doral tribune december 2012

Veteran public official Merrett R.Stierheim was named Doral’s interim CityManager by unanimous vote of the CityCouncil during a special Dec. 4 meeting, thenewly-formed Council’s first formal actionsince the election of Mayor Luigi Boria.

Stierheim, 79, temporarily replacesYvonne Soler-McKinley who informed theCouncil by letter that she would leave asCity Manager concurrent with the departureof former Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez.

A 45-year veteran in the public sector,Stierheim successfully supervised a $5 bil-lion countywide infrastructure expansionas Manager of Miami-Dade County from1976 to 1986.

Among that decade’s highlights wereconstruction of Miami Metro Zoo, thedowntown library and cultural complex,

BY RICHARD YAGER

Luigi Boria, an entrepreneurial com-puter firm executive and ordained Hispanicminister, was sworn into office Nov. 28 asthe City of Doral’s second Mayor sinceincorporation in 2003.

By a narrow 432-vote margin of 4,712ballots cast in the Nov. 27 runoff election,Boria became the first native-bornVenezuelan to head a Florida city, defeatingchallenger Frank Bolanos, formerChairman of Miami-Dade County’s SchoolBoard, 2,372 to 2,140.

Just over 25% of Doral’s 17,606 reg-istered voters took time to vote for both anew Mayor to succeed Juan CarlosBermudez who has served since July 2003,the city’s year of incorporation.

Bermudez who did not seek reelectiondue to term limits has since announced hisassociation with the Miami law firm ofAkerman Senterfitt as part of a real estatepractice group.

In addition, three of four Councilmembers began four-year terms includingSandra Ruiz and Christi Fraga, both need-ing runoff victories Nov. 27.

In the Council Seat 1 runoff, Ruizpolled 2,317 to Elena Ortega-Tauler’s2,049 while Christi Fraga with 2,533 voteswon over Robert Van Name with 2030,both 55-to-44% of total votes cast in thosetwo races.

Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera had wonthe Council 3 seat without a runoff by best-ing Clemente Vera by a slim 50.5 to 49.4%margin in the Nov. 6 election.

The swearing-in ceremony of Mayor

Boria and Council members Ruiz, Aguileraand Fraga was followed Dec. 4 by theCouncil’s first meeting with the threenewly-elected women joining Ana MariaRodriguez.

Boria entered the runoff against FrankBolanos after a three-way Nov. 6 race elim-inated Council member Pete Cabrera wholost to Bolanos by 77 votes in a close battlefor second place.

A native of Caracas, Venezuela, bornof Italian parentage. Boria graduatedfrom the Universidad Catolica AndresBello, earning an accounting degree, andmarrying his college sweetheart,Garciela, in 1982. Now married 27 years,the Borias have two children, Alexander

and Maria Lorena. They moved to the U. S. in 1989

where Boria expanded his TMC-The MagicComputer business by locating in Doral andopening a second company, TWC-The WiseComputer with more than 30 employes inDoral, distributing computers, parts andaccessories throughout Latin America.Boria recently continued his expansion byopening a third company, The MagicComputer in Colombia.

His community positions includePresident, Fairways Home Association,2004-2009; President, Westport Association,1996-2009; Pastor, Alpha and OmegaChurch since ordained in 2009 and a bibleteacher since 2007.

HEALTH CARE CORNER

––––– See HEALTH CARE CORNER, page 6

Treating Veins

DECEMBER 2012

By DR. MANUEL E. ABELLA

An innovative,m i n i m a l l y -invasive proce-

dure, more advancedthan laser, now resolvesChronic Venous Insuffi-ciency (CVI) withoutthe need for painful surgery and longrecovery.

When CVI develops, the valveswhich pump blood to the veins are dam-aged and the blood, instead of flowing inonly one direction to return to the heart,flows back or becomes stagnant.

The problem usually begins to pres-ent itself as varicose veins. Manypatients with varicose veins that gountreated may develop CVI. The solu-tion to CVI is eliminating the vein diffi-culty, so that the blood flows onlythrough healthy veins. The vein whichmost commonly presents CVI is thesaphenous vein, which travels the lengthof the leg. Until very recently, the waythis problem tended to be resolved wasby means of a very invasive operation,which consisted in making a large inci-sion in the leg to tie, cut, and remove thevein (ligation and stripping). Recoverywas very painful: the patient’s quality oflife was severely impaired.

The development of catheter tech-nology allowed for the cauterizationfrom within making the vein inoperative,rather than removing the vein itself, turn-ing it into a simple fibrous cord.Initially, this was achieved using laserenergy.

A new technology now exists usingradiofrequency energy, which is more com-fortable and convenient. The procedureconsists of a catheter inserted into the veinthrough a tiny incision below the knee.

Unlike painful vein stripping sur-gery or laser ablation, the catheter deliv-ers uniform, consistent heat to each seg-ment and temperatures do not exceed

Runoff Winners Ruiz, Fraga Join Aguilera on Council

Boria Becomes Mayor with Three New Members

Luigi Boria sworn in as City of Doral’s second mayor.–––––––––––––––––––––

Stierheim Named City Manager

–––––––––––– See MANAGER, page 6

COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM December 2012

December 2012 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM

The Doral Business Council Forum, anetworking group under the umbrella ofthe DBC, returned to Rancho Norris (theDavie home of Joe and Norris Perez, ofHalo Branded Solutions) for yet anothergreat BBQ to celebrate the holidays.Members came with their families to enjoyfood, fun and lots of games from dominoesand Jenga to more strenuous activitiessuch as volleyball mostly played by theyounger set.

As DBC Forum Chair Gloria Burns, ofMiami Christian School and Miami’sCommunity Newspapers, completes heryear, she applauded this year’s SteeringCommittee for their tireless efforts includ-ing Forum’s Vice Chair, Max Fleischer, ofSend Out Cards; Secretary, Norris Perez;Treasurer, Marti Bueso, of Home FinancingCenter; Forum Membership Chair, Lizz

Wiegandt, of Mary Kay; Registration, RezaRay, of Minuteman Press; Historian,Armando Fernandez, HBW Securities; andAttendance, Theresa Gonzalez, of AirTech.

Incoming DBC Forum Chair, LizzWiegandt, expects to double the size of thisgroup during her term and has a lot of excit-ing plans for the coming year.

DBC members interested in joiningthis category exclusive networking group,may contact Gloria Burns for more infor-mation at 305 968-3090 or the DBC officeat 305 470-9597.

The group meets the 1st and 3rd Wed.of every month for a breakfast meeting;however, because of the holidays, inJanuary, 2013, the meetings will be the 2ndand 4th Wed. the following month willrevert to the 1st and 3rd Wed. at TropicoRestaurant on NW 84 Avenue and 12th St.

DBC Forum Visits RanchoNorris for Holiday Party

Some of many DBC Forum members seen here at Holiday BBQ.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


BY GLORIA BURNS

The generous congregation of OurLady of Guadalupe Catholic Church inDoral contributed two tons of food andmore than $1,000 in cash and gift cards tohelp make the Thanksgiving Day dinnersfor those less fortunate a good one.

As always, the Boy Scouts were also onhand after mass helping collect donationswhile many others helped orchestrate thisvery successful food drive.

Fr. Israel Mago,pastor, gave thanks toDavid Iglesias and Palmetto Ford for pro-viding trucks and helping deliver collectedfood donations to those in need.

For a congregation without a physicalchurch building, you would never know itby all its members have accomplished fromparticipating in Emmaus Retreats to organ-izing CCD Classes, Bible Study, Choir andmore.

In addition, the church has just organ-ized a Youth Group that promises to offerteens of age14-18 live music, activities,camps, faith formation, retreats and more.The group meets every other Thursday from7 – 8:30 p.m. For more youth details, visit<www.facebook.com/guadalupe.doral>.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Knights ofColumbus is also a very active group. After

a successful golf tournament, the malegroup tackled another new venture thatproved a success: pre selling more than 150Christmas trees and wreathes, all deliveredthe day after Thanksgiving. The weather

could not have been better for this first timefundraiser.

Fr. Mago was among the men on handto help out that morning and as an addedbonus, provided a blessing for the trees asthey were trimmed and loaded into waitingcars of his many parishioners.

Among those helping were Luis Ochoaand Tony Samito, two of several K of C’rsorchestrating this great kickoff to theChristmas season, so successful it’s nowexpected to become a tradition.

For more information on all churchactivities, call 305-593-6123.

Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Outreach Helping Many

Knights of Columbus group at Christmas tree sale.

Tony Samito (left), Luis Ochoa andFather Israel Mago help trim tree themorning after Thanksgiving at Doral

Charter High School.


BY GLORIA BURNS

Thanksgiving Day festivities markedthe beginning of the holiday season of giv-ing at Miami Christian School, blendinghistory with creative fun as elementary stu-dents in costume presented a re-enactmentof the first Thanksgiving for their parents. The event provided a way for students tolearn about the historical foundations of thefirst day of appreciation celebrated by thePilgrims and Native Americans who helpedthem through their first rough winter inAmerica.

* * *Of course, holiday drives are now

underway. A food drive held by the HighSchool National Beta Club forThanksgiving was the first of many as MCSstudents are also collecting shirts and organ-ic seeds for the Sunil’s Home Orphanage inIndia.

In addition, a school-wide effort with“Soles 4 Souls” is collecting shoes for those

in need. Any individual or company want-ing to participate in these drives may bringcontributions to the front office of theschool located at 200 NW 109 Ave.

* * *On the academic front, the National

Honor Society and Junior National HonorSociety held their annual induction cere-monies that recognized students for excel-lence in academics, service and on campusleadership.

Students are voted upon by faculty andare inducted into the Society by their peers

and officers who are already members.This year’s inductees were:

National Junior Honor Society::Jacqueline Gonzalez, Sophia Granado,Christine Rosillo, and Muhammad Salem;National Honor Society: Alina Andrews,Jose Campos, Lazaro Diaz, CarlosFernandez, Ralph Fernandez, DanielGalarza, Naomi Granado, Sonali Khiyani,

Daniel Lesteiro, Sheila Linares, RudyMarquez, Elizabeth Rosillo, and KhalidSalem.

NHS Sponsor, Mr. Gentry and NHSOfficers, Michael Santiago, MelissaGonzalez, Rosa Castro and Andrea Sinclairhelped to make the event a memorable one.

* * *Miami Christian School is a member of

the Independent Schools of South Florida,and participates in its annual Fifth GradeSpelling Bee with the other independent,accredited schools in the county. This

year’s team competing at the GFWC CoralGables Woman’s Club included: JulianneArista, Nina Beam, Amin Salem andSumara Shute.

* * *The Fine Arts Department will stay

busy throughout the semester-in betweenwith concerts at the weekly chapels.Jonathan Ortet, Christopher Tamez, John

Ramirez and Matthew Diaz assisted duringthe Spiritual Emphasis week chapels by uti-lizing their vocal and instrumental talents toenrich the services.

Plan ahead to visit MCS on January 24for the Admissions Open House. Call toschedule a tour with Donna Gehring at 305-221-7754, ext. 773..

Time for Giving at Miami Christian SchoolMIAMI CHRISTIANUPDATE

Nathan Hernandez (left), Joshua Ortet, Mrs. Joanna Clark, Yaneliz Lopez, Angelin Vazquez and Zoe Camposcelebrate the First Thanksgiving.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Miami Christian’s Junior and National Honor Society Induction.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Jonathan Ortet (left), Christopher Tamez, JohnRamirez, Matthew Diaz perform during Chapel.

––––––––––––––––––––––

Ourr Ladyy off GuadalupeCatholicc ChurchInvites you to join us for Mass

Mass Location:

Doral Academy High School11100 NW 27th Street, Doral, FL

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Daily 7:00 am - 10:00 pmParish Center: 11402 NW 41 Street, Suite 221

Pastor Reverend Israel E. MagoFor information on marriage and baptism, call 305.593.6123

2012 Christmas ScheduleLunes 24 de Diciembre / Monday, December 24th:

Nochebuena / Vigil of Christmas5:30 Ingles / English • 6:30 Español / Spanish12:00 Medianoche / Midnight - Bilingue / Bilingual

Martes 25 de Diciembre / Tuesday, December 25thNavidad / Christmas10:30 Ingles / English • 12:00 Español / Spanish

Lunes 31 de Diciembre / Monday, December 31st:New Years Eve5:30 Ingles / English • 6:30 Español / Spanish

Martes 1 de Enero / Tuesday, January 1stMaria Madre de Dios / Mary Mother of God10:30 Ingles / English • 12:00 Español / Spanish

WeeklyMass Schedule

Saturday Vigil5:30pm (English)6:30pm (Spanish)

Sunday9:00am (English)

10:30 & 12:00 Noon(Spanish)

Confession15 minutes prior

to Mass


HEALTH CARE CORNER from front page –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—––––––

Doral Tribune6769 S.W. 62 Avenue, South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355, Fax (305) 662-6980

www.communitynewspapers.com

PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grant Miller

EXECUTIVE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Miller

EDITOR ...........................................................................David Berkowitz

WRITERS, COLUMNISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ron Beasley, Kenneth Bluh, Robert Hamilton,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda Rodriguez-Bernfeld, Gary Alan Ruse, Lee Stephens, Al Sunshine, Richard Yager

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albie Barnes, Beatriz Brandfon,

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lori Cohen, Diane Maddox, Denzel Miles, Ann Robbins-Udel,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fara Sax, Diane Sedona Schiller, Walter White

LEGAL ADVERTISING ..................................................................Georgia Tait

BOOKKEEPING .......................................................................Jesus Toledo

PROOF DEPARTMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Isabel Vavrek

GRAPHIC ARTIST ............................................Denise Cebrero, Isabel Ortega, Cristian Ortiz

PUBLISHER EMERITUS ..................................................................Ron Miller

Aventura News, Biscayne Bay Tribune, Coral Gables News, Cutler Bay News, Doral Tribune,

Kendall Gazette, Miami Beach News, Miami Gardens Tribune, Palmetto Bay News, Opa-Locka

News, Pinecrest Tribune, South Miami News, Sunny Isles Beach Sun, West Park News

MERRETT STIERHEIM from front page –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––—–––––––––

120°C. As a result, the procedure causesless bruising and less post operative painand allows for rapid patient relief andrecovery.

The Venefit procedure eliminates theneed for groin surgery and general anes-thesia. The procedure also results in littleto no scarring and is generally performed

using local anesthesia in a vein specialist’soffice or an outpatient surgical facility.

Dr. Manuel Abella, certified by theAmerican Board of Internal Medicine andthe Board of Cardiovascular Diseases, isaffiliated with Kendall Regional MedicalCenter. To contact Dr. Abella, tel. 305-221-6161.

the Government Center, several regionalparks, libraries, water, sewer and solidwaste facilities, and the county’s masstransit system, Metrorail and Metromover.

Stierheim also dealt with events withnational repercussions as Miami-Dadeassimilated more than 160,000 refugeesfrom Cuba during the Mariel exodus andHaitian arrivals.

In 1980, he helped restore law andorder after severe civil disturbances, join-ing community leaders to address thesocial inequities that sparked the distur-bances. Many of those programs are stillin place today.

Serving as interim Manager for theCity of Miami in 1996, Stierheim led arecovery effort by enlisting over 40 pro-bono private and public sector executives

in 13 task forces to present a financialrecovery plan for the City.

Asked to return to Miami-Dade gov-ernment in 1998 to manage a scandal-rid-den and demoralized county, he success-fully administrated a $4.5 billion budgetwith 28,000 employees and 42 depart-ments, working in that capacity until 2001.

Mr. Stierheim was named Superinten-dent of Miami-Dade County PublicSchools in October 2001 where he serveduntil June 30, 2004. Among other publicsector positions, he also served as interimTown Manager of Miami Lakes in 2001

His private sector experience includ-ed CEO positions with the Women’sTennis Association (1986-1989) and theGreater Miami Convention & VisitorsBureau (1990-1996).

Hi-Tech Air ServiceFPL PARTICIPATING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORSM

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BY ANN LINO

AmericanWelding Society opened their

beautiful new offices on Dec. 11th for

the Doral Business Council’s Holiday

Party. More than 140 guests gathered on

the huge second floor lobby area of the

Society’s new building and enjoyed a

delectable buffet of ribs, chicken wings

and more donated by Joe Marouf and

Carolina Ale House , the great bar and

restaurant located on the first floor of that

same building.

In keeping with the holiday spirit,

guests also brought in lots of toys that will

be distributed to children in need by the

Casimiro Foundation. DBC Executive

Director Ron Mann, DBC Chair Eli

Panell, and new City of Doral Council

members Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera,

Sandra Lopez and Christi Fraga were

among the many attending the affair.

American Welding Society andCarolina Ale House Host DBC Holiday Party

L to R: Joe Marouf, Ana Hedman, Lucy Tamajon, Gloria Burns, Ron Mann, and Theresa Gonzalez at DBC party.

Former Vice Mayor Mike DiPietro with BarbaraRomani and Dr. Alejandro Badia.

Gabriel Fraga, Lizz Wiegandt, John Burns, Councilwoman Christi Fraga, Alex Wiegandt and Raul Pino at DBCHoliday Soiree.

Folks from American Welding Society enjoying the DBCparty seen here (L to R) Ray Shook, Ruben Lara, NathaliaSwain, Martica Ventura and Gesana Villegas.

Lucy Tamajon with Gladys Llanes and Karen Ramirezas they show off gifts for guests donated by GloriaBurns, of Miami Christian School and Miami'sCommunity Newspapers.

Stephen Musolino with Councilwoman BettinaRodriguez Aguilera.

Mark Sarabia (US Army- Southcom), Marilyn Cheng,Stan Johnson(Carlos Albizu University) and CarlosRivero (Regions Security)

Marly Q, of PARK, with Shannon T.Ron Mann is seen here with Lucy Tamajon while callingout door prizes and Richard Lopez, of the MiamiDolphins, holding the Dolphins’ Super Bowl Trophy.

Ariel Ramos, of SunTrust Bank, with Jonathan Raschand Lazaro Suarez, of Intermedia Touch.



Since I started writing my column,every year starting with Halloween thruNew Year’s I advise how to survive theholidays by staying safe, crime-free andhealthy by not gaining weight.

My first article was written in October2000 on Halloween safety, and last year, Iwrote an article entitled “Stay Safe andHealthy for the Holidays” with ten safetytips and five strategies to combat holidayweight gain. (You can find this articlearchived at the Doral Tribune’s website).

This year, I’m writing about awarenessfor the holiday season which is alwaysfilled with expectations of warmth andcarefree good times. It’s a time to takevacations and to celebrate with family andfriends, a time of preparation and giving.

Criminals also love the holidays bypreparing to steal your joy.

Since most of us rarely think aboutcrime prevention during the holidays, let’slearn to be aware of both actions and sur-roundings when shopping, out for dinnerand on vacation. If you have children, beaware of their presence, where they are andwhat they’re doing. Also be aware of pre-dictable body changes when eating every-thing around us and failing to exercise. As a martial arts and fitness instructor, Ialways try to observe my surroundingscarefully at a restaurant or movie, andwhile driving and shopping. I’ve learnedanti-crime awareness from 10 years’ dutyat a maximum security prison, as an offi-cer, in the US Marine Corps and as a KravMaga IDF (Israeli Defense Force) SelfDefense instructor.

To be academy-certified to work at aprison, you’re taught how to be constantlyaware of your surroundings simply becausea convict is always planning to be one step

ahead of you, and having 24 hours to thinkabout deceiving an otherwise alert guard.

When hardened criminals go to prison,they learn newer strategies to ruin the holi-days thru surveillance, robbery attacks andsophisticated stealing techniques. Uponleaving prison (or what I call “ThugUniversity”), they’ve become even betterat committing a crime.

Parris Island (N.C.) boot training for U.S. Marines instills awareness instinct understress for 16 hours or more hours a day,seven days a week for 12 weeks. Bootcamp graduates not only walk and talk dif-ferently, they’re confident, sharp, lean andmean and totally aware of their surround-ings. But you don’t have to enlist in theMarine Corps to stay safe this holiday sea-son.

For most adults I recommend learningKrav Maga as taught to the Israeli military.It’s a way to get fit, learn crime awarenessand gain the confidence to defend yourselfand your family.

A few tips to help you stop making iteasy for the criminal mind to make you avictim:

Predators seek easy targets so thoseappearing alert are less likely to becomevictims.

Body language combats the attackerpicking the victim, so learn to walk like apredator, not the prey.

If you have a poor body image, it willshow in your posture, movements and theway you handle yourself. Carry yourselfconfidently, upright and purposefully.

Low self-esteem shows in facialexpressions and tone of voice. That’s baitto a shark – so learn to act with mannerismsof the shark—not a goldfish.

This holiday season, walk proud, beaware and alert, and you shall walk inpeace.

Have a safe and joyous Christmas,Hanukkah and New Year.

Julio Anta has owned and operatedAnta’s Fitness and Self Defense in Doralsince 1998. You can contact him at 305599-3649 or via the internet atAntaMartialArts.com

• Fitness & Defense •

GET FIT WITH ANTA

Julio G. Anta

Walk Proud & Safetly During the Holidays


Kendall Regional Medical Center washonored with an “A” Hospital Safety Scoreby The Leapfrog Group, an independentnational nonprofit run by employers andother large purchasers of health benefits.

The A score was awarded by A thru Fscores assigned to U.S. hospitals based onpreventable medical errors, injuries acci-dents, and infections.

The Hospital Safety Score was com-piled under the guidance of the nation’sleading experts on patient safety and isdesigned to give the public informationthey can use to protect themselves and theirfamilies.

“We are proud to have been recognizedfor this accomplishment, as it is a truereflection of the hard work and dedication

of our physicians, nurses & staff. Qualityand patient safety are our utmost priority”,said Scott Cihak, Chief Executive Officerof Kendall Regional Medical Center.

“Hospitals like this that earn an A havedemonstrated their commitment to theirpatients and their community,” said LeahBinder, president and CEO of TheLeapfrog Group. “I congratulate KendallRegional Medical Center for its safetyexcellence…”

To see KRMC scores as they comparenationally and locally, visit the HospitalSafety Score website at <www.hospital-safetyscore.org> which also provides infor-mation on how the public can protect them-selves and loved ones during a hospitalstay.

Kendall Regional Gets an ‘A’


Enrolling Int’l StudentsInto Our Local Schools

BY JUANITA WELLS

MSouth Florida has longbeen an internationalcrossroads. MBesides the obviouschallenges of having toacclimate to a differentculture, families whomove here from other

countries face a sometimes daunting list ofschool requirements when seeking toenroll their children in local schools.

As Admissions Director of DivineSavior Academy in Doral, I work withfamilies from all seven continents whodesire admittance into our academy, frompreschoolers through Grade 12.

All schools require certain forms anddocumentation before a student can beginattending classes. Private schools requirean application for admittance, a valid birthcertificate, official transcripts from previ-ous schools attended, and usually anadmissions test that includes math, lan-guage, and ability skills components.

Students who have attended interna-tional schools need to provide elementaryschool transcripts (through Grade 3) and, ifapplicable, official high school transcriptsincluding evaluation and validation ofgrades by a recognized InternationalEducation Consultant Agency, such asWES, Josef Silny and Associates, or anoth-er reputable agency. They must also pres-ent any past standardized test scores.

Some schools participate in theStudent Exchange Visitor Program andmay issue a Form 1-20 “Certificate ofEligibility for Nonimmigrant Student”which can result in a student obtaining anF-1 visa. As with any culture, knowing thenative language is extremely beneficial. Ifa parent is able to enroll a child into

English programs prior to moving, then thetransition into American schools will bemuch easier.

If a student is coming from any otherschool, national or international, the fami-ly will need to supply a recommendationletter from the most recent school attended.(Usually these forms are available onschool websites.)

For all public or private schools,Florida law requires the submission of cur-rent health forms as well. Both the DH3040 school entry health exam form (yel-low/white) and the DH 680 certificate ofimmunizations form (blue/white) must besubmitted. Parents can obtain these signedforms from any licensed healthcareprovider.

Additionally, for athletic participa-tion, the Florida High School AthleticAssociation requires all ninth graders tosupply original transcripts complete withvalidated grades from their Grade 8 schoolyear, in addition to updated physical forms

The education of these new mem-bers of our community is vital to continuewhat has long been one of South Florida’sand, specifically Doral’s, greateststrengths—the varied and cultural richnessof our population.

Juanita Wells withDivine Savior Academy for the past sevenyears currently serves at the AdmissionsDirector. She has 32 years of experienceas a teacher/school administrator in boththe United States and Colombia.


BY JENNIFER MARTINEZ

They run, tackle, and strive for success!No, not the Dade Christian varsity foot-

ball team but the DCS tiny but mighty intra-mural elementary gridders who have takenthe football program “Grow to be a Pro” to awhole other level.

“Even though I’m little, my dad says Iplay big! I always try to make touchdownsand do my best.” said Tyler Sonneborn.“The best part is that I get to play with all ofmy friends and we all have the same goal—to win.

“What pushes me the most is when I goto be the water boy at the varsity footballgames. I like seeing them win and I hope tobe like them one day.”

The DCS elementaryfootball program is

composed of three teams that provide a feed-er for the varsity program with a goal ofpreparing them at a young age for the rigor-ous varsity sport.

Dade Christian’s varsity team, rankedone of Florida’s top teams in Division 2A,finished its regular season undefreated toenter the state semi-finals undefeated. “Asa former elementary football player, I like tobe an example for the elementary foot-ballers,” said Alex Perera, varsity junior. “Itwas a long time ago that I was playing ele-mentary football, but I remember everygame.

“I’m glad to have been a part of the ele-mentary program and continue hope to con-tinue being a role model for the younger kidswell beyond my years as a student. Once aCrusader, always a Crusader!”

DCS Elementary PlayersForm Football Successes

Coach Tommy Valentine huddles DCS “Warriors” elementary team.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––


BY ANN LINO

The giving spirit is ever apparent inSouth Florida during this time of year.

Several residents of Doral are amonga group of dedicated women who aremembers of the GFWC Coral GablesWoman’s Club.

This club maintains a beautiful historicbuilding with two ballrooms as well as afree children’s dental clinic that the clubalso owns and operates year around. ThisClinic provided more than $230,000 in feedental care to disadvantaged children inMiami-Dade County last year alone.

The club also participates in countlessother charitable outreach efforts includingcharity walks in Doral. Most recently theclub collected food and delivered 35 hugeThanksgiving food baskets to families ofchildren being treated at the club’s clinic,in addition to providing large gift bags ofwrapped toiletry items for the women atAgape.

While some clubs are losing mem-bers, the Gables Woman’s Club has

increased its membership base withwomen of all ages who wish to give backto their community while making newfriends and serving others.

Several new members from Miami-Dade County were installed at the club’sDec. 5 annual holiday party, an affair thatalso thanked the dental clinic staff andmajor donors supporting the May VanSickle Children Dental Clinic over theyears, including the Dr. John T.Macdonald Foundation, the HealthFoundation of South Florida, and BacardiUSA.

Past President Barbara Lapsley, whowrites the annual proposal for fundingfrom the Dr. John T. MacdonaldFoundation, reports that over the last 20years, more than $400,000 in donationshas helped thousands of children have ahealthy smile.

Doral women interested in participat-ing in this dynamic club may contactMary Ann Etkin at 305-392-1782. Moreinformation is available at the club’s website, >www.coralgableswomansclub.org>.

Coral Gables Woman’s ClubHelps Families in Doral

Doral residents Gloria Burns (left) and Lizz Wiegandt with Thanksgiving food baskets donated before the hol-idays by Coral Gables Woman’s Club.


The Marine Biology class members atDade Christian School are hardly afraid ofwater in one of the most exciting classesDCS has to offer.

Students have the opportunity tobecome scuba certified, allowing them togo safely on dives throughout the year.Because of its challenges, the program isonly open to seniors.

“Growing up at DCS, I’ve looked for-ward to taking this class forever and it hasbeen no disappointment sharing theseamazing experiences with my classmates,”said Olivia Webb, a senior. “MarineBiology has made me love the ocean andenjoy God’s creation on a more in-depthlevel.”

Students not only get to experience the

dives, but they also learn in the classroomabout ocean life and how magnificent ourunderwater world is, added Cathy Cryer,teacher who has 28 years logged at DCS.

In December, the class will be divingat Disney Park’s Epcot Center, enjoying its“Living Seas” underwater adventure witheverything from squid to sharks in a tankthat holds 8,500 marine inhabitants inaquarium of 5.7 million gallons of water.

To prepare for the Disney dive, stu-dents recently went down a 30-foot off theFort Lauderdale coast in an area known as“The Caves.”

“I’ll admit I was nervous but as soonas I got into the water, I felt so grateful forbeing part of this class,” said JustinMartinez, a senior.

Dade Christian MarineDivers Head to Disney

Justin Martinez (left), Carolina Gonzalez, Sophie Garcia, Andrew Socarras, Kesley Piedra, and JonathanUrdaneta prepare for first dive into “The Caves.”

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


By Fabian Redler, PsyD, LCSWLearning involves filling our knowledge bank with information, and teach-

ing does just that. However when a student is struggling to learn or when stu-dents want to expand how much they can learn, teaching has its limitationsbecause it does little to expand the brain’s capacity to hold more information.It’s like trying to fit six gallons of water into a five-gallon tank. A more logicalapproach should involve increasing the brain’s capacity to handle informationin terms of quantity and even speed.

Brain training research is exploding in the area of education and neuropsy-chology, and educators are finally starting to understand the role that overallbrain ability has on our children’s education, specifically as it relates to math-ematics, reading fluency, comprehension and the student’s overall motivationto learn. But brain ability is not so much about what they learn, as much as itis about how much they can learn.

Processing skills, also known as brain skills, are the “muscles” of the brain.They are responsible for how information enters the brain, which informationenters and how much of it enters. Therefore the development of these under-lying brain skills are an essential part of every student’s learning potential, yetteaching or tutoring alone do little to influence growth in these areas.

Attention and memory are just some of the brain “muscles” responsible forhow kids (and adults) learn. Consider what difference it would make in yourown life if you were able to increase your focus and memory capacity by threeyears in just weeks. When these muscles are weak, they limit a student’s aca-demic performance and are the cause of most learning deficits, but when theyare strong, they can make the difference between being an average student oran above-average one. Teaching is essential in the learning process, but it isoften limited in the way it can help students reach their potential.

Next time your youngster is studying their spelling words, practice havingthem spell the words in their head backwards. This will do more than justchallenge them, it will force them to visualize the words with more intensity,since without visualizing the words it would be close to impossible to do. Thisis a brain skill known as visual processing that is essential for good readingcomprehension.

Since “brain muscles” determine how much a student can lift, it makes per-fect sense to have a professional measure your child’s brain skills at the startof the school year so they can identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses,and create an individual-ized training plan to strate-gically improve their abilityfrom the start.

Dr. Fabian Redler ispresident of What’s OnYour Mind, Inc. (LIFTLearning Centers), helpingkids reach the stars since2000. He may be contactedby calling 305-937-6463.

How brain functioningaffects learning BY DEBBIE MARTINEZ

School is in full swingand I am getting moreand more frustrated.This is the first schoolyear since my divorceand my ex is making itvery difficult. Any ideas

on how to make this easier for me? Ican’t imagine a solid year of this aggra-vation.

Here is an article that I wrote a while

back, but it’s worth reprinting for all

newly divorced parents faced with the

challenges of exes and schools.

TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE SCHOOL YEARWITH YOUR EX SPOUSE

Navigating the school year is tough

enough, but when you are divorced and

trying to co-parent with an uncooperative

ex spouse, your job as the primary parent

gets even more difficult and stressful.

Here are some tips to lessen the stress of

dealing with your ex:

• Make sure the school has your ex’s

email and mailing address so that they can

mail things directly to him. This takes you

out of the picture.

• Any school papers that need to be

given to your ex should be scanned and

emailed or mailed. Don’t get the children

involved by making them the messenger.

Provide the teachers and coaches your

ex’s email so they can email him directly

whenever possible.

• Make sure the child has a set of uni-

form clothes at your ex’s house, even if

you have to buy them. That set becomes

his responsibility and it’s one less thing

for you to worry about.

• Money is always an issue with exes. If

you are dealing with an ex who feels that

since he pays you child support, you

should cover all costs right down to book

fair money, accept it and move on. Don’t

make the child feel uncomfortable

because he/she has to ask for book fair

money. If the child will be staying with

your ex on the night before the book fair,

make sure they have money before they

leave.

• Set up a calendar with your ex that

clearly outlines days the children will be

with him and times of pick up and drop

off. This avoids any daily confusion. It’s

best to have a calendar set for at least

three to four months.

• Have a set of books and school sup-

plies at your ex’s even if you have to buy

them. This way your child doesn’t have to

worry about remembering where a certain

book is or lug things back and forth.

• Try to plan school projects ahead so

that they are at one parent’s home and

you’re not realizing the night before it’s

due that your child will be with your ex.

• Take the emotion out of any emails or

texts or phone conversations. Don’t get

caught up in what is “right” or “fair.” The

goal here is that your child is not worried

or stressed and that the school year runs

smoothly for you. It’s the daily dribs and

drabs that can unravel us as primary par-

ents. With a little planning and acceptance

of the way things are, it will be a better

school year for you and your child.

• Talk with your ex regarding the con-

sistency of staying in one home during

exam weeks.

NOTE TO SELF: Today’s challenges are only stepping

stones to my growth. I will take them one

at a time.

DEBBIE’S LIBRARY: What Happy Women Know by Dan Baker and Cathy Greenberg

Debbie Martinez is a Certified LifeCoach specializing in divorce, relation-ships and women’s issues. She has givenworkshops on various topics and hasoffices in South Miami. For more informa-tion, go to <www.thepowerofdivorce-coach.com>.

Advice for getting through a divorce

Teacher Planning Day Camps

Dates: Friday, January 18, 2013

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Fee: Resident: $ 22 Non-Resident: $ 27

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Story Time

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Teacher Planning Day Camps

Dates: Friday, January 18, 2013


Location:


Fee: Resident: $ 22 Non-Resident: $ 27

($4 T-Shirt Fee *required for all partici-

pants)

Ages: 5-13

Description: Give your child something

to do on Teacher Planning Day. This

is a one day camp that offers exciting

and eventful indoor/outdoor activities,

games, movies, and more! This program

is unique in that it integrates educational

and fun components. Price includes

lunch and snack.

Story Time

Dates: Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Location:


Ages: 1-5 years old


Fee: FREE

Description:

Join us for Story Time!

Children and parents will enjoy stories,

songs, characters and visual tales that

delight and entertain as well as encour-

age the love of reading.

Winter Break CampsDates: Dec. 26 - Dec. 28, 2012

Jan. 2- Jan. 4, 2013

Doral Soccer Club Camp

Ages: 4-16


Fee: Resident: $125

Non-Resident: $150

Location: Morgan Levy Park

Alex Othon’s Baseball Camp

Ages: 5-15

Times & Fees:

9:00-12:00pm (Half day option)


9:00am-4:00pm (Full Day Option)


Location: Doral Meadow Park

MEMBERSHIPSMembership covers lap swim and open swim for an entire yearAdults (18+): $80, Children (17 & under) & Seniors (60+): $40

For more information on aquatic programs and fees including swim lessons,private lessons, special needs, aqua aerobics, events and pool party rentals please

visit www.miamisprings-fl.gov or call 305-805-5078.

**DORAL RESIDENTS MUST REGISTER AND CHECK-INAT THE MIAMI SPRINGS POOL FRONT DESK **

City of Miami SpringsAquatic Center Programs & Services

1401 Westward Drive, Miami Springs, FL 33166

HOURS OFOPERATION

Monday - Friday11:00am-1:00pm - Lap Swimming

3:00pm-8:00pm - Open Swim

Saturday1:00pm-5:00pm

CLASSESLevels 1-3 (45 Minute Class)

6:00pm, 7:00pmFee: $45/2 Weeks

Levels 4-6 (45 Minute Class)6:00pm, 7:00pm

Fee: $45/2 Weeks

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Fee: $45/2 Weeks

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doral tribune december 2012

Documents

boria graduatedfrom

runoff election

election of mayor luigi

richard yagerluigi boria

council seat

formerchairman of miami

christi fraga

wonthe council