e p t h o f e m o t i o n a n d f l a w l e s s t e c h n i q u e H i s r i c h t i m b r e a n d c o m m a n d i n g
s t a g e p r e s e n c e m a k e e a c h a r i a n o t j u s t a m u s i c a l e x p e r i e n c e b u t a
s t o r y t e l l i n g j o u r n e y W h e t h e r p e r f o r m i n g P u c c i n i , V e r d i , o r
c o n t e m p o r a r y c r o s s o v e r w o r k s , h e d e m o n s t r a t e s a n i n n a t e a b i l i t y t o
c h a n n e l t h e f u l l e m o t i o n a l s p e c t r u m f r o m t e n d e r n e s s t o t r i u m p h w i t h s i n c e r i t y a n d f i n e s s e
B e y o n d h i s v o c a l p r o w e s s , G a r o f a l o s t a n d s o u t f o r h i s a r t i s t r y a n d
c h a r i s m a H e b r i n g s a m o d e r n e d g e t o o p e r a , e n g a g i n g n e w a u d i e n c e s w h i l e h o n o r i n g i t s o l d - w o r l d g r a n d e u r H i s c o l l a b o r a t i o n s a t i n t e r n a t i o n a l g a l a s , l u x u r y e v e n t s , a n d c u l t u r a l s o i r é e s s h o w c a s e n o t o n l y h i s m u s i c a l e x c e l l e n c e b u t a l s o h i s r o l e a s a c u l t u r a l a m b a s s a d o r f o r I t a l i a n h e r i t a g e A n d r e a G a r o f a l o i s m o r e t h a n a p e r f o r m e r ; h e i s a l i v i n g t e s t a m e n t t o t h e e n d u r i n g p o w e r o f t h e h u m a n v o i c e a n a r t i s t w h o s e g i f t t r a n s c e n d s t h e s t a g e a n d l i n g e r s l o n g a f t e r t h e f i n a l n o t e
The Garden Hotel & Resort, North Fort Lauderdale’s newest boutique retreat, officially opened its doors last night with a vibrant and beautifully executed grand opening celebration that drew media, dignitaries, and lifestyle tastemakers from across South Florida.
Once known as Royal Beach Palace, the property has been fully reborn as a nature-inspired, design-forward hideaway that blends coastal ease with a fresh sense of creative energy. Guests at last night’s event were the first to experience the resort’s leafy courtyards, modernized guest rooms, and playful social spaces that define its bold, breezy new personality.
ANight to Remember
The grand opening celebration delivered on every promise: stylish, spirited, and full of momentum for what’s ahead Guests enjoyed:
Official ribbon cutting featuring resort leadership and local dignitaries
Signature cocktails and coastal bites curated by The Greenhouse
Live DJ entertainment that kept the atmosphere upbeat
Guided tours of the reimagined rooms, courtyards, lounges, and creative spaces
The resort’s transformation impressed attendees, many of whom praised the property for bringing a new sense of boutique sophistication to North Fort Lauderdale.
AFresh Chapter for a Local Landmark
With its uplifting ambiance, thoughtful design details, and a programming calendar built around wellness, creativity, and community,The Garden Hotel & Resort is poised to become one of the area’s most inviting new destinations.
The Garden Hotel is located at 3711 North Ocean Blvd on the same side of the street as 33 Street which is Fort Lauderdale’s equivalent of a Little Italy neighborhood 7 Nights per week guests can walk only four blocks and choose from a plethora of classy bars with live music. The hotel even has its own golf car limosuine which will gladly drive you there and to other nearby attractions... rd
Rick Ross, Uncle Luke andFriends:PMIU.S.&UrbanLeague
DriveSmallBusinessGrowthat“SportofKings”Theatre
Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) partnered with the Urban League of Broward County (ULBC) hosted PowerPitch South Florida, a Shark-Tank–style business summit held last night at the Sport of Kings Theatre at Gulfstream Park The event marked the launch of a new collaboration supported by a $400,000, threeyear donation from PMI U.S. to help expand entrepreneurial access, economic mobility, and community investment across the region.
Produced with ULBC’s Central County Community Development Corporation, the high-energy summit brought together small business owners, investors, and industry leaders for a day of mentorship, networking, and live pitching. AMulti-EmmyAward WinningTV journalist led red-carpet interviews and media coverage, adding a dynamic broadcast element to the evening.
The pitch competition showcased standout founders from across South Florida:
• Kimba Williams, CEO of Kushae, won the top prize of $25,000.
• Nadia Davis, founder of ShowAgents, earned $10,000.
• Kay Richardson, founder of Next of Kin, received $5,000.
“The Urban League of Broward County is a quintessential partner in our mission to put pragmatic philanthropy into action here in South Florida,” said Moyer McCoy, director of external affairs and head of social impact at PMI U.S. “By opening doors to capital and connection, this partnership helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into lasting community impact.”
ULBC President & CEO Dr. Germaine Smith Baugh praised PMI U.S.’s commitment, noting that the support “gives local business owners the tools and confidence to grow at a time when running a business can be tougher than ever.”
About the Urban League of Broward County
ULBC serves nearly 14,000 individuals annually through programs in education, entrepreneurship, housing, justice, jobs, and health—advancing economic opportunity and stability for families across Broward County
About the Central County Community Development Corporation (CCCDC)
Asubsidiary of ULBC, CCCDC operates Broward County’s only Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), expanding access to capital for minority and women-owned small businesses and fostering equitable economic growth.
Jay Shapiro to Produce “My Buddy from Brooklyn” based on the
Publisher Jay Shapiro has announced the production of a new film chronicling the controversial life of Buddy Jacobson once the most successful racehorse trainer in the United States and a flamboyant figure in 1970s Manhattan nightlife. Shapiro’s connection to the story is personal. His mother, Dawn Eve, was one of Buddy Jacobson’s fashion models in New York during the height of Jacobson’s modeling agency years. At one point, Dawn was even offered the lead supporting role in Taxi Driver alongside Robert De Niro. Recently, in a twist of fate, Shapiro took a maternal DNA test and discovered that famed racing mogul Jeffrey Gural is a close cousin match Shapiro was stunned to learn that Gural was once a business associate of Jacobson’s in the horse racing world
Further deepening the synchronicity, Shapiro had a chance encounter with Robert, a long-time friend of Jacobson and a respected executive in the racing industry, at Matteo’s Trattoria in Hallandale Beach “It was more than coincidence it felt like a calling,” said Shapiro “Meeting Robert and finding out about Jeffrey Gural being family solidified my decision to bring Buddy’s story to the screen ”
The action / drama / mafia film will explore Jacobson’s meteoric rise from Brooklyn stable boy to real estate millionaire and modeling agent, his notorious 1980 trial for the murder of John Tupper, and his daring escape from the Brooklyn House of Detention events that captivated national headlines and shook the city’s elite It will also probe the controversial conviction, alleged prosecutorial suppression of evidence, and the prison interviews where Jacobson, battling cancer, proclaimed his innocence until his last breath Shapiro’s vision is not to glorify or vilify Jacobson, but to portray him as the complex, driven, and charismatic figure he was flawed, brilliant, and unforgettable. “This isn’t just true crime,” Shapiro explains. “It’s about the American dream, ego, love, betrayal, and the thin line between genius and madness.”
Casting and production dates will be announced very soon at: www.BuddyJacobsonMovie.com
