People Profiles

Getting involved in politics was never on Michael Udine’s radar. In 2002, continuous delays on the construction of a school in Parkland frustrated parents, who didn’t feel heard by their elected officials. One suggested that Udine run for the city commission. The idea piqued his interest. The next year, with little experience (he’s a lawyer

? I go by the 24-hour rule. Whatever happened, good or bad, when it is 24 hours later, you’ve got to move on. ? I spent the last three years with Nick [Saban], coaching in Alabama, and it really was good. I was interviewed by a paper there, and I said that being [at Alabama]

? You have to love [wrestling] first and foremost if you want to do this. It’s a lot of sacrifice. It’s a lot of punishment on the body. If you think of only money, think you’re going to make $1,000 at your debut match—no. There’s no money at this level. ? [Extreme Championship Wrestling] taught

? We’ve always considered it a professional sport. It sounds funny to say, but there’s people that make $500,000. It ain’t like other sports, where you get paid to do it—you’ve got to win or you don’t get paid. It’s neat to be able to bring a professional sport to your hometown. ? It ain’t

Though Xavier Cortada has created art around the world, working at Pinecrest Gardens holds a special appeal to him. He can immerse himself in the nature that inspires his work as the Gardens’ new artist in residence. Cortada, 53, creates paintings, murals, mosaics, installations and more that reflect nature’s beauty and encourage viewers to protect

A Miami breast cancer survivor finds her purpose while encouraging others in the fight to live strong When Kim Heard was diagnosed with breast cancer, she found comfort in befriending survivors. “I wanted to find women who had gone through what I was about to start,” she says. “I wanted to talk and listen without

Meet the firefighters of Creek’s new fire station This year, history repeated itself on Coconut Creek Parkway when city officials gathered with community members to cut the ribbon for the new Fire Station 50. The station, for which construction began in 2015, sits on the site of the city’s volunteer fire department building, which serviced

My mother was always organized. Everything was in its place. She talked about her last wishes in case of her death. In her safe deposit box, she had specific instructions about what she wanted me to do when she died. She already had written her obituary, and attached the photo she wanted to accompany it.

From the time he could walk, David Harper worked on building sites with his father, who owned a construction company. “He’d make me do the hardest jobs out on the construction site, I think, to show that he wasn’t [showing favoritism],” Harper says. “But he also used it as a way of saying, ‘Do well

John DiCintio is something of a local celebrity. Having lived in South Creek for about 30 years, the police captain regularly gets waves and honks from neighbors. His popularity speaks not only to the practice of community policing but also to the fact that, as DiCintio says, officers are never quite off the clock. “It’s

Manuel “Manny” Mair, a local personal training guru with a celebrity following, has been a fixture in South Florida for more than 25 years as founder of One to One Fitness based in Coral Springs. The former Men’s Fitness model is focusing on his other passion: advocating for veterans. On Nov. 11, Mair will host

Tammy Gail remembers the moment in 2003 like it was yesterday. She had just undergone a six-hour lumpectomy to remove an aggressive form of breast cancer. Two days later, because the cancer had spread, she underwent a procedure to remove her second breast. Lying in her hospital bed, Gail struck a silent deal. “I said