The Fraud Is Out There

“My paying rent is not to be construed as acknowledging that I have to pay rent.” – Don Peebles

Aventura Confidential [7-3]

The Fraud Is Out There

… do you know what to do if the captain of your boat became incapacitated? How would you call for help?

By Phyllis D. Huguenin
Columnist

Fraud Alert Too

Be on the lookout for single individuals or obscure companies providing cleaning services. Don’t let strangers into your home. Last month, Sophia Melet, 92, reported that she had approximately $38,000 in jewelry stolen from her Waterview condo at 20515 East Country Club Drive. Several months ago I wrote about a carpet cleaning duo that was suspected of taking jewelry while working inside people’s apartments. Don't know if this is part of the team that split up, but this individual seems to fit the same general description of one of them: a blonde white male, roughly 6’, 190 lbs. On May 30 Melet saw a carpet cleaner at her complex. She asked him to come and clean her unit. According to the police incident report, moments before he arrived the next day at about 11 a.m., Melet placed her wedding band and another ring on a crystal ring stand on her bathroom sink. The suspect worked for about an hour and then left. Twenty minutes later Melet discovered that the rings were missing. Reportedly she called the phone number she had for him asking him to return her property and he hung up on her. Upon taking inventory Melet further discovered that the rest of her jewelry that was in a box in her bottom bedroom dresser was also missing. Melet did not get the suspect’s name or company and he left no receipts.

Shark Warnings

Besides protecting our pocketbooks from the human sharks that abound in South Florida, we need to be on the watch for the real thing. According to Staff Officer Public Affairs Barry Feigenbaum of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary there are several rules swimmers should follow:

Sharks are most active at dawn and dusk. Do not swim during these periods.

No splashing or swimming alone – swim in a group. If you spot a shark, get out of the water and stay out.

Don’t wear ankle bracelets or swim in murky water because sharks like to swim along the shallows facing into the current and most shark bites occur in five feet or less of depth. Also do not wear shiny jewelry or “yummy yellow swimwear.”

Do not enter the water if you are bleeding.

Do not go swimming where there are baitfish or fishermen fishing, chumming or cleaning fish in the surf. Do not enter the water where sharks, bluefish, or barracuda are feeding.

Many at this time of year yearn to catch the cool ocean breezes and head out for the high seas on their vessels. The “Boating Skills and Seamanship Program" offered through the Coast Guard Auxiliary could prove to be a lifesaver. For instance, do you know what to do if the captain of your boat became incapacitated? How would you call for help? Do you know how to find your position, use the radio or find the right channel to call on? The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary programs include the following: “Boating terms, operation and seamanship, legal requirements, aids to navigation and navigation rules, basic piloting, the trailer, boater’s knots, weather, radio, float plan and accident reporting, hypothermia prevention, local marine security regulations.” In the state of Florida all persons under 21 years old who operate a boat or PWC with an engine over 10 horsepower must have an official certificate showing that they participated in and passed a boating safety program, otherwise they get fined. This program provides an excellent opportunity to meet this requirement and the whole family can participate in an invaluable learning experience. For more information: call 305-221-7151 or e-mail: PUBLICAFFAIRSD6@aol.com.

EN VOGUE Comes to Aventura

En Vogue International Salon & Spa made its debut in Aventura with a grand opening. Located inside Loehmann’s Plaza adjacent to Fish 54 Restaurant, this is a full-service hair salon, skincare and massage center. Owners Ronny Cohen and Ilan Broides have over 15 years of experience in the professional salon business. They purchased the existing Aura Salon and made design and service renovations to the 2,000 sq. ft. location. “We updated the salon’s look creating a fresh, young and sophisticated environment,” said Cohen. Featuring the most exclusive spa massage chairs, En Vogue retrofitted their salon with their all-new European spa manicure and pedicure area. Part of the spa team is facialist and massage therapist Tatiana Melikdjanian who is renowned throughout the South Florida area. A licensed massage therapist from the Florida Institute of Massage Therapy and skincare, Melikdjanian specializes in anti-aging treatments including oxygen and deep cleaning facials, acne treatments and firming masks. Additionally, she offers exfoliating peels which remove fine lines, smooth out wrinkles and reduce discoloration caused by hyper-pigmentation. Open seven days a week, Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. To make a salon or spa appointment, call 305-931-9550.

PBS KIDS Makes Reading Fun

On Saturday, May 31 Aventura Mall’s Courtyard was filled with delighted children who let their parents tag along. The free event, hosted by WLRN Ready to Learn, was PBS KIDS Share a Story and Arthur, Caillou, and walk-around Elmo from Sesame Street made an appearance. Della the storyteller provided interactive storytelling and the Beacon Hill Choir gave a marvelous musical performance. WLRN Channel 17, along with other PBS member stations across the country, has committed to this public service campaign to help children learn to read. PBS KIDS Share a Story is designed to help adults assist children in developing language and literacy skills through simple, fun activities, which include reading aloud, telling stories, rhyming and singing. It is a multi-year project, with Mrs. Laura Bush serving as the campaign’s Honorary National Chairman and was developed to inspire all American families, regardless of income, education or native language to help their children develop language and literacy skills. More events will be up coming throughout the year. For additional information, contact Rebecca Leder, WLRN Ready To Learn Associate, at 305-995-4783 or e-mail: Rleder@wlm.org.

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