I was born without a physical ear, and no ear canal, on my left side. Over the years, I had surgeries meant to replicate the ear structure. They took cartilage out of my rib cage and sculpted it; then they wrapped it in a nice bow with skin grafts. It took eight surgeries—the first one
Read MoreJorge Ramos, executive chef at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach Paula DaSilva, executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale Edgar Beas, executive chef at Dune, Auberge Beach Residences & Spa, Fort Lauderdale Jorlian Rivera, executive chef at S3, Fort Lauderdale Alex Becker, executive chef at Kuro, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood What’s the
Read MorePhotos by John Hartzell Cristian Moreno ran both track and cross country at Monarch High School, and, every year, he and teammate Brandon Flagler would compete in Coconut Creek’s Butterfly Run. “We treated it as a competition race, and we practiced for it together,” he says. They started running together when Moreno was a
Read MoreWhere: 1401 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale Phone: 954.990.6658 Website: barritaftl.com A year after launching Fort Lauderdale-based Tap 42 in 2013, the ownership group—including executive chef Andrew Balick—acquired the land next door and filed permits for a proposed Mexican restaurant. But the plans for what ultimately would become Bar Rita went to the back burner
Read MoreIt’s a career that, by his own admission, might not exist in today’s music industry. Thankfully, for Rick Springfield, patience was still a virtue four decades ago when, after three releases that “did nothing,” the 1981 album “Working Class Dog”—and its chart-topping hit, “Jessie’s Girl”—put the native of Australia on the rock-n-roll map. Of course,
Read MoreUnknown to most people who’ve enjoyed the monthly art walks in emerging Fort Lauderdale scenes such as FATVillage and MASS District, there’s an interconnected group of artists and activists making personal sacrifices to transform the city into a culturally rich community. They’ve lived in blighted areas, had their cars broken into, and have been late
Read MorePictured from left to right: Jorge Ramos, executive chef at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach Paula DaSilva, executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale Edgar Beas, executive chef at Dune, Auberge Beach Residences & Spa, Fort Lauderdale Jorlian Rivera, executive chef at S3, Fort Lauderdale Alex Becker, executive chef at Kuro, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &
Read MoreBill Kerdyk Jr. has never been one to keep still. At one point, he was serving as vice mayor of Coral Gables, running his real estate business, heading a golfing business and serving as chairman of the board of the Bank of Coral Gables. Keeping busy in service to others runs in his family. His
Read MoreChief Operating Officer, City Furniture Charitable involvements: Covenant House, American Cancer Society/Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Habitat for Humanity, American Heart Association, Junior Achievement of South Florida, and more Why it’s personal: “Watching my mom [Doreen] fight her battle with breast cancer for two years [she died in July 2015 at age 62] was the
Read MoreAs part of this season’s holiday festivities at the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, pastry chef Carlos Salazar and his team are preparing a gingerbread house for the hotel lobby that’s destined to become a social media sensation. Given the philosophy that’s guided his culinary career, it’s no surprise that Salazar is looking forward to erecting the
Read MoreCity Furniture has a reputation for innovation, including a green delivery fleet and same day delivery. Recently, it was in the news for bringing back water beds. Now, it’s doubling down on its already extensive charitable activities. The company is pledging to donate at least 5 percent of profits back to the community during 2019.
Read MoreFounder/Managing Member, Kennedy Legal Team Sergeant, Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Charitable involvements: Florida Highway Patrol Advisory Council and Education Advisory Board for the city of Parkland Why it’s personal: “From the age of 11, I began working as a busboy at a seafood restaurant and was raised by my mother and three older sisters after
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