TROBBU Tulum - Redefining The Private Villa Vacation Experience By Merilee Kern, MBA May 14, 2026 Tucked Into The Lush Greenery Of Tulum, Just Minutes From The Caribbean Sea, TROBBU Tulum Offers A Version Of The Destination That Feels Intentionally Removed From The Usual Noise. It Is Not A Traditional Resort Experience. It Is Quieter, More Private, And Designed To Feel Like Stepping Into Your Own Secluded World. Opened in February 2025, the all-inclusive property introduces a boutique concept centered around fully appointed villas rather than standard hotel rooms. Each residence is designed to balance contemporary architecture with the surrounding jungle environment, creating a setting that feels both elevated and grounded. The result is a stay that leans into space, calm, and a slower pace. The villas themselves are the core of the experience. Each one features three bedrooms and three and a half baths, along with an infinity pool, a spacious terrace lined with loungers, and a bar and grill area that makes it easy to settle in for the day without leaving. Inside, the layout is equally intentional, with a full kitchen, living area, and design details that prioritize comfort without sacrificing style. What stands out most is how the property manages to feel both expansive and intimate at the same time. Whether traveling with family, friends, or as a couple looking for privacy, the layout naturally adapts to different types of stays. A Stay That Blends Independence with Service While the villas offer the freedom of a private residence, the service structure ensures guests are never left to figure things out on their own. Each stay includes access to a butler who can coordinate everything from in-villa experiences to off-property excursions. Activities range from casual and social, like pizza-making and mixology classes, to wellness-focused options and visits to nearby cenotes. Guests can shape their itinerary as much or as little as they want, which reinforces the property’s flexibility. Dining follows a similar philosophy. Guests can enjoy the all-inclusive food and beverage program that covers meals throughout the day. The ability to dine either privately in the villa or in shared spaces adds another layer of customization, depending on the mood of the trip. The Vision Behind the Experience TROBBU Tulum is part of the broader TROBBU Boutique Collection, a hospitality concept built around the idea that luxury should feel personal, not standardized. The brand focuses on properties that reflect their location, emphasizing design, nature, and cultural connection over traditional hotel structure. Behind the concept is Elias Barbosa, whose background spans more than two decades in construction and large-scale hospitality development. Having worked on major hotel brands across Mexico and the Caribbean, his shift toward a boutique model reflects a deliberate move to create something more tailored and immersive. The approach is evident in how the property is run. The emphasis is not on volume or spectacle, but on creating a sense of place. Each detail, from the architecture to the service style, is designed to feel thoughtful rather than formulaic. I recently connected with Barbosa to discuss his distinctive approach to hospitality. Here’s a bit of that conversation. MK: What makes TROBBU Tulum a true stand out? EB: T ROBBU Tulum’s defining feature is that it is the first collection of all-inclusive luxury villas in the entire destination. Guests enjoy a balance of complete privacy within their own space and an intimate atmosphere in common areas, as the property only has 10 villas. Our culinary experience is another standout of the property. Guests can indulge in breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in their private villa or in shared areas. These culinary offerings include items such as octopus with chimichurri, steak with pepper sauce, and Neapolitan dough pizza. MK: Who is the ideal guest for TROBBU Tulum? EB: We designed TROBBU Tulum to appeal to a wide range of travelers including families, groups of friends, and couples. These visitors value the privacy of having their own bedroom and appreciate how effortless it is to all gather in the living room, kitchen, and private pool within each villa. We recently introduced included wellness experiences such as rise & root yoga, sculpt & strength pilates, training & kickboxing, deep sound bath, Mayan cacao circle, little yogui for kids, and more. There are also activities available at an additional cost including mindful ice immersion, floating sound meditation, tea and tarot reading, and more. These offerings further position us as the ideal destination for wellness travelers and retreats. MK: What are the top three things that set the property apart? EB: We offer private and individual service to every single guest and make them feel like they are the only ones staying there. Wellness and culinary experiences are included, and we also provide food and drinks directly to the villa, creating a seamless and highly personalized stay. MK: What is the design philosophy behind the villas? EB: The villas were designed to blend harmoniously with their natural surroundings, inviting guests to reconnect with nature. The design prioritizes natural light through large windows and expresses luxury through refined materials such as parotta wood, marble stone, and Sukabumi stone in the private pools, all chosen to reflect the spirit of the destination. MK: How do the villas create a seamless, elevated stay experience? EB: Our personalized service begins one week before guests arrive, with every detail carefully arranged through our concierge to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience from the moment you reach your destination. Offering all the comforts of an all-inclusive stay, but in the privacy of your own residence, each reservation includes food, beverages, and wellness experiences, creating a stay that feels both effortless and indulgent. MK: What can guests expect from the food and beverage experience? EB: Guests are only able to book with our Unlimited Access plan. Visitors can enjoy items such as avocado toast and French toast for breakfast, pasta selections for lunch and dinner, cauliflower bites for relaxed poolside snacks, and much more, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Our pizza bar offers a more relaxed atmosphere while still delivering high-quality, flavorful options. MK: What amenities and shared experiences round out the stay? EB: The property includes a pizza restaurant, yoga classes, and in-villa wellness offerings such as meditation, pilates, aromatherapy, and spa treatments, along with a fitness center. Upcoming additions include an artisanal bakery, a teens arcade, and a boutique spa, further enhancing the range of experiences available to guests. MK: What makes Tulum a unique setting for TROBBU? EB: It creates a perfect scenario that allows guests to fully enjoy wellness sessions while reconnecting with nature, thanks to the balance of jungle surroundings and proximity to the Caribbean. MK: How does the service approach create a “home” feeling for guests? EB: From the very first contact, our team begins building an interactive relationship with each guest well before arrival. We learn preferences, refine details, and anticipate needs so the experience feels personal from the start. During the stay, that connection becomes a trusted and easy line of communication, where guests can simply send a text at any time, whether it is for a dining request, a wellness session, transportation, or a last-minute celebration. A Different Kind of Tulum Stay TROBBU Tulum ultimately appeals to travelers who want more control over how they experience a destination. It is well suited for those who value privacy but still want access to curated experiences and support when needed. The setting, surrounded by jungle yet close to the coastline, reinforces that balance. It allows for both retreat and exploration without feeling disconnected from either. Even beyond the wonder that is Tulum, TROBBU will be expanding heavily in the next few years across multiple continents. For a destination that often leans into energy and activity, TROBBU offers a different perspective. One that is quieter, more intentional, and centered around the idea that luxury does not always need to be loud to be memorable. About Merilee Kern Entrepreneur Leadership Network member Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at: www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / X: http://www.X.com/MerileeKern / Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN: www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern TROBBU Tulum is part of the broader TROBBU Boutique Collection. Each stay includes access to a butler who can coordinate everything from in-villa experiences to off-property excursions. The villas themselves are the core of the experience. What stands out most is how the property manages to feel both expansive and intimate at the same time. Previous Next

Big Things Are Accomplished In Small Steps By Bryan Golden Sep 24, 2026 The Largest Brick Building Is Constructed One Brick At A Time. A Long Journey By Foot Is Completed One Step At A Time. A Home Is Built One Board At A Time. The Most Monumental Accomplishments Are Achieved Through A Series Of Small, Manageable Steps. Any goal is achieved by taking enough small steps. You start where you are and then take just one step. Taking action initiates your forward progress. If you want a new job, begin by applying to one job posting. If you want to get a college degree, sign up for one course. If you want to become a chef, cook one meal. All successful journeys consist of small steps. Smaller steps are more manageable. A common strategic error is attempting steps which are too big. This leads to frustration, and possible abandonment of a goal which then seems unattainable. For example, a person sets a goal of losing 20 pounds in one week. Accomplishing this goal is virtually impossible. The inability to lose the desired weight in one week has the strong potential of having someone abandon their weight loss objectives altogether. Motivation grows with success. Developing the necessary skills enhances success. Setting and achieving small goals builds both motivation and skills. For someone embarking on a diet, a starting goal might be eating a quality breakfast each day. Once this goal is accomplished, lunch could be the next meal improved. For someone who wants to engage in more reading, an initial goal could be reading one page a day from a book they have been putting off. Success at this reachable objective would lead to one or more books being completed within a year. The progress would be easily doubled by only reading two pages a day. A person who wants to engage in more exercise can start small with one 15 minute walk each week. Although this alone would have minimal impact on one’s physical conditioning, it will get someone successfully started. With the accomplishment of the initial goal, the frequency and distance can then be increased. Doing something is always preferable to doing nothing. Incorporating the action steps needed for each small goal into your daily routine is another effective strategy. You could read one page in your book before or after a meal or before going to bed. When food shopping, avoid those foods you don’t want to be eating. Get up 15 minutes earlier to go for a walk. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. When going to a store, park away from the entrance. These examples demonstrate how you can adapt new behaviors into your normal routine. Goal achievement does not require a major revamping of your lifestyle. Accomplishing small goals builds confidence while moving you forward. Achieving a small goal is significant. It’s much more effective than failing to reach a large goal. Once you have reached one small goal, set another one. If reaching the completed goal was too easy, make your next one a little bigger. Success is what matters, not the size of the goal. While working on a goal, consistency matters more than speed. It doesn’t matter if arriving at your goal takes longer than planned. Taking longer than expected to become successful is always preferable to failing quickly. Set at least one small goal today. Don’t put it off. Procrastination is a goal killer. Start from where you are right now. Even small goals may require several restarts. Since quitting ensures failure, never ever give up. Achieving each goal is an exhilarating experience. Bryan is the Author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Contact Bryan at: Bryan@columnist.com . Or visit: www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com Copyright 2026 Bryan Golden Previous Next

The Museum of Contemporary Art: Experience MOCA’s Free Art Education Programs for Children, Teens & Adults Thu May 30 2024 16:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Broward & Beyond Business Conference Aims For Next Level South Florida Sun Times Apr 10, 2025 The Broward County Office Of Economic And Small Business Development (OESBD) Announces Travis T. Mack As A Morning Keynote Speaker At The 2025 Broward & Beyond Business Conference (#BBBC2025). Hosted In Partnership With The City Of Fort Lauderdale As Signature Sponsor, The Conference Theme "Next L'Evolution!" Highlights The Objective To Help Businesses Evolve To Their Next Level. In Its Eighth Successful Year, The Free One-Day Conference Will Take Place From 8:00 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. On Friday, May 9th, 2025, At The Broward County Convention Center In Fort Lauderdale. To Register And For More Information, Visit The Biz Beyond Website. "We are pleased to partner with our signature sponsor, the City of Fort Lauderdale, and others to welcome the dynamic Travis Mack for a keynote conversation that attendees won't want to miss. He is an evolutionary leader, prime contractor, decorated Naval veteran, media influencer, and philanthropist who is highly regarded for his passion for others to realize next level achievements," said OESBD Director Sandy-Michael E. McDonald. Travis T. Mack is Chairman/CEO of Saalex Corporation, a nationally recognized federal aerospace and defense contractor; has served as CEO of Valeo Networks, an information technology company and is the Founder/Fund Manager of Greenwood Self Storage Funds headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida. As a business leader with decades of experience driving success, profitability and growth, he is also Founder of The Mack Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing support, scholarships and educational opportunities. Travis has additional offices located in Washington, D.C.; Newport, Rhode Island; Camarillo, California and Lexington Park, Maryland. "I am honored to be the keynote speaker at the 8th Annual Broward & Beyond Business Conference where we will empower entrepreneurs, foster innovation, and drive economic growth. I look forward to sharing insights that inspire and equip businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape," said Travis. Local, regional, national businesses, non-profits and government agencies are encouraged to attend to learn and network with industry experts and peers. Event attendees will have access to vendors in the exhibitor hall, along with informative panels about capital readiness, access to capital, marketing, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), film and television, government procurement, international trade and more. There will also be interactive stations where businesses may obtain further assistance with Broward County certification, renewals, and more. Sponsors include: The City of Fort Lauderdale, Turner Construction Company, Florida Power & Light (FPL) and Mobility Advancement Program Administration (MAP Broward), CEPTA, Inc, TD Bank, Florida Blue, and Ambetter Health. Additional sponsorships opportunities are available. Historically, over 900 people have attended the annual event which supports the goals of the Broward County Commission to advance the reach of the County's numerous business operations in and beyond the region. For more information about BBBC2025, visit the website: https://www.broward.org/BizBeyond/Pages/default.aspx - Or call: (954) 357-6400. Registration is available through Eventbrite. The Office of Economic and Small Business Development: The Office of Economic and Small Business Development is responsible for promoting economic development and supporting Broward County's small businesses. Areas of focus include workforce development, business expansion and retention, small business growth, business development and outreach, international trade and export readiness, entrepreneurial development, and promoting Broward County as a film destination. Services are delivered by the agency and through partnerships with federal, state, local, and private sector organizations. The Office promotes equal access to Broward County's procurement opportunities for small business enterprises in local and federal small business programs and helps position small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities while growing their businesses in and beyond Broward. Call: (954) 357-6400. For more information or visit: https://www.broward.org/EconDev/Pages/default.aspx Previous Next

Cruising Through 'The Change': A Hysterical Voyage Into Menopause And Friendship Wed Oct 18 2023 16:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

How Cataracts Affect Pets: Our Animal Friends Can Also Experience Site Issues February 17, 2022 Share Just as humans may develop vision loss or impairments, our animal friends also can experience issues such as cataracts as they age. The term cataract refers to an opacity of the lens within the eye, causing both a discomfort and a loss of vision. While all species are susceptible to developing cataracts, Dr. Lucien Vallone, a clinical professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says cataracts are most often found in dogs and horses and less frequently in cats. The most common and noticeable sign of cataracts is a cloudy, white pupil. Other warning signs of vision loss can include running into walls, clumsier movement, and less spacial awareness. Because the severity of pet cataracts ranges from a small inconvenience that causes little or no vision issues to affecting the entire lens and resulting in blindness, Vallone encourages pet owners to pursue evaluation with a veterinarian if there are any concerns of cataract or vision issues in their pet. “It can be difficult to predict whether a small cataract will progress to a large one,” Vallone said. “Veterinary ophthalmologists generally recommend periodic eye exams to identify if a cataract is present and to then track progression.” Cataract severity and treatment varies greatly from patient to patient. Some cases can be treated with topical therapies such as eyedrops. While this form of treatment will not reverse or repair damaged vision, it can ease any discomfort or inflammation caused by the cataract. If cataracts progress too far, however, surgery can be done to restore lost vision in pets. The majority of cataracts are consequences of inherited genetic mutations. While many of these mutations have been found in certain breeds of dogs, they are not necessarily present in the entire population. Vallone said it is tough to accurately pinpoint which breeds develop cataracts, due to the major variations within a breed around the globe. Owners who acquire their dogs from breeders should ask the breeder if annual Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) exams have been performed within their breeding program. “The OFA organizes breeding soundness examinations with ophthalmologists that are intended to help responsible breeders avoid breeding dogs affected by cataracts,” Vallone said. “If breeding soundness steps were not taken prior to adoption, or a dog was adopted from a shelter, the best strategy an owner can take is to schedule regular (annual) evaluations with their vet for screening purposes.” A key element to pets living a full and happy life comes from their ability to clearly see both their owners and the world around them. Although cataracts have the potential of putting a cloudy haze on an animal’s happy life, by staying observant to the well-being of their animal companions, pet owners can catch conditions like cataracts early so that their pet can be treated as soon as possible. < Previous News Next News >

Starring Joan Crawford: Hollywood Historian Explores The Lasting Impact Of The Pop Culture Icon June 13, 2024 Share She started making movies in 1925 and won her sole Oscar in 1945. She died in 1977, seven years after shooting her last picture, at age 69 or possibly 70 - something. Almost half a century later, Joan Crawford keeps popping up everywhere from Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Bette and Joan to Ru-Paul’s Drag Race, from Richard Brody’s film criticism to parodies inspired by Mommie Dearest. In the new book Starring Joan Crawford: The Films, the Fantasy, and the Modern Relevance of a Silver Screen Icon, Hollywood historian Samuel Garza Bernstein draws on reams of press coverage and never-before-seen restored images from movie posters and stills, publicity shots, sheet music, and magazine covers. Starring Joan Crawford is both a celebration and a compelling exploration of how she informed ideas about wealth and class, femininity and gender roles, identity, and fulfillment. Dividing her career into five phases, Garza Bernstein looks at what Crawford meant to audiences: Influencer and It Girl—Her marriages and rise to fame. This phase marks the beginning of its end in 1928 due to two transformative events: her marriage to a Hollywood prince, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and the arrival of talkies. After escaping a harrowing childhood and dancing her way to Broadway, Lucille LeSueur is discovered by an MGM talent scout. She made her silent film debut in January 1925, and dazzled as the joyful jazz baby. Off-screen, she is unafraid of hard work, which includes getting her pictures in the papers for dancing and partying. Three months later, the studio’s publicity head launched a “Name Her” contest in Movie Weekly magazine, and Joan Crawford, the star, was born. If Social Media had existed, she would have been out there, offering upbeat advice on how to reach your goals and make yourself whatever you want to be. Queen of the Movies—How she made many and how her career was flailing. In 1930, Crawford was named the top box office draw in the world, ahead of Greta Garbo. A full-blown star, Crawford sets out to prove she can act and takes on dramatic roles—playing a bitter antihero in Paid and a suicide survivor in Laughing Sinners opposite Clark Gable, with whom she develops an enduring friendship. Rain is her first flop, and she blames herself. Rebounding, she switches to rom-coms. Then she makes a second flop. Branded “box office poison,” she is mortified. But she has a career to protect. In 1939, she sparkled in The Women, a big-budget film directed by George Cukor. In 1940, she made two films that she considers her best work: Strange Cargo opposite Gable and Susan and God opposite Frederick March. But her string of hits peters out and the quality of the scripts MGM offers is below par, so in 1943, Crawford asks to be released from her MGM contract—paying $100,000 for the privilege—and embraces her most controversial role: mother. Still, her work comes first. Mother and Martyr. By this phase, Crawford is on her third husband (after a brief second marriage to Franchot Tone). She marries Phillip Terry because he seems like a kind man who will make a good father figure. After buying her freedom from MGM, she is forced to wait two agonizing years before making her first picture for Warner Bros: Mildred Pierce. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress. With Mildred, Crawford creates a new archetype for not only herself but also American women, with suffering baked into the drive for independence and fulfillment to help ease the guilt of getting what you want. Though Crawford is in demand, unlike in the MGM years, she has time on her hands. Boredom is dangerous for a workaholic. To ease her anxiety, she depends on alcohol. And to keep busy, she micromanages her four adopted children. Dragon Lady—From actress to Pepsi spokes girl. In her mid-40s, though beautiful and with legs to die for, Crawford worries about failure. She starts trolling Marilyn Monroe, and the backlash defines the public image she develops in the 1950s—at first, seen as old and out of touch, and she self-sabotages her chance to sizzle on the beach in From Here to Eternity (the Deborah Kerr role was meant for Crawford). Then she embraces the monster and returns to MGM to make the movie that will seal her fate as a dragon icon: Torch Song. She plays the iron lady of Broadway musicals—a star who feels empty because she cannot find love in her private life—a situation that hits close to home, where she often fights, sometimes physically, with her daughter Christina. She continues to land roles as bitchy ball-busters in films, including Johnny Guitar and Queen Bee. She marries for the fourth and final time. As the wife of Alfred Steele, the President of Pepsi, Crawford embraces her role as the public face of a soft drink giant. Reinvention—What ever happened to ...? She signs a contract for her memoirs, searches for her next project, and lands on the story of two aging sisters—one a crippled former movie star, the other a demented former vaudeville star. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? happens because Crawford finds the novel, finds the director, gets Bette Davis, and convinces Director Robert Aldrich to sign on. Crawford begins her final phase devastated by the loss of Steele (who unexpectedly died of heart failure a few days shy of his 58th birthday), their larger-than-life partnership, and the financial security she thought he provided (his estate was essentially bankrupt). Determined to cement her legacy, she barrels into the 1960s leaving her humanity behind. The Author Samuel Garza Bernstein is a Stonewall Book Award-Winning Author, Screenwriter and Playwright. He splits his time between Porto, Portugal, and Los Angeles, California. < Previous News Next News >

Aventura Branch Library Happenings: Introduction To Computers, Centenarian Wisdom, LEGO At The Library And Much More Thu Sep 26 2024 16:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Animal Vintage: Specialty Shop Opens in Downtown Hollywood Thu Jan 27 2022 05:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Miami International Piano Festival Spectacular: Presents Ariel Lanyi (Israel) A Fascinating, Unique & Compelling Artist February 14, 2025 Share Ariel Lanyi returns to the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center for the third time. He is a pianist, intensely musical, intellectually probative, and well-focused. His authority, which belies his age, takes no prisoners as he expertly leads us on a no-nonsense artistic journey as satisfying as it is substantive. There is nothing in the least superficial about Mr. Lanyi’s always thoughtful music making, which speaks volumes for the artist he is and continues to blossom into. His playing is precise, nuanced, and virtuosic, but he is no superficial virtuoso. What sets him apart is his ability to delve deeply into the music and to establish a connection with it. He doesn’t simply play the notes, he lives the music, seeks to capture its essence, and reflects it with extraordinary intensity, sensibility, and expressive maturity. In March 2023, Ariel Lanyi was honored to receive the Prix Serdang, a Swiss prize awarded by the distinguished Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder. The prize is endowed with CHF 50,000 and is not a competition, but a recognition of a young pianist’s achievements and an investment in their future. Prior to this, Ariel won 3rd prize at the 2021 Leeds International Piano Competition, performing Brahms Concerto No. 2 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Manze in the finals. In the same year, he was a winner of the Young Classical Artists Trust International Auditions. Current highlights include returns to the Wigmore Hall and to the Miami International Piano Festival, as well as debut appearances at the Vancouver Recital Society, Nottingham International Piano Series, Frankfurt Alte Oper, and at Merkin Hall in New York. On the concerto platform Ariel has appeared with various orchestras, including the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Mozarteumorchester Salzburg, Israel Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Future projects include the release of Organ Reflections on Linn Records, a recording of piano music inspired by the organ by Mozart, Franck, and Reger, and a recording with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, Ariel has attended the Marlboro festival and has collaborated with eminent musicians such as Maria João Pires, Marina Piccinini, Charles Neidich, Alena Baeva, and Torleif Thedéen. PROGRAM February 23, 2025 ARIEL LANYI (Israel) F. SCHUBERT Sonata G-major, D.894 INTERMISSION B. BARTOK 15 Hungarian Peasant Songs, Sz. 71 F. CHOPIN Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 Mission of Patrons of Exceptional Artists Exceptionally talented pianists, with unwavering dedication, devote their entire youth to developing their skills, abiding by rigid and demanding schedules, and focusing on achieving a successful music career. During this arduous process, they often find themselves lost without the support and understanding of a benefactor. That is where the mission and purpose of Patrons of Exceptional Artists comes in, an organization that, for the last 25 years, has brought the talent of countless deserving pianists to the attention of the public, conductors, and agents. Many of our artists are now on the international circuit, represented by top management. To enrich its mission, in 1998, Patrons of Exceptional Artists branched out to create the now-celebrated Miami International Piano Festivals and Academy, where students experience the hands-on immersion of working closely with an outstanding international faculty. In the winter, the MIPFA takes place at the beautiful Cadet Hotel in Miami Beach, and in the summer at the Gustav Mahler Cultural Center in Dobbiaco, Italy, a gateway to the Dolomites, about which Mahler wrote, “Dobbiaco is extraordinary: it tempers your body and soul.” We have also expanded our outreach through an online state-of-the-art virtual platform that continues to evolve, creating an archive and visual library of all MIPF activities. The goal is to provide global exposure to our artists while allowing music lovers worldwide to enjoy our concerts, lectures, and masterclasses. The Miami International Piano Festival concerts are interactive experiences that engage our audiences and enhance their appreciation of music in its infinite prism of ideas and emotions. Giselle Brodsky, founder and artistic director of Patrons of Exceptional Artists, spends hundreds of hours listening to innumerable performances of hopeful applicants to select artists who, with their passion and commitment to the expression of music, will inspire and be inspired by our faculty, students, and audience. Patrons Of Exceptional Artists is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. For more information, contact Giselle Brodsky, at: info@miamipianofest.com or visit our website at: www.miamipianofest.com . < Previous News Next News >

The City of Aventura Kicks Off its Movie Night Season Mon Oct 17 2022 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Building Portico Failure Hallandale By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper Apr 9, 2026 Hope Everyone Is Enjoying Passover And Had A Blessed Easter. Last Week, Our City Was In The News Due To A Structural Building Collapse. I Reassured Residents And Businesses That The Incident At 1250 East Hallandale Beach Boulevard Only Impacted The Portico That Covers A Walkway Between The Building And Garage. Both The Building And The Garage Structures Remain Safe. Fortunately, No Injuries Occurred, Though Two Empty Cars Were Trapped Under The Debris. I have not yet received the complete report about the cause of the collapse. The building successfully passed its 40- and 50-year inspections, but factors like age, maintenance, heavy rain, roof drain issues, and nearby construction may have contributed. An engineering firm has been hired, and the building department inspected the site on Monday. Following the incident, I want to clarify the city's role in the Building Safety Inspection Program. The BSIP is not new, it has been law for years. Since the Surfside collapse there have been changes made. Inspection now begins at 25-year with milestone re-inspections every ten years have been introduced. BSIP covers both commercial and residential buildings based on their size. Champlain Towers needed repairs, but the condominium board and residents chose not to fund them in a timely manner due to cost. This prompted the change in law that requires reserve study and the funding of reserves. City building departments oversee the BSIP but do not conduct inspections. Each property must hire a licensed engineer or architect to inspect and report on structural and operational components. Required repairs are identified in these reports, which are then submitted to the city for review. If the report identifies a deficiency at risk of imminent failure, our staff will contact the building to confirm that repairs are underway. They will also inspect the condition to determine if it’s necessary to red tag the building. Not all cases of imminent failure require evacuation. If the affected component is not part of the main building footprint—such as a parking structure—the garage may be red-tagged until a certified engineer addresses the issue by stabilizing the components at risk. Balconies are another good example. If remedial work is recommended in the report, the condominium should initiate corrective action. Our staff will monitor compliance with the report, and if the building fails to address the deficiencies, the case will be escalated to code enforcement. This situation presents significant challenges. While many buildings comply with the BSIP, others do not. Some attempt to delay repairs by changing board members or canceling contracts to secure better pricing. Contract regulation does not fall within our purview. Provided that permits have been issued and work is progressing, we refrain from referring to the magistrate hearing. However, lack of progress will result in referral to the magistrate, where additional time may be granted or fines imposed until repairs are completed. In some cases these items can take years. Olympus Condominium finally completed their work after being the first and only building that was red tagged for their garage. I encourage very unit owners to understand that these projects do take time and plenty of money. The worst thing to do is delay the work. I have seen many voting boards disrupt progress in hope of stopping the costs. In case after case overall, it ends up being more costly and buildings are put at risk. As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next