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COVID-19 can do some pretty scary things to the human heart. It can trigger blood clots in severe cases and cause inflammation and scarring. New research now shows that even young people with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic are at risk for developing potentially dangerous inflammation around the heart. I am an imaging cardiologist who is developing diagnostic techniques to assess changes in heart muscle function in patients with COVID-19. In a study released Nov. 4, my colleagues and I found evidence of heart abnormalities in over one-third of student athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 and underwent cardiac screening at West Virginia University this fall. While we didn’t detect ongoing damage to the heart muscle itself, we frequently found evidence of inflammation and excess fluid in the pericardium, the sac around the heart. Almost all of the 54 students tested had either mild COVID-19 or were asymptomatic. Based on our results and other studies, a group of experts convened by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging has also published a list of recommendations for heart testing and recovery times before student athletes return to play. An important takeaway: Student athletes who test positive for COVID-19 should consult their primary care physicians to determine if heart screening tests are needed – even if they never showed symptoms. COVID-19 is bad news for hearts There is still a lot we don’t know about COVID-19 and its lingering effects on the human body. SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, can cause a mind-boggling array of damage, including triggering inflammatory responses in the heart muscle and surrounding tissue as the body tries to fight it off. As many as 1 in 8 hospitalized COVID-19 patients have some form of heart damage. What we worry most about with competitive athletes is whether the virus can get into the heart muscle and trigger myocarditis, rare inflammation of the heart muscle that can be caused by viral infections. Myocarditis can disrupt your heart’s ability to pump blood and cause arrhythmias. It can also cause sudden heart failure in athletes who seemed healthy. If you have myocarditis, you should not be on the field or in training until well after you recover. Bruce Blaus/Wikimedia, CC BY A small number of college athletes with COVID-19 are known to have been diagnosed with myocarditis. In one study, Ohio State University doctors tested 26 college athletes in September and found signs of heart inflammation consistent with myocarditis in four. Myocarditis isn’t the only heart problem to worry about, however. Sports doctors for years have warned that athletes who develop pericarditis should not return to play until it resolves. Here’s what we found in student athletes At West Virginia University, my colleagues and I examined 54 student athletes who had tested positive for COVID-19 three to five weeks earlier. We didn’t find convincing signs of ongoing myocarditis, but we did see a lot of evidence of pericarditis. Among the student athletes screened, 40% had pericardial enhancement, suggesting resolving inflammation in the sac that protects the heart, and 58% had pericardial effusion, meaning excess fluid had built up. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Usually, this kind of inflammation heals within a few weeks with no residual effects. However, in some cases, there can be long-term effects, like pericardial inflammation recurring. It can lead to scarring of the pericardial sac, which in rare cases can be severe, and the pericardium can constrict around the heart. This can lead to symptoms similar to heart failure and cause congestion in the lungs and liver. It’s difficult to predict if a patient will develop any of these rare long-term complications, and it’s too soon to tell if it’s happening. Advice for college athletics programs Currently, athletic programs around the country have a patchwork of rules for quarantining and screening COVID-19-positive athletes for heart damage as they try to balance players’ health and the desire to return to play. To help them develop standards, I and other cardiologists from the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia reviewed the current evidence and wrote an expert consensus statement. A similar statement focused on myocarditis was published by some of the same doctors in JAMA Cardiology. We suggest the following: Any student athlete testing positive for COVID-19 should follow quarantine rules and avoid exposing their teammates, coaches or anyone else to the virus. Before returning to play, athletes who test positive for COVID-19 should consult with their physicians to determine if heart screening tests are needed. Although routine testing is not recommended for all asymptomatic individuals, a physician should determine on an individual basis when the risks are high enough. If an athlete has active myocarditis, we recommend no competition or strenuous training for three to six months, with follow-up exams with a cardiologist. Exercise can worsen the disease’s progression and create arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeat. After that period, the athlete can gradually resume exercise and play if he or she has no lingering inflammation or arrhythmia. If an athlete has active features of pericarditis, we also recommend restricting exercise, since it can exacerbate inflammation or cause inflammation to return. Athletes should avoid competitive sports during the acute phase. Once tests show no inflammation or excess fluid, the athlete should be able to return to play. COVID-19 is no joke. The best way for athletes to stay healthy so they can keep playing sports is to avoid getting the coronavirus in the first place. Teams should test student athletes for the virus and make sure those who test positive see a doctor to determine if screening tests for heart damage are needed. By Partho Sengupta - Abnash C Jain Chair and Professor of Cardiology, Cardiology Division Chief and Director of Cardiac Imaging, West Virginia University Special thanks to The Conversation for this story and images. You can support the independent network which provides news by donating today. Image by Unsplasy

A massive force is reshaping the fashion industry: secondhand clothing. According to a new report, the U.S. secondhand clothing market is projected to more than triple in value in the next 10 years – from US$28 billion in 2019 to US$80 billion in 2029 – in a U.S. market currently worth $379 billion. In 2019, secondhand clothing expanded 21 times faster than conventional apparel retail did. Even more transformative is secondhand clothing’s potential to dramatically alter the prominence of fast fashion – a business model characterized by cheap and disposable clothing that emerged in the early 2000s, epitomized by brands like H&M and Zara. Fast fashion grew exponentially over the next two decades, significantly altering the fashion landscape by producing more clothing, distributing it faster and encouraging consumers to buy in excess with low prices. While fast fashion is expected to continue to grow 20% in the next 10 years, secondhand fashion is poised to grow 185%. As researchers who study clothing consumption and sustainability, we think the secondhand clothing trend has the potential to reshape the fashion industry and mitigate the industry’s detrimental environmental impact on the planet. The next big thing The secondhand clothing market is composed of two major categories, thrift stores and resale platforms. But it’s the latter that has largely fueled the recent boom. Secondhand clothing has long been perceived as worn out and tainted, mainly sought by bargain or treasure hunters. However, this perception has changed, and now many consumers consider secondhand clothing to be of identical or even superior quality to unworn clothing. A trend of “fashion flipping” – or buying secondhand clothes and reselling them – has also emerged, particularly among young consumers. Thanks to growing consumer demand and new digital platforms like Tradesy and Poshmark that facilitate peer-to-peer exchange of everyday clothing, the digital resale market is quickly becoming the next big thing in the fashion industry. Julie Wainwright, center, CEO of The RealReal, celebrates her company’s IPO at the NASDAQ opening bell, Friday, June 28, 2019. Mark Lennihan/AP The market for secondhand luxury goods is also substantial. Retailers like The RealReal or the Vestiaire Collective provide a digital marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment, where people buy and sell designer labels such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermès. The market value of this sector reached $2 billion in 2019. The secondhand clothing trend also appears to be driven by affordability, especially now, during the COVID-19 economic crisis. Consumers have not only reduced their consumption of nonessential items like clothing, but are buying more quality garments over cheap, disposable attire. For clothing resellers, the ongoing economic contraction combined with the increased interest in sustainability has proven to be a winning combination. More mindful consumers? The fashion industry has long been associated with social and environmental problems, ranging from poor treatment of garment workers to pollution and waste generated by clothing production. Textile factory waste drains into a tributary of the Citarum River outside Bandung, Java, Indonesia, 2018. Ed Wray/Stringer via Getty Images News Less than 1% of materials used to make clothing are currently recycled to make new clothing, a $500 billion annual loss for the fashion industry. The textile industry produces more carbon emissions than the airline and maritime industries combined. And approximately 20% of water pollution across the globe is the result of wastewater from the production and finishing of textiles. Consumers have become more aware of the ecological impact of apparel production and are more frequently demanding apparel businesses expand their commitment to sustainability. Buying secondhand clothing could provide consumers a way to push back against the fast-fashion system. Buying secondhand clothing increases the number of owners an item will have, extending its life – something that has been dramatically shortened in the age of fast fashion. (Worldwide, in the past 15 years, the average number of times a garment is worn before it’s trashed has decreased by 36%.) High-quality clothing traded in the secondhand marketplace also retains its value over time, unlike cheaper fast-fashion products. Thus, buying a high-quality secondhand garment instead of a new one is theoretically an environmental win. But some critics argue the secondhand marketplace actually encourages excess consumption by expanding access to cheap clothing. Our latest research supports this possibility. We interviewed young American women who regularly use digital platforms like Poshmark. They saw secondhand clothing as a way to access both cheap goods and ones they ordinarily could not afford. They did not see it as an alternative model of consumption or a way to decrease dependence on new clothing production. Whatever the consumer motive, increasing the reuse of clothing is a big step toward a new normal in the fashion industry, though its potential to address sustainability woes remains to be seen. By Hyejune Park - Assistant Professor of Fashion Merchandising, Oklahoma State University | Cosette Marie Joyner - Armstrong Associate Professor of Fashion Merchandising, Oklahoma State University. Special thanks to The Conversation for this story and images. You can support the independent network which provides news by donating today.

A film industry in free fall just suffered its latest blow. Cineworld Group, the owner of Regal Cinemas, announced that it would suspend operations at all of its locations in the U.S. and U.K. as crowded theaters continue to be seen as petri dishes for a virus that shows no sign of abating. Studios are in no better shape. Familiar blockbuster franchises that Hollywood banks on to balance ledgers have been delayed, including the 25th James Bond film, “No Time to Die,” “Mission: Impossible 7,” and Marvel Universe’s “Black Widow” and “Wonder Woman 1984.” The billions of dollars invested in producing and marketing these films alone are sums that could make or break the studios. Meanwhile, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV have capitalized on the trend of people’s spending more time in their homes. The motion picture industry has endured pandemics and the threat of home viewing before. But in each instance, the existing way of doing things was upended. During the current crisis, it seems that shifts in the industry that have been going on for some time are accelerating. While the movie theater will likely survive, moviegoers can expect a change in what they can see on the big screen. The first time ‘flu bans’ upended the industry Before World War I, the American motion picture industry was a loose collection of independent film producers, distributors and approximately 20,000 theater owners. In the fall of 1918, the industry was rocked by the emergence of the Spanish flu. As wave after wave of influenza deaths spread across the country, between 80% and 90% of theaters were closed off and on for months by public health decrees, described across the country as “flu bans.” Theaters were forced to close off and on for months because of public health decrees. The Internet Archive Theaters that needed ticket sales to recoup advanced rental fees fought to stay open using strategies that are eerily familiar to our COVID-19 moment. Industry leaders lobbied governments to let them reopen. Theater owners denounced “flu hysteria” and handed out gauze masks to patrons. Some ejected sneezers or used staggered seating to socially distance audiences. The industry ran national public relations campaigns promoting hygiene and promising theater cleanings and new ventilation systems to help calm patrons’ fears of sitting shoulder to shoulder with someone who might cough. Even after “flu bans” were lifted, it took about a year and a half for skittish audiences to venture back. As the pandemic ravaged the country, consolidation fever consumed the industry. Opportunists took advantage of the real victims of the flu bans: independent theaters. The big chains, armed with capital, bought out their hobbled competitors while bigger distribution companies gobbled up smaller ones. Adolph Zukor and his Wall Street backers sought to monopolize access to audiences. Internet Archive A new Hollywood studio system dominated by money and profits slowly started to take shape. Trailblazer Adolph Zukor used Wall Street financing to take control of the reeling Famous Players-Lasky company and merged it with Paramount distribution, creating a studio that cranked out films with Ford-like efficiency. With its soaring profits, it continued turning independent theaters into exclusive Paramount exhibitors across the country to monopolize access to audiences. Other companies followed suit. Loews theaters, Metro pictures and Goldwyn distribution consolidated into MGM. Industry players desperate to recoup their pandemic losses traded their independence to be a part of the post-pandemic Hollywood, an oligopoly of vertically integrated companies that only distributed and screened the films they produced. Audiences previously comfortable watching all variety of shorts quickly developed a taste for the studio system’s expensive, feature-length formulaic films. TV threatens the oligopoly In the 1950s, Hollywood faced a second destructive event of the 21st century: television, a new technology that could broadcast content directly into American homes. On the television, the motion picture form shifted from standard feature-length films to serialized content similar to what people listened to on the radio. The studio system felt the crunch. People who once went out to the movies multiple times a week now stayed home to watch TV. By 1954, there were 233 commercial stations and 26 million homes with TVs, and studio profits dramatically declined. Yet Hollywood was able to adapt. The industry responded to the small-screen home viewing threat by going big. Aspect ratios jumped from 1.34:1 to a wider 1.85:1 or 2.25:1, and film studios added Technicolor and high-fidelity directional audio to their sensational features. Big-budget epics like MGM’s “Quo Vadis,” musicals like 20th Century Fox’s “Annie Get Your Gun” and animated spectacles like Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” ensured that theaters could provide an unrivaled experience, one that made watching TV seemed paltry by comparison. In the end, home viewing and theatrical release managed to coexist. The worst of times, the best of times In many ways, the current pandemic has been a tale of two movie industries. With theaters closed, streaming services have been cashing in. Netflix, which has been laying the groundwork for a direct-to-streaming world since 2015, has added more than 10 million subscribers since March. Alarmed by the billions of dollars stuck in pandemic purgatory, some studios have started to change tacks. Tom Hanks’ new submarine film, “Greyhound,” steered its US$50 million budget directly to port on Apple TV+. Apple let financial markets know that the film’s opening, in terms of the number of people who watched, rivaled the best opening weekends. Thirty percent of those viewers were new subscribers. Yet rather than being extinguished, the theater model will likely continue to evolve. There is simply too much potential for return on investment in past, present and future blockbusters, and studios see the risk-reward ratio of theatrical release as a way to attract shareholders and keep them happy. Audiences will still go out to be thrilled by big, CGI-driven spectacles with gut-rumbling surround sound. They’ve got a taste for it. At the same time, major studios will likely continue to use their economic leverage to push into streaming in an attempt to maximize their potential for profit and control both modes of distribution. It’s also possible that – with the winds of antitrust sentiment starting to blow – the industry will return to a theatrical distribution model more akin to the pre-Spanish flu era, when independent theaters could make deals with different distributors to show more than just blockbusters and use this flexibility to cultivate new or niche audiences. If the lessons of the post-pandemic 1920s prove prophetic, we could be gearing up for a roaring decade with a rich diversity of films – in form, style and content – emerging to fit different modes of distribution. Think new series formats or even mini “character universes” that rival Marvel’s on the small screen. Seen this way, the 2020s could be a glorious period of experimentation and innovation. Matthew Jordan - Associate Professor of Media Studies, Penn State. Special thanks to The Conversation for this story and images. You can support the independent network which provides news by donating today.

Just in time for the holidays, CityPlace Doral is spreading the spirit of the season with its free “Holiday Stroll on the Plaza” at its Fountain Plaza. Guests will enjoy a memorable and festive afternoon, featuring an artisan market pop-up, live art, and live holiday music. Featuring wonderful gifts and ideas for the holidays, the artisan market pop-up will launch on Dec. 19 and be at Fountain Plaza through Dec. 24. Vendors will be selling their goodies, including preserved and fresh flowers, desserts from GF Bites, fashion sunglasses, beauty products from Karem Feris Beauty Shop, lingerie from Chechy Muskus, and dental products and kits from DrGSmile. Brickell Realty Group will also be on-site. Featuring the delightful theme “Magical Winter,” artists from FDC Artists Collective will showcase live art. Participating artists will be Junk Lainez, Liz Rivera, Tragek, and Derek Hunter. To keep the joyful sounds of the season floating through the air, both English and Spanish bands will perform festive, holiday and mix music for guests’ listening pleasure. In addition, in the evenings through Dec. 31, CityPlace Doral welcomes guests to view the spectacular multi-colored LED lighting decorating the center’s Christmas tree and palm trees lining the outdoor shops. Also through Dec. 31, CityPlace Doral is pleased to offer a colorful waterfall display choreographed to everyday favorites and holiday classics. CityPlace Doral has implemented a number of important policies and procedures to safeguard the health and well-being of its valued guests and employees. The open-air entertainment destination has taken into account the best practices recommended by national experts like the CDC, as well as state and local health care officials, to determine the appropriate steps to make CityPlace Doral a place where guests feel comfortable venturing back into public and reconnecting with friends and family. When: Saturday, Dec. 19, 12–5 p.m. (the artisan market will be on display through Thursday, Dec. 24) Where: CityPlace Doral Fountain Plaza 8300 NW 36th St., Doral, FL 33166 (786) 693-1849 Cost: Free to attend. How: For more information, visit www.cityplacedoral.com/events/. MORE ON CityPlace Doral CityPlace Doral is an attractive leisure destination offering a collection of memorable dining, shopping, wellness and entertainment experiences. Featuring 250,000 square feet of retail space, CityPlace Doral is a master-planned, mixed-use development nestled in the dynamic employment center of Doral in the heart of Miami-Dade County. CityPlace Doral combines the vision of world-renowned architects, designers and artists creating the next crown jewel of prosperous dining, entertainment and upscale shopping in one of South Florida’s growing cities. CityPlace Doral includes more than 40 dining, shopping and entertainment destinations for all palettes and walks of life, and the property’s entertainment retail component is anchored by a roster of first-class tenants from all over the country. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of CityPlace Doral

Enjoy free admission to the galleries and an interactive STEAM-based art-making activity at the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood's monthly Free Arts! Family Day, on Sunday, December 20 from Noon to 4 pm. This month's activity is titled Winter Quilt Weaving. Warm up to winter with cozy quilting at the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood! Add the wonders of weaving to your engineer’s toolbelt as we learn the techniques and history of textiles. Follow along to create your own weaving in our Community Gallery during the last Free Arts! Family Day of 2020. Presented on the third Sunday of every month, Free Arts! Family Day engages visitors of all ages in a theme-based art-making activity that encourages creativity and collaboration among families and friends while enjoying our exhibitions in the safe and inspiring Art and Culture Center/Hollywood galleries. Free Arts! Family Days is supported by PNC Foundation and a City of Hollywood General Fund Social Service Agency Grant. Date: Sunday, December 20, 2020 Time: Noon - 4 pm December's Activity: Winter Quilt Weaving Exhibition on view during Free Arts! Family Day: 2020 Florida Biennial: NOW is the Time / The Time is NOW More on Art and Culture Center/Hollywood The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported in part by its members, admissions, private entities, the City of Hollywood, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. We welcome donations from all members of the community who wish to support our work. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Art and Culture Center/Hollywood

Kuba Cabana, a lively new dining concept where “Old World Cuba Meets Modern Miami” located in the vibrant CityPlace Doral, is hosting “Cabana’s Golden Age ― A New Year’s Dinner Party Like No Other,” featuring cocktails, a Roaring Twenties Las Vegas Style Cabaret, live music, unforgettable dinner, and a Cuban-style countdown to 2021 with a champagne toast. This classy evening, hosted by Drag Queen, Miss Noel Leon, embraces the Roaring Twenties and is open to guests aged 21 and older. There is nothing better than to finish off the year with a touch of class at Kuba Cabana! Crowned Burlesque Queens, the cast of Cocktails & Cabaret, will take guests on a musical journey from the Roaring Twenties to today’s chart-topping hits, including songs such as “Fever,” “Whatever Lola Wants,” “All That Jazz,” a tribute to Disco, a Carnival Finale and more. The Burlesque Queens have traveled the world performing, most with acclaimed performer Queen Dita Von Teese. From 4–6 p.m., an open, timed seating, featuring a limited a la carte menu, will be offered. Guests will enjoy an energetic, culinary-based experience featuring modern Latin-inspired cuisine. Happy Hour specials will not be offered. From 7–9:15 p.m., the first timed seating will feature an incredible 3-course Latin-style New Year’s Eve menu, plus a glass of Prosecco, and exciting live entertainment, including a DJ and 7-piece “Great Gatsby-style” band. All other beverages are charged upon consumption. From 9:45 p.m.–midnight, the second seating (main event seating) will feature an incredible 3-course Latin-style New Year’s Eve menu, plus a glass of Prosecco. The main event New Year’s celebration (10:30 p.m.–midnight) will include a spectacular show including Las Vegas Style Cabaret show girls, a DJ and 7-piece “Great Gatsby-style” band, and champagne toast integrated with the show. Fifteen minutes before the countdown to midnight begins, guests will receive 12 lucky grapes (a Cuban tradition) and a glass of Prosecco to welcome the year 2021. All other beverages are available for an additional charge. Prime tables, available for prices ranging from $750–$3,000, will include bottle service ranging per person and table size. All table reservations include a bottle of Toast™ Vodka, a bottle of Prosecco, and a bottle of the guests’ choice. The impressive 3-course Latin-style New Year’s Eve menu, prepared by Kuba Cabana’s celebrated Corporate Chef Jorge Mas and Executive Chef Pedro E. Sarracino, will be served during the first seating (7–9:15 p.m.) and second seating (9:45 p.m.–midnight) only: · First course: Select one from Tuna Tartare, Swordfish Carpaccio, Croquetas De Jamon, Cod Croquetas, Beef Empanadas, Chicken Empanadas, or Papaya + Burrata Salad. · Second course: Select one from Guava Smoked Pollo Barbacoa Served with Maduros + Congris, Asado Negro Style Short Rib over Creamy Boniato Puree, Crispy Branzino Filet Served with Sauteed Vegetables, or Arroz De Mar highlighting Corvina, Octopus + Squid. · Third course: Select one from Arroz Con Leche, Chocoland, Timba, or Churritos De Yuca. Kuba Cabana will be open from 4 p.m.–midnight on Dec. 31, operating with a limited menu for seating areas outside of the show/celebration area. Kuba Cabana is in compliance with the best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local health care officials, in an effort to serve as a place where guests feel comfortable venturing back into public and reconnecting with friends and family. All guests and employees are required to wear a facial covering, maintain the social distance of 6 feet between visitors and wash their hands in accordance with the CDC guidelines. Cancellation policy: $50 cancellation fee per person in the reservation. If absent on Dec. 31, 30 minutes after reservation time., Kuba Cabana will charge the cancellation fee. Parties that have less guests than reserved will still be charged the entire fee for the empty, reserved seats. If the reservation is canceled by Dec. 29, Kuba Cabana will waive the cancellation fee. Cost: · Open seating: limited a la carte menu · First seating: $99 per person + tax and 21% gratuity · Second seating: $150 per person + tax and 21% gratuity. (prime tables are available, and range from $750–$3,000, including bottle service ranging per person and table size). All table reservations include a bottle of Toast™ vodka, a bottle of Prosecco, and a bottle of the guests’ choice. For inquiries and table reservations, contact Julie Montandon at events@kubamiami.com or (305) 850-2425. Kuba’s main phone number is 305-800-KUBA (5822) Visit www.facebook.com/events/1058218184645462/ for more information. By ML Staff. Image by Unsplash

Westfield Broward is bringing exciting, interactive art and cultural experiences to its guests and the local community with the debut of two pop-up museums: the Young At Art Museum, opening early December 2020; and Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, opening January 2021. Young At Art Museum‘s (YAA) mission is to enrich the community through artistic, interactive experiences for all ages, and to inspire creativity and encourage an understanding of the world. Located near LensCrafters at the northwest entrance of Westfield Broward, this will be the new destination where imagination, education and discovery meet in exciting and new ways. The Young At Art Museum pop-up incorporates a go-at-your-own-pace museum featuring never seen before, state-of-the-art installations, coupled with YAA members’ favorite exhibitions from the past. Visitors will teleport into 13 experimental maximalist exhibitions that can all be documented through a mirror selfie. All exhibitions will feature art projects and educational lessons accompanied with common core standards. The museum encourage visitors to follow social distancing guidelines to maintain a clean and safe space. Located at the northeast main entrance of Westfield Broward and spanning 5,500 square feet, the Island SPACE (Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education) Caribbean Museum pop-up will tell the story of the Caribbean from indigenous people, the colonial period, emancipation, to independence when the islands developed their own cultures. The Island SPACE Caribbean Museum pop-up will feature sections and displays featuring arts and entertainment such as rumba, reggaeton, calypso, soca, TV, literature, and sports. Additional sections will explore notable expatriates and people of Caribbean heritage such as Vice President-elect Sen. Kamala Harris, U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton, and Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. With a mission to elevate the profile of Caribbean art, history, and culture in every form throughout South Florida and the broader diaspora, Island SPACE Caribbean Museum features a collection of artifacts, iconic paraphernalia, cultural relics and historical data representing South Florida’s Caribbean communities. “This year, we feel it's more important than ever to provide local artists and organizations with the opportunity to showcase their work,” said Westfield Broward General Manager Angel Cabrera. “With our pop-up museums, we're looking forward to encouraging guests and locals of all ages to enjoy interactive art experiences, as well as learn more about the rich Caribbean culture.” Westfield is committed to the health and safety of its customers, employees and the community, and is working with local stakeholders, public health officials and retailers to ensure that relevant guidelines are being followed. In addition to increased cleanings of common areas and monitoring and enforcing capacity, social distancing, and the wearing of face coverings; Bureau Veritas, the world’s most respected provider in testing, inspection and certification processes, certified Westfield cleaning processes with its industry-leading hygiene and safety excellence label, SafeGuard™. More information about Westfield Broward’s health and safety practices can be found at www.westfield.com/broward/what-we-are-doing. For more information about events, hours, locations and resources, shoppers can visit www.westfield.com/broward. MORE ON Westfield Broward Easily accessible from Interstates 75, 95, 595 and Florida’s Turnpike, and in close proximity to Fort Lauderdale’s sparkling beaches, Westfield Broward is a popular community shopping and dining destination showcasing a 12-screen Regal Cinemas alongside such recent welcome arrivals as H&M, Papaya, Zumiez, Hollister, Express, Buffalo Wild Wings, and BRIO Tuscan Grille – as well as the first U.S. mall locations for Jerk Grill Express. Westfield Broward is located at 8000 W Broward Blvd, Plantation, FL 33388. For more information, visit www.westfield.com/broward. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash

Gulfstream Park Village, South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination located on the border of Broward and Miami-Dade County, is pleased to welcome four new tenants to its exciting options of things to do, see and experience: CellFix, PlantEra, Rene Ruiz Collection, and Zero Empty Spaces. South Florida residents and visitors alike will enjoy the unique experiences that these new tenants ― now open for business ― provide at this world-class lifestyle destination. “It’s thrilling to welcome these four new tenants to the diverse offering of experiences at Gulfstream Park Village,” said Alan Shaw, senior vice president of 1/ST Properties, the owner of Gulfstream Park. “At Gulfstream Park Village, we pride ourselves on being home to a unique array of boutiques, restaurants, activities and more that differentiates us from ordinary malls.” The new tenants are: · CellFix: CellFix sells smartphones, smartphone accessories, gaming systems and accessories, speakers and headphones, car chargers, repair parts, and gadgets; as well as provides repair services for smartphones, computers, and iPads. Apple and Windows certified technicians promise honest and professional services. CellFix guarantees that its customers’ privacy is completely safe from third parties. · PlantEra: Launched by a group of cannabis industry veterans, PlantEra offers CBD products organically grown in the U.S. They are extracted using solventless technology to ensure the safety and efficacy of all of PlantEra’s oils, tinctures, and edibles. PlantEra’s team of Ph.D.s formulate its entire line of CBD ingestibles in an FDA-licensed pharmaceutical facility located in Miami, Florida. · Rene Ruiz Collection: Rene Ruiz Collection strikes a balance between old-world craftsmanship and modern glamour by blending Miami's sultry sexiness with graceful elegance. Its designs fuse the region's beauty and diversity. Rene Ruiz Collection’s eye for its own high-quality fabrics and personalized attention, to the creation and tailoring of each garment, has created an international following for its luxurious, original and sophisticated designs. · Zero Empty Spaces: An amazing live, working studio for artists where customers can interact, browse, purchase, collaborate, and commission artwork at affordable prices. The concept expands the appreciation of all genres of art, and helps to create a thriving cultural community in the cities surrounding each location. The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mask use is required and social distance measures must be followed. Local artists who are interested in displaying their work in this studio space can email info@zeroemptyspaces.com for more information. More on Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing, but is also home to a casino and family-friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, fashion retailers, state-of-the-art bowling alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park, voted a 2020 Top Travelers' Choice Winner by TripAdvisor, is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I-95. Valet service (may or may not be available due to COVID-19) and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information, visit www.gulfstreampark.com or call 954-454-7000.

The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami congratulates its esteemed faculty and gifted alumni honored with GRAMMY nominations announced November 24th, 2020. Maria Schneider, a five time GRAMMY Award winner, who serves as Artistic Director of the Frost School’s Henry Mancini Institute received two nominations in association with her latest release Data Lords, marking her 16th total nomination. In 2004 Maria, who blazed the trail for crowd funding recordings, made history receiving the first GRAMMY• for an internet only sales album. This marks the 11th nomination for Frost’s Studio Music and Jazz Lecturer, pianist/composter and producer Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album for Viento Y Tiempo -- Live at Blue Note Tokoyo. Gonzalo has two GRAMMY• wins as producer for Charlie Haden albums in 2001 and 2004. Frost alumni nominated this year exhibit incredible musical diversity. Chorus Master James Kelly Bass (D.M.A. ’05), already a three-time nominee, received three nominations. Neal J. Avron (B.M. ’87), a GRAMMY winning mixer/producer who has worked with artists ranging from Twenty-One Pilots, Sara Bareilles, Fall Out Boy and Linken Park was nominated for Best Musical Theater Album and Carmen Lundy (B.M. ’80) for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Rounding out the list is Jeremy Adam Levy (B.M. 04), and Pat Metheny each in separate arranger categories. “The consistent high achievements of Frost faculty and alumni each year is truly extraordinary and inspiring,” stated Dean Shelton G. Berg. “Being acknowledged by your peers for excellence in recording is the ultimate reward in music. I applaud and congratulate our 2021 class of GRAMMY Nominees.” A complete list of the Frost School faculty and alumni nominees follows: GONAZLO RUBALCABA, STUDIO MUSIC AND JAZZ LECTURER *Best Latin Jazz Album Viento Y Tiempo -- Live at Blue Note Tokoyo (Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Aymee Nuviola) MARIA SCHNEIDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/HENRY MANCINI INSTITUTE *Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album--Data Lords *Best Instrumental Composition--Sputnik NEAL J. AVRON, B.M. ’87 * Best Musical Theater Album--Jagged Little Pill JAMES KELLY BASS, D.M.A. ’05 *Best Engineered Album, Classical-- Danielpour: The Passion Of Yeshua * Best Choral Performance--Danielpour: The Passion Of Yeshuah *Best Contemporary Classical Composition--Danielpour: The Passion Of Yeshua JEREMY ADAM LEVY, M.M. ’04 *Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella--Uranus: The Magician CARMEN LUNDY, B.M. ‘80, *Best Jazz Vocal Album --Modern Ancestors PAT METHENY *Best Arrangement Instrumental & Vocals (Pat Metheny featuring Meshell Ndegeocello) Alan Broadbant and Pat Metheny, arranger By ML Staff. Image courtesy of the GRAAMY Awards. The 63rd GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Jan. 31, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Micaela Erlanger’s incredible sense of style has helped actresses --including Lupita Nyong’o, Meryl Streep, Shailene Woodley, Diane Kruger, Lucy Hale- - look their best when they’re on the red carpet and being photographed. Creating a look --the pairing of an ensemble with the right accessories-- is an art form that Micaela has perfected. As they say, when you look good, you feel good. Micaela’s talent has earned her a list of accolades: the Style Influencer Award by The Accessories Council, Marie Claire Image Maker Award, and being named the #3 Most Powerful Stylist by The Hollywood Reporter. These days, Micaela is making her mark in bridal, especially after styling Amanda Hearst for her 2019 wedding at Hearst Castle. Styling a bride for one of her most memorable days is a big deal, and in a way, Micaela gets to play fairy godmother to her clients. While some couples have decided to postpone their nuptials this year, there are still couples going forward with their 2020 wedding. Currently staying in Miami during the pandemic, Micaela took the time to answer some bridal styling questions and share what she’s working on. What is your best piece of fashion/styling advice for the bride-to-be? Micaela Erlanger: Comfort equals confidence. And when you are confident, you radiate and shine. Choose a gown that you love, but also one you can spend the night in and won’t be fussing with. You don’t want to be worrying about wrinkles or being uncomfortable. Also, make sure you can walk --and dance-- in your shoes! What are the hottest trends in wedding dresses right now? ME: As a result of the pandemic right now and production timelines and ateliers being closed, we are seeing a lot of non-traditional wedding dresses. Think special occasion evening wear, color, and prints! Brides are having fun with fashion and rethinking what a wedding dress looks like. Considering the current climate, many people are trying to be more cost-conscious, what’s one thing the bride-to-be should definitely splurge on? ME: I actually think you should splurge on your wedding band. Jewelry retains its value. I always recommend platinum --it’s not only the most durable metal, but it’s the most brilliant and will enhance the natural sparkle of any stone. You are going to wear this for the rest of your life and it symbolizes and represents your commitment and love. What sort of jewelry do you recommend for the big day? ME: I wrote a book called “How to Accessorize: The Perfect Finish to Every Outfit.” I believe your accessories can transform a look, and when it comes to your wedding day, jewelry especially completes your look. I recommend picking a focal point, whether it’s a pair of earrings or a hair accessory, you want to be deliberate and choose pieces that will compliment your overall look and not distract from your natural beauty. Who are some of your favorite bridal designers --high-end and affordable? ME: For those who can afford a custom creation or couture gown, there is nothing more unique than having a one-of-a- kind look. I love working with the luxury design houses to create one-of-a-kind creations that are treasured and cherished for my clients. However, I’m excited to announce my curated capsule collection for Brideside will be available starting this June. I worked closely with Brideside to carefully curate four key styles from Brideside’s own SS’20 Ellera collection. This is the beginning of an ongoing partnership with Brideside and I’m so happy to align with a brand that delivers beautifully designed gowns at an accessible price. What fashion trends are we seeing for grooms? ME: While it’s common for brides to change into a reception dress, I think we are seeing more grooms changing from a tux jacket into a dinner jacket! I absolutely love this idea and think we will be seeing more of it! Follow Micaela on Instagram at @micaela Words by Vanessa Pascale. Images courtesy of Micaela Erlanger

INRIX, the world leader in connected car services and transportation analytics, released a new study that analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on vehicle collisions across the nation’s busiest and riskiest roadways. From the onset of the global pandemic, INRIX has tracked, analyzed and reported on a wide variety of transportation trends. For this study, INRIX analyzed road conditions on America’s busiest Interstates, freeways, expressways and arterials in the Top 25 Metro Areas in the U.S. to determine the impact of vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) reductions on travel speeds and collisions. Key findings include: Miami: Miami ranked 24th among the Top 25 U.S. metros for having the largest reduction in collisions from pandemic-related restrictions, at -8%; The top collision corridor in Miami is I-95, which saw a 18% reduction in collisions alone since last year; Miami’s riskiest hotspot is I-95 at Ives Dairy Rd. Nationally: VMT dropped but vehicle speeds increased between April and July, playing a significant factor in the increase in the fatality rate on our nation’s roadways; While early federal statistics indicate a 31% increase in the Q2 fatality rate, collisions decreased significantly; As VMT hit its lowest point and recovered nationwide, collisions fell more than 50% in seven metropolitan areas, and 21 of 25 metros saw at least 25% fewer collisions; Increase in collisions between August and October outpaced the growth in travel, resulting in a higher collision rate; Two-thirds of metros had larger collision reductions on Interstates and/or freeways than on arterial streets. Courtesy of Inrix

The golden girl is brought to you by Orlando Behar. Make-up by Lavonne using Pat McGrath Labs and IGK Hair. Necklace: Vintage Bracelet: Panacea Earrings: Panacea Bracelet: Kendra Scott Ring: Kendra Scott Necklace: Belle Badgley Mischka Necklace: Dillard’s Exclusive Label Bracelets: Barse and Vintage Necklace: Kate Spade Ring: Barse Photographer: Orlando Behar • Model: Alana Lambert • Hair & Make-up: Lavonne @lavonnebeauty, using Pat McGrath Labs and IGK Hair