By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Club Med truly is for families! Not only is there something for everyone in the family to do 24/7 (our kids did not even look at their phones for four days) but you will feel like part of the Club Med family from the moment you arrive. This is all thanks to the outgoing and welcoming GOs, (Gentil Organisateur/Gracious Organizers), on-site staff, who go above and beyond to get to know guests and ensure that everyone is comfortable and having a great time – ALL the TIME!

But it’s more than just for families, there are also the friends you’ll make while you’re there, thanks to the convivial ambiance, that makes it so hard to leave and so easy to plan the next trip back. Club Med guests come from all over the world, making your vacation an enriching, multicultural experience.

Club Med is geared for the type of traveler/family who likes to get out there and have fun. From the unlimited water sports, to the Circus School (including flying trapeze) to the multiple pools (including an adult pool and jacuzzi), unlimited cocktails, exercise classes, world-class dining, entertainment, golf, sports and family-friendly nightclub/ lounges and nightly-themed entertainment- there’s too much to do to stay in your room. Don’t get us wrong, the rooms are clean and comfortable- some offer two bedrooms and bathrooms- but the idea is to have a blast and enjoy the resort, not to be cooped up. For those wishing to relax, there is an L’Occitane Spa offering numerous spa services and treatments perfect for primping and pampering. Many rooms also offer waterfront terraces, ideal for taking in the unparalleled sunrises and sunsets. Read the rest of this entry »

New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy (NWS), hosted its coveted 30^th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Feb. 10. Presented by Gala Chairs Sarah Arison and Thomas Wilhelm, the black-tie affair raised the most funds in all of NWS history, which will go directly towards supporting its fellowship program, its work in the community and innovative programming. The evening also paid tribute to composter Leonard Bernstein in the centennial of his birth with a special performance led by Founder and Artistic Director, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT).   Read the rest of this entry »

On Saturday, December 9, 2017, Market America | SHOP.COM sponsored a truly unique event as part of Art Basel Miami Beach, which was held Dec. 7-10.  JR and Loren Ridinger have always been big believers in helping others achieve their dreams.  This year, Market America | SHOP.COM invested in the dreams of a very talented new-to-the-scene artist! The National YoungArts Foundation has started the Daniel Arsham Fellowship, which includes a $25,000 award and year-long mentorship program with Arsham, an acclaimed artist. Market America | SHOP.COM sponsored the unrestricted $25,000 grant, which for its first year went to YoungArts alum and up-and-coming artist SHENEQUA. The program is currently funded for three years. Market America | SHOP.COM will also donate an additional $75,000 to support ongoing programming for YoungArts alumni. Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Kors, Sachin & Babi, Coach 1941, Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs. Photos: Imaxtree

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

As Hurricane Irma raged through and ransacked South Florida, grounding several fashion editors, Fashion Week swept through New York City with a storm of shows and presentations that had insiders and influencers traveling from Bedford to Bushwick and beyond. From September 7-13^th 2017, designers showcased on the street and in gardens and garages this year with packed shows that proved that Fashion Week in New York remains as relevant as its counterparts abroad.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

It was a night of magic, music, mysticism and wish granting as the Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami celebrated the 23^rd Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball on Saturday, November 4, 2017. More than 900 guests attended the “Mystical Music Box” themed gala, which presented a night of enchantment, fantasy and music. The magical celebration was headlined by four time Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum-selling artist Lenny Kravitz, and presented by the Makarov Foundation and the Finker-Frenkel Legacy Foundation, with opening act by Alisan Porter, winner of NBC’s The Voice 2016, who returned for the second year. 

Actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, who co–stars on the ABC drama “Once Upon a Time,” returned as celebrity emcee for the seventh consecutive year, helping the event to raise in excess of $2.3 million for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. Hosted by the InterContinental® Miami, Ball founder and in-kind donor for the past 23 years, the event was chaired by philanthropist Shareef Malnik, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, who has served as Ball Chairman for the past 13 years. The annual Ball, which is regarded as one of Miami charity season’s leading events, is the highest grossing fundraising event for the Southern Florida Chapter of Make-A-Wish® Foundation.  Read the rest of this entry »

Last night in Miami Beach Ocean Drive magazine and Ricky Martin, the glossies October issue cover star and multi award-winning actor, singer, activist and Puerto Rico native was joined by partners INFINITI and W South Beach to celebrate the new issue as well as raise crucial funds for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.  Recognized as one of the most beloved performers and humanitarians, Ricky was joined by his fiancé Jwan Yosef, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Jared Shapiro and Publisher, Courtland Lantaff along with VIPs and leading tastemakers including the Mayor of Miami Beach Philip Levine and more than 200 philanthropists and tastemakers in giving back to the victims in Puerto Rico of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story star opened up to Ocean Drive in a candid interview inside the October issue about what fatherhood means to him, returning to Miami to play such an important role in the life and death of Gianni Versace and the inspiration behind creating the Ricky Martin Foundation.  Funds raised at the invitation-only event were collected through the Ricky Martin Foundation. In addition to INFINITI and W South Beach several Miami-based businesses supported the event through the donation of silent auction packages including hotel stays, luxury items and epicurean dinners. Guests enjoyed the sounds of DJ Rascal, DJ Iron Lyon and DJ Liveitup while sampling savory hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails by 1888 Rum.