Create Where
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.
L“Keep your face always toward the sunshine,” Walt Whitman said, “and shadows will fall behind you.”
LET’S COUNT our blessings: South Florida makes that advice easy to follow not just in the practical longitude and latitude sense, but also as a matter of collective aspiration, metaphor, and mindset. One of the things that has struck me living here as a transplant from the northeast (I know, I know—sorry, not sorry!) is the restless creative spirit that animates everything. There is always room for a new flavor in the melting pot of peoples, cultures, philosophies, and lifestyles in Miami. I know, basically, what other cities I’ve lived in from
Boston to New York to Philadelphia will look and feel like in five years. Miami probably changed in significant ways during the five minutes it took me to compose the above lines. Is this frustrating sometimes? Sure. And we have plenty of time in rush hour traffic to count the ways. That churn, however, also creates huge opportunities for self-definition and determination, for beating our own paths in our own ways. (My two young children will recognize this argument only all too well, but I believe it!)
This is my first issue as editor of Aqua Pinecrest. I’m excited. I’ve loved and admired the area for years. Even so, I was not prepared for just how many amazing people, places, community organizations, businesses, and events I would find once I set out, face to the sunshine, on this journey. I’m excited to tell your remarkable stories, to shine a light on the amazing things happening across this village. Thanks for reading, and don’t be a stranger.
Shawn Macomber Editor
shawn.macomber@wainscotmedia.com
Advertising Director
Daisy Abreu daisy.abreu@wainscotmedia.com
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
Editor
Shawn Macomber
Columnists
Gerry Barker
Rochelle B. Weinstein
Writer Jenna Galletti
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.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SHAWN MACOMBER
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.
Raising Joy
Meet Elite Nannies Miami CEO Thalya Olmos, whose heart-centered approach to matching families with nannies is changing the Miami childcare game.
BY SHAWN MACOMBER
FOUNDED BY THALYA OLMOS in 2010, Elite Nannies has quickly become one of most trusted names in luxury childcare, delivering exceptional personalized services not only throughout Miami but also to to families in Palm Beach, Dubai, Switzerland, the UK, and beyond.
Aqua Pinecrest recently had the pleasure of speaking with Olmos about how her mission to support a few local families grew into a global movement, her approach to heart-centered matchmaking, and the ways in which her professional work has enhanced and deepened her relationship with her own young daughter.
Tell me a little bit about your journey to founding Elite Nannies.
Elite Nannies Miami was born during my time as executive director at The Victory
Thalya Olmos’ surprising journey to founder and CEO was driven by a deep passion for service and supporting families. Photograph by Liah Garcia.
Center for Autism. I was working closely with families whose children were on the autism spectrum, and I kept seeing the same heartbreaking pattern—when their children were sick and couldn’t attend school, parents had nowhere to turn. Traditional childcare options just didn’t meet their needs. That’s when I realized the vital importance of specialized in-home care—and the idea for Elite Nannies Miami was born.
Is this career something that would surprise your younger self?
Absolutely. I didn’t set out to become a founder or CEO. But what guided me then, and still does today, is the desire to serve.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Knowing we’re changing lives—both for the families we serve and the caregivers we place. Every successful match is an ecosystem of trust, growth, and love. Watching a child thrive, seeing a parent breathe easier, or hearing a nanny express joy in feeling valued and respected—it’s those moments that
remind me why we do what we do. There’s something sacred about the home. Being invited into that space, even indirectly, carries a responsibility I never take lightly.
Families and employees are such idiosyncratic entities—how do you go about finding matches?
Placing a nanny is like matchmaking. It goes far beyond the résumé. It’s about energy, values, communication style, and intuition. Someone might look perfect on paper and still be the wrong fit in a particular household. Through the years, I’ve developed a strong intuitive sense—not just about what a family says they want, but what they actually need. And I always approach each placement as if I were hiring for my own home.
Has your work informed how you engage with your own daughter?
Absolutely. Running this agency has taught me to listen more, to observe more, and to create space for growth—not just for the children in our network, but for my own daughter as well. It’s been a beautiful
feedback loop of professional and personal growth that has deeply influenced how I show up as a mother.
What’s next?
Continuing to scale—thoughtfully. We want to maintain our concierge-level service while integrating new ways to serve, perhaps through a private, invite-only app or tech-enabled platform that educates both families and caregivers. Whatever the medium, my mission remains the same: deeply personalized, high-touch service that transforms lives at home. This company has exceeded any and all expectations I had for it…and yet I still feel like we’re just getting started. And one thing I always tell my team is that we don’t just “place” nannies—we partner with families. We only work with clients we truly believe we can support in a meaningful way. That integrity is what sets Elite Nannies apart.
Call 754-332-6644 or visit www. elitenanniesmiami.com for more information.
Finding Your Holiday Zen
Miami’s own Annie Vazquez offers up five tips for how to keep calm and jolly on this festive season.
BY SHAWN MACOMBER
A PIONEER IN THE wellness and manifestation spaces, Miami-born author and coach Annie Vazquez—better known to her ever-growing community of devotees as Annie the Alchemist and/or The Fashion Poet—possesses an uncanny knack for not only making the transcendent and mystical more accessible but also helping people from all walks of life realize their long-standing dreams and aspirations.
Though she has been featured in People, Vogue, Time Out, and Marie Claire magazines as well as on the Oxygen Channel, NBC, and more, this month Vazquez joins Aqua Pinecrest to share her tips to not just survive but thrive during the upcoming holiday season.
1. Journal your way into the day.
“Start your morning in alignment by writing down three things you’re grateful for in your current life,” Vazquez says. “This reflection activity helps you actively ground, slow down, and get focused on the bigger picture, which is remembering how fortunate we truly are and all the good that already exists in our lives.”
✱ Pairs well with The Abundance Journal, which Vazquez designed to help you stay grateful, grounded, and intentional in as little as five minutes a day.
2. Pay attention to thoughts and words.
“What we think and say out loud can have a powerful effect on our day-today lives,” Vazquez advises. “When you find yourself wanting to complain or feel overwhelmed, practice simple affirmations such as ‘Everything is working out for me,’ ‘I am calm and grounded,’ and ‘Today is a beautiful day full of good things.’ Talking to yourself with affirmations can begin to calm your nervous system and help you relax.”
✱ Pairs well with The Abundance Deck, a collection of 44 affirmation cards to help you stay mindful. Simply shuffle, choose your daily message, and let the zen flow in. Also includes a journal prompt, crystal recommendation, and mini breath-work exercise.
3. Soothe body, mind and spirit with essential oils.
“Lavender encourages inner stillness,” Vazquez says. “Peppermint helps you focus. Cinnamon creates coziness. Vanilla restores balance.” She says to think about how you tap into the power of these and
other essential oils. “Dab a little on your skin, clothes, or furniture. Or perhaps use an oil diffuser in your space or light a candle.”
✱ Pairs well with Vazquez’ nine-ounce Buenas Vibras Candle, which comes with a reusable vessel, natural soy wax, and essential oils for balance and calm.
4. Do a simple meditation.
“Take five deep inhales and exhales while you’re driving to help you anchor and soothe,” Vazquez says. “Another option is to meditate in the shower. Think of something you’d like to release and then dunk your head under the water and feel it wash off you. You can repeat this as many times as necessary. To ground, do a walking meditation outdoors feeling the sunshine and air on your skin, noticing the wildlife around you and beautiful nature around you. Notice your surroundings and how lucky to be present.”
✱ Pairs well with Vazquez’ My Little Spiritual Book, which features meditations, Feng Shui primers, and many other tips and hacks to help you live more mindfully.
5. Pray in your own way. Read a simple prayer or pray for what you need guidance and help with.
“The power of prayer has many benefits,” Vazquez explains. “Research shows it reduces anxiety, depression, and stress. Prayer also can help us become more optimistic, reveal guidance, and, when done consistently, brings into our lives incredible miracles.” Afraid of what others will think? No worries: “You can do it aloud or silently,” she says.
✱ Pairs well with Vazquez’ My Little Prayer Book, a collection of more than 50 nondenominational prayers, poems, and mantras for guidance and empowerment.
To learn more about Vazquez’ books, programs, and products visit www. anniethealchemist.com
Protecting Your Family
Make a plan to preserve your family legacy before it’s too late.
BY ALINA F. NUÑEZ, ESQ., ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE ATTORNEY
YOU’VE WORKED HARD to build a successful career, provide an exceptional lifestyle for your loved ones, and create the wealth that supports it all. Yet without a carefully crafted estate plan, everything you’ve built could be left vulnerable the moment you’re gone and leave your family fighting it out in court.
A staggering 55% of Americans have no estate plan at all, leaving their wishes and their loved ones unprotected. Other families assume that having a last will and testament is enough. Unfortunately, it is not, and Florida’s probate laws can be costly, time-consuming, and public. If you pass away without a comprehensive estate plan, your family may face months—sometimes years—of court proceedings. During that time, your assets can be frozen, business operations disrupted, creditors attacking your assets and family relationships strained by uncertainty or disagreement.
It’s not just about money. Imagine your children’s inheritance diminished by taxes and legal fees, or guardianship of your minor children decided by a judge rather than by you. Even adult children can find themselves in conflict over medical decisions, property management, or how to honor your wishes if those wishes aren’t clearly documented.
A thoughtful estate plan does more than distribute assets. It safeguards your legacy and provides your family with clarity and security when they need it most. Through tools such as revocable living trusts, advance healthcare directives, and durable powers of attorney, you can:
• Protect loved ones from unnecessary court involvement and disputes
• Reduce taxes and expenses, preserving more of your wealth for the next generation
• Maintain privacy by avoiding the public nature of probate proceedings
• Ensure your voice is heard regarding medical care and guardianship decisions
The peace of mind that comes with a solid plan is invaluable. Life is unpredictable and unexpected events don’t wait until we “have time” to plan. Acting now allows you to make thoughtful decisions while you’re healthy and clear-minded, sparing your family from emotional and financial turmoil later.
Estate planning is not just for the ultra-wealthy or the elderly; it’s for anyone who loves their family enough to protect them. Don’t let the courts determine your legacy.
Alina F. Nuñez, Esq. is the principal attorney at Nunez Estate Law & Title, a Miami-based law firm devoted to helping families safeguard their wealth and smoothly transfer it to the next generation.
Schedule Your Consultation – “Protect your family today—your legacy depends on it” 305-962-5929 | www.nunezlawfl.com
Visionary real estate developer Armando Codina in the Regency Parc uniform—the same uniform which will be worn by all the senior staff of the building, including the building’s managing director.
Simplify Your Life Without Compromise
Regency Parc, the new ultra-luxury residential tower, offers residents a new way of living in South Florida.
T“THE LONGER I LIVE,” the architect Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “the more beautiful life becomes.” Of course, sometimes life can use an assist. That is where the new Regency Parc ultra-luxury residential tower in the heart of Coral Gables comes in.
This instantly iconic miracle of design exudes the magnificence of a breathtaking Lake Cuomo villa and boasts 126 spacious “Sky Residences” ranging from 1,768 to 12,000 square feet. But it also includes a jawdropping array of amenities from five-star hotel-rivaling concierge services (black car transportation, dining reservations, in-unit housekeeping), round-the-clock security, a salon, and wellness pavilion to co-working spaces, a telehealth room, a movie theater, dedicated pet services, and many others. And, a state-of-the-art custom resident app makes accessing these services a breeze.
Regency Parc, in other words, redefines the word exclusive. (Just ask former Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain, who put his own Coral Gables estate on the market in April to lease a unit at the ultra-luxury tower.)
A NEW CHAPTER
And yet, this breathtaking building is more than a mere residential structure. It is an idea whose time has come, allowing forward-thinking, successful individuals to right-size rather than downsize their lives, choosing a path that allows them to leave behind maintenance costs as well as rising property taxes and insurance premiums while enhancing virtually every aspect of their lifestyle, join a vibrant and tight-knit community, and increase access to liquid assets. Or, as Regency Parc puts it on their
BY SHAWN MACOMBER
website, “sell the single-family home, liberate the capital, and invest it.”
“We plan to see residents unlock $5 to $15 million in equity by selling their homes, investing that capital conservatively, and using the interest to pay their lease, travel freely, and live more fully,” legendary Miami real estate developer Armando Codina, for whom the $205 million Regency Parc is something of a career crown jewel, says. “It’s not just a home—it’s a lifestyle strategy.”
On the flipside, the lifestyle also works for out-of-town residents looking to quickly make South Florida home without
compromising the ultra-luxury lifestyle they are accustomed to. “It’s the perfect place for New Yorkers and others to land in South Florida while assessing schools and other areas,” says Codina.
BEHIND REGENCY PARC
If you possess faith even the size of a mustard seed, the ancient parable teaches, you can move mountains.
Case in point: The incredible, inspiring life story of Armando Codina—a truly selfmade man who arrived in this country from Cuba at age fourteen as an unaccompanied
The Regency Parc redefines luxury living in the heart of Coral Gables.
minor on one of the Operation Pedro Pan flights in the early 1960s that helped thousands of children escape a life of privation and oppression under Fidel Castro. Penniless and speaking no English, Codina endured a couple years in a New Jersey orphanage and foster homes until he could be reunited with his mother and relocate to Miami.
Armed with only a high school education and a desire to provide for his single mother, Codina scaled the workforce ladder, became a successful entrepreneur, then, finally, settled into a decades-long role as one of the most visionary pioneers in real estate development and life space enhancement South Florida has ever seen.
Yet Codina remains humble, his powerful faith still condensed despite the monumental scale of his creations and successes. “You know what my biggest accomplishment in this world is?” Codina asks. “I am blessed with four daughters and nine grandchildren—and they all live within two miles of me.” One of those daughters, Ana-Marie, he proudly notes, is CEO of Codina Partners. “It does not get better than that.” But surely Codina must see himself as someone with a preternaturally good sense of the market combined with a
willingness to seize opportunity when it presents itself?
After a pause, Condina replies, at first, by noting that every boat he has owned has had the same name: What a Country!
“I see myself primarily as someone having been very, very lucky,” Codina says. “I am very lucky that Cuba was only 90 miles away from this country. I am lucky that my mother made the hard choice to send me here. I don’t think I could have accomplished what I have accomplished anywhere else in the world. Everything I have, I owe America. Even if I lived 100 years more, I could not repay the debt I owe this country.”
THE EARLY YEARS
“You have to follow your dreams, yes,” Codina advises. “But you cannot have a sense of entitlement. You cannot skip steps. You must work hard and pay your dues. There is no way around it. This is why when I started out, I always worked harder than anyone. Even if I was a bag boy—I put my all into it and treated everyone with respect along the way.”
Codina landed at a bank where
he became fascinated by two things: Computers—then still a relatively new and evolving phenomenon—and the problems with account receivables that persistently bedeviled doctors. In 1970, he used the former to address the latter, founding a company called Professional Automated Services with an $80,000 Small Business Administration loan. It was a success, both financially and as a problem-solving enterprise. “I sold it in 1978 for what I thought was all the money in the world,” Codina chuckles. “Turns out it wasn’t—it just felt that way.”
In the aftermath, Codina thought he might run for political office, following in the footsteps of his father who had been a senator in pre-Castro Batista Cuba. To dip his toe in, he served as chairman of the George H.W. Bush primary campaign in South Florida in which Ronald Reagan would prevail. “During that year, I was cured of my interest in politics,” he says. “I saw the sacrifices it required of the Bush family and thought, ‘This is not for me.’ I didn’t have a home life with a mother and a father growing up, so I wanted to make sure that I got my own family right.”
The computer company sale had included a tough noncompete clause, so Codina found himself in need of a pivot. He stayed adjacent to the industry by investing in medical office buildings, developing the Baptist Medical Office buildings as the
Codina Group. From there, in the mid-1980s, he developed Museum Tower, the first office building to be built in downtown Miami in two decades. Several more successes in this vein followed. Codina also gave back to the community during this time.
By the mid-eighties Codina had developed a keen enough of intuitive sense of the community that he felt the future was not in high-rise office buildings downtown,
but closer to a trade port model. So, he began developing industrial parks—including, in 1989, Beacon Centre, a then-highly unorthodox 205-acre, mixed-use business park with incredible landscaping and retail space near Miami International Airport. More success came, and the concept went from pie-in-the-sky to conventional wisdom in short order. “Probably the best business decision that I ever made,” Codina says, “was not to let my ego lead me into building another office tower.”
Codina Group soon became Florida’s largest privately held real estate company. Flagship projects included the innovative 250-acre mixed-use Downtown Doral with offices, shops, restaurants, office space, 5000 rental units, green space, and a top-rated charter school. Codina also took time to give back working through the Miami Chamber of Commerce, rebuilding after Hurricane Andrew, co-founding the Community Partnership for the Homeless, serving on the Boards of AMR Corporation (American Airlines), General Motors, Bellsouth, and…the list goes on and on with many accompanying civic, corporate, and humanitarian awards dotting the landscape.
In 2006 Codina cut a deal to merge his company with Florida East Coast
Industries—the company founded by legendary Sunshine State developer Henry Flagler—and attempted to retire. It didn’t take.
“I am a failure as a retired person,” he admits. When the crash came in 2008, Codina got back in the saddle, acquiring defaulted mortgages and properties, including the one which now houses his Codina Partners offices. “I have never followed the crowd,” Codina says. And, like Robert Frost’s less travelled path, that has made all the difference.
THE VISIONARY IN CHIEF
Just as Codina intuitively understood when change was afoot in the real estate development game, so, too, did he come to recently realize his personal life had come to an inflection point: With his four daughters raised and launched in life, Codina and his wife found themselves ready for the next phase—one in which their space would more closely dovetail with their needs; where maintenance would become a thing of the past; where many, if not
most, of their local interests would be within walking rather than driving distance; where they could live on a single floor without sacrificing comfort, roominess, or the highest of high-end luxuries.
Codina is, in other words, his own target client for the Regency Parc. “My daughter jokes that I decided where I wanted to live, designed my unit, and then built a building beneath it,” Codina, who has now put his
large Gables Estates home, located on a street which he has resided at for 40 years, on the market, says. (Codina’s daughter AnaMarie will also be moving into the building, by the way.) “Fortunately, there are many others in the same boat, looking for the same things.”
All it took was a little faith, a lot of hard work, and that mountain was moved for (and by) Codina once again.
Experience amenities which are second to none.
Miami’s Best Chapter
The Miami Book Fair is back and better than ever this year. In honor of the fair, we’ve rounded up excellent reads by authors with ties to sunny South Florida.
BY ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN
THE MIAMI BOOK FAIR is Nov. 16 to 23 at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, Downtown Miami, and streaming at www.miamibookfaironline.com. Friday, Nov. 21 is free admission for all. Nov. 22 to 23: Saturday and Sunday, tickets are $12 for adults with discounted admission of $5 for ages 13 to 18. Children 12 and under are always free. Find more information at www.miamibookfair.com.
1. AARON JOHN
CURTIS: is an enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, which he’ll tell you is the white name for the American side of Akwesasne. He has judged for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize, Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance prizes, the 2019 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction, and the 2021 National Book Award for Nonfiction. From 2004 to 2024, Curtis was quartermaster at Books & Books, Miami’s largest independent bookstore. He lives in Florida. This year Aaron will present: Old School Indian.
2. FABIENNE JOSAPHAT
is a Haitian‑born novelist and screenwriter. She is at work on new projects across page and screen, extending her exploration of memory and justice from Port‑au‑Prince, Haiti, to the diaspora, and fostering conversations that connect readers to Haiti’s past and present. In 2023 she won the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction for Kingdom of No Tomorrow.This year, Fabienne will present: Kingdom of No Tomorrow and is also on a ReadCaribbean panel, titled: Cross Currents: Haiti, Jamaica, and the Caribbean Imagination.
3. KRISTEN ARNETT is the author of With Teeth, which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in fiction, and The New York Times bestseller Mostly Dead Things, which was shortlisted for the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. Her work has appeared in The New York Times; Time, The Cut; O, The Oprah Magazine; and elsewhere. She lives in Orlando, Florida. This year Arnett will present: Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One. In this book, Arnett writes about Cherry who is a down on her luck professional clown who juggles gigs, side jobs, and family drama.
4. JAMES GRIPPANDO is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 books to his credit, including those in his acclaimed series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck. A winner of the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction, he is also a trial lawyer and teaches law and literature at the University of Miami School of Law. He lives and writes in South Florida. This year, he will be presenting Grave Danger: A Jack Swyteck Novel (fiction). In Grippando’s Grave Danger: A Jack Swyteck Novel, Jack’s new client fled from Iran to Miami with her daughter and is accused of kidnapping by her husband.
5. ANDREW FURMAN is a professor of English at Florida Atlantic University and teaches in its MFA program in creative writing. His fiction and creative nonfiction frequently engage with the Florida outdoors, but he has also written about Maine, Jewish identity, basketball, lighthouses, swimming, and cast iron cookware. In Of Slash Pines and Manatees: A Highly Selective Field Guide to My Suburban Wilderness (University Press of Florida), Furman contemplates his place in a subtropical landscape by exploring touchpoints between his everyday suburban life and the environment in South Florida.
6. MIRTA OJITO is a journalist, professor, and author of two nonfiction books. She is the recipient of an Emmy for the documentary Harvest of Misery as well as a shared Pulitzer Prize for national reporting in 2001, for a series of New York Times articles on race. She lives in Coral Gables, Florida, where she is endlessly inspired. Deeper than the Ocean is her first book. In Deeper than the Ocean, Mirta Ojito tells a multigenerational tale that spins out of a chance finding. While on the Canary Islands, Mara Denis learns that among the dead in the shipwreck of the Valbanera, the “poor man’s Titanic,” is her grandmother.
7. JULIE MARIE WADE is a finalist for the National Poetry Series and a winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Memoir, Wade teaches in the creative writing program at Florida International University in Miami. Her newest memoir, Other People’s Mothers (University Press of Florida), a collection of interconnected, autobiographical essays, Wade explores the relationship between a daughter, her mother, and the other mothers present in their lives.
8. ASHA ELIAS: Writer, mother, and reluctant socialite, Elias is the author of The Namaste Club. She graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in print journalism, has contributed to Cosmopolitan, and is the sex and dating columnist for Miami New Times. She lives with her family in Miami Beach. Elias’ The Namaste Club (William Morrow) is a sly, hilarious beach read about rich people behaving badly. At a luxe Florida yoga retreat, wealthy divorcées, a heiress who’s taken a vow of silence, a tradwife in hiding, and a man bunned instructor collide during Transcendence Week. Some will be living their best life—and some will get their comeuppance.
9. DAVE BARRY: From his childhood as the son of a Presbyterian minister to his tenure as a humor columnist at the Miami Herald and eventual member of a literary rock band. Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass: How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up is a vibrant celebration of a life rich with humor, absurdity, joy, and sadness.
10. LAWRENCE R. SAMUEL:
A Miami based independent scholar who holds a Ph.D. in American studies and was a Smithsonian Institution fellow. He blogs for PsychologyToday. com, where he has received more than two million hits, and is often quoted in the media. His most recent work is Making Miami. In Making Miami, (Pineapple Press) Samuel takes a deep dive into the history, growth, and development of the city.
11. NADINE GONZALEZ: From Manhattan to Miami, Gonzalez writes modern love stories for today’s romance readers. The author of nine contemporary romances, including Scandal In The VIP Suite and What Happens In Miami..., her latest release, Only Lovers in the Building, is a USA Today bestseller. Of Haitian descent, she prizes tales with wide cultural diversity.
13. LES STANDIFORD: New York Times bestselling author of 25 critically acclaimed books and novels. In Coral Gables: From Bankruptcy to Beauty, Standiford details the rise of an iconic small city.
12. NICKY GONZALEZ: A writer from Hialeah, Florida, will present her latest fiction Mayra: A Novel. Her previous work has appeared in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Bomb magazine, The Kenyon Review, Taco Bell Quarterly, and other publications. She has received support from the Elizabeth George Foundation, the Granum Foundation, Millay Arts, Lighthouse Works, and the Hambidge Center.
14. OSCAR FUENTES: Known as The Biscayne Poet, Fuentes is a Miami based multidisciplinary artist, curator, and author of 11 poetry and prose collections. His typewriter poetry was recently featured on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Miami, and he serves as poet in residence at 1 Hotel South Beach. He is currently promoting Poetry City: Ciudad Poesía, a new poetry collection inspired by Miami. In 2023, he received the inaugural Miami Dade Mayoral Poetry Commendation.
15. ELISA TURNER: Award
winning art critic and art journalist in Miami. Her book Miami’s Art Boom: From Local Vision to International Presence, is a curated series of her Miami Herald writing during the pivotal years 1987 to 2007 and updated with new essays, was made possible by a Knight Foundation grant. She was awarded first place for Arts Commentary & Criticism from Florida’s Sunshine State Society of Professional Journalists in 2020 and 2021, and in 2020 received the prestigious Rabkin Prize. She is a contributor to ArtBurst Miami and other publications.
16. LEGNA RODRÍGUEZ
IGLESIAS: An award winning Cuban writer and poet based in Miami. Paroled narrates, to the rhythm of ’90s hits, the life of an immigrant in Miami who faces immigration procedures, temporary jobs, encounters with other diasporas and memories of Cuba, in a prose where music sustains memory and identity.
19. REINA MARÍA
RODRÍGUEZ: A prominent Cuban poet and author of over thirty books. Jigs and Lures is a bilingual anthology where Rodríguez begins by presenting the writer as a character, demonstrating a new form of self distancing She was named a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters of France in 1999, and her papers are held by the Princeton University Library.
17. LUIS DE LA PAZ: Cuban writer and journalist based in Miami. His book En Crónicas Miamenses is like a photograph that attempts to capture a slice of Miami between the late 20th century and the early 21st.
18. MARÍA AUXILIADORA ÁLVAREZ: A Venezuelan poet and scholar who completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in Ibero American Literature at the University of Illinois and has been a professor emeritus at Miami University in Ohio since 2023. Her book A Sun Behind Us (published in both English and Spanish) won the Paz Prize for Poetry.
20. ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN: A bestselling author of multiple contemporary fiction novels, book columnist for Aqua Pinecrest Magazine and former NBC 6 Miami book correspondent. Her book What You Do To Me (2023), was recently optioned for a feature film; and her most recent novel We Are Made of Stars, will be presented this year. In We Are Made of Stars, the Vis Ta Vie inn faces closing. Fittingly, three guest couples are in crisis too: a pair of Hollywood celebs, a therapist and her astronomer husband, and a high power couple of a former lawyer and a sports agent. Add a self absorbed single mother and her daughter, and face a week of betrayals, regrets, and shocking truths.
Set the for Fall Mood
For relaxed, cozy meals that encourage lingering, create table settings inspired by the natural beauty and warm colors of fall.
BY JENNA GALLETTI
FALL IS THE SEASON
in which we cozy up with pumpkin spice lattes, throw on our favorite scarves, and begin thinking about hosting friends and family for indoor gatherings. To set the mood for an uplifting meal at this dark and sometimes dreary time of year, focus on your table décor. Here’s how to style a fall table that’s welcoming, warm, and full of character.
START WITH THE BASICS
The beauty of fall is in the richness of its colors, so think earthy tones as your foundation. Neutral tablecloths or placemats in soft beige or off-white create a calm canvas. From there, add pops of deep orange, mustard yellow, and burgundy through napkins, place mats, or a table runner. Don’t be afraid to mix in some dark greens—they bring a chic, moody vibe that really feels like the season.
THINK BEYOND TRADITIONAL
Miniature pumpkins? Cute, sure. But let’s be honest, they’re everywhere. To add that fall feeling but with a twist of elegance, try including white miniature pumpkins in your table décor. Create a rustic centerpiece with freshly picked apples and small squash, or a playful mix of dried florals that convey ‘harvest’ without the cliché. If space allows, consider running dried branches or leaves along the length of your table, through its center.
TEXTURE IS KEY
When it comes to fall table styling, texture is just as important as color. We’re talking rich, cozy touches like linen napkins, woven placemats, or even a faux fur throw casually draped over a chair. Mix in ceramic, wood, and copper pieces to add more texture and depth, because nothing says autumn like a table that feels as rich as a creamy hot chocolate. It’s all about creating a vibe that makes your guests want to linger a little longer, whether for another glass of wine or a second round of dessert.
CHOOSE SOFT LIGHTING
In addition to dimmable electric lighting, candles are key to creating a cozy vibe. Now is the time to dig out candlesticks that might feel too formal (or require too much maintenance) for use at other times of year. Whether made of brass, silver, metal or glass, candlesticks add texture and elegance to your table. Sprinkle in your favorite votive candleholders for additional interest. Or choose a series of short, stocky candles— those wrapped in birch bark are easy to find online and add a touch of nature to your table. Regardless of size or shape, warm, flickering light is where it’s at for fall meals.
FINISHING TOUCHES
It’s the little details that turn a table from ‘nice’ to ‘unforgettable.’ Personalized place cards? Instant points for making your guests
feel special. You can keep it simple with sprigs of rosemary and handwritten names or get creative with fall favors— think mini bottles of apple cider or tiny bags of caramel popcorn. Who wouldn’t love a festive treat? Fall feasts are also the perfect time to bring out inherited dishes, cutlery or serving pieces that remind you of loved ones, or antiques that you don’t often use because they require handwashing. They’ll spark conversation and add a glow to your table.
Your fall dining décor should reflect the season: warm, inviting, and full of little details that bring people together. So go ahead, get creative with your style, because the best gatherings are those where everyone feels right at home. Here’s to a fall full of delicious food, great company, and a table that creates the perfect setting for both.
Jenna Galletti is a photographer, marketer and creative producer who splits her time between New York and Boston. She finds endless inspiration through the energy of urban life. Visit her online at www.jennagalletti.com and follow her on Instagram @jennagalletti.
Lifecoach LOL
Miami standup comedy legend Manny Garavito is using the skills he honed on stage to help people connect with others and live their best lives.
BY SHAWN MACOMBER
MANNY GARAVITO decided to become a comedian the moment HR told him to stop telling jokes at the office.
“I was working in corporate banking, wearing a tie, making my coworkers laugh, and occasionally getting pulled into awkward conversations about ‘professionalism,’” Garavito says. “Tough crowd!”
Garavito did his first open mic in 2009 at the old Miami Improv in Coconut Grove—and bombed. “It was an out of body experience on stage,” he recalls. “But I looked into the crowd and saw my dad smiling and nodding. Not because I was killing, but because he didn’t speak English. Later, I told that exact story on stage and people laughed. That’s when I realized being real was funny.”
LIVING FOR LAUGHS
Garavito quit the corporate gig, finished his marketing degree at Florida International University, then, using his savings, bought www. miamicomedy.com from a digital squatter for $2,700.
“That was probably the first big joke I invested in,” he says. “But I started using all the traditional marketing stuff I learned to build a real comedy audience. The kind of people who wanted to laugh regularly. And as my writing got sharper, the scene started to grow. We weren’t just doing bar shows anymore—we were making people feel like they belonged to something.”
Around 2017, Garavito had an epiphany: The skills he
had meticulously honed on stage might translate to other areas of life. So, he founded Miami Networking to host less transactional, more casual meetups all around the city.
“I noticed most networking events felt like LinkedIn in real life,” Garavito says. “People were pitching themselves, not really being present. So, I started hosting events the same way I’d warm up a crowd. I’d break the ice, get people laughing, and next thing you know, strangers are becoming friends without any business cards involved…No sales pitches. No agenda. Just meet people and vibe.”
Simultaneously, Garavito launched a comedy/life coaching platform to help people improve their lives and relationships through humor.
“Whether people want to be funnier
in conversations, on dates, or in content— comedy is a skill that brings people closer,” he says. “Helping someone discover that in themselves is just as fun as making a group of people laugh as a whole.”
What makes it all work is that the funniest, most gregarious man in Miami might very well also be the hardest working: So, forget what HR told you: Manny Garavito is a Magic City treasure.
For more information on Garavito’s work, visit www.mannygaravito.com and wwwmiaminetworking.com.
Between his roles as entertainer, comedy coach, and community organizer, Garavito is very busy—but also fulfilled.
A Desert Oasis
A weekend in Palm Springs, California is the perfect spot for Floridians looking for a change of scenery.
BY GERRY BARKER
IT STARTED AS A cross-country road trip to see friends in Sedona, Arizona. Afterward, almost on a whim, my wife and I opted to head to Palm Springs, California, to see the city so many Hollywood celebrities have called home. After a whirlwind three days, the location exceeded all our expectations, and we left totally smitten, vowing to return at our next opportunity.
AN OASIS
Called by many “Hollywood’s Desert Playground,” this sparkling oasis, a little over 100 miles east of Los Angeles, is located in the Coachella Valley desert and ringed on all sides by mountains, providing a picturesque backdrop to the iconic palms that give the city its name.
Hollywood discovered its charms in the 1930s, when big names like Cary Grant and Gloria Swanson had homes here, along with frequent visitors Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplain, and Greta Garbo. Over the next few decades, a host of others followed, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Liberace, Elvis, and Marilyn Monroe.
But Hollywood aside, Palm Springs has
another important distinction: The “Mecca of Modernism.” For anyone who loves the mid-century modern style—and we do—a visit to Palm Springs is like stepping back in time to post-World War II America, where famous architects created homes that are enduring masterpieces of design.
A harmonious blending of modern materials with the desert environment combined to create a new standard of leisure living. Speaking of which, did you know there are more swimming pools per capita in Palm Springs than any other city in the nation? There are about 40,000 within the city limits.
If you come here in the summer, chances are you’ll be seeking out one of those pools. Temperatures during this time regularly hit 110 degrees and above (in 2024 they recorded a record high: 124 degrees on July 5). Yearly, the area averages 300 days of sunshine and less than 5 inches of rain. Winters are pleasantly warm with cool desert nights.
A MID-CENTURY MODERN RETREAT
While looking for a place to stay, we randomly picked The Three Fifty Hotel (named for its street address), a boutique, 10-room, mid-century retreat that’s close to downtown and walking distance to the famous Ingelside Estate (more on that later). With a big, inflatable duck in the pool, set against a backdrop of the St. Jacinto Mountains, we felt the Palm Springs vibe right away.
Opposite page, top: A statue of Marilyn Monroe (Photograph courtesy of Visit Palm Springs). From left: Hotel 350; Sinatra’s Twin Palms home (Photograph courtesy of Visit Palm Springs); and Palm Springs residents Mike and Dave with their puppy pack.
Elvis Presley’s Honeymoon Hideaway, where The King and Priscilla had their honeymoon. (Photograph courtesy of Visit Palm Springs).
We had heard about how great the lifestyle was here from a good friend, Dave, who left Montana and Texas to settle here. A reason for the move was how accepting Palm Springs is of everyone.
“As a gay married man, I went from being ‘the gay in the room’ to just another guy in the room,” he told me. With one of the highest number of same-sex couples in the country, Palm Springs takes pride in being a welcoming LGBTQ+ travel destination, with a number of festivals and special events. Dave was happy to give us some recommendations for our visit. Here’s just a sampling:
Golf. While Florida and Myrtle Beach like to claim the title of golf capital of the world, Palm Springs is right there with them, boasting over 130 golf courses. For almost 50 years, starting in 1965, the Bob Hope Classic was a major PGA Tour event, drawing celebrities like Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Bill Clinton. A story is told about eccentric comedian Harpo Marx, who one hot day decided to shed his clothes and play a round of golf naked at Tamarisk Country Club, where he was a member. His son recalled he didn’t even wear his golf
shoes. Let’s hope he had plenty of sunscreen.
Aerial Tramway. Love spectacular scenery? Like hiking in the cool mountain air? Head for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, billed as “the world’s largest rotating tram car.” Take in views of Chino Canyon as you ride just over two miles to Mountain Station; elevation, 8,516 feet in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. At the top are restaurants, observation decks, a natural history musuem and gift shop, along with 50 miles of hiking trails. I took the sunset trip, which revealed a blanket of twinkling lights in the valley below. Conceived by Francis Crocker in the 1930s, the tram was completed in 1963 and hailed as “the eighth wonder of the world.”
Take a Home Tour. Don’t be afraid to be a tourist and take a tour of the fabulous midcentury architecture on display. Among the celebrity houses you’ll see will be the famous “House of Tomorrow,” where Elvis and Priscilla honeymooned, and Frank Sinatra’s home, Twin Palms, where it’s said Sinatra would raise a Jack Daniels flag to signal cocktail hour or a party. To immerse yourself in all things mid-century, plan to attend
Modernism Week, an 11-day cultural festival held each February, with an abbreviated version in October, that includes lectures, films and behind the scene tours that go inside selected homes.
Joshua Tree National Park. Located 45 miles east of Palm Springs, and named for the trees found in the Mojave Desert, visitors here can hike, rock climb, camp, and explore historical sites. Named an International Dark Sky Park, it’s the perfect venue to stargaze under clear desert skies. Be sure and check the weather reports: Sudden rainstorms forced the park to close on our visit.
Visit Idyllwild. This town in the San Jacinto Mountains, about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs, is what Dave described as “magical.” Complementing its forested hiking trails, rock climbing, and camping is its small town charm filled with specialty shops, art galleries, and local performers. For wine lovers, there’s Middle Ridge Winery, and if your thing is chocolate, there’s El Buen Cacao bean-to-bar Chocolate Factory. And did I mention the town’s unofficial dog mayor? That would be Mayor Max III, a golden retriever.
The Next Great Read
November’s here and choices are good. Not just what we want to read, but how we read.
BY ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN
SEEMS WE ALL LIKE to read. And nowadays, there are many ways to get our hands on great books. I enjoy browsing through a cozy bookstore, the smell of paper and words (yes, there is such a thing), and the tactical feel of the pages. When I travel, to save space, I’ll load my Kindle with a few titles, and for long walks and drives, audiobooks are my savior. However you get your favorite reads, these standouts won’t disappoint.
THE CORRESPONDENT
By Virginia Evans
Sybil Van Antwerp is a retired attorney who prefers the written word. Through a series of letters, she begins a journey of selfdiscovery relating to a painful period in her past. Ranging from Joan Didion to her brother and best friend, the letters provide an intimate glimpse into Sybil’s life and her inevitable need to forgive. Brimming with wit and depth, this one strikes every chord.
GOOD DAYS BAD DAYS
By Emily Bleeker
An emotionally resonant read of family and secrets following Charlie McFadden as she reconnects with her estranged parents. Bleeker sets the stage for an immersive tale, one of rich characters and timely, thought-provoking themes. The dual-timeline transitions seamlessly through heartache and healing culminating in a sharp depiction of a checkered past and the winding road home. Stirring and soulful. Perfect for book clubs.
THEO OF GOLDEN
By Allen Levi
Levi captivates in this tender tale of one man’s transformative power and generosity. Theo arrives in the fictional town of Golden where he stumbles upon a coffee shop with 92 pencil drawings of its patrons. Through anonymous kindness, he purchases each one and gifts it to the owner. Setting off a chain of connection, the story highlights love, friendship, and the power of a single gesture.
HEART THE LOVER
By Lily King
Did any of us doubt Lily King would return with another masterfully written story? In her latest, she introduces us to a college-aged woman who becomes involved with two men who are best friends. The love triangle spans from the days of youth to adulthood through brilliant and evocative prose. Readers will fall for these characters and their heartaches—and the secrets and truths which emerge over time. King captures the bruises of first love with precision and heart.
Find these gems at www.bookshop.org or stop by our favorite indie Books & Books. And for those who enjoy listening, there are many options out there.
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.
Norway’s $2 Trillion Example
The country is turning oil into a future of wealth and sustainability.
AL MAULINI, CFP®, CPM®, CEPA®PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT OF
CORAL GABLES
NOW THAT IT LOOKS like we are building our own Sovereign Wealth Fund, I thought it might be great to look at the most successful example in the world.
Norway, a nation of just 5.5 million people, quietly manages one of the most extraordinary financial achievements in modern history, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at nearly $1.9 trillion as of mid-2025. Known officially as the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), it represents roughly $345,000 for every citizen, transforming this small Nordic nation into one of the richest countries per capita on the planet.
The fund’s story is a masterclass in long-term thinking and fiscal discipline. Built from decades of oil and gas revenues, Norway made a pivotal decision: Instead of spending its fossil-fuel windfall, it invested globally across stocks (71%),
bonds (27%), and renewable energy projects (2%). Since 1998, those investments have generated more than $1.1 trillion in returns, funding Norway’s generous welfare state and public infrastructure while keeping the nation’s economy insulated from oil price shocks.
Crucially, Norway also implemented strict withdrawal limits, allowing only about 3% of the fund’s value to be used each year. This self-imposed restraint prevents the economy from overheating, a phenomenon known as “Dutch disease,” in which resource wealth undermines other sectors. By treating its oil reserves as finite and its people as permanent stakeholders, Norway turned a volatile commodity into a permanent source of intergenerational security.
Beyond finances, the fund has become a symbol of sustainable governance. It adheres to some of the world’s most rigorous ethical and environmental investment guidelines, often divesting from coal, tobacco, and companies that violate human rights. And its influence extends beyond balance sheets: Revenues from the oil fund have indirectly supported green incentives that made Norway the global leader in electric vehicles, where 89% of new cars sold in 2024 were fully electric.
Norway’s model underscores the potential for resource-rich nations to invest, not consume, their way to prosperity. While most countries debate how to manage their energy
transitions, Norway has already demonstrated that smart resource stewardship can sustain both wealth and planetary well-being.
In an age defined by short-term thinking, Norway’s $2 trillion oil fund stands as a rare example of capitalism done consciously, a system designed not for immediate gain, but for enduring prosperity across generations.
Thank you for reading.
Live your best life,
AL Maulini Founder, Owner, PWMCG Senior Portfolio Strategist, RJFS
Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. The foregoing is not a recommendation to buy or sell any individual security or any combination of securities.
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Historic Douglas Entrance