For the 12th year of its ArtWorks Internship Program, Arts for Learning/Miami (A4L) is looking to hire 100 students from Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and beyond Florida to participate in a paid artistic internship of their choice. During the six-week internship, interns learn new arts skills, apply techniques, and work on developing projects in their artistic discipline. Students also benefit from learning life and workforce skills such as financial literacy and professionalism while also receiving individualized college advisement sessions. "Last year, we received a tremendous amount of interest in the program, especially with the addition of two new co-ops. This artistic opportunity is truly one of a kind, and watching nearly 100 young people create, collaborate and flex their imagination under the direction of our fantastic teaching artists never gets old." Ivy Bennett, Program Director. The program culminates in a splendid showcase of all the interns’ works, from spoken word, to dance, and animation videos. Program Info: 2024 Participant Goal: 100 Students Paid internship for high school students (9th - 12th graders) Artistic Disciplines / Internship Co-Ops: Animation, Architecture, Film, Creative Writing, Dance, Music Production, Theatre, Visual Art Program Location: Miami Dade College Koubek Center Internships are facilitated by local teaching artists, who are also industry professionals and/or professors. Additional details: a4lmiami.org/artworks-internships-in-the-arts Student Work Samples: 2023 Film Production Co-Op, short film playlist: click here. From Students & Teaching Artists: “It's allowed them [students] to bring in their own inclinations and interests into their thoughts and kind of disrupt some of the boundaries that the [artistic] discipline sets up. I wish I had something like this when I was in high school; just a way of being able to explore all these creative outlets and to meet people from other schools.” - Gabriel John Paul Sumar, ArtWorks Teaching Artist, Harvard University Architecture Masters Student “My first ArtWorks internship made me really happy because it helped me grow my confidence a lot and I learned leadership skills that will help me in the future. This year…it’s more like the technical aspects of animation which I’m super happy for, so I’m growing in my craft, but also making great friends and having a good time.” - Rachel, Animation Co-Op Intern “Here, I have learned that I need to be more patient, especially with myself and with other people who are trying to learn new things. We’re also learning how real jobs work, getting paid and setting everything up like bank accounts and cashing checks.” Zen, Dance Co-Op Intern More on Arts for Learning Miami Arts for Learning (A4L) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through the arts. As a leading source of arts programs in Miami, A4L provides traditional and arts-integrated instruction, student studio programs, after-school and summer programs, high school internships, and teacher and artist professional development. A4L’s programs augment cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and youth. The programs also develop creativity, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills, as well as promote positive peer relations and cultivate self-efficacy. A4L partners with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and Young Audiences – A4L’s national affiliate. A4L also serves as the South Florida Wolf Trap, a regional program of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning. Annually, A4L’s services are delivered to more than 5,000 children and youth in approximately 50 schools, preschools, after-school programs, and summer camps throughout Miami-Dade. www.a4lmiami.org By ML Staff. Images courtesy of ArtWorks

Miami-Dade County Arts invites talented artists to participate in creating art for public spaces, offering exclusive opportunities for development. This opportunity is specifically available to professional visual artists located in South Florida. Call to Artists: Key Biscayne Branch Library REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DEADLINE: Monday, April 29, 2024, 11:59PM BUDGET: $100,000.00 ELIGIBILITY: Open to professional visual artists based in south Florida Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs through its Art in Public Places Program and the Miami-Dade County Public Library Systems request qualifications from professional artists and/or artist teams to commission artworks for the new Key Biscayne Branch Library. Grants for Artists: Miami Individual Artists (MIA) Grant APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2024, 11:59PM Provides non-matching awards to individual artists of all disciplines in Miami-Dade County on a competitive basis to support their artistic development and practice. In recognition of the contributions of Miami-Dade’s outstanding artists to the fundamental vitality and creativity of our cultural community, the MIA Grant Program encourages applications from professional artists of the highest caliber with a recognized body of original artwork, and who are deeply rooted in Miami’s diverse cultural life. To learn more click here. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Miami-Dade County Arts

For four years, we’ve been teaching a class on music and the mind. We’ve asked the students at the start of each semester to complete a short, informal survey on their music education and favorite songs and artists. Listening to music from a device creates a protective bubble that can counteract a lack of personal space at school or home. Pierre Michel Jean/AFP via Getty Images Our students’ musical education backgrounds always range from none to more than a decade of lessons and ensembles. But we’ve watched the list of favorite songs and artists get longer and more varied each year. When we ask the entire group about certain songs, it is often the case that no one, save for the person who included it, has heard it. The findings from these informal classroom surveys are consistent with recent research showing diverse and eclectic musical preferences among adolescents. In a study on the listening habits of Los Angeles middle school students, we found that they appreciate artists representing a range of genres, from the K-pop supergroup BTS to the heavy metal band System of a Down to Beethoven. But what happens when, as we’ve observed, young people don’t know what their peers are listening to? And does it matter that teens aren’t necessarily choosing the music they’re using to understand themselves and the world, let alone that no humans are selecting songs they’re exposed to? A shared soundscape goes private For centuries, the only way to experience music was to see it live – at small, private performances, in community gatherings or in large concert halls. Radios and record players transformed how people interacted with music. But because these devices were initially stationary, there was still a social element to listening. You might gather in a friend’s basement to hear hits on the radio, throw a listening party when a new album was released, make a mixtape for your beau or belt out a favorite song on the car radio with your best friend. Introduced in 1979, the Sony Walkman marked another major turning point in how people listen to music. It became a lot easier for music to be a deeply private and personal experience – even more so with the introduction of the iPod and, later, smartphones. Friends used to get together to listen to music far more often than they do today. H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock via Getty Images Listening to music this way isn’t always about what’s pulsing through your headphones. It can also cultivate agency: No matter where you are, you are your own DJ, controlling what gets played and when. And if you choose to keep it private, no one can hear it but you. Particularly for adolescents, this is a big deal. It creates a protective bubble that may counteract a lack of personal space at school or at home. Young people listen to a lot of music throughout the day, whether it’s while doing homework, training for sports, eating or even sleeping. There’s an element of mood regulation at play: Songs can divert unpleasant emotions or elicit positive ones, and also encourage reflection during difficult experiences. I got ‘algo-rhythm’ Making a playlist used to mean playing tapes and recording individual songs onto another tape, or waiting for the radio to play a song, hitting “record” on your cassette player to capture it, song by song, until you had a mixtape of your favorite tunes. Now, listening often happens via streaming, where artificial intelligence and social media platforms team up to suggest playlists for you. While you explore and share music on social media, AI tracks the activity and compares it to data from other listeners; in this way, it hones its predictions about what you might like to hear in the future. AI is being put to work to know not only what a user wants to hear, but also to predict the next big hit that everyone will listen to. Until recently, AI’s power for predicting hits relied largely on song characteristics like bounciness, positiveness and danceability, and hovered at around 50% accuracy. Other studies have analyzed physiological responses to music, like heart rate, which can be gleaned from the biodata on teen’s smartwatches, to predict top hits. These studies add to existing concerns about the mining of personal information and data, and there have long been fears that AI can’t be trusted and will end up manipulating people. When it comes to the way AI influences your listening habits, you might wonder whether you like a song because you truly like it, or whether you only enjoy it because AI has fed you enough similar songs that familiarity has bred appreciation. Some listeners feel that algorithmic curation causes them to be stuck in a listening rut. Their playlists are populated with songs and artists they’ve never heard of before, yet they all sound eerily similar. The upside to AI In the past, being in a listening rut was something a teenager may not have even noticed. Exposed to a steady diet of the same songs regularly playing on the radio – and later, on MTV and VH1 – adolescents’ musical consumption was dominated by the “Top-40” artists. Their palettes were sculpted by a widely shared, if perhaps narrow, repertoire of musical knowledge. Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake and Halle Berry appear at MTV Studios in New York’s Times Square for a taping of ‘TRL’ during the network’s ‘Spankin’ New Music Week’ in 2002. KMazur/WireImage via Getty Images AI-generated playlists have disrupted this, and the two of us don’t see that as necessarily a bad thing. A stunning range of music is available to young people, and no longer do radio DJs, ratings and record companies serve as gatekeepers. Spotify currently lists thousands of genres and creates more each year so that, as the company explains, they are more “recognizable, representative, and holistic to our listeners and communities.” Like receiving a cherished gift you never knew you wanted, young people can be exposed to great music – with its accompanying cultural traditions – that they would be less likely to have discovered on their own, whether it’s Indian pop music, Japanese rock or Afro-juju, a style of Nigerian popular music. If teens think their AI-influenced playlists are dull, they still have the ability to search for new music. Just because algorithms and AI can suggest songs, it doesn’t preclude listeners from researching and discovering music on their own, or sharing playlists with friends and relatives. Anything that exists, they can find. The store is always open. Identity, community and music Back to our college class: We noticed little overlap among the students. But instead of consuming only from a menu of industry megastars, our students showed a willingness to listen to a variety of genres and subgenres that AI will offer up. When asked to reveal the most recent song or piece that they had listened to on a specific week, 6% had listened to R&B singer SZA, 2% to singer Renée Rapp, 2% to pop sensation Taylor Swift and 2% to pop rockers The 1975. The remaining 80-plus selections featured a panoply of genres: computer music, rock, pop, rap, country, reggaeton, film music, heavy metal, indie and Latin ballads. As young people transition from childhood to adulthood, two seemingly opposing processes become paramount: forming a unique identity, while at the same time becoming part of a community. Music listening and preferences play an important role in this process. AI-generated playlists have the potential to challenge this transition. So does AI make it easier to differentiate the self, but harder to bond with others? Or does it, instead, offer a broader spectrum for self-exploration and communal connection? The truth is, no one really knows. Fears of new technologies are commonplace. For example, as scheduled network TV fell out of favor, a lot of common ground for discussion and connection disappeared with it. Will 50 million Americans ever again tune in to watch the series finale of a sitcom, as they did for “Friends” in 2004? If AI is, indeed, contributing to the transformation of adolescents’ communal listening experiences, then AI playlists are more than just a convenient way to discover your next workout tune. They are a revolution worth paying attention to. By Beatriz Ilari,Professor of Music Teaching and Learning, University of Southern California; and Lynne Snyder, Doctor of Musical Arts Student, University of Southern California. Special thanks to The Conversation. Support & Donate now. Top image by Aiony Haust/Unsplash.

Sachin & Babi, the occasionwear brand known for its exquisite embroidery, vibrant colors, and bold prints, has unveiled their debut shoe and bag collection. True to their DNA, each piece has been deliberately crafted with a touch of something special. The collection consists of 3 bag styles and 2 shoe styles, all in various high impact prints and colors. The hero piece, in our opinion, is the On The Rocks clutch. This stunner features a citrine cocktail ring clasp that was custom cast with a 40 carat step-cut glass stone. We’re also partial to the bow bag, available in lime green or allover silver sequins, crafted with hand-tied bows in their second-generation, family-owned factory in Mumbai. The two heel styles - the Lenox and the Chelsea - are aptly named for their respective uptown and downtown allure. Finally, comfort and style are no longer at odds – these 3-inch heels are so comfortable, you’ll be able to wear them all night. Each print in the collection was custom made in Sachin & Babi’s design studio in the heart of NYC’s garment district. Sachin & Babi, a NYC-based fashion house founded in 2009 by India-born couple Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia, is renowned for its joy-sparking occasionwear. Each piece, whether hand-embroidered or in an eye-catching print, is made for the moments worth celebrating. This fabulous collection, as well as the rest of their Spring 2024 lineup, is available in limited quantity, exclusively on their site, sachinandbabi.com. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Sachin & Babi

"Seek a small subversive gesture. View things from a perspective different from what is presumed most appropriate, not following the rules. This is my way of dreaming, without hurry, visualizing and stratifying aspirations as if they were the bricks of a house. In my fashion as in my dreams, the exercise is the same. Search within the folds for a void that wants to be filled. Look at the detail very closely, before feeling free to back away in pursuit of a broader perspective. Capture the extraordinary where the ordinary is expected. My dreams, as with my fashion, always converse with reality. Because I am not searching for another world to live in, but rather of ways to live in this world." Sabato De Sarno Creative Director of Gucci Movements Making a coat is an act of craftsmanship, symbolic of a culture of exceptional technique. It begins with the construction, proceeding with the lining and the interior, moving between how the fabric falls, how it moves when it is worn, how its color changes if the wool is mixed with more modern fibers. Every act represents a meticulous journey in which each gesture can change the final result. The Fall Winter 2024 collection is an obsessive repetition of that journey, a staging of small subversive acts with regards to the rules of ready-to-wear. Outerwear The main coat, in fabric and with a masculine silhouette, has a covered placket, and hidden buttoning on the back, which transforms it into an embrace. The same can be found on bombers, peacoats, and leather jackets. Details Lace, cut and reconstructed, is embellished with embroideries, other laces, or velvets. Shifts are a combination of overlapping layers, held together by laces. Jacquard prints depict a geometric heron, recognizable only up close. Knitwear is enriched by transparent or slightly off-tone sequins or with a crystal fringe that recreates a ribbed motif. Twin sets aren’t twin sets, but distinctive pieces. The colors - the ugly ones, the ones of the heart, and the wrong ones, together. Handbags A new top handle bag with a flat and perforated logo that reveals what lies beneath, crafted in nappa with a naturally silky feel and paired with a layer that renders it light and puffy, called GG Milano. And then, a half-moon silhouette inspired by the equestrian motifs found in the Gucci Archive, infused with a contemporary spirit, is also decorated with a new logo. A clutch embellished and held together with a gold-toned metal bar that replicates the iconic bamboo. Finally, a Bamboo bucket bag with a broad and embracing silhouette. Shoes Horse-riding boots, the symbol par excellence of the connection between Gucci and the world of equestrianism, whose classic silhouette features an elongated metal Horsebit. Also in a unique over-the-knee version. The Horsebit loafers, which evolve in a platform sandal encapsulated by refined craftsmanship. Small accessories An archival necklace in galvanized gold and with a studded motif is woven with a ribbon in the shade of the garment closest to the neck. Cat-eye acetate sunglasses follow the same palette. Celebrities wearing Gucci By ML Staff . Images courtesy of Gucci

This simple, family-friendly meatloaf can be made as one large loaf or as mini loaves, making it the perfect go-to meal any night of the week. This is a very good, very simple meatloaf recipe, and it’s a real stick-to-your-ribber. You can either make it as one big family-style loaf or as mini loaves for individual servings. Just keep in mind that the family-style loaf takes longer to cook, about 75 minutes, while the mini loaves bake in just 40 minutes, making them more doable on a weeknight. I recommend cooking the meatloaf on a baking sheet rather than in a loaf pan, as it allows for better heat circulation and more surface area for browning. Using a baking sheet also allows any excess fat to drain away, resulting in a healthier finished dish. The glaze on this meatloaf is the standard ketchup topping; for a variation, try the BBQ-style glaze that is used in my popular turkey meatloaf recipe. Both glaze options are equally delicious. Naturally, leftovers make excellent meatloaf sandwiches. One tip if you’re making meatloaf for kids: be sure to chop the onions very fine. My experience is that kids do not like finding flecks of onions (or flecks of anything, really!) in their meatloaves. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE MEATLOAF I use “meatloaf mix” to make my meatloaf (and meatballs). Meatloaf mix is a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal — it makes a juicier and tastier meatloaf than ground beef alone. Most supermarkets carry meatloaf mix, but if you can’t find it, equal parts ground beef and pork is a good substitute. If you don’t cook with pork, go ahead and use ground chuck, which is 20% lean ground beef. STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a 13 x 18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or heavy-duty, nonstick foil. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes, then add the garlic. Cook 1 minute more. Do not brown. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to a large bowl. To the bowl, add the milk, eggs, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk to combine. Add the meat and bread crumbs to the egg mixture. Mix with your hands until just combined. For individual loaves, form the mixture into 6 small (9-ounce) loaves and place on the prepared baking sheet. To make the loaves of equal size, I usually divide the meat mixture roughly in half and then divide each half roughly into thirds. Then, I scoop large balls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, reapportion if necessary, and then shape into loaves. For a large family-style loaf, form the meat mixture into a 12 x 5-inch loaf shape directly on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the ketchup over the top and sides of the loaf (or loaves). Bake 40 to 45 minutes for the individual loaves or about 75 minutes for the family-style loaf, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F in the middle of the meatloaf (or loaves). Quite a bit of fat oozes out while baking; this is why I prefer to make it on a baking sheet rather than in a loaf pan. Let rest for about 5 minutes, then use a spatula to scrape the fat away from the edges. Transfer the loaf (or loaves) to a cutting board or serving platter and serve. HOW TO FREEZE MEATLOAF The cooked meatloaf (or loaves) can be frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat, uncovered, on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven until hot in the middle. Meatloaf (Family-Style or Mini Loaves) By Jennifer Segal This simple, family-friendly meatloaf can be made as one large loaf or as mini loaves, making it the perfect go-to meal any night of the week. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes Total Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 heaping teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2½ lbs meatloaf mix (see note) ¾ cup plain bread crumbs ¾ cup ketchup INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a 13 x 18-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or heavy-duty, nonstick foil. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Do not brown. Transfer to a large bowl. To the bowl, add the milk, eggs, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk to combine. Add the meatloaf mix and bread crumbs to the egg mixture and mix with your hands until just combined. FOR INDIVIDUAL MEATLOAVES Form the mixture into 6 small (9-ounce) loaves and place on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the ketchup over the top and sides of each loaf. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F in the middle of a meatloaf. Let the meatloaves rest for about 5 minutes. Scrape any fat away from the edges of each meatloaf, then use a spatula to transfer them to a serving platter or plates. FOR FAMILY-STYLE MEATLOAF Form the meat mixture into a 12 x 5-inch loaf shape directly on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the ketchup evenly over the top and sides of the loaf. Bake for 75 to 80 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F in the middle of the meatloaf. Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes. Scrape any fat away from the edges of the meatloaf (it will ooze out and brown while baking), then use a wide spatula to transfer the meatloaf to a cutting board or serving platter. Slice and serve. Note: Meatloaf mix is a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal that is more flavorful than ground beef alone. Most supermarkets carry meatloaf mix, but if you can’t find it, equal parts ground beef and pork is a good substitute. If you don't cook with pork, go ahead and use ground chuck, which is 20% lean ground beef. Note: If making individual meatloaves, the trickiest part of this recipe is making the loaves of equal size. I usually divide the meat mixture roughly in half and then divide each half roughly into thirds. Then, I scoop large balls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, reapportion if necessary, and then shape into loaves. Make-Ahead/Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked meatloaves/meatloaf can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat, uncovered, on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven until hot in the middle. NUTRITION INFORMATION Per serving (6 servings) Calories:834 Fat:54 g Saturated fat:19 g Carbohydrates:34 g Sugar:14 g Fiber:2 g Protein:51 g Sodium:945 mg Cholesterol:262 mg Special thanks to Jennifer Segal, for the recipe and images. You can support Jennifer by purchasing her cookbook, "Once Upon a Chef, the Cookbook," featuring over 100 delightful recipes.

Scientists very rarely get access to most sharks, the development of their young or the nursery grounds where they grow. So seeing a hammerhead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) embryo, halfway through its five-month development, is very unusual. The characteristic hammer-shaped head is just becoming visible in this image of an embryonic bonnethead shark. Scale bar = 1 cm. Steven Byrum and Gareth Fraser, Department of Biology, University of Florida Access to growing embryos is key for developmental biologists like me as we try to understand the diversity of animals on Earth. Usually the fishes I study, including other shark species, lay eggs, which allows us to easily watch development in real time. Hammerhead sharks don’t lay eggs, though. They gestate their pups in utero. A pregnant shark carries up to 16 embryos, each nourished by an umbilical cord, just like human embryos are. Then the mother gives birth to live young, and these babies are self-sufficient with teeth and jaws, ready to survive on their own. Access to a hammerhead embryo is very rare, which is what makes this image so special. Access to a very rare resource Images of embryos of different ages reveal how the sharks develop in utero. Steven Byrum and Gareth Fraser, Department of Biology, University of Florida In order to make this image, my colleagues and I salvaged embryos from adult female sharks that had been caught as part of population surveys off both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida. Usually these sharks are tagged and released. But a small number die during this process and are then studied for insights about diet, age, growth, reproduction and toxicology. No sharks were sacrificed just for our study. The embryos would have otherwise been wasted when the mothers died. For this work, Steven Byrum, a graduate student in my lab, was able to document the entire set of developmental stages using a total of 177 bonnethead shark embryos. We were able to assemble a kind of visual growth chart, from the earliest embryos – they look nothing like hammerheads – to the specific point in development when the hammerhead takes shape, through the rest of development before birth. No scientists had ever before charted the development of hammerhead sharks in this way. This research allows us to study crucial stages in hammerhead development and, importantly, the precise moments – like this one pictured – when the embryo develops the characteristic head shape. Adding to what’s known about hammerheads A grown bonnethead shark has sensory advantages from its hammer-shaped head. Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte via Getty Images Hammerheads are a peculiar group of only eight species of sharks that uniquely develop a hammer-shaped head known as a cephalofoil, named for its hydrodynamic design used for quick turns and pinning down prey. This particular species is known as the bonnethead because of its relatively small, rounded “hammer.” Scientists think the wide, flattened head shape with eyes on each side evolved to enhance the animals’ senses. Wide positioning of the eyes allows for an increased field of vision, and wide, expanded nasal capsules provide enhanced olfactory capability. The hammer-shaped heads are covered with expanded electric detector organs that support the sharks’ “sixth sense.” They can detect even the smallest electrical signals, such as the pulses from a prey fish’s heartbeat, or the Earth’s magnetic fields, which they can use to navigate during migration. Access to these amazing shark pup embryos allows us to compare their development with other regular-headed sharks and ask how and why hammerheads grow these wonderful noggins. The ocean hides a wealth of weird and wonderful fishes, most of which are inaccessible, and studies of their development are impossible. My lab continues to uncover insights into the evolution of life on Earth thanks to these fortuitous opportunities. By Gareth J. FraserAssociate Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, University of Florida. Top photo: depositphotos. Special thanks to The Conversation. Support & Donate now.

VeriJet is a safe, reliable revolutionary addition to the world of aviation. Known as an “Uber for the sky” they allow travelers to fly at their one schedule and closer to their destinations With coronavirus fears fueling the demand for private jet aviation, carriers in the $10 billion+ industry are at 150%+ occupancy as family offices and others seek solutions for safe travel and counter cyclical investment opportunities. Family Office Networks provides unparalleled access to private aviation companies, including member rates and priority to access flights as well as investment opportunities. With VeriJet, passengers travel where they want - when they want. Too often, travellers are forced to fly to large, congested airports in major cities - that may be a great distance from their final destination. Now, they simply enter their exact address of their destination into the app and the state-of-the art Cirrus Vision Jet aircraft will fly them to one of the 5,400 non-crowded smaller airports closest to where they want to go. No long lines, crowds or waiting for boarding, luggage, etc. VeriJet operates on an industry proven AI routing platform – ensuring profitable, efficient use of its aircraft with dependable and scalable sources of demand. VeriJet’ s jet aircraft have a unique Safe Return capability that can auto land the jet without pilot assistance. VeriJet’ s entire fleet has in integrated whole airframe parachute system in case of true emergency, and state of the art safety features unavailable with any other leading private jet carrier The CDC has determined travelers come in contact with 700 different items, on average, during a typical trip using major airports, a number that is brought way down when traveling with VeriJet. Striving to lessen carbon footprints, VeriJet saves over a ton of C02 compared to other light jets and features reduced noise levels for quiet operations at local airports. All jets are professionally cleaned before and after every flight and the air is purified throughout flights to ensure the safest environment for all passengers as well. For business or for pleasure, or wherever you’re traveling to, VeriJet is your answer. Out of the skies and off the runways, Verijet keeps its commitment to social responsibility. Verijet supports programs such as EAA Young Eagles, Girl Venture, Women’s Air Race Classic, STEM, Aviation Merit Badges, and PBC Aviation Programs with the intent of making more pilots and giving kids choices. CONTACT VERIJET To learn more about VeriJet or book your next flight, please visit www.verijet.com By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Verijet

In the world of luxury and high-performance vehicles, Aston Martin has always been a captivating presence, and the Aston Martin DB12 is no exception. This exceptional model continues the legacy of excellence set by its predecessors, seamlessly blending striking design, cutting-edge technology, and outstanding performance. The DB12’s design effortlessly combines classic elegance with a modern flair. Its sleek and aerodynamic profile, adorned with carefully sculpted lines, not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also contributes to improved overall performance. The iconic front grille, signature headlights, and distinctive body contours make the DB12 a true masterpiece on the road. Beneath the hood, the Aston Martin DB12 houses a powerhouse of performance. Fitted with a high-performance engine, the DB12 delivers an exhilarating driving experience, ensuring precise handling and powerful acceleration whether navigating city streets or cruising on the open highway. Stepping inside the Aston Martin DB12 reveals a world of opulence and sophistication. The interior is meticulously crafted with the finest materials, creating an ambiance of luxury and comfort. From plush leather seats to a state-of-the-art infotainment system, every detail is designed to elevate the driving experience. Aston Martin has seamlessly integrated cutting-edge technology into the DB12 to enhance safety and entertainment. Advanced driver-assistance features, a user-friendly interface, and connectivity options ensure that the DB12 keeps pace with the demands of the modern driver. For enthusiasts seeking an even more exclusive driving experience, Aston Martin often releases limited editions of the DB12. These editions boast unique design elements, bespoke finishes, and performance enhancements, making each model a rare and coveted gem among automotive enthusiasts. In conclusion, the Aston Martin DB12 is a true masterpiece that harmoniously combines elegance, power, and cutting-edge technology. With its iconic design, exceptional performance, and luxurious interior, the DB12 stands as a testament to Aston Martin’s commitment to crafting vehicles that transcend mere transportation, offering an unparalleled driving experience for those fortunate enough to sit behind the wheel. To learn more, visit: www.astonmartin.com. By ML staff. Images courtesy of Aston Martin.

Grigor Dimitrov upset No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz in what was his first win over a top 5 player in nearly five years: “Carlos, I always call him like a firecracker. He's amazing. I love watching him play. Honestly, I love watching him playing, I love practicing against him, competing against him. I mean, I'm 12 years older than him. It's honestly a lot of fun for me to challenge myself. It's a great opportunity for me.” Carlos Alcaraz was gracious as ever in defeat: “I think I played good tennis. I mean, I left the court thinking that probably I had to change my game a little bit earlier, but anyway, I feel like I played a good tennis. Not perfect but a good one. But I feel, let's say, I have a lot of frustrations right now, because he made me feel like I'm 13 years old (smiling). You know, it was crazy. I was talking to my team saying that I don't know what I have to do. I don't know, you know, his weakness. I don't know anything.” Elena Rybakina reached her second consecutive Miami Open final, beating Victoria Azarenka  6-4 0-6 7-6(2) explaining: “Last year it was different conditions. I was coming from Indian Wells, with a lot of wins. This year it's much different. I was not expecting honestly to be in the final, because I was not prepared that well for this tournament. But really happy that I managed to battle through all these matches and be in the final again.” Alexander Zverev won the opening match of the day, while the final match of the day saw the only American left in the tournament, Danielle Collins, make her way into the final with a 6-3 6-2 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova. Collins was all business as she took just 74 minutes to secure her first final since the Australian Open in 2022 and the first 1000 series final of her career. Friday’s match-ups [2] Jannik Sinner vs [3] Daniil Medvedev Medvedev leads 6-4; Medvedev won the first six meetings in the series, including last year’s Miami Open final, but Sinner has now won four straight, most recently in five sets in the Australian Open final • Both men are seeking to be the first to reach back-to-back Miami Open finals since John Isner in 2018-19 • Sinner is bidding for a third final this season, having already won titles at the Australian Open and Rotterdam; He has won 17 of his 20 career matches at the Miami Open and is bidding for a third final here • Medvedev is a two-time finalist this year, finishing as runner-up at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells; He is bidding to be the first man to repeat as Miami Open champion since Novak Djokovic in 2014-16. [4] Alexander Zverev vs [11] Grigor Dimitrov Zverev leads 7-1; Dimitrov’s lone win came in their first meeting in 2014 • Zverev is looking to reach his second Miami Open final, having previously done so in 2018; He has reached 10 ATP 1000 finals, winning five titles; Overall, he owns 21 titles, having played 32 finals • Dimitrov has reached the semifinals at an ATP 1000 tournament for the third time in his last four events; In his 13th Miami Open, this is his best best result here. His lone ATP 1000 title came at Cincinnati in 2017, and reached his second final at this level last fall in Paris; A nine-time winner on Tour, he is attempting to reach his 20th career final. ORDER OF PLAY - FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024STADIUM start 1:00 pm WTA - Asia Muhammad (USA) / Alycia Parks (USA) vs [2] Gabriela Dabrowski (Canada) / Erin Routliffe (New Zealand) Not Before 3:00 pm ATP - [3] Daniil Medvedev vs [2] Jannik Sinner (Italy) Not Before 7:00 pm ATP - [11] Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) vs [4] Alexander Zverev (Germany)WTA - [ALT] Sofia Kenin (USA) / Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) vs [OSE] Sara Errani (Italy) / Jasmine Paolini (Italy) Danielle Collins SCORES Women’s Singles – Semi-finals Danielle Collins (USA) def. [14] Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-2 [4] Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) def. [27] Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 0-6, 7-6(2) Men’s Singles – Quarter-finals Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) df. [1] Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) [11] 6-2, 6-4 [4] Alexander Zverev (Germany) def. Fabian Marozsan (Hungary) 6-3, 7-5 Men’s Doubles – Semi-finals ATP - [1] Rohan Bopanna (India) / Matthew Ebden (Australia) def. [4] Marcel Granollers (Spain) / Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) 6-1, 6-4ATP - [2] Ivan Dodig (Croatia) / Austin Krajicek (USA) def. [7] Kevin Krawietz (Germany) / Tim Puetz (Germany) 6-4, 6-7(4), [10]-[7] Miami Open Wheelchair Invitational – Doubles Angelica Bernal (Colombia) / Dana Mathewson (USA) def. Diede de Groot (Netherlands) / Maylee Phelps (USA) 2-6, 6-3, [10]-[5] Alfie Hewett (Great Britain) / Gordon Reid (Great Britain) def. Gustavo Fernandez (Argentina) / Shingo Kunieda (Japan) 4-6, 6-2, [11]-[9] By ML Staff. Photos: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium.

Gulfstream Park’s Curlin Florida Derby returns on Saturday, March 30th, one of Florida’s most legendary races leading up to the Kentucky Derby. The Curlin Florida Derby showcases the world’s best horses and jockeys competing for the coveted title of Florida Derby Winner on their road to the Triple Crown. A true spectacle on and off the track, the Curlin Florida Derby is the place to see and be seen for fans and the horse racing community. Rub elbows with celebrities, television and film personalities, and the industry’s top horse owners, trainers, and jockeys in a week-long celebration. Guests are invited to watch the thrill of the Curlin Florida Derby throughout Gulfstream Park, including from the Flamingo Room, which boasts one of the best views of the track. The Flamingo Room will host Gulfstream Park’s signature Taste at the Track series for its Wine & Tapas edition from 12-4 PM. The unlimited tasting event is all about Wine and Tapas, where guests can enjoy a variety of charcuterie, cheeses, and gourmet bites paired with your favorite premium red, rose, and sparkling wines ($125). Featuring performances by jazz artist and Lady Gaga’s Vegas bandleader Brian Newman, who is celebrated for blending the jazz influences of Miles Davis and Chet Baker and the American Songbook influences of Gershwin and Porter to find room with the modern songbook through his love of bands such as Nirvana, Willie Nelson, Elliot Smith, and The Police. Join Gulfstream Park for an afternoon of world-class racing, entertainment, and dining during the Curlin Florida Derby. Curlin Florida Derby is free to attend, with reserved seating options available. Florida Curlin Reserved Tickets: https://am.ticketmaster.com/gulfstreampark/buy?filterType=25 Taste at the Track tickets start at $125 per person. Must be 21+ to attend VIP Tickets: 12 - 4 PM GA Tickets: 1 - 4 PM Gulfstream Park is located at 901 S Federal Highway Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 For more information about Gulfstream Park & The Village at Gulfstream Park, please visit gulfstreampark.com. By ML staff. Images credit: G Sonny Hughes, ADINAYEV, Deep Sleep Studio.

March 18th marked an exciting evening in Miami with the return of Taste of Tennis at the JW Marriott Miami. The celebration was hosted by Tennis Channel commentator and former ATP star Nick Monroe. Servin' It Up: Pro tennis players including Holger Rune, Alycia Parks, Alexander Zverev, Sabrina Santamaria, Giuliana Olmos, Santiago Gonzalez, Elina Avanesyan,  Matt Ebden, Donna Vekic, Jan Zielinski, Alex Michelsen, Sachia Vickery, Jackson Withrow, Oksana Kalashnikova, Nadiia Kichenok, Lyudmyla Kichenok, Arina Rodionova, Gaby Dabrowski and more sampled incredible cuisine including Falafel Slider and Grilled Lamb Racks courtesy of Chef Antonio Bachour of Tablé, Cripsy Braised Niman Ranch Pork Belly and Corvina Ceviche courtesy of Chef Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Bar, Crispy Fish Tacos and Potato & Cheese Flautas courtesy of Chef Karla Hoyas of Tacotomía and so much more! Throughout the evening, guests sipped on delicious espresso martinis from Segafredo Zanetti Coffee, the official Miami Open drink, The Ace Paloma by Maestro Dobel Tequila, refreshing cocktails by Brackish, “Voss-Tails” courtesy of VOSS, one-of-a-kind craft drinks by Alexander Davinci courtesy of Barbados, along with wine and Arak by Massaya. The Experience: Upon arrival, guests were welcomed to the JW Marriott Miami pool deck, taking in the 305 vibes. As the night continued, guests mingled with their favorite tennis stars while enjoying endless food from Miami's best, all set to music by DJ Aloona and a special appearance by Redfoo and DJ Irie! When posting about the night’s event, please tag @tasteoftennis and @ayssports EVENT INFO Featured Chefs Antonio Bachour (Tablé by Antonio Bachour), Patrick Palmer (JW Marriott Miami), Dayanny De La Cruz (Quimera), Cesar Zapata (Phuc Yea), Carolina Molea (L’Artisane Bakery & Bistro), Chris Valdes (Chris Valdes Catering), Adrianne Calvo (Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Bar), Karla Hoyos (Tacotomía), Omar Montero (Casa Ya'ax), Karin Ou Yang (Dirty French Steak's), Ilkay Suuctugu (Artisan Beach House at The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour), Michael Hernandez (Boulud Sud at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami), Carlos Garcia (Leku Miami), Rodney Ignacio (SUGARCANE), Farid Lutfi (Lira Beirut Eatery). Sponsors JW Marriott Miami, Segafredo Zanetti, Barbados, VOSS Water, Massaya, Brackish Vodka, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Volkl, Lucky in Love and Chef Works. Taste of Tennis www.tasteoftennis.com https://www.instagram.com/tasteoftennis/ More on AYS AYS is a woman-owned event management and marketing company founded in 1995. AYS provides customized event solutions and consultation services that help our clients maximize marketing initiatives. AYS also founded and produces the Taste of Tennis, a one-of-a-kind food and tennis experience. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Taste of Tennis Miami.