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The Ellies, Miami’s Visual Arts Awards, is back for a third year! Oolite Arts is hosting an info session about The Ellies at 5:30 p.m. via Facebook Live. Then, at 6 p.m., Karen Rifas and Edouard Duval-Carrie, the first winners of The Ellies’ Michael Richards Award, will discuss their careers and lives in Miami and beyond. The Ellies applications are open through Aug. 3rd at theellies.org. Date/Time Wed, July 29, 2020 5:30 pm EST / 2:30 pm PT RSVP Facebook Live

“So many puzzles… it’s almost embarrassing. I think this is puzzle number 10,” Allison Munn laughs. This is how Allison and her family have been spending their time now that they, along with the rest of the world, are adhering to the stay-at-home orders put into place as a result of the recent COVID-19 outbreak. “We’ve also been camping out in the backyard,” she continues. “L.A. has been so beautiful lately.” The “we” includes her husband Scott, and their 8-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, who she’s working hard to homeschool now that school is being held virtually. “I come from a line of teachers --my mom, my aunt, my cousin-- and I’ve always had so much respect. But I’m really trying to figure out how to have more patience. The work they do is amazing.” The South Carolina native, known for her roles in That 70s Show, What I Like About You, One Tree Hill, and now, Netflix’s The Big Show Show, got an early start in community theater. “I was nine in the play Annie and I got the bug. That was it.” From there, she attended the College of Charleston, and acted professionally during the summer. After college, Allison immediately moved to New York City, where she waitressed a year before landing the “role of a lifetime” in the famous off-Broadway production of “The Fantasticks” at New York’s Sullivan Street Theatre. The show’s original Off-Broadway production ran a total of 42 years (until 2002) with 17,162 performances, making it the world’s longest-running musical. For two and a half years, at barely 21 years old, Allison was performing eight shows a week. “I was definitely living the perfect New York moment. I lived on the Upper West Side and I remember after rehearsals and shows, I’d rollerblade home.” Once her role ended, she packed up, and headed west to Los Angeles, California. “I knew absolutely no one when I moved out there. I was lucky enough to land a role as Fez’s crazy girlfriend in That 70s Show. Now, I wake up and I can’t believe I get to have a career and live in this town. It never gets old. To be able to be creative in my day job is truly a gift,” says Allison. Now, Allison is starring in Netflix’s The Big Show Show as Cassy, alongside professional WWE wrestler Paul Wight II, also known as Big Show. The show centers on pro wrestler, Big Show, who is adjusting to both retirement and his oldest daughter moving in with him and his family. Allison plays his wife, Cassy --a really dynamic character. “I was so drawn to the fact that Cassy has so much to do. You see her at home, you see her at work... Throughout the course of the series, she has such a character arc and you get to watch her grow into her own.” Allison and Paul have great chemistry on screen, which makes it surprising to find out that Allison didn’t exactly feel as though she nailed her audition. In the words of her agent: She must’ve done something right! “When I went in for the screen test, here’s this 7-feet-tall, 400-pound guy [Paul] that I have to chemistry read with,” she explains. “He’s great! He put me at ease as soon as I got in there. I remember the first scene, I had to crawl up a step stool, but there wasn’t one in the room. He told me, ‘Just do what my wife does, grab me by the beard!’ We just got along so well after that; we even discovered that we grew up one town over from each other!” Being in the business from a young age has given the actress plenty of experience and opportunities to grow through her craft. “When I think back on my favorite roles I’ve played, they ended up being the most challenging. I’ve noticed my personal growth the most, which has found its way into my work. I can pick up a script and feel confident that I know what I was supposed to be doing. I’m confident enough now to know that I’m good enough,” says Allison. For now, while we’re all confined to the safety of our homes, Allison is focusing on self-motivation. “There’s very little being required of me, aside from being a mom. I am working on giving myself time and letting the light shine on me. I want to learn to meditate and do those things I’ve been putting off.” She is also passing the time with her extensive list of book recommendations. A few of her favorites include, Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout, City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane. Words by Briana Dodson • Photo Credit: Ryan West Photo Watch The Big Show Show on Netflix and keep up with Allison on Instagram and Twitter @allisonmunn.

Miami, Florida is known for its busy international airport, lively night time scene, beautiful beaches and now being the hotspot of the coronavirus pandemic. With New York cases now falling behind Miami numbers, government officials have had to take strict precautions to slow down the spread of the disease. Here is the latest Covid-19 latest restrictions and economical impact. Main restrictions As of the most recent government issued newsletter on July 9th, 2020, Miami-Dade has implemented guidelines for the city members and any person who would be in the area. Face Masks required to be worn in public at all times except when exercising, eating/drinking, or under the age 2 Social distance in practice while in public spaces Masks must be worn when inside gyms and fitness centers Banquet halls and bathrooms closed Miami, Florida just like many other cities relies on its flourishing tourism to bring the area an abundance of life but the pandemic has put a halt on many local and travelers' future plans. Restaurants Businesses focusing on travel and tourism ( i.e., restaurants, lodging, recreation) in the area have had to cut down their usual capacity of clients or in fact, shut down as a whole. More specific guidelines for restaurants include: Restaurants and cafeterias limited t outdoor dining only- four-person table max Restaurants and cafeterias to outdoor service only for on-site consumption between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. each day 10:00 p.m. each night and 6:00 a.m. the next morning only for the purpose of delivery, pick up, room service or take out For South Beach Entertainment District (MXE): All business establishments closed by 8 p.m. daily All restaurants, cafeterias, and other foodservice closed by 8 p.m., only takeout, curbside pick up shall be prohibited No music shall be permitted unless the volume doesn't exceed normal conversation Any live entertainment not allowed Recreational Activities All recreation programs have been canceled. City pools, recreation centers, and field trips are not open for use. Museums are closed as of further notice. The city beach walks are open for bikes and pedestrians from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If conducting strenuous activities, face masks are not required. Beaches Beaches are open. No gatherings of 10 or more allowed. Facial covering required in public bathrooms & at concession stands. Short Term Rentals & Hotels For people who are still vacation savvy and in need of a private getaway, plan on being in Miami Beach for a month or longer. Due to the newest rules on short term vacation rentals. Maximum of two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per property not to exceed 10 people New rental agreements prohibited unless a monthly basis Hotels are allowed to operate under specific recommendations and rules that must be followed. Guests must wear face masks in all common areas inside the hotel, if outside and can not follow social distancing masks must be worn. On the basis of employees, face masks must be worn at all times. Guests at the hotel are not allowed to bring pets unless it is a verified service animal. Hotels are required to have certain items on the facility including hand sanitizer and signage. Elevators are at half capacity, cleaning services will remain intact with EPA approved disinfectants, and laundry will be washed at high temperatures in accordance to the CDC guidelines. Economic Development halt These turn in events have caused a major issue in the cities plans for economic development over the past few years. In 2016, Miami, Miami Beach, and Miami-Dade County were selected to join the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities initiative. Rockefeller Foundation's plan was to incorporate resilience planning and principles allowing cities to prepare for "disasters and long-term threats, but also improves everyday living standards for all members of an urban community." The plan consists of 59 action items that the city will focus on in order to properly reach its end goal. The main driver of Miami-Dade to join the plan was there strong economy, which was driven mostly by Miami International Airport and Port Miami. "Miami was ranked 21st healthiest market, according to ThinkWhy's LaborIQ™ Rankings Index." With the top industries in Miami being trade, transportation, and utilities. In 2019, "growth in travel and cargo resulted in more than $32 billion in direct business revenue generated at MIA and the County's general aviation airports, with a total economic value to the region of $118 billion." Port Miami also set records last year on both the cruise and cargo side of the port. Cruise ships brought in a record of 6.8 million passengers. These numbers prove the hundreds of thousands of jobs that were provided to locals in the area. Now, with coronavirus, cruise ships, cargo, and air travel production are at an all-time low having a massive economical impact on Miami, Florida. The rise in the number of cases in Miami-Dade is not promising, which is why officials' main goal of implementing all these guidelines, restrictions and recommendations are just a part of the plan to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the coronavirus pandemic. The virus has proven that it has the ability to affect any human life in all different ways some more intense or in fact, deadly, which is what is trying to be avoided at all costs. Words by Brooke Klaiman, thebrookealexa.com, Photo Credits: Photo by Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash, Photo by Marc Fanelli-Isla on Unsplash, Photo by Jared Sanders on Unsplash

“Surrealist images manage to make visible what is in itself invisible. I’m interested in mystery and magic, which are also a way of exorcising uncertainty about the future,” says Maria Grazia Chiuri of her fall-winter 2020-2021 haute couture collection. During this unprecedented period, the Creative Director of Dior women’s collections chose to focus on the work of artists such as Lee Miller, Dora Maar and Jacqueline Lamba, who transcended the role of “muses” to which their beauty had initially relegated them in order to champion – in their lives and surrealist works a different femininity. The new collection is imbued with that attitude: one that is connected, attuned to nature and transformation. Certain pieces display spectacular gradations of red, like a coral reef swaying in the glimmer of the ocean. The colors of paintings by Leonora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning live on in these creations through luminous hues and dreamworlds. The surrealists’ female body also conjures a reinterpretation of the miniature mannequin, a poetic emblem at the heart of the couture universe. The artist Cindy Sherman appropriates this almost magical object in one of her first video projects, which oscillates between the history of fashion and the possibility of a new representation; today, these miniatures make it possible to invent a different ritual. And so, in a magical trunk embodying 30 Avenue Montaigne, the haute couture collection embarks on its world tour. Evoking Monsieur Dior’s own odyssey, it echoes the Théâtre de la Mode, a roving exhibition of styles by French couturiers that traveled between Europe and America right after the war. The Dior Ateliers also played a major role in that adventure. Starting with haute couture “day looks”, with suits in men’s fabrics of exceptional architecture representing a virtuoso feat, that of a perfectly-crafted, miniature creation. A coat reveals pleated layers. Draping evokes antique statues. Luminescence sublimates the gray and golden yellow tones, offering a dazzling brilliance. Produced entirely by hand, the folds dressing these miniatures celebrate the beauty of the creative gesture, which is the essence of couture. And for the grand finale: a wedding gown, in keeping with tradition, a symbol forgotten over time. In this way, it feels only natural to recount the story of extraordinary haute couture silhouettes by reinterpreting the female body through the singular prism of the fashion doll. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Dior

If there’s one state in the U.S. where you don’t want a pandemic, it’s Florida. Florida is an international crossroads, a magnet for tourists and retirees, and its population is older, sicker and more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 on the job than the country as a whole. When the coronavirus struck, the conditions there made it a perfect storm. Florida set a single-day record for new COVID-19 cases in early July, passing 15,000 and rivaling New York’s worst day at the height of the pandemic there. The state has become an epicenter for the spread, with over 300,000 confirmed cases. Its hospital capacity is under stress, and the death toll has been rising. Despite these strains, Disney World reopened two theme parks on July 11, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced schools would reopen in August. The governor had ordered bars to close in late June as case numbers skyrocketed, but he hasn’t made face masks mandatory or moved to shut down other businesses where the virus can easily spread. Florida cities like Miami have resorted to issuing their own protective rules as coronavirus case numbers climb. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images As public health researchers, we have been studying how states respond to the pandemic. Florida stands out, both for its absence of statewide policies that could have stemmed the spread of COVID-19 and for some unique challenges that make those policies both more necessary and more difficult to implement than in many other states. The challenges of economic pressures Florida is one of nine states with no income tax on wages, so its tax base relies heavily on tourism and property in its high-density coastal areas. That puts more pressure on the government to keep businesses and social venues open longer and reopen them faster after shutdowns. If you look closely at Florida’s economy, its vulnerabilities to the pandemic become evident. The state depends on international trade, tourism and agriculture – sectors that rely heavily on lower-wage, often seasonal, workers. These workers can’t do their jobs from home, and they face financial barriers to getting tested, unless it’s provided through their employer or government testing sites. They also struggle with health care – Florida has a higher-than-average rate of people without health insurance, and it chose not to expand Medicaid. In the tourism industry, even young, healthy employees typically at lower risk from COVID-19 can unknowingly spread the virus to visitors or vice versa. The tourism industry also encourages crowded bar and club scenes, where the governor has blamed young people for spreading the coronavirus. Florida's Coronavirus Case Breakdown The highest numbers of people testing positive for the novel coronavirus have been in Florida's coastal cities and tourist areas. The regions around Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa had all had more than 20,000 cases by July 15. How Florida COVID-19 Cases Rose Compared to Other States Daily reports of new COVID-19 cases show how Florida's case numbers rose after states rushed to reopen businesses in May and June. The past few weeks have been emblematic of the economic battles facing a state that depends on tourism for both jobs and state revenues. Even as the public health risks were quickly rising, businesses continued to open their doors. Major cruise lines planned to resume their itineraries in the fall. A note on the Universal Studios website read: “Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.” Disney World reopened on July 11 with face mask requirements.Matt Stroshane via Disney Reopening guidance has been largely ignored The Governor’s Re-open Florida Taskforce issued guidelines in late April meant to lower the state’s coronavirus risk, but those guidelines have been largely ignored in practice. No county in Florida has reduced cases or maintained the health care resources recommended by the task force. The data needed to fully assess progress are also questionable, given a recent scandal regarding the state data’s accuracy, availability and transparency. Still, the coronavirus’s rapid surge in Florida is evident in the state-reported cases. Testing lines are long, and almost 1 in 5 tests have been positive for COVID-19, suggesting the prevalence of infections is still increasing. Florida’s patchwork of local rules also makes it hard to contain the virus’s spread. With no statewide mask rules or plans to reverse reopening, other than for bars, communities and businesses have taken their own actions to implement public health precautions. The result is varying mask ordinances and restrictions on large gatherings in some cities but not those surrounding them. Though the Florida Department of Health has issued an advisory recommending face coverings, some local areas have voted down mask mandates. More warning signs ahead Late summer and fall will bring new challenges for Florida in terms of the virus’s spread and the state’s response to it. That’s when Florida’s risk of hurricanes grows, and while Floridians are well-versed in hurricane preparedness, storm shelters aren’t designed for social distancing and will need careful plans for protecting nursing home residents. Storm cleanup could mean lots of people working in close proximity while protective gear is in short supply. If Florida’s schools reopen fully, the risk of the virus rapidly spreading to teachers, parents and children who are more vulnerable is a real concern being weighed against the costs of keeping schools closed. Colleges that reopen to classes and sporting events also raise the risk of spreading the virus in Florida communities. And the possible return of retirees who spend their winters in Florida would increase the high-risk population by late fall. One in five Florida residents is over age 65, giving the state one of the nation’s oldest populations – a risk factor, along with chronic illnesses, for severe symptoms with COVID-19. Florida is also a battleground state for the upcoming presidential election, and that’s likely to mean campaign rallies and more close contact. The Republican National Convention was moved to Jacksonville after President Donald Trump complained that North Carolina might not let the GOP fill a Charlottesville arena to capacity due to coronavirus restrictions. Florida organizers recently said they were considering holding parts of the convention outdoors. The high number of cases being reported in Florida will lead to even more hospitalizations and fatalities in coming weeks and months. Without clear public health messages and precautions implemented and enforced across the state, the coronavirus forecast for the Sunshine State will remain stormy. Words by Tiffany A. Radcliff, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Health Policy and Management, Texas A&M University and Murray J. Côté, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management, Texas A&M University. Special thanks to The Conversation for this story. You can support the independent network which provides news by donating today.

Held annually in New York City, the Met Gala is regarded as one of the most prominent and exclusive social events in the world. The fundraising gala is held to support the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. It marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit with celebs and designers. Here are Miami Living's favorite Tiffany's & Co.'s moments: Lady Gaga Global style icon Lady Gaga dominated the 2019 "Camp: Notes on Fashion" Met Gala red carpet in a stunning 2019 Tiffany Blue Book Collection necklace. As she transformed on the red carpet, the necklace’s striking butterfly came into full view. Tiffany’s master artisans crafted the silk-like butterfly wings from 18k yellow gold fluttering above a geometric choker featuring princess-cut diamonds of over 28 total carats, as part of the annual 2019 Tiffany Blue Book Collection. “As Susan Sontag suggested in her 1964 essay, camp is above all a mode of enjoyment and appreciation. I chose to wear Tiffany’s solid gold butterfly, which is dressed in radiant diamonds, as the epitome of enjoyment and appreciation above all else. It’s a moment of fantastical glamour and an appreciation of the glorious beauty of nature.” – Lady Gaga Lady Gaga complemented her look with a selection of Tiffany & Co. rings, including an approximately 15 carat Tiffany T True ring. Lady Gaga’s original song “Is That Alright?” from the Academy Award winning film A Star is Born, is featured in the Believe in Love campaign that celebrates Tiffany’s new Tiffany True engagement ring. “Lady Gaga continues to redefine the notion of style and we are thrilled to be part of her inspiring look at this year’s Met Gala.”-Reed Krakoff, Tiffany & Co. Chief Artistic Officer. Kendall Jenner Kendall Jenner stunned on the red carpet in a hand-crafted Tiffany Blue Book Collection frame necklace featuring 19 extraordinarly beautiful imperial topaz totaling over 75 carats and over 40 radiant Tiffany white diamonds totaling over 11carats. Jenner complimented the look with 2019 Tiffany Blue Book Collection frame earrings showcasing imperial topaze of over 23 total carats and brilliant round diamonds. Gal Gadot Gal Gadot donned Tiffany diamond earrings and a selection of rings on the red carpet. Imaan Hammam Imman Hammam graced the red carpet this year in stunning Tiffany earrings and bracelets to accent her red carpet look. By Miami Living. Courtesy of Tiffany & Co. Images: Getty Images

Lark & Berry, the sustainable and conscious luxury diamond company, has been planting trees for every purchase since its launch to give back to our planet. However, as the brand looks for ways to improve and do more good, it has now become one of the few e-commerce brands to offset 100% of their carbon emissions from shipping. This achievement is the result of an effort to measure its global footprint in accordance with international certification standards, coupled with efforts to reach carbon neutrality. For every one of the brand’s amazing items that ships, Lark & Berry will now balance it with a positive environmental impact with help of partner EcoCart. The full environmental impact of getting Lark & Berry products to customers’ doors is completely neutralized. This initiative comes at no additional cost to customers. It simply comes with the satisfaction of knowing that shopping at Lark & Berry means making a positive impact on the planet. For more info visit larkandberry.com By Miami Living Staff

Early reports from January painted a grim picture about just how deadly the coronavirus was. Initially, the World Health Organization estimated that the percentage of infected individuals who die from COVID-19 was 3.4%. That statistic is called the infection fatality rate (IFR) – or colloquially, the death rate – and means that for every hundred people infected with COVID-19, on average, between three and four would die. As time has gone on, it has become clear that the true risk of death is much lower. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently has a best guess of 0.65% for the IFR. But current estimates fall anywhere between 0.2% and 1%, a surprisingly large range when calculating the infection fatality rate should be as simple as dividing the number of deaths by total infections. And these estimates are changing all the time. In fact, in the time it took to write this article, the CDC changed it’s best estimate of the fatality rate from 0.26% to 0.65%. We are two researchers who take a mathematical approach to solving epidemiological and biomedical problems. Back in early March, we published a paper showing that millions more people had been infected with COVID-19 than official case counts reflected. But when we tried to use our results to calculate IFR in the U.S., we encountered firsthand just how difficult it is to do. To calculate the infection fatality rate, researchers need to know three things: the number of infections, the number of deaths from infections and which deaths go with which infections. But finding these numbers is far harder than it might seem and these difficulties explain why there has been, and continues to be, so much uncertainty regarding this important number. Direct testing is one way to count infections, but many people who are infected never show symptoms and never get tested. AP Photo/David J. Phillip How many infections? Knowing how many people have been infected with the coronavirus is the first step to estimating the fatality rate. The number of officially reported cases reflects only the number of diagnosed cases which is far less than the real number of people who have been infected. Since health officials can’t test everyone, one way to estimate the rate of infection in a population is to test a smaller group of people for signs of previous infection, regardless of whether they have had symptoms. If the smaller group is chosen in a way that makes it demographically representative of the larger population, then researchers can assume the infection rates they find in their test groups are close to the actual population-wide numbers. By taking this approach, researchers have now shown that the total number of infections is likely much larger than the number of diagnosed cases. For example, researchers in New York now estimate that by the end of March, over 2 million residents of New York State had been infected. At the time, there were only 76,000 confirmed infections. Our study took a different approach. We looked at records of doctors visits with patients that had flu-like symptoms but not the flu. By accounting for the number of people who would only have mild symptoms of COVID-19 and would not go to the doctors, we estimate that during the last three weeks of March over 8.7 million Americans were infected with SARS-CoV-2. During the same three week period, official case counts recorded just over 100,000 new infections within the U.S. Putting this all together, it’s now clear that there have been many more infections than confirmed cases, likely by a factor of 20 or more. How many deaths? Determining whether COVID-19 was the cause of death – and counting all of those deaths – has been more difficult than you might think. Recently, the New York Times reported that at a national level, COVID-19 deaths may be undercounted by 25%. These estimates are coming from the fact that deaths from any cause are far higher this year than normal. Over the course of the pandemic, many patients have died of symptoms similar to COVID-19, but were never tested. In addition, many people are dying at home from complications that appear to be COVID-19, but are also never tested. Both infections and deaths have been undercounted, but not to the same degree. Our research suggests health officials were only detecting as few as 1 in 80 infections whereas they have been catching approximately 4 in 5 deaths. As we’ve been discovering uncounted infections at a faster rate than we’ve been discovering uncounted deaths, infection fatality rate estimates have dropped from initial guesses. While it seems that deaths from the coronavirus have been undercounted to some degree, a harder problem is determining when a person who died was first counted as infected.AP Photo/David J. Phillip Relation between infections and death Even if health officials had accurate pictures of the number of infections and deaths over time, they can’t just divide the number of deaths by March 15 by the number of infections by March 15. It can take weeks before an infected patient dies from COVID-19. To calculate the fatality rate, researchers must correct for the time between the onset of infection and death. While there is still uncertainty in this lag between onset of infection and deaths, recent research suggests that a 16-day lag between symptom onset and death is a good guess. This lag must be factored into infection fatality rate calculations. For example, assuming patients would get diagnosed within a few days of developing symptoms, to calculate the fatality rate on June 15, researchers would want to divide those deaths by the number of infections on June 1. So are current estimates any good? Until the U.S. has more widespread random population testing and there’s more research to understand the time lag between infection and death, estimates of the real infection fatality rate will have some uncertainty. Still, since estimates of the actual infection and death numbers are far more accurate today than at the beginning of the pandemic, the current estimates of between 0.2 to 1% are better as well. The CDC suggests that an IFR of 0.65% is the current best estimate. It is important to remember that these estimates of infection fatality rates reflect the risk for the average person. Many people will face higher risk and many will face lower risk. Older patients or those with preexisting conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease are likely at higher risk than the average person. Younger people without significant prior health conditions are at substantially lower risk than the average person. Additionally, access to health care is an important factor in mortality from COVID-19. Finally, the infection fatality rate is not set in stone - it is an estimate of what happened in the past, not a predictor of what will happen in the future. If people follow public health guidance on mask wearing, social distancing and self-isolation when sick, it may be possible to reduce infections in high-risk populations and lower the percentage of people that die from this disease. But the opposite is also true. If the virus increasingly spreads in vulnerable populations, or if hospitals become overwhelmed and people can’t access the care they need to recover, more people could die. While doctors, public health experts and laboratory researchers are working to secure treatments that will keep people alive even if they do become infected, statisticians like us will keep watching the numbers to help guide policy. It is up to everyday people to change their behavior to change the numbers we see. This article was updated on July 15, 2020 to reflect a change in the CDC’s best estimate of the infection fatality rate from 0.26% to 0.65%. Article by Justin Silverman, Assistant Professor of Information Science and Technology, Pennsylvania State University and Alex Washburne, Disease Ecology Research Scientist, Montana State University. Special thanks to The Conversation for this story. You can support the independent network which provides news by donating today.

Eleven years ago, Jeanine Mason won Fox’s televised dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance. The 2009 win rapidly propelled her acting career, landing her roles on CSI, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, NCIS: Los Angeles, Bunheads, and Of Kings and Prophets. And this was just the tip of the iceberg for the Miami native. Jeanine was born to perform and has been doing it for as long as she can remember. She has always had a gift and everyone knew it. “It was always there; the desire to be putting on a show --which was particularly obnoxious when I was little,” she laughs. “It always felt like an extension of my life too, which is why it didn’t seem like an insane thing to pursue acting. It was something I couldn’t do without. My parents always treated it like that too. That was me.” With the support of her parents (from classes to coaching), she followed her passion and made her dreams a reality. Today, Jeanine’s mom is her business manager. “They are my teammates,” says the 29-year-old actress. After seventeen years of dancing professionally and winning competitions, Jeanine decided to audition for So You Think You Can Dance —a last minute decision, since she was already enrolled at UCLA. Jeanine had been dancing since she was 3 years old, and she was ready to start a new chapter. Though she was done with dancing, dancing was not done with her. “Truly, the night before the audition, I said, ‘Alright, I’ll go in the morning.’ And I went in. I had a girlfriend who had been in line since like, 6 am—the line was obscene— and she let me cut with her,” Jeanine explains. “I was being stubborn. I was resistant to it, but my mom was a big part, she was like, ‘I think you should just give it a go; it might set you up in L.A.’ Once I got it, it was the most fun. And my main memory is I wasn’t even aware that it was a competition, I was just so happy to be there.” The entire experience flew by. “I feel like I woke up in the Top Four,” she recalls. And her mom was right, this experience set her up in the industry when she moved to Los Angeles. The transition from dancer to actor was a seamless one for Jeanine. Even today, she doesn’t favor one over the other. “They are the same thing to me,” she says. “I feel like I’m an artist, and I have an instrument and that instrument is my body, and depending on the role I’m conquering, I utilize different parts of my instrument to best approach that character and do justice to that character.” Jeanine gets satisfaction from both. “I love finding that moment when you are so in the moment in acting that you respond in a way that feels so honest, that it surprises you. And in dancing, I love that moment when you are so stretched and you are on balance.” In 2017, Jeanine landed the role of Dr. Sam Bello, who actually has a dancing background, too, on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Jeanine and her character have more than that in common, both are Latinas (Jeanine’s family is from Cuba) and both are the new kid in a very intimidating environment. “She was the new intern right out of school, ready to start working in her field, and hoping to make a contribution. And I, Jeanine, was very much in the same boat,” she says. “I was coming onto a show that’s so loved and established, and 14 years in at the time, and I just wanted to do right by the show. I just wanted to contribute in some way that felt positive.” Jeanine is a confident person. “I know what I offer to a production, but I was definitely nervous. I didn’t have to do much work to act nervous.” Being a part of Grey’s Anatomy prepared Jeanine for what was to come, all of her hard work --her dedication to her auditions and preparedness-- and patience was about to pay off. “At this point, I have a sense of what works for me,” she says. “I love to prepare; I’m Type A. I’m like Amy Santiago in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I love a binder. I love Post-its, I love color-coordinated Post-its. I take so many notes, my cast members are in awe of it.” Jeanine had been auditioning while she was filming Grey’s Anatomy; like every actor, she was trying to line up her next job. It’s very rare to receive multiple offers, but that is exactly what happened. One day, while on the set of Grey’s Anatomy, Jeanine got a phone call from her agent and found out that she had three test offers --something that had never happened to her before. “I was like, Oh my God!” she recalls. “I was like, now, I need to do a scene with Ellen Pompeo and my brain was a million miles away. It was a surreal moment.” By the time she left the set, Jeanine had secured the lead role on The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico, Liz Ortecho. “It was incredible. It was awesome, like, the actual definition of the word awesome,” Jeanine chuckles. “For me, it was clearly Roswell, the opportunity to be number one hadn’t even crossed my mind,” she says. “For it to be a Latina, for it to be a show that acknowledges our times and what’s happening right now in my community --there were so many elements that it was a dream to get to honor and play in.” Roswell, New Mexico premiered January 15, 2019. Since the original Roswell aired before her time, Jeanine binged it on Hulu. “It’s very different,” she says. However, they do try to do things Liz Parker did on the original show. Sometimes Jeanine wears her rings the same way the original Liz Parker would. And the show also tries to recreate shots from the original series. In addition to being the narrator, Liz is a biomedical researcher and the daughter of undocumented immigrants. As Roswell, New Mexico’s second season comes to an end, Jeanine can truly say that she knows Liz and is confident about making decisions that are best for her character. “TV is fast as hell. There is a lot of stuff that has to happen on the fly,” says Jeanine, who works very closely with an acting coach who helps her rework scenes. Jeanine is proud to see Liz be a hero —with her human hands and her intelligence. “We stick to that idea of Liz as a hero. She is her own hero and I love that messaging. What I want our viewers to know is that it’s a huge accomplishment to take care of yourself. She holds true to that until the end of the season. People are going to be shocked to see how it comes to a close.” A third season is on its way. “We were supposed to be back in production at the end of June, but everything right now is up in the air. We want to make sure our crew is safe,” explains Jeanine. Like everyone in the world, Jeanine has been quarantined for the last two months with her family in Miami. “I was in New York when it happened. I’m right there with everyone. I’m seeing the way it’s been disrupting my work, the work of my family members, the work of my friends. I’m nervous and stressed about how everyone’s livelihood is going to be affected. I’m trying to do what I can to take care of my people and not feel like I’m overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness for the world. I’m trying to say, what can I do for my people? If we can all take care of our group, we’re doing some important work, in the grand scheme, that’s going to help us get through it.” Words by Claudia Paredes • Photo Credit: Tory Rust. Stream the latest episodes for free on The CW. Keep up with Jeanine on Instagram and Twitter: @ItsJeanineMason.

Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is an annual international day in honor of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009 with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. Mandela Day is not meant as a public holiday, but as a day to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's former President, and his values, through volunteering and community service. It is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact. The Mandela Day campaign message is: "Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We're asking you to start with 67 minutes. We would be honored if such a day can serve to bring together people around the world to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity," according to a statement issued on Mandela's behalf. Click to view larger image > MANDELA ARRIVES IN MIAMI By Rick Stone Twenty-three years ago, Nelson Mandela came to Miami, stumbled  into a quagmire of Cuban exile politics, got exploited by racial equality organizers and left South Florida a little better than it was before. It was the summer of 1990. In South Africa, apartheid was cracking up and dissolving. Mandela, finally out of prison after 27 years, was beginning a triumphant world tour to thank everyone who had supported and encouraged him. The thank-you list was a long one. It included characters such as Palestinian Liberation Organization chairman Yasser Arafat, Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and -- unfortunately for Mandela, as he landed in Miami -- Fidel Castro. Disquieting Facts South Florida, meanwhile,  was getting some hard facts about its tourism industry. Basically, it was discovering that while black travelers and conventions were a mainstay of Miami tourism, the industry had few ownership, management or even employment opportunities for African-Americans. 'We needed something to get national support. We were looking for something to ignite a movement.' Twenty percent of the conventions that had come to Miami the year before Mandela arrived were black, recalls H. T. Smith, a lawyer with deep Miami roots. It was a market segment worth hundreds of millions of dollars and local blacks couldn't even get hired as waiters or bartenders, he said. "Some of us realized that the plight of black Miami in terms of economic and business opportunities was awful, even compared with the rest of the cities in America," said Smith, now a law professor at Florida International University. "We needed something to get national support. We were looking for something to ignite a movement." Exile Politics But it seemed unlikely that American blacks, most with problems equal to or worse than Miami's in their own hometowns, could be enlisted in a Miami cause. And that's when Mandela appeared with his thank-yous for Fidel Castro. The city of Miami had been preparing an official welcome for the South African hero. But when Mayor Xavier Suarez, later joined by four other Cuban-American mayors, demanded that Mandela denounce Castro as the price of welcome, Mandela loyally refused. The proclamations were rescinded. The Cuban-American leadership withdrew from all appearances and ceremonies. The great Nelson Mandela had been snubbed in Miami. 'Count Us In!' To Smith and a small committee of top African-American lawyers, the snub was a mortal insult. But mostly, it was a gift. They already had what seemed at the time a doomed plan to launch a black tourism boycott of Miami. But now, the national black community might pay attention. "When we were able to communicate around the country, 'Can you believe this? The politicians here have snubbed Nelson Mandela!' They said, 'What? Are you serious? Tell us what you want us to do! Count us in!' "We couldn’t keep up with requests to join the boycott," Smith said. Anger was widespread, in and out of Miami. Ceresta Smith (no relation to H. T. Smith) had just started her teaching career in Miami after spending her college days campaigning against apartheid at Washington, D. C.'s American University. Mandela had been disrespected to satisfy a point of local exile politics and she was furious. "It was totally ridiculous," she says today. "This was an international hero, a man who had sat in prison for 27 years because he was fighting for what was right. Everybody worldwide acknowledged that but this small little community here that had power and control." The Thousand-Day Boycott The boycott, with Ceresta Smith's full support, was launched. It lasted 1,000 days and the black visitors stayed away. According to several estimates, it cost the region somewhere between $20 million and $50 million. And it ended with a comprehensive agreement to include blacks as full partners at the tourism table. There were 20 points in the pact and they covered everything from hiring to management opportunities to groundwork for black development and ownership of tourist hotels. And that's how Nelson Mandela improved black lives in South Florida as he had done in South Africa, but not on purpose. He just had to show up, take a principled stand and say "no." Miami's political physics would take care of the rest. Special thanks to Rick Stone, WLRN. You can support WLRN (TV or radio) by donating today. Textual inserts by Wikepedia. To ensure that Wikipedia continues to ensure that everyone has the right to free and open knowledge, please donate. Gif image by ARTE , the European free-to-air television network that promotes cultural programming. Nelson Mandela images (in viewing order) by Paul Weinberg, Library of the London School of Economics and Political Science - Nelson Mandela, 2000 Uploaded by Fæ, Eric Draper, White House Photographer and Robert Dennison-Flickr. Every week Miami Living showcases things like persons, places, animals, objects, events and things that we love. If you find this posting inspiring, share it and post a comment below. Got a love suggestion?

Fashion designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim deliver a colorful Latin-flavored collection, ideal for Miami’s sophisticated women. Click below to launch slideshow > Images courtesy of Oscar De La Renta

The latest and most innovative salon-spa, looking to make waves across the beauty industry, DashBar is pleased to announce the opening of its first location coming this fall to Brickell. Tailored for the modern woman, DashBar provides a collective beauty bar experience that will leave customers feeling and looking their best in half the time. Plus, DashBar is committed to using only products that are ethically-sourced, non-toxic, vegan and cruelty-free. At the core of its business model is their commitment to providing a quick and effective beauty salon experience, which is achieved through their patent-pending PollyDash™ chair. Featuring new technology, the chair allows your personal DashSquad to perform multiple services simultaneously, getting you ready in less time than it would take you to complete your regular beauty routine. Founded by female entrepreneur Carla Oliva, DashBar was conceived after Carla had to run to different salons for all her beauty needs before heading to a surprise vacation. That’s when Carla set out on a crusade to modernize the beauty service sector forever, by developing a more streamlined and productive approach to the traditional beauty salon experience. DashBar’s main objective is to meet the needs of its customers, or its DashBabes as Carla refers to them. Who is the DashBabe? The DashBabe is the woman on the go, juggling her career, family and/or social life that wants to look and feel her best, without compromising on the one thing she can’t buy, time. “I am so excited to introduce DashBar to Miami,” said company founder, Carla Oliva. “As a mother, wife and business woman, juggling it all, I realize how valuable time is in our everyday lives. My goal with DashBar was to create a one-stop-shop for women to get all their beauty services done under one roof, at the same time, in one chair, in a feel-good atmosphere, making for an effective and efficient salon experience.” At DashBar, you can get up to three services done at the same time, performed in a PollyDash chair. Choose from a variety of beauty services, including regular and gel manicures and pedicures, blow drys in different styles, such as the “Beach Babe,” an effortlessly tousled beach wave look or the “Flirty Girl,” flat iron curls for a sultrier look to name a few. DashBar also has a number of facials, a few standouts include: the “Cryoskin Facial,” a natural, non-invasive way to look younger and more radiant, using cool temperatures to increase blood flow and help boost collagen production; the “Sunlight Bright Facial,” a naturally sourced bio-active treatment that stimulates increased collagen synthesis and epidermal density while providing powerful brightening benefits; and the “South Beach Facial,” which reduces fine lines, improves skin texture and immediately plumps the skin. DashBar is dedicated to providing sustainable beauty practices, sourcing products that are ethically made, natural, vegan and cruelty-free. Proudly carrying beauty brands that share their same ethical ethos, such as Pai, Patchology, and vegan hair care line Maria Nila. DashBar will launch their own branded product line, called DashBeauty in the coming months. DashBar will be strictly following the City of Miami’s health and safety guidelines, going above and beyond standard sanitation guidelines by studying what has been recommended nationally, and has also had their safety procedures reviewed by a medical expert, Dr. Yana Delkhah, MD, a practicing emergency room doctor in New York. In addition to adopting rigorous safety protocols, DashBar will be implementing a new sanitation fogging system, a UVC light in their HVAC system, and Aroma 360’s Airbiotech, which restores probiotics nightly after fogging. Furthermore, the salon-spa has been designed specifically with social distancing measures in place, with each station strategically placed more than six feet of space apart in semi-private to private rooms. For a complete list of all the official safety measures that will be implemented at DashBar please visit their website here. Spanning 2,700 square feet of space, DashBar will be designed with a feminine look and feel in mind, and will be located at 25 SW 9th Street Mezzanine 101, Miami, FL 33130. DashBar is set to open this fall. Its hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday - Saturday from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM; and Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. For more information or to make an appointment please call + 1 (877) 425-8111 or visit https://www.thedashbar.com. About DashBar: DashBar is a new, innovative salon-spa in Miami, specializing in providing the modern woman with a collective beauty bar experience that is better, quicker and easier than ever. Aiming to revolutionize the beauty service industry, DashBar combines blow drys, lashes, nails and facials all under one roof, in one chair, working simultaneously to promise naturally enhancing and efficient beauty services in one hour. DashBar's patent-pending PollyDash chair is what makes this all possible, allowing beauty technicians to seamlessly provide multiple beauty services all at once, so guests can get back to conquering their day without sacrificing a great deal of their time. Continuing to innovate the beauty space, DashBar is committed to using clean and sustainable products, and supports brands that share their value of using only the best quality ingredients that are natural, vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly. Proudly carrying beauty brands, such as Pai, Patchology, and vegan hair care line Maria, and launching their own branded product line, DashBeauty in the coming months. As believers in ethical beauty, DashBar makes it their responsibility to preserve the health and well-being of its guests, the animals and the planet we all call home. Wherever guests are in their ethical beauty journey, DashBar is helping them make changes from big to small, making a positive impact towards the fight for sustainability. DashBar is located at 25 SW 9th Street Mezzanine 101, Miami, FL 33130, and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9AM to 8PM and Sunday from 10AM to 6PM. For more information or to make an appointment, call + 1 (877) 425-811 or visit https://www.thedashbar.com. Facebook: /TheDashBar Instagram: @thedashbar Twitter: @TheDashBar Yelp: /Dashbar-Miami Hashtags: #thedashbar #fastcasualbeauty #dashbar #dashbarbrickell