If You're 65, There Is One Piece Of Mail You Shouldn't Ignore Thu Oct 19 2023 16:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hollywood Art And Culture Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary Year - Dramatic And Contemporary New Space Ushers In A New Era For The Arts In Hollywood South Florida Sun Times Nov 26, 2025 Hollywood Art And Culture Center Recently Celebrated The Culmination Of Its 50th Anniversary Year With A Ribbon Cutting And Unveiling Of Its Hollywood Arts Hub. The New Wing Addition To The Center’s Historic Kagey Home Gallery Facility Opened To The Public On Sunday, November 2nd – Exactly 50 Years From The Center’s Opening In 1975. This special event was attended by local dignitaries and partners including Mayor Josh Levy, City of Hollywood; Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz; Commissioner Caryl Shuham, City of Hollywood; Raelin Story, Assistant City Manager, City of Hollywood; Jeff Huber, Partner, Brooks + Scarpa; Jamey Armstrong, VP, Pirtle Construction and Phillip Dunlap, director, Broward County Cultural Division. “The Hollywood Arts Hub has been a labor of love for many people for over a decade from planning to inception. Our Center team is honored to be the stewards to help people connect, create and communicate through art and cultural experiences,” said Jennifer Homan, Executive Director of the Hollywood Art and Culture Center. “As we celebrate 50 years of bringing bold exhibitions, education programs and accessible cultural experiences to our region, we’re excited to usher in a new era for the arts in Hollywood.” Post ceremony, the public enjoyed complimentary tours, performances, artmaking and more in the new arts education wing. Attendees also were treated to current exhibitions: Dennis Scholl: A Day of Four Sunsets, Felice Grodin: Where do I go from here? and Brian Reedy: Gothic Pop Prints. The new Hollywood Arts Hub now holds the unique architectural distinction in Broward County of having adjoining, functional spaces built 101 years apart. It includes a 110-seat Arts Auditorium, a multi-purpose room for dance, drama, artist talks, film screenings, meeting space and more, the Create More Art Studio, the Digital Media Lab and the outdoor Imagine Courtyard. This building will be a visual landmark in Downtown Hollywood, drawing residents and visitors to The Center. The distinctly dramatic and contemporary design by award-winning architectural firm, Brooks + Scarpa, merges with the existing two-story, historic 1924 Mediterranean Revival architecture of the Kagey Home, which houses The Center galleries and administrative offices located at 1650 Harrison Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020 just one block from ArtsPark at Young Circle. Construction of the Arts Hub was funded by the City of Hollywood through dedicated funding from the 2019 General Obligation Bond that was approved by City voters in a special election. The Pirtle Construction team broke ground on April 30, 2024 and met the opening deadline as planned. “The City of Hollywood proudly supports art and culture in our city, and this expansion of The Center is a tremendous milestone,” said City of Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy. “People of all ages and backgrounds can experience the arts at this new venue year-round, adding to the number of amazing experiences that can be found in Hollywood.” The new Hollywood Arts Hub is built for ongoing learning and exploration. As part of its grand opening, The Center debuted a full lineup of new fall programs including Early Voices, storytelling and artmaking for young children every Saturday; Moms & Masterpieces, weekday program for parents and caregivers to explore the galleries and engage in Meet the Masters artmaking for bigs and littles; Art Workshops, multiple session workshops offered monthly by teaching artists in a variety of mediums; Group Tours, weekly daytime arts program for adults to explore a variety of forms; and Homeschool Programs, new offerings designed for flexible learning through STEAM integration. The Center is also launching Create More Art Nights every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. designed to spark creativity, wellness and community connection. Each week brings a new theme and a mix of activities. Upcoming Center events include: · 12/4 Cymbeline opening night presented by Thinking Cap Theatre at 7:00 p.m.* · 12/6 Center Sessions, Basketweaving and Capoeira at 1:00 p.m. · 12/12 Stage Kids and ENCORE Present: Hamilton and The Princess & the Frog at 7:00 p.m.* · 12/14 Free Arts Day from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Cyanotypes with Pamela Soares · 12/20 Hollywood Art Walk Docent Tour at 5:00 p.m. * Note: Cymbeline on 12/4 and Stage Kids/ENCORE (12/12) are being presented at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood, Florida 33019, located two blocks from The Center. “Our Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring a bright future for the next chapter in the Center’s legacy,” said David Maurer, Board Chair of the Hollywood Art and Culture Center. “The timing couldn’t be more ideal – the opening of the Arts Hub marks The Center's 50th anniversary just as the City of Hollywood celebrates its 100th year. We've both come a long way.” For more information, please visit: www.artandculturecenter.org . The Center’s programs and events are made possible through support from the City of Hollywood, Broward County Cultural Division, Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Max Chira and Family, Community Foundation Broward, David and Francie Horvitz Family Foundation, Josephine S. Leiser Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Memorial Healthcare System, The Windhover Foundation & Quadracci Family, Kofsky Weinger, PA, and Helen Ingham Foundation. About Hollywood Art and Culture Center: Founded in 1975, the Hollywood Art and Culture Center (known as The Center) provides a central space that unites the community and serves as an inclusive catalyst and incubator for South Florida artists and performers to activate and elevate their work. The purpose is to help people connect, create and communicate to improve well-being and strengthen our community through art and cultural experiences for residents and visitors. The Center is celebrating its 50th Anniversary as the county's third oldest arts nonprofit and serves more than 55,000 guests each year. The campus includes the new Hollywood Arts Hub that adjoins the current Main Galleries in the historic 1924 Kagey Home in downtown Hollywood, which features a 110-seat Arts Auditorium, Create More Art Studio, Digital Media Lab, and the Imagine Courtyard. The Center presents year-round programs and venues that make numerous art forms accessible to all ages. In addition to the contemporary galleries in the Kagey Home, The Center operates the Artist In Residence Studios in the Art School on campus, manages facilities and delivers performances at the 500-seat Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, and festivals and screenings at Cinema Paradiso Hollywood for independent, foreign language and first-run films. The Center is located at 1650 Harrison Street in Hollywood, Florida. For more information, call: (954) 921-3274. Or visit: www.artandculturecenter.org . Previous Next

Now Showing At The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Fri Jun 11 2021 14:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

"A Stitch In Time" History Fort Lauderdale Presents Sunday Quilt Shows Aventura Digest Apr 23, 2026 History Fort Lauderdale, Proud Steward Of Our Community’s Past By Making Our Heritage Accessible And Engaging To Residents And Visitors, Is Bringing Back “A Stitch In Time,” A Vibrant Series Of Quilt Shows In Collaboration With Local Textile Guilds. This Free Public Exhibition Series, Beginning On Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, In Collaboration With The Quilt Guild By The Sea (QGbtS), Will Celebrate The Artistry And Tradition Of Quilting, Bringing Colorful Stories To Life Through Fabric And Craftsmanship. Quilt lovers and curious visitors alike are invited to enjoy these one-day-only pop-up displays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., coinciding with the City’s Riverwalk Jazz Brunch series. Quilts will be on display draped over the second-story balcony and showcased inside the New River Inn Museum, offering visitors a rich blend of craftsmanship and history. “We’re proud to partner with Quilt Guild by the Sea to showcase the artistry and storytelling behind this timeless textile tradition that transcends generations,” said Patricia Zeiler, Executive Director of History Fort Lauderdale. “This art truly unites the community through its modern visual narratives woven with passion, preservation and family history. We invite guests to enjoy a day of exploration and music with us amidst the shaded palms and beautiful waterfront views on the Riverwalk.” QGbtS began in 2011 with a group of six women with a common interest in quilting, sharing ideas, community service, and fellowship. Now, with more than 125 members, the group gives back to the community through distribution of quilts to Quilts of Valor, Boca Raton Regional Hospital Infusion Center, Lynn Cancer Institute of Boca Raton and Delray Beach Hospital, and Women in Distress. It also creates Comfort Bears for the Achievement Center in Delray Beach and the Children's Place in Lake Worth. History Fort Lauderdale is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with docent guided tours, daily, at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Group walking tours are available upon special request. Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military and children ages six and under. Tickets are available online at: HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets. For more information about History Fort Lauderdale, please call: (954) 463-4431. Or visit us online at: https://historyfortlauderdale.org . Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ftlhistory, on Instagram: @ftlhistory. And on Twitter: @FTLHistory. Subscribe to us on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/user/FTLhistory . History Fort Lauderdale Since 1962, History Fort Lauderdale has served as the proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors. It brings the stories of our diverse community to life through engaging educational experiences, innovative cultural exhibits, research and preservation of artifacts. Guests to Fort Lauderdale are invited to explore the city’s rich past that is housed in historic buildings on a lushly landscaped campus - the History Museum of Fort Lauderdale situated in the 1905 New River Inn, the 1907 Pioneer House Museum, the 1899 Ivy Cromartie Schoolhouse Museum and the Hoch Research Library, South Florida’s foremost history center housing print resources and newspapers from 1910 - present plus 400,000 archival photos, 2,500 maps and 5,000 architectural blueprints. History Fort Lauderdale is located at 231 SW Second Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are available online at: https://bit.ly/HistoryFortLauderdaleTickets . History Fort Lauderdale is a NonProfit agency supported by memberships, grants and charitable contributions. Quilts will be on display draped over the second-story balcony and showcased inside the New River Inn Museum. “This art truly unites the community through its modern visual narratives woven with passion, preservation and family history." “This art truly unites the community through its modern visual narratives woven with passion, preservation and family history." “This art truly unites the community through its modern visual narratives woven with passion, preservation and family history." “This art truly unites the community through its modern visual narratives woven with passion, preservation and family history." Previous Next

Free Reggae Concert This Sunday at the ArtsPark: Hollywood ArtsPark Experience: Third World Thu Feb 03 2022 05:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Forks Up, SoFlo! Why SOBEWFF® 2025 Is A Festival Like No Other • 15 Reasons The 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival Is A Can’t-Miss Epicurean Event Fri Feb 14 2025 18:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

America Is Falling Apart - Our National Priorities Are in Dire Need of Restructuring By John & Nisha Whitehead October 24, 2024 Share “You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” — Bob Dylan A water main breaks every two minutes somewhere in the U.S., resulting in contaminated drinking supplies and boil water notices. One out of three bridges in the U.S. needs repair, endangering hundreds of millions of commuters. More than 42,000 bridges across the country, carrying about 167 million vehicles each day, are in disrepair. It is estimated that 300 million people could face power outages across the United States between 2024 and 2028, due in large part to widespread power grid failures. No wonder U.S. Infrastructure received a C- on the Infrastructure Report Card. America is falling apart. Collapsing bridges, buckling roads, overheated railways, deteriorating power lines, contaminated water lines, outdated public transportation, overtaxed power grids, aging ports and waterways, unsafe tunnels and highways, and spotty or insufficient telecommunications assets are all becoming frequent hallmarks of the American way of life. If the nation is woefully unprepared to deal with climate disasters such as floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts, despite the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that have been pledged to shore up the nation’s Infrastructure problems, it is because politicians across the political spectrum have failed us. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene makes this failure by the government to put the needs of the American people first painfully evident. Entire towns are under water. Roadways have collapsed or are otherwise impassable. Potable water is scarce. More than 1.5 million households are still without power. Clearly, our national priorities need to be re-examined. While the politicians play partisan games with our tax dollars, the nation’s critical Infrastructure—both the physical foundations of the nation and the figurative foundations of our freedoms—continues to be neglected and deprioritized in favor of grandstanding, bloated military budgets on endless wars abroad, foreign aid to shore up the Infrastructure and military defenses of international allies and all manner of graft and pork barrel spending. When all is said and done, the bread-and-circus distractions and sleight-of-hand political theater being trotted out in order to keep Americans distracted, deluded, amused, and insulated from the government’s steady encroachments on our freedoms adds nothing of real value to the lives of the average American. It’s time to fix what’s broken in this country. For starters, we need an overhaul of the nation’s Infrastructure. According to Time Magazine, “Throughout the country, millions of Americans don’t have access to or can’t afford broadband internet service. In excess of 2 million people live without running water or basic plumbing. For too long, the American public has had to carry on while these deficiencies have gone unattended. The political will has been weak or inattentive, the rewards too far removed from electoral advantage.” In other words, the politicians who dance to the tune of the oligarchic elite aren’t motivated to do anything about our failing Infrastructure because they get nothing out of it: no votes, no money, no power. This isn’t about whether the Republicans or Democrats have better policies. Indeed, both parties’ priorities are disconcertingly alike: both parties support endless war, engage in out-of-control spending, ignore the citizenry’s basic rights, have no respect for the rule of law, are bought and paid for by Big Business, care most about their own power, and have a long record of expanding government and shrinking liberty. This is about the plight of the American people who continue to be treated like a permanent underclass. Anyone who believes that this presidential election will bring about any real change in how the American government does business is either incredibly naive, woefully out-of-touch, or oblivious to the fact that as an in-depth Princeton University study shows, we now live in an oligarchy that is “of the rich, by the rich and for the rich.” When a country spends close to $10 Billion to select what is, for all intents and purposes, a glorified homecoming king or queen to occupy the White House, while 38 million of its people live in poverty, and nearly 7 million Americans are out of work, and more than 600,000 Americans are homeless, that’s a country whose priorities are out of step with the needs of its people. Overhauling the nation’s Infrastructure will take a significant amount of money, which won’t happen as long as the U.S. Government continues to fund the military industrial complex and its voracious appetite for endless wars. James Madison was right: “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” As Madison explained, “Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes… known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.” We are seeing this play out before our eyes. The government is destabilizing the economy, destroying the national Infrastructure through neglect and a lack of resources, and turning taxpayer dollars into blood money with its endless wars, drone strikes and mounting death tolls. This is exactly the scenario President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned would happen if we allowed the military-industrial complex to wage war, exhaust our resources and dictate our national priorities. We failed to heed Eisenhower’s warning. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, this is how tyranny rises and freedom falls. If we are to have any hope of restoring both the structural and freedom foundations of this nation, we’ll need to start by getting our priorities in order, and that means focusing on what really matters: shoring up our battered Bill of Rights and investing in the American homeland. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org . < Previous News Next News >

Broadway Legends Make Stops In Aventura: The Original Stars Of Hairspray And Jersey Boys Set To Wow Audiences In March South Florida Sun Times Feb 27, 2025 Audiences won’t want to miss nonstop music, dance and electrifying performances as Broadway’s biggest stars take the stage at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. On Thursday, March 6th, Tony® -recognized artists Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler, and Laura Bell Bundy— the original stars of Hairspray— star in Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now. Then, on Friday, March 28th, John Lloyd Young— the original star of Jersey Boys— delivers a captivating performance sure to wow audiences. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the original Broadway Musical Hairspray as the original Tracy, Penny and Amber are reunited for the first time ever! Tony® award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Tony® nominees Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy come together for Mama I’m A Big Girl Now on Thursday, March 6th at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center as part of its 2025 Broadway Concert Series presented by the City of Aventura. With 16 Broadway shows and more than 200 episodes of television between them, this trio has truly done it all as Winokur starred in Dancing with the Stars, Butler received a Tony® nomination for Xanadu and Bundy’s performance in Legally Blonde also received a Tony® nomination. These powerhouse performers take the audience on a hilarious and meaningful musical journey singing hits from their shows as they share stories from their origins as teenage performers, strong friendships, acclaimed careers and their children. A post-show meet and greet experience may be added to any ticket. Then, Tony® and Grammy- award winning actor John Lloyd Young is set to reprise his role of Frankie Valli from Broadway’s Jersey Boys on Friday, March 28th at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center as part of its 2025 Broadway Concert Series presented by the City of Aventura. The Broadway smash-hit was adapted to the silver screen where Lloyd reprised his role of Frankie Valli for the Clint Eastwood directed Warner Bros film, Jersey Boys. Acclaimed for his immense talent and legendary charisma, in this production Young delivers a celebration of classic hits from the '50s and '60s presented in the authentic acoustic style of original rock 'n' roll, Doo-Wop and R&B standards. Along with tracks from Young's critically acclaimed debut album My Turn, the show features "Sherry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Hold Me," "Thrill Me, Kiss Me" and "In the Still of the Night." He will also treat the audience to treasures from, among others, Roy Orbison, The Platters, the Righteous Brothers, Paul McCartney, Adele, Luther Vandross, Little Anthony, Elvis and Tom Jones. A post-show meet and greet experience may be added to any ticket. Tickets to all shows are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222 or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. John Lloyd Young Previous Next

Standing with Israel: A Message from the Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach Fri Nov 17 2023 17:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Passport To Paradise - Unveiling The Allure Of Casa Velas Hotel Puerto Vallarta By Merilee Kern, MBA Feb 4, 2026 Nestled Within An Upscale Residential Neighborhood, Just A Short Five-Minute Drive From Puerto Vallarta Airport, The AAA Four Diamond Casa Velas Stands As A Serene, Adults-Only Boutique Resort Exemplifying Standards In The Luxury All-Inclusive Sector. As Part Of The Prestigious Velas Resorts Portfolio—Renowned For Being The Only Chain With Four Properties In U.S. News & World Report’s List Of The Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts In Mexico—Casa Velas Continues To Exceed Expectations With Its Unique Charm And Bespoke Hospitality. Unlike Traditional Hotels, This Spanish Hacienda-esque Resort Feels Like A Private Estate Replete With Attentive Staff Members Who Add A Personalized Touch To The Guest Experience. The 80 traditional, artwork-adorned Mexican-styled suites at Casa Velas are designed for utmost comfort, each featuring a private terrace with a plunge pool or in-suite Jacuzzi, hypo-allergenic pillows, goose down feather duvets, free WiFi, satellite TV, safe deposit box, coffee maker, bathrobes and slippers and L’Occitane bath products, as well as a fully stocked mini bar. Guests can choose from five room types: Master Suite; Grand Class Suite; Ambassador Suite; Governor Suite or the Presidential Suite. For those seeking copious privacy and space to spread out, the 3,000-Square-Foot, four-bedroom Presidential Suite is a haven offering a top-end luxury escape. The space, suited for up to eight guests, boasts original artwork by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante, a large dining room, living room, master suite with a spacious marble-laden bathroom and an expansive terrace with an oversized plunge pool and Jacuzzi. It also comes complete with its own butler and bartender. It’s worth noting that Casa Velas actually has Bustamante’s sculptures in the majority of the suites, allowing most guests to enjoy the captivatingly authentic artwork. Amidst its Spanish-style architecture and captivating interior design, the resort is ensconced in a lush garden setting on the 18-hole Marina Vallarta Golf Course. The tropical landscaping and abundant flora and fauna woven throughout the entirety of the hotel create a breathtaking setting, attracting wildlife—including Koi ponds and "pet" snapping turtles. For golf enthusiasts, Casa Velas guests receive special access and discounts at Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta Golf Clubs. For its part, the par 71 layout of Marina Vallarta’s 18-hole golf course, designed by Joe Finger, is rife with flourishing vegetation, wildlife-laden lagoons and beautiful views of Banderas Bay. Guests can also enjoy discounted golf privileges at two other top 18-hole, 72 par golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf located at the Vista Vallarta Golf Club only 20 minutes away. Casa Velas guests can soak up the sun at its private pool cushioned in a tropical landscape that overlooks the golf course. Its swim-up Aqua Bar ensures refreshments—including local brews, tropical drinks and classic Mexican cocktails crafted from premium liquor brands—flow all day through. The newest offering at Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta allows guests to experience pure relaxation with their own “Wellness Cabana.” Available in the intimate space of their suite, or at the botanical garden adjacent to the spa labyrinth, wellness-focused amenities include aromatherapy, a personal speaker with calming meditation music, spa water, a MUSE meditation headband and mandala adult coloring books, among other items. For those desiring to unwind and explore off-site, the resort also provides complimentary shuttle service to the private Tau Beach Club, offering guests a beachside retreat with cushioned loungers, cabanas, food and beverage service for lunch and dinner and a pristine infinity pool and Jacuzzi area proffering idyllic panoramic views of the sparkling sea. Plus, the property is a mere fifteen minutes from the popular downtown area, where there are art galleries and the famed El Malecon boardwalk. Also making Casa Velas a standout is its elevated gourmet food and beverage program, which raises the bar for all-inclusive hotels globally. The on-site, AAA Four Diamond Emiliano restaurant offers guests unlimited access to gourmet cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The intimate, romantic indoor/outdoor dining space provides lovely vistas of the pool and vibrant golf course beyond. Each evening, Emiliano features a five-course gourmet tasting menu created and overseen by head chefs from its sister resort, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Rotating each night, menus include Mexican, French and Italian-Mediterranean. A novel offering is the resort’s “taco therapy”—Casa Velas’ latest food and beverage offering for guests assisting in anxiety and stress relief, improving sleep quality and boosting antioxidants. The new tasting experience features four curated tacos that provide holistic benefits for the mind, body and soul. There are an array of other activities at the resort as well. “Workshops range from arts and crafts such as natural jewelry and abanicos, to culinary workshops such as the Molcajete option, where guests explore Mexican culinary traditions,” said Enrique Sinencio, the resort’s General Manager. “Another activity is DIY Botanical Cocktails, where guests can pick their ingredients for their drink at the onsite garden. Perfect for creative beverage concoctions, the garden features rosemary, lavender, mint, basil, lemongrass, peppermint, a Mexican tea called epazote, aloe vera, sage, nopales cactus pads, thyme, tamarind, jackfruit, mango, guava and more. Our mixologist will use the selected ingredients to make a personalized botanical cocktail to enjoy on the Koi pond-dotted terrace. Varieties of fruits, herbs, vegetables and botanicals are also used in the cuisine and spa treatments at Casa Velas.” For the health conscious, a spa food menu is available as well. Casa Velas’ commitment to excellence extends to its impressive on-site organic botanical garden, where the resort grows its own herbs, flowers and vegetables. These fresh ingredients find their way into cocktails and culinary creations, adding a farm-to-table element to the dining experience. The beverage offerings at Emiliano, and throughout the entirety of Casa Velas, are equally impressive, featuring premium domestic and international premium wines and liquors. Also enjoyable are spirit-induced nightly events like wine pairings and beer, tequila, wine, martini and other F&B tastings that foster socialization among guests. Relative to in-suite victuals, the resort's in-suite mini bars also depart from the ordinary by offering healthy, freshly-made options on-demand. This includes two different selections of crudites—a “Mexican turnip” with a combination of carrots, cucumber and jicama; and another including celery, beetroot and pineapple. These come complete with three different choices of dressing: mango, chipotle or basil, to enhance flavor while keeping the snack light and healthy. Guests can also choose from a menu of freshly made juice options available year-round. Speaking of health, also included in the daily rate for all-inclusive Casa Velas guests is access to its fully equipped gym. A visit to the property also would not be complete without experiencing services at its on-site ABJA Spa. The 6,500 Square Foot sanctuary offers a wide variety of massages, body wraps and facials, a hydrotherapy area, spa boutique and beauty salon. Notably, Casa Velas is just as committed to the environment as it is to providing impressive guest experiences. “Our luxury resort’s environmental responsibility is a driving force behind the entire operation, from conservation efforts and recycling, to planting our own herb garden,” Sinencio notes. “From natural composting and fertilizing of our on-site gardens, to water-saving initiatives, solar heating and meticulous separation and processing of all waste and recyclables, Casa Velas sets the benchmark for green tourism and hospitality in Puerto Vallarta and beyond. We also recycle burned cooking oils to a supplier for conversion to biodegradable fuel. Local companies are in charge of processing glass, plastic, metal, cardboard and toxic material to handle their recycling, and proper disposal.” “In addition, we clean the sand daily of any foreign debris,” Sinencio continued. “Teams of more than 30 employees are organized monthly to thoroughly clean, sweep, dig and sift the sand for extra cleaning. Designated containers are strategically located for the recycling garbage around the property. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, Casa Velas has implemented rigorous health and safety protocols in accordance with local and international guidelines. This includes enhanced cleaning procedures, regular sanitization of common areas and the adoption of contactless services where possible. We keep our guests informed through various channels, including our website, social media and direct communication with booked guests. We want everyone to be aware of the measures in place and feel confident in choosing Casa Velas for their stay.” So pristine the locale, it’s become a highly-coveted option for weddings and other important events. The resort boasts a 3,600 Square Foot Convention Center that is ideal for meetings, seminars, formal banquets, cocktail gatherings or a spectacular and elegant wedding for up to 300 people. The center of the space is adjacent to the resort’s garden area and the Marina Vallarta 18-hole championship golf course. To ensure a memorable, hassle-free event, Casa Velas provides professional services for planning weddings from beginning to end. With settings by its beautiful pool area or the Tau Beach Club terrace surrounded by sand and sea, Casa Velas offers unforgettable scenery for the special wedding day. For utter and complete privacy, groups requiring up to 80 suites can take over the entire hotel to ensure fully private access to pools, beach areas, gardens, activities and restaurants. While at the restaurants, the “bubble buyout” offers a group their own personalized menus prepared with everyone’s diet in mind. Along with having the resort to themselves and custom cuisine, group activities range from DIY mixology with ingredients from the onsite botanical garden, Yoga, Mexican wine and craft beer tastings, casino night and more. With various international dignitaries and multiple Mexican presidents having experienced the resort's hospitality, Casa Velas continues to redefine the all-inclusive category. This pristine property is an ideal choice for discerning travelers who value a personalized and pampered luxury travel experience. Merilee Kern, MBA 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. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. Merilee also hosts the Savvy Ventures Podcast & Radio show available globally on W4CY Radio—the #1 ranked live streaming radio station—among others as well as all major podcast platforms, including Pandora, Audible, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Streamyard, iHeart Radio and dozens more. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee 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 And: www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN: www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern . ***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.*** Previous Next

A Whimsical and Heartfelt Family Musical Comes To Aventura Thu Nov 21 2024 19:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Retiree Class Over Zoom: Offers “Entire Jewish History In 4 Sessions!” Thu Dec 01 2022 17:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)