2010.06.17

Page 1

The Story Matters

Calendar p.16 Celebrate Father’s Day at the Hot Rods and Harley’s Fest plus so much more to do...

Vol. XXV No. 23

June 17, 2010

Visit us at sunpostweekly.com

IT’S HIGH TIME New Petition Drive to Amend Miami Beach Marijuana Laws MAYHEM P.4

PROFILE P. 6

POLITICS P. 8

CALENDAR P.16

411 P.22

GO! P. 25

FILM P. 20

ART P. 20

BOUND P.20

SEE PAGE 12

FASHION P. 30


EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kim Stark kim@sunpostweekly.com SOCIETY EDITOR Jeannette Stark jeannette@sunpostweekly.com COPY EDITOR Mary Louise English

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jeffrey Bradley Charles Branham-Bailey Stuart Davidson Marguerite Gil Mary Louise English Jennifer Fragoso John Hood Dr. Sonjia Kenya Thomas Quick Ruben Rosario Mary Jo Almeida-Shore Michael Sasser Kim Steiner

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Covering Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Surfside, Bay Harbor Islands, Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, North Miami, North Miami Beach and Aventura, Coconut Grove, Brickell Avenue, Downtown, Design District, Wynwood, Upper Eastside, and Miami Shores.


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Tropical Mayhem BITS AND PIECES OF MIAMI LIFE

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Dad Rocks

Dont’ go for another tie this father’s Day. Rock his world by giving him this killer limited edition watch from the Harry Winston Project Z4 Collection. Number four in the Project Zalium series, the watch has dual time zone displays. The face is black carbon with a very cool 3D effect. Made from Zalium. $40,000. Harry Winston, Bal Harbour Shops or harrywinston.com.

Philippe Starck’s Bonze CRANES IN THE LANDSCAPE by Ines Hegedus-Garcia - miamism.com - ines@miamism.com Port of Miami Cranes are objects of our landscape, they make a powerful impact on our horizon and you learn to love them. The best part is getting close to them and feeling minuscule next to their immensity. This photo was taken from a boat navigating towards downtown Miami.

Father’s Day Brunch at Epicure Treat Dad to Epicure's Sunday Brunch...He deserves it! Live jazz this Sunday, June 20 just for Dad. Sit outside on the beautiful patio or dine inside in the new Epicure Gourmet Market & Cafe. The menu includes: Carving station featuring Prime Rib, roasted turkey, roast pork tenderloin, pasta and omelet stations with all the fixings, french toast, blintzes with blueberry sauce, fresh fruit, our fresh baked pastries, bagels & smoked salmon, baked salmon, pasta salad, fresh garden salad, garlic parsley potatoes and much more. There is also a kids menu. $25.00. 10am to 3pm. (kids 12 and under $10.00). Sunny Isles Beach location only - 17190 Collins Ave, 305-947-4581 or epicuremarket.com. Page 4 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

The face of a Buddha, a portrait of Lorenzo de’ Medici, a watcher in the night, awoken double of the Sleeping Muse by Brancusi, a stool, a coffee table. Designed by Philippe Starck, Bonze surpasses the functional to become a baroque decoration object with a hieratic presence. Painted ceramic and comes in red, black, gold and platinum. $1,050 to $1,250. Available at Avant Gallery, 3850 N. Miami Ave, in the Design District. Or online at avantgallery.com


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www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17 2010 • Page 5


PHOTO BY EDOUARD H.R. GLUCK/ SPECIAL TO.SUNPOST WEEKLY

PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY YOU SHOULD KNOW

Kristen Jurn and Mayte Greco Short Race Chics By John Hood

On June 22 Ft Myers’ Page Field will be a-rumble with the roar of women taking to the skies. Why? Because it’s the 34th annual Air Race Classic, that’s why. And that means dames flying high. At press time there were 58 two-women teams slated to race, among them Kristen Jurn and Mayte Greco, better known as Air Race Chics, who this year will be racing in a Centennial Model Cirrus SR22. Jurn, who’s been licensed to fly for nearly 20 years, and Greco, one of the founding pilots behind Brothers to the Rescue, will be competing in this nine state, cross country, 2,483 mile powder puff air derby all the while marking 100 years of women in aviation. And they’ll do so backed by none other

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than the Green Family Foundation, who has committed to offshoot the Air Race Chics’ carbon footprint by planting 1000 trees in Haiti. GFF has been heavily engaged in the island nation for a decade and a half (in fact Kimberly Green is on the ground there again now), and they couldn’t resist the opportunity to support these high-flying ladies of the skies and to help out a neighbor in need. “We commend Kristen and the other pilots in their innovative approach to raising awareness for both women's issues and the issues facing such a fragile country as Haiti,” said GFF in a statement to SunPost Weekly. And we couldn’t agree more.


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Can He Say That? COLUMN

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epublicans have long espoused less government. Particularly, this spring, when they wanted it to stay the hell out of Americans’ health care. Never mind a woman’s reproductive health, however. On that matter, government can’t possibly be too intrusive. And maybe one of these years (or decades), the GOP will actually heed their creed of less government intrusion in our lives. But – whoa, there – your GOP legislators in Tallahassee don’t want to surrender their privilege to intrude just yet. Take House Bill 1143. Before Gov. Crist wisely vetoed it last Friday, it threatened to require all Florida women seeking an abortion – still a legal procedure in this country – to first pay for – and view – an ultrasound of their fetus. Crist described the bill as “mean-spirited.” Damn right. Not to mention, crassly insensitive – and intrusive. Sen. Nan Rich (D-Sunrise) opposed the bill: “It never should have seen the light of day in the first place, during a legislative session that was very difficult at best, dealing with jobs and economic development issues. To have spent the time that we did on this issue was really kind of appalling.” The bill’s supporters openly acknowledged their intent with the legislation was to induce more women to have second thoughts about aborting their fetus if they were first forced to see pictures of it – “Now are you sure you want to go through with it? Really, really sure? Just look at that picture! Look at your unborn child! That’s a baby you’re about to kill! Have you no guilt? Have you no conscience? Have you no shame?” The vote was along party lines. Natch. Never mind that newspaper polls from St. Pete to Miami showed that Floridians overwhelmingly hated this bill. Noooo, that wasn’t enough to deter the statehouse Republicans. Just remember this: Bill “I wanna be your next governor” McCollum wanted this bill. Wanted it like a salivating fox outside a hen house. “It is important to note,” your ever-soconcerned state attorney general said in urging Crist to sign the bill into law, “that viewing the ultrasound is optional for women.” Perhaps lots of women voters will return the favor at the polls this fall and regard voting for him as optional, too – then cast their votes for Alex Sink. “They can simply decline to view the ultrasound and sign a form,” he added.

R

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Where exactly do we sign, pray tell, to get these nosy ass-wipes to stay the fuck out of our lives, out of our sex lives, out of our reproductive systems, out of our gynecological exams, out of our wombs? Where? “Ensuring that patients are fully informed prior to making a critical health care decision should be a policy we all support.” Well. And this from an attorney general who, no sooner had the president signed the health care reform bill, hastily joined other state attorneys general in filing lawsuits against Obama and his “socialized medicine” plan so as to prevent Floridians from enjoying the benefits of it. How thoughtful of McCollum that he’s so paternally concerned about us being well-informed. Just so long, of course, as he and his GOP brethren get to decide on what we can be well-informed about. You Republicans want to force Florida women to view their ultrasounds? Fine. Can we then get to force you to sit through a graphic video of wild birds drenched in crude oil, slowly suffocating to death, courtesy of an oil spill made possible thanks to your heavy-handed advocacy of off-shore drilling? ere’s a new one for you: Get a job with your local school district. Prove yourself a loyal and hard worker. Climb the ladder up to instructional supervisor for special education programs. Then, in year 24, submit falsified applications on behalf of your own son and daughter for a total of $19,000 in scholarship money, money intended for disabled children – so that your own kids can attend an exclusive private school. And make their mom proud. That’s what Deborah Swirsky-Nunez, of MiamiDade Public Schools, did. She might have gotten away with it, too, if the superintendent’s office hadn’t gotten a complaint that was then investigated. Trial date is pending; penalty could include time in the clink. I feel for the kids. What must it be like that everybody on campus now knows your ticket to private school came courtesy of your felonious mom? Ahh, but at least she did it for the kids and not for herself, right? Next year’s Mother’s Day card should be interesting: “Dear Mom, At least you thought of us. And we think fondly of you... See you on the next visitation day!”

H

ere’s another one for you: Get elected mayor of your town (population: 93,000). Double-duty as a warehouse operations director for the local school district. Get caught on surveillance video stealing an industrial-strength commercial food mixer from a district warehouse. That’s what happened to 17-year Hawthorne, Calif., mayor Larry Guidi. Claims he needed it to make more dough for his backyard pizza oven. Prosecutors say Guidi was so proud of his pizza oven that he even had images of it on Facebook. He’s now charged with burglary and grand theft. Maybe the prison kitchen he’s assigned to will have a food mixer. here aren’t many religious figures I admire – or who are worth admiring – and in this day and age when an alarming number of them make headlines for all the wrong reasons (screwing altar boys... getting it on with a mistress or a male escort... being photographed frolicking on the beach with a forbidden lover... shifting pedophilic priests around from parish to parish in the years before you became pope...) it’s nice to know there are still some who are genuine in deed and thought. Desmond Tutu is and always has been one of those in my book. Two weeks ago, President Obama presented the 78-year-old archbishop emeritus of South Africa the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal in recognition of work, accomplishments or personal attributes exemplifying the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. A year before he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the campaign to end apartheid, Tutu visited my college campus, where I was a freshman journalism major and freelancer for the student paper. He was one of my first interview subjects as a college journalist. On the night of the campus’s black student union dinner at which he was the guest of honor, we asked him if he might come out publicly in favor of what then was a controversial, and almost treasonous, issue – disinvestment (advocating foreign governments and companies pull out of economic investments in South Africa so as to pressure the apartheid regime). I can think of bigger and more disloyal things for which to possibly get arrested by my government – the good-humored clergyman teased us – than to stand up at a tiny, relatively-unheard-of American college and advocate for disinvestment. But while he didn’t do it then, he eventually did sign on to – and became one of the most powerful proponents of – the concept, which in time brought pressure on the South African government, eroded the apartheid system, and heralded a new era that would see black self-rule and a President Mandela. It’s so good to observe, all these years later, that Desmond Tutu’s mission in life is not yet finished, and that he still, at his age, gets around the world, promoting peace and happily, eagerly working to better the lot of people everywhere. Oh, if only all clergy people would commit themselves to missions as noble as that.

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T


Politics COLUMN

That Oily FDOT By Jeffrey Bradley

We recently attended two FDOT (stands for Florida Department Of Transportation, not Friggin’ Defense Of Traffic) workshops inviting public feedback. Well, only one really (Horizon 2060 at the downtown Wolfson Campus) solicited input; the other, Harding Avenue Project, simply informed of foregone conclusions. Good Ford! Seldom have we been in the presence of an agency so out of synch, or people who seemingly fell from Mars. Both times we left feeling as if we’d just crawled through the elephant grass with a knifeblade clenched between our teeth. As your old Granddad might say: “Nice bunch of people. Real nice. But stay the hell away from ‘em.” That’s because everyone there was a near-rabid transit freak but FDOT put on their We’re Here To Make Cars Go Faster show. Faced by—we admit it—our less-than-tactful concern over their smileyface plans for wider sidewalks, brickwork pedestrian x-ings with meaningful crossing times, shady tree medians, bicycle lanes and streetcars, then winding up with eastern extensions of I-95, they actually—we kid you not—blinked rapidly and backed away as if threatened. <Sigh> Definitely a classic FDOT “We hear you!” magic act that, abracadabra!, finishes with the pretty girl swallowing the

goldfish. Listen, we want rabbits pulled out of a hat, we’ll get the retired old guy who does tricks at your kid’s birthday party between nips of Sneaky Pete from his flask. Somehow, we expected etter. At the Horizon meeting, we broke into groups

bother to show or, more probably, if FDOT isn’t really that clueless. (We think it’s that.) FDOT’s approach is textbook enabling. Do we want higher prices with the dislocate that shifting away from a cheap energy source is going to cost us? We do not. But 50 years into the making, anything’s better than witnessing that black, gooey mess slowly strangle the Gulf as we stand by and do nothing. In truth, not much can be done—until we abandon the crack pipe, that is. Like a twined caduceus, FDOT’s outlook and our own denial of a dying Gulf allows this pretense that nothing is wrong. Or, if something is, it’ll go away if we only ignore it. But it won’t and we know it and still we press on. A “fatal lassitude” similarly overtook Robespierre during the French Revolution as he grew horrified by the toll of victims. Put into

“That’s FDOT, proving again they’ve got both feet planted firmly a foot off the ground. This cobwebby thinking—a billion-dollar tunnel-to-nowhere and an offshore oil slick that wreaks havoc” and listed suggestions for transportation improvement on a blackboard (or was it a whiteboard?), and damn us if everything up there wasn’t a riff on slowing down traffic, or charging a hefty vehicular tax. (We’re for kicking it off roadways completely, but who listens to us?) Nary a person was a car aficionado—unless it was a streetcar—which leads us to wonder whether the internal combustion crowd is so smug in its primacy as to not even

play by others, things seemed to move of their own accord; besides, what could one man do—even if he’d helped set it all into motion, and found himself now knee-high in blood? Poor Robey could only continue as the Great Terror raged—that inexorable rise and fall of the guillotine’s blade—until he himself was dragged to his doom. Is the Gulf disaster our wake-up call? Will we acknowledge the uselessness of it, and commit to different? Or are we the bacillus that’s killing the Earth? Meantime, we launch into hidebound FDOT and their bumpkin excuses. And what’s so churlish about saving the planet? At the Harding Avenue Project, the Information Officer—information, mind you—opined that no one should ride their bike where it “rains for six months”. (No doubt she considers Portland a dry gulch somewhere south of Kabul.) This scurrilous rot was met with the opprobrium it deserved. We’ve heard this all before: one of our favorites? “In 15 or 20 years, we’ll look at it again..” Actually, no; you’ll look at it now, if we have to hold your nose to the map. Save the boobery for the boobirds that crawl forth

whenever “alternate transportation” is mentioned. We’re here to tell you that this is no longer acceptable, and we won’t accept it. Claptrap like this may have propped up Dermerite Suburbanite autocentricity, but he’s gone now along with his shills (find ‘em in that dusty wing of the museum where they keep the stuffed dodoes). In future, in fact, this will be raised at peril. As coda to their latest silliness, FDOT affixed plans for a spaceport, another “concept” that’s sure to get our attention. (What will that cost, gas-wise?) We brought ‘em back to earth when we told them Buzz Aldrin was not in the house and, besides, exactly how does a moon launch help us get across town? That’s FDOT, proving again they’ve got both feet planted firmly a foot off the ground.This cobwebby thinking—a billion-dollar tunnel-tonowhere and an offshore oil slick that wreaks havoc—might, you think, make them reconsider. But no. So let’s help ‘em out by segueing to the latest disaster as these two things are inextricably linked.

60 DAYS AND COUNTING… Is there no end of the sludge that’s creeping ashore? Of the agonized animals dying by poison? Of politicians who make this all possible but shift responsibility? Let’s not kid ourselves here: as long as officials maintain the pretense of supplying unending cheap (read subsidized) fuel (don’t we already rely on Marxist and Muslim countries to get hold of it?), this preordained endgame will continue to haunt us. Try sticking that up your tailpipe, Gertrude. So pay attention when this administration reiterates that BP “better come up with another plan”, or bangs on about them paying the salaries of shrimpers and such. It’s all flapdoodle. BP is only doing what market-economy companies do; in this case, search for oil for profit. Which they can do if the government will let them and which they can’t do if the government will not. In actuality, BP owes nobody anything, except supplying cheap gas. They are, however, obvious and worse, public. So whose fault is it? Let’s put it this way: if the price was 12 bucks a gallon, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. They would no longer be in business or, at least, not this business. Cogitate on that when you stick a gas nozzle into your car. And if ever a time was to start shifting away from our Neverland reliance on oil—dirty, smelly, dangerous stuff—now is it. In his upcoming address we hope Obama stops complaining about the press, or Bush (when does the president plan on being, you know, president?), or “doing everything possible” (proof positive that he’s not lies in that still-spewing oil), and explicates a plan for ending this crisis, painful or not, and shuts down a 19th century resource older’n Henry Ford. About time for a change, ain’t it Mr President?

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17 2010 • Page 9


Family EVENTS

Paul Schwieger & Tony Major Father & Sons Festival Compiled By Kim Steiner

Who are you? Tony Major and Paul Schwieger: Tony is from the Bahamas and has lived in Miami for over twenty-five years. Paul grew up in Miami; left in 1969 upon graduating from Miami Springs Sr. High; and moved back last summer to live closer to his parents. What do you do in real life? (Tony) I have more than 25 years of experience producing dynamic events, public relations and marketing. I have produced events locally and nationally for corporate, urban-culture, travel & tourism and the hospitality industries. I also serve on the Board of the Martin Luther King Foundation.

dral in downtown Miami. In late January Tony described an idea for an event, this festival, to Paul. After a brief discussion they decided to work together to make it come to pass.

(Paul) I have over twenty years of business experience, principally in San Francisco, California. Most of my work has involved developing and implementing business plans and working with start-up companies in various industries; prior to that I taught statistics at the University of Wisconsin.

Why focus on father and sons? (Tony) I am a divorced, single father with two sons. I know first-hand the difficulties men face today being the best possible fathers. I wanted to create an event that brings attention to and celebrates the father-son relationship.

How long have you been in Miami? Tony – almost 30 years; Paul grew up here and moved back one-year ago.

Why should we care? (Tony) It is important to remind men that whether they are married or divorced, they are in one very important relationship – they are their children’s fathers. By bringing fathers together we hope to drive home this important point; we hope to give them skills and knowledge they can use to be better fathers; we hope to build a network of fathers supporting fathers, that men can call upon to help them as they work hard to be the dads possible.

What is the Father & Sons Festival? (Paul) The Festival will be a day of activities featuring educational forums and motivational speakers. It will include food, fun, sports, games, music and entertainment that fathers, sons and the entire family can share in. Additionally there will be appearances by celebrities, athletes and special guests. What is your connection to the Father & Sons Festival? (Tony and Paul) We serve as ushers at Trinity Cathe-

PHOTO: MAGICAL PHOTOS/MITCHELL ZACKS

What kind of community response have you had? (Paul) We have had tremendous support from the community, without which we could not have cre-

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ated this event. Many people and organizations have volunteered their time, resources and contacts to the event.

volvement with my church. (Paul) The love and enjoyment I get from spending time with family and friends

What one person that you have met in your life has made the biggest impression on you? Both of us would have to say it is our parents. (Paul) I like to tell people that I attribute my good qualities to my parents, and accept full responsibility for all my faults.

Favorite Restaurant? (Tony) Joe’s Stone Crabs (Paul) Chop House Miami (formerly Manny’s)

What do you do when you are not working? (Tony) Spending time with my sons; play basketball, jogging on the sand at South Beach. (Paul) My children are grown and I am a grandfather. In addition to talking to them I like to bicycle, read and listen to music. Both of us are active in our church. Something new that you have just discovered about yourself? (Tony) The great joy I get from creating events that bring enjoyment to others. (Paul) I have begun to think about my legacy, about what contributions I make in my life. One luxury that you cannot live without? (Tony) The spiritual energy I receive from my in-

Three Words to describe you? (Tony) fun, loyal and motivated (Paul) hardworking, recovering perfectionist, So what’s next for you? (Tony and Paul) We are looking forward to planning more family events. To Go: The Fathers & Sons Festival takes place on Saturday, June 19th on Father’s Day Weekend at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort, 16701 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach. For info: newportbeachsideresort.com


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COVER STORY

IT’S HIGH TIME New Petition Drive to Amend Miami Beach Marijuana Laws Written by John Hood

Picture this: You’re a 46-year-old father of three living in suburban South Florida. Well aware of the dangers that lurk about and wanting to protect your family, you apply for a gun permit. It’s approved. And why wouldn’t it be? You have no criminal record, and you’ve lived in this city, in this home, for 14 years. You arm yourself. Then early one summer morning you’re awakened by a loud crash. It sounds as if your front door is being kicked in. Still half asleep, you grab your shotgun and go to confront whatever’s coming. As you turn the corner from your bedroom and start down the hallway you see large dark shadows in the pre-dawn light. You’re scared; in fact, you’re shaking so much you can barely even raise your weapon. Yet you think of nothing but protecting your family. You duck into the bathroom and wait for the intruders to approach. You hold your gun on the doorway. You want to yell “stop!” You want to scream “get out!” For a moment you may even close your eyes, because more than anything

FORD BANISTER

else you don’t want this to be happening. Then at once a mass of masked men are upon you. You jack a shell into the chamber of the shotgun. You try to squeeze the trigger. But before you can blink let alone fire, a fusillade of bul-


lets erupts and strikes you down dead. Such was the case of one Vincent Hodgkiss, a 46-year-old father of three who was killed in his home back in 2008 by a Pembroke Pines Police Department Special Response Team. We don’t know if the specifics mentioned above are completely accurate. Hodgkiss of course isn’t here to testify and the authorities aren’t telling. But we can imagine the fear this man must’ve gone through in the pre-dawn hours of that summer morning. And we’re not surprised he reached for a weapon. From the evidence collected by the police after his death we’re not even certain that Hodgkiss was completely innocent. As Michal Mayo reported in the Sun-Sentinel, the warrant was issued after “An anonymous complaint, surveillance of high-turnover visitors and two searches

to $1000. Banister had cited Hodgkiss as an example of what can go horribly wrong with the enforcement of Florida’s current marijuana laws, which are among the harshest in the nation. It’s an extreme example, to be sure. But unfortunately, it isn’t one without precedence. As the Sun-Sentinel’s Michael Mayo also pointed out, a similar incident occurred back in August 2005 when “Sunrise police used a SWAT team for a lethal pre-dawn raid on suspected drug dealer Anthony Diotaiuto, [who] was shot 10 times. Police found a little more than an ounce of pot in the home.” More recently a 51-year-old Pompano Beach grandmother “was gunned down in her home of 24 years during a SWAT raid

ABOVE: IMAGES FROM RAKONTUR'S UPCOMING SQUARE GROUPER DOCUMENTARY. LEFT: ROBERT PLATSHORN, THE LONGEST SERVING POT PRISONER IN U.S. HISTORY.

of Hodgkiss’ trash, which yielded scraps of paper with numbers and trace amounts of “green, leafy substance” that tested positive for marijuana.” So he may well indeed have been a low level pot dealer. What’s most alarming about all this is a man died and an officer was traumatized all because of what many consider to be draconian drug laws. Hodgkiss was one of three names mentioned this past Wednesday by Ford Banister of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy. Banister, backed by a good few handfuls of supporters, held a press conference in front of Miami Beach City Hall to announce the mounting of a petition drive that would amend the Miami Beach city charter. The goal is to allow police to issue a $100 civil fine for individuals caught with less than 20 grams of marijuana, instead of being hit with criminal misdemeanor charges that could result in jail time and fines of up

after an earlier street arrest of two suspects who said they bought marijuana and oxycodone from her.” When asked about the raids of both Hodgkiss and Diotaiuto, Jack Cole, a former New Jersey narcotics detective who now serves as the executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, told Mayo “[t]his is just insanity.” And he isn’t at all surprised by the way the purported suspects responded either. “Put yourself in the occupant’s position,” said Cole. “You’re asleep and you’re woken up by a huge crash at the door. I know if it was my house and I had a gun, I’d probably go for it, too.” Banister himself was galvanized in part

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by another tragedy, that of 23-year-old FSU graduate Rachel Morningstar Hoffman. In 2007 Hoffman had been persuaded to help Tallahassee cops in order to avoid a lengthy prison sentence for felony possession of marijuana. But Hoffman’s case went well beyond simple snitching. Instead, law enforcement put her out on the street as a quasi undercover operative, giving her $13,000 to buy cocaine, 3,500 ecstasy pills, and a handgun from two very dangerous men. According to reports “Hoffman had never been trained to work undercover, and police dispatched only two officers to trail her. They lost contact with Hoffman’s wire when the location of the deal changed twice – and they never regained contact. The two dealers kidnapped her and shot her dead.”

“Marijuana is the largest cash drop in the United States,” said Banister, “and the second largest in the State of Florida. Marijuana prohibition has now been in place for more than 72 years.”


Banister told SunPost Weekly that he and Hoffman “had mutual friends,” all of whom were devastated by the case. And he’s been in pretty much constant contact with the victim’s mother ever since. Another egregious example of Florida’s rigid marijuana laws is that of Robert Platshorn, who served nearly 30 years for smuggling marijuana and remains the nation’s longest-serving cannabis offender. Platshorn, who was a member of what the Feds christened “the Black Tuna Gang,” is the subject of Rakontur’s next feature, Square Grouper, which takes its title from the countless bales of pot that used to wash up on South Florida shores back in the ‘70s. “It’s a prequel to Cocaine Cowboys, another time of high adventure and high prestige,” said Rakontur’s Alfred Spellman. “And Platshorn was one of Miami’s major pot players.” It was the cats at Rakontur who reached out to Banister and bankrolled his petition drive. And it is the cats at Rakontur who’ve given this mission a visibility it might not otherwise have had. But beyond the blood and guts and glamour, there’s also a practical side to this drive, especially as it concerns economics. According to a study called “The Budgetary Implications of Drug Prohibition” by Jeffrey A. Miron of the Department of Economics at Harvard, in

2008 the United Stated spent some $1.9 billion in the prohibition on drugs, $573,366 million of that to combat marijuana. Florida itself spent some $1.9 billion over the same period for the same reason, of which $573,366 million went to marijuana. As the study also indicates, if Florida were to tax that marijuana it spends so much to eradicate, not only would we be spared the previous expenditure, we’d raise just over $129 million. And that’s certainly something to think about as Broward, the nation’s sixth largest school district, lays off 568 teachers and 737 other workers, and Miami City Manager Carlos Migoya says the only way our books could be balanced was if the city laid off nearly a third of its workforce (or 1,128 employees). “Marijuana is the largest cash drop in the United States,” said Banister, “and the second largest in the State of Florida. Marijuana prohibition has now been in place for more than 72 years.” And despite “the expenditures of billions of dollars and over 20 million arrests since 1965, marijuana is more available and more prevalent than ever.” Furthermore, and this is where a certain industry takes issue, “[b]y every measure, marijuana is less

harmful than alcohol,” he says. “It’s time we stop driving people to drink.” Banister also notes that “44% of those surveyed favor outright legalization; when the question comes to decriminalization, it’s above 70%. And every place we get on the ballot we win.” So far the wins have come in Tallahassee, Orlando, Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach. If Banister and his team get a mere 4240 ballot signatures by the end of August, the initiative will be placed on the ballot for general election and he can rack up a win here too. Banister isn’t at all worried. “We will win Miami Beach,” he told the assembled. And we’ve no choice but to believe him. California legalized medical-marijuana way back in 1996, and 13 more states and the District of Columbia have since followed suit. Isn’t it, er, high time, we also joined the ranks of the civilized? To get involved or sign the ballot go online to sensibleflorida.com

LEFT: IMAGES FROM RAKONTUR'S UPCOMING SQUARE GROUPER DOCUMENTARY.

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 15


Calendar WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI THIS WEEK

PAULINA

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SAVE THE DATE:

June 17

FRIDAY, JULY 2

THEATRE Summer Shorts Celebrating its 15th season this June in Miami, the Summer Shorts Theatre Festival is back with a whole summer filled with mayhem and theatre. Camp Kappawanna by award-winning singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb and written by playwright Marco Ramirez is currently showing. Through June 27. Carnival Theatre, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami. For info: arshtcenter.org

June 18

FESTIVAL Florida Supercon Florida Supercon is a 3-day festival dedicated to Comic Books, Anime, Animation, Video Games, Fantasy and Sci-Fi. Rocking the show this year is Ariel Olivetti, Rafa Sandoval, Jose Delbo, Tia Carrere, Starcy H. Tolkin, Larry Thomas and Outland Armour to name a few. Music from Less Than Jake, Robbed By a Flute, and Crimson. Also expect all the major comic companies, artists, writers, films & shorts, costume & cosplay contests, vendors, parties, anime, workshops, video gaming and more. $20-$40. Doubletree Miami Mart/Airport Hotel & Exhibition Center, 711 NW 72nd Ave; Doral

June 18

BOOKS Beautiful Maria of My Soul

AN EVENING WITH STING CATCH TWELVE-TIME GRAMMY WINNER STING, WHEN HE HITS PALM BEACH FOR A ONE-NIGHT ONLY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FEATURING THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. STING HAS SOLD 100 MILLION ALBUMS BOTH AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGENDARY BAND THE POLICE AND AS A SOLO ARTIST. AN AMAZING LIVE PERFORMER, STING DISPLAYS HIS BRILLIANCE AS A BASSIST AND SINGER WHILE PERFORMING FAVORITES FROM THE POLICE AND SOLO HITS LIKE IF YOU LOVE THEN SET THEM FREE AND FIELDS OF GOLD. 8PM. $57. - $157. CRUZAN AMPHITHEATRE, 601-7 SANSBURY'S WAY, WEST PALM BEACH. FOR INFO: 561795-8883 OR LIVENATION.COM

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic that still captivates and inspires readers twenty years after its first publication. Now, in Beautiful Maria of My Soul, Oscar Hijuelos returns to this indelible story, to tell it from the point of view of its heroine, Maria. She's the Cuban beauty who stole musician Nestor Castillo's heart and broke it, inspiring him to write the Mambo Kings' biggest hit, Beautiful Maria of My Soul. Hijuelos will be at Books and Books to do a reading and sign copies. 8pm. Free. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables. For info: Booksandbooks.com or 305-442-4408.

June 18

MUSIC Rose Max Catch the sounds of Brazilian bombshell Rose Max when she hits Van Dyke this weekend with Ramatis. Hot and soulful Brazilian melodies, electronic rhythms and a mix of bossa nova and samba. 9pm. Van Dyke Cafe, 846 Lincoln Rd; Miami Beach. For info: thevandykecafe.com

June 18

ART Disposable Art

STING

Curated by Orlando Estrada, Disposable: Nostalgia for the Still Image is a new exhibition opening at the Dina Mitrani Gallery. This show presents a reference to the obsolete disposable film camera and a connection to the disposable quality now associated with digital picture making. Disposable will feature eight emerging and mid career photographers whose work addresses the connection between photography and memory and how the digital revolution is transforming the nation. Through August 28. Dina Mitrani Gallery, 2620 NW 2nd Ave; Miami. For info: dinamitranigallery.com

June 18

FILM Transfolklorico Photographer Jayme Gershen and painter Rosaura Perez have joined forces to open the Simigo Gallery and Workspace in Wynwood. The plan is to show creative works in the best possible light. This weekend, Luis Maurette, an Argentinean composer and multimedia artist, will screen his latest project, Transfolklorico. A film that looks at the indigenous culture of South America and their music. Also catch the band Lulacruza on Saturday at 8pm. Simigo Gallery, 150A NW 54th St; Miami. For info: simigogallery.com

June 19

SOCIAL Celebrity Domino Night The ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night returns to Jungle Island this Saturday Night. Domino tourneys; live music, dancing and a silent auction are all on the agenda. Funds raised to benefit Amigos Together for Kids. $150-$1000. 8pm. Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. For info: 305-279-1155 or amigosforkids.org.

ABOVE: AT MIAMI ART SPACE, OLIVER-SANCHEZ, BIGISM. RIGHT: HARLEY SOFTAIL.

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 17


Calendar WHAT TO DO IN MIAMI THIS WEEK

TOM GREEN

June 19

June 21

The theatrical adaptation of Toni Morrison's book, The Bluest Eye is brought to the stage by Lydia Diamond, the play is about the tragic life of a young black girl in Ohio in 1940. $30. M Ensemble Actors Studio, 12320 W. Dixie Hwy, North Miami. For info: 305-899-2217 or themensemble.com.

A new group show, 20(12): Twenty Twelve opens this week at Miami Art Space. Curated by local painter Kiki Valdes, the show features work by artists predicting the year 2012. Participating David Marish, Freegums, Johnny Robles, George Sanchez-Calderon, Reiner Gamboa, John Sevigny, Raul Perdomo, Oliver Sanchez, Brian Gefen, David Tamargo and Eric Torriente. Miami Art Space, 244 NW 35th St; Miami. For info: miamiartspace.com

THEATRE The Bluest Eye

ART 20(12): Twenty Twelve

June 19

FILM Dive In Movie

June 16

A great way to beat the heat and keep the kids occupied. Catch an outdoor movie while lounging in the pool every third Saturday. Dive in Movies at Grapeland Water Park will show, Where the Wild Things Are this Saturday. $5. 8pm. Grapeland Water Park, 1550 NW 37th Ave. Miami. For info: 305-960-2954 or miamigov.com/Parks

FESTIVAL American Black Film Fest Now in its 14th year, the American Black Film Festival starts its 4-day run this Wednesday. Opening film is Takers. Opening night party at Klutch. Some noteworthy events; a workshop with Director Spike Lee, a conversation with Idris Elba and a CNN Symposium with Soledad O’Brien. $12-$25 single tickets; $750-$1,300 festival passes. Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Rd; Miami Beach and MB Cinematheque, 512 Espanola Way, Miami Beach. For info: abff.com

June 20

ART Normal Absurdity Is normalcy absurd? Is absurdity normal? Decide for yourself at Normal Absurdity, the multimedia installation from Rocky Grimes. Utilizing silkscreen prints, found objects, and video, Normal Absurdity examines and challenges the relationship between the conventional and unorthodox. Kidrobot Miami, 638 Collins Ave. South Beach. For info: kidrobot.com

June 20

MUSIC Rhythm Sundays Rhythm Sundays, is in an ongoing effort to promote local arts and culture by the folks of Bal Harbour Shops and The Rhythm Foundation. This Sunday catch Eddy Baliol and Stuart King at Books & Books, Robert Winston at La Goulue. Phil Fest will be at One Bal Harbour. The restaurants at the Shops of Bal Harbour will also feature brunch specials along with their usual menus. 9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour.

June 15

FATHER’S DAY Hotrods and Harleys Spend fathers Day exploring some cool bikes at the Peterson Harley Davidson, Father's Day Hotrods and Harley’s event. Enjoy a Bikes & Beauties Magazine bike show, a vintage car show, contests, prizes, music and food. Free. Peterson Harley Davidson, 19400 NW 2nd Ave; Miami Gardens. For info: petersonsharley.com TOP: AUTHOR OSCAR HIJUELOS. MIDDLE: WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. BOTTOM: VOLUNTARY DESTRUCTION, ROCKY GRIMES AT KIDROBOT.

Page 18 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

June 23

COMEDY Tom Green Experience one of the great comic minds in the field of entertainment, live and in person, when Green takes the stage for two nights at the Improv. $23.54. 8:30pm. Miami Improv: 3390 Mary St, Coconut Grove. For info: miamiimprov.com

June 19

FOR KIDS Camp Books & Books THIS SHOULD BE GREAT FUN! BOOKS & BOOKS IS HOLDING A CAMP FOR KIDS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. BASED ON BOOKS THEY CARRY IN THE STORES, KIDS CAN MAKE AND HAVE A PAPER AIRPLANE CONTEST (THE WORLD RECORD PAPER AIRPLANE BOOK), RE-DESIGN A T-SHIRT, (GENERATION T: 108 WAYS TO TRANSFORM A T-SHIRT) OR TELL JOKES (JOKELOPEDIA) FOR PRIZES. GAMES, CONTESTS, CRAFTS, STORYTELLING, BOOK CLUBS AND MORE FOR KIDS. FREE EVERY SATURDAY AT 11AM AT THE GABLES STORE AND EVERY TUESDAY AT 11:30AM AT THE BAL HARBOUR SHOPS STORE. CHECK THE SCHEDULE FOR A LIST OF EVENTS FOR DIFFERENT AGES. BOOKS & BOOKS CORAL GABLES, 265 ARAGON AVE, OR BAL HARBOUR, 9700 COLLINS AVE. FOR INFO: BOOKSANDBOOKS.COM OR 305-442-4408.


Sex

Health COLUMN

COLUMN

Being Me Smoke-Free

Rated PG By Dr. Sonjia Kenya

Did your parents teach you enough about sex? If the question provokes laughter, know that your peers in Miami feel exactly the same way. Every person who answered this question chuckled, giggled, or simply laughed in my face before responding. The idea of parents teaching children about sex is apparently very, very funny and so unrealistic that most people thought the question was the first part of a joke, rather than a (not-so) serious research endeavor. But sex problems are not a joke and it’s not funny when kids get into trouble because parents were laughing instead of educating. Adolescents have more sex problems than adults because they don’t know any better. A 15 year old in love for the first time can’t possibly conceive how a sexually transmitted disease could end their life or an unplanned pregnancy could end their childhood. Think back to your first sexual experience. Who taught you what to do? Were you always safe? Any regrets? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that American teens get knocked up way more frequently than their peers in developed countries. Here’s the not-so-funny punch line: Teen pregnancy is increasing. What’s worse than that? Chlamydia has increased among everyone except American Indian and Alaskan Natives. It’s no wonder Sarah Palin’s daughter didn’t get Chlamydia, she just got pregnant. You have to admit, that was kind of funny. Unfortunately it’s true that 15-19 year old females account for most cases of Chlamydia and since 2003, rates have increased by more than 12%. In second place are the 2024 year old ladies and the infection has increased by almost 20% in this population. No joke. STDs are actually increasing among young women. Gonorrhea rates among 15-19 year olds have also grown by 5% since 2003 and about half of all new HIV infections are among

young people under 25 years old. The least funny aspect is that great sex doesn’t occur when you’re young, inexperienced, nervous, and being a typical teenager. Statistics show kids are dealing with difficult sex problems before learning how to have good sex. Speaking of learning, if parents aren’t providing sex education – who is? It takes a while to learn the ropes, understand emotions, and test the waters before you experience mind-blowing sex. Since I know you’ve had some great sex, how did you learn to do it? Was it school? Was it your parents? Not if you’re normal – but the truth is that it probably should’ve been. As a teenager, I remember hearing hallway stories about girls getting wet but I didn’t know what that meant because I went to Catholic school where sex education is illegal. Basking in ignorance, I asked some experienced friends if that meant urinating during sex. Without answering my question they broke out in laughter and walked away. I then asked my health teacher who seemed like the coolest person in the world until she told me that I would learn about it when it happened to me. She was right and eventually I did learn about getting wet during sex. An older, very experienced boy took the time to teach me that lesson and many, many more. He was very kind and I was very lucky. But most would prefer that a strange man does not teach their daughter how to have sex. Think about it. Who taught you to perform oral sex? What is normal sex? Are threesomes good or bad? Should girls date guys that don’t go down? Do good girls go down? How do teeth factor into the equation? Are condoms always necessary? What if it breaks? When do I pull out if I don’t have a condom? Is pain normal? What does a sore on the penis mean? How should she smell? Where do I get tested for an STD? Would it be so crazy for parents to explain these details to their kids? If parents

By Jennifer Fragoso (jennifer@sunpostweekly.com)

can’t do it, find a friend or relative that you trust and make them an educational resource for your kids. My first love taught me about sensations by blindfolding me and gently massaging my skin with an ice cube years before we had intercourse. I was a teenager and I wasn’t ready. He was patient, gentle, kind and wanted to make sure I was well educated before we embarked on the next level. He guided me like a good parent should. I was lucky because he wasn’t my daddy and things could’ve easily gone in another direction. How would you rate your first sexual experience? Would it have been better if someone took the time to educate you about intimacy, pleasure, and sexual satisfaction? Shouldn’t a kid reap the benefits of their parent’s experiences? A little parental guidance on sex may seem like a joke but here are ten serious sexual lessons Miamians wish their parents would’ve taught them: Sex does not always equal a serious, monogamous relationship. Sex is not about mechanics, but it should be about pleasure, fun and intimacy. It’s not like a porno. Arousal is more important than erection Kegel exercises make sex so much better! Size may matter but motivation matters more. Strong lips can make up for a little d&*k. It’s OK to be gay. Good Girls should be bad girls in bed. Good sex can happen with someone you don’t love. Sex is better when you’re in love.

Name: Jennifer Fragoso Age: 38 Years smoking: 23 SMOKE FREE: 15 Weeks

WEEK 16: ONCE A JUNKIE, ALWAYS A JUNKIE As the weeks go by, and they have, I find myself here writing about week sixteen now and am I so proud of myself. Three months and counting without a cigarette one might think the war has been fought and won. My family crest emblazoned on a flag mounted on a hilltop for all to see. Not me. “On the contrary”, I say. The battles continue to creep up like unyielding militia dead set on destruction of any peace of mind I have scraped together through my ordeal dealing with the horrors of fighting addiction. Heavy, you think? “Live it”, I say! Sobriety, non-smoking, overcoming obesity – these are all serious issues that require real work to overcome and often that work must be done every day. Maintenance is a recovering, fill in the blank, in my case addict’s best defense. This past Sunday I used one of the tools I’ve read about during my smoking cessation experience. As I envisioned myself pulling a Marlboro Red, my absolute favorite type of cigarette, out of a friend’s abandoned pack. I made myself see the absurdity of my intended action. I remembered all of the reasons why I stopped smoking. I remembered what a struggle I had breathing while I was running. I remembered the smell of my clothes, fingers and hair after smoking. Most of all I remembered how much pain I was in those first few weeks after quitting. There are more than likely always going to be those days when I’m faced with temptation but every day I keep being me smoke-free is a victory not only for me but also for the anti-smoking movement sweeping the nation. Stay strong my newly non-smoking brethren, keep moving forward and never look back. Smoking is like having a beeper. It is simply a thing of the past. Want to remain smoke-free? Here are some great tips. Log on to quitsmoking.about.com for some useful tools to keep you from slipping back into addiction.

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 19


Cinema

TOY STORY 3

Out

REVIEW

Suspended Animation By Ruben Rosario (ruben@sunpostweekly.com) The best Pixar movies embrace a sense of danger. Watching the first Toy Story or Brad Bird’s terrific superhero adventure The Incredibles (still, for my money, their best effort), one detects a subversive element trying to break through the films’ square-jawed, all-American veneer. A scene that never fails to grab me happens halfway through The Incredibles, when Elastigirl and her kids are trying to swerve around some missiles aimed at their jet plane. Bird’s decision to blow up that plane yanked viewers away from their comfort zone, as did the sequence in which Dash, the lightning-fast boy wonder, ran on water to avoid some very real bullets. I have been waiting for the Pixar folks to recapture the thrill those scenes elicited ever since. In recent years, though, they have gotten way too comfortable in their selection of material. Sure, films like Up, Bird’s own Ratatouille and the underrated Cars have their fair share of delightful moments. (I was slightly less fond of WALL-E, but that’s because Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton’s sentimental approach rubs me the wrong way.) But I always felt there was something missing, as if the filmmakers had become afraid of rocking the boat, thus shying away from the very quality that often elevates their work above their Disney Animation Studios counterparts. (Don’t even get me started on that stale assembly line product that was The Princess and the Frog.) With the release of Toy Story 3, the sense of complacency that’s been creeping up on Pixar’s films has arrived in full force, and it’s a sorry sight. Following a pleasant, Ford-by-way-ofSpielberg opening sequence that visualizes an Old West runaway train rescue by Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) as imagined by their owner Andy, the film fast-forwards to present day. Now 17, Andy is headed to college, and he needs to decide what to do with all those old toys. A series of mishaps lands Woody and company in Sunnyside, a day care facility that appears to offer the underused toys a new lease on life. Enter the film’s most interesting new character, a strawberry-scented teddy bear named Lotso. Voiced with deceptive grandfatherly warmth by Ned Beatty, Sunnyside’s aging self-proclaimed toy leader conceals the real plans he has

in store for the new arrivals, which, in theory, suggests a darker direction for the story. Frustratingly, Little Miss Sunshine screenwriter Michael Arndt is all too content with recycling lines and sight gags from the first two films. Oohing three-eyed Martians? Check. Buzz in space ranger mode? Yup. This is not to say the film is without its kitschy pleasures. Barbie (The Little Mermaid’s Jodi Benson) finally meets Ken (Michael Keaton, camping it up), and yes, he’s even gayer than the previews suggest; he even gets to model his fabulously tacky wardrobe. A scene showing Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) attaching his facial features to a piece of pita bread has a Tati-esque charm. Lotso’s backstory flashback even has some of the stinging heartbreak of cowgirl Jessie’s own abandonment in Toy Story 2. The overarching feeling I got watching the characters trying to get back to their owner, though, was one of creative exhaustion, as if I were watching a passable tribute band perform music from a group I was really into growing up. As crowd-pleasing examples of nineties nostalgia go, Toy Story 3 does hit a few unexpected emotional notes, particularly during the bittersweet last scene, but these are unearned tears. The rest of the time I found myself wishing for Pixar to stop playing it safe and move on, already. I think it’s time to put the toys away for good. For a more grown up perspective, you could do a lot worse than checking out Oscar-winning

Page 20 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

ARTIST MARTHA LARMIER STANDS BY A PIECE SHE CREATED ENTITLED ONE-SIXTH

animator Adam Elliot’s sweetly morbid feature debut Mary and Max, which comes out on DVD this week. The Australian “clayography” film charts the twenty-year correspondence between obese atheist Max Jerry Horovitz (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and brainy introvert Mary Daisy Dinkle, who’s only eight when she picks Max’s name at random while leafing through a New York phonebook at a suburban Melbourne library in 1976. Mary opens up about her boozy mother and her obsession with sweetened condensed milk; Max writes back with stories about living with Asperger’s syndrome and attending Overeaters Anonymous meetings. Elliot’s gray palette underscores the dreariness of the lives of these people who connect over their own miseries, and it’s bracing how Elliot, who won a 2004 Oscar for his short Harvie Krumpet, deals with alcoholism, depression, and mortality while still maintaining a lightness of touch. Elliot’s observational brand of humor, however, doesn’t always lend itself well to a feature length story. Mary and Max’s narrative could have used more spine, and the way Elliot bumps off some of his supporting characters could have been more inventive, but these are interesting, thoroughly messed up characters, the kind that showcase animation’s endless possibilities. Game on, Pixar.

MARY AND MAX

Ceramics at the Bakehouse By Marguerite Gil (megs@sunpostweekly.com) Remember when you were a kid and schools offered art programs? If you were lucky enough, your art teacher brought in some bags of clay and you got to play with the clay? Maybe you gave your mom a tiny handmade ashtray that she treasured and proudly displayed on the mantle? Well sadly, there aren’t too many places that offer clay classes anymore, unless…you become a member of The Ceramic League of Miami, Inc. in SW Dade. The League was founded in 1950 with the goal of educating local artists and promoting the ceramic arts in South Florida. Today it is a volunteer, non-profit organization whose members learn from each other and from nationally recognized visiting artists. Members of the League reach out into the community by demonstrating at schools, and local events. The 60th Members’ Exhibition took place at the Bakehouse Art Complex recently and included works by created by some local talents including artists such as Ellie Schneiderman. The exhibition was juried by Susan Filley, who is a visiting ceramicist and who in her Juror’s statement wrote, “…I like a piece that talks to me. I like a pot that tells me how to use it, a sculptural piece that tells me something, that tells a story or is in some way compelling or evokes emotion. This can also be that the work shows some personality, something strong and distinctive about the maker and A CERAMIC WHEEL-TURNED, END TABLE BY the piece.” ELLIE SCHNEIDERMAN On view in the Main Gallery, works by 34 ceramic artists which include functional pieces as well as an interesting array of both sculptural and figurative creations. While you’re there, you might want to visit the 60 plus artists ateliers that are open to the public. The Backhouse Art Complex, 561 NW 32 St., Miami. The show will run through June 28. Details: bakehouseartcomplex.org and ceramicleaguemiami.org.


Bound

a

COLUMN

An Epic Song of War Karl Malantes’ Matterhorn is One Bloody Battle Hymn

WHILE STEVE HANNAGAN WAS A BIG BELIEVER IN THE USE OF BEAUTIFUL AND SEXY YOUNG WOMEN TO PROMOTE MIAMI BEACH....

By John Hood The creation story has now become legend. Karl Marlantes, a highly decorated Marine Corps second lieutenant, returns from the front lines in Vietnam and vows to write the proverbial Great American Novel. “I sat down and pounded it out manically in first person,” he told Steven Kurutz of The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy. “It was pure psychotherapy, psychodump. That helped fix in my mind a lot of details. But it was not fiction.” Unhappy with the results, Marlantes “started over again. That second version was about 1,200 pages in the ‘70s.” But no one wanted to publish the book. Over the intervening years, while raising a family and engaged in a career, Marlantes would “get interested in [the book] again and work on [it] for a good period.” “There were times when I’d get more intensely interested,” he continues. “I’d make a run at getting it published. Then I’d get 20 rejection letters, get frustrated and say the heck with it. Then a few years would go by and I’d make another run at it.” Then El Leon Literary Arts outta Berkeley decides to take a chance on Marlantes. They print a small run of his novel and it comes to the attention of Morgan Entreken at Atlantic Monthly Press, who suggests teaming up with the boutique West Coast publisher for a wider distribution. The book gets a second, more thorough edit, and hits the racks anew. Sebastian Juenger, gives the novel a glowing recommendation on the front page of The New York Times Book Review, 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft raves about in Newsweek, Alan Cheuse concurs with the two on NPR, and Marlantes finds himself on The New York Times Bestseller List. The entire process takes 30 years. Yes, you read correctly. Thirty years. Three decades of writing and rewriting; of having hope spring eternal only to be dashed again and again. Thirty years of frustration, of patience and dedication. Thirty years of not giving up. By now you may know the book is called Matterhorn (El Leon/Atlantic Monthly $24.95), and, as its name implies, it is a mountain of a story. It’s also one of the bloodiest, grungiest and most beautiful books you’ll ever read. Named after the hilltop firebase outpost Bravo Company’s Fifth Marine Division builds, holds, abandons and retakes all over the course of a couple weeks, Matterhorn is one of those tales that are epic not so much because of any historical sweep, but because of their humanity. It’s the intimacy of men facing death, and the details of the lives while they’re doing so. Details, I probably need not add, that God is nowhere near.

The tale is told from the perspective of a young Ivy League second lieutenant named Waino Mellas, who goes from second-guessing his nearly every move to becoming the kinda hardcore battle veteran platoons of men can and do respect. Mellas and his division are pushed well beyond any reasonable limits of endurance – blood-sucked by leeches, ridden with jungle rot, hobbled by immersion foot, terrorized by tigers, mortared, fragged, shot at, and, perhaps most viciously, starved and set up to die by a drunk Lieutenant Colonel who seeks only his own advancement. Yet through it all they manage to achieve a certain grace, a grace that can only come from the bonds between men who know too well what it is to experience “the last hour of that brief mystery called life.” At nearly 600 pages Matterhorn is, as I said, a mountain of a story. But it’s one so gripping that you don’t mind scaling its heights – or plumbing its depths. I picked it up in the evening and was finished by noon the next day. And in between I felt all the tedium and fear and fatigue and frustration felt by Mellas and his men. More importantly, I felt the love that held them together, even after some of them were dead. The 65-year-old Marlantes told Kurutz had Matterhorn “been published when I first wanted it to be, it wouldn’t have been half the book it is today,” suggesting, perhaps, that it’s those three decades of perspective and perseverance that has given it some wisdom. Having not read the earlier version I’ve no idea. I do know this: he’s come up with something that’s breathtaking and heartfelt and wise beyond anybody’s years. That it took thirty of them to do so only makes it all the more remarkable.

ABOVE: HAROLD GARDNER, USING HIS TIES WITH WALTER WINCHELL, HY GARDNER AND OTHER NEW YORK AND MIAMI COLUMNISTS, ATTEMPTED TO DO MORE TO FEATURE THE GREAT NAMES OF THE TIME WHO FREQUENTED THE BEACH. SHOWN HERE, FROM LEFT, ARE SAM "DUKE" STERLING, OWNER OF THE EMBERS ON 22ND STREET, HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION ROCKY MARCIANO AND FAMED AND BELOVED MAITRE' D MARIO TALUCCI. (PHOTO BY ALLEN MALSCHICK).

A Special Moment in Time

Publicizing Miami Beach By Seth H. Bramson (seth@sunpostweekly.com) As I wrote in Sunshine, Stone Crabs and Cheesecake: The Story of Miami Beach, there have been more words written about Miami Beach then any other city of comparable size in American history. That unlimited and unending verbiage is due, to no small extent, to the work of three individuals in particular and many others in general. The three in particular would be, as one can easily understand, Miami Beach’s three great publicists, the first of whom was under contract with the city for a number of years while the other two were city employees. As has been discussed in this column previously, the first of the great publicists was the inimitable Steve Hannagan. Based in New York, Hannagan would not only make Miami Beach a household name but would do the same for Las Vegas. When the city terminated Hannagan’s personal services contract, it turned to the late Hank Meyer to continue Hannagan’s work. Indeed, Meyer did so with a vengeance, becoming a nationally recognized name in publicity and public relations. Meyer, whose children would grow up on Miami Beach and go to Miami Beach High, had a somewhat different viewpoint regarding “cheesecake”—the beautiful girls in bathing suits which Hannagan had depended upon to build up Miami Beach’s business—and turned to glamorization of the sun, the beaches, the hotels and “the beautiful people” who were, by then, vacationing on the beach. Eventually, Meyer left the city to form his own P R firm, Hank Meyer Associates and for several years the city’s publicity department essentially “ran itself.” That proving inadequate, the city decided that a “name” was again needed, and that name was Harold Gardner. Harold (not to be confused with Hy, the New York newspaper gossip columnist) went to work for the late and unlamented Ben Novack prior to the opening of the Fontainebleau. Whether or not there is any truth to the story that Harold was introduced to Ben by none other than the late Morris Lapidus is something that will have to, at least for now, remain in the either, as with all parties no longer extant, there is simply no way for the story to be confirmed or denied, even by Lapidus’s clone. Gardner became one of the best known P R people in the country, and, with his connections in New York and Florida, working full time for Novack, essentially made certain that the Fontainebleau would became a national household name. Time and the tides would take their toll, however, and Novack, going into bankruptcy, would be replaced by the guy who bought the hotel, indeed, he a worthy successor to the vile Novack legacy. With the ‘bleau becoming a Hilton hotel, numerous changes were made and Gardner would leave the hotel to become director of the newly renamed Miami Beach News Bureau. For some years, Gardner did a fine job with what he had. Unfortunately, what he had was a city with a tourism industry in terrible decline. Novack, nasty, uncouth and vulgar though he was, should be credited for and with one insightful and to this day valid comment: when the city council placed on its agenda a vote for or against allowing apartment houses to be built north of the Eden Roc, Novack said: “If you allow the building of apartment houses north of the Eden Roc, you will be voting for the end of the hotel and resort business on Miami Beach.” www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 21


The 411

Micheal Capponi and Shareef Malnik at the unveiling of the new Forge Facade

Shareef Malnik cuts the ribbon with Micheal Capponi, Commissioner Michael Gongora and Chef Dewey Losasso looking on

Shareef Malnik with Commissioner Michael Gongora

Nick DAnnunzio at the Forge unveiling

COLUMN

Tah Dah! A Launch and Unveiling By Mary Jo Almeida-Shore maryjoshore@sunpostweekly.com Photos by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Band Passion Pit with Jesse Metcalf at their concert after party at Coco de Ville.

Sandford Ziff with his award at the Serving the Arts Luncheon

George Neary and Laura at the Serving the Arts Luncheon

On Friday night, over 700 guests joined hosts Michael Capponi and Eric Milon at SET nightclub for the official launch party of the internationally acclaimed website, Miami Socialholic sponsored by Grey Goose vodka. Miami Socialholic co-founders and partners, Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore, Maryanne Salvat and Joe Almeida, celebrated alongside hundreds of friends and family members in the opulent club, which was filled to capacity by midnight and remained that way into the wee hours. To add to the excitement, SET was transformed into Pandora, from the movie Avatar for the occasion-replete with enormous inflatable flowers and vines suspended from the ceiling, floor-to-ceiling arrangements of balloons and live plants and flowers, blue lighting, and actual Avatars (the gorgeous blue beauties mingled and danced for the crowd). Along with the Na’vi beauties, fans of the site got to watch Avatar on the club screens in 3-D (yes, those are 3-D glasses you see in the photos). Capponi, who is well-known for conceptualizing surreal themes and unforgettable experiences, proved that he is the James Cameron of over-the-top parties once again. Those of us who’ve been around for longer than we are willing to admit, were taken back to the halcyon days of Bar Room, where Capponi created incredible themes every week, which included wall-to-wall giant butterflies, Arabian themes, and nights in medieval times (to name a few)- complete with props, thousands of flowers, dancers on stilts - you name it! When asked about the idea for the launch party and a Night in Pandora, Capponi said, “We wanted to do something different that would make a real impact on the space without taking away that which makes the venue so unique. A Night in Pandora was created to transform SET into a spectacular dreamlike world. 3DX, who produced my Mad Hatter birthday this year, also did the production for Friday’s event. They did a great job bringing to life the vision and concept by adding live plants and giant inflatable

Page 22 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

props that set the mood from the moment guests walked through the front door. The response and feedback were incredible. It was definitely one of the best nights in SET’s history.” According to the publishers, Miami Socialholic which currently has readers in over 25 countries, is the up-to-the-minute premier guide about who to know and where to go on South Beach and throughout Miami, with insider access to the most exclusive parties and A-list events, including detailed accounts of invitation-only happenings from galas to openings to lunches to fashion fetes and celebrity sightings. If you have an insatiable craving for all things fun, fabulous and fashionable, you are invited to “feed your addiction” by visiting miamisocialholic.com and becoming a member!

THE FORGE’ NEW FACADE Earlier in the week, Forge owner, Shareef Malnik held an exclusive cocktail for the unveiling of the renovated facade of the Forge Restaurant Wine Bar, which was dramatically covered in white fabric. To the average observer driving by, the wrapped building may have resembled the work of Christo and the late Jeanne-Claude (you remember, the folks who wrapped the islands in Biscayne Bay a few decades back). A gorgeous sunset served as the backdrop for this momentous streetside affair, during which Miami Beach commissioner Michael Gongora presented Malnik with a Proclamation and Key to the City and shared that he held his first victory party at the Forge a few years ago. Malnik followed with a touching speech in which he told guests that he considers the $10 million renovation a “labor of love and the result of fine work.” He said that the Forge has a sense of community and that he is touched by the support of the community throughout the years. Malnik closed with “I consider it a responsibility to serve you and feed you.” He then invited several


Aylin Brenna & Meredith Mulligan at the Luca Luca reception

Lauren Gnazzo, Meredith Mulligan, Mckenzie, & Conigliaro at at the Luca Luca reception for Haute Living

people who were instrumental in “Forge of the future” to join him for the ribbon cutting and unveiling, including Chef Dewey Losasso and Michael Capponi, whose company, the Capponi Group was critical to the project. A collective, “Wow!” emanated from the crowd as Malnik pulled the enormous cover off of the façade of the building, which boasts a neoclassical design and seems to glow, illuminating 41st Street. Christo and Jeanne-Claude once stated that “the purpose of their art, is simply to create works of art or joy and beauty and to create new ways of seeing familiar landscapes.” With the renovation of the Forge Wine Bar, Malnik has done just that.

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS: Malinka Max flanked by models at Luca Luca Jo Harris, Cristina Rice Rice, Alison Zhuk at Luca Luca

Above: Alonzo Mourning and Dwayne Wade at the Be A Pro Publix sweepstakes event. Below: fans waiting for autographs.

MITCHELL ZAKS/MAGICAL PHOTO

Cristina Rice, Jamie Jo Harris, Meredith Mulligan, Malinka Max & Alison Zhuk

PHOTOS:

Cristina Aguilera and Kim Kardashian celebrated the bachelorette party of celeb stylist, Simone Harouche at LIV on Friday night. NBA Champs, Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning hosted a meet and greet and autograph signing at Publix on Saturday for the “Be A Pro With Zo & D. Wade Sweepstakes Presented by Publix. Consumers had the opportunity to win and be a part of Seminole Hard Rock Presents The Summer Groove with Zo and D. Wade (July 14-18, ) weekend of fun with an “Enter To Win” sweepstakes. Fans lined up as early as 5 a.m. Once inside, they were treated to music, raffles, giveaways, and product sampling from participating partners. Several fans took advantage of the opportunity to try to convince Wade, whose contract expires this year with the Miami Heat, to stay in Miami. On Sunday night, Passion Pit performed in Miami Beach and hosted their after party at Coco de Ville. The members of the band took turns hitting the DJ booth while fan Jesse Metcalf enjoyed vodka cocktails with them at their VIP table. Michael Jordan was at JB Kitchen & Bar on Sunday night watching the NBA finals. Michael told restaurant staff that he loved the place and said he’s coming back later this week to watch the World Cup. Miami Heat basketball player Udonis Haslem was surprised when he walked through the doors of Play Nightclub Friday night and was greeted by more than 800 friends and family members who threw him a surprise party to celebrate his 30th birthday. Among the many guests who attended were his girlfriend, 3-time All American track and field star Faith Rein, basketball superstar Dwyane Wade, rapper Flo-rida; Champion boxing star Floyd Mayweather; Houston football player Andre Johnson and Tampa Bay Buccaneer E.J. Biggers. Biggers is Udonis’ first cousin and shares his birthday, so there was cake at the party for him also.

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 23


411

Michael Capponi and Taylor Erickson at Miami Socialholic Launch party at SET

Team Miami Socialholic Maryanne Salvat, Joe Almeida, Mary Jo Shore at the Launch party at SET

Snugling in a big red chair at the Miami Socialholic Launch party at SET

Marysol Patton, Phillipe Pautesta at Miami Socialholic Launch party

Yuli and Frank Medina and Maria Torres at Miami Socialholic Launch party at SET

Janat Qureshi, Maryanne Salvat, Jenny May, Susan Fernandez, Mary Jo Shore, Mary Pinero and Maria Torres at Miami Socialholic Launch party at SET

Page 24 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

Rachel Mishner and guest with Matt Heien and Bridgette Grosjean

Michael Shore flanked by two Na’vi beauties at SET


GO! UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS

Goal!!!! By Mary Jo Almeida-Shore maryjoshore@sunpostweekly.com

VINYL & KAI Vinyl & Kai, Miami Beach’s newest upscale dive bar, is opening its doors to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Taking advantage of its casual vibe and captivating interior, Vinyl & Kai intends on magnifying the experience of watching a soccer match and becoming Miami Beach’s headquarters for the World Cup. There will be four massive high definition projection screens to ensure that everyone has a front row stadium view, and two high definition televisions giving different angles of the game. Vinyl & Kai also has traditional game day food and beverages with specials.

LUCKY STRIKE LANES & LOUNGE Lucky Strike wants guests to score big during this year’s FIFA World Cup morning matches. For $8 per person, Lucky Strike will offer an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, a special only available during “soccer season.” Fill up on breakfast comfort-food favorites like scrambled eggs, French Toast, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Home Fries, Croissants and Fresh Fruit. With the bar opening at 8 a.m. wash it down with more than just coffee and orange juice, Bloody Mary specials will be available for $5.

SUSHISAMBA Soccer fanatics with an appetite for gaming can end their search for the perfect place to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. Now through July 11, SUSHISAMBA dromo will score big with all soccer matches projected onto the big screen, servers donned in their favorite team jerseys, and specialty food and cocktails inspired by the flavors of Japan, Brazil and Peru. World Cup specials thoughtfully prepared by Chef De Cuisine, Juliana Gonzalez, include seven assortment selections, anticuchos and a World Cup roll with dishes starting at $6. Drink specials will be offered as well. To further support the culinary roots of SUSHISAMBA, soccer enthusiasts are encouraged to samba on over for the Brazilian games one June 15, 20 and 25 and enjoy live

performances by dancers and drummers. Stay tuned for final fun with a charity kick-a-thon slated to take place on July 10. The kicka-thon will raise money for the Minority Soccer Development.

CARE FOR KIDS On Thursday June 17th Jeff Berardelli, weatherman from CBS4, is hosting a fundraiser on behalf of The Children’s Cancer Caring Center (CCCC). The event will be at Bar 721 (721 Lincoln Lane) just off of Lincoln Road on South Beach from 6-10 p.m. A $20 donation includes open bar courtesy of Finlandia vodka and food courtesy of Tacontento. All proceeds go to benefit the CCCC, a south Florida children’s cancer charity celebrating 45 years. For more information on the charity please visit ChildrensCancerCaringCenter.com.

DON’T WORRY, TACO HAPPY Tacontento touted as an “authentic Mexican taquería” opens on Friday, June 18. The full-service restaurant presents fresh and vibrant Mexican cuisine in a welcoming, fun and festive environment. Tacontento combines the quality of high-end Mexican restaurants with the quick service and lively atmosphere of fast-causal spots. Translated as “be happy” in English, Tacontento shares its passion for the Mexican food experience with its careful, artisanal preparations of authentic recipes. Everything served at Tacontento is handmade with fresh ingredients - no preservatives, no can openers and no freezers! The South Beach location serves as the first domestic outpost and flagship for the franchise. The family-owned “franchise with personality” began in the late ‘90s with a taco stand in Guatemala City, Guatemala and has now grown to include over 14 restaurants in Latin America: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil, Panama and Mexico. Tacontento is located at 715 N. Lincoln Lane, in Miami Beach. For more information, call 305.673.1552 or visit www.tacontento.com.

WHO KILLED THE KING? COREY MICHAELS! Miami-based recording artist Corey Michaels will celebrate his debut album, Who Killed the King? with an exclusive performance at Miami Beach nightclub SCORE on Friday, June 18 at 10 p.m. Corey will perform tracks from Who Killed the King? as part of the popular Friday night party, “Filthy Gorgeous.” The album is described as a fusion of American pop music with Eurodance sounds as each song is a pulsating club banger. Guests can expect a wild set that is sure to entertain the crowd. For more information on Corey Michaels, please visit www.coreymichaels.com or find him on Facebook. Fans can also follow him on Twitter at @coreymichaels. SCORE is located at 727 Lincoln Road. Admission is free before 11 p.m., $8 cover charge for guests arriving after 11 p.m. but if you RSVP to coreymichaels411@gmail.com you will get in free until 1:30 a.m.

DOMINO DANCING Amigos for Kids presents its highly-anticipated annual fundraiser, the ING Miami Celebrity Domino Night on Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m. at Jungle Island. Expect a buzzing domino club, live entertainment, dinner-by-the-bite by Miami’s most prominent chefs and restaurants, open bar courtesy of Bacardi U.S.A., and a stellar silent auction featuring Cuban art, sports memorabilia and much more. One more thing: be sure to wear comfortable shoes- the dancing goes all night at this party! Tickets cost $150 in advance and $175 at the door. Domino tables for four are priced at $1,000 each. Proceeds from tickets and domino tables will benefit Amigos For Kids. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call Amigos For Kids™ at 305-279-1155 or visit www.amigosforkids.org. For a recap of last year’s Celebrity Domino Night, go to: miamisocialholic.com

Watch the World Cup Game from 7am onwards at these well-known, popular spots around Miami.

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 25


Society

Women of Distinction & Caring (l to r) Jennifer Valoppi, Tracy Mourning, Marlene Berg, Melanie Cohen, Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle

Plaza Health Network Honors The 2010 Women of Distinction & Caring The third annual Women of Distinction & Caring Luncheon celebrated the 2010 “Fabulous Five” who have devoted their time, talent and resources to enriching South Florida’s community organizations. A lavish silent auction of 100 items and champagne reception, enjoyed by 300 ladies and gentlemen, preceded the elegant luncheon at which the 2010 Women of Distinction & Caring were honored. Introduced by a video, each honoree spoke about their passion for and commitment to service and the important role volunteers play in growing and sustaining organizations that make a difference in our lives and impact our community for years. The Honorees are connected through their service be it volunteerism by mentoring the future generation who may be our caregivers, by communicating our message via the internet, or by raising funds for research, and to find cures for Diabetes and Cancer. The inspiring afternoon was co-chaired by the previous years’ honorees: Josefina Carbonell, Diana Gonzalez, Schatzi Kassal, Sandra Levy, Diane Magnum, The Honorable Carrie Meek, Heather Rohan, Sandra a. Sears, Victoria Villalba and Sonja Zuckerman. Proceeds from the luncheon will support services to over 900 residents of the Plaza Health Network, 8 Award Winning Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Centers located in neighborhoods throughout Miami-Dade County. For further information or to schedule a tour, please call 305-917-0418; www.plazahealth.org Page 26 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

Josefina Carbonell, Jorge Plasencia, Elizabeth Beracasa, Norma Quintero


Emcee Michael Aller, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Joyce Galbut, Jill Herzberg, Swanee DiMare, Dr. William Zubkoff

Elsie Howard and Sandy Levy, 2009 Woman of Distinction & Caring

Diane and Aristotle Ares and Harriet Shapiro

Blanca Parets, Linda Manzini, Murray Rubin, Elaine Adler, Michael Aller, Dr. William Zubkoff

Jean Luis Fatio, Eva Kubicek, Joyce Galbut, Ingrid Fatio and guests from Switzerland

Melanie Cohen, Becky Delaster, Sonja Zuckerman, 2008 Woman of Distinction & Caring, and Dr. Jodie Stoner

Schatzi Kassal, 2009 Woman of Distinction & Caring and Melanie Cohen

Hildine Potashnick and Alma Hernandez

Martha Mishcon, Josephine Baker, Betty Brandt, Madeline and Herbert Hillsberg

Elizabeth Beracasa, Christian de Berdouare and his son Jordan, and Swanee DiMare

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 27


Rachelle Kaminski, Barbara Schwartz, Barbara Sugerman, Dolores Wolf, Ellie Ager, Louise Gutjar

The Berg Family

Kathleen Mello, Hilda Baldwin, Karen Kirby, Mayolin Canizares

Dorothy St. Jean, Sallie Byrd, Alice Fisher

Page 28 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com

“Legal Eagles”: Judge Flora Seff, Honorable Katherine Rundle, Monica Gordo, Judge Rosemary Barkett

Barbara Stanton

Dr. William Zubkoff, Rafael Nodal, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Julio Rebull, Norma Jean Abraham

Helene Kovens, Michelle Sadkin, Amanda del Duca


Swanee DiMare, Jennifer Valoppi, Michael Aller, Marisa Toccin

Jerry Levine, Marlene Berg, Dr. William Zubkoff

Charlie Cinnamon, Aaron Glickman, Myra Wexler enjoy a laugh

Wendie Nemeroff, Pedro del Campo, Karlene Peyton, Max Rothman

Alice Fisher, Sharon Leblang, Elizabeth Beach, Melanie Cohen

Billy Joel, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Sandra Joel, Cliff Schulman

Barbara Schwartz, Trudy Gold, Judy Richman

Dr. William Zubkoff, Joyce Galbut, Alan Randolph, Desiree Sebastian

Rita Morgan, Angel Arrooyo and Reggi Armstrong

www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 29


Style TRENDS

The 2010 FIFA World Cup: From the Field of Fashion By Jennifer Fragoso (jennifer@sunpostweekly.com) The 2010 FIFA World Cup games have begun. Thirty-two teams and sixty-four matches in the month long soccer celebration, which is expected to be the most watched television event in history. With so many ways to watch between satellite, network and on line options the only real question left to ask is, what are you going to be wearing to cheer on your favorite your team? Here are a few options for you to choose from. Leave it to the Futbol fans at Havaianas to give fashioistas footwear options to show their favorite team support during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Whether you support the host team of South Africa or our home team USA. Havaianas has sandals for men and women at around $24.00. Log on to havaianas.com to find a store near you that sells these Limited Edition 2010 Team products. FIFA.com is getting in on the fashion action serving up everything from banners, mugs and duds. Log on to fifa.com and click on the shopping cart to gain entrance into the store to make your selection. ENGLAND SOCCER GYMSACK (RED) World Soccer Shop is another option. From $15.99 Rooney to Rinaldo they’ve got something for every fan-atic out there. Log on to worldsoccershop.com to check out all of the team gear you want to wear when you watch these historic games.

LEFT: WHETHER YOU SUPPORT THE HOST TEAM OF SOUTH AFRICA OR OUR HOME TEAM USA. HAVAIANAS HAS SANDALS FOR MEN AND WOMEN AT AROUND $24.00. BELOW: SOUTH AFRICA FLAG SOCCER BRACELET $11.99.

ADIDAS WORLD CUP 2010 JABULANI OFFICIAL SOCCER MATCH BALL $149.99

LOUIS VUITTON FUTBOL MONOGRAM HEXAGONE BANDOULIÈRE DUFFEL WITH QUILTED HEXAGON PATTERN. $5,100. LOUISVUITTON.COM.

ABOVE LEFT: WORLD SOCCER T-SHIRT (GRAY) $16.99. ABOVE: 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP USA MEN'S T- (RED) SHIRT $24.95

Page 30 • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • SunPost Weekly • www.sunpostweekly.com


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www.sunpostweekly.com • SunPost Weekly • Thursday, June 17, 2010 • Page 31


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