Park Dec09

PARKLAND LIFE • DECEMBER 2008 1

2 PARKLAND LIFE • DECEMBER 2008

Publisher
MINDI F. RUDAN
Associate Publisher
HANK RUDAN
Associate Editor
KRISTAN BOND
Assistant to the Publisher
CAROLYN LOMBARDO
Contributing Editor
MARITERE TAVERAS
Staff Writer
ELIZABETH GIGLIO
Contributing Columnists
GREG BUDELL; AMY DEMNER; MYRLE HORN;
CHRISTINE HUNSCHOFSKY; LORI KENNER;
PAMELA OFSTEIN; LISA PONCZEK; RICHARD J. SCHELLBACH
Child and Parenting Editor
MAGGIE MACAULAY
Sports Editor
DEBRA PEROVICH
Contributing School Writers
ELIZABETH BLASI (Stoneman Douglas);
NICOLE COOK (Riverglades);
ELYSSE DION (Park Trails);
GELENA HINKLEY (Coral Park);
DOREEN ROBINSON (Westchester Elementary)
Contributing Writers
JEFF BEEBE; YOSEF BISTON; NANCY BRODZKI;
CS MAYOR SCOTT BROOK; LORLE CAMPOS;
GREGORY COHN; BILL FEINBERG; SHANNON FERGUSON;
YORI GALEL; JASON M. GOLDMAN; BRUCE KALLOR;
PENNY KUPFERBERG; LAURA LARSON; DAVID LEVENS;
PERLA LICHI; HALLI MOORE; PAUL O’CONNELL;
RICHARD POLIRER; DAVE RINEBERG; ED SEGALA;
MICHAEL SHUTOWICK; TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN;
PARKLAND MAYOR MICHAEL UDINE
Creative Director
DWAYNE ADAMS
Cover Designer
IGOR MACHADO
Graphic Designers
CHRIS GILBO; IGOR MACHADO;
CYNDI SARRIA; PATRICIA STANSELL
Contributing Photographers
BARRY GROSSMAN; CHRISTINE HUNSCHOFSKY
Accounting Mananger
JAN GRIFFIN
Advertising Account Managers
LINDA CARRY; ARNOLD EISENBERG; SHARI GLATTER;
DEBBY GOLD; NANCY KNAUP; KAREN MARANDO;
CARYN MARCIANO; RHONDA ROSENOF; CHRISTINA SLOAN
Parkland Life Magazine
954.421.9797 • Fax 954.421.9125
E-mail: info@lifepubs.com
MEMBER OF:

Parkland Life magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ryplin
Industries, Inc. & is published monthly & Direct-mailed into EVERY
home in Parkland & Heron Bay plus in CS: EVERY HOME in The
Hamptons, Hidden Hammocks Estates, Eagle Trace, Maplewood
Isle, Mariner’s Cove, Whispering Woods, The Isles, Wynham
Lakes, Country Acres, The Hills etc. Over 21 of the most affluent
communities in Coral Springs as well. Verified postal receipts
— not verbal declarations — ”or so called mail-house certified
paperwork” are available for review to guarantee veracity. The entire
contents of Parkland Life Magazine is copyrighted and may not be
reproduced in whole or part without the express written consent of
the publisher. Parkland Life magazine accepts no responsibility for
products or services advertised herein. We reserve the right to edit,
rewrite or effuse submitted material.


CONTENTS December 2008 Volume 8, Issue 12

59 73

68 82

UP FRONT 78 HomeLife: 110 The Sporting Life WHEN AND WHERE
Green Tips for The Most Comprehensive Info
10 Publisher’s Lament: Luxury Bathroom Design on the Local Sports Scene! 141 Datebook/Fun
14 Cats & a Dog Named ... Happenings in & Around
KITTY!? 79 Funnybone Town for December
Lots O’ Laughs 112 Tennis Tips
12 Life Photo Ops When Changing a Grip the Best
Who Went Where? + 3 more on Advice is … Be Patient
pages 14, 16, 18 82 Garden Spot ON THE COVER
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh
20 MaleCall Greg Budell: Christmas Tree …10 Species to 113 Golf Tips
A Home for the Holidays!!! Choose Your Favorite From Putt Good and You’re 50%
There!
23 Postmark - We Got Mail! 86 Way to Grow
Beautiful, Easy, Classy: 114 Sports Family
FEATURES Christmas Cactus Yo – Yo – Yo, It’s the Prochilos
27 Holiday Happenings 91 Higher Power/The
Local Events to Make Your 135 LifeSavings
God Squad on: After All the Local Pros Offer Sage Advice
Holidays Bright Wrappings are Gone, Don’t on $$$ Matters in 2008
Forget the Greatest Gift of All
59 Life’s Annual Holiday
Cookie Recipes 93 Ponder This COLUMNS
Locals Share Their Favorites Yes, Virginia; There Truly ARE 22 Schellbach On:
Free Lunches Re-Gifting: It can Happen to You
63 “Life”Times Pets
Pet Stuff + Save a “Life”— Cute 94 Nutrition News
Adoptables in Need of a Family It’s Ok to celebrate but 56 Message from the
You CAN Still Stay Healthy Chief:
68 Pets and Their People Don’t Become a Victim!
Holiday Safety Tips Ah, the Power of Cheese?? No the
A Purr-fectly Happy 96 LifeLine
Holiday Cat House warm, wonderful, encompassing power
Vitamin D: So Your Grandmother
of the holidays! And there are few events
Knew Something After All… 57 A View from the Top
DEPARTMENTS Parkland Mayor Michael Udine & in SoFla so loved & so anticipated than
the Annual Holiday Fantasy of Lights
98 A New You CS Mayor Scott Brook Sound Off
35 “Life”Times/Galas, Newest Generation of at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek.
Openings, Happy Stuff!! Liposuction: VASER Lipo Pack a car full of friends, kids and
58 CityScope Commission
Better in Every Way Meetings/News/City Stuff ++
family & bond while you take a leisurely
66 Holiday Pet’s Place drive thru this veritable Disney-World-
If You Can Open Your Heart 99 LifeLine at-home of twinkling lights. Millions of
and Home, Pets Make a Great Tis the Season 71 Travelwise them! Sponsored in part this year by
Holiday Gift!! White Christmas? Winter Life Publications & many other generous
102 Mind Matters is Upon Us — Time to Hit the patrons; this year’s display is spectacular
70 Personal Perspective Unwrapping What Your Gift Slopes! and the Alzheimer’s Foundation will reap
Does December SoFla Weather Reveals About Your Relationship the rewards. Check out full details in our
Liberate You or Make You Long 117 Good Eats/Dining Holiday Happenings info starting on pg.
for Mittens and Hot Cocoa? 104 Children & Parenting Guide/Restaurants of the 27. We’ve assembled some of the most
‘Tis the season: Nine Powerful Month: THREE Haute, Hot sparkly, fun & fabulous events to help
73 The Elegant Voyeur Things Traditions Can Do for and oh, so Hip Spots to Eat,
make your season bright! Happy Healthy
Decking the Halls in Tall Pines Your Family Drink and Make VERY Merry
Holidays to You & Yours from Everyone at
This Season! Parkland’s
Pete’s Café Bella Sera Life Publications!
76 HomeLife: 106 School Life
Foyers and Entry Halls: A PL Writers Offer the PLUS Tossed & Payzins
Prologue to Good Design ABCs on Local Schools in Coral Springs! Cover Design: Igor Machado

PARKLAND LIFE MAGAZINE is published monthly by Ryplin Industries, Inc. 4611 Johnson Road, Suite 3, Coconut Creek, FL 33073-4361. 954.421.9797 fax: 954.421.9125
e-mail: info@lifepubs.com and is mailed directly into every home within the city of Parkland, within Heron Bay & Eagle Trace and is bulk dropped to myriad high traffic public
locations which surround the area. Copyright 2008 Ryplin Industries, Inc/PARKLAND LIFE MAGAZINE. All rights reserved. Reproduction, either in whole or in part is forbidden
without written permission from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit submissions and reject any material deemed unsuitable for publication.


attheedge

by mindi rudan

M ary and her husband Jim had a dog named “Lucky.” Lucky was a real
character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend
visit they’d warn their friends not to leave their luggage open because
Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would
forget and something would come up missing; or no one knew at all and Lucky’s
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated
and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk
faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, pining for Mary and missing her.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home,
Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim
“collection” grew. made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching
If someone did notice a missing item, Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon
the basement and lo and behold, there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s overcame her and she dozed.
other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very When Mary woke for a second, she couldn’t understand what was wrong. She
particular that his toys stay in the box. couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way
Just before one Thanksgiving, Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed,
told her she was going to die of this disease ... in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear gripping her with every breath. made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought things in life. He had literally covered her with his love.
struck her ... what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking
Jim, he was really Mary’s dog through and through. further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still
If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but
didn’t want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own Mary remains his greatest treasure and Lucky hers.
death. People often question me (and Hank) on our love for animals. We get a lot of
raised eyebrows when we’re the first to leave parties because we run home to
make sure our two blind cats are okay, or cut our vacations short. When our now
20 and a half year old Zydeco was 15, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in
a not-so-good place. Most people told us to euthanize him because of his age.
Our vet did not. He knew us and knew if there was a chance he could live on, he
knew we would give it to him. Without the operation he had less than a month,
the non-cancerous tumor was fast growing. He hooked us up with a Parkland
neurosurgeon, Jim Cook, practicing at the Cooper City Specialty Animal Hospital.
They gave him a 20% chance. He will hopefully be celebrating his 21st birthday in
April. He is blind, and somewhat deaf and now even has a touch of arthritis in his
leg, but that cat gets up every morning (on daylight savings time) and pounds the
sliders to go out. Don’t let him out within his allotted 10 minute waiting period,
and he wails like an ambulance siren and could wake a cemetery. Out he goes. He
follows the sun and when it gets too hot, books it to the shade. He knows every
bush and corner of the fenced backyard and goes where he wants and gets back!
Open a can or a pouch of his favorite food and you know his sense of smell is
super-sonic. He still has tremendous pleasure, he purrs every time you pet him,
still loves to be combed and although it is not always easy, he does walk into walls
and gets frustrated; but there is not a day that goes by that this animal isn’t happy
to be alive.
Dr. Payson from Riverside Animal Hospital uses “the Zydeco story” like his own
personal fairytale, retelling it over and over to any owner not sure whether to treat
a geriatric pet. And when he comes in for periodic check-ups, Zydeco is fussed

Hank & Kitty over and loves every second.
Smash, our 13-15 year-old (we’re not sure), I found him “smashed” hence the
continued on page 134


photoops1
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1 2 3 ’’
Life isn’t measured by how many breaths you take, but rather how many moments take your breath away...

1. Iron Chefs. Heron Bay residents Dena & Keith Blauschild 4 5
of Parkland Chef, pictured at the prestigious Panache
Fashion Show charity event for Share our Strength.
2. Daddy’s Little Girl. Jared & Sydney Friedman of Meadow
Run love to hang out together and boy does it show on
dad’s face.
3. Nose Lickin’ Good! Rudy D. Bulldog, a 5-year-old
Victorian Bulldog belonging to the Mamane Family of
Banyan Isles in Heron Bay, gave himself a big slobbery kiss.
4. And the Winner is … Cecil Hayes won a $100 gift
certificate during To Di For’s 8th Anniversary Customer
6 7
Appreciation Month in September. Have fun shopping!
5. Picture Perfect. Gretchen Hinners aboard her paint horse
Sockets Fancy Impressions, at Parkland’s local PHA Dressage
Show. Photo taken by Jennifer Marcus, photographer &
owner of A Frame To Remember at the Waterways Shoppes
of Parkland.
6. Oh Baby! Mimi & Amit Advani of Heron Bay welcomed
their new Bundle of Joy on July 8; daughter Maya is pictured
with her beautiful big sis Asha.
7. Together Again. Parkland’s 55+ group resumed their
regular meetings after a summer hiatus, guest speaker City 8
Manager Caryn Gardner-Young spoke about current city
projects & budget.
8. Home Grown. Coral Springs’ City Commissioner Roy &
Janet Gold’s home was selected as the “Garden of the Month”
in their Maplewood Isle neighborhood for October.
9. Dog’s Best Friend. Furballs & Fleabags, a very cool holistic
pet shop in Deerfield Beach, held a recent wellness seminar
with guest speakers Sue Gray & Tracy Nick from Barkbusters
Home Dog Training, who gave a fabulous presentation, “10
Tips Every Dog Owner Should Know.” (L-R): Janine Cimino,
9 10
Tracy Nick, Jake Glatter (son of Life Pubs’ Acount exec. Shari
and recent Bar Mitzvah boy) with Yorkie Joey, Sue Gray,
Andrea Terry & Christian Castagna.
10. In the Ring. Near celeb-bone crusher himself, Dr. Neil
Scharf (left) of Parkland Chiropractic, pictured going a few
rounds with boxing trainer Anthony Hamm who has been
the trainer of numerous world champions. Yo, Adrian!


photoops2
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1 2 3 ’’

1. Beep Beep! The NW Broward Road Runners Club Youth
Program posed for a picture after a morning workout.
2. Camelot? Parkland author Linda Corley (center), at a
Chicago book signing surrounded by her family who helped
her celebrate the success of her first book; The Kennedy Family
Album; Personal Photos of America’s First Family. 4 5
3. Looking Good! The gang from Le Boe European Day Spa
was all smiles at the recent Festival of the Flutes fundraiser.
(L-R): Robin & Jeff Cook, owners; Angela Bremser, Marketing
Coordinator; Adler Volmar, CS resident & ’08 U.S. Olympian in
judo; Annette Liarge, Nail Tech & Meghan Muilman, Assistant
Manager.
4. Oh Baby! Proud grandparents, Diane & George Boothroyd,
owners of To Di For in the Shoppes of Parkland, are the proud

6
grandparents to first grandchild Harlin Terrance Boothroyd
born Oct. 10th at 5 lbs. 9 oz. to Damon & Colleen Boothroyd 8
of Higganum, CT.
5. 441 4HAIR is Growing. 441 4Hair Salon, located in Regency
Lakes Village Center on 441 in CC, proudly welcomed 3
fabulous new designers. Each experienced creative stylist
brings their own unique talents & specialties to this dynamic
shop. Stop by and say hi to (L-R): Calista Williams, Amy
Carellon & Roberta Tarantino.
6. Friends Set Sail to Celebrate. PL residents: Lisa & George
Ponczek, Marty & Freddi Hennessy, Rhonda Moretti, Fran &
Scott Sullivan, and Jill & Jaime Supovitz celebrated Señora
Fran Sullivan’s (Spanish teacher at Park Trails) milestone
birthday on her Fabulous 40th B-day cruise.
7. Isn’t it Romantic? Rotem Aharon & Jamie Tobol, owner
of Jatem Clothing and Accessories Boutique in CS, recently
got engaged in front of the holiest place; the Wailing Wall in
7
Jerusalem. This romantic couple, who combined their names
to create the store name Jatem which actually means I love
you in French, is planning a spring wedding.
8. Congratulations! Mr. & Mrs. Frank Gross were married
Oct. 17th at Tradewinds Park in CC. Aubree is the Spa Manager
at Woodhouse Day Spa and Frank is one of Woodhouse’s
excellent massage therapists. They will reside in CC.
9-10. A Humane Halloween. PetSet, a group of young
professionals dedicated to making a difference in the lives
9 10
of abandoned animals at the Humane Society of Broward
County, recently held their annual Halloween Masquerade.
More than 700 people attended the spooktacular event
which raised over $20,000 for the HSBC.
9. Event Co-Chairs Denise Weitzel of Coral Springs & Lori
Smiley of Ft. Lauderdale.
10. Danielle and Brad Bargman of Coral Springs with friend
Lori Carpenter.


photoops3
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3

1. Let Them Eat CAKE! The Cake Palace recently Grand 4 5
Opened at 7400 Wiles Rd. in CS, and blew away anyone
tasting their treats! Offering fresh baked items & amazing
custom designed cakes for any occasion, owners Jeaneth
& Dean Tucker are fulfilling Jeaneth’s longtime dream of
owning her own bakery.
2. They Bit the Big Apple! The Brodsky Family & the Cole
Family, both of Parkland Isles, visited NYC recently and got
onto the Today Show plaza with Meredith Vieira. (L-R Front):
Tucker Cole, Ryan Brodsky, Adam Brodsky; (Middle): Paul
Brodsky, Sandy Brodsky, Meredith Vieira, Morgan Cole.
(Back): Lisa & Doug Cole.
3. Let Them Eat Muffins, and Croissants and Pastries
AND … CS Mayor Scott Brook cut the ribbon as owner
Isabel Gonzalez and members of the Chamber of Commerce
helped celebrate the Grand Opening of the incredible
7 8
Crème Brûlée on University Dr. at the Walk.
4. Stylin! Mark Tanner of Adanelle Fine Gifts and Interiors
was primped by Aesha of Salon Salon of Parkland.
5. Taking Steps to End Domestic Violence. Over 900
community members recently gathered at the Women in
Distress 10th Annual SafeWalk-Run to raise awareness &
funds to end domestic violence. (Pictured): The fantabulous
(and generous) JM Family Team.
6-7. Welcome Aboard! Hunter Construction Services
6
in Deerfield Beach proudly announced two new key
employees have joined their general contracting team
which has managed over 120 million dollars of construction
9 10
in the last 10 years.
6. Our own David Rosenof, Parkland City Commissioner,
(and hubby to Life Magazines’ Rhonda) is their new Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer.
7. Shane Tedder of CS, Vice President, Chief Estimator.
8. Trick or Treat? Parkwood friends & neighbors Gabriel,
Austin, Joey, Carly, Madison & “Princess” Sophia had a great
time together on Halloween night.
9. Super Family. The Scarano Family of Heron Bay’s
Edgewood at the 2nd Annual Halloween Block Party
attended by over 300 guests. (L-R): Dad Steven, Steven Jr.,
Mom Lisa & super cute Angela.
10. Shops are Open! Jody & Harvey Pflanzer of Parkland
checked out the Grand Opening of the long awaited
350,000 sq. ft. shopping center Promenade at Coconut Creek
with their son Adam & family pooch.


restaurantguide
Company, is a premium natural angus beef that
surpasses USDA standards and is melt-in-your-
mouth good. Another exceptional entrée is the
Double Pork Chops stuffed with pancetta and feta
cheese and topped with a rosemary cranberry
demi glace. The chef’s fresh catch selections
include Hazelnut Tilapia that is pan seared and
topped with lemon butter. All of PayZins entrées
include an exquisite salad bar with an abundance
of fresh selections. Save room for a delectable
dessert such as wild berry charlotte, giant carrot
cake, and chocolate lava cake with a white Godiva
liquor center. Dinner served 5-11pm Sun.–Wed.
and 5-12pm Thurs.-Sat. (Kid’s menu available.)
Bar and lounge and an Early Evening menu is
available from 5-6:30pm daily featuring two select
entrées for $25 including salad bar. A private
banquet room is available for parties or meetings
with enough room for 50 guests. From the dining
room to the comfortable bar and lounge, PayZins
has something for everyone. The full bar, which
opens daily at 4pm and closes at 2am Thurs.-Sat.,
features custom martinis and specialty drinks
such as Peartinis, Original Mojitos, and PayZins
Margaritas. Daily Happy Hour from 4-6:30pm
features half price call liquor and special prices
on glasses of wine, bottled beer, and martinis.
The comfortable upscale lounge features high
top tables and leather chairs surrounded by flat
screen TVs. Every Thursday is Ladies and Gents
Night with Happy Hour all night long! Enjoy the
NEW look, NEW attitude and NEW live music &
dancing with DJ Steve Thurs.–Sat. from 9:30pm–
2am. Reservations accepted. AMEX, V, D, MC.

Pellegrino’s Ristorante and Lounge, 847 SE 8th Ave.
(Palm Plaza), Deerfield Beach. 954.418.0611. If
the Rat Pack had a favorite little Italian hideaway,
Pellegrino’s would be IT! This charming intimate
restaurant (celebrating their 9th anniversary in
Florida) serves authentic Italian cuisine the way it
was meant to be. You may just know the name too.
The Pellegrino family is world renowned for their
RAO’s restaurant in East Harlem — everyone from
celebrities to sports figures have lined up to devour
the family’s original homemade recipes that have
made this place a legend! Dishes served in the
Deerfield location are the same family recipes with
the same homemade flavor that’s won legions of
fans worldwide — and spawned a cookbook! Close
your eyes & you could be in mama’s kitchen in Italy.
Show up Sundays for Traditional Sunday Dinner.
Pasta w/Meatball, Sausage, Beef, Braciole, Pork ribs
& Contina … in GRAVY. And this gravy is the stuff
continued on next page


restaurantguide
continued from previous page

dreams are made of; Italian ones. House specialties
incl. Pork chop Pellegrino, Lemon Chicken, Seafood
& Veal dishes & a variety of amazing pastas. Dress
is casual & prices moderate but make no mistake,
this is an exquisite dining experience. Rated as #1
in South Florida by Gourmet Magazine, this place
is well worth the drive from anywhere. Full liquor
bar. Open Tues.-Sun. from 5pm. Closed Mondays.
www.pellegrinosrestaurant.com. All Credit Cards
accepted.

Pete’s Café Bella Sera, 7351 N. State Rd. 7,
Parkland. 954.346.7373. petescafebellasera.net.
Pete J. Lombard Jr., Owner & Executive Chef of
Pete’s Café Bella Sera, hails from the north end
of Boston & is now settled in NW Broward. For
the last 4 years Pete has been at this location &
he has found the perfect mix of a first rate staff,
comfortable surroundings & an impeccable
choice of dining fare. Adorning the walls are
photos of politicians & athletes who frequent this
hidden jewel, along with recognition from the
many community groups that Pete is involved
or that Bella Sera has played host to. ALWAYS
crowded with beautiful folks this place is well,
just one of those places where legend is made.
The exquisite & extensive menu filled with Pete’s
specialties such as Pete’s famous meatballs, Beef
Bracciole, Chops or the NY Strip Giambotta.
Seafood is amazing here. The salads are large
enough for 2 & the preparations of chicken & fish
are tantalizing. Besides the regular menu, there
are always specials that awe you. What’s fresh is
Pete’s playground. There is a full bar (that’s always
hopping) while waiting to dine. Friday & Saturday
evenings at 10:30pm the bar & restaurant take
on the atmosphere of a nightclub lounge with
live entertainment from 8pm until 2am. Live
entertainment also on Wednesday & Thursday
from 6pm until 10pm. A private room for up to
30 plus with a plasma screen for sporting events
or a power point presentation. Lunch is served
Tuesday through Friday 11:30am-2pm featuring
specialty salads & specialty dishes. Lunches start
at $9.95. Dinner: Tuesday–Sunday. Reservations
suggested. Valet parking on the weekends. And
please don’t forget to tell Pete that Parkland Life
sent you!

Pizza Time Caffé, 6620 Parkside Dr. (Parkland Town
Ctr.), 954.345.8665. One of the most beloved Italian
restaurants on the local scene, this family owned
& run Tuscan, Mediterranean styled restaurant


restaurantguide

features an open airy décor & decidedly family $7.50 and up. Dinner from 4pm until closing.
atmosphere. People love this place & the food! Happy Hour from 4-7pm. Full liquor bar. Take-out
And ALL the best favorites are on this varied available. All major CC accepted. Please tell them
menu! The pastas are fresh, the marinara is Parkland Life sent you!
superb & the house dressing on the salad
is mouth-watering for a simple vinaigrette. Runyon’s, 9810 West Sample Rd., CS. 954.752.2333
Join them for lunch & experience their Lunch / runyonsofcoralsprings.com. A Coral Springs
Madness featuring their Famous Lunch Display landmark, this upscale, clubby, sophisticated
of Specialty Gourmet Pizzas & Homemade Panini restaurant opened on Oct. 9, 1984, and still has
Sandwiches! Recent additions are new low carb the same owner-operator and much of its original
dishes, many more specialty salads, incredible staff. Runyon’s has developed a reputation for
hot & cold sandwiches, & don’t forget their great service and consistently impressive food,
pizzas! Dine-in, take-out & local delivery. Catering a down home neighborhood restaurant with
for any occasion. Lunch & dinner. Happy Hour a chic, understated “big city” vibe. Fresh fish,
Mon.-Fri. 12pm-7pm house wine & draft beer giant shrimp cocktails, spectacular bone-in filet
2-for-1. HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Mention Parkland mignon, the finest mouth-watering signature
Life and get a FREE $50 gift certificate with the prime rib, along with milk fed veal and lobster
purchase of any catering order over $199 (exp. tails are just examples of their outstanding menu.
1/1/09). Open Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm, Fri.-Sat. Nightly specials and a superb, sophisticated wine
cellar, along with a large selection of top-shelf
11am-10pm, Sun. 12pm-9pm. AMEX, D, V, MC.
liquor makes this hot spot a real gem — and no
wonder they’re 25 and still going strong! Lunch
Red Ginger Asian Bistro, 9710 W. Sample Rd., CS
is served Monday through Saturday with fresh
954.752.1850. www.redgingerrestaurant.com.
fish, giant salads, hand crafted sandwiches,
If you can remember that for almost 30 years
homemade soups and daily specials. The lounge
this was the location of Spring Garden Chinese
has entertainment every night along with lots of
Restaurant, and if you’re one of those who do,
televisions for great sports viewing. The patio is
you’ll be ASTOUNDED by the transformation of
open for lunch, dinner or just for cocktails and
the exterior and interior of this now gorgeous listening to music. There is a beautiful private
eatery and you’ll be wowed by the food. The dining room that seats up to 45 people for
Kim family has been in the restaurant business corporate functions, family celebrations, or any
for as long as any of them can remember! They special occasion. Stop in and spend some time
own Golden Rice Bowl in Lauderdale Lakes and just enjoying the pictures of celebrities who
now their sons Steve and John have opened Red have made Runyon’s their favorite place over the
Ginger Asian Bistro where Zen meets modern years. Happy hour Mon. through Sat., 11am-7pm.
with an Asian flair and is reflected in both the All major credit cards accepted.
décor and food. This is not your traditional
Chinese restaurant … but it is casual dining with Tavolino Della Nonna, 10181 West Sample Rd.,
moderate pricing and a very attentive staff. The CS. 954.509.0046. tavolinorestaurant.com.
sushi is made with only the freshest ingredients Mealtime is a special time for sharing and
and the sauces for the dishes are recipes that making memories and that is what owners
have been handed down from the family. The Edward Pozzuoli and Thomas Genduso want
appetizers such as Crispy Rangoon, Red Ginger’s diners to experience while at their restaurant.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Tuna Tataki are all Tavolino Della Nonna, which means “Table of
$6 to $8 and awesome. All of their signature my Grandmother,” serves old world cuisine
dishes are noted as Red Ginger’s Spicy General’s with an eclectic flair. A unique combination of
Chicken, Red Ginger’s Sea Bass or whole fish of Nouvelle cuisine intertwined with traditional
the day with a choice of sauce, or the Red Ginger home style Italian cooking makes for an
Roll which is Tuna, Salmon, White Fish, Crab, exquisite meal. The décor has the same feel
Cream Cheese, Avocado, Cucumber, inside out yet, nostalgic charm fits comfortably with
with Masago and Sesame Seeds. The menu is contemporary elegance. The main dining room
extensive and there is something for everyone. is a charming mix of crisp linen and warm
Open for lunch everyday from 11:30am-4pm. woods while the secluded place of honor
Lunch menu entrées with choice of soup are “Nonna’s Room,” houses an original 50’s table


restaurantguide

& chairs, old fashioned stove, sink, refrigerator or Black Grouper w/ tropical salsa. Wines are The Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park,
and paraphernalia reminiscent of a bygone era. featured to complement the weekly specials. 777 Isle of Capri Circle, Pompano Beach,
The weekly specials depend on availability of All the desserts are homemade including the 954.972.2000 / theislepompanopark.com.
the finest and freshest ingredients along with Chocolate Volcano, Tower of Cannoli, Nana In addition to the Isle Buffet and Myron’s
Rose’s award-winning Ricotta Cheesecake or Delicatessen, The Isle Casino offers two
the extensive regular menu. Appetizers such
their Signature Amaretto cookies to mention outstanding fine dining options. Inspired
as the fresh purses of pasta stuffed with pear
just a few. Tavolino Della Nonna is truly lovely by the satisfying aromas and savory tastes
and cheese in a blue cheese Alfredo sauce and
and special. Open for lunch and dinner Tues.- of regional Italian cuisine prepared in
then sprinkled with pear and walnuts is one of Fri. 11am to close, and dinner Sat.-Sun. 4pm till the vintage tradition, Bragozzo is the
their specialties. Pastas, veal, fish and chicken close. There is a private room available to host inspiration of celebrity Chef Luke Palladino,
can be ordered in traditional and unique parties, corporate events or business seminars. whose passion for Italian food and wine
preparations alongside the weekly specials Catering and take-out available and all major consistently draws rave reviews for all of his
such as stuffed pork chops, Seafood Risotto credit cards accepted. Reservations suggested. wonderful eateries. Simply put, Bragozzo
is about good Italian food prepared in a
warm and inviting atmosphere. Family-Style
Dining, $29 per person, Sundays 4-8:30pm.
Includes antipasti, pasta, entrée and dessert.
Sun., Tue., Wed. & Thurs. 5:30-9:30pm. Fri. &
Sat. 5:30-11pm. Closed Mon. Farraddays’
Steakhouse, the Isle’s signature steakhouse,
is one of a handful of restaurants serving
Certified Angus Beef Prime, the finest
steaks, prime rib and freshest seafood. Savor
specialty cocktails, fine wines by the glass or
classic martinis, but more importantly, share
the fun ambiance with friends or family.
Early Bird Specials, $35 per person, Sun.-
Fri. 5:30-7pm. Late Night Live Jazz, Dining
& Martini Specials Fri. and Sat. 10pm-1am.
Fri. & Sat. 5:30-11pm. Sun., Mon., Wed. &
Thurs. 5:30-9:30pm. Themed Buffet Nights
available Monday through Thursday from
4:30-9pm with a different flavor each night.
Closed Tue. V, MC, AMEX, D.

The Whale Raw Bar & Fishhouse, 7619 N.
St. Road 7, Parkland. 954.345.9190. www.
thewhalerawbar.com. Now Open in the
Waterways Shoppes in Parkland on the west
side of 441 just north of Hillsboro Blvd. Open
for lunch & dinner seven days a week, the
Whale Raw Bar serves outrageous sandwiches,
salads, seafood as well as offering an out of
this world full raw bar menu! Some of the
signature items that customers will return for
each time include their fried grouper reuben,
tempura tuna salad, Live Maine Lobsters,
steamed & fried Ipswich clams & baked stuffed
mahi-mahi. The Whale Raw Bar offers a full
liquor bar & there is entertainment on the
weekends. And their full children’s menu will
keep all family members happy, and well fed!
V, M, AMEX. Open seven days — 11am to 12
midnight.


restaurantguide
TooJay’s Gourmet Deli at the Walk, 2880 N. University Dr., CS 954.346.0006.
When it comes to delis, TooJay’s rises to the top! Reminiscent of New
York’s finest, TooJay’s specializes in all your traditional favorites, just
the way you remember them. Everything from piping hot matzo ball
soup to irresistible New York style cheesecake. Lunchtime is famous for
“overstuffed” deli sandwiches corned beef, pastrami, roast beef or sliced
turkey breast, piled high and served on your choice of thick homemade
breads. For the ultimate Sunday Brunch how about Nova Salmon, hand
sliced and accompanied by fresh bagels, ripe red tomatoes and cream
cheese? In the sweets department, TooJay’s fresh bakery makes it hard to
choose. The service is friendly, the atmosphere casual and they’re open
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So Rye not stop in soon for a “little taste
of home?” Enjoy! Sun.-Thurs. 8am-9pm. Fri. & Sat. 8am-10pm. AMEX, V,
DC, D, MC.

Tossed, 9707 W Sample Rd. 954.753.2627. The newest sign on Sample
Road tells the story as this place is different, just like the food. The first
Tossed opened in Manhattan in the 1990s to rave reviews. Local owners
Andy & Maria Ponnock added their own special touches. Start with a
huge selection of salads, sandwiches, melts, soups and their specialty
crepes/wraps. Add only the freshest ingredients, made fresh every day.
Serve it all up in a real restaurant atmosphere complete with real china
and silverware, that’s the Tossed experience! If over 35 different menu
choices don’t offer exactly what you’re looking for then you can design
your own from scratch! Choose your lettuce, multigrain or ciabatta breads
or a unique fat-free whole wheat crepe/wrap shell and start building.
With five choices of lettuce, over 50 toss-ins including chicken, shrimp,
cheeses, nuts, fruits, seeds, raw veggies, roasted veggies, crunchies and
20 homemade dressings, the possibilities are unlimited. If a sandwich is
on your mind, try homemade chicken salad prepared with fresh chopped
tarragon or their signature Tossed tuna salad made from only white
albacore tuna, mixed with a little mayo, dried cranberries and apples. On
the hot side try a roasted chicken or pesto chicken sandwich. Their chicken
is fresh cooked daily and sliced for your sandwich, then piled high on one
of their fresh ciabatta breads topped with roasted peppers, cheese and
baked in a special convection oven. For something completely different
try their special crepes. They make their fat-free, whole wheat batter from
scratch everyday on a crepe machine. Fill it with creative combinations or
choose your own filling. Rolled like a wrap and you have a unique delicious
meal! Add soup (Friday is Lobster Bisque Day) and finish it with one of
their “to die for” chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies or a chocolate chip
brownie! Happy Hour everyday after 3pm; 2 for 1 beer and wine. There are
11 different varieties of beer or house wine by the glass. They also offer a
selection of wines in spilts. The prices range from $7.45 to $10.95. Open
7 days for lunch and dinner, 11am till closing. Now through 12/31 buy
one dinner and get the second for 1/2 price! Tossed also delivers or you
can call ahead and they’ll have your meal waiting for pick up. Full catering
menu for any function, which can also be delivered or picked up. All major
credit cards are accepted.


attheedge aviewfromthetop
continued from page 57
continued from page 10

was gonna be hectic, so if I could get emails done
tonight … so I got back up to get my laptop.
The second the 97 emails finished loading,
there she was. A tiny 6-month-old Chihuahua,
that I was cross-posted on. Her owner had five
dogs and was trying to find her a home. Then she
broke her front paw falling off a table and they
had no money to get her help. A lump formed in
my throat, that something was to be in that kind At a recent City Commission meeting we
of pain because there was no money to help her. recognized a few outstanding children who
I told Hank. Without missing a beat he said, “we’ll wrote why our community should Commit To
pay for it.” I sent the email that has been the cause Be Fit. During the next year, you’ll see our City’s
of my learning to eat, pee, write, and comb my hair commitment to health and wellness for all of our
with one hand as I now have this black and gold families manifested in different ways. As a result of
appendage on my chest. brain storming with Cindy Brief and Joann Zollo,
Hank went to get “Kitty,” (no lie) the next day our Chamber Leaders, I will now invite you and our
and she was at our vet within the hour. Unable to entire community to Walk With The Mayor on Sat.
name in a zillion pieces on Riverside Drive after he December 20 at 10am at Starbuck’s at the Walk!
handle such a bad break there, we were Cooper
was hit by a car and left for dead. With two broken Let’s walk the Walk and talk the talk! Let’s start
City bound again. $310 worth of x-rays and $3,400
paws, two knocked out canine teeth, a jaw broken getting fit together and hit the New Year running,
worth of surgery. (Thank you Dr. Spranklin.) Kitty
in THREE places, and needing some serious plastic or at least walking. If you are interested in joining
now has a last name: Rudan, and a lovely cast.
surgery on what is now a gorgeous face. I did not me, please let my assistant, Catia Silva, know at
Happy December 8th birthday, Hanky! And Merry
hesitate to pick him up, run him to the nearest vet csilva@coralsprings.org.
Hanukkah to me. I needed another animal like I
with my credit card, explaining I did not hit him, he Have a fantastic Holiday Season and I hope to
need another HOLE IN MY HEAD. But I’d rather do
was not mine but if they could fix him, or simply see you at our parade and at the Walk. As always,
this than have another pair of earrings, or bracelet,
make sure he no longer suffers, I would pay for it. feel free to call me at 954.344.5906 or e-mail me at
or new-fangled gadget. And I am so lucky to have
Smash, once he came home has never had a day he Sbrook@coralsprings.org if there is something I can
such a loving, intrinsically decent husband who
did not head-butt us, letting us know, he KNOWS, help you with.
feels the same way.
just how lucky he is.
Losing my mom taught us to live every day to
Recently he had a tumor diagnosed as
the fullest. To understand each minute is a blessing lifeline
lymphoma. Most people said he may not make six continued from page 96
from God. And to never forget ... the people and
months. If that was all there was, it was six months below 28 ng/ml!
pets who make a difference in our lives are not the
he would have tumor-free. A serious surgery Most of us are somewhat aware that vitamin D
ones with the most credentials, the most money,
and eight-weeks of chemotherapy later, has put is important for bone health and calcium levels. In
or the longest pedigrees. They are simply the ones
him into “complete remission,” so says oncologist the past, significant vitamin D deficiency caused
who cover us with their greatest treasures in “life;”
Stephanie Correa via her Animal Cancer Care Clinic severe skeletal problems known as Rickets and
their love.
in Deerfield. She thinks he’ll have at least double Osteomalacia (os-tea-o-mal-a-sha), which thankfully
I am buying stock in Scott paper these days, and
the original prognosis. He’s doing significantly are not commonly seen today. Vitamin D deficiency
have started using industrial strength concealer but
more purring and head-butting these days. We’re
I would not trade one chaotic moment. can result from inadequate intake, gastrointestinal
not sure if he knows how sick he was, but he’s
Hanky and I and our 14 cats and a dog named absorption, synthesis, or some combination of
GAINED almost two pounds since his Labor Day
KITTY, and the entire LIFE Magazines’ staff, wish these. As is clear from the above, many elderly and
surgery (thank you Cooper City’s Dr. Aronsohn) and
you and yours a happy, healthy holiday! We chronically ill adults do not get enough sun exposure
he’s smelling every blade of grass, and sticking his
sincerely thank you for reading our magazines and to synthesize sufficient vitamin D. Patients with
nose in the wind, almost as though HE KNOWS to
supporting our advertisers. We KNOW you have chronic kidney disease (such as those on dialysis)
savor every moment, just a bit more.
many choices these days and we do not take your are also commonly deficient because they have a
And since it is somehow apparent that our
support and friendship for granted. reduced capacity to produce the physiologically
magazines try to make a difference not just by
Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak active form, 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D.
helping every charity this side of the Mississippi,
kindly. Leave the rest to the universe and may Next month, I will discuss some of the exciting
but every homeless animal shelter and foreclosed
everyone get to experience their very own Lucky at new research concerning vitamin D.
on animal south of Pluto; dozens and dozens of
least once in their life.
sad, sad stories pass my desk every day. Just after
Gregory Cohn, M.D. has a concierge Internal Medicine
I came home particularly late one night from work,
practice in Boca Raton specializing in Cardiovascular
and was nearly crawling towards my bed with the
Disease prevention and Hypertension. Dr. Cohn is
last vestiges of energy my body could muster, like
a board-certified internist and clinical lipidologist
a runner who can see the finish line and will cross it
and has been practicing medicine in Florida since
no matter what. As soon as I got all my body parts Publisher
1991. Dr. Cohn can be reached at 561.367.7447 or
in the laying down position, I thought, ah tomorrow
www.gregcohnmd.com.


yourmoney

“Life
Savings” Yori Galel Nancy Brodzki Michael Shutowick

Local Professionals
Offer Up Some Sage Advice
The next installment in a multi-part series:
Local professionals from the business & financial world offer some tips
on YOUR money — How to save it, Understand It & Spend It in 2008. Laura J. Larson Bruce Kallor

How to Save Money and Still professional office, not just a mailing address. corporate address, as well as a beautiful reception
Maintain a Professional Image There are many industries represented by area and state-of-the-art conference rooms for
By Yori Galel virtual office clients. Some typical ones include: occasional meetings with clients; Business brokers
Professional service providers (such as attorneys, who receive many telephone calls and like a live

I
n difficult economic times, many business
financial planners and ad agencies) who want receptionist and the ability to receive voicemails
owners and professionals are looking for ways
a receptionist to answer the phone and a great continued on next page
to cut costs. One of the obvious choices is to
get rid of the high overhead of their corporate
offices, and work from home. But the image that a
corporate office presents is very different than the
one a home office presents. Good news: there is a
way to provide a professional image, at a fraction
of the cost. Enter the virtual office.
Virtual offices provide all the services of a
traditional office, at a fraction of the cost. Business
owners work from home, and are provided with live
telephone answering by a receptionist, using your
own corporate telephone number; state-of-the-art
conference rooms that can be used for meetings; a
prestigious corporate address that can be used as a
mailing address; voice messages and faxes that are
automatically sent to your e-mail address; and call
forwarding to all phone numbers (usually available
at an additional charge). Prices for virtual offices
can range from $99 to several hundred dollars per
month. Most virtual offices offer month-to-month
or quarterly service agreements.
Most business owners who work from home
don’t want to use their home addresses on their
correspondence, from an image and a security
perspective. Until recently, the only options
available were to use a Post Office Box or an
address from a mailbox company. Virtual offices
were created to provide all of the services of a


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and faxes automatically to their e-mail accounts; Salespeople who are in
and out of the office and like the idea of receiving calls on all of their lines
simultaneously; Service companies that use the phone answering feature for
dispatch; and Hispanic-owned companies that need someone to answer the
phone in English.
Saving money doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your business’s image.
So whether you work from home or spend a lot of time on the road, you have
options to ensure your customers and clients get the attention they deserve.

Yori Galel is the CEO of Corporate Executive Suites (CES), based in Boca Raton. The
company is the leading provider of executive suites and virtual offices in South
Florida. Yori can be contacted at 561.988.2500, or visit www.cesvirtualoffices.com.

Easing the Pain of Divorce
By Nancy K. Brodzki

Divorce is one of the most stressful and emotionally draining times of your
life. It can be completely debilitating at times. Yet during this process you will be
called upon to make major decisions that will impact the rest of your life. This is
the single best reason to hire an attorney to guide you through the process. But
in these difficult economic times it is more important than ever to get through
a divorce with as little waste of your financial resources as possible. The best
way to accomplish that goal is to reach an agreement with your spouse on the
terms of your divorce. Leaving this important decision up to a Judge who is a
complete stranger to you and only hears part of the story is a huge gamble, and
it is very expensive.
There are various ways of arriving at a settlement. You and your spouse
may choose to go to a neutral mediator who would help the two of you reach
an agreement without advocating for one side or the other. This is a viable
option if you and your spouse get along well and neither of you believe that
there’s any reason not to trust the other to be completely open and honest
in the process. Only if you are both completely informed as to your financial
picture and have relatively equal bargaining power is unrepresented
mediation a wise choice.
Another option is to hire attorneys who participate in a process called
Collaborative Law. In the Collaborative Law process each party has an attorney.
Each party and their attorneys work together in a cooperative manner to achieve
a fair and equitable settlement for the parties. This process also has the potential
to minimize legal fees and cost. It has the advantage of providing both sides with
equal advice in order to assure each party that the settlement really is in their
best interest. You can find more information about Collaborative Law at www.
collaborativefamilylawfl.com.
If you and your spouse both hire attorneys and one of you files for divorce,
your case will also follow a schedule that will lead to mediation. Your attorneys
will gather your financial information and provide it to one another. Then they will
schedule mediation. At mediation you, your spouse, and your two attorneys will
meet with a neutral mediator who will often separate you into different rooms,
shuttling back and forth between you negotiating a settlement. An agreement is
prepared and signed that same day in most successful mediations.
All divorces have certain elements in common. In cases involving children,
unless a parent is unfit, both parents will have shared parental responsibility
of all major decisions regarding their children. Both parties must complete
a parenting class designed for divorcing parents. A parenting plan and
timesharing schedule tailored to meet your family’s needs is required. Child


yourmoney
Support is calculated based on the incomes of both holiday season, you are not alone. According to a Consider a Prenuptial Agreement - Once the
parties and the guidelines established by State Modern Bride survey, more than 25% of all couples domain of the ultra-wealthy, today more and more
Statute. Alimony may be appropriate depending initiate their plans to tie the knot in November middle-class couples, particularly those who have
on the relative needs of the parties, either short and December. If you’re among the couples who been married before or who have a blended family,
or long term. Both parties are obligated to provide soon will begin wedding planning, it’s important include a prenuptial agreement in their wedding
one another with complete disclosure of all of their to remember that while your engagement is plans. A “prenup” is a written contract created before
finances. Assets or liabilities acquired or incurred your first step toward sharing a life together, it’s you say “I do” that addresses a range of legal and
during the marriage have to be equitably divided. also the beginning of sharing your finances with financial objectives. For example, you might use
This includes retirement plans and 401(k)s. someone else. Your first reaction may be that a prenuptial agreement to separate pre-marriage
Every divorce case is unique since no one else’s life finances and romance don’t mix, but the fact is assets, protect a family business, define community
is exactly like yours. What happened in one person’s that money issues derail plenty of marriages. To property, specify what happens to assets in the event
divorce doesn’t necessarily mean that it will happen keep your financial house in order, follow these of divorce, or address potential family inheritances.
in yours. Get legal advice and find out what you need steps to marital money bliss: While you can draft the document yourselves and
to know before you act. Information is power. Practice Full Disclosure - Maybe you’ve have it signed and witnessed by a local notary, you
seen the commercial for freecreditreport.com each might consider hiring a lawyer to review the
Nancy K. Brodzki, Esq. has been in practice since 1986,
where the young guy sings, from the basement agreement to ensure your individual interests are
focusing exclusively in the area of family law. As an
active community volunteer, she served as President of apartment of his in-law’s home, that he wished protected and that the agreement follows state law.
Temple Beth Am in Margate from 2005-2007. Nancy’s he’d known about his new wife’s credit problems Note that prenuptial agreements have been struck
office is located at 2801 University Dr., Suite 203, Coral before marrying her. It’s not romantic, but down in court because each spouse didn’t hire a
Springs. Phone: 954.345.1515; Fax: 954.757.9380 each of you should prepare a detailed financial lawyer to review the agreement.
Email: nancy@brodzki.com. statement listing assets and liabilities, annual Draft Your Top 10 Goals - Do you want to buy a
gross income, interests in family trusts, even home, pay off student loans, eliminate credit card
Engaged? Time to Talk Money potential inheritances. The more you share debt, save for a vacation, have children, retire early,
By Michael C. Shutowick
information, the better prepared you will be to or start your own business? Your short and long-term
If you’re planning to become engaged this make joint financial decisions. continued on next page


yourmoney

goals will inform how you need to invest and manage your money. In addition to
prioritizing your goals, be as specific as possible. That is, “pay for college” is a start,
but you likely will make more progress if you attach a timeframe and price tag to
your dreams.
Think about Implementing Joint and Separate Checking and/or Savings
Accounts - Many couples use a joint account, perhaps funded in proportion to
each person’s income, to pay for mutual expenses such as food, rent/mortgage,
and common goals. In addition, separate accounts, funded after the necessary
joint account, grant each spouse the freedom to make relatively minor purchases
without consulting the other.
Budget and Pay Bills Together - It’s easy to budget for essentials like car
payments, but an accurate budget requires that you track all your expenditures.
Providing legal services in the areas of... To accurately estimate what you spend on variables such as entertainment, keep
4 Family Law all your receipts in a bowl for three months. When you finally tally the results, you
4 Estate Planning 4 Child Custody, Divorce & Child Support may be surprised how much you spend on lattes. Once your budget is drafted, sit
down weekly for 10 minutes to discuss short-term mutual financial decisions, and
4 Wills and Trusts 4 Bankruptcy 4 Workers’ Compensation
meet periodically, say once a quarter, to review your overall finances. Although
When you need legal counseling or simply need a friend, one person may do much of the actual bill-paying, the other spouse should be
consider Scott J. Brook, P.A.
involved because managing money together reduces conflict.
(954) 757-5551 Keep the Lines of Communication Open - Recently, a Fidelity Investments
1401 N. University Dr. • Suite 500 • Coral Springs study found that only 23% of couples made financial decisions together. In a

www.scottjbrookpa.com marriage, disagreement can be difficult, but silence is dangerous, and that’s
especially true with finances.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. Seek Professional Help - Particularly if these exercises illuminate polarized
spending and saving habits, a financial advisor could help you to examine your
money attitudes, clarify your goals, organize your finances, and establish an
investment plan. Working with a professional also can help you to fortify your
money management foundation with an emergency fund and proper insurance.
Of course, all this advice may feel like it will be more useful down the road a little
bit. Currently, you may feel like you need to invest all your energy in planning your
dream wedding within your budget. In that regard, a good budgeting rule is: If you
can pay for it with cash, then you can afford it. Adhering to that simple rule will give
you a terrific head start in beginning your marriage on solid financial footing.

Michael C. Shutowick is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and co-founder of Shutowick
Wealth Management, a firm specializing in investment and retirement planning. He lives in
Parkland Isles with his wife, Melissa, and their two children. Michael can be reached at
954.327.1400 or online at www.LPL.com/michael.shutowick.

Urgent Estate Planning Considerations
While Your Divorce is Pending
By Laura J. Larson with assistance from Scott J. Brook, Esquire

If you’re a married individual who is considering a separation or divorce you
should review your estate plan as soon as possible to determine if it remains
appropriate under your change of circumstances. Remember, under the law, you
are considered to be legally married until the judge signs the final dissolution order
ending the marriage. In the event you were to die or become disabled prior to the
legal termination of your marriage, your estranged spouse may have legal control
over you and your estate. It is also possible that your spouse may be entitled to
most, if not all, of your estate!
If you do not have a Last Will and Testament, most likely your spouse, under
the intestacy laws of Florida, will be entitled to the control of your estate and


yourmoney
entitled to your estate assets in the event of your
death. You should consider executing a Last Will
and Testament which clearly appoints those
individuals, other than your estranged spouse,
who you want to have control over your Estate
and to inherit your Estate assets. If you do have
a Last Will and Testament or a similar estate
planning document, such as a Revocable Living
Trust, your spouse will typically be designated as
the Personal Representative of your Estate and/
or the Trustee of your Revocable Living Trust,
and probably is named as the primary or sole
beneficiary of your estate. You should evaluate
the necessity of executing a codicil to your Last
Will and Testament and/or an amendment to
your Revocable Living Trust which will change
these designations. It is important to remember
that until the divorce is finalized, you may not
be able to completely disinherit your estranged
spouse. Thus, the timing of your divorce may
greatly affect your estate planning goals.
Also, do not forget about your life insurance
policies, annuities, health or medical savings
accounts, and payable on death accounts. These
assets are usually referred to as “non probate
assets,” meaning that they will pass outside of
probate and, therefore, outside of the terms of your
Last Will or Revocable Living Trust. Most likely, you
have designated your spouse as the beneficiary.
Therefore, even if you take the time to change your
Last Will or amend your Revocable Living Trust, these
documents will have no effect on your non probate
assets. Instead, you will need to obtain a change
of beneficiary form for each of your non probate
assets and update your beneficiary designations
accordingly. This is particularly important after the
divorce has been finalized.
In the event you become disabled while
your divorce is pending, such as through an
automobile accident, heart attack or stroke, and
you are no longer capable of handling your affairs,
a guardian normally must be appointed for you.
Under Florida law, the spouse of the incapacitated
individual generally has priority of appointment
as guardian. This is why it is important to execute
a Durable Power of Attorney appointing an
individual to handle your financial affairs, a Living
Will, and a Designation of Health Care Surrogate
(also known as a Health Care Power of Attorney)
appointing an individual of YOUR choice to
handle your medical affairs and abide by the
directions in your Living Will.


yourmoney

If you have previously done an estate plan, Focus on Things You Can Control - During
prior to your separation or initiation of a divorce a financial crisis, your success at weathering the
proceeding, you have probably given your now storm depends on your ability to stay calm and
estranged spouse authority under a Durable concentrate on the things you can control. For
Power of Attorney (for financial matters), Living example, you can control your emotions so that
Will and a Designation of Health Care (for health you aren’t panicked into making unwise, short-term
related decisions, including the decision to end decisions, such as putting all your money under
life prolonging procedures in the event of a your mattress. And, to a certain extent, you can
terminal illness, end-stage medical condition or even control your portfolio’s ability to withstand
persistent vegetative state). If this is indeed the volatility. How? By diversifying your holdings
case, it is important to execute a new Designation as broadly as possible. The wider your range of
of Power of Attorney, a Designation of Health Care investments, the less you’ll be hurt by downturns
and a Living Will. that primarily affect one asset class. (Keep in
Your future estate is in YOUR control. At least it mind, though, that diversification, by itself, cannot
should be. Remember, through properly drafted guarantee profits or protect against loss.)
estate planning documents, you can provide that Review and Rebalance Your Portfolio - During
someone other than your estranged spouse will have this market decline, some of your holdings have
control over you (in the event of your incapacity) or probably fallen more than others. As a result, you
your estate (in the event of your death). Please speak may now own a lower percentage of a specific asset
with your divorce attorney and your estate planning class than you had originally intended when you
attorney to protect yourself and your estate. built your portfolio. Consequently, you may want
to meet with your financial advisor to determine
Laura Larson, Esquire is Of Counsel and practices primarily
if you should rebalance your portfolio by adding
in the area of Estate Planning. Scott J. Brook, P.A. also
more money to those asset classes that have fallen
does wills, trusts and focuses its tri-county practice on
the most. You may also want to rebalance if your
family law matters and workers’ compensation issues.
risk tolerance or long-term goals have changed.
Laura can be reached at the office of Scott J. Brook, P.A.,
Look for Quality Investments - In this
located at 1401 N. University Dr., Suite 500, Coral Springs,
economic environment, it’s more important than
at 954.757.5551.
ever to focus on quality investments. If you buy
Surviving a Financial Crisis stocks, look for those companies with strong
By Bruce Kallor balance sheets. If you’re purchasing bonds, stick
with those that receive high credit ratings. If we
Over the past few weeks, the news has been
are entering a prolonged economic downturn,
almost incomprehensible. It’s hard for many of us
these types of investments will, in all likelihood,
to make sense of the failure of major Wall Street
fare better than lower-quality stocks and bonds.
firms and large banks and the $700 billion bailout
Be Patient - No one can predict when a
of the financial sector. And it’s hard for investors to
bear market will end, but history has shown
be calm when stocks have fallen almost 30 percent
that turnarounds can happen quickly and
from their all-time high a year ago. What can you
unexpectedly. So be patient. The most successful
do to cope? Consider the following “checklist” for
investors have the courage to stay the course and
surviving a financial crisis:
take advantage of opportunities while others are
Close Your Ears but Open Your Eyes - These
“bailing out” of the financial markets.
days, you may hear some so-called “experts”
We may still have some rough roads ahead
talking about end-of-capitalism scenarios. Try
of us. But if you can check off every item on this
not to listen to these doomsayers. We still have
list, you may be able to smooth out some of the
the most powerful economy in the history of the
bumps you’ll encounter on your journey toward
world and we will recover from these setbacks.
achieving your long-term goals.
However, even if you close your ears, you should
keep your eyes wide open. Specifically, look for Bruce Kallor has been with Edward Jones for six
opportunities. Stock prices are down now, but years. Prior to that, he practiced law in NYC. He has
they won’t always be — and, all else being equal, lived in SoFla for almost seven years; the last five in
investors who buy into the stock market at lower Parkland’s Heron Bay. He can be contacted at: 2137 N.
prices are likely to earn higher returns than those University Drive in Coral Springs, 954.796.8837 or via
who buy stocks when prices are higher. www.edwardjones.com.


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