Zero Empty Spaces (ZES), an affordable artist studio initiative, is expanding with a new location at Gulfstream Park Village next to Williams-Sonoma. The grand opening celebration of the space will be held on Thursday, August 12 from 6 – 9 p.m. The public is invited to join Zero Empty Space’s management and resident artists for a night of art, a live DJ, refreshments and light bites. Zero Empty Spaces is a rapidly growing affordable artist studio/vacancy management company that creates affordable artist studios in vacant spaces around the country where artists can create and collaborate at an affordable price. The concept helps to grow the appreciation of all genres of art and creates a thriving cultural community in the cities surrounding each location. The gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. When: Thursday, August 12, 2021, 6 – 9 p.m. Where: The Village at Gulfstream Park 800 Silks Run, #1307, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 Cost: Free entry. How: RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zero-empty-spaces-hallandale-beach-gulfstream-park-grand-opening-tickets-163309217265?aff=ebdssbeac Media are invited to attend and can RSVP to gulfstream@dureeandcompany.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash

Cuba recently erupted in the largest protests seen there in six decades, reflecting popular anger over a crippling economic crisis, scarce food and medicines and a half-century of repression. Cuba remains largely an enigma to outsiders, and especially to Americans. Myths prevail because of Cuban government censorship and the United States’ historic tendency – born of the Cold War – to stereotype and simplify the communist island. “The truth is that Cuba is often more talked about, idealized or vilified than known,” wrote Martín Mosquera, editor of the Latin American edition of Jacobin, a leftist publication, recently. This article examines five common areas of confusion about Cuba, Cuban Americans and the U.S.-Cuba relationship. #1. The Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro and a band of guerrillas overthrew the brutal U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959. At the time, Castro’s political ideology was unclear; he had not yet publicly committed to communism. Anti-communist revolutionaries allied with him. In Castro’s famous 1953 “History Will Absolve Me” speech, he said his revolution would return “power to the people” and proclaimed Cuba’s liberal democratic 1940 Constitution as “the Supreme Law of the State” until “the people should decide to modify or change it.” The revolution was a nationalist revolution for most Cubans, then, not a communist one. When Castro installed a socialist economy and a one-party political system, many fellow revolutionaries felt betrayed. Cubans fought to form a government that would answer to the Cuban people, rather than foreign interests. They got Castro’s Soviet-backed regime. Many poor Cubans revered Castro for implementing policies that promoted equity and minimized discrimination, including major reforms in land, agriculture, education and housing. Others fled because of fear and persecution. Exiles included large landowners, Batista supporters, religious leaders, the middle class and revolutionaries who opposed Fidel’s manner of governing. A counterprotest of Cubans who defend Castro’s revolution against the anti-government marches of July 2021.YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images #2. The US embargo The Cuban government blames the United States for poverty on the island, but many of Cuba’s economic problems are homegrown. The U.S. embargo originated in the early 1960s to prevent the spread of communism from Cuba to other Latin American countries. It also sought to compel Cuba’s new government to compensate American corporations for property expropriated by the regime and to prevent further confiscations. Today the embargo has evolved to include six separate pieces of legislation. Some laws put pressure on the Castro regime in the 1990s, when Cuba’s economy was vulnerable after the fall of the Soviet Union. They deny U.S. visas to leaders of companies that invest in Cuba. Additional embargo policies restrict Americans from traveling or sending money to Cuba – though there are loopholes enabling U.S. Treasury-licensed food and medical supply sales to Cuba. The 60-year-old embargo inhibits the fledgling Cuban private sector and makes it harder to obtain the goods they need. Many people in the U.S. and beyond are urging President Joe Biden to lift the embargo to ease Cuba’s current food and medical shortages. But the president of the United States cannot do that unilaterally. Lifting the embargo would require Congress to either certify that Cuba has become sufficiently democratic according to the 1996 Libertad Act or pass a new bill overturning it. However, the embargo is not the primary reason Cuban people are struggling. The Cuban government has a history of political repression and fiscal mismanagement, both of which harm the economy. For example, it tightly controls who may obtain state-issued licenses to start their own businesses. It bans independent labor unions, which would protect workers from exploitation. Finally, few countries still limit trade or diplomatic relations with Cuba because of the embargo. They have created laws that help protect their businesses from retaliatory U.S. legal action when operating in Cuba. #3. US interference in Cuba Just as it blames the U.S. embargo for poverty in Cuba, the Cuban government blames U.S. interference for political unrest there, as it did after protests erupted on July 11. Indeed, the U.S. government has upheld Cuban dictators – before Castro – and employed wide-ranging coercive sanctions against the country. The United States even occupied Cuba, in the early 20th century. After Castro took power, the U.S. supported anti-Castro uprisings. Ultimately, though, the Cuban government’s long record of human rights abuses and repression created the current political instability. Cuba has a well-documented history of harassing, intimidating and imprisoning activists and dissidents. Over 700 Cuban protesters have been detained or disappeared since July 11, according to the human rights organization Cubalex. The government continues to suppress freedom of expression and closely monitor civilians, which has spurred resistance from artists, journalists and civil society organizations. LGBTQ people still face persecution. Mariela Castro, center, daughter of Cuban former President Raul Castro, advocates for LGBTQ rights at the 2018 Havana Pride parade.YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images #4. Cuban Americans The media often stereotypes Cuban Americans as overwhelmingly conservative. But they are a racially, economically and politically heterogeneous community. Cubans who’ve come to the U.S. since 1990 are even more diverse than the largely white first waves of exiles who came after the Cuban Revolution. Cuban Americans’ political opinions differ depending on their race, socioeconomic status, gender and age. Cuban Americans as a group became overwhelmingly Republican after Ronald Reagan courted them in the 1980s, but they are increasingly independent voters. In the 2020 presidential election, around 55% of Cubans in Florida voted for Donald Trump. #5. Race and equality in Cuba Castro’s Communist revolution brought disadvantaged Cubans greater access to education and universal health care. Many poor Cubans became world-class doctors, scholars and scientists. However, Cuba is not an egalitarian society. Its political leaders are overwhelmingly white and male, and the government does not treat all Cubans equally. Afro-Cubans, who comprise at least one-third of Cuba’s 11.3 million people, experience widespread discrimination. As a result, they have higher poverty rates, less access to stable currency and low rates of property ownership. Afro-Cubans also suffer more police violence than white Cubans. Black and brown Cuban artists are leading the current protests. The rap song “Patria y Vida” – which means “Homeland and Life,” a word play on the revolutionary slogan “Homeland or Death” – has become an anthem for Cuban government opposition. By Caroline McCulloc, Professor of International Relations from the Florida International University. Special thanks to The Conversation

Miami Spice is here, and Miami Living magazine offers you these tempting and delicious options. LUNCH CAFÉ LA TROVA A few blocks away from the infamous Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, resides the authentic Cuban restaurant where guests are surrounded by Cuban culture, live music, and delicious dishes served by James Beard Award Winning Chef Michelle Bernstein. The 2021 Miami Spice menu features appetizers such as, Cuban Sandwich Empanadas — la trova léchon, ham, swiss cheese, yellow mustard, pickles, or Mushrooms Risotto Croquetas — wild mushrooms, pecorino, arborio rice, truffle aioli. For the main course select from, Lechon con Chicharrones — braised mojo marinated pork shoulder, steamed yuca, crispy pork skin, tangerine mojo and pickled onions, Banana Leaf Steamed Local Catch — coconut sticky rice, bouillabaisse fume, shaved fannel, or a classic Skirt Steak Ropa Vieja - arroz y frijoles negros, avocado cream. Top it all off with Flan de la Flaca — flan with maracuya sauce & tortas de aceite for dessert! Address: 971 SW 8th Street, Miami FL 33130 Miami Spice Menu: HERE PUBBELLY SUSHI Originated in South Florida, the Miami-based restaurant group is offering guests with some of its most innovative Japanese and Latin fusion dishes created by Chef Jose Mendin. The 2021 Miami Spice lunch menu highlights Robata-styled dishes. Appetizers guests can select from are the Filet Mignon Skewer — Yuzu truffle, charred spring onion, or Truffle Corn (vegetarian) — Cotija, truffle crema, yuzu. From the Sushi Bar indulge in Rockshrimp Tempura — Avocado, mango, spicy tuna, spicy mango, Nigiri — three black shichimi aburi, wasabi, ginger, Yellowtail Roll — Green soy paper, truffled yuzu, kanikama, nori tempura flakes, or Crispy Avocado Roll (vegetarian)– Arroz pegao, smashed avocado, ahimi, spicy mayo, truffle oil, sea salt. For dessert, try out the Mochi — Seasonal flavors. Address: Miami Beach: 1424 20th St. Miami Beach, Florida 33139 | Brickell City Centre: 701 S Miami Ave. #421, Miami, FL 33131 | Aventura Mall: 19565 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 936, Aventura, Florida 33180 | Downtown Dadeland: 8970 SW 72nd Pl, Kendall, Florida 33156 Miami Spice Menu: HERE TUR KITCHEN The Coral Gables eatery, TUR Kitchen, is offering a Miami Spice Lunch highlighting their seasonal menu items inspired by the food drink, and culture of the Mediterranean basin. Appetizers are a delightful start with the choice of Beets and Asparagus Salad — frisee, grapefruit, sunflower seeds, and Aleppo; Vichyssoise — potato, leek soup, and chives; Piquillo Spread — chickpea, pomegranate, sumac, house flat bread; or Roasted Squid (add $5) - medjool dates, chorizo, chili, cilantro, sumac. Main menu selections include Gnocchi — artichokes, sundried tomatoes, basil, goat cheese; Baby Pork Ribs — moruno sauce, organic greens, tomatoes, onions, pomegranate; Cauliflower Steak — tabouleh, mint; or Tuna (add $9) — garbanzo, olives, blood orange, mint, pomegranate. Lastly, for dessert, indulge in either the Chocolate Souffle — fresh berries or the Ice Cream and Sorbet — chef’s selection of ice cream and sorbet. Address: 259 Giralda Avenue Coral Gables, FL 33134 Miami Spice Menu: HERE Dinner CASA ISOLA At Casa Isola, located in Sunset Harbour, Chef Jose Mendin along with Executive Chef Santo Agnello are featuring some of their most notable items from the cozy Italian concept Appetizers include: Isola Arancini — taleggio cheese, arborio rice, mozzarella, pecorino, parmesan, and ricotta; Polenta Ai Funghi — wild mushroom fricassee, and marsala jus; or Polpo A La Griglia — lemon confit, pickled cauliflower, and olive gremolata. Entrees Rigatoni Alla Vodka –mezze maniche, calabrian chiles, and vodka sauce; Casarecce Pasta — basil pesto e pomodoro; Ravioli Bianconeri — short rib, taleggio cheese, truffle, and balsamic jus; Branzino Acqua Pazza — little neck clams, white wine, parsley, tomato; orVeal Chop Parmigiana — tomato, mozzarella, basil (additional $30). For Dessert, the chefs present their daily inspiration. Address: 1418 20th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Miami Spice Menu: HERE TANUKI Nestled in the well-known Alton Road on Miami Beach, resides the eccentric Asian culinary journey, Tanuki. The Asian-fusion inspired dishes from countries such as Japan and China provide guests with high-quality cuisine. This year for Miami Spice, Tanuki is offering a Bento Box Two Ways Tanuki Classics menu AND a Vegan Bento Box Two Ways Classics menu. From the Bento Box, choose from dishes such as the Tuna Crispy Rice, Chef Choice Sushi, or the Baked Seafood Roll from the Sushi Bar. From the kitchen, dishes highlighted are the Cashew Chicken, Short Rib Curry, or Grilled Salmon. For the sides, choose between the Crispy Brussel Sprouts or Fried Rice. Vegan selections include, Crispy Rice Avocado, Veggie Nigiri, and California Garden Maki. Vegan kitchen options are Vegan Curry or Grilled Tofu plates. Choose between the Brussels or Fried Rice for side plates. Guests can expect to finish dinner off with a chilly, Mochi Ice Cream. Address: 1080 Alton Rd Miami Beach, FL 33139 Miami Spice Menu: HERE By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Miami Space

Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour is nearing completion of its two-year renovation with the unveiling of a new ground floor experience showcasing handbags, jewelry and the largest women’s shoe department in Florida. With a powerful assortment of heritage brands and emerging designers, the new floor is the ultimate destination for women’s fashion and accessories in Miami-Dade County. GROUND FLOOR HIGHLIGHTS The expansive 46,000-square-foot ground floor features 25 new brands, 8 new shop-in-shops, and increases the selling space of women’s shoes by over 350 percent. 8 new shop-in-shops: Handbags: Balenciaga, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Fendi (opening August 2021) Jewelry: Chanel, Repossi, Boucheron (opening August 2021), Piaget (opening August 2021) 25 new brands: Women’s Shoes (10022-SHOE): Amina Muaddi, Balmain, Versace Jewelry: Anita Ko, Boucheron, Chanel, David Webb, Dinh Van, Franck Muller, Gurhan, Ileana Makri, Jenna Blake, Lorraine Schwartz, Mark Davis, Piaget, Renee Lewis, Repossi, Silvia Furmanovich, Sharon Khazzam, Spinelli Kilcollin, Stefere, Sutra, Tamara Comolli, Zydo SAKS FIFTH AVENUE BAL HARBOUR REDESIGN Saks Store Planning & Design, in collaboration with FRCH Nelson, spearheaded the overall store renovation, focusing on services and product presentation. Each new floor is enhanced with optimal selling space and service offerings, modernizing the traditional shopping experience. The first phase of the store’s redesign was completed last year with the unveiling of a new third floor housing men’s designer and advanced contemporary ready-to-wear, men’s footwear, women’s lingerie and swim, as well as an expanded kid’s assortment. Earlier this year, Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour unveiled a new 9,500-square-foot beauty department on the ground floor, featuring 20 new beauty and fragrance brands as well as an exciting lineup of treatments and service offerings. Saks Bal Harbour is located in Bal Harbour Shops at 9700 Collins Ave. The store is open Monday through Saturday 12 to 9 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 7 p.m. For additional information on the location, visit the Saks Bal Harbour store page on saks.com. SERVICES Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour offers unparalleled and innovative services, including: VIP Styling Suites: Customers can be styled in a private dressing suite, prepared with personalized selections and refreshments. Virtual Shopping: For customers wanting to shop from their home, they can visit Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour, or any Saks location, via video conferencing technology to shop virtually with the help of a Style Advisor. Appointments are available to book through saks.com. Saks by Appointment: Customers can make an appointment to shop before or after public store hours. Dressing rooms can be prepared in advance with looks based on their preference. SKINNEY MedSpa: Customers can make an appointment for high-tech, non-invasive MedSpa procedures provided by SKINNEY MedSpa estheticians. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Saks Bals Harbour

It’s no secret that Miami – and South Florida – have become one of the hottest destinations this summer. From California to New York, U.S. travelers are making their way to the Magic City. Now the question is, what do you do first once you touch down in MIA? From the city’s first craft production brewery to CBD milkshakes and private Omakase experiences, here’s a list of the newest and greatest establishments to check out while you’re in town. Visit Miami’s First Craft Production Brewery Originally from Puerto Rico, founders Luis Brignoni and Luis “Pops” Brignoni Sr. made their passion for beer into a career by opening Wynwood Brewing Co. in 2013 - choosing Wynwood as the location for their taproom for its history as “Little San Juan” and its vibrant artistic community. Drawing inspiration from family, their culture, and Miami’s thriving international art scene, the father-son duo created a year-round portfolio of beers - including flagship La Rubia, a crisp and flavorful ale made for the Magic City’s hot weather; Laces IPA; Father Francisco; and Pop’s Porter. Since their debut as the city’s first craft production brewery, their most popular beer La Rubia has even been named The Miami Heat’s official craft beer making this a necessary stop when visiting Wynwood. Images by Wynwood Brewing Co. Watch a Movie Under the Stars on Novotel Miami Brickell’s Insta-Worthy Pool Deck Movie lovers rejoice! Spend your Thursday evening on Novotel Miami Brickell’s newly redesigned rooftop pool deck with unparalleled views of the Miami skyline and a classic favorite (from Taken to Frozen, there’s something for everyone!). With the purchase of a ticket, you’ll gain access to the hotel’s rooftop pool and bar, complimentary popcorn, food and drink specials, and more. Images by Novotel Miami Brickell Omakase Suite at SLS South Beach Set in SLS South Beach’s lavish Tower Penthouse – designed by musician Lenny Kravitz – Katsuya has created the Omakase Suite where guests have the 1,044-square-foot suite to themselves for a specially curated menu by Chef Hiro Asano. Following an introduction of the Omakase tradition, Chef Hiro and your private server will cater your evening with dishes like Hamachi, Toro and Watermelon Tartare, and more expertly paired with sakes. After dinner, guests can lounge in the suite and order additional drinks while listening to the special collection of vintage records included in the penthouse; or enjoy the evening on the private rooftop 552-square-foot terrace with views of the ocean and Hyde Beach. Images by SLS South Beach g.l.o.w. g.l.o.w., the one-of-a-kind fast-casual ‘superfood and super fro yo’ shop and restaurant in Wynwood has reopened with a new summer menu featuring organic, locally inspired frozen yogurt flavors and unique treats like the Fro-Rito, Fro-Conut and Fro Yo Sandwich as well as gourmet dishes by award-winning local Chef Todd Erickson. The shop initially opened in summer 2019 but closed for several months due to Covid. An acronym for ‘girls leading our world’, g.l.o.w. has a unique business model with a simple yet bold idea: 100% of net profits are donated to charities that support girls’ empowerment, specifically in underserved communities. Images by g.l.o.w. Osteria Morini Miami Beach Since opening earlier this year, the upscale yet approachable Italian 'neighborhood' restaurant and bar on the Collins Canal near Sunset Harbour in Miami Beach has quickly become a 'go to' for locals and visitors alike. Osteria Morini highlights the soulful cuisine and convivial spirit of Northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region with authentic, high-quality dishes and warm hospitality. This summer, they've introduced a Sunday Groovy Brunch (the fried burrata is a must-try and super 'Instagrammable'), special Summer raw-bar pop-up menu (from refreshing oysters and Florida shrimp to cooling carpaccio and Crudo), daily Aperitivo Happy Hour (think Negroni's on draft), and $15 pasta nights on Mondays (regularly priced $27), all geared towards Miami locals. This is also the first year they will be participating in Miami Spice and are here to make a lasting impression with a tempting menu, available 7 nights a week. Food images by Anthony Leo, Architecture Images by Michael Pisarri Wynwood Parlor Wynwood Parlor, the local dessert shop best known for handcrafted ice cream sandwiches made from small-batch cookies, artisan ice cream and roll-on toppings, opened a pop-up in Miami Beach on Alton Road earlier this summer bringing their Instagrammable desserts to Miami Beach residents and visitors. For National Ice Cream Sandwich Day (August 2) they're offering 'buy 2 get 1 free' in-person at their Miami Beach and Edgewater locations, as well as delivery through third-party apps (UberEats, GrubHub and Postmates). Pricing is $17.95 for a two-pack and they have several flavors to chose from, including a selection of vegan flavors. Press release and images Images by Dwayne Tucker Natural Wine Tasting at Meraki Greek Bistro With two locations in Downtown Miami and Coconut Grove, Meraki Greek Bistro features authentic Greek cuisine that transports guests to the Greek islands with its bright and airy design. Called "the cutest restaurant in Coconut Grove" by the Miami Herald, Chef Giannis Kotsos’ authentic menu focuses on vibrant Mediterranean flavors, fresh fish and traditional Greek staples plus a new natural wine menu featuring 10 organic and biodynamic wines from micro wineries in Greece. On Thursdays, enjoy the new Natural Wine Tasting Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. at Meraki Downtown. Images by Monica Alvarez CBD Milkshakes at Miami Diner Newly debuted in Downtown Miami and South Beach, the brand new classic American diner from Meraki Hospitality is an affordable all-day neighborhood eatery focused on quality made-from-scratch comfort food in a retro setting serving all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with an over-the-top milkshake menu like the Munchies Milkshake with CBD oil-infusion and Guayaba y Queso Crema Milkshake topped with mango guava cheesecake and daily specials. Images by Stillwater & Co By ML Staff.

Segal Zuckerman, P.A. Sponsoring Free, Virtual Yoga Session on August 11 to Provide Emotional Wellness and Relief to Those Impacted by the Surfside Condo Collapse Segal Zuckerman, P.A., a Miami-based boutique litigation law firm founded by Richard I. Segal and Jamie Zuckerman, is sponsoring a free, virtual yoga session on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from 7:30–8:30 a.m. to provide support, emotional wellness and relief to help those impacted by the heartbreaking collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside. While the yoga session is free to attend, participants are encouraged to “feel good, do good” by donating to the Surfside victims at SupportSurfside.com and then enjoying a relaxing and healing yoga class. The virtual yoga class will be taught by Yoga Instructor Natasha Hanono. Join Segal Zuckerman for a morning of gratitude and strength before embarking on the day. RSVP to sz@dureeandcompany.com by Monday, Aug. 9 at noon. Participants will then receive a link to join the virtual yoga session. When: Wednesday, Aug. 11 from 7:30–8:30 a.m. Where: Virtual. Participants will receive a link to join after they RSVP. Cost: FREE. Attendees are encouraged to donate to the Surfside victims at SupportSurfside.com. How: RSVP to sz@dureeandcompany.com by Monday, Aug. 9 at noon. Limited space available. By ML Staff. Image by Unsplash.

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 three leading visual artists will be exhibited in Hotel Galleries. Culminating events featuring participant 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 bilingual. 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 residency 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. Three Featured Exhibitions Work by Spanish illustrator Ricardo Cavolo in The Betsy’s LightBox Gallery, Puerto Rican born multi-disciplinary master artist Carlos Betancourt in The Betsy Gallery and Colombian dog photographer Carlos Andres Cruz in The Underground 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. Co-hosting on August 30th is journalist Sergio Andricaín. RSVP artsandculture@thebetsyhotel.com for ZOOM link. Community Partners Cuban-American Young Adult writer Pablo 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. The project was established with seed funding from The Knight Foundation and continues under the auspices of The Betsy Hotel’s Arts and Culture program with support from The Betsy Community Fund at the Miami Foundation and the Plutzik Goldwasser Family Foundation. BIOS of Artists participating in The Betsy’s Escribe Aquí / Write Here (2021) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) Ricardo Cavolo’s illustrations in The Betsy’s Lightbox Gallery, located via 1440 Ocean Dr., from, ‘101 Movies to Watch Before You Die/101 películas para ver antes de morir’, were inspired by folk art, tattoo culture, European religious imagery and the tribal arts. www.thebetsyhotel.com/ricardo-cavolo Carlos Betancourt’s “Intimate Spirit: Collages and Other Works” are in The Betsy Gallery, located at 1433 Collins Ave, with cultural influences (Puerto Rico, Africa, Greece, Mexico), that exude joyful energy and a tapestry of memories gained from travel and life experience. www.thebetsyhotel.com/carlos-betancourt Carlos Andres Cruz’ “Introducing Rosa” in the Underground Gallery immortalizes a chance beachfront meeting with Betsy’s Canine Executive Officers captured by a great dog photographer; he’s also working with ESCRIBE AQUÍ founding director, Pablo Cartaya, on a picture book called Remembering Katie. https://bit.ly/3xpxhs2 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 (LGBTQIA), 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 courtesy of Suburbano Ediciones

Scrubs & Beyond, a national retailer known for its fashion forward scrubs and outstanding customer service, celebrated the grand opening of its Pembroke Pines store on Saturday, July 24 with an exciting open house-style event. Bringing stylish and professional medical scrubs to Pembroke Pines, Scrubs & Beyond makes shopping for scrubs a fun experience that caters to discerning shoppers. Held from 12–4 p.m., the grand opening event featured authentically candid influencer Katie Duke (@thekatieduke), a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner who launched her own collection of scrubs, The Katie Duke + Cherokee Collection, sold at Scrubs & Beyond. The first 80 guests received a special gift bag and enjoyed other promotions and incentives. Guests also had the opportunity to register to win a scrub set, Infinity Footwear, and a Scrubs & Beyond discount coupon/gift card; and enjoyed refreshments. The 5,300-square-foot Pembroke Pines store opened June 28, 2021. It offers more than 30 brands of scrubs, accessories and shoes, as well as onsite embroidery, which is a new feature in the Scrubs & Beyond store. The store caters to the dense population of medical facilities and practitioners located throughout Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Eighty-four percent of South Florida caregivers work within 25 miles of the company’s three South Florida store locations that include North Miami Beach, Tamarac and now Pembroke Pines. The company also partners with businesses within the caregiver community, including physician and dental groups, veterinary clinics and nursing homes. “The grand opening of our Pembroke Pines location represents our investment in the South Florida market, and our support of the area’s large population of health care workers,” said Scrubs & Beyond Director of Store Operations Gail Muehlberg. “Scrubs & Beyond’s mission is to ‘take care of caregivers;’ everything we do places the caregiver first.” For more than 20 years, Scrubs & Beyond has transformed shopping for scrubs online or in-store ― an otherwise strictly functional endeavor ― into a true experience. It carries merchandise from top industry labels such as Barco, Cherokee, Med Couture, Koi, Dickies, Dansko, Landau, Littmann and more; as well as fashion-forward private label collections, including its very own Beyond Scrubs collection, only found at Scrubs & Beyond. The Pembroke Pines location is the third to open in South Florida: additional locations are at 1705 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach 3316; and 7110 N. University Dr., Tamarac 33162. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Scrubs & Beyond

Dawn Pfaff, founder and president of My State MLS, has been selected as a winner of the GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum’s 2021 Woman of Influence award, within the Innovator category. GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum magazine is a publication for the nation’s leading decision makers in all segments of the commercial property industry. Pfaff is recognized as an accomplished and impactful leader within commercial real estate, and is highlighted in the July/August 2021 issue of GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum. The 2021 Women of Influence will also be honored at GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum's second annual GlobeSt. Women of Influence Awards Dinner, which will take place in Park City, Utah on July 22, 2021. Pfaff is a technology entrepreneur who has been involved in the real estate industry for the past 20 years from nearly every angle possible; she is an appraiser, agent, broker, dealer for manufactured housing, licensed instructor to teach continuing education and investor. She founded NY State MLS in 2009 to fill a void in the market and offer agents and brokers their own statewide MLS, featuring streamlined listing options, ownership of data and a variety of enhanced tools to fit their unique needs. In 2015, the company expanded to My State MLS in response to a nationwide demand. In December 2020, Pfaff and My State MLS launched MHAuthority.com, a premier website for manufactured housing listings. Today, My State MLS covers all 50 states and Puerto Rico with more than 50,000 members, making it one of the largest MLS platforms in the country. In 2020 and throughout the pandemic, under Pfaff’s leadership, My State MLS has been instrumental in helping its members pivot to accommodate new restrictions and regulations. In addition to the extensive work it does for real estate professionals, under Pfaff’s leadership, My State MLS’s team is also committed to educating and supporting the real estate industry as a whole. Throughout stay-at-home orders, My State MLS provided multiple classes per week teaching agents to adapt to changing regulations. “It is a great honor to be named a 2021 Woman of Influence within the Innovator category,” said Pfaff. “I consistently look for new ways to expand or improve our software and services, as well as create new products to benefit our members. My personal goal has always been to sell the best product, at the lowest possible price, to the most people.” For more information visit, www.mystatemls.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of mystatemls

Not long after the July 20, 1969, Moon landing, Gil Scott-Heron – a poet hailed as the “Godfather of Rap” – released a scathingly critical song called “Whitey on the Moon.” Recent space flights by multi-billionaires highlight the extreme economic inequality in America. Joe Raedle/Getty Images While others lauded the lunar landing as a “giant leap for mankind,” Scott-Heron lamented the Moon trip in his lyrical litany. He felt the trip consumed resources that could have been better put to use helping people confront the everyday costs of living on Earth. I don’t recall precisely when I first heard “Whitey on the Moon.” But I distinctly remember the cadence and flow sounding so much like the kinds of rap I appreciate today as a hip-hop scholar and lyricist. I was especially enamored with the refrain of “whitey’s on the moon” and how the song was bookended by the immediate issue at home: “a rat done bit my sister, Nell.” “I can’t pay no doctor bills, but whitey’s on the moon,” Scott-Heron says. “Ten years from now I’ll be paying still, while whitey’s on the moon.” Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Whitey on the Moon.’ The year 2021 is shaping up to be an interesting year to revisit Scott-Heron’s “Whitey on the Moon.” For one, in May 2021, the late Scott-Heron was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A hall of fame web page recognized him as a “teller of uncomfortable truths.” Perhaps more interestingly, people are discovering “Whitey on the Moon” anew and applying its prescient precepts to the 2021 space trips of billionaires Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, and, perhaps eventually, Elon Musk. Reverberations In writing about the 2021 documentary of the “Summer of Soul” music festival of 1969, which coincided with the Moon landing, a film critic in July 2021 noted how Black sentiments about the seeming wastefulness of the Moon trip then represents an “extraordinarily topical sequence now, with billionaires funding rockets to fly into space, while memes fly around social media quoting Gil Scott-Heron’s bitter song ‘Whitey on the Moon.’” Another writer – in discussing the Branson and Bezos space trips – described “Whitey on the Moon” as “a nod to the privileges enjoyed by non-Black people that allowed them to pursue their prideful pet projects that did not necessarily make the world a better place for most Americans.” I suspect these writers sense – as I do – that we are living in the same dystopian present. It is a time in which the “whitey” in Scott-Heron’s poem could be any of the three billionaires who are the faces of the current space race, which is taking place in an era of profound inequity that helped them become billionaires in the first place. There are tons of examples of earthly “Sister Nells” who have been and are currently being bitten by rats on Earth while rich white men are taking tourism to the heavenly skies. I believe that people, more or less, feel that the song points out the kind of inequity that lies at the heart of the ability to amass exorbitant wealth that affords the likes of Branson, Bezos, and Musk the privilege to be the first space tourists. False choices There’s another reason the song feels prescient. Whereas Gil Scott-Heron spoke as if it’s the taxes he’s paying directly funding “whitey” on the Moon, currently the discussion surrounding Branson, Bezos, and Musk is that they aren’t being taxed enough. One report even found that the three billionaires are getting tax breaks meant for poor neighborhoods. Yet as Professor of Physics and Astronomy Chanda Prescod-Weinstein has argued, space exploration and helping people on Earth need not be an either-or proposition. “We can afford to do the caring work of sustaining people, including honoring everyone’s right to know and love the night sky,” she writes. Such nuanced views are reflected in the increasingly sophisticated ways in which rappers deal with space travel. For instance, in “Black Astronaut” – a 2021 Apple Music Exclusive – the rapper Saba continues the tradition of hip-hop artists who write about celestial matters as metaphors to describe limits placed on their earthly existence. Black astronaut, forecast report / How they actually thought that you wouldn’t find your way / That matters not, it’s an act of God / Can I tag along, now that you’re in outer space? / Now that you’re in outer space… The video for ‘Black Astronaut’ by Saba. In the same way that space travel can be seen as an inevitability, society should also be trying to ask the kinds of questions that prompt reflections about who is represented and how. Will Black creativity go to space before everyday Black folks – not just Black astronauts – are afforded the opportunity? I suppose that question has already been answered since the will.i.am song – “Reach for the Stars” – made it to space before he did. By A.D. Carson, Assistant Professor of Hip-Hop from the University of Virginia. Special thanks to The Conversation

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 VegasSpecial thanks to The Conversation

Maison Margiela introduces its new store concept in the US with a boutique located in Miami’s Design District. The store concept is developed by Dutch architect Anne Holtrop and reflects the evolved visual language established at the house by creative director John Galliano. The design was first introduced in the gypsum-cast set at the Artisanal Autumn/Winter 2018 show, and it interprets the Maison’s iconoclast codes in façade and interiors. The store is an abstract and inviting environment rooted in the notion of appropriating the inappropriate. The 243-square meter boutique spans over two levels and displays the complete range of Maison Margiela’s Co-Ed collections, men’s and women’s ready to wear, accessories, shoes, small leather goods, as well as jewelry, eyewear and fragrances. At the Design District store, the defining structures of architecture – walls and columns – appear as detached objects. Artisanal furnishings reflect and alter ideas of familiarity. Shapes skew in form, as they lean and fold around the demarcation of the space, drawing on ideas of dressing in haste native to Maison Margiela’s vocabulary. Hand-cast individually in textile molds, the surfaces of the plaster walls and columns retain the memory of fabric texture and evoke the notion of an irreproducible hand-spun tactility. The store encourages the human touch that created it. Retained in their natural shade of plaster – the humble inside of a wall – the structures reflect the practice of anonymity of the lining, the house term for revealing the inside of a garment traditionally concealed and revealing the inner workings. The plaster’s natural tonality further echoes the signature white of Maison Margiela. Misfit furniture is designed in the memory of classic objects, deconstructed in form. The technique of décortiqué further materializes in shelves, display tables and seats carved in stained travertine, the natural indentations filled with colour-contrasting epoxy resin in optical white. The ceilings and walls of fitting rooms – the most personal inner sanctums of a store – are painted in an almost black, dark-green high gloss and create a deep shimmering shine echoing Japanese lacquer cabinets. Maison Margiela’s former Miami location was at 3930 NE 2nd Avenue. The new Design District location is Maison Margiela’s fifth store in the US, in addition to the Maison’s two stores in New York, as well as Los Angeles and San Francisco. Anne Holtrop’s store concept for Maison Margiela debuted with the Bruton Street store in London, followed by Avenue Montaigne in Paris, Osaka, Japan, and Shanghai, China. To mark the opening, a limited edition of Tabi Bianchetto and Replica Bianchetto will be available exclusively at the Miami Design District Store. In this new reinterpretation as limited edition Recicla, the new chapter in the house’s lexicon, the signature Tabi ankle boot from 1988 and Replica trainer from 1996 are crafted from reclaimed cotton canvas of luxury overstock and feature hand brushed white coating on a white base - the signature ‘Bianchetto’ technique of Maison Margiela which purposely chips with wear. Store name: Maison Margiela Design District Location: 142 NE 41st Street Miami, Florida 33137 Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday: 11:00am -7:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm About Maison Margiela Maison Margiela is a fashion house founded in 1988 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela. The Paris-based house is synonymous with uniquely unconventional principles, and a philosophy in which deconstruction and heritage go hand in hand to create designs that showcase fashion as an art of meaning rather than a cult of personality. John Galliano was named Creative Director in 2014, bringing his sense of spectacle and creative mastery to the unique ethos of the house. Maison Margiela crosses the fashion spectrum from its ‘Artisanal’ collection, which holds the “Haute Couture” appellation since 2012, through ready-to-wear and accessories. Maison Margiela became part of OTB in 2002. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Maison Margiela