Federika Longinotti Buitoni of Collecto and Ana Maria Arellano of Volvér came together to host a tableware and floral arranging workshop in the charming courtyard Il Giardino within Mr. C Hotel by Cipriani in Coconut Grove, Miami. Collecto, founded by Federika Longinotti Buitoni, is a curated homeware retailer and wedding registry, which provides access to the world's finest homeware designers from around the world. Collecto is also the exclusive wedding registry service for the brand new Johanna Ortiz home collection. A selection of pieces from the new collection as well as Campbell-Rey glassware was used in the tabletop presentation. Volvér, founded by Ana Maria Arellano, is a prominent Miami-based floral studio that seeks out the rarest, unusual, and finest seasonal materials, using specialty flowers and foliage. Each guest left with a special vase and specially made floral arrangement for the occasion. Il Giardino, the charming courtyard within Mr. C Hotel Miami played host for the occasion. Guests were greeted with Cipriani's signature peach bellini cocktail. From the fourth generation hospitality leaders, brothers Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, conceived of Mr. C Hotels and Residences. Mr. C Miami is an oasis within bustling South Florida, surrounded by breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay and the Coconut Grove skyline. Designed by the world-renowned architecture firm Arquitectonica, the hotel’s interior features a nautical motif by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Mr. C Hotel

Fort Lauderdale Illustrated has named Michael Elkins, Esq., founder and partner of Fort Lauderdale-based MLE Law, to its 2022 list of Top Lawyers. The list is featured in the October 2022 issue of Fort Lauderdale Illustrated. PRS (Professional Research Services) created the research for the Top Lawyers list, which is based on an online peer-review survey sent out to all certified lawyers within South Florida. Many votes were cast honoring excellence in all areas of practice. Inclusion in Fort Lauderdale Illustrated’s Top Lawyers is based solely upon one’s standing within their peer group. Listings in Top Lawyers cannot be purchased. Elkins is a nationally quoted employment, business and sports attorney and the founder of MLE Law, a full-service labor and employment, business and sports law firm in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Elkins is disrupting how lawyers attract and retain business. As the creator and host of the “Quarter Four” podcast, which he founded in 2018, he is using modern media to not only promote MLE Law, but his overall brand. The podcast covers the intersection between business and sports, providing listeners an inside look into the psychology of what makes individuals successful on and off the field. “I am honored to once again be recognized by Fort Lauderdale Illustrated as a 2022 Top Lawyer,” said Elkins. “Fort Lauderdale Illustrated is a reputable publication serving Broward County, and I am proud to be selected for the Top Lawyers list by my peers.” About MLE Law MLE Law is a full-service labor and employment, business and sports law firm that uses modern technology to give businesses, individuals and municipalities a legal experience that is efficient, transparent and price-predictable. It is located at 633 S. Andrews Ave. Suite 500, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. For more information, visit mlelawfirm.com or call (954) 401-2608. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of MLE Law

The Betsy Hotel has announced an exceptional jazz line up for Fall/Winter 2022 with more than nine weekly live performances featuring award-winning jazz pianists, vocalists, and instrumentalists. The Betsy’s curated core rotation of 13 pianists represent wide-ranging culturally infused styles with highly developed improvisational skills and consummate piano technique. With daily performances located at a Steinway in The Betsy Hotel Lobby Salon, there is no cover, and no minimum. Patrons are invited to reserve a table for drinks or dinner at https://bit.ly/3y6Q6Uh #JazzAtTheBetsy also champions jazz vocalists as the genre’s seminal storytellers. To that end, Betsy presents a powerful monthly event on Third Thursdays featuring three generations of singers. Led by legacy vocalist Carole Ann Taylor and mid-career performer Cindy Ellis, each event also features an emerging vocalist who is also an alum of the Miami Dade County Public Schools. Several high profile jazz concerts in Lummus Park will also take place in a series curated by The Betsy’s VP of Arts Deborah Briggs, presented by the Ocean Drive Association in front of The Betsy Hotel, on the (new) Ocean Drive Promenade: https://bit.ly/3EgpRi4 #JazzatTheBetsy Fall 2022 Performers: Allen Paul, Arlin Alvarez, Beau Cornelius, Bryan Murphy, Carole Ann Taylor, Cindy Ellis, David Attelan, Devin Shaw, Edgar Pantoja, Felipe Lamoglia, Jim Gasior, Julie Davis, Ken Dow, Ken Peplowski, Leonard Reina, Ludwig Alfonso, Manny Echezabal, Markus Gottschich, Michael Eckroth, Olegario Diaz, Ryan Ellis, Shelly Berg, Tal Cohen, Vincent Raffard, and more: https://bit.ly/3Cyg4Cs #JazzAtTheBetsy – Fall 2022 BIOS OF CORE JAZZ MUSICIANS IN ROTATION – 9+ TIMES A WEEK IN THE LOBBY SALON @ LTSS Allen C. PAUL – Piano – Allen Paul’s early years were filled with discoveries of jazz, blues, funk, gospel – all musical puzzle pieces that would begin to weave its way into his playing. A graduate of the U of Miami School of Music, he currently performs, writes and teaches privately in South Florida - and is both a sought after soloist and side man for the best and brightest jazz and gospel soloists in the region. @AllenPaulMusic Beau CORNELIUS – Piano – Beau Matthew Cornelius is the recent recipient of a Doctorate in Jazz from the University of Miami. He graduated with a Masters in Jazz Studies from USC, and has been in residence with the prestigious All American College Band at Disney. Cornelius is building his professional book in SoFla by performing at hotels and other venues. @beaunelius Brian MURPHY – Piano - Brian M. Murphy has enjoyed a career as a multi-genre pianist, arranger, conductor, and producer - and has been worked with many greats, including Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Albert Collins, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Kevin Mahogany, Tom Scott, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, David Liebman, Bob Berg, Eddie Daniels, Wycliffe Gordon, Jackie Paris, Dame Shirley Bassey, Lucie Arnaz, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jack Jones, Bernadette Peters, Julie Budd, Nigel Kennedy, Caroline Rocher, Hal Linden, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci and others. @miamijazzcooperative Carole Anne TAYLOR - Vocals –Jazz singer Carole Ann Taylor is known for her uplifting stage presence – and for her storied career as a jazz singer who performed with the greats. She’s been called ‘a driving force with an easy way - reflective of jazz’s improvisatory freedom’. Taylor is a community leader who mentors youth performers, and emerging singers – and supports peers through actively producing and presenting them in performance. Carole Ann Taylor headlines The Betsy’s Third Thursday Jazz Nights with Cindy Ellis. @miamitogo Cindy ELLIS – Vocals - Cindy Ellis is a Cuban-American vocalist who has performed with and conducted ensembles in a variety of venues including Carnegie Hall, the Adrienne Arsht Center, New World Symphony Hall, Guzman Center, and Kennedy Center. As a jazz artist, she is frequently featured in venues throughout South Florida and is a regular in the Betsy Hotel’s Mostly Jazz performance series, where she performs with ‘Duetology’. Cindy Ellis headlines The Betsy’s Third Thursday Jazz Nights with Carole Ann Taylor. @cindyellis David ATTELAN – Piano – David Attelan is an award-winning pianist who has composed, arranged and produced music for wide ranging programs and partners, including, L'Oréal, La Fnac, EMI, and Sony BMG. His publishing label has produced, composed or arranged for musicals such as "Fiddler on The Roof", "Piaf", "Grease", "Salt & Honey" and he performed for ten years throughout Europe as conductor and director of company ADAMA. David plays most Monday nights @thebetsyhotel, @davidspianosound Devin SHAW – Piano – Devin Shaw is a 2025 STAMPS Scholar in the Jazz Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Devin began classical music training at the Merit School of Music and continued his training with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Ravinia Jazz Scholars. Devin studied jazz privately with pianist Ryan Cohan, and other noted Chicago musicians. Edgar PANTOJA – Piano - Edgar PANTOJA is a Pianist, composer, and music educator who specializes in Latin jazz, and world music. His music combines Cuban roots sources of rumba, son, and timba with international rhythms of samba, Moroccan Gnawa, jazz and funk. Born in Santiago de Cuba, Pantoja has spent decades touring and collaborating with stars, including Rubén Blades, David Murray, and Angelique Kidjo. He was keyboardist for Cuban conga maestro Pedrito Martinez. Pantoja graduated from the Conservatorio Esteban Salas. Ole headlines Sunday Latin Jazz Night @thebetsyhotel. @edgarpantojamusic Jim GASIOR – Piano - Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Music and Jazz Performance, a Master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy - both from University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he is in the final stages of his Doctorate in Jazz. Gasior has performed with Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson, Alih Jey, Chayanne, Little Richard, Michael Bolton, Jose Feliciano, Smokey Robinson, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Terell Stafford, Patti Austin, Duffy Jackson, Jason Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Robin Eubanks, and many others. Jim headlines for New Year’s Eve 2022 @thebetsyhotel, @jimgasiorpiano Julie DAVIS – Vocals - Julie Davis is a singer, songwriter who “operates a few years ahead of the indie-rock curve, whether in her spare, haunting vocals or her boundary-pushing arrangements,” (Denver Post ). Her fans and peers say that she is a stylist that seeks an original twist on everything she performs and a risk- taker who’s scatting suggests that she can sing anything, and sing it well. Julie headlines for New Year’s Eve 2022 @thebetsyhotel, @davisanddow Kelly DOW – Guitar - An alum of the University of North Texas, Kelly Dow is a world class 7-string guitarist who blends all styles from Be-Bop to Classical and creates a strong individual sound delivered with sensitivity and creativity. “Simply orchestral in support" “Swinging” and “Multi-hued” is how critics have described his performances. Kelly teaches guitar at North Broward Preparatory School and performs as part of Davis and Dow. @davisanddow Leonard REINA – Piano - Leonard Reina is a graduate of the U of Miami and has been active internationally as a pianist-composer for over a decade. Whether breathing new life into the works of the classical greats or giving his musical dexterity free rein within the sphere of jazz improvisation, he is a daring instrumentalist who welcomes the challenges born out of turning preconceived notions on their head as well as the rewards to be had when taking on worthy risks. Leonard plays most Saturday nights @thebetsyhotel. @leonardreina Markus GOTTSCHLICH - Piano – An Austrian born jazz pianist, composer and Steinway Artist, Markus Gottschlich recently released a third album, Found Sounds, which received critical international acclaim. Sharing his time between Europe and South Florida, his music has been featured in the Egyptian blockbuster Ras El Sana and in the Austrian music documentary NYC- This is Us. Markus’ music reflects a unique blend of old world and new world with technique that creates a highly-individual and lyrical sound. @MarkusGottschlich Michael ECKROTH - Mike Eckroth earned a PhD in jazz performance at NYU and currently leads many high profile projects in varied genres of music. As a newly minted professor in the Jazz program at Florida International University, he leads the Latin Jazz Ensemble. Eckroth also served as the arranger and pianist for Calle Mambo Project's 2018 album See The Light, and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2019 for the "Best Tropical Latin Album" category for the self-titled debut album by Orquesta Akokan. @MichaelEckroth Olegario DIAZ - Piano - Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Diaz moved to the USA at age 17 to study jazz at the Berklee College of Music and then furthered his studies at New York’s Manhattan School of Music where he earned a master’s degree. Diaz is active as performer and author of instructional books related to piano pedagogy and jazz studies. He travels frequently to record and perform. Ole headlines Wednesday Latin Jazz Night @thebetsyhotel. @olegariodiaz Ryan ELLIS – Piano – Ryan Ellis is a graduate of the U of Miami and is currently a career music educator in the Miami Dade Schools. Ellis received his Master’s Degree in Music from Florida International University on a fellowship from the Johnny Mercer Foundation. As a professional jazz pianist, Mr. Ellis has worked extensively in the Caribbean, Florida and Hawaii performing pop and jazz with many great musicians, most notably: Eddie Jones, Bobby Dukoff, Paul Brown, Leon Foster Thomas, Bobby Ramirez, and Ira Sullivan. @ryanellis Tal COHEN – Piano - Tal Cohen is a Grammy award winning jazz pianist and the winner of the Barry Harris National Piano Competition. Tal has played worldwide, and recently with Terence Blanchard, Greg Osby, Ignacio Berroa, Joe Lovano and many other jazz headliners. Recent festival appearances inlude Jazzbez Jazz Festival (Ukraine), Detroit Jazz Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival (Australia), and a three week residency at the Black Cat (San Fransisco). A recent album- "Gentle Giants" has received international acclaim and gained him many reviews including a 4-star review from the historic Downbeat Magazine. Tal headlines at The Betsy on most Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings for brunch. @talcohenjazz BIOS OF MUSICIANS CURATED BY #JAZZATTHEBETSY FOR PERFORMANCES ON THE OCEAN DRIVE PROMENADE with the Ocean Drive Association Arlin ALVAREZ – Vocals – Mostly known as Arlin, she was born in Cuba and began her singing career as a child. Recognized for her vocal range and for having a silky melodic voice, was awarded the Excellency Price in Cuba as an emerging talent. Known for her ability to sing in different languages and the ability to blend contemporary and world music elements into a very unique style of music composition, Arlin boasts four album releases. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of French Horn Collective.) @Arlinthesinger Felipe LAMOGLIA – Sax – Felipe Lamoglia is a Grammy-winning musician, born and educated in Cuba at the Superior Institute of Art (ISA). Of Lamoglia’s consummate playing Billboard said, “...Mr Lamoglia seems to be one of the first Tenor sax from Cuba how really have some direct influences from Coltrane, but with a particular language based in Afro-cuban traditions.” (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of the Olegario Diaz Quartet.) @felipelamoglia Ken Peplowski – Clarinet - Ken Peplowski plays jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophone; he’s widely known for playing swing music in the style (and even better than … Benny Goodman). He has recorded over 70 CDs as a soloist, and 400 as a sideman – with such artists as Charlie Byrd, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops, Hank Jones, Peggy Lee, Bill Charlap, Woody Allen, Benny Goodman, and Madonna. He has headlined the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, the Blue Note, and Dizzy’s Club among many other venues. (Appearing with Shelly Berg in partnership with the ODA.) @kenpeplowski Ludwig ALFONSO – Drums - Ludwig Alfonso was born in Havana, Cuba and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Studio Music and Jazz Performance from the University of Miami. After graduation he became a member of Spyro Gyra, appearing on their Grammy-nominated CD Wrapped in a Dream. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of the Olegario Diaz Quartet.) Manuel ECHAZABAL - Sax – Manny Echazabal recorded his Debut Album in 2017 receiving excellent reviews from world jazz publications. Echazabal graduated from the U of Miami Jazz program, and has performed as a band leader and on sax and woodwinds, worldwide. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA as part of the Olegario Diaz Quartet.) @mannyechazabal Shelly BERG - Piano - Shelton "Shelly" Glen Berg is a Steinway classical/jazz pianist and dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and the school's Patricia L. Frost Professor of Music. Berg worked with Hollywood studio arranger Dick Marx and Tom Halm at Sunset Sound Recording Studios. He recorded with the Shelly Berg Trio, including The Joy (DMP, 1995), The Will: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson (CARS, 1998), and Blackbird (Concord, 2005). In 2006, he was music director and pianist on the Great Performances television show We Love Ella! A Tribute to the First Lady of Song (PBS, 2007). (Appearing in partnership with the ODA with Ken Peoplowski.) @shellyberg Vincent RAFFARD – Bandleader/Multi-instrumentalist- Born and classically trained in France as a trumpet player and guitarist, Vincent Raffard’s music can't be categorized into just one stylistic genre. Vincent has performed in many Paris venues and throughout South Florida, in recent years. Vincent’s first album, "Célestin", was released in 2006 and distributed by Sony/BMG, with 8 albums to date, and created the French Horn Collective in 2012. (Appearing in partnership with the ODA with French horn Collective.) @VincentRaffard By ML Staff. Top image courtesy of Unsplash. Other image courtesy of Yoel Gonzalez & Donald Giannatti

The prestigious American Heritage Schools is proud to announce its ranking as the No. 1 private school in Palm Beach County, Florida, according to Niche – the market leader in connecting colleges and schools with students and families – for the fifth consecutive year. Niche’s 2023 Best Private Schools and Universities ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents. Ranking factors include SAT/ACT scores, the quality of colleges students consider, student-teacher ratio, private school ratings and more. Additionally, 31 seniors in the schools’ Class of 2023 became National Merit Scholar Semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)®. This distinction places American Heritage Schools Palm Beach Campus at the No. 1 in Palm Beach County for all private and public schools and No. 5 private school in the nation with the highest number of National Merit Scholars Semifinalists. American Heritage Schools’ Palm Beach campus received No. 1 ranks in four additional categories including: No. 1 Best Private K-12 Schools No. 1 Best Private High School No. 1 Best College Prep Private High School No. 1 Best High School for STEM Niche uses in-depth profiles on every school and college in America, over 140 million reviews and ratings, and powerful search and data tools, to connect millions of students and families with the right school. Niche’s platform, data, and services help thousands of schools, school districts, and communities recruit and enroll best-fit students. “We are very proud to achieve this top ranking from Niche for our Palm Beach County campus,” said Dr. Doug Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools. “For five consecutive years, our values of knowledge, integrity, and pursuit of academic excellence has positioned us as the No. 1 Private School in Palm Beach County.” The Palm Beach campus consists of investigative science labs facilitated by Ph.D. research scientists, engineering and robotics labs, mock courtrooms, media centers and computer labs, an outdoor butterfly garden for environmental education, a center for the arts, sports fields and quiet courtyards. American Heritage Schools Palm Beach campus serves the rapidly growing areas of South and Central Palm Beach County, as well as North Broward County, and is located on a beautifully landscaped 40 acres of land located in Delray Beach, Florida. As a result of the demand, American Heritage Schools recently added a free express nonstop bus from a central location on Palm Beach Island directly to the Palm Beach campus. The school also has free express nonstop buses that go as far north as Palm Beach Gardens. A door-to-door bus is also available per request for a fee. American Heritage Schools Broward campus is the No. 1 school in Florida for the highest number of National Merit Scholars; the school’s Palm Beach campus is No. 2 in National Merit Scholars out of all schools in Florida. Their combined students from both campuses comprise 10% of all National Merit Scholar Semifinalists throughout the 2,227 public and private schools in Florida. One of six students from American Heritage Schools in the Class of 2023 is a National Merit Scholar. For more information about American Heritage Schools, visit its website atwww.ahschool.com By ML Staff.

Miami's very first spritz and pizza bar Italica Midtown is officially opened. From experienced restaurateur Pablo Sartori and Latino Hospitality Group, the great minds behind the global Negroni Bistro & Sushi Bar concepts, Italica presents a modern and colorful twist to traditional Italian cuisine with a customized spritz bar, Mediterranean-inspired pizzas, a special Golden Hour experience and more. “The Italica concept started in 2019 in Buenos Aires with a goal of giving a modern spin to Italian cuisine,” said owner Pablo Sartori. “Since then, we have launched Italica in several locations, and we are so excited to bring the concept to the heart of Miami. The community has been very welcoming to our growing team, and we look forward to creating memorable experiences for every guest.” The expansive 3,500-square-foot restaurant draws guests in with its vibrant design, marking itself as a destination that belongs nowhere else but within Midtown's action. Italica features a 40-seat pet-friendly patio and stunning views of the Aperol Spritz bar where dozens of colorful bottles of Aperol line the interior walls. The 165-seat dining room is anchored by a mosaic-tiled bar surrounding large pizza ovens, permitting guests a front-row seat as their pizzas are masterfully prepared. Bringing added warmth to its otherwise urban-chic design, Italica’s interior is filled with wooden accent benches and tables, round edges and lush greenery. Helmed by Chef Pablo Latif, Italica Midtown invites guests to enjoy its flavor-forward menus for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Standout appetizers include Cavolfiore ($15), roasted cauliflower with bagna cauda sauce, pepper threads and pistachios; and Fritto de Marre ($18), drizzled with a bright saffron aioli accompanied by freshly torched lemons; among many others. Signature pastas include Conchiglie au Gratin ($20), jumbo shell pasta stuffed with spinach, ricotta cheese and artichokes in San Marzano sauce au gratin; Gnocchi Ragu ($26), served with braised boneless beef short ribs; and Lasagna Bolognese ($23), with fresh bechamel sauce and Parmigiano cheese. Among the main courses, the Risotto e Seppie ($32), squid ink risotto with seared cuttlefish and saffron aioli, is a chef favorite, while the pizza menu includes staples such as the Mortadella e Carciofi ($25), topped with roasted artichokes, mortadella, pistachios and pesto; Cipolla ($16), with marinated onions, mozzarella and Kalamata olives; and Prosciutto & Stracciatella ($26), topped with fresh prosciutto di Parma, marinated cherry tomatoes and arugula. Over at the Aperol Spritz bar, guests can choose from a curated selection of spritzes such as the Giovanni Meet Oaxaca ($16), with Montelobos mezcal topped with a torched orange; Better than Sweet ($16), with Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Italicus, grapefruit and S.Pellegrino; Fruttato ($16), Santa Teresa 1976 rum, passion fruit, pineapple and pinot grigio; and Il Floreale ($16), sake with St-Germain, prosecco and natural flavors; among others. A full vermouth bar is also available with over half a dozen pours to choose from, including Cinzano 1757 ($12), Carpano Punt e Mes ($11), Carpano Antica Formula ($13) and more. Italica Midtown's lunch specials are available Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. with a selection of one-, two-, and three-course options ranging from $15-28. Happy hour is available daily from 4-7 p.m., and guests can indulge in their Golden Hour experience which includes an array of complimentary passed bites and select shots from 6-7 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, Italica Midtown’s expansive brunch offerings include two-for-one Aperol Spritz and Tutto il Giorno cocktails along with $25 bottomless Gambino Prosecco and a rotating schedule of live entertainment. Italica Midtown is located at 3201 NE First Avenue in Miami. It is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information, visit www.italicaus.com or follow @italicamidtown on Instagram. Written by ML Staff. Images courtesy of Italica.

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

Revolutionizing the Miami luxury real estate industry, Alyssa Morgan has announced the launch of her new real estate company The Inside Network, formerly the Alyssa Morgan Group, in partnership with San Francisco-based tech platform Side. Focusing on the Miami area, with plans to expand the team within South Florida and in other key markets such as Chicago, New York and the Hamptons, The Inside Network represents the most influential buyers and sellers throughout Miami. With more than a quarter of a billion in sales to date, The Inside Network is propelling its success even more by partnering with Side, a real estate technology company founded in 2017 by Guy Gal that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages. In 2022, Side was named one of the 10 most innovative urban development companies to watch by Fast Company. Side supports The Inside Network with a unique brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, The Inside Network joins an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from U.S. coast to coast. Alyssa Morgan, a top-producing agent, founded The Inside Network. After selling her first listing at age 21, a $10 million luxury Miami property, Morgan has received a steady stream of awards and recognitions from the likes of The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, as well as Anywhere Real Estate Inc., previously known as NRT, such as the “30 Under 30” and “One of the Top Young Professionals in the World” designations. She recruited Jaime Blatt, The Inside Network founding sales partner, to expand the sales team in other markets, incorporating key partnerships with other luxury agents. Based in Miami Beach with offices in the South of Fifth area, The Inside Network comprises Morgan and Blatt, as well as Jasmin Brackett and Jillian Wilson. The Inside Network is launching with a $77 million waterfront residence at 27 Star Island Drive in Miami Beach, which will be listed on Oct. 4, 2022. The property includes two houses – one built in 1924 completely restored and a modern home built in 2019 – on a nearly one-acre lot. Together, the homes feature 11 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms and three half-baths. The name “The Inside Network” is representative of the team providing its clientele access to an elite network, inside deals and off-market listings. It also offers access to its list of Miami’s more than 200 sought-after vendors and contacts from nanny agencies, chefs, and house managers to the best interior designers, architects and builders. “Our aim at The Inside Network is to make our clients part of a prestigious private network,” said Morgan. “We have put together a select roster of elite agents with influential social presence and impressive track records, who embody our vision of elevating the client’s experience.” “We are excited to partner with Side, which brings state-of-the-art marketing, technology, administrative, and legal solutions to The Inside Network,” she continued. More on The Inside Network With over a quarter of a billion dollars in sales, The Inside Network is elevating the experience that exceeds the transaction. Its strong social presence, influential marketing and impressive track record distinguish the firm as a leading innovative luxury real estate brand. It is powered by hyper-specialized professionals such as content creators, client care, and digital marketing experts that are challenging the status quo in the real estate industry. Its elite services combine niche expertise with next-level, social media-powered marketing; and its exemplary results are driven by a desire to honor every client that becomes part of its prestigious network. The Inside Network represents buyers and sellers throughout the Miami area. For more information, visit www.insidenetworkco.com. More on Side Side is a back office technology platform for brokerages that exclusively partners with top-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to create and grow their own boutique brands. Side’s proprietary technology platform and premier support solutions empower its agent partners to be more productive, grow their business, and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.sideinc.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of The Inside Network

KetaMD, Inc. (“KetaMD”), a new Florida-based telemedicine company providing access to at-home ketamine treatments for people suffering from depression and related mental health conditions, is thrilled to announce the availability of its virtual platform and mobile app to residents in Florida. KetaMD is bringing safe, affordable, accessible, and reliable mental health treatment options starting in the company’s home state. Ketamine is rapidly gaining awareness as a proven treatment for various mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. KetaMD is committed to battling the growing mental health crisis and the growing shortage of mental health care providers in Florida and across America, both issues further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental Health Crisis by the Numbers: 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. In Florida, nearly 2.9 million adults have a mental health condition. Over 6.3 million people in Florida live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry evaluated more than 400 patients over one year and found that 72% saw significant reductions in their symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly two in five American adults struggled with mental health issues in 2020 and only 46% received treatment. Floridians struggle to get the help they need. Almost 41% of Floridian adults report symptoms of anxiety and depression, while only 24.8% get the help they need. Of the 796,000 adults in Florida who did not receive needed mental health care in 2021, 49.7% did not because of cost. The ratio of population to mental health providers was 670:1 in Florida compared to 310:1 in California, 370:1 in New York and 960:1 in Texas. Florida ranks 49th in the nation for access to mental health care, according to Mental Health America. New Access to an Innovative Mental Health Treatment Solutions in Florida KetaMD and its parent company, Braxia Scientific Corp., are dedicated to increasing widespread access to ketamine treatment for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health challenges through KetaMD’s safe, convenient, and HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform with treatments guided by registered nurses. Those who are determined eligible by one of KetaMD’s licensed Florida healthcare practitioners receive medically supervised treatments, guided virtually by registered nurses, and backed by the world’s leading psychiatrists and researchers in depression. Through evidence-based research, ketamine has been scientifically proven to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in those who suffer from depression, even treatment-resistant depression, making it one of the major breakthroughs in psychiatry in the last 50 years. “We've seen improved outcomes firsthand from ketamine treatment in our clinics and in our clinical trials. People suffering from major depression and mental health conditions need immediate access to safe, affordable, reliable, and readily available innovative treatments that will improve their quality of life. KetaMD is doing just that,” states Dr. Roger McIntyre, CEO, Braxia Scientific. In multiple studies, ketamine has also been shown to have rapid and persistent benefits for acute care in suicidal patients who often suffer from mental health challenges. As National Suicide Awareness month kicked off in September and Mental Illness Awareness Week kicks off October 2, KetaMD has ramped up operations expanding session availability to provide additional support to Florida residents in need of treatment and help. “Through KetaMD’s digital telehealth capabilities, we are committed to bringing awareness, accessibility, and scalability of the benefits of ketamine for those suffering from depression and other mood disorders,” said Warren Gumpel, CEO, KetaMD. “As a Miami-based company, we are pleased to roll out our services in Florida first. If we are successful in diverting just one person from choosing suicide, we know it would be mission accomplished.” KetaMD is currently available in the State of Florida, however, expansion to other key states is planned in 2022 and 2023. Adults interested in ketamine treatment for eligible mental health conditions can download the KetaMD mobile app directly from the App Store or Google Play or visit www.ketamd.com. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of KetaMD

Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S., tore part of the roof off a hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida, and flooded the building’s lower level emergency room, sending staff scrambling to move patients as water poured in. At least nine hospitals and dozens of nursing homes had to transfer patients after losing access to clean water because of the storm. Health care services are essential at any time, but when disasters strike, those services become even more crucial as injuries rise. Yet in many coastal communities, the hospitals were built in locations that are at increasingly high risk of flooding during hurricanes. I study ways to improve disaster communications, including how health care organizations prepare for severe weather events. Here’s what research shows about the rising risks. High percentage of coastal hospitals at risk Given the impact of climate change, many areas are susceptible to severe weather events and hazards. Health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, are no exception. A study released Sept. 29, 2022, as Ian was leaving Florida, found that even weak hurricanes can pose a severe risk to scores of hospitals along the U.S. coasts. In 25 metropolitan areas along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the authors found that at least half of the hospitals are at risk of flooding from a Category 2 storm, defined as wind speeds of 96 mph to 110 mph. In some cities, including Lake Charles, Louisiana; Naples, Florida, and Ocean City, New Jersey, 100% of the hospitals are considered at risk. Those risks are rising with climate change. The study’s Harvard University authors estimated that the likelihood of coastal hospitals flooding would rise 22% this century. Hospitals at risk of flooding in a Category 2 hurricane Researchers counted how many hospitals in major Atlantic and Gulf Coast population centers would be at risk of flooding during a Category 2 hurricane. The symbol size reflects the number of hospitals at risk. The color bar indicates the percentage of hospital beds at risk. What’s important about this finding is that communities can begin to identify hospitals at high risk and develop both backup plans and measures to help protect them and their patients. The U.S. has a history of hospital disasters during severe weather. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 opened many people’s eyes to what disrupted health care systems look like. During that storm, many hospitals were without power and the ability to communicate, and experienced damage to water and sewage services. Several could not replenish supplies of food, medicine, blood and linen, yet had to continue operations under horrific conditions. The TV drama “Five Days at Memorial” is built around that disaster and how the staff at New Orleans’ Memorial Medical Center struggled to keep patients alive while cut off by floodwater. It has triggered a lot of conversations around preparedness and risk in these critical facilities. Assisted-living communities overlooked My research explores how underserved and vulnerable populations prepare for and manage disasters. In particular, I’ve done fieldwork analyzing how older adults living in retirement and assisted-living communities perceive their own risks. Ideally, these facilities should be able to provide the same services during disasters as before, without interruption. The reality is that when infrastructure is overwhelmed, older adults may be trapped in dangerous conditions, unable to evacuate. They also might not be mobile enough to be easily rescued, especially if the facility spans several floors. Staff might not be available to administer medications. Electricity or power for life-sustaining medical treatments might not be available. Health care workers in these care facilities are also not always able to execute disaster plans or protocols, if such plans exist. After Hurricane Irma knocked out power to Florida in 2017, a dozen patients died in a nursing home that lost power for air conditioning. That led to a state law that now requires nursing homes to have backup generators. But Ian showed that even that isn’t enough to keep residents safe. During Hurricane Katrina, 35 patients died after St. Rita’s Nursing Home flooded in St. Bernard, Louisiana.AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus Other populations, such as people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities, and those who are medically vulnerable, including homeless populations, also need to be considered in health care-related disaster planning. While those who are homeless may find shelters, including shelters created for disaster relief, it is not uncommon for people who are homeless to seek medical services or find refuge in hospitals. Resilience and disaster plans After disasters, hospitals are essential for treating the rise in injuries, as well as mental health issues among disaster victims. More than 700 rescues were launched during Ian and its aftermath. Therefore, it is important for hospitals, as well as nursing homes, to develop hospital disaster resilience plans. These plans for hospitals cover topics like safety, staffing, surge capacity to handle a sudden increase in patients, handling emergency services amid flooding, and disaster plans, training and communications. Looking long term, better building design, flood barriers and safer locations may be necessary. The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care Center in New Orleans is one model of how to design a health facility to withstand a disaster. The building was built to handle high winds, and the emergency department is on the second floor, at least 21 feet above base flood elevation. Storms like Ian are a difficult reminder of the importance of protecting these facilities so emergency medical care is available in disasters, and why disaster planning at all health care sites is crucial. Words By Brett Robertson Assistant Professor of Communication, University of South Carolina. Special thanks to The Conversation for republishing permission.

Hurricane Ian’s catastrophic winds and flooding are likely to bring long-lasting power outages to large parts of Florida. The storm is the latest in a line of hurricanes and extreme heat and cold events that have knocked out power to millions of Americans in recent years for days at a time. In many disaster- and outage-prone areas, people are starting to ask whether investing in rooftop solar and battery storage systems can keep the lights on and the air conditioner running when the power grid can’t. When the grid goes down, most solar systems that lack a battery will also shut down. But with batteries, a home can disconnect from the grid. Each day, the sun powers the home and charges up the batteries, which provide power through the night. Our team at Berkeley Lab explored what it would take for homes and commercial buildings to ride out long power outages, of three days or more, with solar and batteries. How much can solar + storage do? For a new report, we modeled a generic power outage for every county in the U.S., testing whether a rooftop solar system combined with a 10- or 30-kilowatt-hour battery could power critical loads, like refrigeration, lighting, internet service and well pumps; if it could go further and also power heating and air conditioning; or if it could even power a whole home. To put that into perspective, the most popular battery on the market, the Tesla Powerwall, has just over 13 kWh of storage. In general, we found that even a modest system of solar plus one battery can power critical loads in a home for days at a time, practically anywhere in the country. But our maps show that providing backup for cooling and heat can be a challenge, though not an insurmountable one. Homes in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest often have power-hogging electric resistance heaters, exceeding the capability of solar and storage during winter outages. Homes with efficient heat pumps performed better. Summer air conditioning load can be heavy in the Southwest, making it harder to meet all cooling needs with solar and storage in a summer blackout. Larger solar and battery systems can help, but meeting demand during outages still depends on the weather, how energy efficient the home is and other factors. For example, simple thermostat adjustments during power outages reduce heating and cooling needs and allow solar with storage to maintain backup power over longer periods. Where solar and storage with a 10-kWh battery can supply backup power, in various scenarios.Berkeley Lab, CC BY The ability to power commercial buildings varies widely, depending on the building type. Schools and big-box retail stores, with sufficient roof space for solar relative to building power demand, fare much better than multistory, energy-intensive buildings like hospitals. How solar would have handled 10 past disasters We also looked at 10 real-world outage events from 2017 to 2020, including hurricanes, wildfires and storms, and modeled building performance for specific locations and real weather patterns during and after the outages. We found that in seven of the outages, most homes would have been able to maintain critical loads plus heating and cooling using solar with 30 kWh of storage, or just over two Powerwalls. But the weather around the outage can have a big impact, especially for hurricanes. After Hurricane Florence knocked out power in North Carolina in 2018, cloudy skies hung around for three days, dimming or even stopping solar panels’ output. Hurricane Harvey, on the other hand, slammed the Texas coast in August 2017 but moved on to cause widespread damage elsewhere in Texas. The skies over Corpus Christi cleared even as it took a week or more to get power restored. Solar and storage would have been a big help in that case, providing virtually all power needs for a typical single-family home, once the skies cleared. How a typical home would have done with solar and 30 kWh of storage after hurricanes Florence and Harvey. The light blue line shows the short periods of ‘unserved load,’ or shortfalls in meeting power demand, right after the storms. The state of charge shows batteries were able stretch solar power through the night.Berkeley Labs, CC BY Similarly, we found solar can do well in less cloudy events, like wildfire prevention shutoffs in California, or after the 2020 derecho windstorm in Iowa. The heat source in a home is also a key factor. In a five-to-10-day outage following an ice storm in Oklahoma in 2020, we found that solar plus a 30-kWh battery could have supplied nearly all the critical power and heat needed for homes with natural gas heaters or heat pumps. But homes with electric resistance heating would have fallen short. In Texas, over half of homes are heated with electricity, primarily resistance heaters. Energy Star-rated heat pumps – which provide both heating and cooling – use half as much electricity per unit of heat output as electric resistance heaters and are also more efficient at cooling than the average new air conditioner. Converting older resistance heaters to new heat pumps can not only save money and reduce peak demand but also increase resilience during outages. New forms of backup Setting up solar and storage to provide backup power in a home or building takes extra work and it costs more – just one Powerwall can run from US$12,000 to $16,500 for a full system installation, before incentives and taxes. That’s as much as a fair-sized solar system. Nevertheless, a growing number of homeowners are installing both. Over 90% of new solar installations in Hawaii in 2021 were paired with batteries after a regulation change. Now these distributed power plants are helping power the grid as coal plants are retired. California has over 1.5 million rooftop solar systems. A growing number of customers are retrofitting batteries on their systems, or adding new solar plus storage, in part because utilities have resorted to “public safety power shutoffs” to lower the risk of wildfires sparked by power lines during dry, windy days. Electric trucks and cars have much more battery storage than a Powerwall and hold potential as future home batteries as well.Ford And new forms of backup power are emerging, especially from electric cars. Ford is partnering with SunRun to combine its new F150 Lightning electric pickup truck with solar and a two-way charger that can use the truck’s battery to power a house. The standard version of the truck comes with a 98-kWh battery, the equivalent of more than seven Tesla Powerwall stationary batteries. Critical power for critical services A fire station in Puerto Rico offers a glimpse of what solar and storage can do. After Hurricane Maria cut power for months in 2017, over 40,000 solar systems were installed on the island, often paired with battery storage. One of those is at the fire station in the town of Guánica, which had been unable to receive emergency calls in previous outages. When Hurricane Fiona’s wind and flooding again knocked out power to most of Puerto Rico in September 2022, the fire station was still operating. “The solar system is working beautifully!” Sgt. Luis Saez told Canary Media the day after Fiona knocked out power. “We did not lose power all throughout the hurricane. Words By Will Gorman Graduate Student Researcher in Electricity Markets and Policy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory & Bentham Paulos Affiliate, Electricity Markets & Policy Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory & Galen Barbose Research Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Special thanks to The Conversation for republishing permission.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibition, Split Personality: The Art of George Rodez .The public is invited to meet the artist and view his work at a cocktail reception onFriday, October 7, from 6pm-9pm. A Look at George Rodez George Rodez was born in New York in 1957. He began his career as a mechanical engineer, but art has been his passion since the age of thirteen. Since 1992 he has dedicated himself solely to painting and has exhibited in many museums and galleries, both nationally and internationally. He is a self-taught artist whose strength is his diversity. Having been heavily influenced by the experience of growing up with a mother who suffered from dissociative mental disorder, Rodez observed that each personality had a different strength and function. He has used that lesson and incorporates it into his art, with each style providing different experiences, allowing all facets of his personality to be seen. He believes we should all share our many characteristics and emotions and states that “to live life is to feel all these emotions.” Split Personality: The Art of George Rodez will be on display in the Garden’s Butterfly Gallery through October 29, 2022. To RSVP for the exhibition opening, please visit mbgarden.org/events. 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 Garden is to promote environmental enjoyment, stewardship and sustainability through education, the arts, and interaction with the natural world. The Garden is a unique, subtropical oasis of beauty and tranquility within an urban setting – a community resource that refreshes, inspires and engages our visitors. The Garden is located at 2000 Convention Center Drive on Miami Beach. For more info please visit www.mbgarden.org. By ML Staff. Images Courtesy of The Art of George Rodez

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