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.