Downtown Doral: A New "Heart" for the City of Doral

It will have 2,840 residential units. There will be 580,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. Civic space, not available for private development, will amount to 100,000 square feet. It will be a 120 acre site where people can live, work, shop, eat and even play. The city of Doral is set to have a new downtown and the town is just 30,000 residents strong.

The city of Doral and the Flagler Development Group has spent two years planning its future downtown area and has spent several million dollars. Downtown Doral will be the largest mixed-use development is South Florida history. It will be twice the size of Midtown Miami and far larger than City Place in West Palm Beach and Mizner Park in Boca Raton.

“We envision that Downtown Doral will not only become the heart of the city of Doral, but the epicenter for many of Miami-Dade’s western communities,” said Armando Codina, president and CEO of the Flagler Development Group, in a statement.

Downtown Doral is to be on both sides of Northwest 53rd Street between Northwest 87th Avenue and Northwest 79th Avenue. What is now sleepy office space is set to be developed in a series of phases over a seven to 10 year period. All existing buildings will be demolished.

“It was a conscious decision to create a downtown area, a more urban area to the eastern part of the city,” said Nathan Kogan, director of planning and zoning for the city of Doral.

Phase one will consist of residencies such as Vista Blanca Tower, a 16-story luxury building that will feature apartments ranging in size from 640 square feet to 2,900 square feet. Phase one will also consist of commercial offerings such as the Professional Center, a 70,000 square-feet, fully-renovated office condominium.

The first building set to be part of Downtown Doral is due to begin construction in February or March of 2008 said Kogan. He also affirms that this first project is moving forward quickly, with this first building set to be one of the condo towers.

What has yet to be stressed residents is how Downtown Doral will be unique to other planned mixed-use developments. The young city, incorporated in the summer of 2003, already has residential, commercial, and industrial land use the just 15 square miles that is Doral.

“I have mixed feelings about the new downtown,” said Manuel De La Fuente, six year resident of the city. “It will be nice to have a real urban center in Doral with nice walkways and sidewalk restaurants. But on the other side, we have a horrendous traffic problem that will only increase with high density living.”

Traffic, one of the chief concerns in the area, is on resident’s minds. “Other than them saying that they are working on a few minor fixes, I have not seen a real solution put forth to residents,” said De La Fuente on the traffic issue.

It’s both the Flagler development team and the city of Doral that assure the traffic problem has been addressed. According to Kogan, despite the fact that roads are going to be narrowed internally in Downtown Doral, traffic will lessen because if it.

“When it comes to traffic you think ‘Oh, my God’ there’s going to be this massive downtown area. There’s going to be 2,800 residential units, we’re adding retail,” Kogan said. “We’re improving the traffic situation.”

“The amount of trips that are created by the existing offices equals the trips that will be provided by the new development,” Kogan continues. “So we’re taking down and putting up so it equalizes.”

It’s the mixed-use aspect of the downtown that Kogan explains will help relieve congestion from traffic. “When you mix residential and commercial people can live and work in the same place,” Kogan said.

Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, urban land planner and Dean of the University Of Miami School Of Architecture, adds that downtowns can actually alleviate traffic woes.

“Urban centers like Downtown Doral can relieve some of the single-direction commuting that causes the worse congestions,” said Plater-Zyberk. “Today, everything we do in South Florida has to be part of a long-term solution.”

Kogan adds that extensive traffic reports were conducted and that the city council did informal workshops that the public was invited to. It was after this planning that council approved the project about a year and a half ago.

Despite the fact that traffic is a major concern for residents, developers and the city want to stress the planned aesthetics of Downtown Doral.

“This is a unique large-scale redevelopment,” said Chris Cobb, vice president of residential development for Flagler. “It is a complex task transforming a million square feet of existing space.

Paseo Doral, a 150-foot wide by 1,600-foot long residential boulevard, is set to be Downtown Doral’s main street. The Paseo, which will be lined with townhouses, retail and restaurants, will also include extensive landscaping and green areas. Plans are so detailed that the Paseo will include two green areas and several landscaped courts.

The Court of Oranges will be retail oriented, bold, artful and fun in design and become lively at night, with tons of light and color. On the other hand, the Water Court will feature a “dancing” water fountain, moveable seating and an interactive sculpture for child’s play.

“There are no elevations...all there is are you general building placements,” said Kogan on the plans. “It does not show how the towers are going to look. It only gives you a general box. We’re building a city. We’re not building a project.”

It’s an urban yet cozy feel that Doral is striving for. Kogan cites Mizner Park as the quintessential planned mixed-use area in South Florida. “It’s very nice but it’s a little bit sterile,” Kogan said.

Kogan added that those who choose to live, work and build in the area will be able to add their own flair to the Downtown.

“A lot of time with conventional development now they will come in with just a site plan,” said Kogan. “The site plan will show the exact locations of the building and everything is master planned and everything is completely laid out. There’s no room for variation.”

Flagler Development says that the amount of flexibility granted in Downtown Doral will be integral. “You can work and live in your own space or you can own it and rent it out,” said Cobb. “This flexible approach appeals to creative professionals and entrepreneurs, as well as the growing number of people who work from home. Downtown Doral will serve them well.”

Despite its flexibility and plan to be a lively center for Doral, the development will take billions of dollars to execute and won’t be finished for a decade. Furthermore, residencies at Downtown Doral will begin in the $200’s. Larger spaces, such as town homes, will range from the $300’s to over a million.

The planning may be extensive but residents still remain somewhat hesitant and in the dark. “There is no communication system, that I know about, that updates us as to what the plans are,” said De La Fuente. “Nevertheless, I am proud to live in Doral.”

Residents and developers alike are hoping that the urban upgrade, which will also include parks, schools, and civic spaces, will firmly establish the young city.

Said Codina in a statement, “We believe that it takes a defined downtown to create a true city, and now Doral will have one of Florida’s most exciting downtown environments.”

For more information on Downtown Doral please visit www.downtowndoral.com

By Lalinda De La Fuente

Second-Generation Latinos

If you hang around Jennifer Alvarado you may be in for a treat. She drives her Toyota Prius around the city always with a smile on her face and nodding her head to whatever music she is playing. The sounds flowing from her speakers can be anything from hip-hop, pop rock or even Cumbia, which goes hand-in-hand with the Colombian flag hanging from her mirror. Her Blackberry rings and we are treated with a Cumbia she loves and says, “this one is for my family.” She answers with a Colombian accent but can easily switch to any other Hispanic accent she can think of or at least depending on whom she is talking to. Actually, she switches from flawless English to very fluent Spanish easily.

Alvarado is just another young adult growing as a second-generation Latina in the U.S.

“I feel Colombian. It’s weird to say that I am American,” said Jennifer Alvarado, 25.

Alvarado was born in Greenwich, Conn. to Colombian parents who migrated to the US in the 1970s. She grew up in Greenwich and moved to Miami when she was 11 years old.

“It hasn’t been difficult living in America with Colombian parents. It’s been very interesting and I feel blessed to have both cultures,” said Alvarado.

She tells that her parents practice some aspects of the Colombian culture, such as language, religion, superstitious beliefs, moral values, and family togetherness.

Alvarado is not the only one that feels more identified with her parent’s culture rather than feeling American. Actually, most young Hispanic- American feel privileged to have been born in this country.

“I was born in the U.S. and I feel privileged to be here,” said Rudy Briceno, who was born in Miami from Nicaraguan parents.

Unlike Alvarado, Briceno is unsure of where he stands in the two cultures.

“I really don’t know about Nicaraguan culture. I really don’t know what it’s like to live over there [Nicaragua] and living in this diverse city [Miami], I truly don’t know the background of true American culture. I guess I’m an American in my own way,” he said.

For Briceno, being an America with Nicaraguan parents has not been a difficult task.

“My parents are strange. It’s a common thing for Nicas to party a lot and my parents don’t live that lifestyle,” he said.

Nonetheless, many Hispanics born in the U.S. feel really closed to the values and traditions from their culture even if their parents have adapted the U.S. culture.

“I have my Nicaraguan values,” said Briceno, “this is especially when it comes to family. But living in this city I feel I relate more to them because when I speak to someone from over there [Nicaragua] I feel an outcast.”

Paola Capellan was also born in Miami but to Dominican parents. She coincides with the others saying she feels more Dominican than American.

“I feel more Dominican because my mother always speaks Spanish and I always go to the Dominican Republic to visit my father,” she said.

Capellan has lived with her mother most of her life in Miami but has also lived in New York and in Oregon.

“Living with a Hispanic mother has not made it difficult for me to live in this country. It doesn’t make it harder, we just mix Dominican with American,” said Capellan.

Alejandro Obregon was also born in Miami to a Guatemalan mother and to an Afghan father. Obregon spent most of his adolescence traveling back and forth from Miami to Guatemala because of his mother’s work situation. Today he resides in Miami and has it more difficult than others living with three cultures on his back.

“I have three cultures and my friends always remind me of it. With my cousin I was like the little terrorist and when I went back to Guatemala I was the gringo. So, I really don’t know what I am. I mean none of the cultures ever made me feel like one of them,” said Obregon.

Although, Obregon says that he was always conscious that he was born in the U.S. and was “going to take advantage of all the benefits that America could give me.”

Traveling back and forth did not allow Obregon to make one culture his own, but he definitely knows which food is his favorite.

“I love Guatemalan food; I love it so much,” he said.

Obregon loves tortillas, refried beans and tamales. His favorite plate though is called pepian, which is a Mayan chicken fricassee.

Food

Second generation Latinos can’t seem to get away from the food and the music of their parents homeland. These things are actually what hold them closer to it.

“I love American and Colombian food. I love hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza, and all the food associated with the American culture. I also love empanadas, arepas, chorizo, arroz y frijoles, and all typical Colombian food,” said Alvarado.

Briceno can say the same thing. “I have been exposed to many different dishes, but I really like Hispanic food that is spicier and tastier. My mom can make Nica food as well as something Cuban and even Italian,” he said.


Pedro Yeira, who doesn’t speak much Spanish and was born to Cuban parents in Miami, prefers Cuban food as well. Yeira likes ropa vieja (shredded meet) and moro.

Entertainment

The music second-generation Latinos prefer ranges from merengue to cumbia to hip-hop and pop rock. Some of their tastes are simply defined by their roots and what their parents played at home while they were growing up.

At least this is the case of Alvarado, who recalls the Cumbia and Vallenato her parents played in her house. Some of these she actually remembers today. For example her ringtone “La Canoa Ranchaa” a Cumbia her mother played a lot.

“I listen to all types of music, except country. My favorite types are rock and hip-hop. I also love vallenato and cumbia, which are folkloric genres of music from Colombia,” said Alvarado.

On the other hand, Briceno listens to hip-hop, rock and pop music. Nothing from Nicaragua.

Obregon feels he doesn’t have a favorite from any specific culture. He plays the guitar and remembers that his cousins would call him a rocker.

“I didn’t like that they called me a rocker because I enjoy jazz and I feel that there could be something cool in salsa to put in one of my metal songs,” he said.

Although he didn’t specify that Guatemalan music is his favorite, Obregon feels that music from Guatemala is beautiful. Music in Guatemala is mainly played with an instrument called Marimba.

To provide Latinos with music they can relate too, many artists are merging their music with the English language. Two examples are Daddy Yankee with reggeaton and Texas group Kumbia All Stars (formely known as Kumbia Kings), whose sound includes Cumbia, Hip-Hop and R&B.

On television some, shows are targeted specifically to second-generation Latinos. Channels like Mun2 and MTV Tr3s have programming in Spanglish. On a music show, viewers can wacth a Juanes video as well as U2.

“The media has stereotyped us a Mexicans. They think we are part of Mexico. What I see in Mun2 and MTV Tr3s is stuff they get from Los Angeles and they are not the same as Miami or even New York,” said Briceno.

Briceno feels that in order to achieve more general Hispanic shows the media needs to learn more about the culture.

“We are still a minority in order for the country to move that way we need more Hispanics to come,” he said.

Actually, the Hispanic population is booming and will continue to boom. According to a survey done by the Pew Hispanic Institute in October of 2003, by the year 2020 second-generation Latinos will be 36% percent of the population. This will put them higher than first and third generations.

In 2006 the U.S. reached 300 million people. Another report conducted by the Pew Hispanic Institute found that of the 100 million growth in population from 1966 to 2006, 36 percent is Hispanic, which is the highest percentage.

Sounds like Latinos and their future generations are here to stay.

Video of Kumbia All Starz




Links to check out:
http://http://holamun2.com/

http://http://www.mtvtr3s.com/

Off-roading culture brought to Doral

Mudding and Rock crawling are variations of off-roading, a hobby enjoyed by many in non-urban areas around the country. There are magazines, clubs, and shops dedicated to this sport, but when it comes to off-roading hot spots, South Florida rarely comes mind. Mainly because of the lack of mountains, the only place to go off-roading in Miami is in the Everglades. But that didn’t stop Ricardo Olavarrieta from turning his passion into a club, a shop, and an upcoming reality TV show – all in South Florida.

Olavarrieta and his friends are from Venezuela, where modifying cars is a popular hobby. So, they decided to try to do it in South Florida.

“In 2003, a bunch of friends got together to modify our own cars and felt identified by this type of hobby.” Olavarrieta said.

Olavarrieta rented a small auto shop in Kendall, just to modify his car and his friends’ cars. As the demand grew, there wasn’t enough space or mechanics to do the jobs. “It became a business because there were no good shops for this type of modification in South Florida,” Olavarrieta said.

Anything from bigger tires, lifting the cars to make them taller and adding parts to the vehicles are needed in order to prepare vehicles for off-roading.

Now, Olvarrieta owns ROCO 4X4, a modification shop specializing in suspension and drive training, located on 7448 NW 55 St, in the area of Doral.

“When you work in something you love, it can be 9:00 p.m. and you’ll want to keep working,” Olvarrieta said.

In 2004, Olavarrieta and his friends started an off-roading club called Miami Crawlers. They are no longer just a club but also an off-roading team that competes. They go to three competitions and six trips a year.

“Rock crawling in Florida is impossible so we travel around the U.S. to do it,” Olvavarrieta said.

In a trip to River Rock Park, a private, invitation-only, off-roading campground, Mariana Guerrero got over her fear and went rock crawling with Miami Crawlers on her Nissan X-terra. It was her first time as a driver.

“We took my truck and I thought, it’s mine and I’m going to drive it,” said Guerrero about losing her fear of driving through rocks and hills. “It’s pretty dangerous, trucks can flip and roll down the hill,” Guerrero added.

In order to ensure safety while rock crawling, vehicle modification is a must. On the Miami Crawlers website there are videos of vehicles that have flipped over.

“You have to know the limits of your vehicle because you and your vehicle become one when you are rock crawling,” said Daniel Rodriguez, Miami Crawler team member.

Recently, FOX contacted Olvarrieta about filming a reality TV show at ROCO 4X4. The show is called Jeep Editions and the first episode has already been filmed. On every episode of Jeep Editions, they bring in a different Jeep to modify it so it can be used for rock crawling or mudding.

“We installed full suspension, gears and axel on our friend Alex’s jeep,” said Nivardo Beaton Vice president of Miami Crawlers about the first episode. “The crew filmed 6 to 8 hours of work which will be played back fast resulting in 30 seconds of the show,” he added.

Modifying vehicles for off-roading can be expensive; the work put in to the jeep for the first episode had a $10,000 bill.

“We have a love-hate relationships with our vehicles,” Beaton said. “We love building and enjoying them but we hate the money pit we get in to by rebuilding them after we finish tearing them apart.”

All they are waiting for in order to film the second episode of Jeep Editions is for parts that are being shipped in order to modify the next jeep. In the mean time, they all share the excitement together.

“I still don’t know how we made it to T.V. and I’m so proud it was held in my best friend’s shop,” Beaton said.

For off-roading lovers, Miami Crawlers and ROCO 4x4 might be good resources to check out if you live in the South Florida area. But for those that have never rock crawled before, Beaton tells them, “It’s like being in on the scariest, fastest roller coaster and having the same adrenalin rush in less than 5 miles per hour,” Beaton.



Links to check out:

www.miamicrawlers.com

www.roco4x4.com



Photo credits:

Miami Crawlers website

Venezuelans choose Doral as their new home

By Ana Sanchez

Daniela Mavares had everything she wanted in Venezuela. Her family was financially prosperous; she had lots of friends and a school she loved. It wasn’t until President Hugo Chavez came in to the picture that her world began to change.

“My father was fired from the PDVSA, a Venezuelan oil company, simply because he did not support Chavez or his ideologies,” said Mavares.

So, Mavares’ family did what many Venezuelans do – packed their bags and headed to Doral, Fla.

According to the 2000 census, Doral’s population is made up of 67.44 percent Hispanic, of which Venezuelans make up the second largest group with 12.2 percent.

Although Venezuelans leave their country for political reasons, one of the reasons they pick to live in Doral is because of the booming business opportunities that a new city tends to offer.

“It was easy to start a business however, as the city grows it will become more difficult because it will be more competitive,” said Taimy Jimenez, who works at La Reina de las Empanadas cafeteria. “At the same time, the growth benefits businesses because the more people there are, the more clientele,” Jimenez adds.

Another reason Venezuelans pick Doral is that they find things that remind them of their country. For example, a taste of Venezuelan culture makes Taina Tapanes, who works in public relations for the city, feel at home in Doral.

“Venezuelan food is available everywhere, I can find everything I need within four corners, just like in Venezuela,” said Tapanes, who says she talks to everyone wherever she goes. “Eventually, I found people that I studied with, who I had not seen in years.”

A typical Venezuelan dish is the arepa. It is made with corn dough, flattened, grilled or fried and usually served with cheese. Many Doral eateries serve arepas, such as El Arepaso on 58 St and 92 ave.

“When we moved to the U.S. we mixed our two cultures together by putting peanut butter and jelly on arepas,” said Ian Achong.

Some Venezuelans have started their lives over in Doral and are satisfied with their new lifestyle.

“We feel very comfortable here, I guess that’s why they call it Doralzuela,” said Mavares.

Throughout the holidays, rhythmic drumbeats fill Venezuelan homes with gaitas; ethnic Venezuelan music. This music originated from the Zulia region in Venezuela. Other instruments used are maracas and charrassca; a steel tubed instrument played with two metallic strikers.

“In Venezuela, you hardly hear anything but gaitas during the holiday season, we even have gaitas dance competitions in high school,” said Mariana Guererro.

In order to keep customs alive, Venezuelans bring their music and dance to South Florida.

“A group of Venezuelan students from my high school thought that just because we are here doesn’t mean we shouldn’t follow tradition, so we did a gaitas performance for our school, and then for a holiday event in the town center,” Guerrero said.

Although Venezuelans have brought many familiar things to Doral, others still remember their country with nostalgia and would return if the political situation changes.

“If Chavez weren’t in Venezuela I would go back, everyone I talk to says the same thing whether they have money or not,” Tapanes said.

According to Homeland Security analysis, 11,758 Venezuelans became residents of the U.S in 2006. However, those numbers can be misleading because 393,584 Venezuelans were given business and tourism visas and it is unknown how many of these Venezuelans stayed.

While President Chavez is still in office, more Venezuelans hope to leave the country but it isn’t as simple as it once was.

“In reality, everyone wants to come over here but Venezuelans aren’t getting visas like they used to, not even for tourists, the situation has gotten more complicated over time,” said Mavares.

The number of Venezuelans given permanent residence in the U.S. is much larger between 2004 and 2005 with an increase of 4,535 than between 2005 and 2006 with only an increase of 888, according to Homeland Security analysis.

Vanessa Santodomingo, agrees with Mavares but thinks that U.S. immigration laws might benefit Venezuelans in the future.

“If Venezuela becomes another Cuba, the U.S. might be more lenient with the immigration status of Venezuelans,” Santodomingo said.

Some of the challenges Venezuelans face in trying to leave the country is selling their properties and businesses.

“No one wants to invest in Venezuelan right now, much less buy property – not only is it difficult to sell but also to make money off the sale,” Santodomingo added.

While President Chavez tightens control of the country’s economy, media and resources, Venezuelans will be faced to make a decision; whether or not to move out of the country. That might mean bringing their businesses over to the U.S. or to start from zero. The immigration process might be rigorous but it’s an option many Venezuelans will have to consider.

Whatever the political situation in Venezuela is, Doral will continue to be a refuge for Venezuelans who will bring their food, traditions, and businesses with them.

Photo credits:
kristainlondon.typepad.com
gastronomynyc.blogspot.com
orbita.starmedia.com
mipagina.cantv.net
www.venezuelatuya.com

Traffic It's a Problem in Doral

BY: Jennifer Rodriguez

It’s 7:30 a.m. and Cecilia Forsberg gets into her car. She is uneasy as she leaves her house a few minutes later than usual. These few minutes can transform into long repetitions of breaking and accelerating through Doral. She slowly trails behind school buses in the gated community she lives in. When Forsberg exits onto North West 114th Street, traffic is slow as it usually is. Along with the many other vehicles on the road, she remains calm, as this is routine.
“I live nearby 107th Avenue and 58th Street. There is a lot of traffic because of condominiums and trucks that come and go. If I leave at 8 to work, it takes me an hour, so I had to change my work schedule. So, now, I leave home at seven and it takes me half and hour. It’s terrible here and the school buses don’t help,” said Forsberg.
Traffic in Doral is no fun. Some residents like Forsberg, are stuck in the middle of it and are left with no choice, but to deal with the slow commute.
Forsberg has been a resident of Doral for the past six years. She dislikes the constant presence of trucks in the area, as she believes they contribute to the delays.
Margaret Garcia a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation’s 511 Traffic Center, agrees that traffic in the Doral area is becoming a problem. Garcia believes there are many different factors that are causing the heavy delays.
“There are a lot of trucks in the area, its light industry, a lot of construction,” said Garcia. But overall she thinks the problem may be caused by another reason, “a lot of bad drivers in the area.”
Doral started as a small city in 2003 and today it has grown probably more than was expected. Businesses are booming. Construction is booming. Population is booming.
South Florida CEO magazine reported in September 2005, that since the 1980s, the area has been the largest warehouse and office submarket in the county.
One other thing that is a benefit and possibly a curse to the young city is that many major expressways run right through it. Garcia believes that because of these highways a lot of traffic accumulates throughout the major roadways.
The Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) and the Florida Turnpike all have major entrances in Doral. Some of these expressways intercept or meet in the city causing more back ups.
Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez said in an article in the Ciudad Doral Newspaper, that studies have shown that over 100,000 people come to work in the Doral/Airport West area and over an additional 70,000 navigate through the main thoroughfare, Doral Boulevard (41st Street) between 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. in the afternoon in order to get from the Turnpike to the Palmetto and vice-versa.
Paola Perez is an education major at Florida International University, who works part-time in the Doral Executive building. Everyday she experiences heavy traffic when she leaves the office to head to her house in Miami Lakes.
“Getting on the palmetto is very stressful and aggravating and makes you want to kill someone. Sitting in my car for an hour and half really, really, really sucks. They need to do something about it. I could use an hour and a half to do something productive with my life, but, no, everyday I must face the horror of being stuck in traffic,” said Perez.
Getting something done may take some serious work though. Mayor Bermudez also mentioned in his article that some of the roadways in Doral are still under County or State control, meaning it will take a combined effort to better the situation.
But what can be a solution?
“Expanding the roads could help, but by the time they are done it’s outdated. I don’t know if this is a solution, but in my opinion, I think maybe more police presence in certain roadways could help or if maybe there were more buses,” said Garcia from the Traffic Center. She believes that residents should take part in the solution as well by driving better.
South Florida CEO also reported that traffic consultant Joe Corradino has been helping the city develop a transportation master plan to improve the roadways and possibly create alternate routes.
Other local roadways that are highly transited are: Northwest 58th Street, Northwest 25th Street, 107th Avenue and Galloway Road (NW 87th). Of these, Garcia believes 107th Avenue and Galloway Road are the busiest.
Perez, the FIU student, feels one can experience heavy delays in Doral any day. She also travels through the city when heading to Dolphin or International mall, which attract a lot of customers from surrounding cities and maybe even Broward County.
Although the traffic can be an inconvenience, most people find Doral as a great place to live or for business.
“I told my mother that if we have to move out of Miami Lakes, we have to move to Doral,’ said Perez.
For Forsberg, that last six years in the community have been great, aside from the traffic that is.
“I know the traffic is bad, but I feel safe and I like to live in Doral and my work is close by,” Forsberg said.

Ronald Reagan High School Doral: Football Team Strives to Find Niche

Ronald Reagan High School may be just over a year old, but their team is already hustling to get with the program. Watch their football team sweating it out, lead by quarterback/kicker/punter Brian Hussuy, conveniently singled out by his bright yellow jersey.

Living Fit and Fearless in Doral with Julio Anta

Julio Anta’s studio is dressed in red. Between walls full of news clippings and photos sits perched elaborate Chinese décor. Inspirational sayings line the walls in large letters: “Check your ego at the door,” “Winners never quit, quitters never win,” and “Goals we set are goals we get.”

Anta has an unyielding optimism with both kids and adults. His attitude is somehow old and new, disciplined and unrestrained. For him, the traditional must be wed with the new and the new must understand the traditional. For Anta and his students, it’s just as much about training the mind as training the body.

From body building to corrections officer to being a Sergeant in the Marine Corps, Anta has done it all. But, his biggest passion is martial arts. When Anta and his family came from Cuba in the 50's, he told his father he wanted to be a martial artist. His father supported him 100%. Today, after experimenting with different career paths, Anta has won many titles for being a Kung Fu Master. Most recently, Anta was featured on the front cover of Martial Arts Professional. He was even inducted into the Florida Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Teacher of the Year for 2003 and to the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Kung Fu Master of the year in 2006.

Although Anta has reached great heights, locally he is probably most known for his fitness center in Doral --Anta's Fitness and Self Defense – and for the column he writes for the Doral Tribune. As his website describes it, Anta’s center is:

Anta's Fitness and Self Defense is where East meets West and the bridge between traditional and contemporary martial arts and fitness. Our traditional programs offer you traditional Southern Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu, forms, weapons, Chi-Gong, reality based Southern Kung Fu fighting, self-defense and Lion Dance training.

Many residents and people from nearby cities have taken part in Anta’s center to improve their self-defense skills. According to customer reviews in the Yahoo! local guide directory, Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense is listed as the best in Miami for martial arts. Others highly recommend it for kids because it will foster confidence, discipline and respect while keeping them in shape.

For more information please visit these links:

http://www.antakungfu.com/

http://www.myspace.com/antakungfu

Check out some moves as described by Julio Anta himself on www.expertvillage.com:

Julio Anta : Beginning Kickboxing Moves

Julio Anta : Kettlebell Training Exercises

Pastor Connects with City of Doral

If there is someone that knows the families, the city commissioners and school administrators in the city of Doral, it's Igor Alonso.

But who is this guy that the city trusts with their events? Well, his blog title says it all: Community, Christ and Cafe con Leche.

Alonso is the campus pastor of Flamingo Road Church Doral. He has helped coordinate and volunteer at Doral's Relay for Life, 4th of July Celebration, Ronald Regan High School's Back-to-School Picnic and a church sponsored event called 'Trunk or Treat' for Halloween.

Last year, Alonso volunteered for the second time at the Doral Relay for Life, an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to help raise money and awareness for cancer victims. At this event, he met city commissioners, school principals and many families that he kept in touch with. Later, for the 4th of July event, the City asked the church band to play. Then, the church volunteered at the Ronald Regan High School's Back-to-School Picnic. Last year, the church hosted 'Trunk or Treat' during Halloween, an event where different people and companies from the community decorated and filled their car trunks with candy. The idea is to provide a safe environment for families to enjoy food, music and free candy.

Next year, they're doing it all again.

"Connecting with the community is what church should be about," Alonso says.

Alonso's attitude is what motivated the City of Doral to name him the Entertainment Chair for the 2008 Doral Relay for Life. Alonso says that he makes it a priority to build bridges in the community by serving the community. But most importantly, Alonso understands that community starts in the home.

Besides being a pastor, Alonso makes time for his wife; Grecy, his four children; Igor Jr. Jonathan, Ashley, and Jacob. He's also a grandfather of two with another on the way. Their two pugs, Preito and Molly, complete their family. Alonso, who's of Cuban descent, also spends time playing the drums and listening to salsa music which his wife makes him dance to.

Alonso's faith keeps him involved with the community, citing it as his motivation.

"Jesus made it a priority to engage in the community with all kinds of people from different lifestyles."

For more information on Igor Alonso and Flamingo Road Church, click on these links:

http://www.igoralonso.com

http://www.flamingoroadchurch.org

Doral Runners Club

South Florida is known for all the great food. Actually some criticized that all we do is eat down here. That can be true. I mean, we celebrate everything by eating out -- birthdays, engagement, quinces...whatever. Even if we dont go out to restaurant nothing is better than BBQ by the pool. Of course all the eating leads to excess fat, which is not convenient in a place known for its beaches. The other day I was considering getting into shape but wasn't sure how and felt like I need encouragement. To some who may face this same issue there might be a solution: the Doral Runner's Club. These runners have united for the passion for the sport and to stay in shape. Together they encourage each other. They also do marathons and more. Doral Runners have recently merged with Miami Feet, which is of the biggest runner club in South Florida. You can visit their website for more info: http://www.miamifeet.org/

Running is good for you or just ask these runners. Not sure how the runners club works...check out the video.

For all the right reasons

Doral: a great place to live, work and play. Well, so the Doral government says in their advertisement for the city that can be found on their website. The ad portrays the town as a quaint community that is “becoming the premier place to live, work, learn and play in Miami-Dade County.” The ad leans towards the corny side, showing the sun rising over a golf course, children happily and readily learning and policeman diligently patrolling the town.

It highlights Doral’s government as providing excellent cost-effective services, achieving a balanced budget and fostering a sense of hometown pride. Furthermore, it hails the small town of 35,000 residents as the perfect place not only to work but to kick back and relax as well.

They even boast that Doral provides some of the best public schools in Miami-Dade. The Department of Education scored all Doral schools recently with an “A”.

The ad signs off with the sugary catchphrase “we call the city of Doral our hometown...for all the right reasons.”

Have you been to Doral? Do you work, live or even play there? Does it live up to this picture of the quintessential planned Floridian community? Do you think the local government lives up to the ideals portrayed in the ad?

Anti-Christ has church in Doral?

This guy has been all over the media, but in case you haven't heard, Jose de Jesus Miranda claimed he was Jesus one day and claims to be the Anti-Christ the next day. He has churches all over the world and he has one in our very own city of Doral called "Creciendo en Gracia." In February of this year, he moved from South Florida to Houston, TX. Miranda's followers shower him with expensive gifts and they believe that there is no sin, no devil and therefore they can do whatever they want. Miranda is their only god. Many testimonies from family members of followers say that Miranda brainwashes and isolates them from their loved ones. Miranda also urged his followers to get "666" tattooed on their body.

It's crazy how so many people buy into what Miranda says. These people could be your neighbors and it's scary. I usually think of cults forming in the middle of nowhere, in a small town far, far away. But I would have never thought that a cult would form in a city like Doral. Very strange.

To read more about Miranda click on the link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2925021

- Ana

Doral's New Heart

A community will often be placed on the map when a local attraction becomes all the rage. Coconut Grove has Coco Walk. Coral Gables has Miracle Mile. An otherwise average town like Sunrise even has places like the Office Depot Center and Sawgrass Mills to bring revenue to their town. Doral, a city established in June of 2003, is next with Downtown Doral.

Downtown Doral will be bordered on the west by NW 87th Avenue, on the north by NW 54th Street, on the east by NW 79th Avenue, and on the south by the Doral Resort's White Course. Upon completion, Downtown Doral will have 2,840 residential units, over 1 million square feet of commercial space, including 180,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and 400,000 sq. ft. of new class 'A' office space that will mostly house national tenants for either corporate or regional headquarters.

Although Doral already houses a world class golf resort and spa, Downtown Doral will work as a perfect supplement to it whereas upon completion it will be walking distance from the Doral Resort.

Local politicians and developers alike hail the vision as a welcome and lucrative addition to Doral. Many locals are also on board and look forward to a booming cosmopolitan area that they can call their own.

Don't let the publicity fool you though. Many worry that such an expansive area will lessen the quaint and somewhat suburban feel of Doral and worsen traffic in an area that already fights it. Developers do assure that they are working with the best planners and architects to counter these concerns.

Construction has already begun of Doral's new center and will be built in phases over the next decade. The beginning phases of Downtown Doral are set to open in as little as one year.

For more information visit http://www.downtowndoral.com

-Lalinda

What the heck happened to the Krispy Kreme on 107th and 39 St?

Every Sunday morning I knew that they would be waiting for me. Hot, fresh and deliciously glazed donuts were always laid out at the entrance of the church I attend. There were times that I helped myself to one of these donuts and other times that I simply ignored them, without knowing that one day they would be gone.

One day, my friend Ivanessa (a devout Krispy Kreme customer) had a huge craving for donuts. She drove through horrible traffic and got cut off but she had that donut on her mind to help her through it all. When she finally gets to the store, she notices there is no one inside.

“Ana, I could not believe it, after everything I went through to satisfy my craving, I get there to find that the store is closed,” she said.

I must admit I never stepped foot inside the Krispy Kreme store but I never had to because I counted on the presence of those donuts every Sunday.

And now it’s gone. Krispy Kreme was one of those unappreciated gems of Doral. I don’t think people knew how lucky we were to have a Krispy Kreme in our backyard. Now the only Krispy Kreme in Miami is the one on 590 N.E. 167th St. I read on the Miami New Times that another Krispy Kreme store closed somewhere in the South Miami area.

I wondered, was anyone as devastated as I was?

When I shared my sad tale to a classmate of mine who also lives in Doral, she recounted her experience at the Doral Krispy Kreme store.

“I waited and waited for the employees to stop talking, acknowledge me and take my order. When I got tired of waiting I said ‘Excuse, me’ and they looked at me like I had interrupted their conversation,” said Lalinda De LaFuente.

After listening to Lalinda’s story, I realized that could be the reason Krispy Kreme in Doral is no more.

If anyone else has a Doral Krispy Kreme store experience they would like to share or if you simply would like to express your grief, feel free to leave a comment on this post.

- Ana

From Swamp to second business center in the county

It may seem hard to believe but what started as an idea for a country club and golf course over 40 years ago turned into one of the fastests growing cities in Dade County. Doris and Alfred Kaskel bought the land when it was basically nothing -- 2,400 acres of swamp. I guess the swamp part is not too hard to believe because all Florida was probably a swamp at some point. The Kaskels built the Doral Country Club and Hotel in 1962, which still exists and has been the host of the PGA Tour since. Not bad. The name Doral is a combination of both the couple's names (Doris and Alfred). I never would have guessed. I thought it was some legend about the Fountain of Youth or something like it. But anyway, I'm sure Doris and Alfred did not expect that their land would be a booming city filled with businesses and a great variety of people groups. In 2003 Doral became a city and since it has become full of life with a mix of residential and business areas. Recently Doral opened its first high school - Ronald Reagan/Doral Senior High School. The school opened August 14th for 9th and 10th graders, approximately 750 of them. I'm not sure well all those kids came from but then again South Florida is over-populated. The school is offering studies in the areas of communication, technology anc Cambridge. Uniforms are enforced...something parents will probably appreciate.

--Jen

Relax at the Doral Resort and Spa

Looking for a place to relax, renew your spirits and have some good old family fun? Well the Doral Golf Resort and Spa might be the place for you. It’s not only a beautiful place that resembles Miami life, but it was the winner of the best resort by the Miami Herald. Little do many know, the land that Doral sits on today was originally purchased with the sole intent of building a world-class country club. Today it is Doral's pride and joy. Oh and bring money. Lots of it. For prices and more info visit their website: http://www.doralresort.com/

Mommies and Kids in Doral

Doral is a growing city. Lots of people are moving in from all over the world. Some families are arriving without relatives to visit and are in need of making friends. I recently stumbled onto a post where a French mother with an 11-month old baby was looking to meet other moms with children around the same age. It seemed a little unsafe until after some research I found a site that it’s designed for just that: meeting other mommies. Those who want to take part in the group just pay a $5 membership fee. The group sets up meeting dates at parks and other recreational places. At first sight I thought it might be dangerous to try to meet strangers through a site, but what the heck, being paranoid will get you no-where.

Blasting and mining in our backyard

Many residents in the Doral area hear and feel the house shaking blasts and wonder where it's coming from. The answer is the West-Miami Dade Limestone Quarries. Little do Doral residents know that they can view the blasting schedule, on this website: http://www.mdlpa.org/MiningSchedules.htm For example, blasting is supposed to occur between 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and can't occur during Saturday, Sunday or legal holidays.

The next time you're concerned about suspicious blasting you can refer to this website.