Community Health of South Florida Inc. is a nonprofit health care organization providing affordable quality primary and behavioral health care services to the South Florida community.

CHI operates 11 state-of-the-art primary care centers and 31 school-based programs.

In November, they break ground on a new Children’s Crisis Center facility which will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provide care to all children from 2 to 18 years of age.

Abe Levy and Johnny Brown in front of new facility rendering backdrop

As part of the effort to raise $5 million for the project, CHI held their 2nd Annual Casino Night on August 19th. Chair of the Foundation Board Abe Levy explained, “We’re so proud to be helping CHI better serve the South Florida community.” CHI Chairman Johnny Brown added, “This facility will be a huge success and we look forward to helping our kids.”

Inside Casino Night at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Pinecrest, there were game tables, gourmet catered food and drink.

There was also a silent auction. The $50 entry ticket was just the start to the fundraising. The night ended up with donations totaling close to $90,000. More donations for the new facility continue to pour in.

Help make a difference today by making a tax-deductible donation to the Community Health Foundation. Your involvement will help make South Florida a better community for our children. Head over to http://www.chisouthfl.org/foundation/ and look for the DONATE button.

On August 30th, nearly 350 people showed up at the Palmetto Golf Course to hear information and voice their opinion about the potential bridging of 87th Avenue over the canal between SW 163 and 164 Streets. Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava organized the event to allow for the sharing of opinions on the proposed $1.9-billion project slated to begin in 2018 to alleviate north-south traffic in the area.

“As County Commissioner and a resident of Palmetto Bay, I am embarrassed to tell you that I found out about this proposed project from Facebook,” explained Cava. “We clearly aren’t getting things right when we have communication gaps like this within the County.” For its part, the usually split Palmetto Bay Council is a firm 5-0 against the bridging and has been for several years now.

The two-hour meeting allowed the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) to present their case as to why they are pushing for the bridging to occur. They showed numbers that calculated traffic flow numbers after bridging that would reduce delays by 27%. They also said that past summer vs. school traffic seasons only showed a 7% increase in commute times, which resulted in rounds of boos and disbelief.

Heated at times, the attendees were allowed to make public comments and statements. Although the respect in the room was low at times with people shouting each other down, Palmetto Bay Mayor Flinn commented, “I think residents demonstrated to the County that we want a global traffic solution, not one that shifts the problem from neighborhood to neighborhood.” Homeowner Mary Pettit raised a point about how the County needed to look more globally at what they do. She stated the level of dense development further down south is what has created the traffic nightmare we have today and that the County was happy to take in the extra tax revenue without regard to the impact.

The issue also highlights the foot-dragging when it comes to South Dade’s mass transit efforts. The ineffective use of the transitway (formerly called the busway) is an example of name changes, but no real progress. Most believe that mass transit will alleviate a lot of the traffic flowing through neighborhood streets, which were originally designed specifically to be hostile to through-traffic. To date, no real action has been seen.

One interesting fact revealed at the meeting is that smart traffic signals are being installed on the transitway from SW 104 to SW 344 Streets during September. They’ll be programmed through the end of the year with the goal being intelligent red light changes only when a bus or authorized vehicle approaches the intersection.

After the meeting, a story about Maryland’s 16-mile Purple Line train transit project receiving $900-million in full federal funding came to light. It turns out that Miami-Dade County has never even asked for a dime of funding despite years of discussions around South Dade’s dire needs for public transportation. Palmetto Bay Councilman David Singer commented on Facebook, “Apparently, they elect leadership that know what they are doing.”

The meeting concluded with an overwhelming majority of the audience opposing the bridge. Cava called it ‘quite raucous and passionate’. We all await the County’s next move.

The storm has passed and for the most part, we came out of this quite well.  From traveling our streets, I do not see major roof damage anywhere. We all seem to be safe.

As of this email, some areas of Palmetto Bay has power. I will remind people of two things:

1. If you can share power from a generator or your "powered" home, please consider.
2. If you are running a generator, MAKE SURE you are disconnected from the FPL grid (usually by cutting the main breaker to you home). Otherwise, you can kill an FPL employee or have your generator destroyed when power comes back online.

If you are planning on using a chainsaw, do so with extreme care. I have heard horror stories about hand injuries (and worse) during Hurricane Andrew).

Be neighborly! Our house is open to those who want some air conditioning or to charge devices. If you have extra, offer it to others!

Marathon Gas at 168 and Old Cutler has gas and short lines

Publix at US-1 and 146 is open 8a - 5p until further notice

Reply with questions and I'll try to get them answered.

Most recent videos from our Mayor (today at 11am)

Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiHal/videos/1429594080410689/

Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiHal/videos/1429606330409464/

Many more photos coming...

Thankfully Irma was no Andrew. Twenty-five years later, so much has changed… and so much is the same. When Mother Nature is at her worst human nature is at its best.

There were so many heroes during and after Irma that I will only scratch the surface with 11 of them. And in almost every case our heroes were the little guys. Large companies don't seem to have the "right stuff" in a hurricane crisis. Manuals and plans are no match for critical thinking. That is why the owner of a local gas station can splice wires into his store and pump gas to needy customers and AT&T and Comcast do face plants despite heavily documented disaster recovery strategies.

Sure, Hurricane Irma brought her wrath with wind and rain. Thankfully, in our immediate area, storm surge was minimal. Lots of people heeded the evacuation orders. Others stayed. I personally lost power Sunday, September 10 at 6:11 a.m. and regained it Tuesday, September 12 at 4:21 p.m. The way I found out the power was back was priceless. Like many who had been in cleanup mode, I was taking my third cold shower of the day when all of a sudden, the water got warmer. It was nirvana.

Even though my power outage was shorter than many, we can all identify with instinctually flipping on a light switch with no result, hitting your remote for the garage door and opening the refrigerator expecting a light and a draft of cool air. Yes, after we checked for any damage, it was the lack of power that most irked and concerned us all.

Hero #1 on my list is likely to cause controversy. First, because it's a big company and not the little guy hero. Second, because there was so much misinformation out there. Florida Power & Light should be given a lot of credit, with most of the credit going to the tireless field workers. Sure, we’ll be debriefing about how FPL seemed not to be hardened and woefully behind in tree trimming and general maintenance before the storm, but their linemen worked their butts off afterwards. So, a huge hero cheer goes out to them. Oh, and let me be clear, local politicians should not take credit or blame for the speed of power restoration. It is nonsense to believe anyone pounding on the table made FPL change their restoration game plan.

Hero #2: Zello Application

In Palmetto Bay (and I know South Miami did the same), many neighbors who never knew each other downloaded an app to their smartphones called Zello, a CB radio-like app, and joined the ‘Palmetto Bay Storm’ channel. Zello allowed residents to get and give live voice updates that were hyper-local and accurate. It also allowed people to share resources and comfort each other. Before the storm, I heard people donating their extra Tapcon screws and duct tape to neighbors that couldn’t find it in stores. During the hurricane, people talked about what was happening on their street and finding comfort in talking to others. Afterwards, Zello users communicated about power restoration, store openings and where to get critical items like gas, ice and food. This was new technology that worked to help neighbors and take community to a whole new level.

Hero #3: Saw Brigade

Here’s to all the homeowner heroes who dashed out and tackled the trees that blocked our streets. Whether with chainsaws or otherwise, most of the trees were at least partially tackled by residents. In particular, I want to thank my across the street neighbor, Eddy Smith, who spent nearly an entire day with a hand saw to remove a 70-foot tree from our road. I only helped when his arm appeared to be ready to fall off. These heroes didn’t have a plan. They had critical thinking and snapped into action to help their fellow neighbors.

Hero #4: My Neighbor

On my street, a zone B evacuation area, many homeowners left. Brian Socolow was one who stayed. On Monday, he called and let me know that another neighbor’s house was wide open to the elements, as Irma had blown their front door into the middle of the lawn. Without hesitation, the two of us got tools and used Tapcons screws to secure the door into the doorway’s concrete block. A police report was also made and nothing was taken from the home. That homeowner called us heroes. Cheers to Brian, a local hurricane hero.

Hero #5: Owner of the Marathon Gas Station at SW 168 Street and Old Cutler Road

Within hours of Irma’s winds dying down, this owner was creatively splicing a generator into two of its four pumps and getting gas into the tanks and containers of desperate customers. The station worked extra hours without air conditioning or any of their lights. Cash was king and this station saved a lot of people from dry generators with critical thinking that went above and beyond. Oh, and the owner said ‘Thank you for coming’ when I finished filling up!

Hero #6: Publix at US-1 and 146th Street

I was one of the first in line (of about 150 people) when Publix opened up at 8 a.m. They greeted everyone with a smile and somehow had the interior of the store up with all lights, refrigeration and actively stocked from the back as people cleared the shelves. Sure, the management of Publix should be thanked, but the real heroes here were the employees who found a way to get past their personal needs and show up to work with a smile.

Hero #7: Food and Ice Giveaway Volunteers

There were others, but Holy Rosary - St. Richard Church and Christ Fellowship (both in Palmetto Bay) snapped into action shortly after the winds died down and put together major food giveaways. Thanks to the crews who came in from North Carolina to serve meals. Whether it was families without food or first responder workers, these efforts raised spirits and fed the hungry at a critical time. It ultimately fueled the recovery. Both operated for days and fed nearly 1000 meals a day. Heroes for sure.

Hero #8 Kids with Tea/Lemonade Stand

Coral Reef Elementary students [L to R] Frankie Cullen, Elizabeth Sulkes, Elena Gonzalez and Sebatian Gonzalez were roadside in Palmetto Bay with tea and lemonade to quench workers’ and homeowners’ cleanup thirst. At 25-cents, their business was worth every sip. They got a bit scared when six police cars stopped on Friday. “We thought they were going to arrest ups or something,” said Elizabeth. “But we’re just trying to help out.” No doubt, these were my favorite heroes.

Hero #9: Anthony Askowitz, Broker of RE/MAX Advance Realty

When the lights came back on at the South Miami and Kendall offices of RE/MAX Advance Realty, Anthony decided to offer his locations to anyone who needed to get work done and didn’t have the power, Internet or desk to do it. Nearly 200 people took advantage of the free office space and resources. Here’s to you Anthony, a hurricane hero.

Hero #10: Bulky Waste Sanitation Workers

With mounting piles at every curb and street corner, the sanitation trucks had a monster task that seemed insurmountable. Yet, pile by pile these unsung heroes greeted homeowners with a smile and raked up even the smallest debris. I am still in awe of the speed and efficiency these workers showed. Service with a smile. Hats off to these heroes.

BEFORE

AFTER

Hero #11: Cutler Stew at Black Point Ocean Grill

Local cover country & rock band Cutler Stew allowed a lot of people to let off some steam and provide a slice of normalcy on the Friday night following Irma. They played all night long at Black Point Ocean Grill powered by a generator they brought for the occasion. And, as one who attended, let me tell you band members [L to R] Raf, Mark, Dan and Ron went a long way in many people’s mental recovery. They even modified some of the lyrics to fit the Irma recovery efforts. Cheers to these rockin’ heroes.

While not necessarily a hero, Facebook played a major emotional role during Hurricane Irma. Whether it was to check on the latest weather warnings, get local news or just to get things off our chests, many of us used Facebook in a healthy way that wasn’t even a technical dream during Hurricane Andrew. I know several people who would have been basket cases without this personal way to communicate. So, here’s a ‘thumbs up’ LIKE for them.

I’d be remiss without a huge thanks to our police force who were on 12-hour shifts doing everything from monitoring gas station lines to directing traffic to patrolling for looters to pitching in a hand wherever needed. They too are our hurricane heroes. But then again, they are our heroes every day.

Rent in the tranquil Mangowood section of Palmetto Bay. Recently updated home with impact windows & doors makes this a storm-safe and quiet place to live.

Wonderful open flow design with large breakfast area overlooking pool. You don't want to miss this opportunity.

All bathrooms and most interior has been recently updated to a modern, yet classic look. Great executive rental with peaceful backyard.

Deep patio. Room for boat. Converted garage is second MRB.

Remainder of garage space forms nice storage area and laundry room. 

Walk to Coral Reef Park and the elementary school. Enjoy friendly neighbors. Lawn and pool maintenance is INCLUDED in your rent.

8265 SW 150th Drive
Mangowood Neighborhood
MLS #: A10344041
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Listed at $3900/month

If you’re over 40, you’ve likely asked yourself “where did all the good music go?” Well, the answer is closer than you think. Dave Kerzner is one of today’s top international progressive rock stars and he lives right here in South Florida. He’s creating music today that’s been compared to the great classic rock bands of the 1970’s by Prog Magazine and others.

In fact, Kerzner has garnered such strong respect from his own musical heroes that “Stranded”, a song from his first album, was introduced on UK radio by the late Keith Emerson (of Emerson, Lake and Palmer). He also has praise from Steve Hackett (former guitarist of Genesis) who has added his guitar work on both of Kerzner’s solo albums. It’s also no mistake that the amazing Lorelei and Durga McBroom (vocalists of Pink Floyd) are in his band.

Kerzner, a Miami native, grew up listening to Genesis, Rush, Yes, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. “I loved the progressive rock sound, the lyrics and the emotion in the music,” says Kerzner.

His new album “Static” is a concept album, in the same vein as Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” or The Who’s “Tommy”. Kerzner explains, “The album is an eclectic blend of classic rock, alt rock and other genres. It’s about the noise, clutter and chaos that gets in the way of our own happiness.” Each song on the album explores a different facet of this “static interference”, ranging from technological distractions, to drug addiction to social disconnection, hypocrisy, jealousy, paranoia and other obstructions within one’s head or in modern day society.

Originally a keyboardist, Dave played in garage bands in the 80s before going to college where Kerzner focused on the sounds that could be produced by synthesizers and then finding his way to a musically-electric Los Angeles. One day a friend invited him to a studio recording session and asked if he’d program the band’s Minimoog (the world's first portable synthesizer). His results were impressive enough to create a buzz around town. Soon other bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Crowded House, Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes, Madonna and Pearl Jam were calling on his services.

Kerzner soon opened a business programming sounds into keyboards called Sonic Reality. Bands like Coldplay and Eminem and manufacturers including Yamaha, Roland, IK Multimedia and Alesis and even the legendary producer/engineer Alan Parsons took note. “Our sounds are in many keyboards and music software used today, explained Kerzner. “They can be heard in all styles of music and have been for decades.”

But that wasn’t Kerzner’s only passion. He had been writing privately for years honing his craft until he was ready to unleash his music on the world. “I worked a bit with Steve Hackett from Genesis and Steve Wilson from Porcupine Tree, but the journey really took off in 2007 when I started recording with Simon Collins, Phil’s son.” Kerzner and Collins created the band Sound of Contact in 2009 and released "Dimensionaut" in 2012 to rave reviews. The album won the Progressive Music Awards “Limelight Award” in 2013.

With a taste of rock success, Kerzner pushed himself to make his own album where he could be a solo artist and front man. His freshman effort, “New World”, was released in 2014. It got him nominated for “Anthem of the Year” in the 2015 Progressive Music Awards and led to him performing with bands like Yes and Marillion on Yes’ “Cruise to the Edge” and more.

On “New World” and now “Static”, one of Kerzner’s main collaborators is Miami native Fernando Perdomo. The mix of Kerzner and Perdomo’s musical styles is a catalyst for many good things. It creates a rock n’ roll energy and chemistry you rarely here these days. Newly released “Static” shows a trust in Perdomo’s strong guitar riffs and a shift allowing the keyboards to better blend with other instrumentation in a way that takes Kerzner’s music to a new intensity. “It’s a dream for me to work with this caliber of musicians,” gushes Kerzner. “To create new progressive music and get such a positive response from fans and fellow artists/musicians is incredible.”

As an enthusiast of music with great lyrical and musical depth, it is a pleasure to listen to Kerzner’s music with headphones on at volume 11. The quality of engineering, production and songwriting is staggering, especially considering that Dave Kerzner does this mostly on his own. Taking care of most of the writing, singing, playing, engineering and producing without major label involvement is ballsy-level ambitious. Succeeding at it is a major accomplishment.

Worldwide fans follow Dave to the select live concerts he has in the USA, including the upcoming ProgStock in New Jersey and a slew of dates in Chicago, New York and Baltimore. A highlight of his touring schedule is his return to the February 3, 2018 sailing of Yes’ “Cruise to the Edge”. The hope is that Kerzner can reach all of the true fans of the music he is influenced by. When music lovers catch wind of what Dave is doing, they’ll have hope for great new rock music again!

Dave Kerzner - “Static” is available on iTunes, Amazon and on Bandcamp https://sonicelements.bandcamp.com/album/static. His music streams on streaming services like Spotify and Pandora. Like his Facebook page facebook.com/davesquidskerzner and check out http://www.davekerzner.com for the latest touring information and more.

As I watched a crew remove vegetation debris today in Palmetto Bay, it occurred to me that the logistics and planning challenges of cleanup must be a nightmare. 

I stopped one of the Palmetto Bay supervisors and learned a lot. First, that Irma created more debris than any hurricane going back to 1960, when he first started working on projects like this.  

The fact that Irma was so large and moved so slowly means foliage across all of Florida took a huge beating for 16 hours straight.  

Normally, all our debris would be hauled to Central Florida and sent to companies for chipping into saleable mulch. This time around those companies are refusing to receive materials because they are already overflowing with all they can handle.  

The local landfills were used for the first few days after Irma, but those are also full.  So new, creative solutions are being devised.  

For Palmetto Bay, all natural debris is being trucked to Coral Reef Park awaiting a massive mobile chipping machine. Then that mulch will used in our Parks and perhaps offered to residents. 

I also learned that the pickup crews only have equipment that reaches as far as the easement and any debris deeper than that will not get picked up.

Municipalities are trying their best to clear everything but won't risk putting any equipment on someone's property for fear of doing damage. 

Also, crews are out to get the bulky stuff only. They won't rake up the leaves. So don't expect perfection.

It’s 5:30 a.m. and the lights are already aglow at Body Code Fitness in the Falls Industrial Park. Cars start to arrive and the energy begins to rise on another day of building bodies and dreams.

Joe Neyra has owned the gym for 19+ years and has been in the fitness business longer than that. A while back the name changed from Falls Fitness to Body Code Fitness as Joe evolved his game from a full-service gym to personal training and classes. “The big box gyms are not what people desire these days,” explains Joe. “We customize and cater to what each person wants and needs, becoming much more than a corporate gym.” Their read of the market must be right, since Body Code is the second oldest continuously-running gym in Miami-Dade County.

21-year gym member Anthony Askowitz added, “At big gyms it’s showy and competitive, and people can hurt themselves in that environment. At Body Code, it’s self-motivation with support from a wonderful staff.” Years ago, an underweight Askowitz wanted to put on some muscle weight and in less than a year with Joe’s training he added 21 pounds. Everyone seems to have a similar personal story of success.

Earlier this year, I started going to Body Code Fitness because I was attracted to the friendly environment. You can pay for one class or blocks of classes at a discount. No annual membership required. After four months, I feel as if I belong to a group of fun and interesting people. Body Code offers classes ranging from Pilates to High Intensity Interval Training to Boot Camps to Warrior Sessions (90-minute high intensity workouts that even includes going outside and pushing cars in the back lot). In the HIIT classes, which I attend, each one is slightly different, allowing for variety in the muscle training and optimal energy being spent.

On an average day, Body Code attracts about 75 regulars. So, you never feel cramped or alone. Gym member Cynthia Lungi recently posted on Facebook, “There's no such thing as a bad workout at Body Code. The instructors are motivating and personable, and they keep the class fun and fast paced. After you've been going for a while it really starts to feel like a family.” And that is exactly the feel that motivates people to come back.

There are eight personal trainers and 3 general staffers, each with their own personalities and backgrounds. Joe jokes, “Most of us have more than 20 years of experience doing this, so we’re dinosaurs who have forgotten more than most trainers know today.” Based on your desires, you can work out individually or have Body Code track your progress and diet. By design, a grandmother and a body builder can both take the same circuit training course in sequence with the staff adjusting the resistance at each machine.

Joe loves seeing people achieve their goals and takes personal pride in their stories. “There were two woman who had suffered strokes and were very discouraged because they couldn’t walk. Through our program, we got them both to walk out with a new outlook on life,” beamed Neyra.

Body Code Fitness certainly is accommodating. Already open each day with extended hours, if you can’t make it and your trainer agrees, there is 24-hour access to the facility. Joe proudly explains, “We want to make a difference in people’s lives. So, we are more than just a place with equipment. We hold people accountable where we can do daily diet tracking, make sure you come in on a schedule and basically keep you accountable to your own plan.” They also offer a money back guarantee if you are unhappy for any reason.

Despite the great track record and tons of praise, Body Code remains one of the best kept secrets around. As a converted gym goer, I can tell you my weekly “hump day” visits really motivate me in all aspects of my life. And to help you, I convinced Joe and Body Code to offer a special deal for readers of this article. Simply mention MiamiHal to receive a full week of unlimited classes and two sessions with a personal trainer for FREE!

Body Code Fitness is located at 8830 SW 129th Terrace. You can call them at 305-256-9212 and check them out at www.facebook.com/bodycodemiami.

Available November 1st!

Best location on campus.  Located in the back, adjacent grassy "backyard" area, this quiet 1BR/1BA is a great value.

Updated white kitchen. Tile floor throughout. Huge walk-in closet.

Complex under solid management. Easy landlord. Very secure with patrol and manned gate. Two large pools.

Three laundry rooms. Tennis courts. Garden apartments. No elevator hassle. Partially covered patio.

Quiet living. Close to everything.  Great schools.

13858 SW 90th Avenue #106-KK
Residences at the Falls
Miami, FL 33176
MLS # NOT YET!
Listing price $1100/month

Parkinson's Disease is a debilitating, progressive disease of the nervous system that afflicts more than one-million Americans. On October 21st, in an effort to battle Parkinson's, Park Optimists Miami and The Brain Center hosted the Putaway Parkinson's Tennis Tournament at Coral Oaks Tennis Club in Pinecrest. The presenting sponsor was Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

The doubles round-robin tennis tournament was dedicated in memory of Richard Morrison, the former managing partner at Weil's Miami office. Richard did not have Parkinson's Disease, yet he donated generously to Parkinson's charities. "Every time I asked Richard for a donation, he couldn't get me the money fast enough. Richard would give you the shirt off his back. Richard was a wonderful human being," said Joe Glick, Park Optimist Miami President, and one of Richard's close friends.

Over 100 people participated in the day’s activities. Joe Glick, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s five years ago and had it for 10-15 years before that, is an avid tennis player and enthusiast. He was the organizer, along with his wife Sharon. “While everyone is talking about a cure, we need to help people who have it now and are suffering every day. The tournament is a way to raise money while having fun. We expect to raise about $30,000 for the cause.”

Glick thanked Coral Oaks Tennis Club for donating all 12 courts for the event. The funds will go to activities, therapy and support for those suffering with Parkinson’s. Joe, himself, remains hopeful. “My left leg got too bad about four months ago, so I can’t play tennis right now. But, I plan on getting back out there soon.”

You can support the organization and help people in our community by donating at <http://www.putawayparkinsonstennis.com/donate.html>

On October 23 at The Falls mall, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works held a workshop on the South Corridor Transit Project to both educate the public and solicit input.

With dozens of presentation boards and eight education stations, the public walked around and spoke to County and FDOT representatives, as well as several consulting companies. District 8 County Commissioner Daniella Levine-Cava also spent time chatting with some of the approximately 200 people who ventured out during the two-hour workshop.

The public was encouraged to take notes and then turn in their comments to eager representatives who tallied input. Primary to the workshop was how to utilize the TransitWay between Dadeland and SW 344th Street. Do we use more efficient buses, change to rail (either partially-raised or at street level), use autonomous (driverless) technology or even use individual vehicles that can electronically meet up and travel like a train? Budgets for the various choices ranged from hundreds of millions to well over a billion dollars.

Besides budgets and the length of time that each project would take to complete, items like safety and the impact on our already congested roadways need to be considered.

That left some to wonder if the County’s goals weren’t contrive. Vocal Cutler Bay resident and retired engineer Steve Zarzecki added, “Engineers find the information to get something done and in my trained mind the County has limited the public’s input to four choices and that introduces bias. Viable alternatives are missing and people will choose from just the four and not know there may be better solutions out there.” Zarzecki, who was appointed to serve on the public advisory group, went on to say he believes in an alternative all-raised rail system is not even being considered.

Palmetto Bay resident Don Waters, who owns property adjacent to the TransitWay at 186th Street, thought the County was doing a great job communicating with the public. “Any change to the current transportation system can have a profound impact on nearby property values, so this is a concern to me and should be to everyone.” Waters added, “Only 3-5% of the population will ever use public transportation. We need to make sure the rest of us don’t see negative impact to our already horrible traffic.”

Public activist Peter England, a Palmetto Bay resident, disappointedly said, “While my hopes were high for engaging public comment on this critical project, I came away with the feeling that this was an exercise mandated by the funding sources, and that DTPW had no intention of considering the public input which was provided. I am not cynical by nature, but I believe the County has abused my time once too often.”

The complexity of this project is well beyond the scope of this article, but if you want to dig further, make sure to go to www.miamismartplan.com for tons more details.

NOT YET IN MLS!!!

Great to renovate or rent out immediately! One bedroom, 1 1/2 bath with 835 sf.

Desirable waterfront TOWER 41 on Miami Beach. Established building with wonderful community atmosphere. Arrive to covered drive with valet service, 24/7 security, manned lobby welcome desk. Five high-speed elevators whisk you to your westerly-facing home where you can enjoy incredible sunsets from your balcony.

 Ample living space with living room & dining room combination.

Large guest powder room. Eat-in kitchen with two sinks.

The building has everything! Laundry on each floor. Heated pool, sundeck, tennis court, large kids playground and more all at water’s edge!

Inside enjoy huge meeting hall, kids’ play room, card room,  gym/sauna (separate for men and women) and House of Worship (shul). There’s even a Kosher gourmet restaurant for take-out and holidays.

A few short blocks to Collins Ave, the ocean, shopping, restaurants and more. Everything you’ll ever need within just a few minutes reach!

See all the photos at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/W6Cmk4Pp4GaWmjwb2

4101 Pine Tree Drive #526
Tower Forty One Condo
Miami Beach, FL 33140
MLS #: A10362257 
Listed at $309,922

NOT IN MLS YET!

Looking for a modern four bedroom, three bath home in Palmetto Bay? Look no further! This is a great family home without compromise.

This is a 2636 square-foot (adj.) home just waiting for you to make it your own. Built in 2006, it has full wind mitigation credits and 9' ceilings throughout. It is well-cared for and boasts consistent tile and lots of recessed lights.

Enter to a great room that is truly great!

The house was designed to have five bedrooms and could be easily converted to have that bedroom with en suite bath, but I'm sure you'll agree the family nook for TV and entertainment works out perfectly, as is.

The kitchen with dark wood, stainless steel appliances and black granite opens to the rest of the living areas for a great flow.

The huge master bedroom suite is separate from the other three bedrooms and has direct access to the backyard, large his and hers walk-in closets, and a wonderful master bath with his and hers sinks.

The other bedrooms are configured on a common hallway with an inside laundry room and a shared bath.

There's even room for a pool! So you know the house already is equipped with a cabana bathroom off the back covered patio.

You can see all the photos here: https://plus.google.com/photos/+HalFeldman/albums/6297995571119366161

17221 SW 93 Avenue
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
MLS # A10363563
Listing price $429,922

Leapin' Lizards! The Miami Acting Company is bringing the irrepressible comic strip heroine center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. The great family-friendly show ANNIE will be performed at  Pinecrest Gardens' Banyan Bowl November 9-12. Support your local arts and come on out for a great time!

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including "Tomorrow".

This live theater production promotes community and supports the arts. Plus, its just a great evening of fun!

Performances Thursday 11/9, Friday 11/10 and Saturday 11/11 are at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday 11/12 the show will be at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets (General Admission):
$30   Adult
$25   Senior (65+)
$20   Student (w/ID under 25)
$15 Children under 15
You can buy your tickets by  visiting: https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/MAC/Online/default.asp

Banyan Bowl at Pinecrest Gardens is located at 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest, FL  33156

Desirable and hard to find Old Spanish home with the modern remodeled interior in The Roads. 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. 1555-sf adjusted.

You will appreciate the luxury and convenience of the location close to Downtown, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Metro, Shops. Close to everything and on a quiet street.

Hidden under the canopy of the oaks. Very private fencing. Relaxing yard with Chicago brick.

Cozy house offers an open spacious Euro kitchen with dining area. The living room has a charming chimney.

Dark wood floors compliment the rustic feeling. Panoramic sunroom adds more space to play and relax. The garage was converted to a huge storage room + laundry.

Amazing combo of quality, location, price, and uniqueness. If you value style and looking to have a home in one of the best neighborhoods of Miami, this one is for you! Call me today and I'll set up an appointment!

1053 SW 22nd Street
Miami, FL 33129
MLS # A10368646
Listing price $700,000

've written about the quaint, almost idyllic, Palmetto Bay neighborhood of Mangowood Estates before. These homes, west of Coral Reef Elementary School, have run a successful volunteer homeowners' association for more than 50 years. The moment you enter the area, you can almost feel the community reach out to you. People say hello on these streets and know their neighbors. And for that very reason, these predominantly 1960s homes maintain a higher market value.

On November 11th, the community held their annual block party. There was music, food, a pick-up game of football, a rock climbing wall and more. Besides a great evening of neighbors getting together, it was also time for the annual elections to the Association Board.

[L to R] Joe, Jeff, Sammie, Joe Sr. and David Greenwell – a true Mangowood family

In the end, retired Miami-Dade police sergeant David Greenwell became President. It was more than fitting, as the family is legacy in Mangowood. “My Dad, Joe Greenwell, bought the second home in Mangowood in 1957. At the time, we were surrounded by mangroves and the Dixie Drive-In was all the rage,” explained David Greenwell. “As a kid, I remember them creating a berm from the dredging of the C-100 canal. We used to dig hiding places in there. This was a special community then and it still is today.”

It is special because families tend to stay here. Houses are often turned over the next generation or people leave and are drawn back.

Pam Tabor, a former Association President remembers fondly, “My parents bought the third house in Mangowood. I was 12 at the time and one of the older kids thus the default babysitter. I hate to admit that I used to babysit David Greenwell.” Pam just loves the families, community and sticking together that has always been Mangowood. “We band together and overcome challenges, like hurricane clean-ups, like no other community.”

POCKET LISTING
Not on MLS yet!!

Blissful, private and quaint townhouse living in Pinecrest! Just beyond your security gate lies a tree-line street with 28 two-story 1989-built homes comprising a friendly, respectful and quiet community.

Your corner townhouse has side entry with native plantings that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bast unit is one of the largest at 2248-sf. Beautiful Turkish travertine tile and hardwood floors.

Enter to an entertainment-focused living area. Tons of room to have friends over for all occasions. The back patio has long-ago been converted to extend the indoor space yet with a walls of windows you still get all the outdoor beauty.

Lofted ceilings and new skylights upstairs provide bright, spacious living in the bedrooms. Good closets, layout, etc.

A lovely shared pool basks in sun most of the day and two maintained tennis courts are always available. No compromises. Blocks from anything and everything. Excellent schools.

*** No interior photos right now while Owner prepares for their move. So let's get out and see this beautiful home today before the competition heats up! ***

8958 SW 89th Terrace (Sutton Place)
Pinecrest, FL 33156
MLS # [pocket listing]
Listing price $649,922

Over the past few years, the popularity and types of specialized hobby cameras has exploded. At the top of the heap are drones, the common name for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Drones give a new, god’s eye perspective on everything from nature hikes, to real estate, to kids’ soccer games, to being out on the water and more.

With drone costs coming down and feature sets and choices going up, many are considering drone ownership. But some give pause because they fear the complexity or just don’t know if it's the right thing for them. That’s where DroneNerds come in.

The family owned-franchise store is run by Lissette and Nelson Salazar. Both their eldest son and daughter are involved as well. The grand opening was October 14 and their five skilled employees do things far beyond just selling drones. “People can buy these drones online or at a big box retailer, but that’s all they can do. Once they get home, there is no support whatsoever,” explains Nelson Salazar. “We are the support community and ongoing resource for our customers on how to maintain their drone and get the most out of it, including how to fly safely and within the law.”

The love of their business can be traced to their son, Nicholas. Nicholas used drones while he was finishing film school. Friends and family always asked him to create drone footage for their events or projects and when the rest of the family got involved in turning that into a small service business, the love relationship flourished. The store was a natural extension, bringing retail sales and all the services together.

If you are at all hesitant, the friendly staff will do more than just sell you a drone. They’ll take you outside and hand you the controls so you really get comfortable before you dive in. They educate and inform as part of every sale. If you want more support, a $99 post-purchase one-hour class will get you complete set-up and a guided first flight. Thereafter, you can come to the store unlimited times for further educational help. They are just about to launch evening classes with professional UAV pilots who will teach you the art of getting amazing images.

Besides DroneNerds being the largest UAV dealer in the United States, it is DJI's largest and most experienced authorized service center as well. I tested their repair service with my crashed Phantom 3 drone. Typically within a week (rush service is available at a cost), DroneNerds of Pinecrest will diagnose most any drone (starting at $60) and then if the customer chooses to do the repair they’ll apply the diagnostic fee to the cost of repair. I took in my drone which had crashed, leaving the outer shell looking quite ragged. Within days, I got it back looking shiny and new. The cost was quite reasonable and the repairs are done right in the store, so you can always get status easily.

If purchase isn’t your thing, their aerial division can be hired to shoot drone photos or video. They really are ‘all things drone’.

DroneNerds of Pinecrest also sells GoPro cameras and other hobby cams. Give them a visit if you have anyone “nerdy” on your holiday shopping list. They are located at 9075 South Dixie Highway in the shopping plaza with Moe’s and T-Mobile. You can call the store at 786-313-3664 or go to dronenerds.com/pinecrest for more information.

Would you go to a Toyota dealer advertising a Corolla for $85,000? How about a pizza joint with a $62 pie? Of course not! Which is why, as a real estate professional, it infuriates me to see homes priced well above their eventual sales price.

Many in the media would lead you to believe Miami is a hot market. And, in certain neighborhoods, this is true. But in the vast majority of Miami-Dade County there is an over-supply of homes and unrealistic expectations. In short, if you are a seller in this market it’s time to put on your big-boy pants.

If you travel through Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay, you’ll see loads of FOR SALE signs, even on the shortest drive. And yes, most of them have been there long enough to start serving as landmarks. I consider those signs as badges of dishonor.

I am amazed by the conversations I have with people who (a) believe they magically know the market better than anyone else, (b) think their house is perfect and (c) feel they can outsmart the market and make a disproportionate amount of money.  In short, many people are living in Fantasyland.

Homes sell with four important things in place: the right list price, strong marketing, proper showings and measured negotiation. If a yard sign is up longer than 60 days, one or more of the four were not satisfied. Further, each of the four rely on the former being done correctly. Thus, the best marketing in the world will not overcome an overpriced home. And showings can’t occur unless the marketing draws buyers to the property.

So, it stands to reason that it all starts (or stops) with the proper list price.

Sometimes the seller insists on an inflated list price. Other times, the agent exaggerates the price so just to capture the listing. Either way, the homeowner is in for a world of hurt (and price reductions) before the sale is complete, if at all.

Much like every other industry these days, the Internet has put the power of information into everyone’s hands. Home shoppers are far more savvy than before, and if by chance they aren’t, the appraiser will eventually bring the Buyer and Seller back to reality.

So, what if you must sell and need to yield the highest sales price possible? Some race to try a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) thinking they can do the same job as a full-time Realtor and save the cost of commission. Using the four magic items from above, this means the homeowner must first properly price the home. Unfortunately, 38% of FSBOs end up doing at least one downward price adjustment. Further, the buyers see the FSBO sign and can easily negotiate a lower price because their argument is that the owner is already saving 6%. Still further, once you start off with the wrong price, you are attracting the wrong buyers.

Pricing is a special talent. There is zero room for emotion. This takes most sellers out of the game even before it starts. Further, an agent has different perspective than an appraiser who only deals with the value of a home, not the art of finding the right list price for a home.

The second item is strong marketing. To draw showings, each home must be marketed to a particular audience. Everything from photos to descriptive language to how, where and when to advertise makes up strong marketing. Despite what you may have heard, there is low likelihood a home in Pinecrest is going to be sold to a foreign investor, so the marketing focus should be elsewhere.

Did you know that different camera lenses can change the appearance of room size in a real estate photo? A good agent does. Also, 88% of the homes sold in 2016 were the result of the buyer seeing the initial information in the MLS (or on a website fed from the MLS data). So, we know that placing the listing in the MLS is predominant way to find buyers, but it is far from the only way. Yard signs, social media, video, professional networking and direct buyer engagements are all important add-ons. You never know where the buyer will come from, so a measured amount of the right marketing is key to success.

Proper showings are the next step to selling your home. And, the first step is to be able to accommodate a showing request. Turning down even one request can be turning away your clandestine buyer. Then, when they arrive at your doorstep, the home must be show-ready. Even more important is that the agent (or homeowner) needs to flawlessly perform their script. Yes, a showing should be much like putting on a Broadway performance. An intelligent monologue creates a story as you move through the home. Never say ‘this is the dining room’. Instead, try ‘The last Thanksgiving meal here was such a success because they were able to seat 24 people and easily serve from the kitchen through this wide doorway’.

The last step is measured negotiation. Remember, once you get an offer its time to put on your business hat. Emotions must get checked at the door! No house is perfect and buyers are going to try to leverage found issues to their financial advantage. The key is for the seller to anticipate and be ready to compromise on the issues that go beyond esthetics. Rarely can a seller be impartial enough for this task. Thus, an agent on your side is best. We’ve seen it all before and can almost write the script in each negotiation.

If you’re curious about the market, want to get some advice or just want to chew the fat as we contemplate the 2018 future, please get it touch with me. I’d be happy to provide a 15-minute consultation with no obligation.

Miami Palmetto Senior High School is one of the last 1950s Eisenhower-era schools in Miami-Dade County in its original form. So, it was with pride and hope on December 11, 2017, that current principal Victoria Dobbs hosted a presentation of the significant renovation plans about to begin.

“This is really exciting because it now feels real,” explained Dobbs. “Seeing the materials board that shows what the finishes will be like means it’s really happening and it’s a beautiful plan. And, it’s a plan that is mindful to keep our mature landscaping and build upon it. It’s a plan that honors the past.”

About 60 interested parents, students and neighbors watched a presentation laying out the construction plan. The centerpieces of which is a three-story building that will house the administration and vocational labs. It also will shift the front of the school to SW 120th Street, which they believe will relieve traffic on SW 118th Street. The $44M bond that is funding the project will also add a new state-of-the-art cafeteria (to replace what has been called the worst cafeteria in all of Dade County, a single-story arts building and a black box theater. Beyond that, many of the existing buildings will be renovated and the whole school will get new paint and furniture.

[L to R] School Board Commissioner Dr. Larry Feldman, Pinecrest Councilwoman Anna Hochkhammer (second row, smiling) and Palmetto HS Principal Victoria Dobbs

Pinecrest Councilwoman and former Palmetto High PTSA President Anna Hochkammer reflected, “I’m incredibly hopeful! I remember when my youngest was in first grade and I was part of the PTSA working hard to get the bond to pass. Now my daughter is in 7th grade and when construction is completed she’ll be a sophomore at MPSHS. It sometimes felt like the end was never going to come, but when you keep your eye on the prize and play the long game your community ends up with an absolute jewel.”

Phase one starts this spring. The existing faculty parking and basketball courts will give way to the start of the new 3-story building on the southeast part of the 18-acre campus and two new basketball courts will be added adjacent to the current sports field. The idea is that school life will continue normally throughout construction with minimal impact on students.

Phase two, which begins in spring 2020, will see the demolition of the north campus along SW 118th Street. “The old two-story buildings will be demolished and replaced with one-story structures that are set back further from the street,” explained Zyscovich Architect’s Jose Murguido. “This will enhance student life and lesson the neighborhood impact on homeowners on that street.” Phase two also includes building an enclosed courtyard with a black box theater. “It will allow for students to have an outdoor theater, but also has a special door to convert to a stage environment as well.”

Phase three is updating the existing buildings and putting in new furniture and fixtures. Completion is slated for 2021.

In the end, the 120,900 square-feet of new construction will add capacity for only 90 more students, but the number of classrooms goes up and the educational environment is significantly improved.

Former Mayor Cindy Lerner remarked, “The original scope of the work was for minimal improvements and no new buildings. It was the hard work of so many of us in the community putting pressure on the superintendent that got us here. I told the superintendent that one of the biggest reactions I got from parents who were considering placing their kids at Palmetto High was them saying ‘I don’t care how good the program is, the facility is a dump’ and then turning around and walking out.” She added, “It is now going to be a magnificent school and I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Attendees of the presentation were mostly pleased with the plan, but they did ask a few good questions. Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn asked about green features and whether bike lanes and parking was considered. The response was tepid. While they won’t apply for LEED certification, they did ‘have green features in mind’ for the construction, such as efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting and low-flow plumbing throughout. However, no solar power is in the plan, which seemed odd to many in the audience.

Drew Latta, a Palmetto senior and member of student council had the opinion that, “although the new building looks great, the density could be a negative to student life. Being that consolidated means less student freedom, walking and less activity.” He was also concerned about the safety of students during construction, in particular about airborne particles but felt that the order of construction mostly alleviated that concern.

Several students, parents and residents were concerned about the parking and traffic flows around the schools. One parent called the existing parking lot ‘horrendous’ and many agreed. While the final parking situation will reduce the number of spots by nearly 100 (to 723 spots), the distribution of spaces will likely increase safety and reduce drive times. As for traffic flow, many were very concerned about pick-up and drop-off; however, no one seemed to have a real answer for those concerns and officials noted this may need to be addressed as construction proceeds.

The audience asked about safety features as well. The new campus will include a large number of security cameras and one-way panic doors to thwart unauthorized trespassing.

Valerie Volpe lives nearby on 118th Street, west of 77th Avenue, and went to school at Palmetto in its early years. She was sad that the iconic 50’s look of the entrance was going to be lost.

School Board Commissioner Dr. Larry Feldman surrounded by key officials, contractors and architects for the project

Principal Dobbs added, “We’ve always had great education here. The facilities didn’t matter, but this this project will certainly make it easier to learn and add a new excitement to the environment.”