City of Aventura Residents Have a Heart

Aventura residents, Paul and Mercedes Lederman, have given of themselves to help an animal who couldn't help herself. They found LOLA on the streets of the City of Aventura and she was sick, covered in fleas, hungry, and traumatized. Despite her poor condition they recognized the spark of life inside this animal. It took a split second and they rescued this dog. Lola was immediately taken to an animal hospital and she got the care she desperately needed. Her life was in danger and she had over 300 ticks on her. She was in shock when they found her and the theory is that she was broken hearted due to having been separated from her puppies. The vet bills have piled up and she needs further medical attention in order to continue the healing process. They're happy to report that now Lola is happy, healthy, and has a full belly.

Take a look at her transformation.

BEFORE

AFTER

A MESSAGE FROM LOLA'S FOSTER PARENTS -

Lola needs attention, help and we are doing our best.
We are trying to collect some money, to pay all her doctors bills.
We think we found her a home, but meantime we are the foster parents.
we rescued her with all of our love and good intentions, but not thinking of the financial part.
We appreciate if you can start sending this around to your friends and families, maybe with a little help here and a little there, we be able to keep helping her and others.
Thank you all .

To come to Lola's assistance, please send an email to: lolasfund@gmail.com

Please include your name, the amount you wish to donate and we will send you a link to contribute via paypal.

You can also send payment to the following address.

Please send checks or cash to:

3615 NE 207th Street #3103 Aventura, FL 33180
make checks payable to: Mercedes Lederman

I FEEL FORGOTTEN

I feel forgotten; I'm all alone
Where are the parents that I can call my own?
I feel forgotten, aren't you aware
I have no family, only foster care

In the mirror, I'm almost grown
It doesn't mean that I still don't need a home
Where are the people, who should be there?
My aunts and uncles, aren't they looking for me here?

I'm still waiting, you will see,
My mother promised, she would come and visit me
I feel forgotten, lost in the crowd
People wonder, why I'm angry and get loud

I feel forgotten, I want to hide
Why am I out here with no one by my side
I feel forgotten, lonely nights and lonely days
Why even try, no one wants me anyways

THANK YOU PAUL AND MERCEDES LEDERMAN!

The Top 20 Ways to Come Up With Amazing Ideas

Since I started this blog many people have been asking me how I came up with the idea. Also, several people have been asking me how I come up with ideas for posts. Today I was asked these questions by two different people. So, I'd like to share an article that contains very helpful excercises to keep your ideas fresh.

These are tips and tricks that can be applied to any industry. Please let me know if any of these points help. I appreciate any and all feedback to posts. Thanks. Remember to subscribe to the blog and pass it on.

1. Carry a notebook. Seriously, carry it everywhere. I can’t tell you how many awesome ideas I’ve lost simply because I forgot to bring my notebook. And you know why I can’t tell you? Because I didn’t write them down. Carry your notebook everywhere, always have some kind of writing implement, and write things down immediately. Of course, you may need to pull your car over to avoid an accident … or just start riding mass transit instead, to avoid that problem. Another good article on capturing ideas.

2. Keep a list. I have a simple Google Doc that I can pull up at any time with a few keystrokes (I use AutoHotKey to open all my most commonly used documents and programs instantly). On this list, I write down all my ideas. When I need to write a post, I am never short of ideas. Actually, I have dozens more ideas than I can ever use, so if anyone needs any, let me know. Just $5 an idea.

3. Exercise. OK, you’re going to skip past this one. That’s OK. I’m not saying you have to start exercising to have amazing ideas, but from personal experience, exercise is one of the absolute best ways to come up with ideas. It seems it is literally impossible to go for a run or a walk without coming up with an idea that will knock you on your butt. Which is why I now wear padded running shorts.

4. Driving. There’s something about the mindlessness of driving that allows me to come up with some of my better ideas in the car. To make this work, you have to drive slower than some of the maniacs out there (try it, it’s calming), and ignore the rude antics of your fellow drivers. Concentrate on avoiding an accident, but don’t worry if someone cuts you off or is driving slower than your average toddler can walk. Just stay in your Zen zone, and watch the ideas come to you effortlessly.

5. Read a lot. I’m reading a book every day, several times a day. It might take me a week to finish the book, but that’s because I take my time and enjoy the book. In addition, I’m always reading stuff on the Internet. Reading is one of the very best ways to find new ideas. And yes, you have to read the articles, not just the pictures.

read more digg story

Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club Sued

A tour company that puts on Passover holidays for Jewish people from around the world claimed that worshippers are being passed over for the glamour of pro golf. Click on "read more" to view the entire article.

read more digg story

Habitat for Humanity at Greynolds Park

The Greynolds Park Gods were smiling this past Friday because of the Lumpy Sue Music Festival. The City of Aventura has parks, such as Founders Park, but Greynolds Park is in a league of its own. Greynolds Park is one street over from Aventura, off of West Dixie Highway. Click on this link to learn more about this amazing local park - Greynolds Park. I encourage all Aventura residents to embrace Greynolds Park as their own.

The Lumpy Sue Festival has been going on for over ten years and helps raise money for Habitat for Humanity. This year's Lumpy Sue was a great time of music, family, friends, fun and sun. Greynolds Park is the perfect atmosphere for a mellow festival. Everyone who attended added to the positive experience.

There were lots of local musicians sharing their tunes and words of wisdom with the crowd. Everyone enjoyed the music and danced under the sun.

Here's a list of some of the musicians that played.

Yoni
Ellen Bukstel
Andy Waks
Jacob Groten
Mary Huddleston & Michael Waxman
Shauna
Diane Ward
Ratt

One of the greatest things about having the festival at Greynolds Park is the castle. This castle is rumored to have magical powers to make your wildest dreams come true. Visit the castle and see for yourself - the Wizard is there on Tuesday afternoons. Here's a photo of some of the crowd hanging out by the castle while listening to the live music.

This really was a huge success and I'm excited to attend next year's Lumpy Sue Festival. I had a great time with my friends and even made some new ones. I'd like to share a few of the photos I took that day. Hope you get an idea of the great time we all had.




Watch a clip of Habitat for Humanity in action.








As you can tell this Festival was a blast! Everyone had a great time and lots of money was raised for Habitat for Humanity. I'd like to thank all those who were involved in the planning and preparation for this event - THANKS FOR MAKING THE FESTIVAL A REALITY!

Aventura Mall Shopping and Art

The images are from the Aventura Mall's installation of the works of Julian Opie. I found some great info on Julian Opie on Wikipedia. I posted the content I found, click here to see for yourself - Julian Opie.

There's also cool stuff on the website - http://www.julianopie.com/

Julian Opie was born in London and raised in Oxford. After the Dragon School, Oxford, he spent some time at Magdalen College School, Oxford. He is a graduate of Goldsmiths College (1979–82) and achieved some early gallery success, which was an incentive for slightly younger artists in the same college, such as Damien Hirst to do likewise. His highly stylised deswalork, derived in part from Patrick Caulfield and Michael Craig-Martin, involves the reduction of photographs (or short films) into figurative reproductions (created using computer software). In his portraiture, the human face is characterised by black outlines with flat areas of colour, and minimalised detail, to the extent that an eye can become just the black circle of the pupil, and sometimes a head is represented by a circle with a space where the neck would be. In this way, Julian Opie tries to present the complexities of the human form by reducing it to its mere basics.

New York City

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

As a successful artist who exhibits internationally, Opie uses computers in art for other works. His famous Imagine you are... series, demonstrated how activities such as driving, walking and climbing could be represented by simple reductions. In addition, Opie uses sculpture and light installations to present items of everyday life.

“ I am simply using that which is available to describe that which is experienced. ”

Julian Opie's style was brought into the public eye when he was asked to design the cover for the British band, Blur's best of album. On the cover, the band members (clockwise from top left) Graham Coxon, Alex James, Dave Rowntree and Damon Albarn are transformed into Opie's style.

Julian Opie, as one of the leading figures in computerised art, also implements computer technology by cutting out the outlines and coloured shapes, sometimes on vinyl, as in large display banners at Tate Britain. Opie is a former trustee of the Tate Gallery and exhibits with Lisson Gallery and Alan Cristea Gallery in London. His studio and workshop is based in Shoreditch, London. He was the subject of a film by Illuminations in their theEYE series, in which they profile contemporary visual artists in Britain. He was also the subject of a book by Mary Horlock published by Tate Publishing as part of their Modern Artist series.
Recently, Julian Opie has been met with controversy due to his more daring subject matter of pole dancers, a key part of his exhibition at the Alan Cristea Gallery. He typically reduces them to cartoon-esque figures.

AVENTURA MALL

Stephanie Ripstein Love in the Time of Cholera Party

I'd like to thank all those who came out to the Love in the Time of Cholera screening at the AMC Aventura 24 movie theatre in the Aventura Mall. Those of you who didn't attend, you missed an epic romantic film. This film is well worth going to see while it's still in the theatres. Be sure to join us next time, check back and subscribe to the blog (enter your email in the sidebar) to find out about the next screening.

Watch a clip of a song from the movie.




When at this screening, I met Stephanie Kon Ripstein, of S.K. Ripstein Enterprises. We instantly hit it off and she invited me to the Love in the Time of Cholera party. It was hosted at "Glass at The Forge" - 432 W 41st St Miami Beach, FL 33140-3504 Phone: (305) 604-9798 . This nightclub is Miami Beach's hottest luxury venue, making it the perfect location for this exclusive party. I was expecting nothing less from S.K. Ripstein Enterprises - Miami's top-rated company offering P.R. and other special services. Take a look at http://www.skripstein.com/ and see for yourself.







Watch Stephanie Ripstein interview the stars in the clip below...



Join us at the next event, subscribe to the guest list!




click here for more photos of the party - MagicalPhotos.com

Aventura Votes!

As a follow up to my November 8th post about the property tax ballot, I wanted to share some pertinent information with all our readers in Aventura and its surrounding cities. We will have an opportunity to have our voices heard on January 29th, 2008, whether or not we are for or against the property tax reform. I was able to find a very clear explanation of what exactly Aventura, and all Florida residents, will be deciding. I want to emphasize that I do not think this reform is the ultimate solution, but I do oppose the notion to vote against it, with the hope that by doing so the State Government would be forced to come up with a better solution. My opinion is that we need relief now, and we are going to have the opportunity to make that happen January 29th. Once that is accomplished, we should continue to apply pressure for another, more appealing amendment. Lori Parrish at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s office highlights the main points of the property tax reform proposal, with the addition of an explanation of the proposal from The Florida House of Representatives, on the Broward County Property Appraiser’s website.

Click here for the explanation of the proposal

A Passion for Aventura Lifestyle

With Aventura being one of the top ranked cities offering quality
living, luxury real estate, and attracting upscale business, you
can expect the successful and wealthy to make this a top choice to
make their home. Beyond the 24hr service of living in an upscale condo and elite amenities, or being part of a waterfront community lies a fundamental drive for this lifestyle which the successful can attest to, and that is Passion. It is not just for how you live, but what you do in life and how you accumulate abundance and wealth. Successful people thrive on their passion (it’s a constant mindset) and follow their natural energy. They don’t have to forge on to work or feel dissatisfied with their career. Passion is a process rather than goals which are about outcomes. More and more society is seeing younger entrepreneurs. Kids are doing things that they truly enjoy without any judgments from the world, and then it becomes a million dollar passion. Passionate people are visionaries that blow their dreams out of proportion and engulf the lives of others and dare them to live theirs as well.
“Pursuit of passion is so basic and intimate to life.” (a quote from Dr.Hagrlin a world authority on unified quantum field theories). In the book The Passion Test by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood. If you’re interested in what your passions are I suggest taking The Passion Test it will help you identify yours and put you on the road to a fulfilling life. It’s one that I use myself and for my clients that I coach.

- Contributed by Amanda Arcilla

UPDATE - Web Sites Cast a Net Over Striking Writers

Upstart entertainment Web sites are hoping to benefit from the TV writers' strike by luring viewers -- and, possibly, out-of-work scribes -- to their webisodes. Clikck "read more" to view the article from the Wall Street Journal.

read more | digg story

Aventura Florida get ready to LAUGH

South Florida's very own Jonathan Randall is coming home and he is bringing the laughs. Jonathan has been living in NYC performing comedy since he left the sunshine state and has established himself as one of the most innovative young comics in the NYC scene.

His energy, originality, passion, quick wit, and ability to walk the line have made him a comedic force to be reckoned with. He starred in and created the cult hit live comedy extravaganza "Chasing the Dragon," which was part of the New York Underground Comedy Festival.

He has been on Sirius Satellite radio, can be seen as a host for the Internet sites TVTONIC and TITAN TV. He has written for MTV and several of his own comedy shorts, which he also directed.

He was featured in the Andy Kaufman Awards for the first New York Comedy Festival, and appeared on its TV special that aired on ABC and Comedy Central. Recently he wrote and directed "The Sherwood Inn Commercial" which was featured on NBC's
Late night with Conan O'Brien.

While back in his home town Jonathan will be performing at the West Palm Beach Improv on Nov 15 @ 8pm and at the Miami Improv on Nov 21 @ 8pm. Check back on the blog for more showtimes coming soon.

Check him out on Myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/jonathanrandall

Williams Island presents Arthur Berger

Arthur Berger transported all those who were present, last Thursday night at Williams Island, to the year 1849. He performed a dramatic one act show focused on the famous American writer - Edgar Allen Poe. There was a mood of mystery in the air the moment Berger slowly walked into the room with his cane while wearing a dusty black coat and civil war era stovepipe hat. I can still hear the heart pounding knocks from his cane against the floor.

The performance was amazing and it ended with a loud applause. Here are some photos of the event at Williams Island in Aventura.

(Bob Diamond, Aventura Commissioner with former Commissioner, Arthur Berger)

Biographical Information (taken from FAU promo)
Arthur Berger lectured at the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University. Among the courses he taught was a course on "Great Literature and the Paranormal". This course fired his interest in Edgar Allen Poe, one of the great authors in American literature. Arthur Berger wanted to make people more aware of Poe’s genius and legacy. Since Mr. Berger, an attorney and former Commissioner of the City of Aventura, had also been a narrator for the Library of Congress in its program of audio books for the blind and had played roles in movies and TV commercials, he decided to write and perform in a play for this purpose. His performances of the play have earned a flood of superlatives.

Williams Island condo demands cleaner air

Click building links to see available units.

* Williams Island 1000
* Williams Island 2000
* Williams Island 2600
* Williams Island 2800
* Williams Island 3000
* Williams Island 4000
* Williams Island 6000 Bella Mare
* Williams Island 7000
* Mediterranean Village
* Villa Flora

Our first blog post raised the issue of recycling in Aventura. Soon after that we had a posting relating to the benefits of using LED lights. These two posts were meant to raise awareness about how Aventura residents can better their environment. We were pleased to report the "Green Initiative" the City of Aventura implemented. Today's post is along the same lines. I recently interviewed Ken Katz from Puroair Systems about their products and it's installation in various locations around South Florida - including the Aventura condos Williams Island and Mystic Pointe.

What type of product does Puroair Systems sell?

(Mr. Katz holding a single unit Puroair system)

Puro-Air is an innovative home uv air cleaner & purifier that removes up to an astounding 99.98% of all airborne allergens from the air that circulates through your home. Utilizing a UV Germicidal lamp (UVGI), The Puro-Air purifier eliminates allergens, bacteria, mold and other irritants from your home so that you and your family can breathe fresh, clean air!

How does the UV Germicidal lamp system work?

Germicidal or Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) lamps are used to disinfect and destroy pollutants in water and air through UV-based "advanced oxidation". UV energy is effective in killing biological contaminants such as mold/fungi, bacteria and viruses without the use of harmful chemicals. It is also effective in eliminating odor causing particles.

click here to learn more

What are the key benefits to installing this product?

If you suffer from allergies, you know how disruptive these symptoms are: itchy nose, scratchy eyes, coughing and tightness in the chest. Suffer no more! One unit of the Puro-Air system will eliminate allergens from your entire home.

The Puro-Air system keeps the coils and vents of your air conditioning system mold and bacteria free. This produces maximum output and performance from your ac unit, hence reducing energy costs.

The system requires minimal maintenance, aside from changing the UV bulbs about once a year.

Puro-Air's UVC germicidal ultraviolet unit is a preventative maintenance which cleans the coil so there are no service providers coming to charge an absorbent amount of money to clean the coil. When this process is dipped into acid bath; it will cause the IAQ In-door air quality in your home polluted. The only thing maintained is the replacement of the bulbs and changing the filters.

Where are some locations that use this product?

North Miami Beach Senior High School installed Puroair and reduced an odor that was lingering in the halls. Temple Sinai in Hollywood installed the system in their infant care section and has seen a noticeable reduction in sick days. Also, the American Heritage School in Plantation has been utilizing Puroair and the results have been amazing - drastic reduction in sick days from both students and administration. These are just a few locations, others include individual homes, hospitals, jails, and several condominiums.

I decided to visit Williams Island, the luxury Aventura condo community, to take some photos of where the device was installed.

Below are pictures taken of Williams Island 7000 Villa Marina in Aventura. Notice the Puroair sticker.

Puroair was installed in the trash room to kill bacteria and eliminate odor. There was hardly any smell considering I was standing in the trash room of a condo. I was told that before these units were installed the smell was unbearable in this room. These photos are proof that Williams Island condos in Aventura Florida have made a positive change to help make the environment a better place. In addition, I was told that the cost of cleaning the coils was cut completely. The UV lights keep the coils clean. It seems these systems can really save you money.

This is the next step to upgrading the lighting in Aventura. I'd like to see that all condos have these installed.

What's the next step?

In California these type of systems are mandatory in all public schools. Mr. Katz woud like to see Florida approve the installation of Puroair in the Miami Dade Public School System.

Take a look at this video I found about UV light filters. This is not created by Puroair, but I felt it provided a great way to learn more about this subject.

Here are a few links to articles about the benefits of UV lamps.

UV Light: Cure for Sick Building Syndrome and More

UV Lamps Could Reduce Worker Sickness

A New Weapon in the War on MRSA

Norman Mailer, Towering Writer With Matching Ego, Dies at 84

Controversial Author Dies. CLICK "READ MORE" TO LEARN ABOUT THE LIFE AND WORKS OF NORMAN MAILER. The New York Times wrote a great article about him.

read more | digg story

Take a look at a short clip from the BBC about the life of Mailer - click here

The clip below is an interview he did with Charlie Rose.

The Property Tax Issue

What does the property tax ballot mean to you?

The City of Aventura has been one of South Florida’s hottest real estate spots. It has become one of the most sought after places to live. Aventura boasts an “everything is at the tip of your finger” type of living, with everything from groceries, libraries, entertainment, the Aventura Mall, and more at walking distance from your home.
Aventura residents, and all Floridians are faced every day with the property tax issue. The debates over the property tax reform have been going on for over a year now, yet nothing has been done! Finally there will be a property tax ballot that all Florida residents will have an opportunity to vote on. This issue affects all Aventura residents, whether a homeowner or a renter, and the future homeowners and renters. The issue has been debated for way too long, and we all need something to be done. It may not be exactly what people want as a reform, but it's a start.
Here is how some housing industry groups feel about the forthcoming ballot.

Real Estate Attorney in Aventura Speaks

It's no secret that the City of Aventura is packed with condos. The real estate in Aventura has developed quickly and is supporting our booming town. Unfortunately with growth, problems arise in various unforeseen areas. There are many real estate law issues that need to be highlighted when a city's economy is based on a real estate market. Ilan A. Nieuchowicz is a real estate attorney in Aventura who has submitted an article titled, The Claim of Lien – A Condominium’s Assessment Collection Tool. Our blog is proud to post the work of Ilan Nieuchowicz, the premier Aventura real estate attorney, as the first featured professional contributing content to benefit Aventura residents. Enjoy his work.

The Claim of Lien – A Condominium’s Assessment Collection Tool

The tightening real estate finance sector and dropping property values have left many real property owners in severe financial distress. These market conditions have resulted in increased financial delinquencies amongst thousands of real property owners, including condominium unit owners who have failed to honor their financial responsibilities to their individual condominium associations.

A condominium, as defined by section 718 of the Florida Statutes, is a “form of ownership of real property created pursuant to [Florida law], which is comprised entirely of units that may be owned by one or more persons, and in which there is, appurtenant to each unit, an undivided share in common elements.”1 Under this system of real property ownership, each and every owner of a condominium unit is unconditionally obligated to pay their portion of the common expenses.2

A unit owner’s failure to pay assessments when they become due has a detrimental effect on the association’s ability to meet its budgeted financial obligations, making it difficult to upkeep and maintain the common elements. As a result, the paying unit owners are often left shouldering the burdens of the nonpaying unit owners. To protect condominium associations from reaching this unjust result, the Florida legislature has enacted laws that provide the associations with tools to collect from unit owners who fail to pay their assessments.3

An important and instrumental tool in condominium assessment collecting is the statutory claim of lien.4 Florida Statutes section 718.116 provides condominium associations with the right to impose a claim of lien on an individual unit owner’s condominium property for failing to pay assessments as they become due. This claim of lien establishes the condominium associations priority against the unit owner’s unit and can be foreclosed upon by the association should the debt remain unpaid.

When a condominium is formed via the recording of its declaration of condominium, the condominium association establishes a lien against each individual condominium unit throughout the property to “secure the payment of assessments.”5 Consequently, a claim of lien reverts back and is effective from the date the original declaration was recorded.6 However, if a first mortgage is recorded against the unit, the association’s lien would be effective as of the date the claim of lien was recorded.7

Florida law outlines the necessary elements a claim of lien must contain to be valid.8 Specifically, the claim of lien must clearly describe the land that makes up the condominium, provide the property owner’s name along with the name and address of the association, and illustrate the amount due and the respective due dates.9 Finally, an authorized agent of the association must sign the claim of lien and the claim of lien must be recorded in the public records.10

Once filed with the county recorder’s office, the claim of lien secures the condominium’s assessments, late charges, interest, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees relating to the collection of past due assessments.11 Generally, the claim of lien remains effective for 1 year, subject to statutory exceptions which may shorten the condominium’s time to proceed with foreclosure to 90 days12 or which may lengthen the time beyond the year.13 Furthermore, Florida statute imposes a 6-month cap on the amount of assessments that can be collected under certain situations. Accordingly, it is imperative that condominium associations timely assert their rights by filing and, if necessary, foreclose upon a claim lien. Acting quickly to recoup unpaid assessments from delinquent unit owners will keep the condominium strong and will help alleviate the financial burdens placed on paying unit owners.

By: Ilan A. Nieuchowicz, Esq.
Roth, Rousso & Katsman, L.L.P.
18851 N.E. 29th Avenue, Suite 900
Aventura, FL 33180
Phone: (786) 279-0000
Fax: (786) 279-0001
Real Estate Fax: (786) 279-0002
info@rrksatlaw.com

Disclosure: Ilan A. Nieuchowicz, Esq. is an associate attorney with the law firm of Roth, Rousso & Katsman, L.L.P., located in Aventura, Florida. Although this article provides legal information, it is not and should not be considered legal advice. This article has been provided solely as an educational tool to provide general insight into the law and is not intended as legal advice or a legal opinion. Because specific factual circumstances may alter the manner in which law is applied and/or interpreted, we strongly recommend that you consult with an attorney to be certain that your interpretation of the legal information provided is appropriate in light of your particular circumstances.

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA AMC AVENTURA 24

This post is the first of many relating to movies showing at AMC Aventura 24 in the Aventura Mall. As you all know, this blog has received attention from the Miami Herald and Aventura residents. This has translated into a wider audience and daily readers of our site content. In order to thank our readers, I will be offering free movie passes for pre-screenings to movies at AMC Aventura 24. The first movie I have tickets to pass on to YOU, the reader, is for the upcoming movie Love in the Time of Cholera. In order to request a ticket, please email us with "Movie Tickets" as the subject. Keep in mind we have a lot of readers and a limited amount of tickets, so this offer is good as supplies last.

The screening is Monday November 12th at Aventura AMC 24 at 7:30 in the Aventura Mall.

Read more about the movie in the information below. Remember to keep checking our blog to see what movie passes we can send you.

Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Javier Bardem, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Benjamin Bratt, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Hector Elizondo, Liev Schreiber, Fernanda Motenegro with Laura Harring and John Leguizamo



Based on Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ novel and adapted by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist), Love In The Time Of Cholera is one of the world’s most romantic stories. The drama traces the Job-like vigil of Florentino Ariza, who waits for more than half a century to claim the hand of Fermina Daza, the woman he loves. Directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Four Weddings and a Funeral), and featuring a talented cast that includes Javier Bardem, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Hector Elizondo and Liev Schreiber, Love In The Time Of Cholera is scheduled for a November 16th, 2007 release.

The Strike is on, get reruns ready!: Writers walk out in Hollywood

There will be no posts today that cover the City of Aventura. This is in support of the Writers Strike. In case you haven't heard about it, this digg will keep you informed...Hollywood writers will strike after last-ditch talks called by a federal mediator failed. Writers and studios broke off talks late Sunday after East Coast members of the writers union declared they were officially on strike, the group representing producers said.

read more | digg story

Traffic in Aventura

The traffic in Aventura has been an issue of major concern once the city hit its growth spurt. I live here all year and know what streets to avoid during certain times. I've been stuck on Biscayne Blvd., in front of Loehemann's, in the afternoon for easily a half hour to discover I've only moved three blocks. I never drive around The Venture condos in late afternoon. Once the Aventura Charter school lets out in that area, the cars are gridlocked around the corner - it's a mess. There are plenty of other intersections that are a must to stay away from during certain hours.

The City of Aventura is well aware of these problems and takes the congestion very seriously; however, condo construction managed to continue at a rapid pace. This will definitely be a topic worth exploring in more detail.

The reason I bring up the traffic in Aventura today is because I received an email from one of our readers concerning a specific location. This spot is a cause of some frustration to this Aventura resident and he deserves to be heard. Please take a moment to read the email he sent me. I added a few photos of the area, sometimes seeing a location helps you remember. Who knows, maybe others feel the same way?


Received on Oct. 29th 2007 -

Hi guys: about the traffic light at 178th & Bisc.--

Southbound on US 1 and 178th I've seen dozens of cars make u-turns against a red light to US 1 northbound or left turns into Point East during both daylight hours and night time.

(This location is a few blocks from Houston's Restaurant and Morton's Steakhouse)




The northbound traffic sometimes is heavy, I'll admit, but most of the time there is ample opportunity to make the turns safely against a red light that is inordinately long.

Not being a traffic engineer, but certainly being a card-carrying mavin, I would suggest removing the turn signal as it presently is and replacing it with a flashing red arrow, meaning "stop, and when traffic permits, turn".

'T would sure save a lotta frayed nerves.

Thanx for the opportunity to get heard.

Seth Lefkow

Aventura's Sky Development Inc. and Perla Lichi Design team up in Sunny Isles Beach

By Kelly Sheehan, Online News Editor
Renovations Begin on Florida Apartment Complex

Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.—Vertex Architecture Inc., headquartered in Miami, has started to renovate Vista View, a 308-unit apartment complex consisting of four buildings located in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.

The renovation is being completed in collaboration with Aventura, Fla.-based Sky Development Inc., an owner, manager and developer of commercial and residential properties, and Perla Lichi Design, interior designer. The improvements are expected to be completed in one year.

“The design changes will not only improve the quality of the buildings themselves but will, more importantly, enhance the communal aspects of Vista View,” says Alex Santamaria, principal of Vertex Architecture. “The improved security, fresher visual appeal, upgraded common area and more modern colors will all contribute to a better quality of life for residents.”

The community is getting new paint, landscaping and general maintenance as well as a putting green, playground, basketball court, business center and new fitness equipment. Improvements will also be made to units.

“We’re intent on creating a better lifestyle for the tenants at Vista View,” says Yizhak Toledano, Sky Development CEO. “It will be an amenity-rich community, with parks and the ocean within walking distance, for the complete South Florida lifestyle.”

Existing amenities in the pet-friendly community include a heated pool, fitness center with saunas, clubhouse with billiards room, picnic area, DVD rental vending machines and covered parking.

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I anticipate that this project will certainly make an impact on Sunny Isles Beach. After reading this article, I decided to do some research on both the developer and designer. I was quick to discover that the work of Perla Lichi Design is first class and might even be the definition of luxury. Take a moment to watch this YouTube clip of Perla Lichi Design and you'll see what I'm talking about. Enjoy.



Just imagine that luxury design coupled with the views and lifestyle of Sunny Isles Beach. In case you are not familiar with Sunny Isles Beach, I tracked down a great clip showcasing ocean views, city views, and skylines. Aventura's sister city Sunny Isles Beach is in for the finishing touches to its already drastic face lift.



If you're looking for a great time at the beach, head over to the public beach behind Ocean One and Ocean Two at Sunny Isles Beach. It's always packed with young people over the weekend.