An intimate new animated book has been published by two new parents based in Miami, that portrays a moving journey by a young girl through the pandemic – revealing how tender and impressionable today’s youth has become from the emergence of an unprecedented time in our lives. Over the last two years, first time authors, Rishi Idnani and wife Athya, enjoyed an increased amount of time at home with their two year-old infant, Amani Reims, observing how their baby daughter would react and behave to an adjusted and unusual daily routine, forced by endless months of lockdown. As a way of chronicling this extraordinary period in their lives as new parents, Rishi and Athya decided to create a storyline inspired by life during the pandemic and their appreciation of being as close as possible to their newborn. Rishi & Athya Idnani with daughter Amani Reims The self-published book entitled The Lockdown Baby, takes readers through a series of memorable chapters during the pandemic that were experienced by everyone around the world. Each page provides an animated depiction of life at home, through the eyes and mind of an infant. From being imprisoned in the house, and seeing an increased amount of personal and household hygiene products, to witnessing mommy and daddy wearing unusual face coverings and food being delivered to the door (instead of the usual outing to a favorite restaurant or café), the often humorous portrayal of life during Covid-19 includes the depiction of online toys being out-of-stock and a new parental “hobby” at home known as Zoom. “The Lockdown Baby is a book for parents and children to look back and reminisce on the extraordinary events during these unprecedented times,” says Rishi Idnani. “Not only will they be able to see examples of how life was, but they will be able to truly appreciate the extra time we had with our loved ones together.” Each page of colorful animation by Rajib Mondal, comes with an opposite page of rhyming text as a first-hand deliberation from the mind of the child, as the fictitious daughter and parents experience each episode and circumstance induced by lockdown. To ensure a happy ending, the final reflection is the introduction of a vaccine that enables family life to resume back to normalcy. New father, Rishi Idnani has been a career-long and award-winning innovator in the field of luxury hospitality and real estate management, having worked in executive leadership roles for Ritz Carlton and currently as Managing Director for the iconic luxury beachfront residences, Continuum in Miami Beach. His wife, Athya, continues her career as a new mother and independent interior design consultant. The Lockdown Baby is now available on Amazon in hardcover and paperback from $10.99. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of The Lockdown Baby

Weekend activities are already great, but they are about to get a lot better. On October 7, Casa Sensei, the Las Olas dining destination voted Best Asian Restaurant by Fort Lauderdale Magazine for the last three years, is launching an interactive, grill-your-own wagyu experience. The memorable opportunity presents guests the chance to indulge in one of the most exquisite meats in the world: premium A5 Japanese wagyu beef. Available every Friday through Sunday, guests can grill their own portions of wagyu ($99 for 5 ounces and $179 for 10 ounces) via a smokeless grill on their table, complete with a certificate of authenticity for full transparency in regard to the wagyu's genuine quality. Casa Sensei isn't cutting corners on its sourcing — the only thing being cut is a melt-in-your-mouth piece of wagyu. The special wagyu menu is embossed with a copper-plated Casa Sensei logo for added pizzazz, showcasing the certificate, as well as a map of the different Japanese wagyu beef regions and instructions on how to properly cook the meat. The tasteful experience includes: Japanese A5 wagyu beef, BMS (Beef Marbling Scale) 8-12 (will vary depending on availability) Japanese smokeless grill on table Four different gourmet steak knives to choose from, presented when the experience is requested Black forks exclusive to this experience and gold tongs to cook the meat Three different salts: Himalayan pink sea salt, course Mediterranean sea salt and black Hawaiian sea salt Served sides of sautéed baby bok choy and Casa fried rice Don't forget the drinks! Guests can upgrade their experience by adding a Japanese whiskey flight for $75. The wagyu experience will be available every Friday through Sunday, beginning October 7, 2022. For reservations, call 954.530.4176. Visit www.casasensei.com for more information. Written by ML Staff. Images courtesy of Casa Sensei.

The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park) resumes its bi-monthly “Sunday by The Shore” experience with a special event to benefit those impacted by Hurricane Ian on Sunday, Oct. 9. The event will feature a day-long hurricane supply drive from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for families in Southwest Florida who were impacted by Hurricane Ian, and a free concert from Krush Party Band from 12 – 3 p.m. Items accepted include the following: BABY & CHILDREN: Diapers, food, personal care and toys CLOTHING: New underwear and socks, gently used, clean T-shirts EMERGENCY SUPPLIES: Flashlights, batteries and fans PAPER PRODUCTS: Plates, towels, napkins and tissue PET SUPPLIES: Bag or can food, toys and care products HOMEGOODS: Towels, bedding, comforters, air mattress and tents SMALL HOUSEWARES: Plates, cutlery, glassware and can openers REPAIR ITEMS: Trash bags, work gloves, hand tools, plastic tubs and carts Additionally, LOOP supporter OTC4Me.com will have personal hygiene and cleaning supply care packages for sale, along with postcards of hope which will be sent with each box. Arrangements have been made to transport items to those hardest hit on the West Coast of Florida through a partnership with Fort Lauderdale Ice. Created as a community gathering and building event, Sunday by the Shore encourages locals and visitors to spend the day at The LOOP to connect with their neighbors and make new friends. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chair or borrow one from The LOOP, to enjoy a rotation of Live Music, Lawn Games, and a Shop & Stroll Marketplace featuring an array of fresh, ready-to-eat food for a picnic in the park experience, plus handmade goods; home furnishings; apothecary items; clothing, accessories, and other locally made items. For complete details, please visit https://theloopflb.com/events/sunday-by-the-shore/ For questions on how to donate, please email info@theloopflb.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Unsplash

Celebrate Spooky Season at CityPlace Doral! The community is invited to participate in CityPlace Doral’s first ever Day of The Dead – Dia de Los Muertos – celebration. The month-long activation will recognize this culturally rich Latin American tradition and bring the community together through a variety of activities and culminate with a community event. Starting Friday, Oct. 7, CityPlace Doral will be vibrantly decorated with colorful Dia de Los Muertos themed decorations. At the main entrance, guests will be welcomed by a wooden calavera (sugar skull) and colorful papel picado (perforated paper.) The Fountain Plaza will be ornamented with an altar display of a trio catrines (male skeleton figures) with flowers, marigolds, papel picado and more. Sugar Skulls will be displayed at the center through the main event on Nov. 5. All items are hand-crafted by Artistic Elves. The main Day of the Dead event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, 4- 7 p.m., where children and families can enjoy face painting, food sampling from local restaurants and a center-wide processional with performances by folkloric dancers, stilt walkers, mariachis and costumed characters. Guests are encouraged to dress in theme. Throughout the month, visitors are encouraged to take festive photos or snap a selfie and tag @CityPlaceDoral for a chance to be featured on the center’s social media. When: Oct. 7 – Nov. 5, 2022 Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Main Day of the Dead Event: Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, 4 – 7 p.m. Where: CityPlace Doral 8300 NW 36th St. Doral, FL 33166 Cost: The Day of the Dead Celebration is free and open to the community. Parking at CityPlace Doral is available for an additional charge. How: For more information, click here. By ML Staff. Image courtesy f CityPlace Doral

Rossinavi’s journey toward a new generation of superyachts continues with their participation in the latest edition of the Monaco Yacht Show which was held at the end of September. For the international boat event, the Viareggio-based shipyard presented an innovative and experiential booth to unveil the technology encapsulated in their recently launched BluE philosophy. ​ BluE is the result of Rossinavi’s continuous technological exploration for eco-sustainable yachting. Originally presented in June during Salone del Mobile in Milan with an immersive site specific installation resembling an underwater experience, BluE’s main vision and inspiration is phytoplankton. These microscopic marine algae have the ability to produce oxygen throughout photosynthesis but also to convert sunlight into energy for their survival. The link between the photosynthesis of phytoplankton and solar panels, artificially suggests a similar process. When everyone comes together to achieve a common goal, you do not have to be the size of an oak tree or a baobab tree to achieve it. On the occasion of the Monaco Yacht Show, Rossinavi commissioned a street artist to shape the creativity for the external design of the booth, hand drawing a spectacular wave that was the main feature of the side facade. Upon entering, visitors would enjoy a break in the welcome area, before diving into the experiential room and discover the new and innovative technologies adopted by Rossinavi for the new line of electric catamarans throughout a set of dynamic screens. Rossinavi’s booth at Monaco Yacht Show In 2022, Rossinavi launched two concepts of solar-powered catamarans designed to respect the ocean: SeaCat and Oneiric. Both concepts have been presented at the Monaco Yacht Show throughout an immersive and multimedia presentation. With the new line of electric catamarans, Rossinavi has pioneered a new type of sustainable navigation experience without sacrificing the comfort of traditional super yachts. The shipyard’s original idea was to build a high efficient hull with little friction when getting in contact with the water during cruising and the catamaran is the best compromise between movement and stability. ​ The multihull allows extra square footage on the superstructures so that it was possible to include as many solar panels as possible to allow for a navigation producing incredibly low emissions of fossil fuels. Photovoltaic panels absorb energy during the daytime and give this back to the boat itself but also to marinas or private properties. In addition, catamarans are known to reduce the generation of waves helping to preserve the very delicate marine environment. Shipwrights are busy working on the implementation of the technological innovations conceived by Rossinavi’s technical engineering branch. Earlier this year, Rossinavi conducted tank tests on a catamaran scale model at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. "Our efforts are currently focused on a new generation of boats” says Federico Rossi,Chief Operating Officer of Rossinavi“and we were incredibly proud to see that the model we used in Gothenburg performed perfectly, remaining perfectly in the margins as we calculated”. Rossinavi’s booth at Monaco Yacht Show At the Monaco Yacht Show, visitors had the opportunity to discover the technology behind BluE but also to appreciate Rossinavi’s constant research and development into the study of the different ways in which the experience of boating can be implemented which have led to the development of SeaCat amongst other recent boat concepts. These creations also feature Rossinavi’s evergreen Zero Noise technology for quiet navigation, which was also presented in Monaco. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of Rossinavi

Loretta Lynn’s death at the age of 90 marks the end of a remarkable life of achievement in country music. Her dramatic life story – retold in the 1980 award-winning film “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” based on Lynn’s 1976 biography – made Lynn a household name. She grew up in poverty in a small Kentucky mining town, marrying and starting a family as a teenager before reaching unprecedented heights of commercial success as a recording artist of modern country music. Loretta Lynn’s music articulated the fears, dreams and anger of women living in a patriarchal society. David Redfern/Redferns via Getty Images But as a scholar of gender and country music and author of “Hillbilly Maidens, Okies, and Cowgirls: Women’s Country Music, 1930-1960,” I know that Lynn represented more than just star power and fame in country music – she spoke to the concerns of women, especially white working-class women in rural and suburban America. Speaking up, singing out Lynn’s rise in the 1960s took place when country music appeared tied to conservative politics. It was a time when Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee,” with its attacks on counterculture, marijuana and draft-card burning, became a populist anthem for the country’s cultural conservatives. In contrast, Lynn’s songwriting continued the legacy of Kitty Wells, Jean Shepard and other women in country music who were willing to speak up about the concerns of American women. Lynn’s songs defied societal expectations by connecting her musical representations of working-class and rural women to broader social issues affecting women across the U.S. She aimed for her music to articulate the fears, dreams and anger of women living in a patriarchal society. It railed against those who idealized women’s domestic roles and demonized outspoken feminists. ‘There’s gonna be some changes’ Specifically, for a generation of predominantly white women in the 1960s and 1970s who did not identify as urban or college-educated feminists, Lynn’s music offered candid conversations about their private lives as wives and mothers. As Lynn stated in her autobiography, her audience recognized her as a “mother and a wife and a daughter, who had feelings just like other women.” Loretta Lynn made the concerns of everyday American women a focal point of her work.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images She did this through clever and witty songwriting and lyrical techniques that combined the vernacular of her audience with her resonant voice. Meanwhile, the song arrangements of Owen Bradley of Decca Records directed Lynn’s musical talents to a broad audience. He combined the edgier sound of honky-tonk instrumentation – electric guitars, pedal steels and fiddles – with the polish of the Nashville sound by including the smooth sounding vocal harmonies of the vocal quartet the Jordanaires, as heard in numerous country, gospel and rock ‘n’ roll recordings. This provided a sound of strength and conviction to accompany Lynn’s bold and forthright songs as she laid bare the double standards of gender roles. With her assertive and resonant voice, Lynn, in her 1966 track “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” warns men not to expect women to be waiting at home, sexually available for them after they’d spent the night drinking: Well, you thought I’d be waitin’ up when you came home last night You’d been out with all the boys and you ended up half tight Liquor and love, they just don’t mix Leave that bottle or me behind And don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind In a similar vein, Lynn, who claimed that her songs about wayward husbands were inspired by her fraught marriage to Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, confronted the “other woman” in songs such as 1966’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough” and 1968’s “Fist City.” A lasting legacy Fully aware that her personalized accounts became political messages for her fan base of women, Lynn co-wrote and recorded “The Pill” in 1975. It was a rare foray into the topic of women’s reproductive rights for country music. In typical fashion, though, Lynn approached the issue from the perspective of a rural working-class woman: I’m tired of all your crowin’ How you and your hens play While holdin’ a couple in my arms Another’s on the way This chicken’s done tore up her nest And I’m ready to make a deal And ya can’t afford to turn it down ‘Cause you know I’ve got the pill The song’s sexual innuendos about cavorting roosters and hens incorporated the double entendres and humor of early blues and country, while providing a frank discussion about female sexual pleasure. It also addressed the right for women to take control over their bodies and reproduction. The song came out just two years after the Supreme Court passed Roe v. Wade, granting women the ability to govern their own reproductive health through abortion. Indeed, Lynn commented on the Supreme Court’s ruling in her autobiography: “Personally, I think you should prevent unwanted pregnancy rather than get an abortion. It would be wrong for me. But I’m thinking of all the poor girls who get pregnant when they don’t want to be, and how they should have a choice instead of leaving it up to some politician or doctor who don’t have to raise the baby.” Her recording “The Pill” spoke to married women who wanted to be able to space out their children and prevent unwanted pregnancies so that they could pursue educational and professional opportunities. In interviews, Lynn discussed at length how female listeners flocked to her after concerts, relieved to find a public figure with whom they felt comfortable to discuss birth control. Not everyone was thrilled, though. Male country disc jockeys banned “The Pill” from the airwaves. Nonetheless, the recording became her biggest seller in 1975 and furthered Lynn’s reputation as a spokeswoman for white rural working-class women. Her music also inspired the women in country music who followed her to further explore issues of gender roles. Lynn’s legacy lives on in the music of female country artists – such as Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert – who learned from Lynn how to create music that confronts and triumphs over the societal obstacles that women face. While all of country music will mourn the death of Lynn, it is perhaps her female fans who will feel the loss more acutely. Lynn gave them a social and political voice, and helped make country music a genre relevant to the complexities of women’s lives. Flowers left by fans on Loretta Lynn’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Words By Stephanie Vander Wel Associate Professor of Music, University at Buffalo. Special thanks to The Conversation for republishing permission.

Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing all four properties under the Freehand portfolio with top honours in a myriad of categories worldwide. They are Freehand New York, Freehand Miami, Freehand Chicago, and Freehand Los Angeles. Freehand Hotels continues to create best in class destinations through championing the hybrid accommodation model with diverse offerings in suites, private rooms, shared bunk options, and flexible social and co-working spaces. Each distinctive Freehand location draws upon its surrounding neighbourhood, and features award-winning F&B destination, Broken Shaker, a favourite for handcrafted cocktails and globally inspired bites. “We are extremely honoured that all four Freehand Hotels have been recognized by the Condé Nast Traveler 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. Our gratitude goes to all the voters among its 800,000 readers worldwide, who endorse the Freehand brand’s unique, design-forward, affordable luxury accommodation, coupled with award-winning restaurants and bars, as well as community spirit across the four locations. We are dedicated to continuing to innovate in the hybrid accommodation space and are so proud of our teams for their commitment to making all Freehand properties well-loved worldwide,” said Alastair Thomann, CEO of Freehand Hotels. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry as they are voted on by the patrons of the properties. The 35th annual Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website and will be in the November 2022 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. More on Freehand Hotels Freehand is a standout collection of beloved hotels operated by the trailblazing hospitality brand Generator that combine innovative design, award-winning food and beverage, and community spirit. Each Freehand location – across the US’s most vibrant cities New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami – takes its cues from its surrounding neighborhood, with spaces that are a microcosm of the best each city has to offer ensuring every experience at each Freehand property is completely one-of-a-kind. Acquired by London-based Queensgate Investments in 2019, Freehand and its award-winning renowned food and beverage concept, Broken Shaker, joins the trailblazing the globally revered, boutique Generator properties in offering affordable, design-centric accommodations—that include sophisticated yet comfortable private and shared rooms—alongside thoughtful communal spaces, and a lively, youth-driven social culture. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of Freehand Hotels

No longer is heli-skiing offered exclusively at prominent ski resorts and backcountry lodges. Now, EYOS is elevating the thrilling sport to new heights by offering heli-skiing expeditions to the farthest reaches of the polar regions—from the towering fjords of Greenland, the unclimbed summits of Antarctica, and the mountains in Crete, Greece. On April 23-30, 2023, US Olympic alpine ski racer Bode Miller will join EYOS on a “slope-to-sea” heli-skiing adventure in Greenland aboard the MV Nansen Explorer (seven nights $58,000 per cabin / per week all inclusive). Travelers can book individual cabins on the yacht, making the exclusive voyage more accessible than ever before. EYOS Announces New Heli-skiing Expedition with U.S. Olympian Bode Miller. The April 2023 departure will be available to book as individual cabins on private superyacht Nansen Explorer Miller is the most decorated male alpine skier in U.S. history, and the only skier with five or more victories in four different disciplines: giant slalom, combined, super-G, and downhill. He will be joined by ski guide and two-time World Extreme Skiing Champion Chris Davenport and polar guide Doug Stoup, who’s skied the seven continents, been to the South Pole 18 times, and pioneered skiing in Antarctica. Says Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS: “The opportunity now to have Bode, Chris, and Doug onboard makes for an unbelievable combination.” Originally designed as an Arctic research vessel, the 12-guest MV Nansen Explorer is specifically equipped for polar waters, with an ice-strengthened hull and a commercially certified heli deck that makes for the ideal launch pad for heli-skiing adventures. Because of the vessel’s ice-breaking power, it’s possible to reach Greenland in time for early spring, weeks before other vessels. “The highlight of our expeditions to Greenland is being in true wilderness so early in the season. The ice has just opened up, the landscape is still white. We’re the only yacht up here—and as well as the amazing skiing, snowboarding, and landscapes—we pretty much have the whole place to ourselves,” says Tim Soper, co-founder of EYOS. The expedition will take adventure lovers to the island of Maniitsoq on the western coast of Greenland, widely considered one of the most remote places in the world to heli-ski, where it’s possible to ski from slope to sea. The ship will cover 150 miles beyond the Arctic Circle to Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the largest icebergs in the world. Days will be filled with deep powder runs—some stretching more than a mile—on the narrow fjords down to the water’s edge. Bode Miller, Chris Davenport, Doug Stoup and EYOS’ expert team of internationally certified mountain guides will guide guests as they navigate crevasses and knife-edge ridge tops, helping them find the best runs for their level. When guests aren’t skiing the glaciated landscape—80 percent of which has never been skied before—they’ll have the chance to interact with the local Greenlanders and fishermen, as well as try their hand at sled dog excursions and visit colorful small towns. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of EYOS

With carrots, sweet potatoes and apples, this savory soup with a hint of sweetness is the essence of fall. It seems I’ve always got the components of this soup lingering in my veggie bin (along with other mysterious things, but I’ll spare you those details), so it’s easy to whip up on a cool fall day. The nice thing is that the sweet potatoes add body to the soup, making it luxuriously silky, without even the slightest bit of guilt-inducing heavy cream. Now, I have to admit that I’m not one of those people who look forward to fall; my pessimistic side knows all too well that winter is looming. But the thought of comfort food and cozy clothes does make it more bearable. So go ahead and think of this dish as that soft knit sweater you can’t wait to put on at the first sign of a chill. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE AUTUMN CARROT AND SWEET POTATO SOUP Before we get started, let’s talk about sweet potatoes. Last time I was at Whole Foods, I noticed that all of the sweet potatoes were labeled as yams. For some reason, it’s common practice in the U.S. to use the words “sweet potato” and “yam” interchangeably. This is confusing since yams aren’t sweet potatoes at all, but rather thick white tubers with dark brown skin. But chances are you won’t find real yams at the supermarket, so if you see “yams,” you’re probably looking at sweet potatoes. As for the different varieties, look for Garnet, Jewel, Beauregard, all of which have orange flesh and reddish-brown skin. HOW TO MAKE IT Begin by cooking the onions in butter until they are soft and translucent. Then, add the curry powder and cook until fragrant. Next, add the carrots and sweet potatoes… along with the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Toss in the chopped apples, then puree with a stick blender until smooth and creamy. Enjoy! Autumn Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup By Jennifer Segal With carrots, sweet potatoes and apples, this savory soup with a hint of sweetness is the essence of fall. Servings: 8 Total Time: 45 Minutes INGREDIENTS 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 medium yellow onions, chopped 1 tablespoon curry powder, plus a bit more for serving 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces 1½ pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 small), peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces 8 cups chicken broth, best quality such as Swanson 1¾ teaspoons salt 1 tart yet sweet apple (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons honey Freshly ground black pepper INSTRUCTIONS In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Do not brown. Add the curry powder and cook a minute more. Add the carrots, sweet potatoes, chicken broth and salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until vegetables are very tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in the apples and honey. Using a stick blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy. (Alternatively, cool the soup slightly, then puree in a blender in batches. Be sure to leave the hole in the lid open, and cover with a kitchen towel, to allow the steam to escape.) Season to taste with salt, pepper and more honey if necessary. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with more curry powder if desired. (Note: As the soup sits, it will thicken up so you may need to add a bit of water to thin it out.) Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours and then reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. NUTRITION INFORMATION Per serving (8 servings) Serving size:1 1/3 cups Calories:277 Fat:9g Saturated fat:4g Carbohydrates:42g Sugar:18g Fiber:5g Protein:8g Sodium:941mg Cholesterol:22mg 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.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive search process led by members of the Garden’s board of directors, Terrence “TL”Brown has been selected as the permanent executive director. TL’s extensive communications, sales and management experience gained in the financial services industry, combined with first-hand civic leadership and community involvement in South Florida, creates a perfect combination to lead the Garden’s future growth. His professional experience includes high profile positions with Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, First Horizon Bank, CheckAlt, ODM performance Solutions, and Great Florida Bank. He has demonstrated a commitment to our community as a board member of local nonprofits including Zoetic Stage, Center for Financial Training, and Best Buddies. He served as board chair of Care Resource, and as the chairman of their highly regarded White Party at Vizcaya annual fundraising event. When asked why he felt drawn to the position at the Garden, TL states, “Miami Beach Botanical Garden is an important cultural anchor institution with a long history of both educating and delighting visitors. I am truly honored to lead this talented team and to serve as a steward for such a magical urban oasis. I also look forward to leveraging my private sector experience and professional network as we embark on the Garden’s next chapter.” TL has been handed the reins from interim director Susan Askew, in place for the last 10 months, who managed the Garden as it expanded programming and community partnerships; shared hosting duties for the first Aspen Ideas: Climate summit; completed a five-year strategic plan to expand resiliency and accreditation to a world-class destination; and strengthened the organization’s internal systems to increase transparency, effectiveness and internal controls. More on the Garden The nonprofit Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a 3-acre subtropical garden and event space, featuring a wetland with red mangrove and pond apple trees, an expansive water garden with a cascading oolite fountain, and diverse collections of flowering trees, palms, cycads, orchids, and Florida native species. The mission of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is to promote environmental enjoyment, stewardship and sustainability through education, the arts, and interaction with the natural world. The Garden is a unique oasis of beauty and tranquility within an urban setting – a community resource that refreshes, inspires and engages our visitors. The Garden, located at 2000 Convention Center Drive on Miami Beach, is open Tuesday–Sunday from 9am–5pm, and admission is free. For more info, visit www.mbgarden.org. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Florida Stone Crab season is upon us, and for Truluck’s it always brings an air of excitement like Christmas morning. Always fresh, never frozen. Truluck’s sustainably sourced Florida Stone Crab Claws are straight from the turquoise waters to your tables in under 24-hours. These claws have been the cornerstone of Truluck’s, and the reason is simple: they’re unmatched. There’s no dish as exquisite. They truly are the jewels of the sea. It’s almost time to experience this fresh, sweet, one-of-a-kind delicacy. Seaside to tableside in less than 24 hours Truluck’s is so committed to fresh Florida Stone Crab, that they work exclusively with their fisheries and dedicated crabbing professionals in South Florida. Each day, the boats go out into the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, set their traps, and capture the crab. They then pack them in ice and deliver them from Truluck's traps to your table in hours. Truluck's will NEVER serve frozen Florida Stone Crab claws. They are only served at the height of freshness during season. As responsible restaurateurs, Truluck's stands committed to being champions of sustainable seafood, and works hard to bring customers the best-tasting, sustainable ingredients that make sense for the plate, the palate and the planet. FRESH FLORIDA STONE CRAB CLAWS Served chilled and pre-cracked with a specialty mustard. Your server will present today’s fresh catch availability. Available in three size options: Medium (2-3 oz.) Large (3-5 oz.) Jumbo (5-8 oz.) Market Price Truluck's Director of Culinary, Brian Wubbena, explains, "The commitment to only serving fresh claws certainly has its challenges, but it’s the only way to showcase the magnificence of this dish. Stone Crabs are a sustainable source. The crabbers in Florida are incredibly protective of the species and only the claws are harvested, preserving the life of the crab. Stone Crabs have two killer claws, allowing them to both feed and protect themselves while the missing claw grows back. Due to the crabs being a wild and somewhat unpredictable animal, sometimes they can be scarce. Since we only work with select crabbers that are just as committed to quality and sustainable practices as we are, when their nets come up light, we may not have our elevated standard of Stone Crab ready to serve every night.” In Miami, Truluck’s is located at 777 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131, (305) 579-0035, www.trulucks.com. Reservations are recommended and can be made by visiting the website or through OpenTable. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Truluck's

Nominations for the 31st Annual South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year Award are now being accepted. The nominees will be presented and the award made by the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board at the luncheon, to be held on November 10, 2022 at the Hyatt Regency Miami, the Presenting Sponsor of the event. The deadline for South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year nominations is October 7, 2022 and the nomination form can be found at https://tinyurl.com/59vk3hbe In addition to the Hyatt Regency Miami being the Presenting Sponsor of the event, Show Technology, a South Florida based audio visual production company, is supporting the event as a Signature Sponsor. Nominees for this prestigious award and additional sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks. Distinguished past recipients of the Tourism Professional of the Year Award include Dr. Peter Ricci, Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Paul George, History Miami, George Neary, Tours “R” Us, Wendy Kallergis, GMBHA, Henry Delgado, Smith & Wollensky, Rocco Angelo, Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, William Talbert, III, Alvin West, Sr. GMCVB, and Academy Founders, Stuart Blumberg, Retired, Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association, Bob Dickinson, Retired, Carnival Cruise Lines, and the late Alyce Robertson, Miami Dade Downtown Development Authority, Tony Goldman, Goldman Properties, and Jeanne Westphal. Celebrating 35 years of success, the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is a member of the non-profit, NAF. NAF has refined a proven model that provides young people access to industry-specific curricular, work-based learning experiences and prepares them for college and industry careers. Academies (Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary, Education, and Arts and Entertainment) are in 20 Miami-Dade County public high schools. Proceeds of the luncheon benefit work-based learning activities and scholarships for AOHT students and professional development for teachers. Tickets for the South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year Award luncheon are $130.00 for an individual ticket or $1250 for a table/vendor sponsorship. Tickets can be purchased online at , go to https://tinyurl.com/yc5u67rj By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of Tourism Professional