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Aventura Confidential [11-27]

Still Making Waves 

The boat manufacturers of Thunder Alley have played a significant role in adding character and history to the land of new skyscrapers. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  This is my 14^th column for the SunPost.  I’m thankful to write for the fastest-growing, independent newspaper in South Florida. Last week, Totally Zoned Out reviewed the departure of Thunder Boat Row – a result of Aventura’s residential rezoning of N.E. 188^th Street, in March 2002. (If you missed last week’s issue, catch up in the online archives via www.miamisunpost.com.)  The Power Boat Kings: Apache, Donzi, Magnum, TNT and Cigarette are drifting away as the pressure for waterfront property intensifies in Aventura – and throughout Florida.

My first column also reflected on the lifestyle of living on the water in Aventura: “The experience of living here, on the coast, is the true reward of buying the most fabulous real estate investment of your life.” The spectacular waterfront views of the IntraCoastal, yacht-watching and sunbathing are what everyone shares in common in Aventura and neighboring Sunny Isles, Golden Beach and Eastern Shores. Certainly, the boat manufacturers of Thunder Alley have played a significant role in both the history and character of our land of skyscrapers. Last week’s column touched a lot of readers, most notably Aventura City Commissioner, Jay Beskin, and new Hi-Lift Marina Owner, Andy Sturner.

Their responses are included in today’s Letters to the Editor. For a quick study, Jay Beskin says, “(Lisa) You are right on target. I fought for the continuation of maritime uses on N.E. 188^th Street. Unfortunately, not one other member of the City Commission supported my position.”  Hi-Lift Marina, South Florida’s #1 Formula and Pursuit dealer, is located just outside of the rezoning at 2890 N.E. 187^th Street.  Sturner says he’s dropped anchor and looks forward to making waves for years to come in Aventura while “enhancing what’s left of Aventura’s ‘Marina District.’” 

Nearly every community in Florida displays yachts, boats, skiers and fisherman to tout the inherent ambiance of their tropi-cool locale while pushing interdependent, marine entities into the boonies to make room for more residential real estate. As citizens, we should support our marine industries and working waterfronts if we want to enjoy the water access and entertainment venues that they subsequently provide.  

TNT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND 

Before TNT Custom Marine relocates (they are considering Spinnaker Marina in North Miami Beach), do take the opportunity to visit their current location on 3030 N.E. 188^th Street – and just gawk at the lobby.  During my interview with co-owner Mike Thomas, I was amazed by the number of international racing trophies, memorabilia and winning photographs amassed by this sports legend and his partner/co-owner, John Tomlinson. Thomas and Tomlinson have raced as crew on many award-wining race boats for Bacardi Silver, Drambuie and TNT’s elite team of high-performance clients.  True sports fans will appreciate being in the presence of these Aventura athletes who are champions in precision driving and rigging.

There’s more dynamite, Aventura history to be learned at TNT. Did you know that the channel between N.E. 188^th and 190^th Streets was originally cut by the government over 50 years ago, for ultimate use by the US Navy? The Navy facility was originally intended near the cut’s closure, where Hi-Lift is today. The channel continues out, in the other direction, to the thin strand of A1A in Sunny Isles (where Publix is).  This is where the channel was supposed to cut through, direct to the Atlantic Ocean.

CAPPIN’ IT OFF

This Thanksgiving, I’m especially grateful for my husband, Kevin, a marine and yacht consultant, who recently earned his USCG Captain’s License: Master/Mate 100 Gross Tons. (After 18 years of marriage, Kevin officially outranks Lisa.) Cap’ Knapp received his certification just days ago from Maritime Professional Training in Fort Lauderdale, and the requirements and testing are rigorous. 

In addition to providing yacht management services for an elite group of Aventura boaters, Kevin will work onboard Princess Sara, an 80’ Azimut Yacht, docked in Waterways Marina. Through either coincidence or karma, Kevin actually commissioned this same yacht while employed at Richard Bertram in 2001, before the Allied merger.  My Mate is at least the fourth generation of professional sailors (in my family) and its second Captain.  My grandfather, Captain John W. Hoogerwerf, Sr., was the first cap’t, an immigrant from Rotterdam, Holland in 1906.  (Yep.  That’s what the “H” is for in my by-line/name:  Hoogerwerf.  In Dutch, Hoogerwerf means “the people of the wharf.”) Apparently, women in my family have been picking up sailors for years. Heh, heh.

THE LEGEND OF THE FIRST FLAWDA THANKSGIVING

Kevin and I usually enjoy a walk on Sunny Isles Beach, followed by a casual dinner with friends each Thanksgiving, as most of our family is now spread across the country.  Most Aventura Confidential readers are missing someone, somewhere this holiday. 

During the first Thanksgiving at our condo in Hidden Bay, our tower’s elevator doorman, Arturo, understood very little English. Arturo and I formed a habit of learning a new word in the other’s language during our numerous exchanges each day.  In an attempt to explain the American culture of this holiday, I offered the Pilgrims; but they did not translate well. Instead, I decided to punt and modernize Thanksgiving by cutting-to-the-chase: “Today is the day that women wake up very early, all across America, and cook all day long for the family. We cook a giant bird, called a turkey, while our men watch football games on TV and eat until they’re stuffed.”  Arturo nodded and said, “Ah, yes, yes.  Football…Turkey…Stuffed, John Madden. Si’?” 

Comprende’? No problemo.

ON YOUR MARK. GET SET. SHOP!

My Mother, Betty, came to visit from New Orleans last week, and we had fun touring all the new shops around town.  Get it all next week in Aventura Confidential:  Accents Aventura, Bati Fine Jewelry, Cellar Wine Store and Sarah’s Tent.  Later, Lisa

Lisa H. Knapp is an award-winning, advertising copywriter based in Aventura, Florida. She can be reached at the Sun Post or at Lisakevinknapp@aol.com.