For enjoying Sunny Isles Beach, 'Florida's Riviera'

By Bari Auerbach

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to deal with long lines at check-out counters; extra traffic; visits from not-so-favorite relatives and of course, the obligatory fruit cake that just might sit in your kitchen until next year. But despite the hectic nature of the winter months in South Florida, - in Sunny Isles Beach, “’tis the season” for appreciating gifts of services and amenities that make the holidays even more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

‘Tis the Season for
‘creating a safer city’
Encouraging the community to step-up crime prevention measures, Sunny Isles Beach Police Chief Fred Maas notes, “We always tell residents and business owners, ‘You should never feel hesitant about picking up the phone to call the police about a suspicious incident, person or something you feel uncomfortable about. We are far more willing to ‘check it out’ even if it turns out to be nothing – than to come out after the fact and discover a crime has been committed.”

Maas also advises, “During this time of year, have a heightened sense of awareness - you can be followed after leaving a store when people can see you putting packages into your car…We’re also stepping up our police patrols around banks and ATM machines.”
Corporal Brian Schnell, Public Information Officer reiterates, “One of the biggest safeguards I will always recommend is to be sure not to leave valuables inside vehicles.  Every year, without fail, we report the same, sad story.  Someone, somewhere, left their all their child’s holiday gifts locked securely in the car.  It seemed like the ideal hiding place at the time, but the average thief looks to prey upon your attempt to conceal gifts. Our goal is to make the opportunity for a crime as difficult as possible for the criminal.”  Here are ways to “victim-proof” yourself:

*Never leave valuables inside an unattended vehicle or out in the open
*Whenever possible, shop with another person or a group.

*Be aware of you surroundings, report suspicious activity.

*Do not carry large amounts of currency.  Physical currency gets the attention of criminals when it is exposed, and it is very difficult to replace if stolen.

*Use safer means to purchase items - debit cards are a good choice. Even if stolen, the probability of a criminal being able to use them before you cancel them is slim.  If they are used fraudulently, the charges are insured.

*Utilize safe online payment methods if making online purchases. 

*Make sure you’re not being followed.  People watch certain “high end” stores for items such as TV’s, stereos and computers to be brought to the car in boxes.  Then when you make your next stop and leave the items inside, you can return to find a smashed window and your recent purchases gone!

‘Tis the Season
for ‘international exposure’
Early snow falls, along with exceptional values on air fare and room rates nationwide has helped set the scene for a “sunny holiday season” in the city of Sunny Isles Beach. Just before Thanksgiving, millions of travelers packed their bags while resorts and businesses along Collins Avenue spruced up to welcome holiday guests.

To tell “the whole world” about the remarkable renaissance taking place in  Sunny Isles Beach, the city’s Resort Association has been going on international travel missions with the goal to build markets for the “here and now” as well as the future Beyond the vacation values at Sunny Isles Beach resorts, Ibis Romero, executive director of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association, is helping to promote the great intrinsic value associated with enjoying a vacation in Florida’s Riviera…From the multi-million dollar developments and beach renourishment - to sweeping beautification and capital improvement programs initiated by the City Commission plus heightened security ensured by the Police Department, Sunny Isles Beach is now being heralded as “one of the most desirable and safe South Florida destinations.”
Sunny Isles Beach is also looking forward to receiving it’s share of fanfare when the Super Bowl returns to South Florida for the tenth time in 2010. Rodney Barreto, Host Committee chair, emphasizes the Super Bowl’s phenomenal economic score. “Super Bowl XLI generated a total economic impact on South Florida of $463 million and 112,403 people visited for the game and related activities…Corporate America comes for the best restaurants, best hotels and best beaches…The NFL has realized we’re the best destination to compete with and that’s why we’ve had ten Super Bowls.”

‘Tis the Season
for ‘diamond distinctions’
Enhancing the city’s international notoriety, Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, gracing 17875 Collins Avenue, recently earned a coveted AAA Five Diamond Award joining an elite list of luxury resorts providing the utmost in superior quality and service. At a recent City Commission meeting, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup proclaimed Thursday, November 19 as “Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach Day in Sunny Isles Beach.”

Acqualina is the only independently-owned hotel in South Florida chosen to receive this esteemed Five Diamond Award. “It is an honor for our property to receive such an influential and distinctive award,” said Sase Gjorsovski, the resort’s general manager.  “We pride ourselves on offering luxury, comfort and exceptional service to ensure we provide our guests with the most enjoyable experience possible. “ 

Speaking on behalf of the Trump family, renowned for developing Acqualina as well as Williams Island, Stephanie Trump thanked the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission. “From the very first time we started talking about Acqualina, we only had complete support from you,” she said. Ibis Romero, executive director of the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association added, “We’re very proud to have Acqualina in the city…I’d also like to thank the Commission for the support you give me to go out and tell everyone about this wonderful destination!”

 ‘Tis the Season
for proactive changes
“Change is good” could be the slogan for Sunny Isles Beach thanks to ongoing beautification projects and capital improvements enhancing the city’s infrastructure and aesthetic appeal. The city’s changing demographics have also served as a catalyst to initiate discussions about boundary changes to alleviate overcrowding at the Sunny Isles Beach Community School as well as progressive efforts spearheaded by the City Commission to build more parks.

In September, good news was announced about additional green open space coming to the south end of the city. In addition to parcels already acquired on the west side of Collins Avenue, more land at 16050 Collins Avenue was purchased by the city for public park purposes. Schematics for the “South Collins Park System” will be presented to the City Commission and open for public discussion.  
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The changing face of Sunny Isles Boulevard, soon to be home of One Netanya Centre, is also contributing to the city’s ongoing renaissance. The mixed-use development located at 323 Sunny Isles Boulevard will be a seven-story structure comprised of ground-floor retail space, three floors of office space and three floors of garage parking. Described by the architect as “an enhancement to the city’s entrance,” One Netanya Centre will feature a sculpture from Netanya, Israel – sister city to Sunny Isles Beach.

‘Tis the Season
for happy holidays
Aside from taking time off for Christmas and New Year’s Day, city officials and city staff continue to work tirelessly to ensure “everyday’s a holiday” for residents and visitors enjoying the highest quality of life in Sunny Isles Beach.