Tell us about your music. I saw that you have a few singles on your website --great stuff, you have a really nice voice-- have you recently released a new album? If not, are there any plans to? Jaq: Thanks so much! I’ve been consistently releasing singles the last year and will continue to do so before I plan on releasing a project. I want my debut album to really tell a story, so I’m gonna take my time with it until the vision is there. How would you describe your sound? Jaq: My sound is a melting pot of so many genres. It generally falls into that pop sound, but every song has its own influence. Some are more rock-inspired, some are more R&B or hip hop and some even show tastes of my EDM side. Which of your songs is closest to you, or that you feel really highlights “you”? Jaq: “Rare Thing” is my favorite song that I have out right now. It really hits home for me. It’s about knowing that you’re rare, you’re unique, there’s no one like you and not having to prove that when you have the right people in your life, love will always be enough. I read that you started writing and singing songs when you were 5, what were your songs about back then? Jaq: I remember my first song I wrote was called “la di da de” and it was this whole concept I had in my head that two bands were fighting over having me as their lead singer. I remember showing my best friend the song and she suggested I switched the concept from bands to boys. So in the end, it was about two boys desiring me and making them fight to the death to be with me. So silly [laughs]. You’re self-taught and produced your own records, tell us a little about your journey. Jaq: I was 13 when I wanted to make my first album. I essentially produced and recorded the entire thing myself at my mom’s friend’s studio. Once I knew what it was like to make my own vision come to life exactly how I wanted, it was hard having producers, in my opinion, botch my songs. As I got older, I was always told, the next step was to be set up with producers, but none of them did anything I liked, so I started doing it myself. I started on GarageBand recording into my laptop speakers at 14 and then, after some equipment upgrades, I was producing full songs/ records myself on Logic in my bedroom. Some of my songs, with the most plays on my Spotify and SoundCloud, are 100% recorded, engineered, produced, and mixed by me. No other hands have touched it. What are you currently working on? What can we expect from you in 2021? Jaq: I like keeping myself extremely busy and so does my team, so we have lots coming in 2021. Not only consistent single drops but music videos, live performances, possibly the start of a cosmetic line and a couple collabs! Who would you love to collaborate with in the music industry/entertainment? Jaq: A few of my dream collabs would be Lana Del Rey, Dominic Fike and Blackbear. What would people be surprised to find out about you? Jaq: Underneath the shaved head and tattoos people tend to be surprised how levelheaded and self aware I am. I’m less of a wild party girl and more of a work on myself and live out love girl. Since I was a baby, I’ve been told I have an old soul and as I got older, I really feel like I embodied that. Don’t get me wrong, I love having fun but at 21, I would rather stay home and watch a movie with my cat on a Saturday night than go to a bar and get drunk, just saying. Do you ever get out to Miami or South Florida? Jaq: I’ve never been to Florida in my life, but can’t wait to come visit soon! Follow Jaq on Instagram: @JaqtheGirl and visit https://linktr.ee/Jaqmackenzie for more by Jaq. Words by Vanessa Pascale Rust Photo Credit: Caesar Lima Make up: Veronica | IG: @makeupbyveronica

March of Dimes is honored to announce the Honorees for Women of Distinction presented by: Memorial Healthcare System. In its 26th year, this annual event highlights women leaders who have made significant achievements professionally and as community stewards. Since its inception, more than 260 South Florida women have been named Women of Distinction. The honorees will be celebrated during the Women of Distinction Luncheon on November 18th at 11:45 a.m. at the Signature Grand. Author Susie Levan is serving as the Women of Distinction Committee Chair and Laurie Jennings, 6-time Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist and media expert, will Emcee the event. Laurie A. Watkins will be the event’s keynote speaker. Watkins is a catalyst for change, an accomplished speaker, best-selling author of the award-winning book, Go from Stressed to Strong: Health & Fitness Advice from High Achievers, and appears frequently on cable and network television providing her insights on national security and current events. Appointed by President Barack Obama to serve in his Administration at the Pentagon for the U.S. Army, she has an impressive record of success establishing organizational goals and priorities. “We are honored to recognize women who are making a difference in both their careers and their community,” said Susie Levan, Women of Distinction Committee Chair. “This event also brings much-needed attention to the maternal and infant health crisis our country currently faces. Now more than ever, it is imperative we do all we can to help moms and babies have a healthy start.” Honorees were selected by a committee of past recipients and distinguished women leaders who reviewed applications from women who work in nonprofits, companies, universities, and other organizations throughout the tri-county area. 2021 Women of Distinction Honorees: Betty Davis, Chief Certified Meteorologist WPLG Channel 10 Dina Bellows-Levine, Managing Partner, Bellow and Associates Kate Goldman, Director, Government & Community Relations, Baptist Health South Florida Kenyetta N. Alexander, Esq, Partner, Osherow Law, LLC. Maureen Shea, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Right Management Rose McKelvie, MBA, MS, BSN, RN, Administrator, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital Dr. Saima Aftab, Vice President, Organizational and Strategic Initiatives, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Nicklaus Children’s Health System Samantha Woulfe, Marketing Director, Warren Henry Auto Group Shannon Balliet, Vice President Marketing, Time4Learning Tiffany D. Garner, M.S., J.D., Director of Development & Law Professor, Nova Southeastern University Todra Anderson Rhodes, MD, FACOG, Chief Medical Officer, Memorial Hospital Miramar Yvette DuBose, Executive Director, Heart Gallery of Broward In addition, Sheryl Brown, with ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC., will be recognized as the March of Dimes Broward Woman of Service. March of Dimes Woman of Service is presented to an individual that has demonstrated service as a core value. The recipient of this honor has selflessly given of their time, talent, and treasures in the pursuit of equal and just treatment of all. In addition to Presenting Sponsor Memorial Healthcare System, Women of Distinction is sponsored by Broward Health, Holy Cross Hospital, Osherow, PLLC., Rick Case Auto Group, Susie and Alan Levan Family Foundation, and Synovus. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. It supports research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Significant racial and ethnic disparities persist in rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality for babies born in the United States, and the pandemic has only worsened this crisis. According to CDC data, expectant mothers with the virus had a 50% higher chance of being admitted to intensive care and a 70% higher chance of being intubated than non-pregnant women in their childbearing years. The data also shows pregnant Latina and Black women were infected at higher rates than white women. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, March of Dimes empowers every mom and every family. For ticket or sponsorship information, visit www.marchofdimes.org/womenofdistinction. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of marchofdimes.org

Nominations for the 30th Annual South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year Award are now being accepted.The nominees will be honored at the award luncheon, hosted by the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) Advisory Board, on September 30, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Miami, the event’s Host Sponsor. The luncheon MC will be WSVN’s Belkys Nerey.The deadline for Tourism Professional of the Year nominations is August 30, 2021 and the nomination form can be found at https://bit.ly/2THRaNf The luncheon Master of Ceremonies, five time Emmy award winning journalist Belkys Nerey, was born in Havana and raised in Long Island and Miami. Completely bilingual, she started her television career as a reporter for a South Florida cable station. In 1994, she joined WSVN-7 and during her tenure at the Miami Fox affiliate, Ms. Nerey has covered major news stories and, up until recently, co-anchored the pop-culture driven Deco Drive. She is currently anchoring the 5,6,10 and 11pm newscasts on WSVN-7. The featured speakers of the luncheon will include celebrity chef, Michelle Bernstein, and Florida International University Dean, Dr. Michael Cheng. Chef Michelle Bernstein - Born and raised in Miami of Jewish and Latinx descent, Chef Michelle “Michy” Bernstein is a fixture in the culinary world — both in restaurant kitchens and in the media spotlight — paving the way for bright Latin flavors and standout ingredients in her lively, vibrant cuisine. Bernstein’s style melds taste experiences from her travels around the world into her signature style of exciting, eclectic cooking. Dr. Michael Cheng is the Dean at the top-ranked Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, where he is transforming hospitality, starting with the learner experience. Dr. Cheng has subject matter expertise in competency-based learning, hospitality management, Culinology®, food product development, restaurant development, sensory analysis, and food and beverage management. In addition to the Hyatt Regency Miami being the Host Sponsor of the event, Show Tech, a South Florida based audio visual production company, is supporting the event as a Signature Sponsor. REEF, the largest operator of mobility, logistics hubs, and neighborhood kitchens in North America is a Platinum Sponsor of the event. Additional sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks. Distinguished past recipients of the Tourism Professional of the Year Award include Alyce M. Robertson, Miami Downtown Dev. Authority, George Neary, Tours “R” Us, Wendy Kallergis, GMBHA, Henry Delgado, Smith & Wollensky, Rocco Angelo, Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, William Talbert, III, Alvin West, Sr. GMCVB, and Academy Founders, Stuart Blumberg, Retired, Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association, Bob Dickinson, Retired, Carnival Cruise Lines, and the late Tony Goldman, Goldman Properties, Jeanne Westphal, and Dean Lee Dickson, FIU. The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is a member of the non-profit, NAF. For over thirty years, NAF has refined a proven model that provides young people access to industry-specific curricular, work-based learning experiences and prepares them for college and industry careers. Academies are in 16 Miami public high schools. Proceeds of the luncheon benefit work-based learning activities and scholarships for AOHT students and professional development for teachers. Tickets for the Tourism Professional of the Year Award luncheon are $125.00 for an individual ticket or $1000 for a table/vendor sponsorship. Educators may purchase individual tickets for $80.00 and a table for $800. To purchase tickets for the luncheon, go to https://conta.cc/3efDNLf By ML Staff. Images courtesy of AOHT

When purchasing a superyacht that is nearly 300-feet long with the desire to set sail (or stay put) in dashing Palm Beach, the options may seem limited. With the Town of Palm Beach nearing completion of a multimillion-dollar renovation reopening on November 1, high society residents can now call The Town of Palm Beach Marina home for their superyachts. The $40 million in upgrades and improvements will transform the classic docks into a world-class yacht center that will welcome vessels from 60' to the 294’, superyacht size. The classic Town Marina is currently taking seasonal (November 1 – April 30), annual (December 1 – November 30), and transient slip reservations. The only public marina on the island of Palm Beach has been providing berthing for power and sail yachts since the 1940s. The new Town Marina will provide patrons with 84 slips, located along the classic Australian, Brazilian, and Peruvian docks, while introducing a new 250-foot Royal Palm Dock. Marina patrons will benefit from an enhanced master plan that includes a floating dock system while enjoying a suite of technological upgrades such as high-speed Wi-Fi, enhanced shore power, and state-of-the-art security systems. Guests can further luxuriate in the classic Palm Beach lifestyle with complimentary access to the oceanfront Par 3 Golf Course, the recently updated health and wellness facilities at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, and the Town’s 13 premier tennis courts. “The Town of Palm Beach Marina is proud to reintroduce a new state-of the-art landmark facility which will further elevate the classic Palm Beach lifestyle,” said Mike Horn, the Marina Dockmaster. “The impressive enhancements and upgraded world-class amenities will provide patrons with a best-in-class experience.” The Marina is located steps away from the island’s high-end Worth Avenue shopping and dining district and offers access to the Town’s world-class recreational amenities. Global epicenter of pastel chinos, taut visages, and eclectic Americana, Palm Beach is the destination of choice of prominent personalities and international visitors. “The modernization of the Palm Beach Marina will work in harmony with the Town’s ethos, style, and quality of life,” said Carolyn Stone, Palm Beach Assistant Town Manager. "Palm Beachers expect the best, and that's what we'll have when the completely upgraded and renovated Marina opens." For general inquiries about long-term dockage, storage, and other services, visit: TownofPalmBeachMarina.com. For more information on the project or for slip lease information, please contact Marina Dockmaster, Mike Horn at dockmaster@townofpalmbeach.com or by calling 561-838-5463. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Town of Palm Beach

The Betsy Hotel (thebetsyhotel.com) along with publisher Suburbano Ediciones is proud to present the 7th annual Escribe Aqui 2021 (‘Write Here’), celebrating Iberoamerican writers and artists taking place from August 1-31, 2021 in Miami Beach, Florida. Ten Miami-based artists have been awarded residencies at The Betsy Hotel. Works by two leading visual artists will be exhibited in Hotel Galleries. Culminating events featuring participants’ work will take place on August 30 and 31, 2021. The Betsy’s Escribe Aqui/Write Here, seed funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (in 2015), honors artists who ‘do their work’ at the intersection of culture, and gives a special nod to those working in Miami, where 70% of homes are bi-lingual. Yet, as is well documented, the challenges of living between two cultures can produce feelings of alienation and otherness that artists are able to explain and resolve - for themselves and others - through the power of their work. That is the mission of the project. Visiting artists receive free room and board in The Betsy Writer’s Room (https://bit.ly/3x84DLX), a space that pays homage to the late poet Hyam Plutzik a 3-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize (and father of Betsy hotel owner, Jonathan Plutzik). The Betsy Writers Room has hosted over 1000 visiting artists, including Poet Laureates, MacArthur Genius Winners, National Book Award Winners, Inaugural Poets, as well as other creatives who participate in Betsy community outreach programming during their stay. Featured Artists: Cuban-born writer Grethel Delgado is the 2021 guest curator, and participated in selection of these artists: Sergio Andricaín, Antonio Orlando Rodriguez, Rogelio Martinez, Juan Carlos Zaldivar, Roxana Amed, Alejandra Czarny, Legna Rodriguez Iglesias, Emilio Jose Serrano Loba, and Linda Pauwels. Featured Exhibitions: include work by Spanish illustrator Ricardo Cavolo in The Betsy’s LightBox Gallery and by Puerto Rican born Carlos Betancourt in The Betsy Gallery. All works are for sale. Culminating community events: Two programs will be live streamed on these dates: August 30 (in Espanol) and August 31 (in English). Program Hosts are writer Grethel Delgado Alvarez, and Deborah Briggs, VP Arts and Community Engagement at The Betsy. RSVP artsandculture@thebetsyhotel.com for ZOOM link. Community Partners: Cuban-American YA writer Pablo Hernandez Cartaya was the founding director of The Betsy’s ESCRIBE AQUÍ/Write Here , with Peruvian born writer Pedro Medina Leon, Founder and Editor in Chief at Miami-based publisher, Suburbano Ediciones - with seed funding from The Knight Foundation and under the auspices of The Betsy Hotel’s Arts and Culture program. BIOS of Artists participating in The Betsy’s Escribe Aquí / Write Here (2021) 1. Sergio Andricaín is a Cuban journalist, literary scholar, publisher, and author of children's books. He is also Director of Fundación Cuatrogatos. Sergio is the August 30 event co-host. August 1-3. 2. Antonio Orlando Rodriguez is a Cuban writer, journalist and author of numerous books for children and young adults. He also writes literary fiction for grown-ups. August 3-5. 3. Rogelio Martinez is a Cuban-American playwright who came to the USA from Cuba on the Mariel boatlift in 1980 – whose residency is presented with community partner, Miami New Drama. August 7-14. 4. Juan Carlos Zaldivar (aka Violenta Flores) is a Cuban-born digital artist with an MFA from NYU Tisch School; he was a SUNDANCE Writers Lab fellow, and is exploring creativity in elder caregiving. August 15-17. 5. Roxana Amed is an Argentinean-born jazz vocalist, recording artist, arranger, and songwriter considered to be one of the most important voices in Argentine music today. She will appear on August 19 to perform as part of The Betsy’s live jazz program with Israeli pianist, Tal Cohen. August 17-20. 6. Alejandra Czarny is an Argentinean-born folk singer, arranger, and songwriter who performs in Yiddish, Spanish, Ladino, and English, to amplify Judeo-Spanish heritage. August 22-24. 7. Legna Rodríguez Iglesias is a Cuban-born poet, playwright, and short story writer. Her work is characterized by absurdist humor and playfully perverse observations of life. August 24-27. 8. Emilio Jose Serrano Loba, born in Spain, mixes passions for writing and science. He started as a fantasy writer, and is now exploring other genres, real and imagined. He is also a university biologist. Aug 29-Sept 3. 9. Linda Pauwels is an Argentinean-born American Airlines pilot, and edits books on Haiku, written by pilots. Her newest book will feature work by women pilots. She grew up on South Beach. August 30-31. 10. Grethel Delgado Alvarez is a Cuban-born writer, playwright and journalist. She is guest co-curator for the 2021 Escribe Aqui/Write Here residency program - and has a book coming out with Suburbano Ediciones in 2021/22. Grethel is lead host of the closing events on August 30 and 31. August 29-Sept 3. 11. Ricardo Cavolo’s illustrations are exhibited in The Betsy’s Lightbox Gallery, located via 1440 Ocean Drive, with selections from his recent book, ‘101 Movies to Watch Before You Die/101 películas para ver antes de morir’. His eclectic style is inspired by folk art, tattoo culture, European religious imagery and the tribal arts. www.thebetsyhotel.com/ricardo-cavolo. 12. Carlos Betancourt’s collection, "Intimate Spirit: Collages and Other Works" is exhibited during this period in The Betsy Gallery, located at 1433 Collins Avenue. Betancourt’s influences include extensive travel (Puerto Rico, Africa, Greece, Mexico), and his collections have this in common: joyful energy and a tapestry of memories. www.thebetsyhotel.com/carlos-betancourt. ABOUT THE BETSY HOTEL The Betsy Hotel (thebetsyhotel.com) is a distinguished landmark hotel on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach and an award-winning gathering place for community building and the arts. Exquisitely designed with expansive inside and outside spaces, the Hotel’s robust expressions of culture includes rotating exhibitions in 9 public galleries, live jazz 9 times a week, an artist residency program that has hosted over 1000 visiting creatives, classical music pop-ups, and literary programs that include a large property library. Other creative elements include an orb-shaped sky bridge hailed as a groundbreaking piece of Miami Beach public art, a sculptural Poetry Rail honoring local wordsmiths from Langston Hughes to Muhammad Ali, - and pacesetting special projects such as TransArt (LGBTQA), Yiddish Salons, Jazz and A Cappella Festivals, and bi-lingual programs like ESCRIBE AQUÍ/Write Here. The Betsy Hotel is family owned and operated by the Plutzik Goldwasser Family, 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach - in the Art Deco District. www.thebetsyhotel.com @thebetsyhotel ABOUT SUBURBANO EDICIONES (SE) (suburbanoediciones.com) is an independent publishing label established in 2009 by writer/entrepreneur Pedro Medina León with a digital magazine with 35,000 readers monthly and publishes Hispanic authors and literature in the USA. To date, SE has published 15 authors and released 18 new books. SE’s latest release in their new ‘Building Community’ imprint is 32 Poems/32 Poemas a bilingual (English/Spanish) translation of selected poems by the late poet and 3-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Hyam Plutzik, (hyamplutzikpoetry.com). 32 Poems/32 Poemas by Hyam Plutzik includes the work of 14 translators, representing a diverse Hispanic perspective, and honoring Suburbano's mission to create opportunities for writers and audiences to engage in cross-cultural dialogue with texts from different milieus. https://suburbanoediciones.com @suburbanoediciones By ML Staff. Images from Suburbano Ediciones

Whether your child needs a sensory-friendly attraction, a quiet break or a patient, caring destination to explore, a trip to Miami can help make family travel memories that will last a lifetime. Families traveling with a child on the autism spectrum or with special needs can find plenty to see and do in Miami, Fla. Places to explore in and around MiamI: ZooMiami is the first zoo in Florida to earn a Certified Autism Center designation. Zoo Miami The first zoo in Florida to earn a Certified Autism Center designation for having specially trained staff and programs for guests with autism or other sensory disorders, ZooMiami’s 750-acre lush, tropical open-air exhibits feature more than 3,000 animals. The zoo plans to create sensory bags for special needs guests with noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys. Quiet places are being identified and Zoo Sensory Guides are also in the works. Miami Children’s Museum One of the largest children’s museums in the country, this waterfront, 56,500 square-foot facility is chock full of interactive exhibits and hands-on play areas. It includes the Snoezelen Room, a multi-sensory environment in a relaxed spaced with reduced lighting. The space was created specifically for children with autism, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays and other special needs to enjoy with their families. Sensory Friendly Saturdays are held the second Saturday of every month with limited admission, sound and lighting adjustments and special activities. Shake-A-Leg Shake-A-Leg Miami is a not-for-profit that works with children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges. Participants can experience the beauty of Biscayne Bay in Miami through therapeutic sailing, swimming, kayaking and other watersports. Programs are offered seven days a week year-round. Autism on the Seas Staff-assisted cruise vacations are available for families with children with special needs, including autism, Asperger Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, cerebral palsy and cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Autism on the Seas staff members help accommodate typical cruise services, plus provide respite care and private activities on regular cruises on Royal Caribbean, Disney and Carnival cruise lines, among others. Ports are located in Miami and nearby Fort Lauderdale. Island Dolphin Care Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo, a short drive from Miami, offers therapy programs with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins for children with special needs and their families in the water and on land. Customizable programs are offered that include interactions with therapists and dolphins from the dock or in the water. New World Symphony The Miami concert hall and music school offers a Sensory-Friendly Environment for families with members with autism and sensory processing disorders. The special accommodations include a streaming live feed of a concert, reduced volume levels, noise-redacting headphones and muted lighting. There is also a quiet room. A.D. Barnes Park This 65-acre park nestled in the heart of one of Miami’s busiest areas offers special camps for children with disabilities, as well as inclusive activities for visitors of all abilities. The park contains The Sense of Wonder Nature Center and Trail, a peaceful oasis for migrating birds and birdwatching. Miami Seaquarium This longtime aquarium on scenic Biscayne Bay offers dolphin and sea lion shows and sea-life exhibits with manatees, sea turtles and penguins. A swim with the dolphins program and experiences to interact with penguins and seals also are available. Chuck E. Cheese Chuck E. Cheese’s Miami and Hialeah locations offer Sensory Sensitive Sundays on the first Sunday of the month. The playspace and restaurant opens two hours early with specially trained staff to ensure a calmer visit at a quieter time. Sensory-Friendly Access Sensory-friendly activities have been designated throughout the Miami area by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. The Sensory-Friendly access symbol of a black and white umbrella with puzzle pieces designates events that are modified for sound and lighting, have remote viewing, noise-reducing headsets or other modifications to promote inclusion. Other resources: The Florida Disabled Outdoors Association offers a searchable database by county of parks, pools, beaches, attractions and events for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. The University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities posts a calendar of social events and activities around the city specially geared to individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory issues. VillaKey, a vacation rental company designated as a Certified Autism Center, offers sensory-friendly rental properties intended for families with autistic children. Properties are in quiet locations, with soothing decor, lights on dimmers and security such as fenced pools and doors with chimes or alarms. Many are pet-friendly and all have kitchens. Autism Speaks has a searchable database of autism-friendly events such as sensory-friendly movie screenings, beach bike rides and community walks. Text and images courtesy of Visitflorida.com, Florida's official tourism non-for-profit corporation. It is the official source for travel planning to visitors across the world.

WINNIE HARLOW (Model) OLIVIA CULPO (Social Media Influencer) YRIS PALMER (YouTuber), NICOLE WILLIAMS (from WAGS), JASMINE SANDERS (Model), KRISTEN LOULLE GAFFNEY (SI MODEL) AUSTIN MAHONE (Singer) CAMERON DALLAS (Actor, Social Media Influencer), MADISYN MENCHACA (Model) SOPHIA CULPO (Social Media Influnecer), HANNAH ANN SLUSS (from The Bachelor) HANNAH GODWIN (from The Bachelor) DEMAR JACKSON (from The Bahelorette), CONNOR SAELI (from The Bachelorette), DYLAN BARBOUR (from The Bachelorette), IVAN HALL (from The Bachelorette), ED WAISBOT (from The Bachelorette) JASMINE SANDERS (Model), KRISTEN LOULLE GAFFNEY (SI MODEL), RICKEY THOMPSON (TikToker, Social Media Influencer) KYLE KUZMA (NBA), WINNIE HARLOW (Model) ZACK BIA (DJ) CARLY LAWRENCE (Too Hot To Handle Cast) PETER VIGILANTE (Too Hot To Handle Cast), NATHAN WEBB (Too Hot To Handle Cast) CHANTEL JEFFRIES (DJ) CHLOE LUKASIAK (Actress, Dance Moms Cast Members) KELLY JOHNSON (Miss California), KELSEY WEIER (from The Bachelor), KELLEY FLANAGAN (from The Bachelor), CAELYNN MILLER-KEYES (from The Bachelor) CHRISTIAN COMBS (Model) JARED BAILEY (Artist), INDIANA MASSARA (Singer), ZACH JUSTICE (Influencer) SHAWN BOOTH (from The Bachelorette) DENZEL DION (TikToker) By ML Staff. Images courtesy of CELSIUS Energy Drink

Gulfstream Park’s Music in the Park, featuring the greatest collection of local homegrown performers, will continue through July and August with weekly duos performing outside on Friday and Saturday nights at the Village Center Stage. All show times are from 6-10 p.m. Below is the full schedule of performers and their descriptions. Performances are subject to change; cancellations may occur due to inclement weather. Friday, August 6 – Flovox Duo Saturday, August 7 – Tori & Will About: Flovox Duo FloVox formed when four talented musicians met doing gigs together through a worldwide corporate music company called Song Division. All rockers at heart, they combine classic rock with some of today’s hottest hits. Tori & Will From Pop and R&B to Rock 'n' Roll and Latin, Tori & Will captivate audiences with their contagious energy and diversity. Where: Gulfstream Park Village Center Stage 901 S. Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 Cost: Free entry. How: For more information, visit: https://www.gulfstreampark.com/events-and-entertainment/event-calendar/details/2021/07/02/default-calendar/music-in-the-park By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Gulfstream Park

A two-story penthouse at Onda, a new boutique luxury condominium planned for Miami’s exclusive Bay Harbor Islands neighborhood, has sold for $9.5 million dollars to a buyer from Louisville, Kentucky. The 8-story development, which is being developed by a joint venture between Ugo Colombo’s CMC Group and Valerio Morabito’s Morabito Properties, enjoys an enviable waterfront location with more than 300 feet of bay frontage, a private marina, and sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly 40 percent of Onda’s 41-units have already been pre-sold since launching sales in March, with a majority of buyers hailing from the U.S. Construction is estimated to begin in Fall 2021, with completion slated for 2023. The expansive penthouse will include a total of 7,199 square feet, encompassing 5,073 square feet of interior space with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, an office/bonus room, and a wine cellar. The residence will also include an additional 2,126 square feet of outdoor space in the form of 9-foot-deep wrap-around terraces and a private rooftop deck complete with its own pool, garden, and summer kitchen. Melissa Pardo of Fortune Development Sales represented the developers in the transaction, while Fernando Rodriguez Parilli of Fortune International Realty represented the buyer. “Our vision for Onda was to create a boutique-style building that felt like you were living in a private waterfront home with all the amenities and conveniences of a luxury condominium,” said Valerio Morabito, CEO of Morabito Properties. “Our residences boast oversized floorplans and an abundance of outdoor space. With its own rooftop pool deck and direct water views overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the sale of our signature penthouse speaks to its unique caliber in the Miami market.” The news of the penthouse sale comes as a wave of wealthy domestic buyers migrating to South Florida and diminishing single-family home inventory has sparked renewed interest in Miami’s luxury condo market. According to the Miami Association of Realtors, sales of existing condos jumped a whopping 286% in May year-over-year, from 563 to 2,176, driven primarily by U.S. buyers from tax-burdened states. The latest statistics support that fierce competition and ballooning prices for single-family homes are driving buyers towards condominiums instead. Located just west of the world-class shopping mecca Bal Harbour Shops, Bay Harbor Islands is one of the most sought-after residential neighborhoods in Miami. The exclusive two-island waterfront enclave is situated roughly two miles north of Miami Beach and neighboring Indian Creek Island, a private island famously known as “Billionaire Bunker” for its roster of celebrity residents. Bay Harbor Islands is renowned for its charming small-town community vibe, proximity to Miami’s poshest retailers and restaurants, and stunning waterfront location and views. The walkable family-oriented village also offers an abundance of parks and green space, along with access to one of the best schools in Miami-Dade County. “Bay Harbor is like an undiscovered jewel in Miami. It’s a little island community that’s in the middle of everything with fantastic water views and just a few steps away from Bal Harbour Shops,” said Ugo Colombo, Founder of CMC Group. “With Onda, we set out to create an ultra-luxurious intimate building with a handful of units and a handful of residents in one of the nicest waterfront communities in South Florida.” Onda – the Italian word for “wave” – has been architecturally designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica, with interiors imagined by creative design masterminds Carlo and Paolo Colombo of A++ Human Sustainable Architecture, and lush landscaping by award-winning landscape architect Enzo Enea of Enea Garden Design. Among Onda’s standout features is over 300 feet of bay frontage, a private marina for the exclusive use of residents with boat slips, a water sports launch dock with available kayaks, paddle boards and inflatables, and direct ocean access through Miami’s Haulover inlet. Building amenities and features will include a rooftop pool deck and lounge area; a state-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym equipment, a yoga studio, a spa with massage treatment rooms, changing facilities, and steam bath and sauna rooms. A private marina for the exclusive use of residents with boat slips, a water sports launch dock with available kayaks, paddle boards and inflatables, and direct ocean access through Miami’s Haulover inlet. Onda will also feature personalized services, advanced security and technology along with a front desk reception, covered valet drop-off area, personal parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle storage, and residential storage space. The building will offer an integrated digital concierge along with readily accessible WiFi throughout all public spaces, and FTTH (fiber to the home) technology for voice, video and high-speed internet. All residences will feature an office/den, private and semi-private high-speed elevators, floor-to-ceiling impact-resistant sliding glass doors and windows, spacious tiled terraces with private gardens, open floor layouts with up to 9-foot grand ceiling heights, fully-accessorized Snaidero kitchens with top-of-the-line Miele appliances, bathrooms with Italian marble and wood cabinetry, exquisite Italian flooring throughout, energy-efficient air conditioning and heating systems with ultra-quiet technology, and air and water filtration systems. Onda benefits from the track-record and expertise of Ugo Colombo of CMC Group and Valerio Morabito of Morabito Properties – two world-class developers driven by their Italian instincts for quality, style, and craftsmanship. Colombo and Morabito previously partnered in 2016 to lead the development of Beach House 8, a nearby boutique waterfront condo building on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Most recently, Colombo and CMC Group delivered Brickell Flatiron, a 64-story luxury tower in Downtown Miami’s Brickell Financial District. Fortune Development Sales is managing sales and marketing for Onda Residences. For more information, including preconstruction sales opportunities, please contact Fortune Development Sales at (305) 344-1234 or info@ondaresidences.com and visit the development’s sales gallery at 10301 East Bay Harbor Drive, Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154. Learn more at www.ondaresidences.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Onda Residences

Yes, we’re talking about Miami, as a place where sanctuaries offering tranquility, contemplation, and a measure of privacy can be found. Maybe the image you have of Miami is decades old: a neon art deco sign, thumping music coming from a flashy car, Don Johnson in a white blazer. Some of those impressions may even be more recent. But there’s more to Miami than nightlife and glamour. Tucked in places many people don’t notice are serene locales for a local resident or a tourist to get away from it all. These urban sanctuaries feature, at no extra cost, South Florida twists in the forms of alligators, top-ranked beaches and mangroves. Some of these places are huge, others tiny. A few are so seemingly remote that most locals have never heard of them. They require a fair amount of sunscreen, a bicycle or kayak and they either require – or better yet, produce – a relaxed state of mind. Boats came come in handy, too. So, let’s get started. Oleta River State Park Found under massive condo towers and between two shopping malls in north Miami-Dade, on a piece of land that sits in the middle of Biscayne Bay, is Oleta River State Park. It’s Florida’s biggest urban park, and it’s often experienced on two wheels. The peaceful sanctuary surrounded by mangroves offers something special for veteran mountain bikers: More than 10 miles of intermediate level mountain bike trails and four miles of trails for beginners. (For true rookies, three additional miles are paved.) The river also can be experienced by kayak and canoe, making for a relaxing visit surrounded by nature. One of South Florida’s best kept secrets, Oleta River State Park also offers cabins for overnight camping. If you go: The park is located at 3400 N.E. 163rd Street in North Miami, 33160. It is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. The entrance fee is $6 per car. For more information, call 305-919-1844 or floridastateparks.org/oletariver/. Biscayne National Park It’s a stretch to call Biscayne National Park a “park.” That’s because more than 95 percent of it is covered by water. It’s the biggest marine park in the National Park system, and it’s only reachable by boat. You come here to snorkel, dive and fish – and to pretend you’re in the middle of nowhere. Located in deep south Miami-Dade, the park actually consists of the northernmost islands of the Florida Keys at the southern tip of Biscayne Bay. (Still with us, geography fans?) It has a narrow mangrove forest on the shore and is at the trail head of the third-largest coral reef in the world. The park is made up of 50 ancient coral reef islands that are largely undeveloped and surrounded by Biscayne Bay on the west and a reef to the east. It was created about 30 years ago by a team of writers, activists and politicians who joined forces to protect it from proposed ports. The shipwrecks that lay underneath are a testament to what the park’s stewards call a “parade of human history that spans 10,000 years.” They’ll also tell you that if you added up the different kinds of vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Yosemite, you still wouldn't have the number of fish found in Biscayne National Park. There’s a visitors’ center at Convoy Point, but seeing the rest of it requires something that floats, like one of the guided boat tours or a rented canoe and kayak. And that’s the beauty of it. There’s no ferry or bridge and just one single mile of paved road. No facilities or hot dog stands. Nothing but nature. If you go: The park is located at 9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead, 33033. Via Florida’s Turnpike: Take the turnpike south to Exit 6 (Speedway Blvd.). Turn left from exit ramp and continue south to S.W. 328th Street (North Canal Drive). Turn left and continue to the end of the road. Call 305-230-7275 or visit nps.gov/bisc. The Everglades You can’t talk sanctuary in South Florida without thinking of the Everglades, the astounding 1.5-million-acre “River of Grass.” That means wetlands, swamp, hammocks and mangrove forests. About an hour west of the city, the Everglades is far enough away that you really are in the middle of nowhere. The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, it has rare and endangered species – and, these days, even some invasive pythons. The Everglades, a World Heritage Site, is South Florida’s oldest and most-treasured gem. Home to entertaining Native American alligator wrestlers and the Miccosukee Indian Village, the Everglades provides a terrific mix of nature, culture and history. This is where we keep most of our gators in South Florida, and good number of birds, too. Although the airboat rides are hardly peaceful (earplugs help), the park offers plenty of hiking and biking opportunities that are decidedly quieter. Shark Valley is popular for its 17-mile bike ride and tram tour. Don’t forget your insect repellent, and a few bottles of water! If you go: To get to the Everglades, take Tamiami Trail west until you see the gators. The Shark Valley Visitor Center is at 36000 SW 8th St., Miami, 33194. Operating hours are 9:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. For more information, call 305-221-8776 or visit nps.gov/ever. Some nature guide tour operators are listed here: florida-everglades.com/active.htm. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Another local favorite sport for peace and quiet is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. This sanctuary on the southernmost tip of Key Biscayne was listed as No. 10 on Florida International University Prof. Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman’s 2011 list of top 10 beaches in America. Named for a former editor of the now-defunct Miami News, the park serves as home to a historic lighthouse built in 1825, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Visitors sunbathe, swim and picnic on this mile-long stretch of Atlantic beachfront. Bikes (iincluding four-seaters), hydro bikes and kayaks can be rented, while anglers throw their lines from the seawall along Biscayne Bay. Its port is so secluded that it’s called No Name Harbor. There are two restaurants surrounded by all that nature and water, and places to fire up your own grill. If you go: The park is located at 1200 S Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, 33149. From downtown Miami, take the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne, and follow the signs. More information is available by calling 305-361-5811 or visiting floridastateparks.org/capeflorida. Visitors are allowed to anchor overnight in No Name Harbor for a fee of $20 per boat per night. For information about youth camping programs, call the park administration office at 305-361-8779. Simpson Park There is no more urban a refuge than Simpson Park in Miami, an eight-acre slice of undeveloped land that illustrates what large swaths of Miami used to be: thick forest where Florida panthers once roamed. The park is near The Roads neighborhood and is used by locals who need wilderness and a place to think, without driving across town. The park was founded in 1914 as a metropolitan preserve for the stately mansions along Brickell Avenue, then home to the privileged city power-brokers. It once was part of Brickell Hammock, the thick, rough land that stretched south from the Miami River to Coconut Grove. Most Miamians have never heard of the place. Nor do they know who it was named after: naturalist Charles Torrey Simpson, who retired to Miami after studying shells at the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The park long suffered from urban blight, homeless intruders and the occasional, merciless storm. It recently reopened with the blessing of city historians who sought to preserve its backwoods charm. The wooden hammock above and roots below from its 15 endangered plant species are so dense that there are signs warning visitors to look down: “Beware of trip hazards.” If you go: The park is located at 55 SW 17th Road, Miami, 33129. It's open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more, call 305-856-6801. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Not far from Simpson Park is Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a stately mansion that once served as the winter home of American industrialist James Deering. Built in the early 1900s, it took more than 1,000 people to create it. The house on the shores of Biscayne Bay was deliberately designed to look like a 400-year-old Italian villa. Daily tours are offered of the elegant rooms and its art collections. But most visitors go there to enjoy the grand gardens overlooking the water, a mix of Renaissance Italian and French designs that took seven years to design. Best enjoyed under the moonlight and with soft jazz playing, the regularly scheduled moonlight garden tours are a particularl delight. If you go: Vizcaya is located at 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, 33129. It is open daily, except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $6 for children 6 to 12. Learn more at vizcayamuseum.org. The Deering Estate While we’re on the topic of the Deerings, another member of the clan that made its fortune on agricultural machinery, Charles Deering, built a home in south Miami-Dade that’s now a nature preserve. The Deering Estate at Cutler is located along the edge of Biscayne Bay on a 444-acre site. Found here are canoe tours, butterfly walks and guided nature hikes. It is home to 150 acres of endangered pine rock-land, as well as 115 acres of coastal tropical hardwood hammocks that allow you to forget, for just a moment, that you’re in the middle of a major metropolis. If you go: The estate is located at 16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami, 33157. General admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 4-14. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving. For more information, call 305-235-1668 or visit deeringestate.com. Text and images courtesy of Visitflorida.com, Florida's official tourism non-for-profit corporation. It is the official source for travel planning to visitors across the world.

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, South Florida's iconic brand known for its fast-casual taco joint by day and speakeasy-style lounge by night concepts, announced today, the August 13 Grand Opening of its Aventura location. Located at 19129 Biscayne Blvd, the Aventura outpost will mirror the award-winning Mexican street food portion that makes up Bodega Taqueria y Tequila. Joining the South Beach (2015) and Fort Lauderdale (2020) locations, the residential Aventura area makes for the perfect locale for Bodega’s first-of-its-kind taqueria-only to open. "We are very excited to continue our South Florida expansion with Aventura and that it will forever be known as the flagship location of our new Taqueria-only concept," said Jared Galbut, Co-Founder & President, Menin Hospitality. "We have such a tremendous loyal customer base that transcends all across South Florida and have found that there has been such great demand for a Bodega in Aventura.” Putting Bodega's culinary inventiveness and quick-service format at the forefront, the Aventura location will offer authentic Mexican street food that guests order from the brand's quintessential airstream trailer-turned-taco-truck. The 1,500 square foot restaurant has an industrial vibe complete with neon bar stools, Machine Age-inspired light fixtures, exposed brick walls, and outdoor picnic tables. Both the regular & kid's menu offers tacos, burritos, other customer favorites, and healthier alternatives including gluten-free tortillas, kale bowls, and cauliflower rice. Mexican beers & sodas and frozen margaritas will also be available at the Aventura location. On weekends, the brunch menu will feature a variety of breakfast tacos, burritos and Bodega's signature avocado tostada. Specials include a daily happy hour from 6-8 pm, offering menu items for $2-$5. Over the past several months, Bodega has made digital the foundation of its business, making the guest experience - whether dine-in or dine-out - as user-friendly as possible. In June 2021, Bodega became the first non-franchised fast-casual restaurant to accept Cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Further, with the brand expanding rapidly, coupled with finding that 81% of customers engage with their website through a mobile device, Offering guests an online ordering experience, alerts about deals and events, and loyalty programs, Bodega has centralized all of this into their own app that can be downloaded HERE. In honor of the Aventura opening, first-time app users will receive an automatic 30% off on their first order. Showing no signs of slowing down, in addition to the upcoming Aventura opening, Bodega announced four other new locations that will be opening in the next 24 months: West Palm Beach (2021), Coconut Grove (2021), Wynwood (2023), and in Downtown Miami at the Natiivo Miami (2023). Known to be the first to bring fast-casual Mexican cuisine to South Beach, the Bodega brand has received incredible accolades from the restaurant and entertainment industries. GQ Magazine named Bodega "the most popular restaurant in the entire state of Florida for late-night eats"; InStyle Magazine said it's one of "4 hot spots worth visiting on your next trip to Miami"; and HuffPost called it the "hottest Mexican restaurants in America.” For more information, please visit BodegaTaqueria.com and follow @BodegaTaqueria. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Bodega Taqueria y Tequila

How do you get to the Olympics? Practice, practice, practice … but also know what to concentrate on during the heat of competition. How fast someone runs, swims, or rows; how high or long they jump; how accurately they hit a target; how well they balance; or how much weight they can lift depends to a significant extent on where they focus their attention. I’m a sport scientist who for decades has studied how people learn motor skills. In the late 1990s, I began examining how a performer’s focus of attention influences learning. Research suggests that what an athlete concentrates on can be the difference between winning the gold and not even making the team. What might be surprising is that shifting your focus from within yourself – what’s going on in your body – to what’s out there – what you’re trying to accomplish – is a winning strategy. An athlete’s brain is busy Consider what the brain needs to do to organize complex movements. It must coordinate the contractions of the necessary muscles – ensuring that they happen at the right time, for the proper duration, and with the required intensity. It also must inhibit other muscles, basically telling those not involved in the movement to stay on the sidelines for the moment. Temporary task-specific connections among relevant brain networks are a precondition for smooth, efficient and precise movements. The functional connectivity of certain brain areas and the suppression of other areas enable an athlete to produce elegant jump shots, tennis strokes, golf swings or tumbling routines. Learning to produce effective brain activation patterns is a long-term process, of course. Achieving a skill level at which performance is consistently accurate, automatic, fluent and economical requires considerable practice. Athletes hone their skills over many years or even decades. Nevertheless, at the moment they perform, their focus of attention plays a critical role. If athletes have the wrong focus, their performance will suffer. Thinking of how the arrow will fly into the target yields better results than thinking about how your hand should grip the bow.Dean Alberga/Handout/World Archery Federation via Getty Images Where to target your focus Based on the findings of numerous studies, it’s clear athletes should never concentrate on their own movements – what movement scientists call an internal focus of attention. This might seem contradictory to the way many people learn a new sport. After all, those who instruct others in the process of acquiring movement skills typically refer to body movements. Think of a coach telling a young basketball player to flick her wrist while shooting the ball, or a golf coach telling a player to focus on his hip rotation. Consequently, athletes think about how to move their body parts, particularly in the early stages of learning. But surveys have found that even experienced athletes often focus internally. Especially when they’re under pressure – as they would be during competition – they tend to concentrate on their movements. Often, the result is that they “choke.” Instead, for optimal performance, the focus should be on the movement goal. This is called an external focus of attention. It can mean concentrating on a target to be hit, such as the corner of a goal, a golf hole, a bull’s-eye or a catcher’s mitt. It can also be the intended motion or trajectory of an implement such as a javelin, discus or barbell; the desired spin of a ball; the force exerted against an apparatus or piece of equipment, the floor or an opponent; the water being pushed back in swimming or rowing; or the finish line in a race. What it is not is the hand releasing the object or pulling the water back, the muscles producing the force, or the speed of leg movements. More efficient to focus on what than how Focusing on the intended outcome of your actions, rather than your body movements, reveals the body’s remarkable capability to produce effective and efficient movements. Even movement form or technique often improves immediately when a person switches from an internal to an external focus of attention. The body does what it has to do to complete the action – unless you interfere via conscious attempts to control your movements. Researchers have noted the effects of an external focus on many aspects of performance: improved movement accuracy, enhanced balance, greater maximum forces, higher speed and better endurance. With an external focus, movements are more efficient. Because brain and muscle activity are optimized, the resulting movements are produced with less energy. This is seen, for example, in reduced oxygen uptake or lower heart rates for the same physical work when performers adopt an external focus. Researchers have quantified just how much of an edge this focus shift can provide to athletes. With an external focus: The same swimmers swam 1.4% faster over the length of a 25-yard pool. Resistance-trained individuals produced 9% greater maximal forces, or were able to complete 11.4% more repetitions with the same weight. Boxers punched 4% faster and 5% more forcefully. Runners needed 9.5% less oxygen for the same running speed and distance. Kayakers completed a 100-meter wildwater sprint 4.3% (or 1.3 seconds) faster. Considering that races are often won or lost by very small margins, sometimes in the range of hundredths of a second, an athlete’s focus of attention can determine whether or not they win a medal. Don’t overthink it – let your hands do what they know how to do.Nitat Termmee/Moment via Getty Images Plenty of benefits beyond Olympic stadium While most people will never be Olympians, an external focus provides benefits regardless of the performer’s level of expertise, age or (dis)ability, or the type of skill. Whether you are learning to play a musical instrument or are an experienced musician, an external focus will result in better performance. Whether you are an older adult with Parkinson’s disease or a young healthy adult, your balance will be enhanced by an external focus. Whether you are unimpaired or had a stroke, you will perform activities of daily living more effectively with an external focus. It turns out your body can more masterfully execute the actions you desire if you’re able to move your conscious focus from what your body is doing and instead think about what you want to accomplish. By Gabriele Wulf, Distinguished Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Special thanks to The Conversation