throughout the Miami area, California Closets is making their next major move.
stroll through the annual Orchids in Bloom festival that took root in the community this year.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU
Our personal injury law firm has obtained in excess of a billion dollars in verdicts and recoveries for clients and is recognized as a leader in plaintiffs’ personal injury and wrongful death, class actions, mass torts, and other areas of litigation
Colson Hicks Eidson, one of Miami’s oldest and most accomplished law firms, is considered among the top trial firms in the United States, having won hundreds of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for its clients.
–Chambers USA, 2022
WHAT WE PROVIDE WHO WE HAVE HELPED
Our personal injury lawyers have a long history of serving individuals, groups of individuals and businesses in a wide range of lawsuits. Our trial attorneys are highly regarded for their depth of legal experience, responsiveness to client concerns and ethical tactics, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Our law firm receives respect throughout the legal community, which recognizes Colson Hicks Eidson for its various distinguished achievements.
We are or have been actively engaged in the following and many other cases:
• Takata Airbags MDL
• Champlain Plaza
• Allergan Biocell MDL
• Monat Marketing MDL
• Parkland Shootings
• Elmiron Eye Injury MDL
• 3M Combat Earplugs MDL
• BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
• Ford Firestone MDL
• Toyota Sudden Acceleration MDL
• Zantac MDL
• Camp LeJeune Contamination Claims
aANOTHER DOOR OPENS
APRIL COMES FROM the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open.” It evokes the process of planting seeds in one month and watching the flowers bloom in the next. This month, we are opening ourselves to new possibilities in our work and in the way we approach life. Our cover star Julie Shvedyuk of California Closets told us about her new Miami showroom, but she also has opened a new phase of her life: becoming a wife and a mom. I won’t make a corny joke here about opening and closing closet doors, but I will say that her story with the company sets the stage for new possibilities.
We stopped by the Orchids in Bloom festival at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and captured the whimsical nature of rare flowers. There were opportunities to buy some, purchase garden art or even join the Orchid Society of Coral Gables.
Events like that make me want to work harder at my own passions—one of them being reading. It was probably on your list of New Year’s resolutions to read more, just like mine, and it’s never too late to start. There are some great recommendations from Rochelle B. Weinstein to please even the pickiest reader in this issue, so check out which one has the juiciest plot. Staying open to new things means trying it out without that initial judgment we all make.
Looking at things from a new angle can be refreshing, so that’s how I’m approaching this April. We could stay the same and be comfortable, or step out into newness, wondering what the possibilities will be.
Morgan C. Mullings Editor
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Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Editor
Morgan C. Mullings
Columnists
Gerry Barker Uma A. Peña-Cabrera
Rochelle B. Weinstein
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AQUA Pinecrest magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Pinecrest and surrounding areas of South Florida, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.
PHOTOGRAPH
THE MOST EXQUISITE Expression of Home
Set amidst the pristinely landscaped streets and refined energy of Coral Gables, directly across from The Plaza, this exclusive 58-boutique building offers luxurious 2-5 bedroom residences. Each home is thoughtfully designed and curated by the renowned Meyer Davis, blending contemporary luxury with old world charm.
GERRY BARKER
Gerry’s two passions are writing and travel. Atlanta-born and Texas-raised, he left an award-winning media career to see the world. Today, he maintains a website, North Palm Beach Life, and works as a freelance travel writer. Follow his adventures every month in Wanderlust
UMA A. PEÑA-CABRERA
Raised in New Jersey by Dominican parents, Uma got her start after graduating as a first-generation student in Sri Lanka volunteering in the mental health sector. In 2022, Uma moved to Miami to pursue her second degree in fashion design. She transitioned into fashion writing, contributing to Fashion Talk and Istituto Marangoni Miami. As a contributor, Uma intends to highlight local artists in the community achieving extraordinary things. When she’s not writing, Uma loves to design clothing, upcycling garments and advocating for sustainability. Follow her on Instagram @curatedbythelab.
ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN
Rochelle is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of seven novels. When not writing, she is sharing book recommendations on the online literary magazine Women Writers, Women’s Books; teaching workshops at Nova Southeastern University; hiking; reading; and finding the world’s best nachos. Her eighth novel, We Are Made of Stars, released in February of 2025.
Unwind in ELEGANCE
The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa receives high praise for its extensive high-end spa treatments.
BY GERRY BARKER
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT your destination and a well-dressed gentleman greets you with a glass of champagne, you know what comes next is going to be special.
Welcome to the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, a Forbes Five-Star Award winner for almost 10 years and recognized as Florida’s top resort for five years running in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
A FLORIDA GEM
Located in the small beach community of Manalapan, some 12 miles south of Palm Beach, the 309-room resort sits on seven lush acres along the Atlantic Ocean. For
those seeking a luxury getaway, it offers the ultimate experience in pampering and relaxation. Boasting a classic cream and red Mediterranean style design, the property features two ocean-facing pools, dining, three tennis courts, a fitness/wellness center and a five-star rated 42,000-square-foot spa.
The guest rooms and interiors were designed by famed interior designer Jonathan Adler, creating a feeling of relaxed elegance with a beachy vibe, utilizing the resort’s signature colors—hydra blue and spearmint green.
There are several dining options, including the first Nobu restaurant in Palm Beach, Nobu Manalapan, which debuted last October. In a press release, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa said “Being one of Palm Beach’s most famed oceanfront resorts, Eau Palm Beach is the perfect location.” Executive Chef Neall Bailey echoed his excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to host such an esteemed brand at Eau Palm Beach. The feedback and support from both locals and guests have been overwhelmingly positive. It’s an exciting chapter for us, and we are optimistic that this partnership will continue to thrive.”
The resort also hosts the second edition
of the Greenwich, Connecticut-based restaurant, Polpo (Italian for “octopus”), specializing in Italian dishes and seafood inspired by the owner’s native roots in Calabria, Italy. There’s also the elegant and upscale steakhouse, Angle, as well as Breeze Ocean Kitchen, Savor, and an ice
cream shop called MELT, which also offers a convenient cart station in the lobby.
ALL-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS
Guests staying in one of the Eau Club rooms have the use of the Club Lounge, staffed by a private concierge and featuring complimentary food and beverage service, separate check-in and check-out, plus daily pressing and VIP pool services. For younger guests, they offer special programs that include Loggers for children three to 12 and Hide Away Teens for ages 13 to 17.
If you really want the most indulgent experience, go to the resort’s crown jewel, the highly-rated Eau Spa where there is 42,000 square feet of decadence. Visually stunning, with its own large “Self-Centered” garden escape, it features 19 treatment rooms, a beauty salon and private villas. Among the many treatment options is The Perfect Champagne and Caviar Couples Journey, which the resort advertises as an opportunity to “command everything from the color of the room to the style of music as you sip champagne and feed one another caviar in the repose
Opposite page: The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa lobby living room. This page, above: Spa gardens. Below: Beach spa rainforest.
of your own private garden villa. Enjoy a heavenly 90-minute Signature Massage, 60-Minute Essence Facial, 60-Minute Classic Pedicure, 30-Minute Classic Manicure and 60-Minutes of Private Garden Villa time to bathe, shower and embrace. Spoil your sweetheart in a private wonderland.”
Where do we sign up?
AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY
As you stroll the resort’s 3,000-squarefoot oceanfront terrace, you may notice a sign that says, “La Coquille Club—Private Members Only.” That speaks to the resort’s history. The original La Coquille Club was built by Spelman Prentice, a grandson of John D. Rockefeller, on the resort’s current
site in the 1950s as a luxury retreat for prominent families and socialites. Under new ownership in the 1970s, it was expanded with the addition of villas. In 1977, the US presidential yacht Sequoia was auctioned at the La Coquille Club.
After several ownership changes, the site was eventfully sold to Ritz Carlton, and the private club was reopened in 1991 as part of the hotel where it remains today. The property was purchased by the Lewis family in 2003 and rebranded as Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in 2013.
Last August, it was announced that billionaire and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison acquired the resort. Ellison is no stranger to Manalapan. In 2022, he bought a 22-acre property there for $173 million, reported to be “the most expensive
home sale in Florida history.” Through all the changes, it was stipulated that the property maintains the La Coquille Club.
A BRIGHT FUTURE
Looking ahead to 2025, General Manager Tim Nardi said: “Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa takes pride in guest programming that caters to every type of traveler from chef tasting menus at Angle to live music, tennis lessons to full moon Chakra sessions, reptile shows to cocktail tastings, Eau offers something for everyone.”
Whether you decide to treat yourself to the spa or reserve one of the private cabanas by the Atlantic, the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa has a glass of champagne with your name on it waiting at the entrance.
The Breeze Ocean Kitchen restaurant.
The Melody Haunts My REVERIE
In a new exhibition, filmmaker and visual artist Dennis Scholl evokes reminiscence at the Piero Atchugarry Gallery.
BY UMA A. PEÑA-CABRERA
IF GIVEN THE CHANCE to walk down the archives of your mind, would you perceive it as a museum of art or a hallway of mundane amongst the echoes of the past? Awardwinning documentary filmmaker Dennis Scholl is curious to know. Born and raised in Miami, Dennis grew up enjoying the simple things in life: Spending time with family, fishing and finding constant intrigue in art, music and culture. While filmmaking has been Scholl’s driving force for most of his career, the practice of alchemizing memories through archival work has been a turning point, adding ‘visual artist’ to his repertoire. Starting March 15, Dennis is showcasing an assemblage of carefully selected historical ephemera under an exhibit titled “The Melody Haunts My Reverie” at the Piero Atchugarry Gallery in Miami. His artistry reminds us that there are no limits to where your passion for art can go. Here’s what Dennis had to say about his process as a collector and artist.
When did your passion for visual art come about?
I’ve been collecting visual art for over 40 years now. I started to collect things generally when I was five. I collected milk bottle tops, then stamps, coins, then I collected baseball cards. In my early twenties, I began to collect contemporary art and acquired a lot of contemporary art over the years. When I began to think about having a visual art practice, I needed to do something in the practice that was authentic to me. One thing I had a lot of experience in was collecting, so I knew I wanted to create a practice that created art with the aggregation of objects, or the collection of objects.
What is your process within this practice?
I look at tens of thousands of objects at auctions online every month. Maybe I will find ten that I think could make a great work of art. I bid on those objects at the auctions and maybe I will get one or two. Those then become the works of art. There’s a sense of completeness you get when you build a body
of objects that, together, mean more than the individual parts. I feel that when I work. It’s a very soothing response when you collect. You are in this state of flow. It’s a state where time slows down. Everything seems very clear. You can’t order it up like a pizza, you have to let it come to you.
How do you figure out what’s worth showing as a collection? What draws you to these selections?
I don’t go into the looking process with a preconceived notion that I am going to make a collection about “this” or “that.” I go into the looking process and let the pieces that
Scholl creates pieces using an assortment of historical ephemera, such as rare newspapers, magazines, books and photos.
are at auctions wash over me like a big tidal wave of objects. Every now and then I see something that makes me go, “That could be interesting!” and I chase that object. I don’t always get the object, which is difficult. I normally get one or two a month that I am able to find and acquire to turn into the works of art that comprise my practice.
What was your process for the Piero Atchugarry Gallery exhibition?
Since this is my first show in my hometown of Miami, I wanted this show to be a broader, kind of survey show. Showing the breadth of the kind of work that I want to make. So, there is a floor sculpture, a hanging sculpture and a number of works that are on the wall. Some of the work involves newspapers,
others are archival photographs, there’s a piece that has sound to it. For me, the show is a survey on what I’ve been working on for the last five years, and, because it’s my hometown, I really want to show the breadth of what I’ve been doing and the various ways of thinking about how the archival work can be displayed. Especially in thinking about your collective memories: How could we display the art? There’s a lot of different decisions that go into each individual display because they are not all the same.
What did you want the audience to take away from the exhibit?
What is your most vivid collective memory—a memory you share with the country, [the] world? I’m trying to ask people to re-explore these very big moments in history that I experienced in many cases. Some are just things we learned in school, but many of them were things you experienced specifically. That’s my goal with the show, I want you to come back to “Oh yeah, that! I remember that! I remember what I was wearing, what I was doing.”
The show is a way of mirroring your feelings about history.
Learn more about Dennis Scholl and his work via his website schollcreative.com
Untitled (Glove), 2024, recounts the death of Michael Jackson through newspapers that reported the event in a dodecagon shape.
April Reads to Ring in Spring
Spend more time in the sunshine with books that are a breath of fresh air.
BY ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN
SPRING IS UPON US, which means new chapters and fresh beginnings. As the days grow longer, it’s the perfect time to get lost inside an array of breezy pages. Whether you’re looking for a heartfelt romance, a suspenseful thriller with lots of laughs, a trip through the friendly skies or the nostalgia of a Barbie doll, this month’s lineup is sprinkled with fun and joy—just like Spring.
JANE AND DAN AT THE END OF THE WORLD
by Colleen Oakley
Oakley is an auto-buy author for me having tackled everything from moving love stories and unlikely friendships to quirky communities and loveable characters. In her latest, she has taken the best of all her books—comedy, romance, drama and suspense —and churned out a fast-paced, original story that will have you flipping pages. When Jane and Dan attempt an anniversary dinner at an exclusive restaurant, their plans are thwarted by a shocking hostage situation and a series of twists and turns that will keep you guessing, and reading, late into the night. This is Oakley at her best.
NEVER PLANNED ON YOU
by Lindsay Hameroff
Ali Rubin never expected the drunken bet she made in London that led to matching tattoos with a stranger would turn into anything memorable. Fast forward and Ali’s interning as a wedding planner in Baltimore and no one is more shocked than she to learn her tattoo twin, Graham, is the groom. Sparks fly, but can these two find love a second time around, all while saving a historic hotel? Hameroff sparkles with this second chance romance full of heart and plenty of laughs.
COME FLY WITH ME
by Camille Di Maio
I know you’re humming along to Frank Sinatra’s words. Add a journey back in time to the 1960s and the dawn of the jet-set era as Beverly Caldwell and Judy Goodman pursue coveted positions as Pan Am stewardesses. Told from the perspectives of both, this moving story captures the sacrifices women make for success and independence, and the powerful friendships they find along the way. Fasten your seatbelts, relax and enjoy your flight with Di Maio’s delightful pageturner, and don’t forget to read the author’s note which highlights the lengths the author went to share the stories of these courageous women.
LET’S CALL HER BARBIE
by
Renée Rosen
It’s 1956, and the toy industry is about to be disrupted by an eleven-inch doll and the woman who created her. Slip inside the Mattel building for a fascinating historical glimpse inside the blonde beauty’s birth. Rosen seamlessly blends fact and fiction as she tackles Ruth Handler’s unending passion for Barbie and the difficult challenges she faced in bringing her to market. Told through multiple points of view, readers will devour the behind-the-scenes look and the ultimate success of the doll that stole our hearts. Fun fact: RuPaul chose Let’s Call Her Barbie as his March Book Club Pick!
Find these fabulous reads and more at our local favorite Books & Books
Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of eight contemporary fiction novels, including her most recent, We Are Made of Stars A former entertainment industry executive, she splits her time between Miami and the mountains of North Carolina. When she’s not writing, she’s sharing book recommendations at literary salon Women Writers, Women’s Books, teaching workshops at Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library, hiking, reading and plotting out future stories.
California Closets debuted a new showroom in Miami Shores highlighting their best custom storage solutions.
BIGGER and Brighter Than Ever
California Closets’ expanding operation is seen in nearly every major Miami building.
BY MORGAN C. MULLINGS
W
WALKING INTO THE NEW California Closets showroom in Miami Shores is like experiencing their greatest hits—the best features for your closet all rolled into a few pristine rooms.
These days, a California Closets sale on the Miami skyline means future buyers can tour a model home with stunning built-ins that influence them to choose an apartment on the next floor.
See luxurious layouts with custom lighting in several units at Five Park in Miami Beach or find their custom cabinetry in the closets of the Mr. C Hotel in Coconut Grove. With more large-scale projects in Miami, the national design hub is eager to make new connections in the development space.
“We have a brand new 40,000-squarefoot facility, we doubled up on all the
machinery [and] all the manpower we have,” Julie Shvedyuk, vice president of operations, told AQUA Pinecrest. And though the custom closets enterprise has national locations, the Miami mainstay doesn’t outsource work. Everything is in house, from “engineering, to installers, to designers to office staff.” Clients can rest assured that their closets were manufactured down the road in Opa-locka.
California Closets Miami has become a selling point for buyers in luxury buildings. When they know the supplier is connected with the developers, they have options for discounts and can fast-track the design process.
“Most of the time, developers want to incentivize buyers to buy in their building. So, you have amenities, why not throw in, ‘If you buy this unit, at closing you have
$10,000 worth of custom storage with California Closets’?” Shvedyuk says.
Developers also have opportunities to use California Closets exclusively in the building and keep their residents happy by being prepared with designer contacts. Shvedyuk also says working with real estate agents has encouraged home sales, and, on the other hand, brought clients to California Closets after closing. “A home that has California Closets attached sells better, because it’s custom storage, it’s warrantied for a lifetime,” she says. “It’s a really nice closing gift on the realtor’s end.” While they primarily work with professional organizers, realtors, designers, developers and architects, they also have worked with influencers who often get discounts through other sponsors in a similar way.
And although professional organizers are experts in creating systems for their clients, sometimes they need a customized boost. “When you’re organizing in a space that’s not equipped for that organization,
it’s much harder,” she explained. It would be much easier in that situation to say to a client, “we have shelving, we have hanging, we have cubbies. The designated areas for everything. So it makes the organizer’s life much easier.”
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
“I think Miami is a very different market,” she says. There’s no interior design style quite like the coastal Miami style, so California Closets likes to stay on brand while engaging with trends their clients appreciate, “as much as we want to stay within the norm that’s across the country.” On the beaches, expect lots of lighting, mirrors and aluminum framing in condos and apartments where wood is the usual.
The designers know this well as many of them have been on the team for eight to 10 years. There’s no detail too small or idea too big to place in front of them, and their will to accommodate comes from an emphasis on customer service in addition to design.
“We love challenging ourselves and growing with the trends and thinking outside the box,” says Shvedyuk. Of course, the basics are still highly important to the brand.
Designers consult to the client’s specific need rather than trying to convince them to buy a specific product— one of many ways to encourage customer satisfaction. “We have a proprietary 3D CAD (computer aided design) program that is exclusive to California Closets, and using that program, with the measurements, they design with the client on site. They ask an array of questions,” Shvedyuk says. That means being able to see 3D renderings of all the options before making a purchase, down to the number of holes an adjustable partition can have.
Every client gets a complimentary consultation that includes questions like: How can we make your day easier? What do you do with your T-shirts? Do you fold them? Do you hang them?
What if you could customize your
living space to fit your exact morning routine? How much faster would you get to work if your vanity was in the perfect spot next to your jewelry? Or more importantly, if you need to make getting dressed easier on your joints, or store things safely without anyone knowing, the California Closets designers will get creative with you to make that happen. Then, communication stays constant throughout the design process, including
how the price of the installation may fluctuate based on changes.
These are things clients may not think about every day, but they need to be top of mind for the design—especially if they’ve been digging through clothes while rushing to events. “It’s really just to get to know what their style is, what they’re comfortable with and to make their day much faster,” Shvedyuk says.
She believes the team is truly like
a family, especially since the designers, not salespeople, don’t compete with one another for jobs. “We call them design consultants because they’re really there to make a difference in somebody’s home. It’s very organic. They even will explain to the client ‘I’m not trying to walk away with a sale, I’m truly here to make a difference.’
Whether they are new clients, current ones or long-time buyers, they can call and get in touch with someone at any time of day.”
Shvedyuk was originally hired at California Closets as creative marketing manager working to drive more trade partnerships in addition to marketing to homeowners. Now as vice president of operations she continues to solidify the brand’s place in Miami. Her personal life has even changed the way she looks at her work. As a new mom and newlywed, the transition helped shift her perspective on how an organized space can change your day. The care that the employees have for each other at work is a reflection of what they value in their home lives. “It’s really beautiful,” she says, “Because that’s not something you often find.”
FAIRCHILD GARDEN Delights
The annual Orchids in Bloom festival beautifully ushered in spring.
BY MORGAN C. MULLINGS
WWHAT BETTER PLACE to showcase some of the most beautiful orchids in the world than the tropical oasis of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden? The Orchids in Bloom festival this year took over the garden’s spacious landscape for two days on March 8 and 9. The 23-acre expanse has maps to guide you, but it’s better to wander around until you run into an enchanting plant you’ve never seen or a building full of multicolored butterflies.
The already magical atmosphere was multiplied by the vendors bringing their best and showing off orchids ranging from small $20 plants to $200 exotic beauties. Of course, these talented gardeners and growers brought other plants too, but orchids were the stars of this show. Good luck finding parking on that weekend—hundreds of orchid enthusiasts dragged carts from their cars on the walk to the garden gate.
ORCHID ENTHUSIASTS
With over 150,000 orchids to peruse, how does a grower choose? The Orchid Society of Coral Gables can help. They organized an impressive orchid exhibit in the Garden House and raffled off plants donated by the vendors that spanned a long walk on the eastern side of the property.
“We have monthly meetings the first Tuesday of every month, and it’s at the Garden House here at Fairchild,” says Henry Miller of the Orchid Society. “We have a beginner’s class, [and] at 7:30 p.m., there’s the main speaker.”
“Some months we have a silent auction, depending on if the speaker is brining plants for sale or not,” adds Javier Morejon. “It’s a way for people in the community who are interested in
PHOTOGRAPHS
Top: The Orchid Society’s stunning display in the Garden House. Middle: Renée Bazile of Artizana Inspired sells recycled steel drum art. Bottom left: Traditional hula dances often include crowns and leis made with orchids. Bottom right: Henry Miller explains how to join the Orchid Society.
orchids like we are to learn more about how to cultivate, how to take care of them, what works best.”
The only qualification is to be passionate about the flowers. Join for show and tell with Morejon chiming in with his expertise, bring something delicious for a potluck dinner and learn from experts and friends alike. At the meeting just before Orchids in Bloom, the Orchid Society hosted a horticulturist from the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Vizcaya’s display in the garden house was the centerpiece in a rotunda lined with tables, just three of each vendor’s best adorning them. It was an opportunity to see what an award-winning orchid looks like.
A few steps outside of the exhibit is a setup expanse on the Garden House Lawn of food, signature vanilla cocktails and hula dancing. Women in orchid flower crowns invited passersby to learn traditional moves and receive instruction from a real choreographer.
PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER
Caring for orchids isn’t up everyone’s alley, so there were plenty of art, clothing and wellness vendors that rounded out the offerings. Buyers filling out their gardens needed some decorations to match their design choices.
That’s where Renée Bazile comes in.
Camila’s garden features all types of orchids, aroids and hoyas.
The owner of Artizana Inspired home and garden decor specializes in Haitian metal wall art and has been attending the Orchids in Bloom festival for the last 10 years. Clocks and birds made of recycled steel drums may not sound like a fit at first, but the shine, colors and sheer uniqueness of the pieces fits a garden aesthetic perfectly. Plus, they’re perfect for the outdoors because they can last in the Florida humidity and heat. Bazile curates the art from a collective of artists currently in Haiti.
“I went to Haiti, a friend of mine took me to the village where they got made, and I was buying everything,” Bazile says. “I came back to Miami and my friends liked them, so I was selling them.” After that she traveled to Haiti every other month. She started when her sister passed away 15 years ago, but now she calls the artwork “part of my grieving process.”
“I am an art buyer, I am a promoter and a curator. All of the above,” she says.
The steel drums, before they were recycled, were used to hold water. You can even see the ridged mouth of the container in some of the pieces. The nature, flower and animal themes drew in passersby who ended up doing more than buying; they learned of Bazile’s Haitian heritage and her process for finding artwork that speaks to her. She connects with them on the shared aspects of their cultures and enjoys meeting people in Miami from all walks of life.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Vanilla comes from orchids.
• The plant can live for hundreds of years.
• Orchids can grow on trees, rocks and entirely underground.
• They are the most commonly grown houseplant.
“Art brings people together. People get impressed because it’s a story behind it,” Bazile says.
MORE TO SEE
After greeting the art vendors, it was easy to wander around the property and get lost in secret gardens and waterfall hideaways. The butterfly exhibit was a popular stop on the outskirts of the Garden House Lawn, but no orchids were allowed inside. On busy days at Fairchild Garden there is a line out the door to see the butterflies in their carefully crafted enclosure. It’s the perfect place to rest and watch hundreds of them flit around, looking for food left out by the staff or bothering the other beauties in the air. One of the most recognizable species was the Blue Morpho, one of the largest butterflies in the world with bright blue wings that are unmistakable even from a great distance. Despite flying in silence, their presence is palpable as soon as they are nearby.
It was weekend of family fun, friendship, food and even a wedding
during the festival. Each vendor would say the same: The best part of this event is meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends.
“Seeing everyone’s face, seeing everyone’s support, seeing everyone that I know just makes me happy,” says Andrea Vecerra of Camila’s Garden.
Camila’s Garden is a motherdaughter flower shop that specializes in rare flowers including orchids. Everyone who came to their booth left with a smile on their face, and Camila herself provided hospitality along with information about each plant. Her daughter Andrea started helping out with the business when she got pregnant.
“We have a garden in our house, we’ve been growing there for five years, and we just opened a store, luckily, in Homestead. So, it’s been an adventure,” Andrea says. Their rare plants also include philodendron, monstera and other “trending” rare plants. Overall, she is excited that the turnout was so high this year. “This show is for everyone, it’s not only for us.”
UP NORTH: Escape to Alaska
BY GERRY BARKER
WHILE WE FLORIDIANS love our surf, sand, sea and sunny weather, we all need a change of scene from time to time. Once the summer heat ramps up, one destination starts to have a special attraction: Alaska.
Double the size of Texas, it has no less than eight national parks, 29 volcanos, 3 million lakes and thousands of glaciers—a nature lover’s paradise. Post-pandemic, Alaska tourism has surged to record levels, recording over 3 million visitors at last count. A good number of those —1.7 million to be exact — arrived on cruise ships in 2024.
That’s how I got there, the only state I had never visited, traveling on Silversea’s ship Silver Nova. From April to October, some 13 cruise lines call on Alaskan ports, the busiest time
being mid-June to mid-July. It’s a great way to not only sample what Alaska has to offer but also immerse yourself in the culture and lore of the region.
Here are a few highlights from my seven days in the nation’s 49th state.
JUNEAU
The capital of Alaska since 1906, and named after a gold prospector, it hosts a population of just over 32,000. During cruise season, that swells by an additional 20,000 people daily. If you arrive by cruise ship, you’ll likely dock in the heart of the downtown historic district, where you’ll find charming storefronts, a profusion of flowers and the world-famous Red Dog Saloon.
Enter in Red Dog’s swinging doors and you’ll think you’ve stepped back in time to the Old West, where waitresses in frilly skirts serve up Alaskan amber beer against a backdrop of tunes from an old-fashioned piano player. Once a tent on the beach during the Gold Rush heyday, today it serves up history and food in equal portions. Just down the street you can hop on the Goldbelt Tram and get a bird’s eye view of the city and surrounding area as it takes you to the top of Mt. Roberts. Love Nature? Some 12 miles outside town you can view Mendenhall Glacier, formed around 3,000 years ago during the Little Ice Age. Over 13 miles in length, it has been receding since the mid-1700s. But you don’t have to rush to take that selfie.
Plan a special summer getaway with snow, forests and waterfalls.
Barring some drastic climate change event, it should be around for several more centuries.
SKAGWAY
This saltwater port city of 1,200 people was the start line for thousands seeking fame and fortune in the fabled Klondike Gold Rush. From here, prospectors had to make a harrowing, 600-mile trek to the Yukon gold fields, following steep and narrow trails while battling below-zero temperatures. Not to mention Canada required all persons entering the country to have at least a ton of supplies, enough to last the winter.
That ordeal was the genesis for the construction of The White Pass & Yukon Railroad, considered one of the world’s engineering marvels. Started in 1898, about 35,000 men used 450 tons of explosives blasting through solid rock as they
constructed tunnels, trestles and bridges over a two-year time span.
Today, the narrow-gauge railroad is a major tourist attraction, taking passengers up the mountain to White Pass Summit and the Canadian border. You’ll pass an old cemetery, mountain streams, waterfalls and scenic vistas while getting a real sense of what it’s like when Gold Fever strikes. And in case you were wondering, of the estimated 100,000 people that joined the Gold Rush, only 30,000 made it to the gold fields, where only 4,000 discovered gold.
SITKA
Located on Alaska’s Inside Passage, and accessible only by air or sea, this is a favorite stop for cruise ships. Laying claim as Alaska’s oldest city, it served as a Russian port for over 60 years before the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. Even though the population is just over 8,000, Sitka is, by land size, the largest city in the nation.
There’s a lot to see here if you love nature, history and culture. At the Alaska Raptor Center, located on the Indian River, injured wild birds, including bald eagles, are cared for and rehabilitated. Those that aren’t able to be returned to the wild become “Raptors in Residence.” While there, take the time to walk the nature trail by the river.
The Sitka National Historical Park includes the site where Russian traders fought Indigenous Alaskans to establish the settlement that would become Sitka. Here, outside the visitor center, I hiked two loop trails through a temperate rain forest
featuring soaring spruce and hemlock trees.
On the Totem Trail, you’ll encounter 18 replica and original totem poles carved by Alaska Native carvers.
KETCHIKAN
Founded in 1885, and once the “Canned Salmon Capital of the World,” the picturesque downtown area offers opportunities to shop along the surging Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the center of town. On our visit, we headed for the nearby Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, a 40-acre rainforest reserve.
On my guided hike in the Tongass—nearly 17 million acres of rainforest—I saw a profusion of flora and fauna walking among the spruce and cedars. At one point, the sharp-eyed guide spotted a banana slug and challenged me to lick it (doing so producing a numbing sensation). I’ll just take your word for it. Later, I saw bald eagles feasting on fish at one of the salmon-spawning streams and watched a Native Alaskan as he carved a totem pole.
If you take a cruise, one of the highlights is getting an up-close view of Hubbard Glacier from the sea. Located 200 miles northwest of Juneau, it spans six miles at the point where it meets the ocean. Over 400 feet high, passengers crowded the upper decks looking to get that perfect photo. As we steered through mist, fog and chunks of ice, the captain kept us at a safe distance, since you can never tell when the glacier will calve its next four-story iceberg. It’s not hard to see why so many want to experience firsthand the rugged beauty that Alaska offers. And to think, the United States bought it for less than two cents an acre.
Catch the roaring waters of Ketchikan Creek (left) or pass through downtown Juneau to see huge glaciers and blooming flowers by Red Dog Saloon (right).
Left: Nugget Creek features a waterfall just by Mendenhall Glacier, while totem poles in Ketchikan show off unique carvings.
A World of Modern and Contemporary Art
Pérez Art Museum Miami hosts exhibits and community programs that will delight as much as they inspire.
DISCOVER THE VIBRANT world of modern and contemporary art at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), a cultural gem nestled in the heart of Miami!
Renowned for its dynamic exhibitions and community-focused programs, PAMM offers visitors an immersive experience that celebrates artistic expression from around the world.
Pérez Art Museum Miami’s diverse range of exhibitions ensures that every visitor finds something inspiring. Here’s a glimpse into what’s currently on view:
• Gyula Kosice: Intergalactic (through Sept. 7, 2025) celebrates the centenary of the Argentine artist Gyula Kosice (1924 to 2016), highlighting his avant-garde work with light, motion and water, including interactive sculptures and kinetic art, and featuring his visionary installation The Hydrospatial City (1946 to 2004), which imagines floating habitats above Earth as a response to environmental and social challenges.
• José Parlá: Homecoming (through July 6, 2025) marks the artist’s return to his hometown with this solo exhibition, featuring abstract paintings that reflect his Cuban-American heritage and personal journey, especially his recovery from COVID-19.
• Narratives in Focus (through Oct. 5, 2025) is a photography exhibition showcasing artists from the Caribbean, Latin America, the US, and Africa, exploring identity, race, gender and culture through themes of memory, migration and resistance. Featuring works from the museum’s permanent collection, it invites viewers to reflect on representation and the connections between past and present, personal and collective, local and global.
In addition to world-class exhibitions, PAMM has a myriad of programs available for the whole family such as PAMM Free Second Saturdays, where art enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy complimentary admission and participate in engaging art-making activities. Held on the second
Saturday of each month, this program is designed to foster creativity and community involvement and features hands-on activities as well as guided tours, guest artists, films, performances and more. Each month presents a unique theme, often inspired by current exhibitions, ensuring an enriching experience every time.
At PAMM, there is something for everyone! The museum also boasts a waterfront dining experience, Verde restaurant and bar, with a seasonal menu. There’s also a curated museum shop, showcasing gifts by local artisans.
Pérez Art Museum Miami’s mission is to be a leader in the presentation, study, interpretation and care of international modern and contemporary art, while representing and cherishing the unique diversity of Miami-Dade. Through exhibitions and programs, the museum aims to encourage everyone to see art as an incentive for genuine human interaction, communication and exchange.
Plan your visit today! For the most current information on exhibitions and events, please visit PAMM’s official website at pamm.org.
Highlights of the Current Economic Approach
An overview of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments during Wall Street Week.
THIS IS A SUMMARY, in my opinion, of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s statements and the current White House’s economic approach under the Trump administration, as outlined in their 2025 budget and policy actions as per his interview on Wall Street Week on Feb. 28, 2025.
PHASE 1 Slowing Demand to Curb Inflation (Short-Term): The administration aims to reduce demand in the real economy to curb inflation by: reducing government employment; cutting Medicare, SNAP food assistance, school lunches and low-income housing assistance.
These cuts are expected to trigger cyclical deflation within six months, pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
PHASE 2 Increasing Supply-Side Stimulus for Economic Growth (LongTerm): These measures aim to drive economic growth without immediately fueling inflation.
• Implementing major corporate tax cuts.
• Reducing IRS oversight and corporate financial regulations to reduce taxes further.
• Deregulating industries to enhance profitability.
• Expanding energy production through policy.
This is a deliberate strategy to engineer a controlled economic slowdown followed by a stimulus-driven recovery.
KEY POINTS:
• The approach prioritizes deflationary measures for the median and lower-income groups while providing inflationary benefits to corporations and the wealthy.
• The timeline suggests a deliberate economic contraction in the near term (3 to 6 months) followed by aggressive monetary easing.
• Once demand-side cuts induce deflation, the administration plans to shift to a looser monetary policy by transitioning from Quantitative Tightening (QT) to Quantitative Easing (QE)—where the Federal Reserve buys financial assets to further lower interest rates. This strategy is designed to engineer a controlled slowdown followed by a stimulusdriven recovery.
Any opinions are those of Al Maulini and not necessarily those of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., or Raymond James. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.
Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
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