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Aventura Confidential 1-30  

Aventura: A Hotbed for Athletes and Entertainers 

The employees were understandably upset because their sister store in Coral Gables had been robbed the same Monday morning.

By Phyllis D. Huguenin
Contributing Writer  

There’s a new sheriff in town. Well, actually a cowboy. Tony McGee, tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, just moved to Sunny Isles Beach in January. He plans to spend six months here, six months in Dallas. He said he moved here for “sun, sand and taxes,” and after a quick afterthought he said, “Add golf to that list.” Tony considers Aventura a “hotbed for athletes and entertainers” and cites Ty Law (cornerback, New England Patriots), Plaxico Burress (wide receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers), Samari Rolle (cornerback, Tennessee Titans) and Lauryn Hill and her husband as some of his neighbors. He loves the mall and restaurants and regards Aventura as having all the amenities of South Beach without the accompanying hectic lifestyle. Tony considered signing with the Dolphins last off-season but demurred because “Dallas is America’s team.” 

Coincidence? 

The Mayors jewelry store in the Aventura mall reported a suspicious incident that occurred on January 13 at 3:27 p.m. Store manager Lorrie Nelson advised police that a man walked into the shop, pulled a mask over his head and then immediately exited. Police broadcast a description of a Black male, 6’1”, approx. 170 lbs., dressed in black, wearing black and white shoes, last seen heading through the mall. The employees were understandably upset because their sister store in Coral Gables had been robbed the same Monday morning. A 56 year-old security guard, Luis Brito, was shot and killed there.

Aventura Arts & Crafts Festival

Many City of Excellence residents ventured out for the12^th Annual Aventura Arts & Crafts Festival, held January 25 - 26, whose primary sponsor is Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. The festivities featured performances by several professional dance companies, among them Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida and New World School of the Arts Dance Program. Amongst the over 200 artists and craftsmen were Rob and Cindy Rhoton (CR Stuff) whose booth featured a patented (hand-made) wooden Colt Pistol rubber band shooter gift set which included pistol, target and rubber bands. Jim Oliphant, a product specialist who works with Lincoln car manufacturer through its advertising agency, was on hand to introduce the latest luxury SUV, the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. Known as the “baby Navigator” it is over a foot shorter than the original. Joe Ganem’s booth, Old Fashioned Funnel Cakes, was representative of the delectable fare available at the international food court. He reported business was steady. Few could resist the sweet dough batter fried and topped with powdered sugar and/or cinnamon, strawberry or apple spreads.

Williams Island Woes

There was trouble at the 4000 Building of Williams Island. Attorney Martin Heinfling, 55, who resides there, told police he was being harassed on the telephone by none other than his son, Barry, 28. According to a police incident report, Mr. Heinfling accused his son of calling him 9 times in 2 hours on the afternoon of January 8. Barry reportedly screamed demands for money along with threats. He was caught in the act when an Aventura police officer investigating the complaint asked for the phone during one of his tirades and listened in. He was advised to cease his actions immediately. His father promised to obtain a restraining order against him the following day.

South Beach Style

Porto Vita residents Alan and Diane Lieberman, Miami Beach real estate developers and hoteliers, hosted a Kickoff Party for their high-end New York style loft condominium units on Tuesday, January 21. Boasting 41 units The Montclair Lofts situated just off Lincoln Road feature 11-ft. ceilings and floor to ceiling glass windows. Several come with private roof decks and some with private gardens. Business is brisk in the real estate sector, Mr. Lieberman confided, “Someone walked in off the street last week and bought a million dollar unit.” For more information about The Montclair, contact Diane Lieberman at South Beach Investment Realty (305) 532-7771 or www.southbeachinvestment.com.

Failure to Deliver

Talk about a furniture delivery delay: a store manager of Carl’s Furniture (17651 Biscayne Blvd.) reported on January 15, 2003 that a former employee was involved in two fraudulent delivery transactions dating back to November 2001. Tyrone Mickens, 38, has not been employed by Carl’s since December 2001. Store Manager Oscar Moreno claimed that in November 2001, Mickens accepted a personal check for $3,361.56 (made payable to him) promising a customer delivery of merchandise at a lesser price. During the same time period Mickens reportedly made another arrangement with a different customer and received $3,000 in cash for a delivery. According to the manager, the transactions were never entered into the store’s accounting system, nor was any furniture subsequently delivered. The victims have not gone to the police. Rather, they are seeking reimbursement from Carl’s Furniture and are holding the store liable for the transactions. Police officials advised that the case would be investigated – if the alleged victims formally reported theft of monies.

Senior Rage

A 77 year-old threatened a doctor at the Concorde Center (2999 N.E. 191^st St.) on January 13 at 8:47 p.m. Floyd Seskin, MD, 43, (a Urologist) filed a police report on telephone harassment from Jacques Levy, a patient under his care. According to the report, when the doctor advised Mr. Levy that he would have to come in to the office to sign a release form in order to have his records and medication forwarded, Mr. Levy responded, “if I have to come over there I’m gonna hurt you.” Mr. Levy had become upset with the doctor’s staff during an earlier phone call. Subsequently, the doctor stated that he was concerned for his safety and that of his office personnel. Dr. Seskin did not want Mr. Levy back in his office under any circumstances. The patient was contacted by police and advised he was barred from the doctor’s office and could not return there. Mr. Levy acknowledged he understood and said he just needed his records sent to his primary physician.

Phyllis Huguenin can be reached at huguenotusa@msn.com.