Pompano Today May 2016 by Pompano Media Group

“Together we can help you find a customized solution for all your insurance needs and for your peace of mind.” If you value your assets, let us protect them. Look to us to safeguard all that you hold dear by covering: Homes, Automobiles, Excess Liability, Private Collections, Yachts and more....

“Together we can help you find a customized solution for all your insurance needs and for your peace of mind”. If you value your assets, let us protect them. Look to us to safeguard all that you hold dear by covering: Homes, Automobiles, Excess Liability, Private Collections, Yachts, and more…. The Furman Insurance agency has been in the marketplace for over 50 years.

Meet our Personal Lines Team

Susie S Krix

V.P. / Personal Lines Manager

Nicole Coppock

VIP Dept/New Business Development

Tracy Brown

VIP Dept/New Business Development

Jessica Carrion

Deidre Russell

Account Manager

The Furman Insurance Agency has been in the marketplace Jackie De Los Santos Ronnie Staton Christina Fisler Customer Service Representative for over Account 50Manager years. Account Manager

Meet our Personal Lines Team

Karen Patrick

Customer Service Representative

Chylynn Bastian

Marketing Division

Catherine Anastasiadis

Account Manager Assistant

Today CallCall UsUs Today 954-943-5050or or 800-344-4838 954-943-5050 800-344-4838

“Together we can help you find a customized solution for all your insurance needs and for your peace of mind”. If you value your assets, let us protect them. Look to us to safeguard all that you hold dear by covering: Homes, Automobiles, Excess Liability, Private Collections, Celebrating over 50 years of excellence & exceptional service in protecting your family Yachts, and more…. The Furman Insurance agency has been in the marketplace for over 50 years. Susie S. Krix V.P./Personal Lines Manager

Nicole Coppock Private Client Services

Jackie De Los Santos New Business Development

Tracy Brown New Business Development

Jessica Carrion Account Manager

Christina Fisler Customer Service Representative

Ronnie Staton Account Manager

Deidre Russell Account Manager

Karen Patrick Customer Service Representative

Victoria Agostino Account Manager

1 3 1 4 E A t l a n t i c B l v d , P o m p a n o B e a ch F L 3 3 0 6 0

Chylynn Bastian Marketing Division

f a x: 9 54 54 5 06 20 |

w ww .f u r ma ni nsu r a nce.com

Meet our Personal Lines Team Misty Schwartz PR (MSPR) is your source for complete public relation needs. MSPR is more than just public relations, they are a Christian based PR firm that is focused on branding the clients they work with and building relationships to make their clients’ success grow to the maximum potential. They also do editorial work for: Cupcakes Magazine, Look To The Stars, Splash Magazines, Pompano Today Magazine, and Examiner.

Susie S Krix

V.P. / Personal Lines Manager

Nicole Coppock

VIP Dept/New Business Development

Tracy Brown

VIP Dept/New Business Development

Jessica Carrion

Deidre Russell

Account Manager

MSPR offers the following services: (Partial list)

>Media Relations (press releases, full editorial work, marketing campaigns, product launches) >Eco Friendly/Green Events >Website Creation >Social Media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) >Event Planning (Film premieres, Charity, Red Carpet, Gifting Suites) >Placement in the News, Media, Television and Film Jackie De Los Santos Account Manager

Ronnie Staton

Account Manager

Christina Fisler

Karen Patrick

Customer Service Representative Customer Service Representative Misty Schwartz|Public Relations

Chylynn Bastian

Marketing Division

Email: mistyepr@yahoo.com Office: (323) 570-1328 ~ Fax: (425) 529-1328 Facebook: facebook.com/MistySchwartzPR ~ Twitter: twitter.com/MistySchwartzPR Instagram: instagram.com/MistySchwartzPR ~ Website: MistySchwartzPR.wordpress.com

Call Us Today 954-943-5050 or 800-344-4838

Catherine Anastasiadis

Account Manager Assistant

the team

Trisha McMahon, Beauty & Health Editor

Trisha’s work has appeared in numerous publications, from Town & Country to innnewyork. com. A sought-after speaker, moderator and radio talk-show guest, Trisha will be sharing her insights with readers and staff.

Dawne Richards, Publisher

Dawne is a longtime Pompano visitor and 10-year resident. She brings us interesting news and notes from our neighbors and friends, from businesses, residents and tourists alike, and is the founder and publisher.

James “Jim” Stafford, Media Director Jim is a professional photographer, web, and graphic designer. He is passionate about photography and art, and his marriage! You can read more about Jim and his lovely wife in our "Marital Minutes" column.

POMPANO'S PREMIERE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE PUBLISHER

Dawne Richards 954.247.8459 publisher@pompanotoday.com

ADVERTISING SALES

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Michael DiPierro, Jay Ghanem, Dan Hobby, Teana McDonald, Erica Richards, Misty Schwartz, Elaine Simmons, Charlotte Sundquist

DEADLINE for submitting advertisement for the next month is the 15th of the prior month.

LETTERS email publisher@pompanotoday.com

contributors LEARN MORE POMPANOTODAY.COM/MEET-THE-TEAM Jay Ghanem is the President of Auto Tech and Body, an automotive complex in Pompano Beach. When not working, Jay likes to spend time with his wife and children.

ERICA RICHARDS

your dining

Erica Richards is a Johnson & Walestrained chef who focuses on healthy dishes. She is currently raising another culinary star.

TEANA MCDONALD

Dan Hobby has kept us connected to our history for decades, first as the Executive Director of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. He is currently focusing his efforts on the SampleMcDougald house.

MISTY SCHWARTZ

stars in your eyes

Misty Schwartz is the owner of MSPR and is a public relations and marketing guru who gives back to the community in all she does.

ELAINE SIMMONS

fashion forward

Elaine Simmons is an Image, Etiquette and Body Language Consultant, offering image consulting services to individuals and groups.

your business

Teana McDonald is running 3E Connections, a successful social media and public relations boutique agency. Let’s continue the conversation @3EConnections on Twitter!

CHARLOTTE SUNDQUIST

charlotte's web

Charlotte Sundquist is the founder of the South Florida Artists Association. Charlotte travels the globe at every opportunity.

DAN HOBBY

now and then

JAY GHANEM

your ride

Pompano Today is published 12 times annually by Pompano Media Group LLC, 3304 SE 4th Street Suite 6, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062. Print subscriptions are $20 per year. Pompano Today assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. Pompano Today reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse material. Publisher is not responsible for typographical or production errors or accuracy of information provided by its advertisers. Pompano Today reserves the right to refuse any advertiser. Copyright © 2015 Pompano Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of Pompano Today may be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the Publisher. Camera icon, used throughout these pages, © Rawpixel - fotolia.com.

2 Pompano Today May 2016



CONTENTS POMPANO TODAY

FEATURES

May 2016

16 LOVE STORY

Wedded Bliss, Part 1: Ronnie and Hank Arond

18 ONE GREAT BRIDAL SHOP

Wedded Bliss, Part 2: Wonderland Bridal

19 BENJAMIN'S

Wedded Bliss, Part 3: From tailoring to tuxes

DEPARTMENTS your lifestyle

7 GET GOING May events

9 SPECIAL: THE SCENE 10 EXPLORE: ON THE PRAIRIE 12 FASHION: FORWARD

Proper Attire Required: a guide for wedding guests

13 FASHION: THE GOODS With this ring

14 MARITAL MINUTES

3 pieces of advice before you say "I do"

15 YOUR KIDS

Planning a wedding: dollars and sense

your dining

20 YUM

Mexican Wedding Cookies

your city

24 AROUND TOWN A look back

25 CHARLOTTE'S WEB Wedded bliss: the flip side

your business

26 GET SMART

Blissful business Special: Falling in love with our city's future

your ride

Cover photo and Wedded Bliss, Parts 2 and 3 above, © Paul McDermott Photography

4 Pompano Today May 2016

30 VROOM

Achieving wedded bliss with your vehicle choice

stars in your eyes

32 HOLLYWOOD CORNER News from the west coast

the last word

33 WORD SCRAMBLE

May notes As many of you know, I dearly love Pompano Beach. Pompano Today magazine was born of my desire to showcase all of the great things that happen all over our city, while at the same time grow the magazine as the city grew into its potential. Both Pompano Today and Pompano Beach have done just that. The magazine has grown due to the tireless efforts of our advertisers, contributors, partners, photographers, readers, social media fans, and everyone who has supported us during this incredible journey. The city has grown due to the tireless efforts of our Mayor and City Commission, our volunteer advisory boards, the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the outstanding work of the Pompano Beach CRA.

Venti Bold

Venti Demi Bold

Pompano Beach

1159 S Federal Highway Pompano Marketplace (954) 946-7600

It’s time for me to pursue a different manner of serving our city. Thank you for the past six years; I hope you’ve been as engaged, entertained, and inspired as I’ve been by all of the opportunities to look around and say, “Wow! What a great city to call home!”

M-F 9a-10p | S 8a-8p | Su 10a-8p

Enjoy, and have a fantastic May!

Dawne Richards, Publisher

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your lifestyle

GET GOING

events beach weddings explore florida fashion marriage kids

6 Pompano Today May 2016

Happenings Another actionpacked month awaits! This month starts off with a shootout - of the saltwater kind, that is - and ends with a lovely, if more sedate, reminder of those who've paid the ultimate price for our freedom. For more local events, see our up-to-the-minute calendar at pompanotoday.com/events. Enjoy!

Saltwater Shootout May 5, 7, 8

Spring tournament fishing in South Florida kicks off with The Mercury/ SeaVee Pompano Beach Saltwater Shootout. The Saltwater Shootout is the first leg in South Florida's largest tournament trail - The Pompano Beach Saltwater Circuit. Teams travel from near and far to enjoy the festivities and take a chance at over $275,000 in cash and prizes. By popular demand, the Saltwater Shootout has become a sanctioned event in Division 10 of the Southern Kingfish Association. Target species in the Shootout are dolphin, wahoo, kingfish, tuna and cobia. The Saltwater Shootout offers something for the competitive and the casual fisherman alike. Reasonable entry fees, great cash prizes, top notch hospitality and fun activities for anglers of all ages keep the teams coming back year after year. For a complete schedule of events, visit bluewatermovements.com/saltwater_ shootout_schedule_of_events/.

Mother's Day

May 8

Be sure to remember Mom on this special day. Brunches, of course, abound. Personally, we highly recommend some quality time at the beach, any one of our fabulous parks, or perhaps a nature walk at Fern Forest.

The Sample McDougald House Centennial May 14 and 15

On Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 5 to 10 pm the Sample-McDougald House Preservation Society will host a Centennial Celebration on the grounds of the 100 year old house. Once a pineapple farm and home to two significant Pompano families, the house today serves as a reminder of this area’s pioneer

spirit and agricultural past. Through programs and public tours the restored house is moving into its second century as a community. The event will feature entertainment, displays and a lavish bar-be-que cooked on the grounds by Porky & Beth. The evening will feature a silent auction of fine art as well as a live auction by Auctioneer and Mayor Lamar Fisher. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to win a ride for two on the Goodyear Blimp or a long weekend at A Tranquil Landing in the Village of Hopetown on Elbow Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. Tickets are $100, and may be purchased in advance by calling the SMH office at 754-307-5446 or online at samplemcdougald.com. The celebration continues on Sunday, May 15, 2016 from 10 am to 4 pm with Family Day. Bring the kids and celebrate our farming heritage with displays of antique cars and tractors, displays and demonstration of heritage crafts including quilting and blacksmithing, hands-on activities, petting zoo, pony rides and more. No reservation required. Tickets are $10. With children 12 and under FREE. For more information contact Melissa May 754-307-5446.

Memorial Day Remembrances The City of Pompano Beach holds two beautiful and moving ceremonies on this day. While details were not available at press time, be sure to visit the City's Events page at pompanobeachfl. gov/index.php/ events/ closer to Memorial Day. We never miss these; they are fitting tributes to the fallen, and a great way to start this day with your kids, as a stirring reminder of the meaning of Memorial Day. © justasc / Adobe Stock

Pompano Today May 2016 7

Wedding Bells

THE SCENE

Getting married on Pompano Beach

Weddings, of course, are so symbolic of new beginnings, and such joyous events. One of our favorite moments is when we happen to be somewhere along or on the beach and just happen upon a beach wedding. What lovely occasions these are! Our favorite moment, however, may have occurred a few weeks ago, when we were lucky enough to spot a festive golf cart driven by a bride in full wedding attire, accompanied by her attendants, decked out in beautiful turquoise dresses. Oh, to have had a camera!

a romantic beach wedding at one of the popular beach hotels, a private cruise on the intracoastal or reception at a popular restaurant overlooking the golf course or the historic and very traditional SampleMcDougald House. The weather is almost always accommodating. Beach permits are needed, and can be purchased at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center (H-6), 1801 NE 6th Street, Pompano Beach. Marriage licenses must be purchased from the Broward County Clerk of Courts. Info: browardclerk.org or 954.831.6565." Learn more at pompanobeachfl.gov/index.php/ pages/tourist_info/tourist_info.

Interested in a wedding on Pompano Beach? Here's the info from our city's website: "For those planning a destination wedding, Pompano Beach is perfect; be it

Photo of Keli and James © Paul McDermott Photography, PaulMcDermott.com.

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Pompano Today May 2016 9

On the prairie

EXPLORE

text and photos by Jim Stafford

Real Florida: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

At 54,000 acres, Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is home to the largest remaining dry prairie in Florida. Located north of Okeechobee, the park is home to both endangered plants and animals. Visitors will experience grasslands reminiscent of the Great Plains. The park offers excellent birding and is also home to endangered species like the Crested Caracara and Burrowing Owl. The Park offers 100 miles of dirt roads, easy to walk and handicap friendly. They give hikers, bicyclists and equestrians excellent opportunities to explore the preserve. November through March, ranger-led prairie buggy tours allow visitors to see remote areas of the preserve. Kissimmee Prairie’s remoteness makes it one of Florida’s premier locations for stargazing. For overnight stays, the Preserve has two full-facility campground loops: family and an equestrian campground with paddocks.

An important item to note while planning your visit, according to the Florida State Parks website: “Spring means prescribed fire at Kissimmee Prairie. If you see smoke here at the prairie on your next trip, there is a good chance it is our staff conducting a prescribed burn at nature’s preferred time of year. Florida Dry Prairie is accustomed to burning every 1-2 years and many of our plants and animals, such as the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, need frequent fire to survive. Our staff works hard to safely conduct prescribed fires on one third to one half of the preserve annually. Please stop by our office for more information regarding fire management at the preserve; we’d be happy to talk to you about it.” To learn more about this program, visit floridastateparks.org/content/spring-means-smoke-over-prairie. To learn more about Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, visit floridastateparks.org/park/KissimmeePrairie.

10 Pompano Today May 2016

Pompano Today May 2016 11

your lifestyle fashion forward

Proper attire required: A guide for wedding guests

e are at the top of the wedding season, so I would like to offer a quick refresher on wedding dress code etiquette. You receive a wedding invitation, the time and the location are specified, but the big thing that is left up to you is what to wear to a wedding reception. There are some general guidelines to follow, such as not wearing white, not wearing clothing that is overly revealing, and not looking wrinkled or unkempt. Even with these guidelines, deciding what Suggestions for a Daytime Wedding For Her • Floral dresses • Winter weddings: Sweater and skirt combinations • Summer weddings: Light colored suits • Footwear: sling-backs, sandals, or high heels. • Hats that match the rest of your outfit. For Him • For a formal occasion, wear a dark suit. • Spring or summer weddings: A seersucker or light-colored linen suit • Winter weddings: a wool suit, or a sweater underneath a smart blazer with a tie. • A blazer with a buttoned down shirt, trousers and a tie. Suggestions for a “Casual” Wedding When the dress code calls for “Casual” wear, it usually means that there is no dress code, but you should still look nice and avoid jeans, tank tops and shorts. For a wedding, “casual” means “business casual”: For Her • A beautiful blouse matched with a pretty skirt or pants • A summer sundress with natural makeup & hair For Him • A buttoned down or polo shirt paired with dress pants

to wear can still be extremely difficult. These tips will reduce some of the difficulty and give you some ideas for picking the perfect outfit. When deciding on what you wear to a wedding reception, make sure you know the venue for the wedding and the time of day. For example, a beach wedding during the day calls for a more casual look than a church wedding. Keep in mind that appropriateness is necessary for all wedding receptions, irrespective of the time or the place.

For Her A tea length or knee length formal summer sundress, with flat sandals, natural hair and makeup.

daytime for her

For Him • A summer suit matched with a linen shirt. • Khakis or linen trousers and sandals. A tie is not required. Suggestions for an Evening Wedding

evening for her

For Her • A gown or a fancy dress • A cocktail dress that is not overly sexy or provocative (black is fine for this occasion) • A sophisticated, dark color cocktail suit. • Avoid sequins, sparkles and beads, unless the wedding invitation specifies “black tie”. For Him • Dark, smart suits. • A tuxedo for an after 6pm formal ceremony • For semi-formal/casual ceremonies, a blazer and slacks, matched with a tie.

daytime for him

If you stick to the guidelines above you will be all set. It’s all about finding a balance between being yourself and looking and feeling confident while not offending others. There are lots of opportunities to wear flipflops and cutoffs - a wedding is not one of them.

Suggestions for a “Beach Formal” Wedding Beach Formal suggests that you should wear something fashionable, but suitable for the beach:

12 Pompano Today May 2016

// BY ELAINE SIMMONS From top: © nicoletaionescu,Fotolia.com; © DURIS Guillaume, Fotolia.com; © ysbrandcosijn, Fotolia.com; © pio3, Fotolia.com.

evening for him

your lifestyle fashion: the goods

With this ring... When approaching wedding planning and the selection of players, let common sense reign. The ring bearer tradition originated in ancient Egypt; an elaborately decorated pillow was often used to display the jewelry during a wedding. Exchanging rings became the common outward sign of betrothal and the two traditions merged, which put the pillow front and center as the main apparatus for the carrying of rings at a wedding ceremony; hence the need for someone to carry the pillow. Asking a young family member or child of a close friend to take on this position in your ceremony should be thought through with care and consideration. While it is a wonderful way to honor and involve children in your wedding, you must contemplate a few factors first. Age: the age of a ring bearer is customarily in the range of 3-7 years old. Younger and you are asking for trouble. There is really no controlling children in this sort of setting in the first place – but this particular job is too much for a very small child just learning to walk. I argue the sweet spot is between 4 and 5 years old. However, it is likely you know the child, so if you think they have the maturity to handle the honor, then by all means ask. On the other end of the spectrum, anything older than 7 or 8 begins to look odd. Why not ask those young men to take on another role? Your help: if you have a ring bearer, then you have a flower girl and, like the old Hollywood adage goes, it’s tough to work with children and animals. Make sure you have someone appointed to assist with your young charges; this person must keep the two players together until they are ready to go down the aisle, remind them of what they’re supposed to do and where to land at the end. It goes without saying that the ring bearer should be included in the rehearsal; this will assuage stage fright on the big day and should eliminate any fear of what to do on his part.

Clothing: the ring bearer is traditionally dressed in some miniature version of the groomsmen's attire – like a little man. While this is precious as can be, make sure the parents have access to the outfit far enough ahead of time that they can help their son try it on so they can become comfortable in their big day attire. The last thing you want is a fit pitching because the tie is ‘choking’ the ring bearer. Tradition does not have to dictate every aspect of your ceremony. You have creative license – this is your day. Just make sure you approach the election of your underage wedding party members with your eyes, as well as your heart, wide open. // BY BENJAMIN'S FINE ALTERATIONS AND TAILORING. Benjamin's blends long-forgotten high standards in sewing with outstanding personal service. Drop by 2609 East Atlantic Boulevard, call them at 954943-5878, or visit them online at benjaminsalterations.com. © Arena Creative, Fotolia.com; © bonniemarie, Fotolia.com; © micromonkey, Fotolia.com.

Pompano Today May 2016 13

your lifestyle marital minutes

3 pieces of advice before you say "I do" You are a “we”, not a “me” You cannot make decisions independently anymore. Your life decisions can and will impact your spouse. Repeat after us: Your life decisions can and will impact your spouse. If you do not learn this fairly quickly it could impact the stability of your relationship.

Just because he is your husband does not mean he is perfect Remember that both you and your husband will make mistakes. You are both human beings and are fallible. You need to learn to forgive and also you need to learn from your mistakes.

Have fun! Although I love my children, I did not take advantage of the time we had together as newlyweds and prior to having kids. When a new addition enters your family it is more challenging to do things that you used to like to do together.

//BY DR. GINA STAFFORD

About the Staffords Dr. Gina and Jim Stafford have been married for over 15 years. Throughout that time they had four beautiful children – all boys!!! Over the course of their relationship they have faced ups and downs, especially since three out of the four sons were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Despite the obstacles that came their way, their marriage has grown stronger. People who know the couple always ask how they do it. The answer is that with hard work and faith anything is possible. The couple decided to share their story, their strategies, and their lives with other couples to assist them in building a relationship just as strong as their own. Each month, we bring you their words of wisdom, devoted to helping couples explore the many issues facing marriages today. Read more about this engaging couple at maritalminutes. com. © James Stafford Photography

14 Pompano Today May 2016

your lifestyle your kids

Planning a wedding: dollars and sense Planning a mock wedding seems like it would be a fun experience...especially since the students don't really have to pay for the mock wedding For students who entered 9th grade in the 2013-14 academic year, a requirement to earn a standard high school diploma in Florida includes financial literacy instruction. I think it is safe to assume that most people who have planned a wedding understand the need to be financially literate. In Florida, financial literacy instruction includes the knowledge, understanding, skills, behaviors, attitudes, and values that will enable a student to make responsible and effective financial decisions on a daily basis.

Related classroom instruction might focus on buying goods and services, saving and financial investing, and budgeting and debt management

The Florida Department of Education approved a high school Personal Financial Literacy elective course written and submitted by the Broward County Public Schools Social Studies Office. Some of the instructional practices connected to this course include providing extended learning opportunities that simulate economic scenarios and the use of real world data and evidence to answer complex high-level questions that are based on real world scenarios. Although I am not endorsing any classroom projects, planning a mock wedding seems like it would be a fun experience to learn about financial literacy, especially since the students don’t really have to pay for the mock wedding.

//BY MICHAEL DIPIERRO

Michael DiPierro has a decade of experience in education. He currently holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and has 11 years of teaching experience in Broward County Public Schools.

While financial literacy covers a broad range of topics, in terms of planning a wedding, related classroom instruction might focus on buying goods and services, saving and financial investing, and budgeting and debt management. In 2014 the Florida State Board of Education adopted a financialliteracy strand to its Social Studies Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. Nationally, during the 2015 legislative session, about thirty-five states and Puerto Rico considered bills related to financial literacy. This is an increase from the roughly twenty-eight states and Puerto Rico that considered legislation related to financial literacy during the 2014 legislative session.

The Florida Department of Education approved a high school Personal Financial Literacy elective course written and submitted by the Broward County Public Schools Social Studies Office

Pompano Today May 2016 15

COVER FEATURE

Wedded Bliss, Part 1 Ronnie and Hank Arond are a real-life fairy tale that should inspire us all

On a clear, sunny weekend morning, we enter the clean, bright and charming winter digs of Ronnie and Hank Arond. (Of course, we think that every single inch of the Ebb Tide is clean, bright and charming, but Ronnie and Hank’s quarters seem especially so.) The couple greets us with the vigor of much younger folks; their energy levels are those of a much younger couple, which is no surprise, really, given the zest for life with which they’ve been greeting each day together for 71 years. Yes, 71 years. The Aronds, in fact, celebrated their 72nd anniversary this March. And what better place to spend it than the Ebb Tide, where they’ve been coming each year for the past ten years? First things first, however. As we enter, Ronnie is bustling around tidying up. “I’m putting away all the messy stuff,” she notes cheerfully, although it’s clear that her standards are much higher than ours. In an instant, coffee, tea and festive cookies are in front of us. Yum! When we offer to help, we are politely dismissed. “We’re helpful. We’re not helpless yet,” says, um, Honnie? Really, this couple speaks with one voice. Sort of. Throughout our interview, they finish each other’s sentences often, or break into what can only be described as the best Burns and Allen routine ever. Hank can play – with equal vigor – the comedian and the straight man of this remarkable duo (as well as the violin, but more about that later) and he plays every minute and every role with a wink and a nod.

16 Pompano Today May 2016

WEDDED BLISS Ronnie finally sits down, her hostessing duties complete. Her bright blue eyes and lovely fawn colored hair make for a beautiful portrait of a life well lived; her nails are polished, her lipstick perfect. We ask what it’s like to be married for 72 years. “No,” Ronnie smilingly corrects us, “it’s 36, because half the time he doesn’t listen to me.” The couple met on March 4, 1943. Hank lets us know that “She was on the other side of a double date.” At the time, Hank was paired with a girl from upstate (for those who don’t know, “upstate” is, of course, “upstate New York”). Driving to the train station, he thought to himself, “How do I do this?” He decided to take an interesting tactic; somehow, he ended up with Ronnie’s phone number in his possession. And the rest, as they say, is history. Hank wasted no time (less than a week, in fact) before taking Ronnie to a Broadway show (which they believe was “Shadow of a Doubt”) for their first date. The very next day, they went on another date, where Hank met Ronnie’s best friend (and passed the “best friend” test). For those who believe in coincidence, the stars aligning, divine intervention – call it what you will – two days later, Ronnie’s sister was getting married and she invited Hank to be her date, since her current boyfriend, a Navy man, was stuck in Washington, DC. Thus, within four days, Hank had met Ronnie’s entire family. Two weeks after their fateful first date, Hank was off to serve our country. He remembers thinking, “I’m finally going to get out of Brooklyn!” and sure enough, he did – and got stationed in the Bronx. The proposal soon followed. “He asked me to marry him,” Ronnie recalls, “and I was very young, and very naïve and polite, and I didn’t know how to say no. So I said, ‘OK, I’ll marry you until I find someone better.’” Exactly one year from the day they met, Ronnie and Hank were wed. Ronnie begins to interject, and then stops herself, saying, “Sometimes I interrupt myself.” Mind you, all of the above conversation happened in, probably, two minutes. Wow! It’s impossible to overstate the energy and joie de vivre that simply beams from Ronnie and Hank, a beacon of love, hope and happiness that is remarkable. This feeling – that you’re in the presence of two incredibly special people – is also partly due to their strong belief in fairness, justice, and not least, their deep commitment to faith. Interestingly, the Aronds are “Jewish by culture and tradition,” Ronnie notes, “but not observant”. In fact, they are now Unitarian Universalists, about which they are – you guessed it! – very enthusiastic. They have been members of their Unitarian Universalist congregation for over two decades. “Our congregation,” they explain, “is probably 25% Catholic, 25% Jewish, 25% born [in the faith], and 25% Muslim, other religions…their committees are

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“Collect adventures. Do them. Don't ever say no to something.” Pompano Today May 2016 17

accomplished pediatrician who travels the world supporting nonprofit efforts. Their daughter is a nurse, who lives in south Florida, so Ronnie and Hank get to spend a lot of time with her each winter. Sadly, their son lost his wife, who was a Quaker Friend in Vietnam during the war, three years ago to ALS. Has he remarried, we ask? No, but he’s met a nice woman in a gospel choir. Well, of course he has! These are resilient people, who keep going through whatever life throws their way. Back to that house in Queens that they moved into 66 years ago. They watched the house get built; it was in one of the many new postwar developments springing up around the country to meet the needs of returning veterans and the inordinate number of new families and households springing up everywhere. Every weekend during construction, “we drove out from the Bronx.” We can’t help but think about what an exciting and hopeful time that must have been. Ronnie and Hank’s son and his wife had two children; their granddaughter is currently in Bogota and their grandson is at Amherst (forgive us, but what she is doing in Bogota escaped us; rest assured that it’s something selfless and fabulous. It’s astonishing how difficult it is to keep up with Ronnie and Hank.) no different than Congress,” Ronnie laughs. She recalls that even her parents were “unconcerned about religion – for example, [they didn’t worry about whether I would] marry a nice Jewish boy.” When not in Pompano Beach (where they’ve been coming for 20 years), Ronnie and Hank make their home in Bellerose, Queens, in the house where they raised their two children. Sometimes, they tell us, Hank will be asked, “If you could choose to have children again, would you?” To which Hank will reply, “Yes, but not them.” Hank, of course, is kidding, as he so often is. Their son is an

Our interview with Ronnie and Hank continues at pompanotoday.com. We hope that everyone reading this takes this couple’s incredibly wise life lessons to heart, and that we’ve inspired you to live every day to the fullest. Ronnie and Hank are both a living example of, and testament to, how to make the most of every day. After all, they’re experts – they’ve had over 70 years of practice! To all the single folks out there, get out there and make every day count. To all the couples getting married this season, make yourselves a life that is as happy, healthy, and adventurous as Ronnie’s and Hank’s. As to you two lovebirds - enjoy your summer and we’ll see you back at the Ebb Tide next year!

Wedded Bliss, Part 2 Patti Nachman and Alicyn Muñoz raise the bar on bridal shops with Wonderland Bridal

Wonderland Bridal’s story is unique as every bride’s wedding day. Co-owners Patti Nachmann and Alicyn Muñoz met in their respective Mary Kay businesses, and hit it off so instantly – and so well – that they became known as the “Mary Kay sisters”. Along the way, Alicyn accompanied her best friend on a wedding dress shopping trip, and asked the store owner if she could set up a Mary Kay table there on the weekends. The owner agreed, and eventually Alicyn was working at the shop part time.

Wonderland Bridal. She thinks for a moment. “We are not like any other bridal store, and I say that because we hear that from our brides. We have a lot of brides that come here after shopping around and their experiences haven’t always been positive. Or they come here first, and we encourage them to shop around. We don’t ever pressure our brides, and most of them time they’ll tell us, “I should have picked our dress while I was here.’ Our brides are really great; we have a good bond with them. The [wedding dress buying] experience is a process; we’re in constant contact with them from the time they come in until the time they take the dress home.

She loved it so much that she became determined to open her own shop. At the time, Patti was still in the corporate world, having spent 16 years in the field of medical billing. “I went,” Patti recalls, “from screaming at insurance companies on the phone to laughing and crying with brides as they’re choosing their gowns.”

“[We make sure each of our brides] feels like a princess! And it’s … the most important day of their lives and this is part of the memory and we’re just happy to be a part of it.”

Patti excitedly tells us that the business is really taking off. “We’ve just acquired a couture line, Allure, and will be carrying them in the summer,” and that Wonderland covers all price points depending on the bride’s needs. “I feel like everything has just fallen into place with this business and we’re very lucky”, she notes. We ask Patti what the one thing is she’d like our readers to know about

18 Pompano Today May 2016

“Our customer service is superb. We like to hold one appointment at a time so the entire store is the bride’s. Sometimes, of course, we get busy, [especially] on Saturdays, so we have two completely separate fitting rooms.

For the curious, we learned of Wonderland Bridal through Benjamin’s Fine Alterations & Tailoring, right here in Pompano Beach. The two shops work very closely together. Patti explains how these two remarkable local business found each other and, yes, it includes the magic of social media. “Benjamin’s

and Wonderland started following each other on Instagram. We’d like each other’s photos and make a comment here and there. Then, I went to a networking event and one of their employees saw my name tag and grabbed me and said ‘Oh my God, you’re with Wonderland Bridal! And I looked at her nametag, and said “Oh my God, you’re with Benjamin’s!’ And we had just recently opened our shop, and we got to talking and had a meeting and just picked up from there and [Benjamin’s staff have] been our seamstresses since then, over a year ago. Victoria is an incredible seamstress.”

Speaking of Victoria: that's her, by the way, in the photo at left, along with Alycin and Patti and the beautiful bride who also graces our cover. Learn more about Victoria, and Benjamin's, in Part 3 below.

Wonderland Bridal Couture 3400 NW 62nd Ave Margate, FL 33063 954) 973-8695 wonderlandbridal.com/home.html

Benjamin's Fine Alterations & Tailoring 2609 East Atlantic Boulevard Pompano Beach FL,33062 954-943-5878 benjaminsalterations.com/

Wedded Bliss, Part 3 Benjamin's offers painless alterations, tailoring and - yes! - tuxedo rentals for the big day

Alert readers will recognize Benjamin's Fine Alterations and Tailoring from other pages of this publication. It's likely, however, that unless you're already patronized Benjamin's (and if you haven't, well, whyever not?), you won't recognize Victoria, pictured below, along with the amazing team of tailors and seamstresses in this beautifully decorated shop. As humble as she is talented, Victoria and the team are, in a word, magicians. Really. We may be biased, having had an unfortunate episode involving a seam ripper many years ago in junior high sewing class, but we all have our unique talents. Every member of the staff at Benjamin's is an

expert in making your clothes look their very best. And, of course, when your clothes look their best, well, so do you! So drop off those pants you've been meaning to hem, that jacket that needs a mite of a tuck, that gorgeous blouse with the sleeves that are just a little too long - you won't regret it! And if you are one of the rare individuals whose clothes all fit perfectly, Benjamin's rents men's formal wear too (see the coupon on page 9). Why go anywhere else?

Photos, this and facing page, Paul McDermott Photography.

Pompano Today May 2016 19

your dining

YUM

chef at home jeff eats

Mexican Wedding Cookies In honor of this month's theme, allow us a bit of poetic license (which sounds so much nicer than "bait and switch"). Growing up in a Greek household, everyone looked forward to these "kourabiedes" (also known as "kourambiethes" as well as variety of other spellings; Greeks can agree on little, spelling included). It was not until well after we left home that we realized how many people identified these as "Mexican Wedding cookies". And, while every Greek will swear that the Greeks invented these, there are so many near-identical versions of this cookie around the world that it's difficult to tell where they originated. The recipe below is from my beloved late grandmother, or "Yiayia", as we say in Greek. It is predictably vague, but these are easy to get right. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS • • • •

1 pound sweet butter, softened 6 tablespoons powdered sugar (reserve for after baking) Flour to appropriate texture Vanilla to taste

INSTRUCTIONS • • • • •

Mix everything, adding flour until the mix is firm but not sticky (not too dry!) Roll the dough into small balls (about an inch across) Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten very slightly Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. While still warm, sift the powdered sugar onto the cookies.

20 Pompano Today May 2016

Photo © FomaA / Adobe Stock

your dining jeff eats

Le Vinois: Simply Luscious Got an absolutely terrific French bakery for you guys, Le Vinois Bakery in Fort Lauderdale. The joint has the full-boat of breakfast items, breads, pastries, cakes, soups, quiches, salads, sandwiches, cookies, coffees. Order at the counterhandful of tables if you want to eat there! Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats recently did an eat-in lunch/and takeout order and like I said a few seconds ago, Le Vinois’ stuff is absolute dynamite! Now let’s be adults here and let bygones be bygones- you do remember Freedom Fries, sure you do! With that in mind, Jeff Eats absolutely loved Le Vinois Bakery and I’m kinda thinking that you should definitely give it a shot! Clockwise from top: Enjoy croissants, a slice of lemon tart, great sandwiches, and delicious quiche, among the many other delights at Le Vinois. Le Vinois Bakery 6322 N Powerline Road Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm Phone: 954 771 9788 Email: modinafrancis@yahoo.com levinoisbakery.com/

Clockwise from top left: © Friedberg / Adobe Stock; © Chuck Place / Adobe Stock; © gkrphoto / Adobe Stock; © geshas / Adobe Stock

// BY JEFF EATS

NICK’S 50’S DINER, 1900 OKEECHOBEE BOULEVARD, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33409 (561) 471-3155. A LITTLE ABOUT JEFF: “My name is Jeff. I was born (1949) and bred in Brooklyn, New York. Since 1991, I have lived full-time in South Florida and have eaten in so many restaurants (down here), that I now consider myself to be a FOOD EXPERT. To give you some idea as to how many South Florida restaurants I’ve been to, as of December 31, 2014, 441 Italian joints alone have had the pleasure of ringing up my American Express card. Just so you know, I don’t go for the fancy sit-down joints that want you to wear pants and a jacket, but rather places where a pair of shorts, an old tee shirt and a pair of sneakers is considered formal-wear. I don’t know one sauce from another. I also don’t know, or really care, how “dishes” are prepared. What I do know, is when something tastes delicious and I can’t get enough of it.” To read more of Jeff ’s picks, visit jeffeats.com.

Pompano Today May 2016 21

Memories youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll treasure. . . at the Sample-McDougald House Advertisement

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning a close, intimate gathering, or a large affair, the SampleMcDougald House at Centennial Park (450 NE 10th Street, Pompano Beach) sets the scene for memories that will last a lifetime. The recently completed $2.5 million restoration of the house and grounds provides you and your guests with a memorable setting. The historic house, surrounded by native trees and vegetation, is a beautiful background for your photos. Renting the Sample-McDougald Sitting amidst four beautiful House can give you and your guests exclusive use of the house and grounds throughout acres, the Sample-McDougald your affair (subject to use guidelines). House offers one of the few Visit www.SampleMcDougaldHouse.com historically to learn more about the house, or call significant settings in the area 954 691-5686 or 954 214-4759 for more for events of any size, uniquely details. suited to your special day. Advertisement

22 Pompano Today May 2016

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your city

AROUND TOWN

a look back charlotte's web (the Sample family) Members of the Sample family gather together, ca. 1920. Albert Neal Sample, who had the house now known as the Sample-McDougald House constructed in 1916, is standing in the second row, third from the viewer's right. The man kneeling in the first row is Neal's younger brother John, who, prior to 1910, was the first member of the Sample family to settle in the Pompano area. The house that Neal Sample built turns 100 this year. The non-profit Sample-McDougald House Preservation Society has a number of activities and events planned to commemorate the historic house's 100th birthday. For information visit SampleMcDougaldHouse.com or call 754-3075446.

//THANKS TO DAN HOBBY AND THE POMPANO BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE PHOTO AND INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CITY'S RICH AND VARIED HISTORY. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CITY'S FASCINATING PAST, VISIT POMPANOHISTORY.COM.

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24 Pompano Today May 2016

4/12/16 6:20 PM

your city charlotte's web

Wedded bliss: the flip side What the hell do I know about wedded bliss? I am a longterm and certified member of the “happily single, never been married” club. Relationships take work, people. My comfort level of commitment is agreeing to feed, walk, and nurture the fluffy poodle I brought home from the shelter 5 years ago. Beyond that…I’m selfish. And let’s face it, no one’s ever gotten into an argument with a dog over a miscommunication. They’re perfect in that respect.

Are you back? Good. Am I wrong in assuming this has some ties to the three date rule?

But weddings are wonderful events. Friends and family gathering together for a festive happy occasion, weddings almost always guarantee a good time. The happy couple, gazing into each other’s eyes while reciting wedding vows. Uncle Jim having a few too many at the open bar and trying out his salsa moves on the dance floor. Ah, the memories we can reminisce about for years to come. And the expectation is that the new union will last forever.

I don’t know, I certainly haven’t got all the answers. But I’ve just confirmed that single is a perfectly acceptable status for me. And you single people that are tired of hearing “When are you going to settle down and get married?” Don’t cave….do what makes you happy! There is not one version of the perfect relationship ideal. If it’s a good fit for you, so be it. We’re all different, after all.

It was ironic that one of the first suggestions that came up was "don't be selfish, and always put your partner first." Hmmm. But how does that same couple reach their 50th year wedding anniversary? 50 years of wedded bliss, now that’s an accomplishment. Since I have already mentioned that I am not exactly a go-to advisor on the subject, I did what I always do. Let’s see what the internet says. It was ironic that one of the first suggestions that came up was “don’t be selfish, and always put your partner first”. Hmmm.

To all you happily married people, congratulations! A toast to your success and ability to make those relationships work.

And to all you happily married people, congratulations. A toast to your success and ability to make those relationships work. Time to go walk the dog.

//BY CHARLOTTE SUNDQUIST

Presents

“Make it quick”. This tip was found when referencing the science of being happily married. While it doesn’t reference the actual marriage itself, in summary, I interpreted it to read if someone annoys you now, they will most inevitably annoy you much more in the future. So maybe not marrying material to begin with. Interestingly enough, I have this one covered with my three date rule. What is the three date rule, you ask? If there is nothing you find annoying about an individual within the first three dates…green light means go, there may be a future. In my case, this is a bit of a challenge to achieve. And then, Oprah’s people had to weigh in on the subject. I feel compelled to share a link to a great joke I found on Oprah.com during the search. It involves a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary and a mule, but no worries! It’s a completely clean joke. You can see the full joke here: oprah.com/relationships/Happy-MarriageTips-Love-Advice.

POMPANOBEACHFL.GOV | 954.786.4111

Pompano Today May 2016 25

your business

GET SMART

working it special feature

"Blissful" Business Can we be blissful in life? Yes. Can we be blissfully in love? Yes. Can we be blissful in business? That depends on what your definition of a “blissful” business is. Is it working Monday through Thursday? Is it dress down days? Is it bringing in a new client or two each month? Your bliss depends on what your definition is and what that looks like for your business model. Let’s talk about a few ways you can be “blissful” in business.

Your Company Culture What is the tone or perception of your company? Are you rigid, conservative and safe? Or are you creative, thought provoking and innovative? You have the opportunity to transform your company culture, a culture that attracts customers, employees and partners. Think about Google; they have created a co-working, collaborative, happy environment at work for their employees. Google has determined that their definition of “blissful” is casual dress, napping pods, libraries and bring your dog to work days. Think about what your culture is and try to create an atmosphere that people can enjoy. Better Matters

SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER. Whether you’re buying, selling or renting, contact us for real solutions to your real estate needs.

How can you perform tasks and projects “better” to make it more manageable for your staff? As leaders, when we put our employees first, the rewards are priceless. What are you implementing internally to “better” your employees to meet their sales goals, client leads or individual quotas? If you raise your standards, the company will follow. Being better should be the norm. Better business creates a “blissful” business.

Determine your personal definition of a "blissful" business The Next Level

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1221 S Powerline Rd Pompano Beach, FL 33069

26 Pompano Today May 2016

What is your definition of the reaching the next level? Will reaching that level create a “blissful” business? Maybe yes or maybe no. The next level for my business would be to add more employees and another office, which would create bliss for me. I would be free to do more networking and outside activities. Determine and define what the “next level” is for your company and see if it makes sense and creates a “blissful” work environment for everyone involved. It’s important to take a step back every now and then to remember why being an entrepreneur makes you happy.

//BY TEANA MCDONALD

your business special feature

Falling in love with the future of Pompano Beach Kim Briesemeister greets us at the entrance to RMA’s new digs, a suite of comfortable, welcoming offices right on Atlantic Boulevard. As usual, she is polished, professional, and enthusiastic about all of the great things happening in our city. “What RMA brings is the technical expertise, the realities of how to achieve the market vision…the end result is creating a quality place that people want to live in, and are proud to call home; a place where businesses want to be; and the city gets a certain great vibe,” Kim notes. You can see this “vibe” in her eyes – and you know that Kim can see what the future looks like here in Pompano Beach, and at that moment in time, we can see it with her. What is “it”, exactly? “It” is what great places are made of: Art. Culture. Safety. Walkability. Excitement. The vision that Kim and her partner, Chris Brown, as well as all of the bright, creative, energetic staff we see, is breathtaking. And that feeling of hometown comfort that we all get when we return here, whether after a trip to the next town over or a trip around the world, is the wellspring from which all of the plans for our future originate. It’s still Pompano Beach, but it’s far, far better.

The Rise of Urban Innovation Districts For the past 50 years, the landscape of innovation has been dominated by places like Silicon Valley—suburban corridors of spatially isolated corporate campuses, accessible only by car, with little emphasis on the quality of life or on integrating work, housing and recreation.

the great things that attract more like-minded residents and visitors. An airport. A harbor. The Intracoastal. The lighthouse. Thriving businesses. A small-town feeling that is ever harder to maintain. Without a cohesive vision, it’s likely that some, if not all of these, could be lost. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”, and there is no shortage of planning for this bright future going on at RMA. Speaking of that planning, at that point Kim turns our attention to the consideration of an “innovation district,” and this is where her enthusiasm is, if possible, even more palpable. We are treated to a breathtaking visual tour of what is possible in such a district and oh, my! We can hardly contain ourselves. What, we ask, is RMA’s role in this endeavor? “We are able to help the community go through the redevelopment process,” Kim responds, adding that “[the goal is that] in the end, everyone says, ‘This is the most amazing place to live. This is where I want to be.’” Yes! That’s what we all want! A place that we’re even more proud to call home. Proud of the looks on the faces of others when we tell them, “Yes, I live in Pompano Beach”; proud that we raised our children in a place where, after they’re grown, they choose to return and put down roots of their own, right here where they belong. This is the place that we will create that will provide a solid foundation on which our city will continue to build on and thrive. As we prepare to depart, earnest young professionals come bounding enthusiastically through the door (ok, they weren’t really bounding – they are professionals – but they sure gave the impression of bounding).

A new complementary urban model is now emerging, giving rise to what we and others are calling “innovation districts.” These districts, by our definition, are geographic areas where leading-edge anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators and accelerators.1 They are also physically compact, transit-accessible, and technically-wired and offer mixeduse housing, office, and retail.

As the publishers of this magazine for the past six years, we have firsthand knowledge of all of the great people who live here, and

“Ahhh,” we think to ourselves, imagining an exchange with them: “Do you guys happen to live in Pompano Beach? No? That’s too bad,” we say, unable to help feeling just a tad smug. “It’s a great place to live, work and play.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE •

Target Industries

Cultural Arts/Tourism Industrial

From top left:

What They Are

The Rise of Urban Innovation Districts

Downtown Downtown Innovation Innovation District District

Multi Purpose

Economic Assets

Education

Innovation Ecosystem

Housing

A synergistic relationship between people, firms and place that facilitates idea generation and accelerates commercialization.

How to harness our “Downtown Innovation District”

2. Set a vision for growth to leverage our unique strengths: distinct economic clusters, leading local and regional institutions and companies, physical location and design advantages and other cultural attributes 3. Pursue talent and technology 4. Promote inclusive growth Equip workers with the skills they need to participate in the innovation economy or other secondary and tertiary jobs generated by innovative growth. 5. Enhance access to capital



International Trade and Logistics



Marine Industry



Life Sciences and Biotechnology



Creative Design



Digital Media and Technology



Class A Office



Tourism



Advanced Materials and HighTech Manufacturing

Networking Assets

• • •

Target Industries

1. Build a collaborative leadership network

Physical Assets



Redevelopment of Commercial and Residential



Alternatives Energy and Renewable Resources



Aviation/Aerospace



Global Business Services



Global Media and Production



Headquarters and Management Operations



Human Resources and Higher Education

• •

Creating a Downtown Innovation District means incorporating all of the pieces of a successful plan a sterling example of one such district synergy in action specific steps to harness our unique strengths targeted industries another sterling example, this time of a complete street.

Pompano Today May 2016 27

the guide hot properties

MAKE A SPLASH

cool indulgences

festive weekends

HOT

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FESTIVE

WEEKENDS

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Volleyball with a cause! Mark your calendars for the 31st Annual Volleyball Challenge on June 11th-12th, 2016 at the Wyndham Sea Gardens (615 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL). Proceeds to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida. Learn more at ucpsouthflorida.org/. © smuki, Fotolia.com

28 Pompano Today May 2016

the guide: shopping SHOW THE LOCALS SOME LOVE

Check out

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ALLOW US TO GUSH. Really. We are, without exaggeration, obsessed.

Now available exclusively at Glam Sparkle n’ Glitz! The most fashionable, functional, and flattering way to hold your keys, phone, and so much more!

Every once in awhile, a life-changing product comes along. You know the kind - the kind that makes you slap your forehead (at least metaphorically) and think, "Really? I couldn't have thought of that?" You probably could have. But you didn't. Thankfully, Bill Glazer and his partner, Rob Lembersky, did. Get Waisted's tagline is "Free Yourself....." and this is not hyperbole. Really. We take ours everywhere - so long, purse! See ya, crossbody! Imagine - phone, keys, money, cards, and - look ma, free hands and a slim silhouette! Get Waisted is life-changing. Stop by Glam Sparkle n' Glitz and see for yourself. It comes in several festive colors including basic black. Oh! It can go under your shirt, too. Amazing.

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GET THOSE PANTS HEMMED. Those sleeves altered. You know you need to.

We'll pay $1,000 (ok, $1, but still) to any reader who can prove to us that there is not one.single.thing. in his or her closet that couldn't use a little fine tailoring. We know. You have a sewing kit. So do we - three, in fact. How long has that blouse been sitting there? Those pants? Hmmm? It's ok. Thankfully, we have Benjamin's. We have never, ever, ever looked so put together as when the outstanding folks at Benjamin's work their magic. In fact, we're fighting the compulsion to buy more clothes (!) so we can go back.

the guide: dining YOUR GUIDE TO GOOD EATS

MEET AT THE BEACH.

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Pompano Today May 2016 29

4/12/16 6:21 PM

your ride

VROOM

all things automotive

Achieving wedded bliss with your vehicle choice This month’s theme is wedded bliss. I started checking on an exact meaning for this title. This is what was written in the English Dictionary: “the happiness of being married.” As I reflect back and think about life altogether, whether marriage, engagement, purchase of a product or dealing with family and friends… There are many factors in life that can afford you wedded bliss or the joy, serenity, and comfort of having the right lover, husband or wife, the right house or car, the right job or title… Now, let’s admit to the fact that we all go though the ups and downs and have to face many situations… This is part of being human. Just imagine not having a significant other to share the joy or sadness of an event or a shoulder to cry on… Just imagine not having a cell phone to communicate with your loved ones or a car to get you from point A to point B. Just like a marriage, you start by meeting a prospective mate, lover or significant other. You then starting dating and checking on the possibility of a good fit. If that is the case, you start focusing on the possibility of a future together and if the positive traits in that individual outweigh the negative, and if you can’t imagine living without him/her, then the marriage is to be considered. The same thing goes for the perfect car for you! You have specific, unique preferences based on your personality and the purpose of the car purchase.

The right car that will suit your needs for years to come exists. It just takes a little research, planning, budgeting and common sense. We all dream of the luxury car that we many not be able to afford, but till the time comes to make our dream car a reality, we will need to settle for what is achievable, practical, fits our need and makes us proud of the choice we made. Here are some practical questions to answer: would you like to get a sporty car, a regular 4 door sedan, a van, an SUV or a truck? Would you like a practical car you may drive in city, highway or would you like to go off-roading on the weekends? Would you need this vehicle to tow your boat, to tow your camping trip supplies or would you like to have an elegant car to show off to your friends? Now, we have to consider the budget and whether we want to purchase a domestic or foreign vehicle, the maintenance cost, the fuel efficiency and the overall look and feel of the car. We have noticed that cars reflect their owner’s personality so, if you are someone who is sporty, adventurous, have a young spirit and are financially secure, then a Bugatti Veyron, Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, McClaren MP4- 12C, Lamborghini Egoista Limited edition, Mercedes AMG, SL/ SLK Roadster or E Class Cabriolet Convertible or the Chevy Camaro come to mind. Pictured on page 31 is the 2017 Ford Shelby GT350 in Grabber Blue, by the way. If you are someone who is practical, enjoy trips to the mountains or the beach, work full time and look for a dependable and comfortable car, then check out the Cadillac CTS (pictured above), XTS or DTS, Super Subaru Impreza, Lexus CT 200h Sport /IS 250 or ES 350, Mercedes C/S or E Class, Chevy Equinox, Chevy Tahoe and Toyota Prius V.

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If you are the family man/woman and are seeking safety, comfortable seating and an affordable vehicle with low maintenance, we noticed that most of the inquiries are SUV or Van related, such as the Mercedes GLA SUB/ GLE SUV or GLS SUV, Audi Q5, Audi Allroad, Toyota Sienna, Ford Fex, Ford Transit Connect, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac SRX and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not forget the Chevy Suburban. Now, if you are the hunter or you enjoy off roading every now and then, the vehicles we see/sell and repair most are the Ford F150, Ford Super Duty, Mercedes G Class, Toyota Tacoma/Tundra, Range Rover, Jeep Wrangler and the Chevy Silverado. What about the green energy conscious? We have had inquiries about the Toyota Prius and the Rav 4 Hybrid, Audi A3 E-tron, Cadillac ELR or the Chevy Spark EV. Now, if you are in the market for a nice ride then you need to test drive the Cadillac CT6 Plugin Hybrid or the BMW I8 and tell me if you enjoyed the drive.

perfect car that fits your image, your lifestyle, your personality, then congratulations because you are lucky to Yes, even car owners and their vehicles can get the perfect car! In the meantime, if you are looking for a vehicle and have questions or concerns, feel free talk about wedded bliss. So, if you have the to contact us and we will be glad to assist you. //BY JAY GHANEM

Pompano Today May 2016 31

HOLLYWOOD CORNER

stars in your eyes news from the west coast

Benjamin A. Onyango on keeping the faith and making people happy When did you know without any doubt that you wanted to act? I've always acted in church youth plays that I wrote myself when I was a teenager in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1987, I came to the United States and while attending California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, California formed a traditional dance group called Upendo Singers and Cultural Dancers. We wrote plays and songs and performed them in cultural festivals, universities and churches. After graduating in 1992 I knew I wanted to act so I struck the tent and moved to Hollywood where I joined a funk rock band called P.F.O. and also acted as a background performer in TV and feature films.

single dry eye in the theater when it's screened. It's a beautifully written story of hardship, resilience, survival and hope. What do you enjoy most about your career? What I enjoy most about my career is the ability to travel and see different people in different parts of the world. I am a people person and nothing makes me happier than meeting and making new friends.

What inspires you to act? I am naturally a happy person and I love it when people are happy. So I can't help it but crack jokes and poke fun at myself to make people around me laugh. I am inspired by other people. Their presence makes me want to do stuff: talk, dance, sing, shout etc.

I do not think I have reached my goal as an actor yet. To me acting is an evolving thing. You get to a certain level and then you strive to get better than the level you currently are on. Acting has many facets and therefore many challenges. There is no one way to approach acting. I therefore believe that I am still reaching for that goal and I must admit that the experience indeed is the best teacher because you indeed get better at it the more you keep doing it.

I hope I do have fans. LOL. They can find out about what I am doing or working on my Facebook page: facebook.com/EMEBAND or Facebook fan page: facebook.com/ BenjiBendrix/, Twitter: twitter.com/ bochieng, Instagram: instagram.com/ benjibendrix/ and imdb: imdb.com/name/ nm1335173/?ref_=nv_sr. I also have a website, benjibendrix.com, that I use. Tell us something new, something bold that you’ve never told any other magazine… news tip :)

What was your favorite role to date and why?

Beautifully Broken is a story that connects very strongly with the human spirit. I can almost guarantee that there will not be a

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That's funny you mentioned that. I write lots of movie scripts and TV show scripts and I have always thought of writing a book. So on my down days on the set of Beautifully Broken I started a book I've been toying with in my head for a while. The title of the book is God Moves When We Stop Helping Him. It's more of a booklet than a book. It's a book about encouragement. What is the best way for your fans to know what you’re working on? Facebook/ Twitter? Do you post for your own sites or do you have your assistants do the posts?

When did you realize you had reached your goals as an actor?

My favorite role to date is the movie I am currently filming called Beautifully Broken. The reason: it's my first role as a lead actor in a feature film and best of all, I am playing the role of a real person who survived the Rwanda genocide that the story is about. I played a lead role before in a short film called Kwame, also based on a true story, and was voted best actor at the 2009 Mexico International Film Festival.

Can we expect a book from you?

Learn more about Benjamin at: pro.imdb.com/name/nm1335173/ afro-mericarecords.com mindtricksmovie.com/

Recently I was fortunate to have my TV webseries, Dysfunctionally Organized, pitched to a major network and they agreed to have us do a spin-off of the show. So we have started the writing process. It's a major achievement for my team and myself since we have been working on the show for a long time. It's not easy to get an audience with a content procurement person on a major network so we feel very fortunate. I can't mention the network because of confidentiality reasons. // BY MISTY SCHWARTZ

THE LAST WORD

word scramble

a workout for your mind

Wedded bliss! All of the words in this month's Scramble are related to marriage and weddings. Good luck! Look for the answers online beginning May 15, at pompanotoday.com.

Scramble Answer odeutx gnwo ermdiadbis nwiddge erdbhteot

Scramble Answer gnir iaoynmtmr eusenv rrdemia rceepnoit

Scramble Answer oeemcryn rogom shrue erdib errceat

Scramble lsuipnat slrofwe ovws psoesu eiervsc

Answer

James Stafford Photography facebook.com/JamesStaffordPhotography jamesstafford.name (561) 201-1640