Key Biscayne’s Cape Florida State Park was the only South Florida beach to make it into Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman’s Top 10 Best Beaches rankings for 2008. Dubbed “Dr. Beach,” Leatherman takes into account 50 criteria when judging including water tests, sand quality and surrounding amenities. Open every day from sunrise to sunset, Cape Florida State Park has been a staple of sorts on Dr. Beach’s annual survey, a list he’s released since 1991. Part of the charm is not only the beach’s history as one of the first stops of Ponce de Leon, but also the accessible lighthouse onsite and the clean, warm waters. A family atmosphere reigns here and that’s a far cry from other South Florida beaches where chiseled bodies and bikinis rule.
Golden Boys
The Key Biscayne U9 boys’ soccer team has struck gold with their recent win at the Disney Memorial Day Cup. So how are the kids feeling after becoming mini-celebs on the island? “I heard they all went to school with their medals to show them off to their friends and teachers,” says Coach Hugo Munoz-Lopez. “Every time that I tried to tell a friend about the tournament, they already knew.” Upon returning home from their win, the players were personally congratulated by Key Biscayne Mayor Chip Iglesias at the Village offices. If you missed the tournament, Coach’s passionate words will make you feel like you were there even if you weren’t. “You had to be there to live the emotions, my little boys had touched heaven with their hands, they were crying, running and expressing their joy in every way possible,” says Munoz-Lopez.
Fashion Blunders
As we plan for our forthcoming Style Issue, we want to hear about some of the fashion blunders you’ve experienced recently. From mistakenly putting on a mismatching pair of shoes and not realizing it until lunchtime to wearing that red pleather jacket your aunt gave you for Christmas in public, don’t hold back…the wilder your story, the more likely it is that we’ll print it. If you think you have what it takes for your story and photo to appear in our Sept/Oct issue on this page, email a paragraph-length blurb to [email protected] along with your name, phone number and a hi-res digital photo of yourself wearing the item or items. Make sure to include detailed accounts of the reactions you received from others along with your own impressions. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 1.
Picture (Im)Perfect
Q: Lately my self-esteem has been on the floor. I’m a wife and mother in her mid-40s and I’ve never had to deal with insecurity issues before. Recently, my husband and I have decided we need to get more involved in the community so we have been attending more charitable and social events on the island and I think this has contributed to my realizing that I really don’t look that great for my age, despite what my friends, husband and children say. The women on Key Biscayne are just so beautiful…I’m not sure I can keep up. I feel like I constantly have to compete with many of them. Help!
A: If you’re able to admire the beauty of others, you, too, are truly beautiful! Taking care of your family and finding time to do charity work can take its toll on anyone. Despite our efforts, research shows that our body starts to change at 40. My recommendation is to replace the feelings of insecurity with actions that can help you to feel and look in optimum condition. Eat healthy, take vitamins, drink plenty of fluids to maintain your skin hydrated, exercise approximately three hours a week, and sleep a minimum of eight hours a day. To relax, do things you enjoy and that bring you satisfaction. There are many medical and surgical procedures that can help us delay the aging process and keep you looking younger. I congratulate you and your husband for giving back to the community by becoming involved in charitable events. Your commitment to your community is what makes you a beautiful person.
› Lisette N. Beraja of Beraja Counseling Center is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 10 years of experience working with children, adults, couples and families. If you have a question you’d like answered in a future edition of Key Biscayne Magazine, email it to [email protected] or [email protected]. Due to high volume, we will not be able to respond to all submissions. All names will be withheld to ensure the privacy of our readers.
“Women’s modesty generally increases with their beauty.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
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