ‘I have something here.’” Then he expanded the idea, literally. “I’ve always been attracted to scale,” he continues. “People remember big art.” Kolodny’s successful 2022 Art With Me debut was quickly followed by installations at the Scope Art Show and The Sagamore Hotel South Beach. Within two years, Kolodny’s buoyant megabubbles (Vogue described one installation as “a visual delight”) would be showcased everywhere from the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City to the Missoni runway during Milan Fashion Week.

Of the enduring appeal of the orb, Kolodny says, “we have an organic connection to the shape.” That, plus his joyful treatment of the form would see his whimsical works displayed at Art Basel, Pharrell’s Something in the Water festival, and the St. Regis Aspen, and as part of the global campaign for House of Creed. He even launched a podcast called Ballsy: It Takes Balls to Sell Art. And, after getting numerous inquiries about where he acquired his inflatable spheres, he started selling them himself through his business, Big Shiny Balls.

Kolodny credits the playful and vibrant vibe of the Magic City with inspiring his fun and fanciful artworks. “It’s the greatest city on Earth,” he says. “It’s magical. It’s joy. You can’t help but feel that, and it’s reflected in my work.” (shawnkolodny.com) «

Artist Shawn Kolodny with Untitled (2024), one of his many colossal installations created from inflatable spheres.

MYLES BUNKER

Cindy Orlinsky

Voted Aventura Magazine’s Best Real Estate Agent of 2024

Cindy, a serial entrepreneur, attorney, successful business executive, and dynamic real estate broker-agent, has founded and launched the house&hive team. With a focus on serving buyers and sellers of luxury and commercial real estate in South Florida, Cindy brings a unique perspective to the rapidly evolving real estate marketplace. The name “house&hive” represents the disruptive nature of the industry, driven by a commitment to delivering exceptional results and client service at the highest level. With her extensive background and expertise, Cindy is well-equipped to guide clients through the complexities of this changing market.

ENJOY LUXURY LIVING AT PRIVATE PRIVE ISLAND

5000 Island Estates Drive | Aventura | $4,685,000 | The private elevator opens to the home’s foyer welcoming you to a stunning space spanning +/-4,000sf of pure luxury. With features such as high-end finishes, custom lighting, built-ins, and designer wall coverings, every detail of this home has been thoughtfully curated. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and intracoastal from every room. Web# A11646364

Cindy Orlinsky Broker Associate Executive Director of Luxury Sales M 305.469.3222 cindy.orlinsky@elliman.com houseandhive.com

OPENING SOON

Bird bag in iraca palm and calfskin in natural/fuchsia ($1,250), Loewe, loewe.com

Sadano maxi celery-shaped clutch with 3D leather leaves and branches ($4,995), Moschino, moschino.com

Anya Brands Perrier mini tote with recycled satin in Bottle Green ($1,850), Anya Hindmarch, us.anyahind march.com

Champagne Cottage Crystal Clock bag ($6,195), Judith Leiber, judith leiber.com

4 2

CARRY COUTURE

BY KATHERINE LANDE

Florida book clutch with hand-embroidered silk thread and felt appliqué ($1,910), Olympia Le-Tan, olympialetan.com

3D-printed pigeon clutch bag with side opening ($890), JW Anderson, jwanderson.com

Detour glitter patent leather 3D stop sign crossbody bag ($428), Kate Spade, katespade.com

Tommy hand-beaded Staudines handbag in pink ($295), Staud, staud.clothing

STYLE

TIED UP THE LOOK

INTRODUCING THE NOUVEAU BOW—CHIC, COOL, AND CREATIVE

BY KATHERINE LANDE

MASTER OF DISGUISE

Just for You

Bow Pink clutch ($5,995), Judith Leiber, judith

BACK IN BLACK

Miss Dior - Dior Twist bow ($890), Dior, Miami, dior.com

FEMININE WILES

Nite-Out pumps with bow detail ($1,150), Valentino, Miami, Bal Harbour, valentino.com

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Ramona black shoulder bag ($275), Loeﬄer Randall, loeﬄerrandall.com

STYLE NOTES X

GROWN UP:

Shy away from sweet and lean into sophisticated.

NOSTALGIC NOIR:

Opt for a structured black bow for an added edge.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Multiple bows add a twist to the classic adornment.

PRADA FALL/ WINTER 2024

Presented in a modern manner, the bow feels less coquettish and more mature.

LOVE FOOL Heart pendant velvet necklace ($440), Oscar de la Renta, oscar delarenta.com

TIME FLIES

GIRLISH CHARM

Virgule Bow slingback pumps ($1,200), Roger Vivier, Bal Harbour, rogervivier.com

Hourglass XS handbag with satin bows ($2,850), Balenciaga, Miami, balenciaga.com

IN EXCESS

Ergo bag in Coachtopia leather with allover bows ($295), Coach, multiple locations, coach.com

THE EDIT

Sweater Weather

WARMING TREND

No. 66 Mongolian cashmere sweater ($575), Leret Leret, leret-leret.com

Leret Leret’s cheeky sweaters caught my eye a couple years ago, and I’ve been collecting them ever since. In addition to their fun designs like martini glasses, disco balls, and this sweet bear motif, these super-soft cashmere sweaters can be personalized with the wearer’s initials.

Daphne Nikolopoulos, editorial director

PREPARE FOR COOLER TEMPS WITH THESE EDITOR-APPROVED PIECES

COLOR THEORY

Olivia merino jumper ($150), Boden, bodenusa.com

While I tend to favor black in my wardrobe— regardless of season—this is a demure take on color blocking that I can get behind. I love this sweater’s modern shape and responsibly sourced merino wool, and its classy splash of pink is the perfect homage to fall in paradise. —Mary Murray, executive editor

KNIT WITH WIT

We the People crewneck ($380), Lingua

Franca, linguafranca.nyc

Rock the vote this month in bipartisan cashmere coziness. Sustainably sourced and handstitched in the United States, this sweater is tied to philanthropy—with 10 percent of proceeds from each sale benefiting When We All Vote, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to increase voter participation. —Kristen Desmond LeFevre, editor in chief

ON

CLOUD NINE

Gleeson Fuzzy Cloud pullover ($395), Alice + Olivia, aliceandolivia.com

Float into the season wearing Alice + Olivia’s relaxed-fit wool and nylon knit pullover. The whimsical cloud print promises a silver lining: you’ll be seen around town sporting the chicest sweater. —Allison Wolfe Reckson, contributing editor

MAKING THE ROUNDS Ivory grommet sweater ($458), Mac Duggal, macduggal.com

A chunky sweater always catches my eye for fall. This one, featuring grommets that add plenty of visual interest, will ensure I’m encircled in style, warmth, and comfort when I head back to the Midwest for the holidays. —Jane E. Enos, contributing editor

The retro-inspired crochet trend is having a moment. And where better to wear this breezy style than in South Florida, where heat and humidity are a year-round occurrence? This delicately handcrafted cardigan by Farm Rio in a sandy hue is my choice for an autumn outﬁt. —Gaylene Salomons, contributing editor

DESERT ROSE Sand Flower draw crochet cardigan ($298), Farm Rio, farmrio.com

9 1 2 6

JEWELRY BOX

Totally Topaz

SING THE BLUES WITH THIS NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE BY

MARY MURRAY

1. FALL INTO LINE Provident Jewelry necklace with blue topaz and diamonds set in platinum, price upon request. Provident Jewelry locations (providentjewelry.com)

2. KITTED OUT Mish Fine Jewelry Kit earclips with blue topaz set in 18-karat white gold, $28,800. (mishﬁnejewelry.com)

3. HIGH FLYING Jacquie Aiche inlay kite necklace with blue topaz, turquoise, and diamonds set in 14-karat gold, $11,750. (jacquieaiche.com)

3 GOLD in 18-karat white gold, $5,600. $2,245. set

4. GO FOR GOLD Itä Tibes Pattern ring with blue topaz, aquamarine, and topaz set in 14-karat gold, $3,550. (itajewelry.com)

5. CHIC CHANDELIER Modern Moghul Maderu earrings with blue topaz and diamonds set in gold vermeil and rhodium-plated silver, $6,000. (modernmoghul.com)

6. MANY MOONS AGO Orogami Manali Collection ring with blue topaz and white moonstone set in 18-karat white gold, $5,600. (orogami.com)

7. PRESENT TIME Aurelia Demark bow drop earrings with London Blue topaz set in 18-karat gold, $2,245. (aureliademark.com)

8. BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET Suzanne Kalan Amalﬁ Blossom ring with blue topaz and diamonds set in 14-karat gold, $990. (suzannekalan.com)

9. RENAISSANCE WOMAN David Yurman Renaissance Cablespira bracelet with Hamilton Blue topaz set in 18-karat gold, $2,950-$3,050. David Yurman locations (davidyurman.com)

Bright EYES

Few things bring out the light in our eyes quite like the festive season. Match this luminosity by showing the delicate skin around them some love with treatments that help the eyes have it all: Yon-Ka Paris AlphaContour Anti-Wrinkle Regenerating Contour Cream, with gentle fruit acid–derived AHAs, mimosa tenuiflora, and marine peptides to promote cell turnover and regeneration ($74, us.yonka.com); Noble Panacea The Exceptional Eye Lift Concentrate, a powerhouse of potent retinal and octapeptide that firms, lifts, and smooths ($300 for 12 doses, Bluemercury, Coconut Grove); It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Bags Rapid Bag Reducer, a daytime treatment that depuffs, tightens, and looks great under makeup ($42, Ulta Beauty locations); Lancôme Absolue L’Extrait Elixir Eye Treatment with proprietary rose extracts, proxylane, and LHA ($310, Bloomingdale’s, Aventura); Eve Lom Time Retreat Eye Treatment ($78, Bloomingdale’s, Aventura); Talika Reusable Eye Therapy Patches, infused with musquat rose, wheat germ, avocado oil, ceramides, and shea butter ($11 for one pouch, talika cosmetics.com); and Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Eye Cream with Retinol ($65, Charlotte Tilbury, Aventura). —Abigail Duffy

Expert Advice from a Facial Plastic Surgeon

The holiday months are ﬁlled with events that make us want to look our very best. In the October edition, we outlined some of the recovery times associated with various procedures to help with planning. However, not everyone can take time off for larger procedures or downtime. Here are some of Dr. Z’s favorite options for smaller and quicker results with little to no downtime.

QUICK BUT SIGNIFICANT PRE-HOLIDAY PARTY PROCEDURES

1.BOTOX / Other modulators: This is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures as it can be done quickly, has no downtime, and results are evident within a week. Popular areas and potential beneﬁts include:

3.FILLERS: Fillers have received some negative publicity lately, BUT when used properly, they are a wonderful tool for facial enhancement and rejuvenation.

- Wrinkle reduction of the forehead, crow’s feet (eyes), and glabella (btwn the eyes).

- Brow lift and more “eye open” appearance

- Reduction of platysmal lines in the neck

- Jawline lift to reduce jowls (variable)

Since bruising is very rare (esp with a cannula) and swelling is mild, the downtime is minimal, but the results are instant.

- Use someone with an aesthetic vision for your individual face and a comprehensive understanding of facial anatomy...not someone simply trained to place filler into specific areas, or fill wrinkles...that’s not how you get beautiful and natural results

- Reduction of enlarged masseter muscles (Caution: this can exaggerate jowls if done in the wrong patients)

- Treatment of oral wrinkles, aka smoker lines (Caution: this can alter your smile and ability to purse your lips. Dr. Z generally recommends against this, esp before events).

2.MICRONEEDLING: Although maximum results require a series of treatments, a single (well-done) session can enhance your skin’s overall appearance with just a few days of redness and dryness.

Combine with exosomes, PRP, and/or carboxy mask for even better results and faster healing.

- Do not overfill and use filler to “treat” laxity...a giant overfilled cheek is not worth the “lift”...tasteful sculpting and blending of the cheeks, jawline, chin, and temples can give you great results without over exaggeration.

4.HYDROFACIAL: This leaves your skin fresh and can improve how your makeup applies, esp when combined with dermaplaning. No real downtime, just don’t use make up the same day.

BEAT the Bloat

BATTLE BACK AGAINST BLOAT INSTIGATORS WITH HELP FROM THESE PRODUCTS

BY LIZA GRANT SMITH

WAVE BYE BYE

Unlock the bloat-busting power of lymphatic drainage and develop a spalevel sculpting routine at home with the Bye Bye Bloat Depuff and Sculpt Bundle ($51) by Love Wellness. The combo comes with a “prepstep” firming body mask, detoxifying body oil for hydration, and massager to encourage lymphatic flow and promote circulation. (lovewellness.com)

MINDFUL EATING MENTOR

HOW YOU EAT—NOT JUST WHAT YOU EAT—IMPACTS HOW WELL YOUR BODY PROCESSES FOOD. EATING MINDFULLY CAN EASE DIGESTION BY LOWERING THE BODY’S STRESS RESPONSE AND ACTIVATING THE PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, WHICH IN TURN PROMOTES THE SECRETION OF SALIVA, GASTRIC JUICES, AND DIGESTIVE ENZYMES. SLOW EATS FOR WEIGHT LOSS IS A MINDFUL MEAL AND BITE TIMER APP DESIGNED TO HELP YOU SLOW DOWN AND ESTABLISH THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR DIGESTION. (APPS.APPLE.COM)

SVELTE SIPPING

LICORICE HAS BEEN USED MEDICINALLY FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, AND CURRENT RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CONSUMING LICORICE DAILY CAN HELP TO REDUCE BLOATING AS WELL AS ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT AND INDIGESTION. PEPPERMINT IS ALSO EFFECTIVE AGAINST BLOAT AND GAS, THANKS TO A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF FLAVONOIDS THAT SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF BENEFICIAL BACTERIA AND INHIBIT HARMFUL ONES IN YOUR DIGESTIVE TRACK. TEAPIGS’ LICORICE AND PEPPERMINT TEA ($27 FOR 50 SERVINGS) COMBINES THE TWO POWERHOUSES INTO A NATURALLY SWEET BLEND. (TEAPIGS.COM)

HYDRATION HELPER

While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking water actually reduces bloating. Your body needs a lot of water, and dehydration can lead to constipation that results in bloating. When your body gets the amount of liquid it needs, it will let go of the liquid it doesn’t. Keeping those hydration levels up, however, can be a challenge. Consider hiring a personal cheerleader, such as Venture Pal ’s 32-ounce Giotto sports bottle ($22), which boasts motivational quotes and time markers to help you meet your daily goals. (venturepal.com)

CABBAGE CURE

Probiotic-rich foods, like sauerkraut and kimchi, provide good bacteria that live in your gut, thereby helping to reduce bloating and support digestion. Through its fermentation process, kimchi (which is essentially fermented cabbage with a variety of spices) is loaded with probiotics. Incorporate it into your diet with help from Lauryn Chun’s Mother in Law’s kimchi (available at select Sprouts and Whole Foods locations). (milkimchi.com)

Laser Cataract

5-MINUTE SURGERY

Dr. Mendelsohn is a pioneer of the five-minute laser cataract surgery and recognized by physicians as a preeminent expert in eye laser surgery. Laser cataract surgery provides far better visual results and safety compared to traditional cataract surgery. Cataract surgery previously was highly invasive, whereby the patient had a shot to the eye and a large incision closed with numerous sutures at the conclusion of the procedure. A laser can now perform 90 percent of the procedure flawlessly in about 30 seconds. This painless procedure takes only five minutes from start to finish, which includes the implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). There are no shots, no stitches, nor any patches! The patient can resume normal activities the next day, including driving, working, and exercising. The quality of vision is outstanding for driving, viewing a computer, and reading, including all the focal lengths in between.

For decades, South Florida physicians have called Dr. Mendelsohn “The physician’s physician.” He has had the honor and privilege to serve as the ophthalmologist to several hundred doctors (and their family members) in South Florida. The physicians in the area know which physicians have areas of expertise and utilize this inside knowledge to seek out the best of the best medical and surgical care for themselves and their family members. Additionally, he has physicians, including fellow ophthalmologists, come statewide to seek his care at Eye Surgeons & Consultants, especially for laser cataract surgery and laser glaucoma surgery.

EYE SURGEONS & CONSULTANTS –ALAN D. MENDELSOHN, M.D., F.A.C.S. 4651 Sheridan St., Suite 100, Hollywood

For more information: 954.894.1500 or myeyesurgeons.com

JOURNEYS

YOUR PASSPORT TO THE MOST FASCINATING CORNERS OF THE GLOBE

WANDERLUST

COASTAL CALM

HEAD WEST TO MEXICO’S RIVIERA NAYARIT TO DISCOVER TWO DREAMY

NAVIVA, A FOUR SEASONS RESORT

RETREATS THAT BALANCE NATURE, WELLNESS, AND ULTRA-LUXURY

BY PAUL RUBIO

Tucked away on 48 acres of rolling jungle and pristine beaches in Riviera Nayarit, Naviva is an adults-only escape tailored for modern travelers who crave a deep connection with coastal nature at their own pace, all while wanting for nothing. An overarching biophilic design by Luxury Frontiers—a ﬁrm renowned for showstopping tented camps across Africa—ensures this Mexican iteration of luxury under canvas maximizes immersion in the surrounding forest-meets-the-sea grandeur.

Design details abound in each of the 15 hillside, butterﬂyinspired tents, for which furnishings have been custom-made by Mexican artisans to nurture an aesthetic that blends with the environment. Like the greats of the African safari circuit, this tented

Luxury under canvas awaits at Naviva on Mexico’s forested Paciﬁc Coast.

camp blurs the lines between outdoors and in, delivering the sights and soundtracks of nature from every nook—from the open-air living room to the private plunge pool to the soaking tub that overlooks the jungle.

In such an exceptional setting, it’s easy to fall into a rhythm of relaxation: room service, unwind, repeat. But Naviva and the greater Nayarit region are designed for exploration and enjoyment. Scattered throughout Naviva’s forest and along the coast, you’ll find amenities such as a multilevel swimming pool, oceanfront fire pits, spa pods, and a unique alfresco “jungle gym” where weights are crafted from stone and dip bars from tree branches. Operating under an open-fire ethos, chef Sofia Barrera’s Copal Cocina offers a “no menu” dining experience featuring the best of Mexican and international cuisine. Winding nature trails take you to breathtaking lookout points and secluded beaches, where solitude is almost guaranteed. In the (unlikely) event you’re feeling too off-the-grid, the more predictable Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita—and all its top-tier trappings—are a short drive away and available for your use.

On-site at Naviva, an extensive range of programs allows guests to engage in daily activities focused on movement, gastronomy, and well-being. Start one day with a highenergy outdoor boxing class, spend the afternoon mastering the art of ceviche with chef Barrera, and then unwind with a sunset gratitude meditation or shamanic sound healing session. The next morning, enjoy yoga on a cliffside pavilion as waves crash below and

Clockwise from left: Unwind at the full-service, multilevel swimming pool, in a spa pod, or around a ﬁre pit at Naviva.

Naviva scenes, from far left: safari-style accommodations; a cocoon-like entrance; cooking class with chef Soﬁa Barrera.

whales breach in the distance. Follow that with a personalized HIIT or strength training session at the unconventional gym, or a hike through the coastal forest, keeping an eye out for inquisitive coatis (dainty long-tailed cousins of the raccoon). Later, feast on fresh harvest and just-caught ﬁsh on your terrace.

On another day, indulge in pure relaxation at one of Naviva’s two private spa pods, each with a couples’ treatment tent, a garden, and a bubbling timber water basin (think of it as a barrel-shaped hot tub for two). A 90-minute spa experience is included with every stay, allowing for 30 minutes of in-pod decompression followed by a 60-minute treatment of your choice. Thanks to an all-inclusive policy that covers access to on-site amenities plus those at Naviva’s sister property, as well as activities, food, and drinks (including alcohol), the possibilities are limitless—and entirely at your leisure. (fourseasons.com/naviva)

ONE&ONLY MANDARINA

Ensconced in a biodiverse, high-rising rainforest recalling the beauty of Costa Rica, One&Only Mandarina grants immersion into one of Mexico’s lesser-known tropical landscapes—and the escapism that lies therein.

A total of 105 villas and treehouses are generously spaced across 80 acres of towering Higuera trees and palms, strategically positioned to amplify stunning scenes of flora and sea. At higher altitudes, stilted, glass-fronted treehouses evoke a sensation of being one with the forest canopy while floating over the crashing waves. An outward-facing design fosters a continuous bond with nature from all angles of an open-plan suite, which further peaks on the outdoor terrace, equipped with a dining area, daybeds, and an infinity plunge pool. Paved pathways—accessible on foot or by golf cart—zigzag through the mountainous terrain leading to world-class amenities

Clockwise from top right: Epic views abound from all spaces at One&Only Mandarina, including the coastal villas, main cliﬀtop pool, and treehouse suites.

At One&Only Mandarina, look forward to relaxing and imbibing at the cliﬀtop pool and Treetop bar.

JOURNEYS

that also capitalize on the dramatic backdrops. Cloaked in dense foliage, the One&Only Spa emerges like a lost pre-Hispanic world of wellness. Walk on water (by way of stone steps) and ascend raised wooden planks to reach a volcanic rock garden teeming with spa amenities: a relaxation area that appears to float over sunken palms below, a co-ed vitality pool under treetops, a mud bathing station, a sauna and steam

enclave, and a traditional temazcal, or “house of heat,” where a native healer performs timehonored ceremonies and spiritual cleansing. In addition, find six domed treatment rooms, each with a retractable sky roof at its apex. The spa menu comprises a range of body and skin therapies, many featuring renowned Tata Harper products and several created exclusively for One&Only Mandarina.

At a lower clearing, visit the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club, a hub for embarking on

DISORDERS, SERVICES & TREATMENTS

Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) • Anaphylaxis • Asthma • Chronic Cough and Breathing Difficulties Biologicals •Contact Dermatitis • Drug Allergy • Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Food Allergy Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots) • Insect Allergy • Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)

Patch Allergy Testing for Contact Dermatitis • Penicillin Allergy Testing • Pet Allergy Pollen, Mold and Dust Mites Allergy • Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) • Skin Allergy Sinusitis• Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) • Urticaria (Hives) • Xolair

jungle-to-ocean trails by horseback, taking polo classes, or simply watching the “sport of kings” from the sidelines. Five noteworthy restaurants and bars dot the property, the crown jewel of which is Carao, a contemporary Mexican concept by award-winning chef Enrique Olvera (of Pujol fame). Three infinity pools also vie for attention—two set on solid ground facing the beach, the third defying gravity, cantilevered over the treetops and the ocean currents below. (oneandonlyresorts.com/mandarina) «

Discover top-tier amenities at One&Only Mandarina, like the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club and a traditional temazcal.

MODERN CLASSIC

THE GO-ANYWHERE INEOS GRENADIER 4X4 IS A MASTER OF THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

BY HOWARD WALKER

Cyclists and pedestrians, rejoice! The Ineos Grenadier has your back. That’s because on the right side of the steering wheel is a dinky red button emblazoned with the word “toot.” One press and the horn does indeed “toot,” just like the one on a 3-year-old’s trike. Yes, there’s a regular horn in the center of the wheel. One press and small animals will scurry for cover, 18-wheelers will swerve out of your way, and fellow motorists will digitally express their displeasure. But the “toot” button will more calmly warn those on foot or two wheels of your impending approach.

It’s a curious detail for a rugged 4x4 designed to scale the north face of the Eiger or

plug mud in an Amazonian rain forest. That is until you discover that the brains behind the Grenadier is none other than British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a keen cyclist and head of the UK-based Ineos petrochemical empire. Among his many sponsorship ventures, he funds the Ineos Tour de France cycling team, naturally called the Ineos Grenadiers.

But what of this boxy, slightly familiarlooking off-roader? To know more, you have to go back to 2015, when Jaguar Land Rover made the decision to end production of its beloved Land Rover Defender. Its replacement would be the softer, gentler, safer, and significantly more capable New Defender.

That’s where Sir Jim comes in. A passionate Land Rover owner and fan, he was far from happy. Using some of his estimated $17 billion net worth, he offered to buy the old tooling with the intent to continue Defender production. When JLR politely declined, he set out to build his own. He created Ineos Automotive, acquired the former Mercedes-Benz Smart Car factory in Hambach, France, and called in Austrian 4x4 specialists Magna Steyr to engineer the thing.

See the Grenadier in the metal and its visual links with the old Defender are unmistakable. Same flat fenders, same slab sides, same upright windshield. It’s like someone took the original Defender and used AI to update it.

Underneath there’s a chassis with more structural rigidity than the Eiffel Tower, plus coil-over suspension and beam axles. It may sound antiquated, but it’s what you need for ultimate off-roading.

Powering the beast is BMW’s trusty 3.0liter inline turbocharged 6-cylinder, cranking out 281 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. Coupled to a super-smooth-shifting 8-speed

HIGH ROAD

HOWARD WALKER

ZF automatic, it pushes the near-6,000-pound Grenadier from standstill to 60 mph in a leisurely 8.9 seconds.

So how does it drive? Slightly old-school, just like you’d expect of a modern-day classic. Its focus, however, is on pounding up a rocky trail or wading through raging rivers, which does result in a few compromises. Like the steering.

As with Jeep Wranglers and farm tractors, the Grenadier uses a so-called recirculating ball system designed for its unbreakability. But in the Ineos, the system really doesn’t self-center. Turn out of a parking lot and you have to unwind the wheel manually. Staying in your lane on the freeway requires constant adjustment. Not to mention the turning radius is up there with the Icon of the Seas. Yes, you do get used to it, but it’s always a chore.

However, drivers are sure to love the creamy smoothness and refinement of that BMW straight 6 (though probably not the 15-mpg economy).

And despite the Grenadier’s top-heavy look, it carves curves with poise and balance.

Inside, the cabin is a mix of old and new, weird and wonderful. The lovely Recaro seats are comfortable, but they have a clunky manual adjustment. There’s no traditional instrument panel in front of the driver either; speed, revs, and fuel are displayed on the central 12.3-inch display. Navigation? Use your phone.

When it comes to models, take your pick from the base Station Wagon (at $76,700), the off-road-

POWER FILE

PRICE: $76,700 FOR BASE STATION

WAGON ENGINE: 3.0-LITER

TURBOCHARGED INLINE 6

POWER: 281 HP TORQUE: 331 LB-FT

TRANSMISSION: 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC 0-60: 8.9 SECONDS TOP SPEED: 99

MPH LENGTH/WIDTH: 191/76 INCHES

WEIGHT: 5,875 POUNDS WHY WE LOVE IT: BECAUSE IT HAS THE STYLE AND SKILLS OF AN OLD LAND ROVER DEFENDER WITH SILKY-SMOOTH BMW POWER.

focused Grenadier Trailmaster, or the more upscale Fieldmaster (both similarly priced starting at $84,700). Begin checking the options boxes and stickers can soar past $100,000.

This retro-styled Tonka Toy won’t be for everyone. But it’s a high-style 4x4 that will take you on a road less traveled without breaking a sweat, as well as turn heads in the valet line. And, if the heads don’t turn, just give a little toot. «

GRIT AND GLAMOUR

THE

DUTCH-BUILT, ALLALUMINUM LEKKER 45 IS ONE TOUGH CRUISER

BY HOWARD WALKER

There’s this handy Dutch phrase you might want to learn. Say it after me: “heel lekker.” It means “very tasty.” As in, “That slice of grandma’s appeltaart with whipped cream is heel lekker.”

Get one glimpse of this 45-foot weekend cruiser slicing through whitecaps at a speedy

50 knots, and the most apt description would be “heel lekker.” Very tasty, indeed.

There’s added relevance here because the boat is called the Lekker 45, and it’s from the young Dutch builder Lekker Boats, based just south of Amsterdam. Founded by Meindert Wolfraad in 2013, the company has a small but passionate following of buyers who crave bold design, no-nonsense aluminum construction, and feisty performance.

While there’s no shortage of rivals in the 40-to-45-foot center console, luxury weekender class, what the Lekker offers is huge entertaining space (there’s outside seating for at least 16) plus a cabin for overnighting and the choice of twin diesel power or V10 or V12 outboards. But what really sets it apart is that welded aluminum construction, which reduces weight, resists corrosion, and adds huge strength. It’s no wonder that Wolfraad describes the 45 as the Land Rover of the seas.

The boat almost has a commercial-grade

look and feel, as evidenced by the huge black rubber rail and matching rear threequarter rubbing strake. Together, they’ll brush off any dock-post bumps or grinds. And the hull is painted so that any scrapes can simply be sanded and resprayed.

As cool-looking cruisers go, the Lekker is a guaranteed head-spinner. The shape came off the drawing board of famed Dutch designer Cor D. Rover, who’s responsible for some of the most jaw-dropping superyachts ever built. (Just Google “Royal Huisman Phi” to see what I mean.) I love the Lekker’s knifelike vertical bow, the visible welded side strakes, and the hull’s gorgeous curves, sweeps, and swoops. Combine these features with the swept-back windshield and carbonﬁber hardtop, and this thing looks like it’s running at 50 knots standing still.

And run it will. For diesel lovers, there are twin Volvo Penta 5.5-liter D6 in-line sixes coupled to Volvo sterndrives. Packing 440

HIGH SEAS

horsepower apiece, they’ll give a top speed of right around 50 knots. We Florida boaters tend to favor outboard power, so take your pick from triple 400-hp Mercury Verado V10s or twin 600-hp Verado V12s, both good for a top speed of closer to 60 knots.

I took a tour of this battleship-gray and orange Lekker 45 at this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show and came away highly impressed. After stepping onto the boat from its wide, synthetic teak–decked swim platform, you enter right into the rear cockpit, where there are L-shaped sofas on either side plus twin hi-lo tables that drop down to make sun loungers. Close by is the wide galley, with a grill, sink, fridge, and ice maker. The entire area can be protected by a slide-out shade.

Walking around the decks to the forward sun-worshipping area is a joy, courtesy of the deep side decks and sturdy handrails. Up front is a sun pad with a cushiony backrest, twin seats in the bow, and a fridge for libations.

Back at the helm, there’s a quartet of bigbolstered bucket seats that look like they came out of a Porsche. Twin 24-inch Garmin touch screens take care of navigation and engine info; however, as an example of the Lekker’s smart design, there’s another big screen in the driver’s sight line in the bow that displays speed and depth.

Below decks there’s a compact, no-frills cabin with a U-shaped sofa that converts to a double bed, a low-headroom double, and a head compartment with a toilet, sink, and

POWER FILE

wet-room shower. It’s perfect for a couple with two young kids, or as a place to chill in air-conditioned comfort.

The beauty of the Lekker is that the company will happily customize pretty much anything inside and out—from hull and upholstery color to installing bigger fuel tanks.

In terms of pricing, the Lekker 45 kicks off at around $1.3 million with twin Volvo diesels, with U.S. sales being handled by Denison in Fort Lauderdale. As for telling your friends your new boat is “heel lekker”? That’s priceless. «

Untitled (Portrait of David), Los Angeles, 2024

T T 1 1 n WEAVER DREAM

By PAIGE BOWERS

DAVID LACHAPELLE

DAVID LACHAPELLE’S NEW STUDIO IN AVENTURA PROVIDES THE PHOTOGRAPHER-TO-THE-STARS A PERFECT PARADISE FOR MIXING POP CULTURE WITH FINE ART

P hotography by

Elton John: Honky Cat, Los Angeles, 2017

There was something about Fort Lauderdale in the late 1970s, photographer David LaChapelle recalls. His older sister was there, living the SoFlo life. When he’d visit her, he’d look around and see disco, airbrushing, palm trees, and so much optimism. There was a sexiness to it, he says, and a colorful excitement that still informs his aesthetic to this day.

For LaChapelle, there was a growing sense that South Florida was the place to be. Fast-forward a decade, and Andy Warhol sent LaChapelle, whom he had recently hired as a photographer for Interview magazine, to cover what he predicted was a growing art scene in Miami.

“It was for the Miami issue with Don Johnson on the cover,” LaChapelle says. “Andy had this sense that something was percolating in Miami, so he sent me down to take 20 to 30

pages of photos of this art scene. I stayed in the Fontainebleau for a little while, then I wanted to stay longer, so I moved to South Beach and got a room for $11 with a kitchen. It was winter, and I thought, ‘Oh this is insane.’ Andy was right. You could really feel that this place was really going to take off.”

Some 40 years later, Miami’s art scene has not only taken off but evolved into one of the world’s most influential hubs for painters, sculptors, collectors, and the like. And LaChapelle, who has made a name for himself shooting painterly—and occasionally provocative—pictures of celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, Eminem, Naomi Campbell, and more, has now found an ideal headquarters for his global exhibitions and fine art sales in Aventura.

“The art scene here is just the right size, where it’s really

Vox Populi, Rainbow Poster Installation (Collage), Los Angeles, 2024

vital and international, yet it’s smaller,” he says. “People know each other, which is really cool.”

There’s never a dull visual in LaChapelle’s world—or a dull moment. Earlier this year, Visu Contemporary presented a new survey of his work called “David LaChapelle: Happy Together,” his first-ever solo exhibition in Miami Beach. More shows at galleries across the world are in the works. Plus, there are the star-studded shoots, including music videos for Elton John, Brandi Carlile, and Charli XCX, to name a few. LaChapelle was also involved in planning an extravaganza involving the French synchronized swimming team for Christian Louboutin’s fall show.

“The variety of work I’ve done has kept my life really interesting,” says LaChapelle. “I like having one foot in the world

of popular culture and another foot in the art world. It’s really nice to have this mix; it gives you the opportunity to bring in young people who are coming to your show for the Travis Scott picture, but then they’ll see other things, like my more spiritual work.”

Celebrity and spirituality don’t seem like they should go hand in hand, but in LaChapelle’s photography and life, they’ve become inextricably linked. Born in Connecticut in 1963, LaChapelle was an aspiring painter who worked as a Studio 54 busboy at the age 15. After he was accepted to the North Carolina School of the Arts, LaChapelle began experimenting with hand-painting his photo negatives before they were processed in order to achieve richer colors.

“[When I shot] that very first roll of film, by the end of it,

DLC Studio Aventura: Johnny Byrne

Photographers: David LaChapelle, John Schoenfeld, Jason Altaan

Photo Assistants: Glen Vergara, Ethan Haug Grooming (David LaChapelle): Jeni Chua of Exclusive Artists, using Moritek Beauty and Balmain Hair Styling (David LaChapelle): Joseph Hogan, wearing custom Jack Taylor button-up and custom Stefan Meier graphic trousers

Production Assistant: Thomas Pagano

all my high school friends were naked in my dorm room,” he says with a slow grin. “It was nothing erotic. It was all just Renaissance-inspired Michelangelo tableaus, and I was photographing them. And they were all dancers. A lot of dancers went to this school and, you know, it was funny, because everybody was underage, but so was the photographer.”

That photographer returned to New York City (which had become his preferred classroom) and was discovered by Andy Warhol, who hired him to shoot for Interview. Though LaChapelle’s photos for the magazine opened doors to other prestigious assignments, it came at a time when he began losing friends to AIDS. He was leaning into his faith (“otherwise, I don’t know how I would have gotten through it,” he says) and ruminating

about how the energy of a 23-year-old could just disappear. Angels and other religious themes began appearing in his pictures, a nod to his soulsearching journey.

“I knew there had to be more,” he says. “I felt that there was more to this life than just the material plan, and I wanted to express that. I used what I could, which was photography, to try and do that. It’s hard for people to wrap their head around the fact that I can photograph pop stars and still do this work that’s religious. They don’t understand it. Maybe at first they think I’m being sacrilegious or making fun of [religion] or something like that. But when they see [the religious photography], they understand that it’s actually very respectful and devout. It’s coming from a really deep place inside

ANDY [WARHOL] HAD THIS SENSE THAT SOMETHING WAS PERCOLATING IN MIAMI, SO HE SENT ME DOWN TO TAKE 20 TO 30 PAGES OF PHOTOS OF THIS ART SCENE.”

Above: Alicia Keys: A Trial by Fire for a Young Artist, New York, 2003; opposite page: Archangel Michael: And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer, Hawaii, 2009.

V V V V

of me that I want to express. When they get that, people are really open to it.”

Whether he’s shooting Dua Lipa or his own take on The Last Supper, LaChapelle’s oeuvre is tied together by the ideas he conjures and the decisions he ultimately makes. His process involves bringing the sketches and storylines he imagines to life with Technicolor hues, pre-Raphaelite compositions, and no shortage of edge. His team comprises set-builders, costume-makers, and location scouts, among other collaborators. A LaChapelle shoot is a theatrical production from start to finish, and it’s not unheard of for everyone to clap when the show is over.

By the early aughts, demands on LaChapelle’s time and talent increased, and he says he found him-

Left: Travis Scott: Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Sprinkles, Los Angeles, 2020; below: Untitled (Charli XCX), Los Angeles, 2024; opposite page: Dua Lipa: I See in Blue, Los Angeles, 2020.

THE VARIETY OF WORK I’VE DONE HAS KEPT MY LIFE REALLY INTERESTING. I LIKE HAVING ONE FOOT IN THE WORLD OF POPULAR CULTURE AND ANOTHER FOOT IN THE ART WORLD.

TTself longing for a cabin in the woods. The volume of his studio’s output was, as he puts it, “insane.” He believes his workaholism stems from the fact that he had dropped out of high school; he admits he was afraid that he would be among the photographers he’s seen who have come and gone.

“I had a lot of expectations that I put on myself, and almost requirements that I demanded of myself, which put a lot of pressure on me,” he says. “I remember praying, ‘God, I really need this cabin in the woods,’ and within six months it was right in front of me.”

LaChapelle’s home in Maui has been his refuge ever since. It allows him to slow down, reconnect with nature and his faith, and recalibrate himself in a world that seemingly operates at light speed. Since then, he says he has become more secure and more relaxed on set, which has made work fun again. In a world where AI-generated images are increasingly common, LaChapelle masters analogue in a way that never fails to look fresh.

“I love the idea that photography stops time,” he says. “Our world is moving so fast now that we’re always looking at screens of things moving. You know, a large photographic image that kind of slows time down for the moment you’re in front of it, or even stops it briefly as you contemplate it? Well, you can tell a story within that image. I still want to express the ideas that I have in my heart about this idea of the metaphysical, of having faith and believing that there’s something else out there, and about the realm of the miraculous. Through photography, I’ve been able to do that.” «

Top: Untitled (Portrait of David, Behind the Scene), Los Angeles, 2024; left: Tupac Shakur: Becoming Clean, New York, 1996; opposite page: Untitled (Whitney Houston), New York, 2000.

Guiding

LIGHTS

MUSEUM GUIDES ARE OFTEN UNOBTRUSIVE PRESENCES. VISITORS PEERING AT PAINTINGS AND SCOPING OUT SCULPTURES MAY HARDLY NOTICE THEM AT THEIR POSTS. BUT THESE ART AFICIONADOS NOTICE A LOT—FROM HEARING GALLERY-GOERS SCOFF AT WORKS THEY DISLIKE TO PATRONS WEEPING IN FRONT OF PIECES THAT MOVE THEM TO TEARS. WE CAUGHT UP WITH PROFESSIONAL GUIDES AT FIVE OF MIAMI’S MOST ICONIC MUSEUMS TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR LINE OF WORK AND THEIR FAVORITE WORKS OF ART.

BY NILA DO SIMON PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN MARTINE

Wynwood Walls CATALINA RUBIANO

Known as an outdoor museum of international street art that has shown the likes of innovators Kenny Scharf, Futura, Os Gemeos, Swoon, and Shepard Fairey, Wynwood Walls has become a phenomenon, spurring the creation of murals throughout the Wynwood district. When Catalina Rubiano walked into the place for the first time as a guest in 2011, she thought it was magical.

“I was surrounded by art in the environment of murals,” she says. “I never imagined this was going to be my life 10 years later.”

The self-taught artist from Colombia says she could never escape visual art, even as she was being persuaded to become a doctor or lawyer. To satisfy both her creative desires and practical side, she studied film. But then, she says, “I decided to take my hobby seriously because I loved it, and it made me happy.”

Now a muralist and tattoo artist, Rubiano shares her love of mural arts as Wynwood Walls’ museum education assistant manager and a tour guide. (thewynwoodwalls.com)

What are your favorite pieces at Wynwood Walls?

Lauren YS’ Say Gay and Vhils’ Ethereal

Describe the impact Say Gay has on you.

It’s a political statement in the form of art, created in response to the State of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” initiative. It is a tribute to The Last Supper, with LBGTQ+ characters shown. Artists like Lauren YS not only express themselves, but also give a rock and roll statement with their murals. It’s really important to share your experiences in a creative space, even if it’s controversial.

What’s your favorite fact to share with museum visitors about Say Gay?

It’s done in freehand with spray paint, so no sketching [was done] ahead of time.

Any memorable guest reactions to Say Gay?

I was doing a tour and explaining the meaning of the mural, and this couple really saw themselves in it, and it really resonated with them. They got really emotional.

What is it about Ethereal that resonates with you?

I think it’s amazing to see them destroying the walls with jackhammers to create real-life depictions of regular people.

How do guests respond to Ethereal?

Instead of adding to the wall, Vhils took away parts of it, so people want to touch and feel the wall. It connects people a lot when they can touch a piece.

What are your favorite pieces at PAMM?

My favorites change every day. But I love Francisco Sobrino’s Transformation Unstable, Juxtaposition, Superposition and boom by Gary Simmons.

What’s special to you about Transformation Unstable, Juxtaposition, Superposition?

You have to walk around it. You have different perspectives because the shadows change. The piece demands the viewer move and shows them how to be physically active in relation to the piece.

What’s one of your favorite things to tell guests about Transformation Unstable, Juxtaposition, Superposition?

The Plexiglass squares are not glued together,

instead they are intersected. Why is boom a favorite of yours?

It’s a chalk drawing on the wall, done on-site. It is an ephemeral work; when the exhibition is over, the work will disappear and [have] to be done again the next time it is exhibited. What’s the best way to view boom?

Stand back and have a whole view and then get up close to discover how it is made: a white chalk drawing on a black wall that looks like a blackboard. Discovering this triggers many questions. Why did the artist choose this material? What will happen with the work? The work is an invitation to question our assumptions. What reactions do guests have to boom?

Pérez Art Museum Miami MARIA MAURO

Maria Mauro’s connection to art runs almost as deep as her link to the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).

After studying art history at the University of Buenos Aires, Mauro came to Florida with both a knowledge of and appreciation for the arts, with an emphasis on Latin American artists. She started volunteering at the Miami Art Museum, where she says, “I could engage in art and with the community.”

When the Miami Art Museum was renamed the Pérez Art Museum Miami in 2013 and moved to its new location on Biscayne Bay, Mauro didn’t skip a beat with the transition. Today, PAMM is a flagship art institution, its 200,000-square-foot space an ode to modern and contemporary, particularly as it relates to the Latin experience. Its galleries showcase works of the African diaspora and significant pieces from Latin America and the Caribbean. And you can find Mauro there on any given week, giving up to 10 tours a month and sharing stories of the numerous pieces of international art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. (pamm.org)

At first, they are captivated by its size and by iconographic elements we are all familiar with. After finding out how it was made—the fact that the artist was there on-site creating it, in addition to realizing that this particular iteration of boom is unique to this place and time—most visitors [find] it really special.

What tips can you offer for how PAMM visitors can best interact with these pieces?

With any piece in any museum in the world, take your time. Artists take a lot of time creating these pieces, and viewers should do the same with observing [them]. Also, these objects are not against the wall, so start walking around them to see how you feel at different angles.

COURTESY OF PÉREZ ART MUSEUM

The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami LAUREN BACCUS

Lauren Baccus’ love of art began inside a craft store in Jamaica. Run by her mother, the store teemed with beautifully rendered pieces—dolls, books, and crafts handmade by Jamaican and other Caribbean artisans. After she moved to Trinidad, Baccus says she was surrounded by another type of art form: masquerade.

“Carnival is a way of life in Trinidad,” says Baccus, herself a textile artist. “I had a really deep and embodied understanding that Carnival is art, and art is life and art is embodied in this form of expression. Beyond that, Carnival allowed me to see that art is accessible through dress and performance.”

Today, as the public program manager for the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Baccus says one of the best things about her job is connecting “the artwork with the people who are walking through the door.” Part of that includes creating programming that develops widespread interest, including a recent conversation between architect Germane Barnes and photographer Dario Calmese, both Black artists who discussed the equality and inclusion of Black people in spaces not traditionally made for them. (mocanomi.org)

What is your favorite piece at MOCA?

Haitian artist Manuel Mathieu’s Amnesia

What excites you about Amnesia?

It’s a quiet piece that makes you question, “What is our collection of memories?” He created this piece after getting into a car accident, losing his short-term memory in the act. The piece asks us the question, “How does each of the arrangements tell a story about us? If it were moved, what does that mean to the narrative of who we are?”

What are some reactions you’ve seen guests have after viewing Amnesia?

Through that work, I can’t tell you how many people have shared their own experience of tragedy and how they reconstructed themselves, both physically and through mental experiences. Sometimes it’s from an actual car accident, just like Mathieu. Any tips you can offer to guests to better interact with Amnesia? Ask questions like, “ How is it making me feel?” and “Where is that feeling coming from?” Then investigate that a bit. This is an artist who is masterful at his craft. The pieces that challenge me the most are the ones that I tend to enjoy more over time, like this piece.

The

Bass Museum of Art CYNTHIA O’KEEFE

At a time when she craved it the most, The Bass Museum of Art provided Cynthia O’Keefe with a muchneeded emotional escape. The global pandemic of 2020 hit O’Keefe and her hospitality firm hard, disrupting much of the field and her own work. “But the museum became my lifeline,” O’Keefe says of The Bass. “It provided me with an outlet during a time that I needed great comfort.”

A member of The Bass since 2016, O’Keefe became heavily involved three years later, influenced by the power that it had in Miami Beach’s public art scene. With

pieces like Ugo Rondinone’s Mountain and Jim Drain’s Chess Tables contributing to conversations around public art, O’Keefe says The Bass’ outdoor initatives have helped complement the international contemporary art housed inside its 35,000-square-feet museum.

In addition to being a volunteer docent at The Bass, O’Keefe also chairs the museum’s Women’s Circle, an organization of female leaders who work to elevate the voices of women artists and art professionals (thebass.org)

What are your favorite pieces at The Bass?

Het Pelsken Restored by Kathleen Gilje and The Nudist Museum by Ellen Harvey

What excites you about Het Pelsken Restored?

Artist Kathleen Gilje is an art restorer by trade. In 2021, she created Het Pelsken Restored, which is based off a Peter Paul Rubens original. It’s a portrait of the artist’s second wife, and it questions the identity and performative nature of what is happening in the portrait, all at the same time. My biggest enjoyment is the wink and the intelligence of it.

Can you share how guests react to Het Pelsken Restored? By far, the first reaction is a whiff of the head—and a lot of going closer because you see it thinking it was a master, but it’s from 2021. People always do a double take, like, “Wait, what did I just see?’”

Why is The Nudist Museum a favorite piece?

Ellen Harvey’s piece shows all types of images of the female form: how we look at nudity in commercials for sportswear, during the Renaissance, in beauty pageants, and more. She has taken these images and recreated this tremendous mural.

What are some fun facts you like to share with guests about The Nudist Museum?

There’s a lot of intentional painting outside the lines, literally, in this mural. You’ll see strokes outside the frame, spilling over to the margins.

Superblue CASSANDRA JOHNSON

Miami is a far cry from Cassandra Johnson’s 8,000-person hometown in Colorado. But for this art history graduate, the destination is only part of the journey.

On family trips to Greece, Johnson remembers being “the only one in my family who would ask the museum guide questions and listen to the stories they would tell about the artwork and artists.”

After college, Johnson learned about a job opportunity at Superblue in Miami—a city that she had never visited. Despite the unchartered territory, she saw Superblue as “an awesome concept.” And it’s hard to disagree. The more than 50,000-square-foot space is a labyrinth of lights, sounds, movement, mirrors, mazes, and more that arrest the viewer.

Johnson took a gamble and landed the job in 2021, working her way up from a guide to her current role as concierge manager, providing tours for VIP guests. As she sees it, working at Superblue is an opportunity to appreciate art— and to flip the notion of art on its head. As a lover of Renaissance-era art, it’s something she has had to do for herself, too.

“A lot of people tend to look at [Superblue] as amusement park–esque,” Johnson says. “I love the artists so much that I’m trying to go around to educate and provide a medium where we can all try to understand exactly what these works are depicting and who it’s for. Immersive art provides a good conduit .” (superblue.com)

What are your favorite pieces at Superblue?

James Turrell’s AKHU and teamLab’s Life Survives by the Power of Life II

What is special about Life Survives by the Power of Life II?

This piece is presented on an 8k monitor. As you watch the screen, it cycles through the four seasons, showcasing Japanese flora. The special thing about this piece is that it alters its own coding every hour of every day to mimic the natural ecosystem. ... Another interesting aspect is the symbol in the center of the piece. Toward the end

of fall and the beginning of winter, you can see a twisted bare branch in the center of the screen.

At a certain angle, this branch forms “Sei,” which is the Japanese calligraphic character for life. What do guests often say about Life Survives by the Power of Life II?

You have to sit with this piece to recognize its beauty. Guests regularly do [that] as they are exiting the first installation. Once guests understand all of the elements of this piece, they want to keep returning back to it to see all of the changes that make the piece so special.

Describe the impact that AKHU has on you. Turrell wants you to focus on the light in front of you. [When] you do, you’re getting bathed in it. Unlike our other spaces, where you can touch things, you can’t here. You go in not knowing what you could feel or see. To the viewer, it’s a new experience every time.

How do guests often react to AKHU?

I’ve seen a few people come out of the room tearing up because it allows them the time to take the inner monologue away and understand what it is to really be in the moment.

SWELTERING TEMPERATURES, RISING SEAS, AND ABOVE-AVERAGE HURRICANE SEASONS HAVE BECOME A FACT OF LIFE FOR SOUTH FLORIDIANS. CAN THESE LOCAL EXPERTS FORGE A MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY FORWARD?

BY PAIGE BOWERS AND K.S.

MEYER

In the middle of a heat wave last July, South Floridians couldn’t even escape the 100-degree temperatures with a quick dip in the ocean because the water was just about as hot.

That alone made for a jaw-dropping bit of national news—it used to be rare for ocean waters to rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit—but then came the race to save dying coral from scorching coastal waters. This was not just about the vibrantly hued aesthetics of reefs, but rather about safeguarding a valuable component of the global food supply (reefs provide key nurseries for marine life of all kinds) and a source of protection from powerful waves during storms (serving as built-in infrastructure to stem surge). It was also about money: reefs bring in billions of dollars a year to the state’s economy. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests that coral reefs in Florida generate $4.4 billion in local sales, $2 billion in local income, and 70,400 full- and part-time jobs.

Dramatic weather events like this are caused and compounded by climate change, or what the United Nations deﬁnes as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns brought on by human activities such as burning coal, oil, or gas. When these fossil fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases that encircle the earth and trap the sun’s heat, which leads to higher temperatures and other detrimental environmental occurrences such as stronger storms, melting glaciers, rising seas, droughts, and food shortages.

Given Southeast Florida’s delicate, interconnected ecosystem, area environmental experts, advocates, and lawmakers have recognized the need to work together to both help the region adapt to its changing climate and mitigate some of the causes.

“We’re looking at what we can do as a worldwide challenge,” says James Murley, chief resilience ofﬁcer of Miami-Dade County. “Can the world and all of us who are a part of this problem reduce the rate of emissions so

PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS BELIEVED CLIMATE CHANGE WAS HAPPENING

that we can slow down the warming of the atmosphere? Any way you look at it, you don’t turn off that process overnight or in a year.”

But with concerted effort, it’s not without hope.

IMPACT YOU FEEL: IT’S TOO DARN HOT

It isn’t all in your head—it’s in your backyard. You can feel it, and you’re not alone. According to a Fall 2023 Florida Climate Resilience Survey conducted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU), which sought to gauge Floridians’ views on their preparedness for and resilience to climate hazards, 90 percent of respondents believed climate change was happening. A similar nationwide

James Murley

Florida Atlantic University’s Erik Johanson in the ﬁeld in Costa Rica’s Juan Castro Blanco National Park, where he studied a volcanic lake’s environmental characteristics related to climate

THE

TOP 10 HOTTEST YEARS ON RECORD ALL OCCURRED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

the last 15 years,” says Erik Johanson, PhD, head of FAU’s Environmental Change Laboratory. “This is a worrying trend because we have a growing population here, growing energy demands, and less natural space that can mitigate these climate impacts.”

study conducted by Yale University found that 74 percent of Americans believe the same thing. The FAU report chalked that difference up to Florida’s experience with hurricanes and other severe weather—like the 26 inches of rain that fell in Broward County in less than 12 hours in April 2023 and the hundred-plusdegree heat indexes of recent summers.

None of that data is slowing population growth in the Sunshine State. In December, Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) reported that the state’s population increased by 359,000 people in 2023. It estimated that over the next five years, the state’s population will continue to grow by about 300,000 people annually. Despite the results of the FAU and Yale studies, it seems worrisome trends don’t bother out-of-staters who continue to flock to Florida for the weather and outdoor lifestyle. But the influx of new residents exacerbates the factors that are triggering the increased heat and unruly storms.

“The top 10 hottest years on record are all in

Because severe weather has not been limited to the past 15 years, Johanson’s lab has reconstructed paleoclimate records to see how events like droughts have historically impacted societies. “I can look at the past and find some really critical, important examples,” he says. “But the sheer magnitude and the speed of changing climate today is what stands out as such a unique thing and a worrying thing, especially when you consider the effects and the influence of communities along the coastlines and in vulnerable areas and how slow to adapt those communities can be given the infrastructure that’s there.”

CAN COOLER HEADS PREVAIL?

Experts say individuals need to own their role in this moment. “There are a lot of actions people can do on an individual basis,” Johanson says, adding that they can opt for cleaner e-vehicles or hybrids to cut down

on greenhouse gas emissions. They can also push their local representatives to support the types of large, multidecade projects that will be required to mitigate climate change. FAU’s Climate Resilience Survey indicated that the will to encourage government officials to act on more environmentally friendly policies is there, but Johanson notes that it’s hard to get politicians to focus their energy on efforts that involve results that may not be seen for another 20 to 40 years.

Which is why it’s good to be able to turn to the science. Murley points to research universities like the University of Miami and FAU, both of which are providing crucial data that can not only spur elected officials to act, but also help them to better understand the specific actions to take. However, because the rate of climate change is so fast, oftentimes the best you can do is create strategies that will slow that process down and allow us to adapt.

“We know it gets hot in the summer, but our younger generations are starting to feel a change about when they can go out and play safely,” says Megan Houston, chief resilience officer for Palm Beach County. “We also worry about our outdoor workers—our farmers, our construction crews, our tourist industry workers [who] have to be outside, as well as pregnant women and parts of our

Palm Beach County officials have embarked upon resilience efforts to support an enhanced ecosystem where native species can thrive. One such project is the Currie Park Living Shoreline, pictured above at planting in 2017 and left in 2021 following four years of growth.

Erik Johanson and a FAU graduate student explore a coastal estuary in Ecuador that holds sediment records of El Niño climate events that impact the region over time.

ANN MATHEWS

elderly population. Even some medications don’t work as effectively on hotter days, so things like that are important to recognize and figure out how to [solve].”

One way Palm Beach County is trying to beat the heat is by increasing the tree canopy. Houston says that the county received a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add trees along walking and recreation areas in the western part of the county. County officials will also be giving out nearly 2,000 trees to Belle Glade, South Bay, and Paho-

kee residents so they can increase tree coverage around their homes. Typically, those areas have 9 percent tree coverage, and Houston says this program aims to get it up to nearly 40 percent.

“We know what it’s like to stand under an oak tree instead of being on the hot pavement waiting for the bus,” Houston says. “So, it helps provide that reduced ‘feels like’ temperature, improves air quality, and can help with stormwater mitigation. The benefits go beyond the aesthetically pleasing component that we think about.”

IMPACT YOU FEEL: RISING WATERS

Sure, there are king tides and the occasional late-summer gully washers that leave water where water shouldn’t be. But it’s more than that—more frequent and more impactful.

According to the Florida Climate Center in Tallahassee, not only are Florida’s sea levels as much as 8 inches higher than they were in 1950, but the rate of that rise is rapidly accelerating. In Miami, data shows that sea levels increased 6 inches between 1985 and 2016. Looking to the future, projections from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicate that levels in Miami are expected to rise yet another 6 inches over the next 15 years (the same increase in half as many years). With the state already at a low elevation, these rising waters could cause problems for coastal communities and habitats, to include being more vulnerable to storm surges and erosion.

Hearing or reading that is one thing. Seeing it through virtual reality goggles really drives

PALM BEACH COUNTY RECEIVED A $1 MILLION GRANT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) TO ADD TREES ALONG WALKING AND RECREATION AREAS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.

Megan Houston (center)

the point home, as FAU scientists found in Fall 2022, when they went into the community to research how witnessing a ﬁctional ﬂooding scenario in West Palm Beach’s Osprey Park positively impacted residents’ willingness to be informed about strategies such as higher seawalls and man-made islands to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels. The presentations even made an impression on West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, who looked at it as an alternative way of discussing the issue with the public.

“I think city leaders, when they experience virtual reality and the issues presented, it will leave a lasting memory as to what the impact of sea level rise could be,” James said in an FAU video about the project.

HOW TO DRY OUT

Carolina Maran, PhD, the South Florida Water Management District’s district resiliency ofﬁcer, notes that the group is trying to build

extra capacity into its system so that it can both manage the region’s water supply and protect its ecosystems and property.

“When you’ve had a year as wet as we’ve had, the groundwater table is high, [and because of] the sponge that we live on, the water can’t go down, so it’s going to do what all water does—ﬂow downhill to the canal,” Maran says. “We have to manage those systems carefully.”

Maran says that higher seas make it harder to discharge water to the ocean, which increases the ﬂood risk. The district is investing in enlarged canals, elevated canal banks, and enhanced culverts that will make it easier to carry water out to sea with pumps. The point is to create more pressure against the rising ocean, she says, and keep saltwater out of the aquifers that provide much of the region’s drinking water. Johanson points to an effort that is currently underway to buy additional land south of Okeechobee that would potentially create more conservation space where

water could gather and then ﬂow south into the Everglades.

But these efforts to manage the rising heat and waters require coordination and collaboration between the resilience and water management ofﬁcers in Southeast Florida.

“If Miami-Dade decides to add pumps and pump more water into our primary canals, then someone downstream will be seeing ﬂooding,” Maran says. “We need to plan for these things together.”

MAKING AN IMPACT TOGETHER

One of the forces behind this push for a cohesive plan for environmental resiliency is the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, or Compact for short. Compact is a 15-year partnership between climate practitioners in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties to coordinate a strategy that mitigates the impact of greenhouse gases on the region.

“Climate change doesn’t care if your district is red or blue,” says Lauren Evans, a local consultant for Compact. “These impacts are occurring regardless of political party, and so we really try to roll up our sleeves and focus on the solutions we can advance. We try to harmonize our region’s voices on matters related to climate and resiliency, to provide nonpartisan credibility and legitimacy and continuity.”

One of Compact’s primary goals is to secure funding for environmental projects. Evans points to a recently successful venture: “We have a $1 million planning grant from the EPA that we are [using to develop] a regional greenhouse gas reduction plan,” she says. “That plan will set our region up to be eligible for $4.3 billion in potential competitive funding from the federal government—from the EPA—to

The S-29 Spillway Structure is located at the outlet of the C-9 Canal in North Miami Beach. Its purpose is to control water surface elevation in the C-9 basin and regulate discharges to Biscayne Bay.

The S-709 pump station is part of the South Florida Water Management District’s Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project.

Carolina Maran

4.3 BILLION

THE AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL COMPETITIVE FUNDING THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE COMPACT COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE TO ADVANCE CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGIES IN OUR REGION BE

Wary Wo

advance carbon reduction strategies in our region.”

Evans says this is just one of the Compact initiatives that is pulling the region’s stakeholders together—from local governments to the media, from the private sector to planning agencies—when it comes to elevating and developing a vision for Southeast Florida. In her mind, it’s the kind of progress that stands to differentiate the region as the national epicenter for climate technologies.

“We really need to stop framing this in a way that this is all just a drag on our economy, when really the solutions here have the opportunity to unlock enormous economic opportunities for our region,” Evans says. “[It can] create the jobs and technologies and work that, frankly, our children are going to inherit from us.”

That work still lies ahead. Evans says Compact is pursuing multiple avenues toward resiliency, as there will more than likely be no single, cure-all technology or practice that will come along and ﬁx things in one fell swoop.

James Murley agrees, holding up his phone as an example: “The iPhone represents [an] unexpected technology breakthrough, because I’m old enough to remember when there was no iPhone. What I can do on an iPhone today is like Buck Rogers, the comic book [hero], when I was growing up. So, we have the ability to make technology work for us. I don’t think it’s going to eliminate the stuff we are talking about; maybe we really have a breakthrough in taking carbon out of the atmosphere, and then we really slow down that warming. Things are possible, but they also shouldn’t become a reason for not being responsible for leaving this place better than we found it.” «

Algae are a typical part of a marine ecosystem that provide food and keep bodies of water healthy and oxygen enriched. But when water temperatures rise, it can create conditions where some algae can grow at a faster rate and create a dangerous reddish- or green-pigmented scum that releases toxins that make people and animals sick.

FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is conducting ongoing research to determine what types of algae are behind these blooms and the factors that cause them to evolve into something more dangerous. And institute researchers have discovered a link between blooms and coral bleaching, including ﬁndings ﬁrst published in the international journal Marine Biology in 2019.

Scientists had previously attributed coral bleaching (and massive coral death) mainly to warming water temperatures due to climate change. But armed with 30 years of unique data from Looe Key Reef in the Lower Florida Keys, FAU’s researchers have discovered that the problem of coral bleaching is not just due to a warming planet, but also a planet that is simultaneously being enriched with reactive nitrogen from multiple sources.

The problem starts with runoﬀ: improperly treated sewage, fertilizers from farming, and contaminated topsoil are all contributors to elevated nitrogen levels in groundwater. As that nitrogen-rich water makes its way to the ocean, it causes phosphorus starvation in coral reefs. Call it a one-two punch—once the corals are starved for phosphorus, they’re more likely to bleach because their overall temperature thresholds are chemically suppressed.

FAU’s research links reactive nutrients and algae concentrations, showing that South Florida’s coral reefs were dying oﬀ long before they were impacted by rising water temperatures.

“Our results provide compelling evidence that nitrogen loading from the Florida Keys and greater Everglades ecosystem caused by humans, rather than warming temperatures, is the primary driver of coral reef degradation at Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area during our long-term study,” Brian Lapointe, PhD, the study’s senior author and a research professor at FAU’s Harbor Branch, said in a statement. “The good news is that we can do something about the nitrogen problem, such as better sewage treatment, reducing fertilizer inputs, and increasing storage and treatment of stormwater on the Florida mainland.”

LA ISLA BONITA

ROMANCE IS ON THE RISE—AND SO IS THE HEAT—AS WE CELEBRATE THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF CASA DE CAMPO, THE ICONIC RESORT ON THE BEAUTIFUL SHORES OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Shot by Aventura on location at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic

Oscar de la Renta caftan, earrings; Christian Louboutin sandals. Opposite page: Tory Burch dress, cuff, earrings For buying information, turn to page 114.

Fashion editor: Katherine Lande

Photography by Gabor Jurina

La Double J dress; Jimmy Choo flats.

Opposite page: Chanel printed tunic For buying information, turn to page 114.

buying information, turn to page 114.

Dior shorts, jacket, cap, ankle boots, earrings, ring; Jimmy Choo handbag.

Opposite page: Dolce & Gabbana skirt, top, slingbacks, handbag, sunglasses For

MAGAZINE

Gucci midi dress, choker, handbag; Jimmy Choo boots.

Opposite page: Zimmermann dress For buying information, turn to page 114.

Johanna Ortiz mini dress; Tory Burch handbag. Opposite page: Dior skirt, top, earrings For buying information, turn to page 114.

Model: Vanessa Fuchs, Elite Models NYC Hair and makeup: Colleen Stone, Creative Management, Miami Digital tech: Tony Lai Fashion assistant: Zlata Kotmina On-site production: Carol Jimenez

TOP DENTISTS Aventura magazine’s

ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES FIND 65 OF THE TOP DENTISTS AS CHOSEN BY THEIR COLLEAGUES. WE PROFILE SOME OF THE MOST SKILLED DENTISTS PRACTICING IN THE AVENTURA AREA.

JESSICA CISMAS, DMD

“I am truly grateful to all the dentists that voted for me again this year.”

Aventura Dental Group is a dental practice that has been around for over 40 years. They are known in the community as the ofﬁce that delivers highquality dental work time and time again.

Most of their patients are either individuals that value high-quality dentistry or have gotten poor work in the past and are now seeking the best possible treatments. The VIP A-listers/celebrities that come to Aventura Dental Group appreciate the convenience of a street-level ofﬁce enabling easy security for private patients.

The ofﬁce uses the latest technology for every treatment. Lasers are used in a procedure called Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP). This technology is used to stimulate bone growth and gum healing. The ofﬁce also offers many modalities to ease dental anxiety including different levels of sedation dentistry and no prep/ no drilling veneers.

The practice has added many new, exciting services. Many patients appreciate the ofﬁces’ new innovative, successful treatments in battling halitosis (bad breath) through the use of ozone therapy.

Aventura dental group also offers complimentary consultations and second opinions.

Dr. Jessica Cismas is a general and cosmetic dentist. With more than 60,000 patients to her credit in private practice and clinics throughout the United States and Canada, she has been recognized throughout her profession for her remarkable dexterity, artistic skills and gentle, kind approach.

Dr. Cismas earned her Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) in 2005 from University of Montreal and completed her general practice residency (GPR) in 2006 from McGill University. Immediately after completing her schooling, she moved to Manhattan, where she worked for 12 years in diverse dental ofﬁces, for the purpose of acquiring a wide range of unique experiences. She continues to participate regularly in weekly dental group studies and attends more than double the required continuing education classes annually to keep abreast of the latest technology and innovative procedures in her ﬁeld.

During her 19-year career, Dr. Cismas has performed thousands of dental procedures, but her true passion is changing people’s lives, upon completion of full mouth rehabilitations.

TOP DENTISTS

ENDODONTICS

Greg Goldfaden

Aventura Endodontic Group, LLC

Aventura 305-933-0001 rootcanaldoc.com

Anas Selman

Miami Center for Cosmetic & Implant Surgery Miami 305-306-9250 miamicosmeticdentalcare.com

Rita Steiner

Rita Steiner D.M.D, PA. Aventura 305-932-6819 rootcanalaventura.com

ABOUT THE LIST

Aventura Magazine partnered with the firm Professional Research Services, which asked licensed Miami-Dade County dentists who they would recommend in the area for dental care. Dentists were allowed to name up to three colleagues in each specialty. Nominees were then evaluated on the basis of the survey results, the status of their licenses, and their standing with the Florida Board of Dentistry. Qualifying dentists who received the highest number of votes are reflected on the following list.

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Julie A. Alter

Alter Dental Group

Aventura 305-931-8255 myaventuradentists.com

Noly Alvarez

Dr. Jose J. Alvarez & Associates North Miami Beach 305-948-5002 drsmilemiami.com

Silvia Casas C & C Dental, Inc. North Miami Beach 305-493-9371

Jessica Cismas

Aventura Dental Group Aventura 305-935-4030 aventuradentalgroup.com

LEARN MORE ON PAGE 93

Mark Dennis

Mark Dennis, DDS North Miami Beach 305-944-4301

Julia Dison

Dison Family Dentistry North Miami Beach 305-600-5454 drdison.com

Ericka I. Felix

Smile at Coconut Grove Coconut Grove 305-423-4661 coconutgrovesmile.com

Jimena Frost Frost Dental Center Aventura 305-998-7992 frostdentalcenter.com

Joel Gale Aventura Dental Arts Aventura 305-682-1414 aventuradentalarts.com

Luisa M. Garcia Great Expressions Dental Centers Miami 786-756-5973 greatexpressions.com

Georgi (George) Y. Georgiev

Sunny Dental of Sunny Isles Sunny Isles Beach 305-944-7706 sunnyislesdental.com

Larry Grillo Aventura Dental Arts Aventura 305-682-1414 aventuradentalarts.com

Adela Haratz Haratz Dental Aventura 786-220-7343 haratzdental.com

Andrew R. Hirschl Ressler, Hirschl & Lelchuk, DDS, PA Miami Beach 305-532-1444 msmc.com

Harold Hui Premiere Dental Care Center North Miami Beach 305-940-9888 premieredentalcare.com

Michael Jacobs

North Miami Dental Group North Miami Beach 786-224-5360 northmiamidentalgroup.com

Frederick E. Kane Kane Dental Aventura 305-466-1444 kanedental.com

Shirley Kleiner-Arias Skylake Dental North Miami Beach 305-940-3135 skylakedental.com

Ira Lelchuk Ressler, Hirschl & Lelchuk, DDS, PA Miami Beach 305-532-1444 miami-dental.net

Rick A Mars

The Dental Care Group Aventura 305-935-2797 dentalcaregroup.net

LEARN MORE ON PAGE 99

FREDDA ROSENBAUM, DDS

Dr. Fredda Rosenbaum is honored to be selected as one of the top dentists in Miami. She has been serving the community of Miami for over 35 years and is always striving to bring her patients the absolute best dental care. Dr. Rosenbaum is a holistic and biological dentist who has long been focusing on the overall health of her patients by prioritizing safe materials, biocompatibility and lasting dentistry. Dr. Rosenbaum is known for her incredible cosmetic work, and she is ﬁlled with joy every time a patient gets a new smile and feels conﬁdent enough to share that smile with the world. In addition, Dr. Rosenbaum has extensive training in safe mercury removal from the IAOMT and has been at the forefront of mercury-free dentistry since the 1990s. From ozone therapy, to implants, to nightguards, and personalized treatment plans—Dr. Rosenbaum strives to restore dental health to every patient she treats.

Dr. Rosenbaum is excited to announce that Dr. Seth Gilson has joined her as partner. Dr. Gilson brings a fresh enthusiasm for holistic health care and mercury-free dentistry and is committed to

continuing to advance the practice of biological dentistry. Dr. Gilson has a wide background in holistic lifestyle that he shares on his podcast “The Art of Mindful Medicine.” He is trained in TMJ Therapy, mercury-free dentistry, removal of failed root canals, and placement of titanium and zirconium implants. With his caring demeanor, he also offers treatment for children ages 6 and up. Dr. Rosenbaum is thrilled that Dr. Gilson has joined her practice.

The practice is ﬁlled with joy, laughter and support for patients—from Lulu the support dog who sits in patients’ laps during dentistry to sedation dentistry for those who experience high anxiety—this practice makes going to the dentist an easy and joyful experience. The practice offers a variety of state-of-the-art practices, designed to reduce your exposure to mercury and other toxins. If you are looking for a practice that understands your health concerns and will care about you, this is the place. Please give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.

TOP DENTISTS

GENERAL DENTISTRY (cont.)

Gianny Montenegro

Dr. Jose J. Alvarez & Associates North Miami Beach 305-948-5002 drsmilemiami.com

Reynaldo Pita

Miami Essential Dentist Miami 786-418-0350 miamiessentialdental.com

Niloufar Rezakhani Aventura - Center for Dental Implants Aventura 305-935-4991

Fredda Rosenbaum

Our Holistic Dentistry Aventura 305-933-3350 ourholisticdentist.com

LEARN MORE ON PAGE 95

Steven J. Rosenstein

Rosenstein & Gartner Dentistry, PLLC Aventura 305-547-8405 theaventuradentists.com

Tessa F. Scott

Great Expressions Dental Centers

Miami Gardens 305-901-0927 greatexpressions.com

Sharon Sheero

Rosenstein & Gartner Dentistry, PLLC Aventura 305-547-8405 theaventuradentists.com

Sydney Sher Segall

Sher Dental

North Miami Beach 305-891-2444 sherdental.com

LEARN MORE ON PAGE 97

Bryan Stapp

Aaron Dental & Orthodontics North Miami Beach 305-947-9001 aarondentalandorthodontics.com

Sergio A. Vega Dr. Sergio A. Vega DMD Miami Lakes 305-903-7519

Gary Weider Aventura Dental Excellence Aventura 305-939-4004 aventurafloridadentist.com

Mark L. Weiss Skylake Dental North Miami Beach 305-940-3135 skylakedental.com

Maria Alejandra Yanez Bravo Bravo Dental North Miami Beach 305-945-9333 bravo-dental.com

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Rafael Alcalde MOSA Surgery South Miami 305-921-0513 mosaoralsurgery.com

Regina H. Saenz

Regina H. Saenz, D.D.S., P.A. Homestead 305-245-6633 drreginasaenz.com

Jennifer Schaumberg Implant Center of Miami Bay Harbor Islands 786-756-8467 implantcenterofmiami.com

ORTHODONTICS

Margo Brilliant Brilliant/Rothenberg/Meister Orthodontics Aventura 786-563-9412 brilliantortho.com

Raj Gohill Gohill Orthodontics Miami 305-990-0174 gohillorthodontics.com

Johanny Caceres

Oral & Facial Surgery of Miami Coral Gables 305-552-1193 oralfacialsurgery.miami

Batya Goldwaser Oral Facial Reconstruction and Implant Center Aventura 305-932-4955 oralfacial.com

Richard A. Mufson Richard A. Mufson, DDS Bay Harbor Islands 305-935-7501 mufsondds.com

Eduardo Nicolaievsky Blum-Nico Oral-Facial Surgery Associates Aventura 305-936-5974 blumnico.com

Ramon Perez OMS Associates Miami 786-210-6160 omsassociates.com

Jordan Jones Jr. Esteem Braces & Aligners North Miami Beach 786-744-1570 esteembracesandaligners.com

Piero G. Palacios Gentle Braces Aventura 305-932-4222 gentlebracesaventura.com

Jeffrey Rothenberg Brilliant/Rothenberg/Meister Orthodontics Aventura 786-563-9412 brilliantortho.com

Evan G. Rubensteen Miami Beach Orthodontics Miami Beach 305-672-2260 miamibeachorthodontics.com

SYDNEY SHER SEGALL

Dr. Sydney Sher Segall, a standout dentist at Sher Dental, has recently been recognized as one of the prestigious Dentists of 2024. Her relentless dedication to improving patient oral health has established her as a prominent ﬁgure in general and cosmetic dentistry across South Florida.

Growing up in Miami, amid the vibrant artistic ambience of her parents’ ownership of Sher Gallery in Aventura, Dr. Sher was immersed in a world of creativity, which deeply inﬂuenced her aspiration to bring beauty into people’s lives. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Sher excelled academically, earning her degree magna cum laude. Her strong foundation in science and mathematics steered her toward a career in medicine, driven by a desire to profoundly impact people’s wellbeing.

Dr. Sher’s fusion of artistic sensibility and scientiﬁc precision drew her to specialize in dental aesthetics, captivated by the transformative power of a smile. She committed her career to enhancing smiles, uplifting her patients’ conﬁdence and opening new doors in their lives—from career advancements to personal relationships.

“Enhancing smiles and witnessing my patients’ lives change as their self-esteem grows, has been incredibly rewarding,” Dr. Sher reﬂects. “It’s these transformations that conﬁrm I’ve made the right choice in healthcare.”

Sher Dental operates from locations in North Miami and Aventura, offering a comprehensive range of dental services from routine check-ups to cutting-edge cosmetic procedures, for adults and children. The Aventura ofﬁce, situated in the newly opened Esplanade, fulﬁlls Dr. Sher’s lifelong dream of serving the community where she was raised and where her family resides. Her goal is to foster lasting relationships with her patients, like her parents did through their gallery.

Dr. Sher, together with her team—including prosthodontist Dr. Quynh Nhu Pham, periodontist Dr. Lindsay Hill, endodontist Dr. Ninoska Perez, and general dentists Drs. Michelle Luis, Yerany Plasencia, Diana Proenza, Yoel Santiago, Andrea Gispert, Elise Fernandez, Marta Puentes, and Kimberly Sorren—embraces patients as cherished members of their extended healthcare family.

TOP DENTISTS

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Carolina Akerman Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics of Aventura Aventura 786-623-5898 mainstreetsmiles.com

Michael Brody Brody Pediatric Dentistry Aventura 305-682-0045 brodypd.com

Dana Storch Brody Pediatric Dentistry Aventura 305-682-0045 brodypd.com

PERIODONTICS

Eli Abbo

Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry North Miami Beach 305-945-0909 drabbo.com

Matthew Fien Fain Dental Arts North Miami 305-891-2621 drsylvanfain.com

David Garazi Garazi Periodontics & Dental Implants Miami 786-833-9864 garazidmd.com

Isaac Garazi Garazi Periodontics & Dental Implants Miami 786-833-9864 garazidmd.com

David G. Genet

David G. Genet, D.M.D. Aventura 305-933-8700 drgenet.com

Rodrigo Romano RomanoPerio & Associates, P.A. Miami 305-403-6222 romanoperio.com

PROSTHODONTICS

Bill Abbo Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry North Miami Beach 305-945-0909 drabbo.com

Johanna Gallego Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry North Miami Beach 305-945-0909 drjohannagallego.com

Judith Gartner Rosenstein & Gartner Dentistry, PLLC Aventura 305-547-8405 theaventuradentists.com

David Herskowich

Dr. David Herksowich, DMD Aventura 305-466-5555

Tal Morr TM Prosthodontics Aventura 305-935-6066 tmprosthodontics.com

Nuria Otero Aventura Dental Arts Aventura 305-682-1414 aventuradentalarts.com

RICK MARS

Dr. Rick Mars named Aventura’s Top Dentist for the third consecutive year.

Dr. Rick Mars might be known as an expert on patient care and Invisalign, but he wants to be known as a dentist that always does the right thing. He strives to provide the best care for each patient and wants his patients to be informed and empowered. His passion for creating beautiful smiles and maintaining healthy mouths is his daily passion, characterized by honesty and integrity both inside and outside his practice.

Mars was born and raised in North Miami Beach. He attended Emory University and Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He returned to Miami in 1988 to join The Dental Care Group, where he has practiced since.

Mars is passionate about giving back to his community and has coached hundreds of local youths in little league baseball and basketball. He was two-time president of Beth Torah and a board member of Michael Ann Russel JCC and Greater Miami Jewish Federation. He and his wife Alison

co-founded a Solomon Schecter Day School, which was later known as Hochberg Prep and is now part of the David Posnak Day School. He is currently on the board of trustees at Aventura Hospital. As the president of the Dental Care Group, he initiated Dentistry from Our Hearts in 2012, an annual free day of dentistry that his entire team has provided over $1.65 million in free dental treatment for the neediest in South Florida. He is an award-winning international speaker who was voted Speaker of the Year for Invisalign. He was also voted one of America’s Top Dentists for Invisalign, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry by the Consumers’ Research Council of America. In 2020, he released his ﬁrst book, The Big Smile: The Principles of Modern Dentistry for Dentists and Patients. Of all his accomplishments, he is proudest of his family. Married to Alison for 35 years and father to Zachary, Blake, and Cory, who are his greatest joys and accomplishments.

SIP&SAVOR

BOLD FLAVORS, COOL COCKTAILS, AND LOCAL FAVORITES

OPENINGS

HOUSE OF STYLE

From Riviera Dining Group—the team behind South Beach sensation Mila—comes Casa Neos, a sprawling 30,000-square-foot, multipurpose, high-design complex along the Miami River. At its core is the namesake restaurant, a two-story, eco-chic masterpiece draped in lush, dramatic greenery and frequented by Miami’s style set. While the menu leans Aegean, it skillfully incorporates flavors from across the entire Mediterranean, with subtle Asian and Pacific influences. Start with dishes like the grilled New Caledonian blue prawn with Espelette pepper or the yellowfin tuna tartare, elevated with bell pepper piperade, crispy farro, basil, mint, and oregano. Then dive into creative Mediterranean maki like the truffle hamachi roll that’s enriched with a savory celery remoulade and black truffle aioli. For mains, indulge in perfectly prepared whole fish like branzino, sea bream, and Florida red snapper, or opt for a decadent Prime cut of beef.

Delight in the ultimate Casa Neos experience by allowing chef Michaël Michaelidis and his star-studded team to wow you with one of two fivecourse tasting menus that showcase the restaurant’s greatest hits. It’s a prime opportunity for a languid night of people-watching, sipping sublime multifaceted cocktails, and savoring each mouthwatering bite while being part of the vibrant scene everyone in Miami is buzzing about. (casa-neos. com/restaurant) —Paul Rubio

TWO TO TRY

ITALIAN ICONS

THESE CULINARY POWERHOUSES BRING A TASTE OF ITALY TO DOWNTOWN AND BRICKELL

BY PAUL RUBIO

Torno Subito

Whimsical, colorful, joyful, and divine: Torno Subito introduces a trailblazing take on Italian epicurean excellence, led by visionary chef Massimo Bottura. Choosing Miami as the location for his first U.S. venture, the world-renowned Bottura brings his Michelin-starred concept from Dubai, even importing the talent that made the original a smash: executive chef Bernardo Paladini.

Perched atop Downtown’s Julia & Henry’s food hall, Torno Subito bursts with playful Rimini-inspired decor, featuring modern black-and-white photography. Every detail is meticulously curated, from designer glassware to pastel plates tailored for specific dishes. While the Southern Italian food is undoubtedly the star, the presentation, storytelling, and outstanding service create a delightfully theatrical experience.

Take, for instance, the amuse-bouche of Pappa al Pomodoro, a nod to Italian heritage and sustainability, crafted with day-old bread, tomatoes, and Parmigiano Reggiano foam. Or the A Cacio e Pepe in Miami, which blends Italian tradition with Miami flair, combining spaghetti, Pecorino, black pepper, and an unexpected hint of Florida citrus, all accompanied by a backstory detailing the recipe’s inspiration and ingredients. Far from a typical Italian eatery, Torno Subito offers an immersive culinary journey, showcasing the flavors of one of the world’s finest chefs. (tornosubitomia.com)

Seventeen years after its debut in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, New York City favorite Felice has arrived in Miami—and it proves to be well worth the wait. Building on the winning trifecta of authentic cuisine, inviting atmosphere, and cozy vibe that’s made Felice a New York institution—with 10 outposts and counting—Felice Brickell showcases the robust flavors and timeless allure of Tuscany. The spot is one that works for all occasions: date-night aperitivos, brunches with friends, power lunches, happy hours, and family feasts, day or night.

Though it’s tough to choose from Felice’s well-established menu, we’re partial to several items, starting with the signature negronis and appetizers. Kick things off with the Tropicale, a refreshing mix of Pa’Lante Botanical, Carpano Classico, Galliano Aperitivo, and cardamom. For starters, try the gamberi (shrimp) in salsa rosa, the baked eggplant parmigiana, or the ricotta (a tower of toasted country bread alongside a mason jar of fresh ricotta, spicy Italian linden honey, figs, and almonds). Then, move on to a glass of Tuscan wine—ask the sommelier for his or her best recommendation of red, white, or rose—and indulge in a plate of mafalde al limone (fresh mafalde pasta with lemon zest, ricotta, and red onion), complemented by one of the red sauce classics like fusilli ferretto, featuring roasted cherry tomato Pomarola sauce, creamy burrata, and crispy crouton shavings. Be sure to save room for dessert; the vodka-spiked espresso martini tiramisu paired with an Amaro digestif is an idyllic finish. (felicerestaurants.com)

Felice

Bottom left and left: At Torno Subito, chef Massimo Bottura employs color and theatrics, from the interiors to the cocktails and cuisine.

Below: At Felice, expect snazzy NYC vibes aplenty as well as red sauce favorites like fusilli ferretto.

CRISTIAN GONZALEZ

MICHAEL PISARRI

REINVENTIONS

SPIN-OFF Surprise

Though Miami is abuzz with a wave of new high-profile Italian restaurants, many still mourn the closing of Perricone’s Marketplace & Café, an Italian institution that ruled Brickell from 1996 until its closing in May of this year. But just a few months after restaurateur Steve Perricone swapped the hustle of restaurant life for cherished family moments, the original Perricone’s dream team has reunited for a new yet familiar venture: Pecorino’s.

Led by former catering director Laurie Powell, Pecorino’s carries on Perricone’s legacy—at least in terms of the food. While we no longer have access to the restaurant’s infectious atmosphere (which was a big part of its charm), we can still enjoy its iconic dishes through catering, delivery, or takeout from the Downtown ghost kitchen. The à la carte

menu features a few additions but mainly revives the Perricone’s classics, including baked brie en croûte, goat cheese salad, the “world famous” chicken salad, linguine with shrimp, and chicken Parmesan. Plus, daily specials rotate just like the old days, from Meatball Mondays to Picatta Thursdays and Fiocchi Fridays. (pecorinos.com) —P.R.

Linguine with shrimp from Pecorino’s

The famed baked brie en croûte from Perricone’s

Famed wine-centric restaurant

Sixty Vines is now open at Miami Worldcenter, a rising mixed-use development in Downtown Miami. This inviting all-day dining spot presents 60 wines on tap—along with cool cocktails like a frozen Aperol Spritz— paired with a familiar, ingredient-driven menu. Start with the must-try create-your-own charcuterie board, featuring a half dozen selections of both salumi and cheese. From there, enjoy shareable plates like bacon-wrapped dates or buttermilkbrined fried chicken strips topped with caviar and lemon crème fraîche, as well as fresh salads, towering sandwiches, and hand-tossed pizzas. Hearty entrées also shine, including Atlantic salmon with shaved brussels sprouts, shallots, braised peppers, and smoked paprika vinaigrette.

The 300-seat restaurant dazzles with high ceilings and personality-filled spaces perfect for sipping and dining, including cozy banquettes, communal tables, comfy sofas, and an outdoor patio. It strikes the perfect balance—upscale enough for discerning epicures and wine lovers, yet relaxed enough to kick back, unwind, and embark on a food-and-drink journey around the world. (sixtyvines.com) —P.R.

Individual and Couples Therapy

Look forward to modern design, approachable vineyard-inspired cuisine, and lots of great wine at Sixty Vines.

Four Reasons to Love YAYA COASTAL CUISINE

Coming in hot on the waterfront dining scene, Yaya Coastal Cuisine is a transportive pan-Mediterranean restaurant overlooking Biscayne Bay in Miami’s laid-back Upper East Side neighborhood. Here are four (of many) reasons why we’re hooked on this chic newcomer. (yayamiami.com) —P.R.

Yaya’s cocktail game is strong, underscored by the addictive Mediterranean Martini, made with olive oil–washed vodka, red bell pepper juice, basil simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice. The sweet and soothing Honeydew Cooler is another mixology-forward highlight. LOCAL BITES

COCKTAILS

1 2

DOCK AND DINE

CUISINE

Executive chef Todd Zimmer (of Prime 112 fame) delivers a menu rich in raw dishes, hot and cold mezzes, and protein-packed mains. Standouts include ﬂaming saganaki with pickled peppers, chargrilled oysters with scampi butter, and whole Spanish dorade with watercress, fennel, and red onion.

Arrive by watercraft and secure one of Yaya’s 14 exclusive dockage spots fronting the restaurant. These slips are reserved for members of the new Yaya Club, who also enjoy access to a private dining room.

DESIGN

Yaya’s striking interior, crafted by renowned Saladino Design Studios, is deﬁned by dramatic arches, multidimensional stone murals, organic textiles, and a bamboo canopy. The coastal calm continues outdoors on an understated terrace featuring wood and earth-toned furnishings, perfect for soaking in the waterfront views.

MINDFUL MIXOLOGIST

That Me ESPRESSO

FRANCESCACOVIELLO

NOVEMBER IS BREWING WITH DELIGHT

BY JULES ARON

Originally called a vodka espresso, the drink we now know best as the espresso martini was created by inﬂuential British bartender Dick Bradsell at London’s Soho Brasserie in the 1980s. Four decades and a few resurgences later, Bradsell’s bittersweet concoction of vodka, fresh espresso, and simple syrup continues to serve as a template for countless riffs and iterations. Perhaps the most notable reasoning for the drink’s undeniable appeal lies in its caffeinated edge, as the espresso martini remains the most famous coffee cocktail to come along since the Irish coffee.

With three caffeine-fueled days to celebrate in November—including National Cappuccino Day (November 8), National Macchiato Day (November 19), and National Espresso Day (November 23)— why not commemorate the month with a unique variation on this modern classic? For this martini, Le Chick in Miami substitutes vodka with Grand Brulot, an 80-proof VSOP Cognac infused with rich robusta coffee from Ecuador. The Cognac boasts notes of vanilla, brioche, and dried fruit that complement the iconic coffee drink.

Grand Brulot Double Espresso Martini

Ingredients

2 oz. Grand Brulot

1 oz. espresso

1/2 oz. Amaretto

« Using a shaker, combine the Grand Brulot, espresso, and Amaretto. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a few cracked coﬀee beans and an orange twist.

UncorkingExcellence AWARD-WINNING ITALIAN CUISINE CASA D’ANGELO’S

Aventura’s Casa D’Angelo is the epitome of upscale Italian dining in Florida, where quality and authenticity are at the forefront of every dish. Led by Chef Angelo Elia, his restaurant offers a culinary experience that transports guests straight to Italy. The menu features traditional recipes crafted from the ﬁnest ingredients, sourced both locally and directly from Italy. From handmade pastas to fresh seafood and prime meats, each dish reﬂects Chef Elia’s dedication to excellence and his love for Italian cuisine.

Casa D’Angelo is also renowned for its extensive wine selection, which has earned the restaurant the prestigious Wine Spectator award and Gambero Rosso awards every year since 1998. With a curated list of over 20,000 bottles, Casa D’Angelo offers wines from all over the world, with a special focus on Italian varieties. Whether you’re enjoying a classic Barolo or discovering a rare Chianti, the knowledgeable staff ensures that every wine pairs perfectly with the meal.

In addition to its Aventura location, Casa D’Angelo has two other popular locations: the ﬂagship restaurant in Fort Lauderdale and another in Boca Raton. Each maintains the same high standards of food, wine, and service, ensuring that every visit is a memorable one, no matter which location you choose. Experience authentic Italian dining at its ﬁnest, and let Casa D’Angelo be the place you always return to for a taste of Italy.

CASA D’ANGELO RESTAURANT

2906 NE 207th St., Aventura

For more information: 305.699.5500 or casa-d-angelo.com

HOME

FROM CITY TO SHORE, THE FINE ART OF MIAMI LIVING

INTERIORS

NEUTRAL TERRITORY

In Miami—where breathtaking vistas, historic buildings, and charming neighborhoods are commonplace—inspiration is just waiting to be found. But inspiration works a bit differently for Miami designer Oshrat Rothschild of Sarvian Design Group. She extracts everything she needs to guide a project from her initial conversation with the homeowners. In the case of a 4,000-square-foot townhome in Aventura, the clients had a preference for organic tones combined with impactful art.

“I have always believed that neutral colors make design timeless, and that accessories and artwork can be utilized to create interest,” says Rothschild. “In fact, the addition of a particular sculpture or painting can give a room a totally different look.”

The townhome’s total gut renovation

included shifting the kitchen to a new area, removing a bathroom beneath a cumbersome staircase, and adding an extra room to the second floor. “I was able to create additional open spaces, allowing for a more fluid layout,” says Rothschild. “The configuration now helps to promote communication and unites everyone when hosting guests.”

Although the home is the primary residence of a husband and wife, the couple has a large family. “I was keen on making sure that there would be room for babies to safely play and for the adults to be able to watch them from the kitchen and living spaces without walls interfering,” Rothschild explains. For example, instead of installing traditional columns that

would have separated the kitchen from the living room, she opted for a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar encased in glass, resulting in a focal point that is unique yet functional.

From space to space, the designer’s commitment to detail is evident. “It’s my privilege to use my skills to turn visions and dreams into reality,” says Rothschild. “As I see it, that’s what interior design is all about.” (sarviandg.com) —Mallory Jacobson

BY DESIGN

A FRESH COAT

BRUSH UP ON ALL THINGS INTERIOR PAINT WITH THESE PRO TIPS

BY ALENA CAPRA

Thinking about refreshing your home before the holidays hit? Nothing brightens up a space like a new coat of paint. On average, it’s a good idea to refresh paint every ﬁ ve to seven years. Before you deck the halls this season, consider painting your walls. Follow these tips and tricks for selecting the right paint colors and ﬁ nishes. (alenacapradesigns.com)

S P ON A SAMPLE OR TWO

When making color choices, it’s best to purchase paint samples of your favorites. It can often be tricky to see the true paint color when painting a sample over existing wall colors, so I find it’s best to paint your samples on 8-inch-by10-inch foam-core boards. This way, you can move your samples to different areas of the room to see how they look in different types of lighting. Many paint retailers and home improvement stores sell these pre-cut sample boards. Brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams also offer oversize paint samples that you can even peel and stick to your wall.

VISUALIZE in-App

Picking a color can be tricky, but today’s tech tools allow you to upload a photo of your room and preview how different hues will look on your walls. These tools—like Valspar’s Virtual Painter or Behr’s Color Studio—can help you narrow down your options within a color family, experiment with contrasting colors, and more.

TRY A FEW OF MY FAVORITE NEUTRALS FROM TWO POPULAR PAINT BRANDS:

• SHERWIN WILLIAMS:

IVORY LACE, CREAMY, ALABASTER, GREEK VILLA, COTTON, AGREEABLE GRAY

• BENJAMIN MOORE:

CHANTILLY LACE, INTENSE WHITE, PALE OAK, VANILLA MILKSHAKE, WHITE HERON

SELECT A SHEEN

There are a few important factors to consider when selecting an interior paint finish—including the type of room and the condition of the walls. If your walls have imperfections or a texture, choose a flat finish (since a high-sheen paint will emphasize texture). Flat paint is also a good choice for ceilings and low-traffic areas. Matte finishes offer a low sheen that’s easy to clean; they are a great choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms. Eggshell finishes have a bit more shine to them and are best used in high-traffic living spaces. A satin finish is best for children’s bedrooms, bathrooms, and rooms that can accumulate moisture. A semi-gloss finish is extremely durable, and is widely used for doors, casings, crown molding, and baseboards.

This decision comes down to time and budget. Interior painting can be a very manageable weekend project if you’re a home improvement junkie. However, it is sometimes easiest to go with a pro.

ELEMENTS

Dopamine DECOR

LET HAPPINESS BE YOUR GUIDE WHEN YOU CREATE A SPACE FULL OF COLORS, TEXTURES, AND PATTERNS DESIGNED TO LIFT YOUR MOOD

BY LIZA GRANT SMITH

SERVE NOTICE

Made from recycled aluminum and painted with food-safe enamel in gorgeous hues, Mariposa’s pearled servers ($69) make for sophisticated salads. Cactus Flower, Fort Lauderdale (cactus ﬂower.myshop local.com)

GO GREEN

Color takes the lead in this radiant green Anderson lamp ($249) from Visual Comfort Beautiful Things Lighting & Accessories, Coral Springs (beautifulthingslighting.com)

FLYING COLORS

This Namaste Pink pillow ($195) showcases the work of painter Laura Park, who is known for her vibrant signature patterns. Grove Gallery & Interiors, Miami (grovegallery interiors.com)

ENERGY DRINK

Ruben Gutierrez of Errez Design boosted the impact of this space by opting for an exciting mix of components. “When we design spaces, it’s about curating a deeply personal experience,” he says. “Every choice, from the vibrant ﬂoral wallpaper to the eclectic mix of textures and bold use of colors, is a reﬂection of the client’s unique identity. These vibrant hues and patterns are not just a design statement but a joyful expression of the client’s personality and life story. Maximalism allows us to explore the richness of our client’s lives and translate that into a space that feels both intimate and exuberant, full of energy and delight.” South Miami (errezdesign.com)

TROPICAL BREEZE

IT’S GIVING ECLECTIC

Striving to bring the “right balance between poetry and irony to the mise en place,” Italian company Bitossi Home creates intriguing dinnerware like this abstract ﬂower eye plate ($41). Il’argento, Aventura (ilargento.com)

These highball glasses ($72 for set of four) from Pomegranate feature a bamboo-patterned wrap oﬀset by a gold metallic rim. Mrs. Mandolin Design Boutique, Miami (mrsmandolin.com)

FLOWER POWER

A sumptuous book ﬁlled with blooms from around the globe, Flower: Exploring the World in Bloom (Phaidon, $60) is an instant visual pick-me-up. Weibi Concept Store, Miami (weibiconcept store.com)

TICKLED PINK

A charming artistic endeavor, Janus et Cie’s Chiquita stool (starting at $2,384) delights with a powdercoated steel base and seat crafted from rattan dowels. Janus et Cie, Coral Gables (janusetcie.com)

HOME

INSPIRED LIVING

VASTU Victorious

MAKE YOUR HOME A HAVEN FOR PEACE AND POSITIVE ENERGY WITH VASTU SHASTRA STRATEGIES

BY LIZA GRANT SMITH

An ancient Hindu system of architecture and design, Vastu Shastra assumes that the universe is built of positive and negative energy, and that by applying its rules, you can create a home that is balanced, harmonious, and conducive to overall well-being. Vastu principles correlate with the cardinal directions and sub-directions, with each possessing its own energy and impacting various aspects of life. True Vastu Shastra proponents will adopt a foundation-up approach to the design and construction of their home to ensure rooms are in the correct positions, entrances are facing the appropriate direction, and the home itself faces north for prosperity or east for success. But that doesn’t mean you can’t up your Vastu allegiance in your existing abode. Try incorporating these strategies to tap into its harmonizing powers.

• Leave space behind the sofa so as not to restrict the energy ﬂow.

• Keep the northeast corner of the room clear, clean, and without clutter.

• Prioritize pictures and decor that evoke happiness and calm, such as light-colored abstract artworks or images of nature or birds.

• For the walls, consider shades such as light pink, green, white, or peach.

The Kitchen

Best when located: in the southeast, where Agni, the Lord of Fire, prevails.

• Paint the walls with bright colors like yellow (for energy and freshness), green (for hope and harmony), orange (for optimism), white (for cleanliness and light), or red (for happiness, luck, and an unwavering attitude toward life’s challenges).

The Living Room

Best when located: in the northeast corner of a home to attract prosperity and spiritual growth.

• Avoid circular and oval furniture as it exudes negative energy. Opt for rectangular, square, or hexagonal pieces instead.

• Place heavy furniture in the west or southwest direction of the room to create a sense of grounding and stability.

• A soothing green island is a good way to encourage proper digestion, while yellow accents can simulate natural light where it is lacking.

• Place the microwave and stove in the southeast corner, the fridge in the northwest, and storage containers in the southwest.

The Dining Room

Best when located: in the west or northwest to usher

Left: A Vastu Shastra chart may be used as a guide for constructing and organizing spaces in the home.

in abundance and prosperity during mealtimes.

• Decorate a square or rectangular dining table with fresh flowers and vibrant linens, and surround it with an even number of chairs.

• Add splashes of color in your wall decor, tableware, or chair fabric, such as orange (which represents strength, spirituality, joy, optimism, and good relationships), green (the color of hope that provides a therapeutic, uplifting environment), or pink (for love and mutual respect among family members).

The Primary Bedroom

Best when located: in the southwest to promote a sense of security and well-being.

• Face the head of the bed to the east or south for positive energy and better sleep.

• Don’t place the bed opposite the door as it can cause disrupted sleep and energy imbalance, and don’t hang a mirror opposite it either as this placement is associated with bad luck and domestic disruptions.

• Leave space around your bed so energy can

flow smoothly, and incorporate nightstands in pairs for symmetry and balance.

• Eliminate clutter (especially in the northeast corner) as it represents unfinished tasks and may block positive energy from entering the space.

• Avoid dark colors for walls, sheets, and curtains in favor of hues such as gray, light rose, blue, or green.

• Elephants are believed to help enhance marital harmony. Bring them into the space in the form of artwork, a figurine, or throw pillows.

THREE PLANTS FOR INSTANT VASTU

1. Bamboo plants are considered lucky in Vastu Shastra. Place them in the east to attract well-being and in the southeast to invite money and wealth. Keep one at the center of the dining table to boost positive energy and attract abundance.

2. Put a snake plant in the southeast to reduce stress and promote a positive ambience. These types of plants absorb toxins and remove carbon dioxide to create a healthy environment.

3. Aloe vera is said to bring good luck and positive energy to homes. Place it in the east or north of the house or within two to three feet of your computer to filter electromagnetic energies.

Our newly renovated fourth floor is ready for you to see! Visit The Sterling Aventura and explore modernized common areas and stylish assisted living apartments that fit your every need.

While you’re here, savor a restaurant-style meal on us and meet our exceptional executive chef. This is your chance to experience firsthand why residents love calling The Sterling Aventura home.

ON THE SHELF, OFF YOUR MIND

Storage & Fullﬁllment:

Target Distribution focuses on the short and long term storage needs of the design industry.

/ Climate Controlled

/ Central Palm Beach County location

/ Grade Level & Dock High Load/O oad

/ Rack Storage with Inventory Control

LA ISLA BONITA

PAGE 82

Fern embroidered faille caftan ($15,990), classic crystal Scramble earrings ($620), Oscar de la Renta, oscardelarenta.com; Athinita strappy sandals ($895), Christian Louboutin, Miami Design District, us.christianlouboutin.com

PAGE 83

Sequined Hoop dress ($1,598), Wave cuff ($398), Wave earrings ($298), Tory Burch, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, toryburch.com

PAGE 84

Printed silk tunic ($9,100), Chanel, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, Bal Harbour Shops, chanel.com

PAGE 85

Foulard silk twill dress ($780), La Double J, us.ladoublej.com; black suede flats with pearl embellishment ($875), Jimmy Choo, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, Shops at Merrick Park, Coral Gables, jimmychoo.com

PAGE 86

Leopard print shorts ($5,200), leopard print jacket ($11,500), leopard print Dior City cap ($1,200), D-Idole ankle boots ($1,950), Tribales D-Pepite earrings ($580), D-Pepite ring ($380), Dior, Miami Design District, dior.com; leopard print Cinch M handbag ($2,495), Jimmy Choo, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, Shops at Merrick Park, Coral Gables, jimmychoo.com

PAGE 87

Knitted skirt ($2,595), knitted top ($3,995), satin slingbacks with bow detail ($1,045), raffia Sicily handbag ($3,395), DNA sunglasses ($430), Dolce & Gabbana, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, Bal Harbour Shops, dolcegabbana.com

PAGE 88

Midi dress with lace and velvet details ($13,000), stud choker ($2,950), Jackie small shoulder bag ($3,800), Gucci, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, Bal Harbour Shops, gucci.com; leather boots with studs ($1,695), Jimmy Choo, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, Shops at Merrick Park, Coral Gables, jimmychoo.com

PAGE 89

Wylie shell crochet dress ($1,150), Zimmermann, Miami Design District, Bal Harbour Shops, zimmermann.com

PAGE 90

Abordando Suenos mini dress (price upon request), Johanna Ortiz, johannaortiz.com; Fleming feather mini hobo bag ($798), Tory Burch, Aventura Mall, Miami Design District, toryburch.com

PAGE 91

Embroidered skirt ($3,600), embroidered top ($4,800), Tribales D-Pepite earrings ($580), Dior, Miami Design District, dior.com

SOCIAL STUDIES

SEEN ON THE SCENE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

SIMPLY THE BEST WHO: Aventura Magazine WHAT: Aventura ’ s Best Of Luncheon WHERE: Casa D’Angelo, Aventura HIGHLIGHTS: Winners from Aventura magazine’s inaugural Best Of issue gathered for a luncheon at Casa D’Angelo to celebrate and network.

SIMA COHEN, CINDY ORLINSKY

MEL MASON, REBECCA DESIR, SANDY SILVERMAN

JENNIFER CERTAIN, DMITRY PRUT

TERRY DUFFY, DAPHNE NIKOLOPOULOS, KRISTEN DESMOND LEFEVRE, PETER CRITICOS, ANGELO ELIA, CARLOS DOCE

DEMIAN MAGGIONI, RUSLAN ZHURAVSKY

JESSICA ROLDAN, SARAH ZOHAR, DENISE RUBIN

ZOILA PATTERSON, CARO ROMANO, SCOTT PATTERSON

YASMIN SHABAAN, NEVADA NORRIS, MICHELLE SUAREZRIVERA

SOCIAL STUDIES

CREAM OF THE CROP

WHO: The Museum of Ice Cream Miami WHAT: VIP Opening Night Party WHERE: The Museum of Ice Cream at Miami Worldcenter, Downtown HIGHLIGHTS: Miami’s movers and shakers—from the worlds of fashion, sports, and beyond—were treated to a special preview of the interactive museum-meets-playground. The evening included DJs spinning tunes, bespoke cocktails, and sweet treats galore.

PAOLA DESIDERI

NICOLE MARTIN, MANISH VORA

KESHAD JOHNSON

ISABELA GRUTMAN, MARYELLIS BUNN

CALEB DANIELS, ISAIAH STEVENS, KESHAD JOHNSON, BRYSON WARREN, KEL’EL WARE

GABRIELA ROMERO

CAROLINA FRIEDA, MARINE SCHLOTTER, GABY SWINEHART

CAMILA NAVARRO

MIKE RYNART ANNIKA PASETA

SOCIAL STUDIES

BRANCHING OUT

WHO: Branches WHAT: 2024 Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala and Online Auction WHERE: The J.W. Marriott Marquis, Miami HIGHLIGHTS: Dedicated to serving children and families throughout Miami-Dade County, Branches’ gala offered guests a night of fun and philanthropy while celebrating “todas las culturas Latinas” that make Miami truly magical. The event raised a record $715,000 for the organization’s programs.

RODNEY H. BELL, LINA LOPEZ

BRANCHES FAMILY

DAN AND TRISH BELL, KARLA AND SCOTT RICHEY, BRENT MCLAUGHLIN

BRITTNIE BASSANT, MIA AND ALEX FRASER, ALINA AND ED HUDAK

ALEC ALFONSO, MARIELENA VILLAMIL, TJ AND CHRISTINA VILLAMIL, DIANA AND HUNTER CARRIER SCOTT AND KARLA RICHEY, MARIBEL AND JOSE DOTRES

DAVID LYNN, AMANDA ALTMAN HORA LOCA

LISSETTE GONZALEZ

LAST WORD

ON THE RECORD WITH...

LOURDES LOPEZ

As artistic director of Miami City Ballet (MCB), Lourdes Lopez is one of the ballet world’s most revered figures. A former soloist and principal dancer with New York City Ballet, Lopez danced for ballet legends George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins during her 24 years as a dancer. We caught up with Lopez to get the backstage details on all things dance, her self-care rituals and cheat-day treats, and more. (miamicityballet.org) Kristen Desmond LeFevre

My full name is… Lourdes Lopez. I live… in Miami, in the Grove. I came to Miami when… my parents defected from Cuba in 1959. My sisters and I followed two years later. I was raised in… Miami, but I moved to New York at the age of 14 to study ballet. I first became interested in dance when… I was 6 years old. I started in a very small ballet school in Miami on Coral Way. I got my first big break when… the School of American Ballet gave me a scholarship at the age of 11 to attend their summer course in New York. They also paid for my ballet classes in Miami throughout the school year, which allowed me to continue to train, as my parents could not afford the daily classes. My first paycheck was… in 1974 when I entered New York City Ballet as a full-time company member. I think I got paid $110 a week. A major life challenge came when… I hurt my foot and was told that I needed surgery and might not dance again. It was a very difficult time for me. However, the two years I spent getting back into shape allowed me to go to college, which gave me a very different perspective of the world. I also had my first daughter during this time. I don’t think I would have done those two things if I hadn’t been injured and had to get out of my comfort zone. I stopped dancing professionally when… I was 39 years old, after 24 years in New York City Ballet. My biggest successes have been… my two daughters, Adriel Saporta and Calliste Skouras. A part of my current role with MCB that might surprise people is… as an artistic director, you can’t be focused on yourself, the way you must be as a dancer. At least for me, it is about three things: the dancers, the audience, and the organization. I’m here to serve those three things, and every day I wake up and think, “What do these three things need from me?” The toughest part of my job is… trying to convince others of the importance of the arts. Whenever someone tells me they want to be a dancer, I say… fantastic! Here are a few things to remember: make sure you love it (really love it) and make sure you’re ready to work hard and face disappointments, because that is how you learn and get better. My secret obsession is… creating things with my hands, whether it’s knitting, crocheting, embroidering.

One bad habit I cannot break is… a nice, full-bodied glass of red Spanish wine. When I want to relax, I… read books. I read mostly fiction, historical fiction, and sometimes a mystery (if it’s not too scary). My fitness and self-care routine includes… floor Pilates and a mix of strengthening and stretching. My favorite spot in Miami is… Bellini at Mr. C’s in Coconut Grove. A major project I’m excited about is… Miami City Ballet’s fortieth anniversary. Not only will we honor our past by presenting works that have never been seen or danced in Miami before, but we will also commission young choreographers who collectively represent the American dance scene of today to create works for our dancers—all while artistically commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As a city of immigrants, and as an immigrant myself, there is so much to be grateful for in our lives here in the United States.

GEORGE