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Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  At this time last year, 12-year old Dylan Samole’s baseball team was readying to participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event in Pinecrest, FL.  His father, Shane Samole, was on a business trip for EB Excalibur, his electronic game, RC vehicle and executive gift manufacturing company.  He bumped his side on the plane’s armrest and felt more pain than he should.  A few days later he was diagnosed with stage one Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was quickly put under the knife.

On the day of last year’s event, just a few weeks after his surgery, the Samole family was reeling from the effects of cancer.  Still, Dylan, his sister Brooke (age 15), and mother Susan, participated in the Relay For Life event.  Shane was too worn from his chemo to attend.  It also happened to be the day that his hair fell out.

Brooke, now 16, explains, “The concept of Relay For Life is that cancer never sleeps, so the event is 24-hours and requires that teams get formed so at least one person from each team is always walking the event circuit.”  In recognition and dedication to her father, Brooke volunteered to start and co-manage a team (The Little Mermaids) for this year’s Relay For Life.

Thousands of candles lit in the Luminaria Ceremony held at Evelyn Greer Park on 2/25/12 @ 9PM

Shane’s father died of lung cancer in 2000, so the family had memories of what cancer could do.  Brooke was overwhelmed with emotion during the 2011 Luminaria Ceremony.  “I have only cried at one movie, but I teared up because of Luminaria.  The lit candles touched my emotions.  My dad told me he wasn’t going to die, but it was still on my mind.”

Sure, like any father, Shane tried to shield and protect his kids from the darkest thoughts he had about his cancer.  “You’re not thinking a year in advance.  What you’re really thinking is ‘That’s it.  I’m done.’”  Brooke remembers, “He was always strong.  He never cried or felt sorry for himself.”  As anyone would expect, behind the scenes it did take a toll.  Cancer is oddly both difficult and enriching at the same time.

“In a weird way, I became more thankful for things,” remembers Brooke. “The family became closer and more understanding of each other because we had to rally around my Dad.  My mom did the most.  She not only took my dad to chemo treatments, but never missed a beat taking me and my brother to our events.”

“During the bad chemo days, you feel helpless.  But you gotta move, you gotta try. I didn’t want to be a burden and to have my kids see me that way.”  Shane and his family endured chemo and radiation sessions through July 2011. By October, tests revealed he was in complete remission.  “So God bless, it’s exciting that I’m alive and here today,” remarked Shane.

Brooke and Shane Samole hug at Relay For Life 2012

Sometimes, good things result from a journey.  For Brooke, Shane, Susan and Dylan Samole, the 2012 Relay For Life was a poignant and moving time.  Shane summed it up best, “Everyday you remind yourself, hey, you know what… I’m alive today.  And you do things more personally, especially with my kids.”

You can get involved with Relay For Life by visiting http://relayforlife.org.  Get inspired by the commercial for the event at http://youtu.be/TW3MY9lLfFc.

Garage sales are cathartic.  You free your home from built-up clutter and start anew. It is liberating, organizing and energizing.  And, as George Carlin once observed, it “makes room for you to go out and get… more stuff!”

On February 25, the Mangowood Estates section of Palmetto Bay held their 34th Annual Garage Sale.  That morning, another home’s junk became someone else’s discounted treasures on a mass scale.  Of the 288 homes in the Association, about 70 houses set up shop in their driveways and nearly a thousand people arrived.

Miami Stingray catcher Kaitlyne Musa, 16, helps at the Mangowood garage sale

One house sold me two barely used file cabinets.  Another peddled a like-new gooseneck table lamp.  Total cost for everything, six bucks!  Besides being fun for the customers, it is a great community event.  Any time you get residents to do things together, you accomplish great things.

One long-time homeowner told me that he’s proud of Mangowood.  He was President of the Association when Hurricane Andrew struck.  He recalled how within 2 days of the storm, his neighbors had banded together and cleared all the streets of debris, making them single-lane passable.  Few other areas accomplished this for weeks.

Today was no hurricane, but Lisa & David Greenwell certainly organized a great community fundraiser.  With several hundred patrons visiting their driveway each year, they decided to raise money for daughter Megan’s traveling softball team.  The Miami Stingrays (a Flagami Khoury League team for 14-16 year old girls) are a traveling showcase team.  “We have a trip to NYC this July and we need to raise $15,000 to support that,” explained Lisa Greenwell.

Miami Stingray catcher Kaitlyne Musa (age 16) and her teammates were on hand to help sell.  “I think we’ll make nearly $2000 from this.  That will go a long way to getting to New York,” said Musa.  “I have a blast playing softball and traveling.  This is a great way to have fun and raise some money.”

Besides the garage sale, they plan to have a car wash in March and a golf tournament in May.  So, when you’re ready to clean the garage and have your next yard sale, think about what community activity you can help fund.  In Mangowood, this is second nature.

I am very excited to offer this 2008 modern duplex just east of the heart of Coral Gables.  Command top rent rates on the mirrored units or reside on one side while producing income on the other.  You would live here in an instant!

Each side is a 2008-built modern 3/2.5 condo unit.  With more than 2300 square feet each, the lofty ceilings and white ceramic tiles impress with a museum-quality feel.  Current rent roll is $2500/mo.

Downstairs is a giant great room with an amazing, top-of-the-line Bosch kitchen. Bathrooms are sleek and stylish.  The finishes make you feel like modern royalty.

Upstairs are three healthy sized bedrooms, some with Pergo-style wood flooring, a beautiful shared bath, and full-sized laundry closet.  Immaculate and functional design throughout, but nothing compares to the master bathrooms.

The view to downstairs is just as impressive.

Impact glass.  Separate air conditioning units for upstairs and downstairs.  Nothing to do but to start enjoying!  Just short distances to heart of Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Sunset Place, downtown Miami and more.

See more of the photos here!

Modern Duplex in Miami (just east of Coral Gables)
3647/3649 SW 16 Terrace, Miami, FL 33145
Offered at $599,000

The cool “South Florida way” to arrive at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival is by boat.  Thanks to my friends Brian and Heather Socolow, that’s just what I did this year.

Deborah and David Throckmorton, along with Heather and Brian Socolow, dock at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

Like many, they’ve been coming to the best outdoor art festivals in the country for years.  With over 360 artists this year, along with amazing food, wine, live music and kids’ activities, the Grove has once again raised the bar.

Even if you don’t like most art shows, it’s hard not to have fun here.  The weather was perfect and tens of thousands of patrons pour in over the three-day President’s Day weekend.  The artistic vibe was definitely in full force.

Theodore Gall’s “The Puppet Master” towers over the sculpture artist himself.

Theodore Gall’s work caught my eye.  “The Puppet Master” sculpture (see photo) towered above us as he explained with a broad smile, “see? The puppet has broken free.”  The metal wires dangled at ankle level.  His other works, while smaller, were just as striking.  Interesting, strong angles juxtaposed with textured, muscular shapes showed the skilled craftsmanship and his deep knowledge of his materials.

Gall has been exhibiting at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival for around 35 years.  He now sells his works to the children or grandchildren of his early patrons.  Originally from Chicago, and now living in Ojai, CA, Ted Gall beams when he speaks of his Coconut Grove memories, “This is the only Florida show I go to anymore.  I used to do South Miami, Beaux Art, Disney Art Masters in Orlando and others… nothing compares to this.”

The customers flowed through his tent buzzing about his work.  “This is definitely a good year.  The economy is coming back and thankfully I’m making some money.”

Tony Mendoza, from Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, among his acrylic works.

Local artist, Tony Mendoza, has been showing off his talents at the show for the past five years.  His art reflects the spirit of Miami and his Cuban heritage.  Inspired by sayings, quotations, dances and music, Mendoza interprets others in his art.  His shockingly colorful and whimsical pop art exhibit brought in tons of admirers over the weekend.

Mendoza said this year’s festival was definitely brighter and more alive.  “With the recession, everything slowed down.  People are more comfortable now and will dedicate some of their disposable income to art.  I’m doing very well.  I can’t complain.”

If you missed Tony’s work this year, you can see his large murals at several local landmarks, including “All the Ways We Are Smart” (Gulliver Schools, South Miami) and Royal Palms on Biscayne Bay” (Miami-Dade Public Schools Administration Building, Miami)

Here is a three minute video montage of this year’s Coconut Grove Arts Festival:

Next year will mark the 50th year of the festival.  I’m sure it will be an amazing event.  Put it on your calendars now by visiting their website!