AQUA Pinecrest December 2025

AQUA DECEMBER 2025

PINECREST

SOUL OF A COMMUNITY Sanctuary of the Arts

FINDING HER RHYTHM Music Journalist Magnolia Orli

A BITE TO EAT

Relax at Gramps Getaway

0 APC_Cover_1225_Final.indd 1

11/18/25 2:34 PM

Now Pre-Leasing

Live A Life That Is Spacious, Secure & Simplified.

Regency Parc Is A Class-Defining, Ultra-Luxury Residential Tower In The Heart Of Coral Gables, Featuring 126 Spacious, 2- To 4-Bedroom Residences Ranging From 1,768 To 6,005 Total Square Feet

RENTING FREES YOU FROM: . Having To Pay Property Taxes . Worry About Rising Insurance Premiums . Constant Home Maintenance & Upkeep . Navigating The Drama of Condo Governance

Lease A Sky Residence Starting At $8,200/month All images presented in this advertisement are conceptual only and are for the convenience of reference. They should not be relied upon as representations, express or implied, of the final detail of Regency Parc or its residences. *Only a limited number of units are available for long-term lease.

RegencyPark_SPREAD_APC_1025.indd 2

9/17/25 2:36 PM

It will be understated.

It will be elegant.

— ARMANDO CODINA

SECURITY LOBBY

FRONT ENTRANCE

BE AMONG THE FIRST TO CHOOSE YOUR RESIDENCE DURING OUR PRE-LEASING PERIOD. TO REQUEST A PRIVATE, PRE-CONSTRUCTION TOUR CALL 305.569.2211.

2601 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables | RegencyParcCoralGables.com RESORT DECK

SPACIOUS RESIDENCES

A LI FE STY LE CE N TE R BY

RegencyPark_SPREAD_APC_1025.indd 3

9/17/25 2:36 PM

Untitled-10 2

2/18/25 3:02 PM

Untitled-10 3

2/18/25 3:02 PM

Create Where

CALIFORNIACLOSETS.COM

Untitled-6 2

4/17/25 12:28 PM

You Belong

CALL, VISIT A SHOWROOM, OR FIND US ONLINE TO SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN CONSULTATION 305.623.8282 Miami Shores 8703 Biscayne Blvd Now open Mon-Sat

Untitled-6 3

@caliclosetsmiami

4/17/25 12:28 PM

Untitled-1 2

11/18/25 12:45 PM

Untitled-1 3

11/18/25 12:45 PM

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2025

20 F E AT UR E S

25

20

Soul of a Community

At Coral Gables Sanctuary of the Arts, a new, vibrant, inclusive community of creators and patrons is being forged.

25

Finding Her Rhythm

Meet Magnolia Orli, the academic turned onewoman multimedia journalist powerhouse determined to put the Miami indie music scene back on the map.

28

18

32

34

Scenes from the Pinecrest Farmer’s Market The weekly bounty is beautiful.

CO LUM N S

10

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcoming December

12

CONTRIBUTORS Meet our Creatives

14

PEOPLE WE KNOW Highlighting Incredible Locals

16

PARTNER CONTENT Circles of Service

18

LOCAL TASTES Escape Vibes, Activated

32

WANDERLUST Sailing Through History

34

HOME FRONT The Gift of Greenery

36

READING WITH ROCHELLE The Most Wonderful Reads of the Year

39

RESIDENT EXPERT The Final Military Frontier

28 8 / AQUA PINECREST

8 APC_TOC_1225_Final.indd 8

11/18/25 2:43 PM

Artist’s Conceptual Rendering

THE MOST EXQUISITE Expression of Home

Nestled along the tree-lined streets of Coral Gables, Ponce Park presents an intimate collection of 58 residences, ranging from two to five bedrooms. Each home is thoughtfully designed and curated by the renowned Meyer Davis, blending contemporary luxury with old world charm.

Project Address: 3000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 Sales Gallery: 203 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Schedule a Private Appointment PoncePark.com | 786.783.6679

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. THIS OFFERING IS MADE ONLY BY THE OFFERING DOCUMENTS FOR THE CONDOMINIUM AND NO STATEMENT SHOULD BE RELIED UPON IF NOT MADE IN THE OFFERING DOCUMENTS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL, OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY, THE CONDOMINIUM UNITS IN STATES WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION CANNOT BE MADE. PRICES, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

Untitled-1 1

9/12/25 9:10 AM

EDITOR’S NOTE

PINECREST

Advertising Director Daisy Abreu daisy.abreu@wainscotmedia.com

10 / AQUA PINECREST

10 APC_Letter_1225_Final.indd 10

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SHAWN MACOMBER

F

“FOR LAST YEAR’S WORDS belong to last year’s language,” T.S. Eliot wrote in his 1942 epic poem, Little Gidding.

“And next year’s words await another voice.”

It’s a sentiment well worth keeping in mind as we round the final corner into another new year. What do we want to say in the last remaining weeks and days of 2025 while we still have access to this year’s precious words and fleeting language? How do we want to shape our voice for the coming year so we can best speak our hopes, aspirations, and best selves into existence?

And while these are questions primarily for us to engage as

individuals, I would, of course, love to hear from you, dear readers, about how the coming 12 issues of AQUA might best bolster your ability to find the right answers. The goal here, after all, is to build community by raising awareness of the many resources that our village and surrounding towns place at your disposal, shining a light on inspiring residents doing amazing things, and offering practical, actionable advice for selfactualization and realizing one’s full potential.

It’s an admittedly easy task in an area as vital and blessed as the communities AQUA serves.

That said, however, this magazine is not run by oracles, and we don’t know what we don’t know. I encourage you to reach out to me at the email address below with any feedback, tips, or general thoughts you might have. Let’s heed another line from the Eliot poem quoted above— “And to make an end is to make a beginning”—and get ready to build something amazing together in 2026.

Shawn Macomber

Editor shawn.macomber@wainscotmedia.com

Creative Director Kijoo Kim Editor Shawn Macomber Columnists Gerry Barker Rochelle B. Weinstein Photographer Enrique Tubio www.aquapinecrest.com WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden SVP, Group Publisher Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Art Director Rosemary O’Connell Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

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.

11/18/25 2:10 PM

Untitled-7 1

8/19/24 2:26 PM

CONTRIBUTORS

GERRY BARKER Gerry’s two passions are writing and travel. Atlanta-born and Texas-raised, he left an awardwinning 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.

ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple contemporary fiction novels, most recently We Are Made of Stars. Her work has been featured in People, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Country Living, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, First for Women, Kveller, Totally Booked with Zibby, Book Bub, and more. Rochelle is a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. A former entertainment industry executive and NBC-6 Miami book correspondent, Rochelle splits her time between South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina. And in super exciting news, her novel What You Do To Me was recently optioned for a feature film.

12 / AQUA PINECREST

12 APC_Contributors_1225_V1_KK.indd 12

11/18/25 2:11 PM

Untitled-1 1

11/19/25 9:05 AM

PEOPLE WE KNOW

Write Your Life A SOCIAL-CLIMBING mom determined to impress the alpha PTA queen; bickering colleagues finding solidarity on a disastrous work outing; a young woman hiding a savage secret as she navigates the brutal world of city dating.

When, after a groundbreaking career in human resources, Jo Avent decided it was finally time to pen the stories that would ultimately comprise her highly entertaining and engrossing new collection Suburban Jungle & Other Stories, the self-described “indie author and sometimes ceramicist” had plenty of experience to draw upon. (Not to mention locales: The wife and mom of two grew up in the United Kingdom, then lived in France and Spain before heading stateside to Chicago for more than a decade en route to settling in Miami.)

And yet…. “Even stories set in the everyday world require research,” Avent tells AQUA Pinecrest. “I became a temporary expert in the strangest details—like circuit breakers, paintball bruises, and what a New York bodega smells like!”

To her pleasant surprise, she learned a few lessons about life as well…

1. We Are Not So Alone After All: “In the beginning, I worried writing would be a lonely pursuit,” Avent says. “But I have found a supportive and vibrant writing community in Miami. From the South Florida Writers Association to tightknit critique groups, there are plenty of folks willing to share the highs, lows, and grammatical mistakes with a smile.”

2. Short Stories Can Have Outsized Impact: “When I first played with the format, I wondered if there would be enough room to pull off big, dramatic moves,” Avent says.

“A few love connections, reconciliations, betrayals, and even murders later, it seems that short stories can indeed pack a punch and a twist!”

Pinecrest mom and indie author Jo Avent shares three life lessons she learned while penning her debut short story collection.

BY SHAWN MACOMBER

3. Books Can Win Back People’s Attention: “Readers want to wean themselves off their phones and get back to books, but with busy lives, a full-length novel can seem overwhelming,” Avent says. “They are reading a short story every night. They are the perfect length to finish before they go to sleep and feel accomplished.”

To learn more about her work, visit www.joavent.com.

14 / AQUA PINECREST

14-15 APC_PeopleWeKnow_1225_Final.indd 14

11/18/25 2:13 PM

PEOPLE WE KNOW

Discovering the Answer Within Renowned South Florida trendsetter Paola Mendez now helps clients explore a new frontier—their own subconscious interior lives.

BY SHAWN MACOMBER FROM HER POPULAR LIFESTYLE channel Coral Gables Love and sold-out monthly book reading parties to her work as a yoga instructor, Paola Mendez has devoted her life to building community and enriching countless lives.

Now, Mendez is adding a new offering to her love-centered empire: hypnotherapy, which she describes to AQUA as “a focused, powerful therapeutic modality that uses a heightened state of relaxation to access the subconscious and initiate lasting change across various areas of someone’s life.”

It appears to be working: One of the several testimonials on the Pao Hypnosis website calls sessions with Mendez “nothing short of transformative.”

MOOD, BOOSTED “Hypnotherapy provides deep support for emotional wellbeing,” Mendez says, “by helping clients manage high-stress levels, reduce general anxiety, and reframe the emotional responses associated with phobias and mild-to-moderate depression.”

HABITS, UPGRADED “Hypnotherapy is highly effective for behavioral and habit change,” Mendez says. “It is, for example, widely recognized for its clinical use in areas like smoking cessation and sustained weight management by targeting the emotional and psychological triggers that drive unwanted habits.”

LIMITING BELIEFS, OVERCOME “In the realm of cognitive function, one of hypnotherapy’s most transformative benefits is in overcoming limiting beliefs and mental blocks,” Mendez says. “Hypnotherapy can reprogram the unconscious negative narratives that undermine success, replacing self-doubt with enhanced self-belief and a more proactive mindset.”

MIND-BODY CONNECTION, STRENGTHENED “Hypnotherapy facilitates better selfregulation,” Mendez says, “teaching individuals practical self-hypnosis skills they can use to calm physiological responses, manage symptoms of certain functional disorders, and maintain a state of calm resilience.

PAIN, MANAGED “Clinically, hypnotherapy can play a significant role in pain and medical symptom management,” she says, “empowering patients to modulate their perception of chronic pain and is a recommended treatment for conditions like chronic back pain, arthritis, cancer related pain, migraines, and Fibromyalgia.”

To learn more about Mendez’s work, visit www.coralgableslove.com.

DECEMBER 2025 / 15

14-15 APC_PeopleWeKnow_1225_Final.indd 15

11/18/25 2:13 PM

16 / AQUA PINECREST

16-17 APC_PC_Vanessa_1225_Final.indd 16

11/18/25 2:16 PM

PARTNER CONTENT

Circles of Service Reflecting on giving this year.

THE SEASON OF giving is upon us. And while “it’s better to give than to receive,” is still a common sentiment we hear, it can often seem like we’ve lost touch with the concept. Even the spirit of giving can start to feel like a burden in a culture of materialism and comparison, where the gifts we give have to be bigger, better, and more expensive every year.

I’m big into gifting, but my experience has shown me the real spirit of giving comes in giving service to those around us. Wherever we are in life, we have the opportunity to serve others in everexpanding circles.

So, I’m wrapping up this year with some reflections on how I, and my firm, have endeavored to serve at a higher level.

I can only speak from my experience, but I hope it can help you reflect on ways you can give yourself in service within the circles around you.

technology that will continue to make our service to clients second to none.

them serve people I’ll never have the opportunity to meet.

SERVICE TO MY TEAM But I know there would be no way to serve our clients if it wasn’t for our amazing team.

At my firm, “care” isn’t a memo or a poster; it’s part of the firm’s core infrastructure. We serve our team so they can serve you better.

We’ve continued our annual retreat, this year flying the whole team to Colombia.

Yes, we got some work done but also had a whole lot of fun and relaxation. But I know that one week in the year isn’t enough.

So, this year we’ve also invested in regular wellness workshops directly in the office.

I’m also incredibly proud that our in-office nursery has been a fantastic success. Some of the first team babies are now walking and will soon be graduating, which is exciting, because the team already has some new additions on the way!

SERVICE TO YOUR CLIENTS In family law, the facts matter, but how clients experience the process matters just as much. Sure, our clients are paying for our service, but we know they could just as easily be paying someone else. So how can we go above and beyond, and serve them the best?

This year, a big part of that has been bringing on new members to our team.

Two new attorneys and two new paralegals have allowed even more focused attention to our clients, and now every active client receives a weekly check-in from a member of their legal team. It’s not just for major case updates. Sometimes it’s simply to call, even if the courts have their case at a standstill.

Behind the scenes, we recently brought on a new director of operations and head of innovation. She’s bringing an engineering mindset to our systems and implementing

SERVICE TO MY PROFESSION One thing I’m constantly reminded of is that you don’t do anything alone. My whole career, my whole law firm, wouldn’t exist to serve our clients if it wasn’t for our fantastic legal system. Believe me, I know it’s not perfect, but it is still one of the greatest in the world and a pillar of the freedoms we enjoy.

That’s why I’ve always looked for ways to serve my profession. I’ve served on boards for the Dominican Bar, presided over the Coral Gables Bar, chaired committees for the Miami Dade Bar, and this year was appointed to the executive committee for the Florida Bar’s Small and Solo Firm Section. And, continuing that path of service, I recently announced my candidacy for the 11th Circuit of the Florida Bar Board of Governors.

By serving my colleagues, I can help

SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY There is one place that everyone can serve: their community. This year, our team packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse and supported the work of Fundacion de Bienestar y Desarrollo Infantil. The foundation we created in memory of my brother, Supreme Scholars, helped three more students pursue their educational goals by paying for their first two years of college tuition. Personally, my husband and I continue our work with 4Kids with financial assistance and as foster parents, so we can bring a little stability to the most vulnerable children in our community.

But sometimes the most impactful service you can provide doesn’t have to be with a big organization. It could be helping the neighbor down the street or calling to check in on a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. You may never know the impact your small act of service actually has.

THE COMPOUNDING EFFECT And I suppose that’s what I love about serving others so much. Yes, it’s nice to see the immediate effects of our efforts, but I also know everything we do has ripple effects.

And lots of little ripples can compound into huge waves of change, not just in the lives of those you serve, but in your own.

As you reflect back on this year, look ahead into the next, and prepare your gift lists for this holiday season, take some time to think about how you can be giving yourself in service to those around you.

Because, to borrow a quote from Nelson Henderson, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Happy Holidays!

DECEMBER 2025 / 17

16-17 APC_PC_Vanessa_1225_Final.indd 17

11/18/25 2:16 PM

LOCAL TASTES

Escape Vibes, Activated

18 / AQUA PINECREST

18-19 APC_LocalTastes_1225_Final.indd 18

11/18/25 2:17 PM

Gramps Getaway is close enough to the city for breathtaking views but far enough that you can relax with a good bite to eat.

BY SHAWN MACOMBER

THE LEGENDARY BAR, pizzeria, and live music venue Gramps has been a Wynwood institution since opening its doors in 2012, a delightfully eccentric and multifaceted presence situated in the center of all the hullabaloo swirling around the chicest corner of the Miami cityscape. Its new waterfront sister location, Gramps Getaway, is a very different beast—the chillaxing country mouse to its sibling’s extroverted and amped up city mouse.

Situated on a gorgeous stretch of Key Biscayne just off the Rickenbacker Causeway, Gramps Getaway still bustles under its thatched hut coziness—only with close-enough-to-admire, far-enough-for-abreak panoramic views of the city from its spacious patio seating. Modest boats from the nearby Rickenbacker Marina drift in and out with a picturesque and soothing, swaying cadence. The vibe is chill, the staff is friendly, the cocktails are cheeky (Fly, Pelican Fly!; Cucumber in Paradise; Electric Bugaloo), the menu is stellar without being intimidating (Baja Caesar Salad; Bahamian Conch Fritters; Blackened Fish Sandwich), and you can play a vintage Jaws pinball game before jumping in the Fotomatic

booth to create some take-home memories.

For evening patrons, there are karaoke nights, vinyl Fridays, DJ nights, and other special events.

It isn’t always easy to find a bit of Zen in the greater Miami area. But if that’s what you’ve been seeking, you’ve very likely found your bit of spirit-boosting, off-the-beatenpath paradise, sailor.

For more information visit @grampsgetaway.

DECEMBER 2025 / 19

18-19 APC_LocalTastes_1225_Final.indd 19

11/18/25 2:17 PM

SOUL of a Community

W

At Coral Gables Sanctuary of the Arts a new, vibrant, and inclusive community of creators and patrons is being forged.

BY SHAWN MACOMBER

WHEN THE SANCTUARY of the Arts first opened in the former sanctum of the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Andalusia Avenue in Coral Gables, its newly minted director Rafi Maldonado-Lopez had a sign hoisted up amidst the Romanesque columns of its front facade which simply read: “Yes, This is It.” Four years later, the sign is no longer needed—the Sanctuary now hosts a dizzyingly diverse array of up to 55 shows per year, drawing around 25,000 patrons.

“People just walk by now and say, ‘Hey, Rafi, what’s going on today?’” Maldonado-Lopez says with obvious pride, young dancers from around the world flitting back and forth behind him by way of proof.

“People know we’re active.” And yet, in another very real sense, the sentiment of the long-gone sign remains very much apropos: This collaborative, sui generis artist-led

institution is blazing a visionary path to a more accessible, inclusive, and thriving creative and economic path for the arts.

A few miles away, the not-for-profit 501(c)3 operates another Sanctuary at St. Mary First Missionary Baptist Church, a historic Black church founded in 1924 and a pivotal hub during the civil rights movement. At one point its congregation was 1500 strong, but it fell on hard times in later years.

“This is our heart,” Maldonado-Lopez says of the downtown Gables location. “St. Mary’s is our soul.” The Sanctuary continues to work with the past congregants and neighbors, ensuring the multi-use space remains a benefit to the community through local events—there was a recreation of the Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington for the church’s rededication to the community—and youth mentoring programs, for which Sanctuary does not charge fees, between its jazz nights,

20 / AQUA PINECREST

20-24 APC_SanctuaryArts_1225_Final.indd 20

11/18/25 2:31 PM

Rafi Maldonado-Lopez

DECEMBER 2025 / 21

20-24 APC_SanctuaryArts_1225_Final.indd 21

11/18/25 2:31 PM

Standing, from left to right: Andrei Chagas (former MCB dancer/guest artist); Maria Teresa del Real (faculty); Richard Amaro (guest teacher); Lydia Harrison (sponsor), Ariel Rose (faculty, choreographer); Alice Arja (director of education), Mike Eidson. Seated: Rafi Maldonado-Lopez.

theatrical performances, and more.

“You know, the church is still in service,” a resident once told Maldonado-Lopez. “Just now it serves us through the arts.” That? Music to Maldonado-Lopez’ ears.

IN THE BEGINNING

Mike Eidson was restless. It was 2019 and the Coral Gables attorney and restorer of historic buildings—you can see, for example, his work every time you visit the building, which houses Books & Books—had had his eye on bringing the Coconut Grove Playhouse back to

life, but the project never materialized.

And so, when he learned two First Church of Christ, Scientist buildings in the heart of the Gables—designed in the 1920s and 1930s by legendary local architect Phineas Paist, whose work on Coral Gables City Hall and the Douglas Entrance still define the city to this day— had not only sat empty for years and were under the protection of the city’s historic preservation rules from more commercially-minded development, the gears began to turn.

“I saw an opportunity to create a space that wouldn’t be just theater or

just ballet or just opera or just anything,” Eidson tells AQUA Pinecrest. “I wanted it to be the best of everything—and affordable for the people and families being priced out of experiencing the arts in too many other places.” That’s a tall order, but he had a very specific man in mind for the job—someone with not only a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, but also with financial and fundraising acumen.

“I invited Rafi to lunch at a restaurant not far from here,” Eidson says, standing on the Sanctuary steps and waving a hand towards the bustling midday

22 / AQUA PINECREST

20-24 APC_SanctuaryArts_1225_Final.indd 22

11/18/25 2:32 PM

downtown streets. “And I told him about this crazy idea I had and asked him two questions: ‘Do you want to do it? And, if you want to, can you do it?’”

There was no hesitation.

“In so many places, good ideas are beat back because you need permission from so many different people to be creative,” Maldonado-Lopez says. “You lose freedom of creativity. And Sanctuary, it was clear to me, was going to be a very free place. And a place where I could try many different things; Mike is more high-octane than me, if you can believe it. Do we fail sometimes?

Of course, but every artist knows that is part of your creative process.”

“This wouldn’t work without Rafi,” Eidson says. “Everyone I talked to had told me, ‘This guy is sharp,’ but I did not realize he was good at basically everything and had so many connections. Everyone respects him, and he has a never-ending stream of ideas and the energy to get it done. He works all the time. He answers his phone seven days a week, any hour, and he is always ready to go.”

THE ARTIST’S SOUL

Maldonado-Lopez was born in New York.

Williamsburg, more specifically, well before the hipster gold rush. His family was from Puerto Rico, and Maldonado-Lopez

travelled back and forth often during his early years.He describes himself, alternately, as a “typical Puerto Rican gypsy child” and “reverse Nuyorican.” Then, around 10-years-old, he moved semi-permanently to the Caribbean Islands for the rest of his childhood school years.

In high school, Maldonado-Lopez joined a performance group and realized he was more comfortable in front of a crowd than just about anywhere else. He danced throughout these years, sure, but in the informal way of musical theater kids. When he arrived at New York University at age 17, however, one of his dance classes was outsourced to the renowned Joffrey Ballet School. Maldonado-Lopez fell in love with the art, even if the attitude towards men at that time was somewhat limiting.

“They would say, ‘the girl is the pretty picture and you’re the frame,’” MaldonadoLopez recalls. “‘That’s your job. You hold the pretty picture.’”

From there Maldonado-Lopez went to Boston Conservatory—the “first conservatory to integrate ballet and modern dance into a unified program”— then the contemporary Minnesota Dance Theatre. “Wherever I moved,” he says, “I tried to absorb the culture.” Case in point: In Minnesota, Maldonado-Lopez sought out a Lutheran church dinner and

its mainstay delicacy of lutefisk—dried cod cured in lye—on the conditional recommendation of the NPR show A Prairie Home Companion.

Then, in 2003, came the opportunity to serve as a faculty member and development officer at the New World School of the Arts. (A year later the indefatigable Maldonado-Lopez would pick up a simultaneous position as Major Gifts Officer and faculty member at Miami City Ballet as well—where Eidson was president of the board in a bit of foreshadowing.) He was excited to be in a city that matched his energy.

“Miami isn’t a melting pot,” MaldonadoLopez says. “It’s a salad—we’re all mixed up together but you can still identify the individual pieces, still get the individual flavors.”

In 2009, Maldonado-Lopez reinvented the family show Carnival for the Animals for Arsht Center and got one of the best—if most peculiar—compliments of his career from the house manager: “This is the first family show we’ve done where no one went to the bathroom for an hour and a half.” (Captivating kids—no easy task. The show has since toured the world, often playing to sellout crowds.) Five years later, Maldonado-Lopez founded the InterAmerican Choreographic Institute, where he serves as Artistic Director and produces Men Who Dance, the largest all-male dance company in the United States, comprised of dozens of dancers from more than 25 countries. For good measure, he also helped found the Colombia-based Compañía Ballet Metropolitano de Medellin. After 20 years, Eidson came calling.

“Rafi, it’s not even that you were unchained,” one of his New World School colleagues told him shortly after he made the transition, “you grew wings.”

COMMUNITY OVER EVERYTHING

When Maldonado-Lopez helped start the company in Colombia, he asked a simple question: “Why is a waitress at the nearby café willing to save her tips for a month to see Shakira, but not the ballet?” To Maldonado-Lopez the answer is simple: She does not see herself in it. It does not

DECEMBER 2025 / 23

20-24 APC_SanctuaryArts_1225_Final.indd 23

11/18/25 2:32 PM

speak to her.

His calling is to change that. And Sanctuary of the Arts is the vehicle.

“We’re fortunate Coral Gables leadership is pro-art,” Maldonado-Lopez says. “I mean, they’re not going to let me put a neon sign up here—which I would love to do—but they understand the benefit of a vibrant arts scene is not just social, it’s economic. It’s more foot traffic for small businesses in safer neighborhoods with rising real estate values. That support creates a real opportunity for us, and I don’t think we’ve come close to maximizing the arts community here.”

To that end, the Sanctuary hosts the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s State of the Arts meetings, which aim

to build mutual aid and create synergy between area arts organizations. “True collaboration is like a potluck, he says.”

They’ll host a National Independence Day celebration for the Peru consulate with a large enough entourage of diplomats to require Secret Service protection and present award-winning performers, but also make sure the space is available and affordable for, say, local authors or any number of smaller organizations. Affordability and access are paramount—no nonnegotiable $50,000 rental fees here. The Sanctuary also creates dance and arts curriculums for local kids and schools, which it hopes to soon expand. They run a full-time program of 18 dancers from countries all over the world.

Maldonado-Lopez is full of praise not just for Eidson, but also his director of education Alice Arja, production manager Clayton Oliveira, and his small but mighty board. “Everyone is so committed,” he says. “Our staff is small, but our reach is so expansive people assume it is much bigger. Many organizations with $30 million in the bank don’t get as much done as we do.”

Maldonado-Lopez dreams of a day when artists, now largely a part of the gig economy, can earn a living wage and thrive, and community-minded organizations like his are the rule rather than the exception.

Does that sound impossible? So did Sanctuary of the Arts not long ago.

24 / AQUA PINECREST

20-24 APC_SanctuaryArts_1225_Final.indd 24

11/18/25 2:32 PM

Finding Her

Rhythm

DECEMBER 2025 / 25

25-27 APC_Magnolia_1225_Final.indd 25

11/18/25 2:20 PM

Meet Magnolia Orli, the academic turned one-woman multimedia journalist powerhouse determined to put the Miami indie scene back on the map.

B

BY SHAWN MACOMBER

BORN IN NORTHERN MEXICO and raised mostly in Chihuahua, Magnolia Orli came to Miami as an academic but has quickly blossomed into one of the most passionate and skilled supporters and documentarians of the Miami music scene.

“After finishing my Ph.D., I was drawn to Miami for its vibrant cultural scene and the predominance of Spanish,” the South Miami writer tells AQUA. “I wanted to raise my son in a place where bilingualism is not only accepted but celebrated. Miami quickly became a home—a mix of sound, rhythm, and identity that resonates deeply with me. And so different from everything I knew.”

Recently, Orli branched out, founding her own Substack newsletter, TikTok, and biligual YouTube channel—all under the banner Music in a Heartbeat—to cover the South Florida music scene in a more expansive, uniquely passionate way.

“On a personal level, it wasn’t easy putting myself on screen,” she says. “I’ve always loved being behind the keyboard and backstage, learning from a safe distance. The hands-on approach has been a steep learning curve, indeed. That said, I’ve never been shy, either.”

Orli was kind enough to recently catch AQUA up on her life, times, and personal musical heartbeat.

tubas and the excitement backstage. Then, as I grew a bit older, my mom became a stay-at-home mom, and I’d go through her records, memorizing lyrics by heart. She liked many genres, while my dad’s music was mostly in English. He would ask me to translate lyrics for him, and I would try my best with the broken, invented English I knew, which mostly came from video games and visits to El Paso, Texas.

Surrounded by the desert, getting access to libraries, learning resources, and music was a difficult task. I would always wait for the older brothers of my friends who studied or worked in the U.S. to bring back burnt CDs from L.A. Piracy, though a crime, helped me tremendously in discovering new bands. When I was a teenager, I actually had a metalcore band called Alone in December, which played

a big part in my development, I think.

To me, if a Mexican teenage girl could sing gutturals in an emocore band, then anything was possible.”

You ultimately chose to pursue academia, not music. Why?

“The academic decision came when I finally told my parents I wanted to make a living out of writing. They said, ‘Do it the right way—go to grad school in the U.S.’ Even when I was starting to become a recognized author locally, I got scared and signed up for a master of arts in Spanish at New Mexico State University.

After that, I did my Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. I was always proud of doing ‘the right thing.’ That wasn’t very punk of me.”

You’ve got an infectious passion for music—not only in your writing and videos but also in person. I’m curious if you remember the first time you encountered music that moved you?

“My passion for music started when I was a baby: My mom was a wedding singer and would take me to rehearsals. Some of my earliest memories are of trombones and

26 / AQUA PINECREST

25-27 APC_Magnolia_1225_Final.indd 26

11/18/25 2:20 PM

it’s a perfect chance to listen to music carefully with barely any interruptions. I also record most of my Instagram Stories there. It’s like a mobile studio.”

Did motherhood play any part in your decision? As a parent, I know you begin thinking about how to model a good life—certainly following your passions would fall under this.

“I’ve always wanted to raise my son to love music. I guess, in a way, that’s what ‘made sense.’ I wanted my son to have the best musical influence possible. But music has been in my family since I was a baby, and now my brothers are also dedicating their lives to it.

My brother Louie makes music for video games in Canada, and Oscar is an indie folk singer-songwriter.

My dad has even started taking drum lessons—it’s like the rhythm has finally caught up with everyone in the family. I’ve always wanted to raise my son to love music.

Octavio, my son, has been making music since he was four, using his mix-up app to make random songs while we drive. Now, at seven, he’s in the beginners’ orchestra, learning to play the violin. His playlist already has more than a 100 songs, everything from dubstep to rock, hip-hop, and classical music.”

Punk is great, but being punk is sometimes overrated. Also, journey not the destination, and all that jazz. Anyway…Why did you study literature?

“It was in me from birth. I used to make up horror stories at campfires, scaring the kids in my neighborhood. I started making my own comic books. I would do puppet shows for my little brothers. Then, later, when I was at a crossroads when it came to my education—between med school and literature—my mom asked me an essential question: ‘What would you rather do for 13 hours a day?

Read about medicine or about literature? Anatomy or stories?’ The answer was clear.”

You cover a lot of different genres. Is that important to you?

“Genres are rooms I like to visit every once in a while. Indie rock has always been my favorite, but in the last 11 years away from my beloved desert, I’ve become more and more acquainted with country music and Mexican norteño, banda, etcetera. When I lived in Mexico, it was everywhere, so I wouldn’t even notice it. Being in a place like Miami taught me to appreciate my own sounds—I can certainly cry if I hear a ranchera here.”

For more information, follow @magnoliaorli on Instagram.

What promted your transition into music journalism?

“It just made sense. I find writing somewhat easy, but writing about music feels like a whole new world of its own. I love challenges. After attending a good show, I’d, first want to know more about the band’s origins and creative process; it was obsessive. Second, I’d feel a pressing need to get friends, acquaintances, and basically anyone else around me to listen to them. So, it all started out of a spirit of sharing. I could finally use what I had learned for something that has always been deeply meaningful to me…I also spend a lot of time driving, so

DECEMBER 2025 / 27

25-27 APC_Magnolia_1225_Final.indd 27

11/18/25 2:20 PM

28 / AQUA PINECREST

28-30 APC_LocalTreaures_1225_Final.indd 28

11/18/25 2:28 PM

SCENES FROM THE

Pinecrest FARMER’S MARKET The weekly bounty is beautiful.

BY SHAWN MACOMBER

YOU SEE THE DEVOTEES before the farmers market itself comes into view—pilgrims stepping out of cars in makeshift parking spaces along both lanes of the main road and along several side streets, too.

Pinecrest Gardens, where the market has been held every Sunday since 2009, has ample parking, but it reaches overflow status early, and you never are quite able to get out of the house as quickly as you think you can, are you?

No matter. It’s part of the experience, watching which vendors your neighbors gravitate towards, which ones the tourists flock up to first. From one-of-a-kind handmade artisanal items to decorative plants and planters to religious iconography fruits and vegetables to prepared foods of every stripe, you can only marvel at the incredible bounty the local area produces. You lose count after 50 vendors, but it’s definitely at least a few more. The sound of families playing, teens chatting, vendors telling the story of their wares (which, so often, is also their own very personal tale), of the symphonics of natures from acres of nearby botanic, all merge into a medley that is the soundtrack to life-vibrant life.

You purchase some produce for the week’s meals—it’s such a more satisfying feeling to hand the money over directly to the

DECEMBER 2025 / 29

28-30 APC_LocalTreaures_1225_Final.indd 29

11/18/25 2:28 PM

farmer who tilled the land, nurtured the seed, picked the perfect moment to harvest it, no? Then there’s a few nicknacks, a few statuettes carved out of crystal for the kids, some incense for that mediation practice you’re planning to start, a loaf of sourdough you absolutely were not planning to buy, but the free sample was just…that…good.

Before you know it, 2 p.m. is here, and this beautiful cacophony is quieting down, the people are filtering out. But it’s okay, it’s alright, because you’ve got what you came for and more, and, anyway, you know you can depend upon the Pinecrest Farmers Market to return, like clockwork, steady and dependable as a tradition yet dependably unpredictable, too, always introducing some new item or vendor into the mix.

The last thing you see as you load your bags into the trunk and slide into the driver’s seat is the devotees leaving the farmers market. They have smiles on their faces. They look happy. Like you.

30 / AQUA PINECREST

28-30 APC_LocalTreaures_1225_Final.indd 30

11/18/25 2:28 PM

Let’s Get Social!

Join our online community.

FOLLOW US

 @aqua_ pinecrest

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT EVA DAISY ABREU AT 305-903-0621 OR DAISY.ABREU@WAINSCOTMEDIA.COM

APC_Social_FP_1225.indd 1

11/18/25 3:07 PM

WANDERLUST

Sailing Through History A reverse snowbird takes to the Hudson River and discovers art, literature, and American Revolutionary and political history aplenty.

BY GERRY BARKER HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, we are wellacquainted with the yearly influx of snowbirds, those winter-weary residents from the Northeast, Canada, and other cold environs who journey here to enjoy the sunshine and sand. For South Floridians who seek a change of seasons, however, we must journey in the other direction—which is exactly what my wife Pam and I did on a recent trip to upstate New York, where we boarded the American Cruise Lines ship American Glory for a nine-day Fall Foliage Cruise, taking us from New York City to Albany along the Hudson River.

And while the hotter than normal weather

and drought affected the normal dazzling array of yellows, oranges, and reds, the cruise itself had a lot of fascinating history to offer, from Gilded Age mansions and pivotal Revolutionary War sites to the birthplace of one of America’s most iconic spooky stories and the 315-mile river itself—named for English navigator Henry Hudson who explored it in 1609.

If that sounds like your idea of a good time, sit back, imagine you are in a lounger enjoying your favorite drink on American Glory’s sundeck with us, and settle in for a leisurely, peaceful, and eye-opening ride up the mighty Hudson.

Sleepy Hollow. Our first stop is the picturesque town in which author Washington Irving set his famous 1820 story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

Here you’ll find the Old Dutch Church, where the fictional Ichabod Crane was choirmaster as well as a reconstruction of the Headless Horseman Bridge. Nearby, alongside a large oak overlooking the Hudson River Valley, is the final resting place of Irving himself. Some locals say the cemetery is haunted. We didn’t stick around to find out.

West Point. Established by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, West Point is the nation’s oldest military academy. On this crisp autumn day, cadets jogged by as we visited Trophy Point, the spot overlooking the Hudson where artillery captured from America’s wars is on display, as well as links from the massive iron chain Revolutionary War forces deployed in 1778 to thwart British efforts to gain strategic control of the river. The museum and visitor center are exceptional, and you won’t want to miss the imposing Gothic Revival Cadet Chapel, either, which houses the world’s largest pipe organ—comprised of over 23,000 pipes for those who are counting.

32 / AQUA PINECREST

32-33 APC_Wanderlust_1225_Final.indd 32

11/18/25 2:22 PM

Opposite page, clockwise from top: West Point Cadet Chapel; Old Dutch Church Sleepy Hollow; West Point Visitor Center.

This page, clockwise from top left: Beekman Arms Inn; Irving Tombstone; Chain links at West Point.

Kingston. In 1825, the construction of the Erie Canal linked Lake Erie, the Hudson, and the Atlantic Ocean and provided a vital synergy of commerce and industry.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum here in Kingston, the one-time capital of New York, houses more than one million artifacts showcasing that history of the Hudson River. More than a museum, the center also offers schools for wooden boat building and sailing as well as tours to the Rondout Lighthouse, the last of three working lighthouses on Rondout Creek. Dating from 1837, the current structure was opened in 1915 and is only accessible by boat. When lighthouse keeper George Murdock drowned in 1856, his widow, Catherine, took over as keeper for the next 50 years. Just up the street from the museum is the Half Moon Rondout Café; don’t leave without trying their apple cider donuts.

The Catskills. During the Gilded Age, business titans such as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Jay Gould built lavish estates on the Hudson, including this longtime favorite playground for New Yorkers. American landscape painters of the famous 19th century Hudson River School, led by Thomas Cole and his student Frederic Church, sought to capture this natural beauty on canvas. In the Catskills you can visit Church’s own Olana, a majestic Persian architecture-inspired estate—it is, in fact, named after an ancient Persian house— set on 250 acres overlooking the Hudson River valley and Catskill Mountains. Later, on a drive in which fall foliage was more bountiful, we discovered the nearly milelong Rip Van Winkle Bridge, which connects Hudson and Catskill, includes a pedestrian walkway, and, yes, is named after another Washington Irving story.

Hyde Park. Alas, a government shutdown nixed tours of the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, birthplace of the thirty-second president, and Vanderbilt Mansion. Seeking to make lemonade from lemons, however, we visited nearby Rhinebeck, a charming colonial town spotted with numerous shops, art galleries and bookstores that is also home to The Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn, in operation since 1766. (Famous past guests include both George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.) Pro tip: Don’t pass up the cupcakes at Samuel’s Sweet Shop, co-owned by actor Paul Rudd and his wife, or the fudge at Krause’s Chocolates, which Pam insists is to die for.

Troy. Our cruise concludes In Troy, nicknamed “Collar City” during the Gilded Age because it produced more than 90% of men’s detachment starched collars. It is also the birthplace of “Uncle Sam,” the national icon modeled on Troy businessman Samuel Wilson. The area is steeped in fascinating history—if you have time, take a side trip to the Burden Iron Works Museum—and served as a stand-in for 1880s New York in the HBO series, The Gilded Age. (During filming, some streets had to be covered in dirt and A/C units removed from windows.)

It’s a fitting end to another adventure for Pam and I. Perhaps we’ll see you on the next one?

DECEMBER 2025 / 33

32-33 APC_Wanderlust_1225_Final.indd 33

11/18/25 2:22 PM

HOME FRONT

The Gift of Greenery Plants add beauty and health benefits to your space. Green thumb optional.

BY JENNA GALLETTI

THERE’S A REASON plant parents never stop at just one. Even if every single leaf in your home is technically green, the variety is endless. Think about it: a monstera’s glossy, hole-punched leaves look nothing like the trailing strands of a pothos, or the spiky drama of a snake plant. Some grow tall and upright like proud little sentinels, others drape elegantly from shelves or cascade out of hanging baskets. Even the shades of green tell a story—soft sage, deep emerald, chartreuse, nearly black. It’s all proof that green is anything but boring.

CATS VS. PLANTS (THE SHOWDOWN) If your cat friends think plants are a salad bar, don’t give up on greenery just yet. Instead, get creative with placement. Floating shelves are 34 / AQUA PINECREST

34-35 APC_HomeFront_1225_Final.indd 34

11/18/25 2:24 PM

perfect little stages for trailing plants, and ceiling hooks with decorative macramé hangers let you hang plants safely out of paw’s reach. The result?

Your cats stay safe, your plants stay whole, and your home looks like an urban jungle. Win-win-win.

CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE Not everyone has the time (or patience) to mist exotic orchids twice a day. Luckily, plants come with different care levels, and some are basically foolproof. A few of the most “goof-proof” options: •S nake plant: practically thrives on neglect •Z Z plant: glossy, low-maintenance, and nearly indestructible •P othos: grows like crazy in almost any light •P hilodendron: forgiving and fastgrowing, perfect for beginners

If you want a little more of a challenge, consider ferns or fiddle leaf figs, but only if you’re ready for the commitment.

DRESS THEM UP Plants may bring the green, but pot brings the personality. A snake plant in terracotta feels earthy and relaxed, while the same plant in a glossy white ceramic looks modern and polished.

A bold glazed planter can add a pop of color, while a woven basket creates an easy, laid-back vibe. Switching up planters is a simple way to refresh your space and make your greenery feel even more intentional.

REAP THE BENEFITS Yes, plants look good in every corner of the house, but they’re also good for you. Studies show that being surrounded by greenery can reduce

stress, boost focus, and even improve air quality. They add humidity to dry winter air and create a sense of calm in busy spaces. Simply put, plants make us feel good, and who doesn’t want a little more of that at home?

Adding plants to your home doesn’t mean becoming a full-time gardener.

Whether you’re building a shelf full of lush trailing vines, hanging a statement in green from the ceiling, or sticking to a single low-maintenance snake plant, there’s a plant friend for every personality and lifestyle. With a little creativity (and maybe a floating shelf or two), you can turn your space into a vibrant, living sanctuary, no green thumb required.

DECEMBER 2025 / 35

34-35 APC_HomeFront_1225_Final.indd 35

11/18/25 2:24 PM

READING WITH ROCHELLE

The Most Wonderful Reads of the Year ‘Tis the season to cozy up with a festive book sure to add a little sparkle to your season.

By Jean Meltzer

BY ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN

GRACE & HENRY’S HOLIDAY MOVIE MARATHON

By Matthew Norman

MERRY LITTLE BOOKSHOP

By Ali Brady

From dynamic duo Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey (writing as Ali Brady) comes this heartwarming novella that perfectly captures the magic of Christmas and Hanukkah. When Shira Schwartz is sent to Azalea, Texas to open a pop-up bookstore during the holidays, she forges an unexpected connection to the small-town—as well as to charming trouble-maker Jonny McKay. Far from home, Shira discovers that you can find love and belonging where you least expect it. @alibradybooks

THE EIGHT HEARTBREAKS OF HANUKKAH

Meet Henry and Grace, two grieving widowers whose meddling mothers are determined to set them up. Though resistant at first, their cautious friendship grows with the help of Grace’s children, the family dog, Harry Styles, a mice infestation, and a shared ritual of bingeing holiday movies.

A moving, uplifting tale of healing and second chances with just the right amount of laughter sprinkled in, Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon explores the beauty and joy that can come even through heartache. Bonus: Each chapter highlights a different classic holiday film. www.thenormannation.com

Evelyn is a high-powered television producer tasked with bringing A Christmas Carol to live TV. But when a series of debilitating migraines halts her fast-paced life, she’s visited by the eight ghosts of her past—each representing a heartbreak she’s never fully faced. In this immersive, emotionally rich story, Meltzer explores love and loss with a blend of humor and heart. A poignant reminder that Hanukkah miracles do come true. Fun fact: Meltzer is the founder of Jewish Joy Con, the first ever convention celebrating Jewish pop culture, community, and creativity in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to be held this March 13 to 15. www.jeanmeltzer.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU FILTHY ANIMAL

By Meghan Quinn

The title of the second book in Meghan Quinn’s Kringletown Christmas series grabs you instantly, sure.

But the hilarious romp that follows more than delivers on that promise. Both silly and sexy, fans will devour the mayhem and hilarious holiday hijinks of rival Christmas tree farm owners Atlas and Betty facing off—even if they ultimately can’t help falling in love. If you enjoy Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal, be sure to check out the first book in the series, How My Neighbor Stole Christmas released back in October 2024. www.authormeghanquinn.com

Find these holiday gems at www.bookshop.org or stop by our favorite indie Books & Books.

Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple contemporary fiction novels, most recently We Are Made of Stars. Her work has been featured in People, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Country Living, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World and more. Rochelle is a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. A former entertainment industry executive and NBC-6 Miami book correspondent, Rochelle splits her time between South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina. And in super exciting news, her novel What You Do To Me was recently optioned for a feature film.

36 / AQUA PINECREST

36 APC_Reading_1225_Final.indd 36

11/18/25 2:26 PM

View All Our Issues!

Visit us online at aquapinecrest.com

SeeAllIssues_FP_APC_1225_converted.indd 1

11/18/25 3:24 PM

REACH THOUSANDS OF HOMES IN PINECREST WITH YOUR BUSINESS MESSAGE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT EVA DAISY ABREU AT 305-903-0621 OR DAISY.ABREU@WAINSCOTMEDIA.COM

Advertising_FP_APC_0625.indd 1

5/20/25 2:13 PM

LOCAL EXPERT | FINANCE

The Final Military Frontier Investors may be able to capitalize as the era of new space race begins.

AL MAULINI, CFP®, CPM®, CEPA®- PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT OF CORAL GABLES

projection across all combat domains. U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Salzman articulated this shift in his March “Space Warfighting” document, warning that free access to and operation in space is vital for national security.

AS GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS escalate and military strategies evolve, defense contractors are positioning themselves at the forefront of a new battlefield: space. The era of peaceful space cooperation that characterized the post-Cold War period is rapidly giving way to a more competitive and aggressive landscape, creating unprecedented opportunities for investors in defense stocks.

The New Space Race The paradigm shift in space warfare began on Jan. 11, 2007, when China successfully destroyed one of its own satellites with a direct-ascent anti-satellite weapon (ASAT).

This watershed moment marked the beginning of an aggressive pursuit of space weaponization by both China and Russia, fundamentally altering the strategic calculus for the United States and its NATO allies.

Today, space is no longer taken for granted as a peaceful domain. Military planners increasingly recognize it as essential for real-time targeting, coordination, and force

Government Investment Driving Growth The strategic pivot toward space superiority is backed by substantial financial commitments from governments worldwide. Defense News and Defense Security Monitoring reported in 2024 that an estimated $73.1 billion was allocated for space defense and security globally, representing a significant increase from previous years. The United States leads this investment wave with $53.1 billion in spending, reflecting its determination to maintain technological superiority. China, though less transparent about its budget, is estimated to have allocated $9.3 billion, while Russia spent approximately $2.3 billion. France follows closely at $2.1 billion, underscoring Europe’s growing commitment to space defense capabilities.

This funding surge is designed to accelerate development of foundational technologies for a new era of warfare, where victory depends on the ability to collect, process, and act on vast amounts of data faster than adversaries. For investors, this creates a clear directive: Identify companies building intelligent, connected, and autonomous platforms that will define 21st century conflict.

The Evolving Threat Landscape Both China and Russia are developing comprehensive space warfare capabilities that pose significant threats to Western satellite

infrastructure. These capabilities include: advanced satellites and orbital platforms; kinetic and non-kinetic anti-satellite missiles; electronic warfare systems capable of disrupting communications; laser dazzling technology to blind satellites; and cyber-attack capabilities targeting ground control systems.

The technological advantage that the U.S. and its allies held after the Cold War is now at risk. Key figures on Capitol Hill are arguing that funding for space operations should be ringfenced and bolstered, warning that failure to do so risks allowing China to claim superiority in space and reshape the global order.

The AI Revolution in Defense The global defense landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Warfare is rapidly evolving from a contest of platforms to a conflict of networks, where artificial intelligence and autonomous systems play decisive roles. Defense investments are shifting from traditional hardware manufacturers to firms best positioned to dominate the technological arms race in AI-powered systems and space-based assets.

Major defense contractors are embedding AI and autonomous capabilities into their platforms, effectively transforming them into intelligent nodes in networked battlefields.

This technological edge is now the primary driver of defense budget growth, as governments recognize that future conflicts will be won by those who can process and act on data faster than their adversaries.

The Silicon Valley Disruption A new wave of defense tech startups from Silicon Valley is drawing billions in funding and reshaping America’s national security

DECEMBER 2025 / 39

39-40 APC_RE_Finance_1225_Final.indd 39

11/18/25 2:40 PM

LOCAL EXPERT | FINANCE

landscape. Venture-backed firms are emerging as “neoprimes,” challenging the dominance of legacy contractors with faster, leaner, and software-first approaches.

MarketSpy reported the venture funding for U.S.-based defense tech startups totaled about $38 billion through the first half of 2025 and could exceed its 2021 peak by year-end.

A privately held defense technology firm was recently valued at $30.5 billion following its latest funding round, exemplifies this trend. These companies are building dualuse technologies that can be applied both commercially and militarily, particularly in artificial intelligence and autonomy.

The Department of Defense is rapidly assessing and adopting these dual-use technologies, sending clear signals to the investment world that the U.S. government needs innovation at scale. This direction has provided a strategic roadmap for both investors and entrepreneurs, fueling unprecedented capital flows into defense tech.

Investment Outlook Despite recent market volatility, we believe defense stocks remain attractively positioned for long-term investors. Several factors support continued growth: • Rising global defense budgets driven by geopolitical tensions • Modernization priorities across NATO and allied nations • Multi-year contracts providing revenue visibility • AI and autonomous systems creating new demand drivers • Space-based capabilities becoming missioncritical Many companies within the defense sector are currently trading at valuations that may be considered attractive relative to historical and sector averages. For example, some firms exhibit price-to-earnings ratios in the range of 17x to 21x, which is below the broader aerospace and defense industry’s average of

approximately 25x. These valuation metrics may reflect market perceptions of strategic positioning within high-priority defense initiatives.

The European Dimension European defense stocks have delivered exceptional returns since 2022 as governments respond to evolving security threats.

This outperformance reflects increased government spending and large military contracts as European nations bordering conflict zones ramp up defense readiness.

The trend shows that defense contractors in nations supplying weapons and modernizing their militaries have attracted the strongest investor demand.

Risks and Considerations While the outlook remains favorable, investors should be aware of several risks: Potential defense budget cuts or government efficiency initiatives; supply chain constraints affecting production timelines; execution challenges with advanced technology programs; geopolitical shifts that could reduce threat perceptions; and increased competition from “neoprime” startups.

Additionally, some market observers have begun drawing comparisons between current AI valuations and the dot-com bubble. If these concerns prove valid, even defensefocused AI investments could face headwinds.

However, unlike the dot-com era, current AI investments are backed by substantial government contracts and demonstrated military applications.

A New Era of Space Dominance The convergence of space weaponization, AI-driven warfare, and massive government investment has created a distinct opportunity for defense investors. As warfare evolves beyond traditional domains into space and cyberspace, companies with leading positions in these technologies stand to benefit from sustained, long-term growth.

Going forward, investors should expect more funding, increased investment in developing space-based offensive and defensive capabilities, and more operationallevel planning for conflict scenarios in low Earth orbit. The companies best positioned to capitalize on this shift, whether legacy contractors or innovative neoprimes may offer compelling long-term investment opportunities.

The space warfare boom is not a short-term trend but a fundamental restructuring of global defense priorities.

For investors considering exposure to this transformation, defense stocks with strong space capabilities may help provide for a resilient portfolio anchor in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. The battle for space superiority has begun, and the defense contractors leading this charge may be poised for sustained growth in the years ahead.

Thank you for reading.

Live your best life, AL Maulini Founder/Owner, PWMCG Senior Portfolio Strategist, RJFS

The information contained in this email does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Al Maulini and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed; investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. Indices are not available for direct investment. Index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein.

Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables | 141 Miracle Mile | Coral Gables, FL 33134 | 305.548.2247 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. Investment Advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

40 / AQUA PINECREST

39-40 APC_RE_Finance_1225_Final.indd 40

11/18/25 2:40 PM

Untitled-9 1

9/10/25 11:12 AM

Colson Hicks Eidson

New Address, Same Commitment to Justice Historic Douglas Entrance

For over 50 years, Colson Hicks Eidson has been at the forefront of landmark cases, setting precedents and fighting for justice. Our move to historic Douglas Entrance deepens our 25-year commitment to Coral Gables. A national and international firm of preeminent litigation attorneys, we remain dedicated to providing the highest quality of legal service to individuals and businesses throughout the world.

E x c e l l e n c e • P r o f e s s i o n a l i s m • P e r s e v e r a n c e • Te a m w o r k

806 S. Douglas Rd., Penthouse, Coral Gables, FL 33134 305 476 7400

Untitled-1 1

info@colson.com

colson.com

9/19/25 1:19 PM