AQUA Pinecrest September 2025 by Wainscot Media

AQUA PINECREST

BUSINESSMAN WITH A MISSION

Al Maulini

LOCAL LUXURIES

Private Label by Genavieve

CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN A Brand-New Getaway

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The Person Behind Miami’s Record Sales

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Create Where

22 Local Luxuries: Private Label by Genavieve Genavieve Paige Villar opened her first boutique at just 20 years old. Now opening a new location in Pinecrest, the fashionminded businesswoman has big plans for the future.

Twist of Fortune: Al Maulini

After decades in the finance business, Al Maulini knows a little something about the industry. But there’s more to his mission than meets the eye.

Timeless Elegance, Effortless Living

Designed by the renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects, The St. Regis Residences, Miami is redefining waterfront living in South Brickell. With construction underway, this extraordinary vision is becoming reality. Expansive bayfront views, a private marina, and the culinary artistry of MICHELIN-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi set the stage for an unparalleled lifestyle. Legendary St. Regis service ensures seamless living, with personalized concierge offerings and bespoke in-residence services. Here, timeless elegance and modern indulgence come together in a truly unmatched experience.

ABACK TO LIFE

AFTER A SUMMER full of humidity and sun, nothing’s more refreshing than jumping back into a nice, cold pool. Making it to September means taking stock of everything you’ve done over the summer and getting back to what’s most important to you. For some of you, that means taking the kids back to school. For others, it means looking back at goals set and seeing if they can be achieved before the end of the quarter.

For me, it means hitting refresh on all of my routines and taking one last summer trip to reset before things really start to ramp up. That’s when I was hit with a gift this month—getting to do another cover with Al Maulini from Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables. It was the perfect time to reflect on all his work since his last cover in 2024 and get inspired together about what the future will look like. His intentions led to execution, resulting in a huge impact on his clients and in the charity space. He took a humble look back at how he started his financial services firm, not downplaying his accomplishments but giving the story to us as honestly as possible.

We have another special guest who’s celebrating almost 10 years of business at her women’s clothing boutique—Private Label by Genavieve. Genavieve Paige Villar is celebrating

by opening up in a new location that for the first time has two floors. After starting out in a 200-square-foot space when she was 20 years old, she has built the clientele and the reputation to become a Pinecrest mainstay. Her main goal now is to get more brides in the store, now that she has a whole floor dedicated to wedding dresses and shoes.

Meanwhile, kids aren’t the only ones about to start learning this fall. Rochelle B. Weinstein has some book recommendations that will have you thinking hard and wanting to share your thoughts with the class. Every month, there’s something good to read, but September’s gems are so unique that they can’t even be fully described, for fear of giving too much away. She also has something big to announce this month: One of her novels is being optioned for a feature film! September is looking like a beautiful month all around for everyone who’s contributed to this issue, and we are so glad to have you along for the ride.

Morgan C. Mullings Editor

Advertising Director Daisy Abreu daisy.abreu@wainscotmedia.com

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Editor Morgan C. Mullings

Columnists

Gerry Barker

Rochelle B. Weinstein

Photographer VA Moments

aquasouthflorida.com

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO Mark Dowden

SVP, Group Publisher Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan

Executive Editor Elaine Paoloni Quilici

Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle

Art Director

Rosemary O’Connell

Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director Catherine Rosario

Production Designer Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

AQUA Pinecrest magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Pinecrest and surrounding areas of South Florida, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

PHOTOGRAPH BY YVETTE MULLINGS

THE MOST EXQUISITE Expression of Home

Set amidst the pristinely landscaped streets and refined energy of Coral Gables, directly across from The Plaza, this exclusive 58-boutique building offers luxurious 2-5 bedroom residences. Each home is thoughtfully designed and curated by the renowned Meyer Davis, blending contemporary luxury with old world charm.

GERRY BARKER

Gerry’s two passions are writing and travel. Atlanta-born and Texas-raised, he left an awardwinning media career to see the world. Today, he maintains a website, North Palm Beach Life, and works as a freelance travel writer. Follow his adventures every month in Wanderlust.

ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN

Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple contemporary fiction novels, most recently We Are Made of Stars. Her work has been featured in People, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Country Living, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, First for Women, Kveller, Totally Booked with Zibby, Book Bub, and more. Rochelle is a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. A former entertainment industry executive and NBC-6 Miami book correspondent, Rochelle splits her time between South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina. And in super exciting news, her novel What You Do To Me was recently optioned for a feature film.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU

Our personal injury law firm has obtained in excess of a billion dollars in verdicts and recoveries for clients and is recognized as a leader in plaintiffs’ personal injury and wrongful death, class actions, mass torts, and other areas of litigation

Colson Hicks Eidson, one of Miami’s oldest and most accomplished law firms, is considered among the top trial firms in the United States, having won hundreds of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for its clients.

–Chambers USA, 2022

WHAT WE PROVIDE WHO WE HAVE HELPED

Our personal injury lawyers have a long history of serving individuals, groups of individuals and businesses in a wide range of lawsuits. Our trial attorneys are highly regarded for their depth of legal experience, responsiveness to client concerns and ethical tactics, both inside and outside of the courtroom. Our law firm receives respect throughout the legal community, which recognizes Colson Hicks Eidson for its various distinguished achievements.

We are or have been actively engaged in the following and many other cases:

• Takata Airbags MDL

• Champlain Plaza

• Allergan Biocell MDL

• Monat Marketing MDL

• Parkland Shootings

• Elmiron Eye Injury MDL

• 3M Combat Earplugs MDL

• BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

• Ford Firestone MDL

• Toyota Sudden Acceleration MDL

• Zantac MDL

• Camp LeJeune Contamination Claims

With many adult-friendly areas, bars, and beach clubs, this exclusive destination provides numerous options for relaxation.

A Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away

Celebration Key is the new exclusive resort destination that’s closer to Florida than you think.

BY GERRY BARKER

AS ANYONE WHO CRUISES from Miami knows, the Bahamas have long been a favorite destination. Located just 50 miles away at its closest point, the islands get almost 2,000 cruise ship calls yearly, with Nassau alone hosting a record-breaking 5.6 million cruise passengers in 2024.

Now, Carnival Cruises will boost that even more with the grand opening of Celebration Key, their new, exclusive resort destination. Built at a cost of $600 million, it occupies a portion of a nearly 400 acre-site on the northern end of Grand Bahama island, including one mile of sandy, white beach.

On Saturday, July 19, company executives, travel advisors and media joined nearly 5,000 passengers from Carnival Vista, the first ship to dock there, to officially cut the ribbon and welcome the first guests, a little over three years after construction started in May 2022.

“Today marks an extraordinary milestone for Carnival as we open the first phase of our initial $600M investment, with more

to come,” said Carnival President Christine Duffy in Carnival’s press release. “Celebration Key is more than just a beautiful place; it’s a celebration of the Bahamian paradise our guests love, complemented by an impressive variety of incredible new experiences and offerings,” said Duffy. “We’ve built the ultimate beach day for our guests whether they crave fun in the sun or relaxation under a palm tree.”

Many of those palms were part of a “Plant a Tree” community engagement project last year, where some 1,000 sabal palms were saved and replanted, along with thousands of native plant varieties across the resort.

A WORLD OF LUXURY

Guests from the ships enter through the Sun Portal, a large arch bearing the resort’s name, and start their day at Paradise Plaza.

At the grand opening, visitors were led by a Bahamas marching band and greeted by large crowds waving Bahamian flags. Nearby is

the 10-story Suncastle, with its twin 350-foot body slides. From there, you can choose from four areas to explore, including:

• Starfish Lagoon: One of the two largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean at 275,000 square feet; also includes the Parrotfish Swim-Up Bar. There’s also a sports court where Carnival Chief Fun Officer and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal made the first bucket.

• Calypso Lagoon: An “adult-friendly area” with the second 275,000-square-foot freshwater lagoon. Both lagoons are serviced by Celebration Key’s desalination system and hold about seven million gallons of water. Here also is DJ Island, the Sunshine Swings Bar with its almost 50 swings and the “world’s largest swim-up bar,” which seats 166 at one time.

• Pearl Cove Beach Club: Billed as “the largest adults-only retreat at any cruise destination,” it features an 11,000-square-foot infinity pool that overlooks a white sand

Carnival President Christine Duffy, Shaquille O’Neal, and Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein cut the ribbon to open Celebration Key. PHOTOGRAPHS COURESTY OF CARNIVAL CRUISES

beach and plenty of ways to relax, including loungers, cabanas, and supervillas which accommodate up to 10 guests, with four over-the-lagoon supervillas available at Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon.

• Lokono Cove: Go shopping at this retail village that showcases Bahamian culture with handmade goods and art.

The resort also features 30 food and drink venues, staffed by locals who smiled and cheered as guests entered for the first time. Live entertainment is also in the mix, including Junkanoo parades, roaming musicians, and all-day beach games. The national bird of the Bahamas, the flamingo, is present throughout.

CRUISING HAVEN

Currently, two Carnival ships can dock here at once, and work is underway to expand that to four. A total of 20 different ships from 10 homeports will call on Celebration Key, which is initially estimated to bring two million guests a year to Grand Bahama, and four million by 2028. The resulting

economic impact includes hundreds of long-term jobs.

While many cruise lines own and operate private islands, more are planned, partly to accommodate the mega ships too large for existing facilities. On July 22, the resort saw two ships docked for the first time—Carnival Glory and Carnival Conquest—with their combined 7,000 guests. Two Excel-class ships docked at the same time could bring almost 12,000 visitors.

“There’s been a dream to have an exclusive destination in the Bahamas other than Half Moon Cay (a private Bahamas island owned by Carnival, used by Carnival and their sister brand, Holland America),” said President Duffy in an interview, adding, “a place where we would be able to bring our biggest ships.”

“While Half Moon Cay is a spectacular destination. It has always required a tender operation,” she said. “As our ships have become bigger, you can’t tender 5,000 people.” She added that a new pier is coming

to Half Moon Cay that will allow its largest ships to dock there, and it’s also getting a new name: RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

“This destination will serve as a tribute to the rich Bahamian culture and Grand Bahama’s natural environment,” said Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein in a press release.

“It’s clear Celebration Key will be a gamechanger for our flagship brand and its loyal guests, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, but it’s also truly great to see firsthand how we’re implementing our company’s robust sustainability initiatives on land.”

Since the pandemic, cruising has rebounded to record levels. The industry estimates nearly 40 million people will take a cruise in 2025, half of those from the United States. “I think people have finally figured out what a great value a cruise vacation is and how there is really something for everyone,” Duffy said.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line visit www.carnival.com.

With Carnival’s largest ships docking, Celebration Key could see 12,000 guests arrive at once through the Sun Portal.

Champion of Justice

Mike Eidson of Colson Hicks Eidson reflects on working toward justice for all.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH prominent lawyer Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson, president and senior partner of Colson Hicks Eidson in Coral Gables to learn more about his work with the American Association of Justice and the recent award he won that salutes his decades of work as a dedicated trial lawyer.

Congratulations on the Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Tell us about the award!

I became a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Now AAJ) in 1975 when I joined the prestigious firm Colson Hicks Eidson. My partner, Bill Colson, had been President of the Association in 1963. ATLA was the most important and largest trial bar in the world with 50,000 member lawyers in all 50 states, Canada, Australia, and England.

ATLA was established in 1948, and its headquarters are in Washington, D.C. It was founded to protect the constitutional right to trial by jury and to protect our clients’ access to the courthouse and their right to hold wrongdoers fully accountable.

In 2000, I was elected an officer of ATLA and served in that capacity for five years before being elected president in 2006 in Seattle. I worked very hard to serve the Association and to protect our clients’ rights, traveling to 40 states.

On the day I was elected, we held a vote at the convention to change our name to the American Association for Justice, and it was successful. The reason we changed the name was, we were not just an association for trial lawyers, but we were fighting for justice for our clients.

The Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award is AAJ’s most prestigious award and is given annually by the Association to someone with high integrity who has done an extraordinary amount of work for justice. The award has been given about 35 times, so with 35,000 members, you can see how proud I was to receive it. I tried more than 200 cases in my career, most of them before juries. I have written and taught about trial law over 100 times across the country. I underwrite a trial seminar for two weeks at Emory University Law School each year, which every student is required to take in

the second year. I have given, with my wife Margaret, more than 100 scholarships to students for law school at four schools.

What do you advocate for as an AAJ member?

Trial lawyers have been at the forefront of helping fight tobacco, asbestos, dangerous pharmaceuticals, chemicals that pollute our water, dangerous and defective products, and the like. AAJ is a place where lawyers can join together to learn about new problems to be addressed and to be educated. We also protect the right to bring cases like these by working with state and congressional legislators.

What are some highlights of your work with AAJ over the years?

During my year as president we changed our name, which is something that needed to be done; we sold our building in Georgetown and moved closer to the Capitol; we fought for congressional candidates who would protect the right to trial by jury and were successful in most of the races we entered; and we held the first Democratic Presidential Debate in Chicago which included Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden.

You’ve left a legacy as a trial lawyer. How are you currently extending that legacy with Sanctuary of the Arts? Sanctuary of the Arts is about supporting the arts at the highest level. We preserve

important spaces, converting them into places for arts and culture. They are community cultural spaces. We provide affordable theaters of the highest quality for other cultural organizations in the city. We also produce our own shows. We give artists an excellent place to perform and provide young people a quality education in the arts. We provide quality entertainment for the community throughout the year.

Since opening in 2021, more than 170 shows have been presented at the Sanctuary’s three theaters. Before we opened, there was very little dance presented in Coral Gables. Now, we are the largest presenter of dance in the city and we have an international pre-professional dance school which educates more than 40 young dancers a year, giving them a place to perform and working with them to find professional jobs throughout the world.

We have opened a small dance school in Rio de Janeiro and produced shows in Paraguay and Colombia and presented a full evening ballet called Carnival of the Animals in Mexico City. We have presented some of the greatest artists in the world, such as the famed violinist Joshua Bell.

The work I have done for AAJ and the Sanctuary has been an opportunity for me to give back for all of the opportunities that have been given to me and my family.

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Find custom designs, boutique bargains, bridal dresses, and luxury consignment at Private Label by Genavieve’s new Pinecrest location.

BYMORGAN C. MULLINGS

AA 10-YEAR-OLD PINECREST shop run by a local mom of three has just expanded into a two-story space perfect for her custom clothing and luxury consignment business. No need to drive into Coral Gables or downtown to shop the luxury stores—buyers can now hop around the corner from The Falls for a curated experience at Private Label by Genavieve, where Genavieve Paige Villar knows her customers better because she pays attention to what they like.

“I love luxury. Women love luxury. The majority of people now, with Instagram, only wear things one time. So they like to resell it or it just sits in their closet,” Villar tells AQUA Pinecrest.

Villar’s most common customers are moms and daughters searching for a dress and matching shoes to attend a wedding or gala. “I’m trying to focus on bringing things on consignment that look like they were never used or even still have the tags on them,” she says. Brands like Yves Saint

Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Louboutin adorn the shelves. Customers are sure to find something designer with Relové, her new consignment-focused business that shares the new showroom. Still, one of the highlights of shopping at Private Label is designing with the owner. Her custom dresses have gone viral on Instagram, and repeat customers love her creativity. They know Private Label as the bohemian boutique across The Falls, now moved to a grand showroom just off US 1.

Customers may be surprised when they see her designs and find out Villar does not have a traditional fashion background—it would be hard to tell scrolling through the Private Label Instagram page. Villar is more of an inspired creative who taught herself how to put women’s clothing together.

“I didn’t go to fashion school. I don’t know how to draw. It’s just something that I started doing. I started playing with fabrics,” she explains. Even though her designs are highly original, “fashion is all remaking the same designs over and over, and changing different aspects of the design,” she says.

“What made me a designer is being creative with taking inspiration from other

The new Private Label location expands on bridal offerings, with a whole floor dedicated to wedding dresses and shoes.

Melissa is a customerturned-partner of the Relové business, there from the beginning of Genavieve’s career.

styles, and making it a style that looks good for the woman that’s wearing it today.”

For example, a traditional designer will hand-draw their ideas. Villar takes a modern approach, asking her potential clients to bring in photos for different pieces of the outfit and putting it together with them in-house. Customers buy from her as a person, not a brand, and that makes it more personal. They come in with inspiration screenshots and even voice notes explaining their vision.

STARTING EARLY

Private Label by Genavieve started out a decade ago in a 200-square-foot shop. Before that, Villar was dreaming of fashion while working in an emergency room—a job she couldn’t see herself doing for the rest of her life.

“I just couldn’t picture my whole life being like that, and I don’t do well with someone giving me direction and orders.” Being bossed around by doctors is difficult, but so is being a business owner. “The next morning, there could be a disaster waiting to happen at any moment, but I feel like I was made for that, versus someone telling me what to do.” However, Villar is still glad that she went the medical school route.

“I’m happy I went that way because I became a young mom, a young wife, and I feel like you could still do those things when you’re going to medical school.” But when running the business, “this is who I am.”

Villar had a vision when she was 20, selling women’s clothing from the beginning and having three boys in the meantime; said boys are now three years, two years, and six months old. So many parts of her life began at a young age, allowing her to work out the kinks before she turned 29 and expanded the shop to two stories. Starting wasn’t the hard part. It’s running the business that proves difficult, she says: starting up without a profit, keeping up with expenses and maintaining a store.

“It’s when you start becoming successful, when you start getting clientele, when you start getting inventory,” she said. “The only way you learn is from doing and moving forward, so starting wasn’t hard. It’s just continuing to be in business.”

Villar’s Tip: Do most of the work yourself in the beginning. Starting up the Relové consignment side also helped, eliminating the need to buy more inventory and letting the consignor take a portion of the sale. It began with business partner Melissa Hernandez. Hernandez was a customer at Private Label from its inception, who became a friend and then partner in business. “When I opened my first store in my little 200-square-foot space, she was a client of mine. She’s seen me get married, she’s seen me have my babies.” Hernandez has been a teacher for 27 years, but always desired to work in fashion. Relové was the perfect opportunity.

A NEW OPPORTUNITY

Still, to this day, the two have to do everything: clean the store, steam clothes, provide customer service, change lightbulbs. When Villar’s not making sure the showroom is in good shape, she’s taking care of her three boys and spending time with her husband, Andrew.

The 200-square-foot space was the first, and 64th Ave. and Bird Road was the second. “I was in that location for about four years doing the same thing, but I expanded and started designing and doing custom clothing.” This new location is her fourth, but her figurative fifth location is Instagram, where the custom clothing

business picked up during the pandemic. “Weirdly enough, because you would think people are not going to events, why would they custom-make something? But they still did because they liked the idea of designing something themselves.”

This new location has all the welcoming vibes of the previous locations, with a special second floor dedicated to bridal offerings. “I really want to focus a lot in bridal, and bridesmaids, and the whole idea of saying yes to the dress.” Some dresses are custom, some are pre-loved, but all will have a lower price tag than retail—even if they were never worn.Villar even had a bride with a $10,000 wedding dress as her inspiration,

and quoted her $1,200 for a custom dress. “She was like, ‘I love this dress so much it was worth at least $8,000, can we resell it?’” Grateful for the feedback, Villar saw the value that her customers get out of the Private Label experience. The same goes for prom, quinceñeras, and homecoming dresses. With the high visibility of this new location, Villar is excited to welcome new and interested customers.

“People have told me that they feel a new energy. It’s not just a transaction, it’s building a relationship,” she says.

Find more information on Instagram @privatelabel.bygenavieve and @relove.miami

Twist of Fortune:

Al Maulini

The successful financial planner takes us inside Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables.

BY MORGAN C. MULLINGS

MMIRACLE MILE, the legendary promenade in Coral Gables, is full of European architecture and Miami-style shops, but walking into Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables feels like stepping off a street in Manhattan. As the live ticker scrolls above the reception desk, the financial district’s famous charging bull sculpture rages towards you in a photograph spanning the left wall. Golden and stunning, it’s not the only piece of financial art found at PWMCG. Owner, managing director, and senior portfolio manager Al Maulini, 63, gutted the building in 2022. “I captured the feeling that you’re walking off the street in Manhattan into a brokerage firm,” he tells AQUA Pinecrest in an interview.

His nine-person team featuring five financial advisors sits at a long trading table down the middle of the office, showcasing its boutique aura. “At my age in the business, it’s important also that I like the people I work with, so it’s really a big family…and I think everybody feels it,” he says. That’s also how he shows clients that they are part of an extended family. “This is preached in the business, and we actually do it because we really get to know the client. Not just from a business perspective, but as much as possible on a personal level,” says Maulini. He gets to know their families, calling them on their birthday and finding other personal touches to add to his interactions. “It’s nice to do business for friends.”

PWMCG offers portfolio management, financial planning, investment strategies, and even retirement planning, among other services. The team is made up of independent financial advisors, and is a registered branch office of

Raymond James Financial Services Inc., a premier financial services firm with support and investment resources that PWMCG clients can have access to. It’s a distinct business with the power to make clients feel at home while connecting them to advantages from a national mainstay.

LEADING THE CHARGE

Maulini is up between four and five in the morning, starting his day with a prayer and his feet on solid ground. This is his calling, and he is ready to chase that calling at sunrise— starting with a morning brief on the markets and the economy to prepare his team for what’s to come.

“I was doing a lot of research in the mornings, and I started comparing my notes to other morning briefs that I read and they were different, and in some cases [mine] got a lot better,” Maulini explains. “And then I send that out on social media, LinkedIn, Facebook,

and X as well as email it to my clients.” A selfproclaimed AI-aficionado, Maulini includes the latest news on artificial intelligence, too.

Not surprisingly, the owner’s to-do list is long, and his calendar is filled with meetings and a near-daily lunch date. Maulini aims to be in the office before 8 a.m., before the markets open, and doesn’t head home until 6 p.m. “I intermingle client conversations with working through my to-do list, maybe networking in the community, [and] a lot of charity work.” Two to three times a month, or when the market demands it, “we’re

reviewing portfolios to make sure that we’re on point with the investments that we hold.”

His day isn’t over when the workday ends; Technology keeps him working and saves him time. Self-driving mode in his car and text-to-speech tools help him send emails and listen to important articles in his own intonation. “Whatever I don’t have time to read, I throw it on to the Speechify app, and Speechify reads my notes back to me. I’ve heard you’re more attentive if you’re hearing your own voice.”

While Maulini does take breaks from the ups and downs of the economy, Saturdays are still considered a workday. In fact, they’re essential for setting up the rest of the week for success. He maximizes this half day by reviewing the past and planning for the future. “Saturday ends up being a very important planning day. Typically we review all of our client holdings and make sure everything’s on point.”

PAYING IT FORWARD

Maulini is dedicated to giving back—not just talking about it. His charity work is deeply impactful rather than flashy, and he has used his success with PWMCG to fuel what he calls his “calling.” You might catch him at his monthly wine tasting, which gives back to the community in two ways: sponsoring a charity through the event and educating locals through a seminar on money management. There’s a robust Q&A session for around a dozen interested locals who leave with vital information for their financial lives. “It’s some work, but we have it down to a science already, and it’s a lot of fun. We have a good time,” he says of the seminars. “That’s when we can really flex our mental muscles. If a client wants to refer somebody to us, they’re bringing their friends so they can meet the whole team.”

Maulini donates through his charity, Protecting the Innocent. What started as an extension of his love for dogs (he has six at home) turned into donations for children, seniors, and the homeless. “I’ve always had at least one dog. One of the things I had to stop myself from doing is fostering dogs.” Most dogs he fosters tend to stay permanently. Instead, he helps provide adoption services, medical care, transportation, and anything

else to help out animals in need.

He has also worked with organizations like Safe Haven for Newborns, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Baptist Health Foundation, Family Resource Center, Live Like Bella, and the Humane Society of Greater Miami. “These are the type of charities that I love,” he says.

FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

“I achieved quick success as a young man, and I’ve tried different facets of the business,” Maulini says, reflecting on his past. He

started as a trader, he’s been in financial radio, and held management roles at large corporations in Miami like Citicorp, Wachovia, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley.

“I’ve had teams, and what I enjoy the most is leading a small team of investment professionals.”

Maulini knows this is where he is supposed to be, and that keeps his mind on track through the most difficult times.

After a series of health issues that led to him undergoing open heart surgery, he became serious about his health. “I went

legally blind for a while due to diabetes, I had four eye surgeries, had gangrene in my gallbladder, I went through all types of stuff. And then at one point, I said, okay, that’s it.” Now, he says his transformation is unbelievable. “It’s almost like I’m talking about somebody else.” Over the last three years he has put in the hard work to transform his physical condition and his business, taking pride in not only his health but his ability to take life by the horns. “It’s important for me, for my business and life, because I have terrific energy.”

Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables | 141 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134 | 305-548-2247

From left to right: David Gunst, Celeste Boadas, Sara Suarez, Al Maulini, Rosemary Guilfoyle, Luciana Cruz, Joseph Toth, and Leo Marrero

MOVING IN WITH California Closets Miami

Offer the premium experience buyers are searching for in apartments, condos, and high-end single family homes.

LUXURY MIAMI BUILDINGS like Eighty Seven Park, Faena Hotel, and Brickell Flatiron all have something in common: California Closets Miami. Their work is seen in projects from top developers across South Florida and continues to add immense value to new and existing buildings.

VP of Operations Julie Shvedyuk shared her industry expertise. “In Miami’s competitive real estate market, built-in storage is more than a convenience—it’s a luxury feature that enhances livability and perceived value,” she says. Thoughtfully designed closets and organizational systems make units feel “larger, more functional, and move-in ready, eliminating the buyer’s need for additional furniture.” That subtle but powerful differentiator can be the difference between a buyer saying

yes to a home or walking away.

California Closets Miami collaborates with developers from the design and planning phases of a building to ensure storage is seamlessly integrated. The architectural plans are used to create customized solutions. “From model units to full building rollouts, we manage everything from design to installation—on schedule and on brand,” Shvedyuk says. That means providing recommendations that maximize space and entice the building’s target buyer.

STANDOUT FEATURES

“Elevated materials, sleek finishes, and customizable features tailored to modern lifestyles,” are some of the features customers can expect, says Shvedyuk. This includes glass-front doors, LED-lit shelving, velvet-lined jewelry drawers, hidden

hampers, integrated mirrors, and flexible shelving designed for everything from handbags to golf clubs. Plus, they cover the whole home, not just the bedroom closet. If you’re looking to upgrade the home office, add a bar, or put your wine collection on display, California Closets has you covered.

“Buyers and renters alike are drawn to spaces that feel purposeful and premium. Custom closets signal that no detail has been overlooked, and for many, that creates an emotional connection,” explains the VP. Instead of wondering how they’ll organize themselves in a space, it’s already done. And for the developers, “It’s a subtle but effective way to close deals faster and at higher values.” It helps to know that California Closets systems are fully adjustable to evolve as the homeowner’s needs change, while still feeling move-in ready.

Victory on the Great Lakes

A new cruise line livens up this allAmerican destination.

BY GERRY BARKER

WHEN YOU THINK about taking a cruise vacation, places that come to mind include the Caribbean, Europe, the Greek Isles and Alaska. But have you ever considered the Great Lakes?

If not, maybe you should. First, it doesn’t require a long plane flight out of the country. Second, you’ll be on a smaller ship, which means more personal attention. And lastly, there’s a new cruise line that just started operating on the Great Lakes: Victory.

Victory Cruises has two ships offering cruises of the Great Lakes and along the Canadian coast—Victory I and Victory II. The driving force behind the cruise line is Victory CEO John Waggoner, a 50-year maritime and cruise industry veteran. Waggoner rescued both vessels, formerly owned by American Queen, at a bankruptcy auction last year.

In a short time, he pulled together a staff, set up operations, freshened up each ship, and started taking reservations. Before Victory I launched, they already had 70% of their first season sold.

My wife Pam and I were on the inaugural sailing of Victory I, which departed Toronto on April 26 en route to the five Great Lakes over a 10-day span. Their cruises include a prehotel stay at a luxury hotel—in our case, the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.

While they are called lakes, the Great Lakes are actually more akin to inland seas. Formed by the retreat of glaciers thousands of years ago, they represent the largest freshwater system in the world, holding 21% of the surface freshwater for the entire planet. Pam taught me a handy way to remember

all their names: HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior).

SMALL-SHIP SAILING

Built in the early 2000s, Victory I and her sister ship Victory II can accommodate around 200 passengers on five decks. Onboard you’ll find the Coastal Dining Room, The Compass Lounge and The Tavern bar, a fitness center, a small spa and salon, The Grill restaurant, and the Sun Deck topside for relaxing and sightseeing.

The staterooms are on the smaller side, but adequate for most of your needs, with large picture windows, a desk, closet, and bath with a shower. The rooms on deck four feature two chairs for sitting out on the veranda that runs the length of the ship.

As mentioned, one of the key benefits of small-ship cruising is the level of personal attention the Victory I staff of 80 can provide. From the stateroom attendants to the dining room servers, they take care of your every need, sometimes before you know you need it. After the first day, they called us by name and had our favorite wine at the ready.

Speaking of which, your fare includes drinks and beverages, meals, accommodations, basic shore excursions, onboard entertainment, Wi-Fi, pre-hotel stay and ground transfers. Premium alcohol and gratuities are additional.

As with any cruise, food is a major consideration, and the food on Victory I is exceptional. The kitchen staff, led by Executive Chef Ross from the Philippines, scored high on both variety and presentation, with some of the best seafood dishes we’ve had on a ship. The accent is on regional flavors and another nice touch: Dishes on the menu are displayed as you enter the Coastal Dining Room.

There is nightly entertainment in the Compass Lounge, led by Cruise Director Nichole, and during the day, you have a chance to learn the legends and lore of the Great Lakes from their onboard LakeLorian, who lectured daily.

There are a variety of excursions available at each port stop, ranked by included, premium, and interactive. Included excursions are just that: complimentary. Victory motor coaches follow the ship’s route and are waiting to transport passengers when the ship docks.

CRUISING THE GREAT LAKES

An interesting aspect of Great Lakes travel is traversing the various locks that connect each lake. One of the largest and most important are the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, which connects Lake Huron with Lake Superior. Unfortunately, conditions were such that we didn’t get to go through them, so Lake Superior was the only lake we didn’t visit.

At the end of the cruise we docked at Navy Pier, a Chicago landmark since 1916. Victory is the only cruise line permitted to dock there. Here’s a rundown of the places you’ll see on the Victory TorontoChicago Great Lakes cruise:

• Port Colborne, Ontario: This is the first stop after leaving Toronto. Located on Lake Erie, this city of nearly 20,000 residents borders the Welland Canal, which enables ship traffic between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, bypassing Niagara Falls. As we explored the town, several large tankers passed Victory I on their way to the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Atlantic Ocean. A favorite stop was The Pie Guys, a coffee shop and bakery famous for its lemon tarts.

In the afternoon, we boarded motor coaches for the trip to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Spring trees were in full bloom as we took in magnificent views of Horseshoe Falls from Table Rock, including a rainbow formed in the

misty spray. Nearby is the Niagara Falls Power Station and Museum, spotlighting the achievements of Nikola Tesla and featuring a new attraction: The Tunnel. Guests descend 180 feet in a glass-walled elevator, then walk 2,200 feet to an observation platform on the Niagara River, where you can truly feel the power of Horseshoe Falls. The Tunnel, formerly used to transport water from the power station to the river, was blasted and hammered out of solid rock from 1901 to 1904.

• Cleveland, Ohio: Since it was our first port stop since leaving Canada, we were required to clear U.S. Customs here, and as we did, local television crews were there to do interviews. The startup of Victory’s Great Lakes cruises and how they impact the local economy is big news. We are docked beside Huntington Bank Field, where the Cleveland Browns play football, and a number of cultural attractions along the Lake Erie waterfront, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. As a former rock music writer, it’s always been on my list to visit, and a Victory excursion gave me the opportunity. It really is a mecca for music lovers, with six floors of memorabilia, exhibits, and interactive features, including a chance to strum a Stratocaster and pretend to be Jimmy Page.

• Detroit, Michigan: The fifth day of the cruise finds us docked in the Detroit River, which connects Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. What better way to see the Motor City than on an excursion to Ford Motor Company campus in Dearborn and a visit to the Henry Ford American Museum of Innovation. Dedicated to “a vibrant exploration of genius in all its forms,” it truly is a marvelous repository of Americana and a celebration of innovation. As you might expect, there are major exhibits around cars and a nostalgic look at road trips through the years. But there are surprises, too, like the bus where Rosa Parks ignited the Civil Rights Movement, the chair where Lincoln was sitting when he was shot, Kennedy’s presidential limousine, and a circular house of the future designed by Buckminster Fuller.

• Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan: On day seven, after a full day of cruising Lake Huron, we arrive here, the oldest city in Michigan and the home of the Soo Locks, the busiest system of locks in the world measured by cargo tonnage. Providing a vital link between Lake Huron and Lake Superior, an average of 7,000 to 10,000 ships pass through them each year. Get an overview of how the locks work at the Visitor Center, then go to the observation stands where you can watch the tankers go through. Nearby is the SS Valley Camp, a retired Great Lakes freighter that is now a 20,000-square-foot museum with over 100 exhibits, including two lifeboats from

the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald, the Great Lakes freighter that sank Nov. 10, 1975, with the loss of 29 lives.

• Mackinac Island, Michigan: This small island, located between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas on Lake Huron, boasts a year-round population of less than 600, but every year from May to October it hosts 1.2 million tourists. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, so on day eight of the cruise we take a horse and carriage ride around the island, which was the country’s second national park. Major attractions here include the Grand Hotel, with the world’s longest front porch and the location for the 1980 movie “Somewhere in Time”; Fort Mackinac, built in 1780; and over a dozen fudge shops in its charming downtown. It’s reported those fudge shops use 10 tons of sugar every week.

• Escanaba, Michigan: This is our last stop before ending the cruise in Chicago. On the way, we pass under the imposing Mackinac Bridge, a five-mile-long suspension bridge opened in 1957. A city tour starts at Ludington Park, where we see the historic Sand Point Lighthouse, built in 1867. Next was the Webster Marble Inventing the Outdoors Museum. Marble was an avid outdoorsman and inventor in nearby Gladstone who helped change the view of going outdoors from survival to recreation. Adjoining it is the Upper Peninsular Military Museum, detailing military service from area veterans since the Civil War. On the way back, we made a stop at a bakery for one of Upper Michigan’s famed pasties, a savory meat pie with onions, potatoes, and carrots, dating back to when Cornish miners took them into the mines for their lunch.

Back-to-School for Grown-ups

The kids are back at school, and there’s no better time to start that book club you’ve been dreaming about. Grab your besties and these thought-provoking reads for adult fun, meaningful conversation, intimate debate, and bonding over books.

BY ROCHELLE B. WEINSTEIN

CULPABILITY

By Bruce Holsinger

I first fell for Holsinger with The Gifted School and The Displacements (a Florida Hurricane drama), and Culpability packs an equal punch. As our world embraces and battles artificial intelligence, we meet the Cassidy-Shaws: A family of five whose driverless minivan is involved in a fatal accident with their 17-year-old son in the driver’s seat. Secrets and technology crash in this compelling exploration of innovation and morality.

FINDING GRACE

By Loretta Rothschild

How to describe this book without giving away too much? Impossible. Rothschild is a newcomer to the literary world; her debut was a Book-of-the-Month pick and deemed “the literary book of the summer” by Sarah Gelman, the director for Amazon Books. All Honor wants is to have another child with her loving husband Tom, but a jaw-dropping twist changes their lives forever. Old love meets new love, and so begins a mesmerizing journey through modern love and its messiness. This book is brimming with healing and heart.

THE WOMEN OF ARLINGTON HALL

By Jane Healey

Healey’s meticulously researched historical fiction, based on actual events, captures Catherine “Cat” Killeen, an extraordinary heroine who walks away from a secure future to enlist in a high-stakes, confidential military project identifying Soviet spies. Joined by Jonathan Dardis, a former Harvard rival, she dives deep inside the world of espionage and atom bombs in an unputdownable read rife with friendship, romance, and Cold War code-breaking.

THE STOLEN LIFE OF COLETTE MARCEAU

By Kristin Harmel

Full disclosure, my aunt came to visit and raved about this one. I immediately downloaded the historical fiction novel on Audible and never pressed pause. Harmel is one of the kindest authors I know, and her novels are just as impressive. Her latest tackles jewel thieves, a priceless bracelet, and an unsolved murder, all with Harmel’s signature depth. A story rich in relationships, heartbreak, and the choices we make, readers will fall in love with Colette’s courageous spirit. I did.

Find these gems at bookshop.org or stop by our favorite local indie shop Books & Books.

The Importance of Energy in the AI Race

ENERGY WILL SOON become the primary bottleneck in the global race for artificial intelligence leadership, overtaking chips as the key constraint. Supporting evidence from Scientific American (February 2024) suggests a potential 10-fold increase in data center energy use if AI adoption accelerates, pushing global electricity consumption beyond current 1 to 1.5% levels.

Contrary to mainstream optimism about AI growth, there may be power capacity issues by mid2026, challenging the narrative that technological innovation alone will sustain AI dominance without addressing

energy infrastructure. As AI models scale, electricity generation, voltage transformers, and power stability will become limiting factors, particularly for the U.S., which may fall behind countries like China with more robust energy infrastructure.

By late 2025 or 2026, there could be a severe shortfall in power capacity due to surging data center demands. AI efficiency depends on two metrics: useful compute per watt and total available watts as current systems waste energy on data transfer. There is a need for battery storage to stabilize energy for training, as voltage fluctuations can cause failures.

AI in general is tied to sustainable energy. Geopolitically, control over energy could tip the AI balance toward China, and U.S. policymakers need to prioritize infrastructure investments. AI’s growing power, which is a strategic and existential issue, demands reliable, abundant energy to ensure safe and equitable advancement. Fortunately, there are solutions. In the next article, I will write about using brownfields land, agrivoltaics, and aquavoltaics to help create solutions.

Thank you for reading. Live your best life, AL Maulini

141 Miracle Mile Coral Gables, FL, 33134

305-548-2247

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Private Wealth Management of Coral Gables is separately owned and operated and not independently registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor.

The information contained in this article does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Al Maulini and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions.

Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

AL MAULINI, CFP®, CPM®, CEPA®- PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT OF CORAL GABLES