Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Maria Tettamanti: 305-fashion maven, shoe hoarder, fried chicken crusher


By Fernie Ruano Jr.

“The Wordy Girl” Maria A. Tettamanti, the Miami-based witty and personable Cosmo wife and mother of two stylish kids who blogs in her pajamas with a plastic container of Publix-chicken tenders between her legs and Bravo on her plasma screen, expertly kills roaches in her bathroom, has a GPS on women that insist on wearing heels they can’t walk in and possess the tricks and tools to turn you into a social media guru.

That’s whenever Tettamanti, recently named by CBS4.com as one of Miami’s top fashion bloggers, isn’t busy posting snappy and comedic blogs at thewordygirl.com, all in the name of busting her Greek ass all over the 305 to keep you bitches styling with the latest in designer fashion, luxury travel and beauty trends.

And if you’re nice, Maria might even give you some advice on personal development, if she’s not at a fashion launch posing with a new Fendi handbag, hiding under a tree at the SoHo Beach House, hosting a blog party @ Maria Tettamanti in what else ... her pajamas or answering some really awesome questions…

WBF: Let’s face it: We live in Miami, so you’ve probably had to deal with a trucker or two lowering his window and yelling, “Oye, mami...” Is your Spanish strong enough at this point that you can fire back with a few choice words?

MT: “Ha-ha! Mi español esta perfecto! I actually speak perfect Spanish. A lot of people don’t know I’m Greek-American, but my husband is from Argentina. And we definitely speak a lot of Spanish around the house.

WBF: Your style and fashion sense is so Miami, from vibrant colors to the multi-patterned maxi dresses to the washed jeans, off –the-shoulder blouses and pointed-toe heels. How would you define your style and has living in Miami played a role in it?

MT: I would define my style as a combination of classic and Cosmo-chic. I would definitely tell you the weather defines the way I dress and my mood changes my style a lot. And with the huge Latin demographic here, it’s obviously vibrant, risqué… muy caliente.
 
    On top of..everything: Maria Tettamanti has it covered at www.thewordygirl.com.

WBF: From your perspective, how do you think the general fashion sense has changed  in Miami and what makes it standout, if anything?

MT: Miami has definitely become a cultural hub with a very eclectic vibe. It draws its style from so many places, you have events such as Art Basel, the (South Beach) Food & Wine Festival and even Ultra (Music Festival), so I feel that’s what makes it so trendy and interesting. We’re really rich in culture that makes Miami what it is.; gives it a special vibe.

WBF: What is the one thing you see a woman wearing that still makes you cringe?

MT: Oh my god, if I see another woman wearing a bandage dress with high heels they can barely walk in... Do you know what I’m talking about? I’m always thinking, “If you can’t walk in heels then don’t wear them!”

WBF: Put your crystal ball on. What do you think the Miami cosmopolitan/chic woman will be wearing, say in the fall of 2025?

MT: You’re going to think this is the most ridiculous answer ever, but I’m a firm believer in living the present; today. To be honest with you, I don’t think that far ahead, haven’t given it much thought. And Miami is such a diverse city that I don’t think anybody knows. But I can tell you black pointy-toe heels will still be in style.

                          Walking tall and carefree: Maria Tettamanti struts her stuff.

WBF: Do you remember the first thing you ever bought at the mall with your own money?

MT: Yes. I bought myself a Fendi handbag when I graduated from school. And it felt awesome, very good since I work very hard for my money. I felt very proud of myself. (Maria is a graduate of Ransom Everglades High School and University of Florida.)

WBF: You’re at the mall. What’s the one thing you can’t leave without?

MT: Oh wow! I’m definitely a shoe hoarder. I can’t leave without (Fendi) designer shoes. And I’m totally into Celine sunglasses. I'm addicted to designer shoes.

                             Want to get Maria Tettamanti a gift? Well, then..

WBF: What was a teenage Jersey-girl like you wearing, say to the movies?

MT: Oh, lord. I was always decked out in Gap from head to toe, Benetton, I would wear neon colors and a lot of different colors; I would say everything. And I would wear Stussy hats all the time. Do you remember those?

WBF: You self-admittedly kill roaches in your bathroom and challenge people to fried chicken-eating contest on social media (Go checkout some of Maria’s latest hysteria on Facebook at Maria Andy Tettamanti). What’s the one thing people probably don’t know about you?

MT: I’m actually a very shy person. But I have a half-glass full personality and positive outlook on life, and enjoy it to the fullest. Greek people are very passionate about everything and I really believe having Greek parents has helped a lot. We just have a positive outlook on life and do everything with amazing passion. I get it from my parents.

WBF: Let’s say you’re at your favorite grocery store, Publix. You rush through the front doors and run to the deli, only to have your server tell you, We’re out of chicken tenders.” What are you getting; after you scream three curse words in Spanish, because after all this is Miami?

MS: In that case, I’m moving over to the sandwich section where they make the sandwiches and getting myself a roast beef hoagie.

WBF:  You’re known to wear your favorite maxi dresses and flip flops at Target so routinely; I think there’s a plaque of you by the women’s bathroom. What’s your go-to-outfit, if you’re not at a luncheon, blog party or gala with your husband?

MT: That’s an easy one. I’m either in my pajamas because I work from home or in Lolo Lemon workout clothes, if I’m not wearing a maxi dress from Target.

Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.
 
Still want more of Maria Tettamanti? You can find her on Instagram (@ MariaTettamanti) and www.thewordygirl.com.

 

 

 

 

Friday, September 19, 2014

Largo camino a casa para Luis Enrique


El músico viaja a Puerto Rico, cuna de su fama, para los Premios Billboard Awards.

 

 
Por Fernie Ruano Jr.

 
Con cuatro nominaciones, incluyendo álbum Tropical del año por "Ciclos", Enrique estará en San Juan, Puerto Rico para los premios Billboard Latino el jueves 29 de abril.

 
"Estar en Puerto Rico para mí es como entrar en mi propia casa," dice Enrique, nacido en Nicaragua. "La isla fue mi cuna musical. Sin Puerto Rico no habría ningún Luis Enrique."

 
Tito 'El Bambino' lidera el camino con 18 nominaciones, pero muchos han catalogado al pionero musical de 47 años de edad como el favorito sentimental. Su voz, trajes de colores brillantes y  cola de caballo lo lanzaron a la fama, además de colocarle el apodo, "El Príncipe de la Salsa".

 
Un solista y compositor, Enrique fue una figura central en el movimiento de la salsa romántica que tomo impulso en Puerto Rico antes de convertirse en epidemia mundial durante la década de los 80’s – y mucho antes que Marc Anthony y Víctor Manuelle, entre otros, se unieron al genero con letras hasta más seductoras Enrique ya se había convertido en un icono de la salsa en Puerto Rico y fuera de la isla.

 

"Ciclos " marca su regreso a los estudios de grabación. Aunque continuó produciendo álbumes, su popularidad decayó durante una faceta experimental que incluyó la incorporación de ritmos un poco más caseros y desconocidos a la multitud de seguidores que rutina mente llenaban los sitios nocturnos – desde Miami a Colombia – para escucharlo cantar durante un espacio de casi 15 años.

 
"Yo nunca me fui, decidí que era hora de ir en una dirección diferente," dice Enrique, quien optó por todo, desde boleros a material espiritual después de un cambio de corazón musical. "Es lo que sentí en mi alma en aquel momento. … Yo soy músico completo, no solo un salsero."

 
Hace 30 años, Enrique dejó Nicaragua rumbo a los Estados Unidos, donde ha dicho que llegó como inmigrante indocumentada. Desde muy temprana edad le cogió el gusto a la música de Rubén Blades y la Fania All-Stars, pero no fue hasta que piso en Miami que Enrique empezó a formar parte de “jam sessions” por toda la cuidad, por lo tanto destacándose como percusionista y cantante de grupo con Israel Kantor, entre otros.

 
Pero la vida le cambió para siempre, gracias a un demo que grabó en 1987.

 
La oportunidad resultó en un contrato de grabación y el lanzamiento de "Amor de Medianoche", su primer disco en Estados Unidos. Además de abrirle el paso con nuevas audiencias, la producción le preparó el escenario para sus futuras álbumes como Amor y Alegría, que incluyó los éxitos "Desesperado" y "Compréndelo".


 
Cantando y tocando a lleno total en lugares que nunca había conocido como Alemania and Francia – y a veces montando hasta cuatro conciertos por semana -  Enrique le introdujo el género salsa “romántica” a un público extranjero, mientras seguía produciendo música comercial y taquillera a través de la década de los 80’s y principios de los 90’s, cuyo ejemplo discos como  "Mi Mundo", "Luces del Alma" y "Una Historia Diferente".

 
"Miro atrás a esa etapa de mi vida con mucha felicidad y sin arrepentimientos," dice Enrique. "Por suerte para nosotros nos logró capturar a una audiencia y significó mucho para mucha gente, no solo para mí. Te diría que fue una etapa muy bonita en mi carrera.”

 
Hoy en día, los coloridos trajes y cola de caballo han sido reemplazados por un corte menos llamativo.

 
Pero lo que no ha cambiado es su timbre rotundo y afición para abordar temas sociales en sus canciones.

 
"Ciclos" incluye la canción "Autobiografía", un recuento de la inestabilidad política que vive Nicaragua y "Abre tus ojos," una protesta a la violencia que se lleva a cabo diariamente en toda Sur América.

"Siempre me he enfocado en hacer música que no solo le toque el corazón a la gente, pero que lleve un mensaje útil,” dice Enrique. "El día que deje de hacer eso, es el día que descansaré mi voz para siempre."

 
"Ciclos" se llevó un premio Grammy por Mejor Álbum Tropical a principios de este año y alcanzó el número 1 en Billboard en la lista de discos Tropical.

 
Además de su nominación para el álbum Tropical del año, Enrique está nominado para otros galardones, entre ellos
Cantante Tropical del año y canción Tropical Airplay del año por "Yo No Se Mañana."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El camino de Camila


El trío mexicano alcanza el éxito.

Por Fernie Ruano Jr. |2010-04-21 | Vista Magazine

Quizás formar un trío pop masculino con nombre de mujer no sea la manera ideal de cautivar a miles de personas por toda Latinoamérica, pero el grupo mexicano Camila parece estarlo logrando.

Después de su éxito a mediados del 2005 con “Todo cambió”, su primer álbum que vendió 500,000 ejemplares a nivel mundial y que comparte título con la balada romántica que los dió a conocer en el ambiente, Camila busca dejar una huella más profunda con “Dejarte de amar”, su actual producción que viene sonando desde febrero.

Con la meta de alejarse un poco del pop tradicional, los vocalistas Mario Domm y Samuel Parra “Samo”, junto al guitarrista Pablo Hurtado, se han lanzado con una mezcla de rock, guitarras más cargadas, percusiones y hasta la participación de una orquesta en el álbum que ya ha sido catalogado disco de oro en Colombia y Venezuela. Camila expone un emotivo sonido a lo largo de la producción con las armonías vocales de Samo y las melodías de Domm, junto a las contestas de Hurtado con su guitarra.

Con un segundo sencillo, “Aléjate de mí”, sonando en las estaciones radiales de México, Puerto Rico y Argentina, entre otros lugares, y una gira de conciertos lista para arrancar en junio, Domm está seguro que el trío va en buen camino hacia alcanzar su deseo. Aléjate de mí lleva más de dos meses encabezando las listas de las principales estaciones radiales argentinas y mexicanas.

“Este (disco) es más intenso, con más rock y hasta folk. Queríamos un disco mejor y distinto al primero”, afirmó Domm, compositor de nueve de los 11 temas de la producción.

“Dejarte de amar” ganó la certificación de doble platino por sus altas ventas en su México natal, donde los tres integrantes dicen sentir el mismo apoyo del público que los recibió hace cinco años. La producción refleja lo que han vivido los tres desde la salida del primer disco–uno que fue acompañado de una gira de tres años.

“Para hacer algo de nuestras carreras dejamos el amor, dejamos muchas cosas atrás, cosas importantes”, dice Hurtado, quien es el responsable de las largas secciones de guitarra y de la letra de la canción “Me voy”. “Nos vimos con mucha soledad y dolor durante la gira pero … cada canción en este álbum está hecha con ganas y mucho amor”.

Aunque existan poquitas diferencias entre los tres integrantes, muchas veces es un reto difícil trabajar juntos para llegar a un acuerdo.

“Se sabe que tenemos que trabajar en equipo para poder llegar a un mismo lugar”, dice Domm. “Hay una admiración tremenda entre [nosotros] y funcionamos muy bien en equipo”.

Después de escuchar más de 30 temas para luego grabar 11 canciones – todas escritas entre hoteles y aeropuertos durante la gira anterior – Parra y Domm dicen estar motivados por la oportunidad de llevar su música a donde todavía no saben quién es Camila.

La oportunidad de exponer su música aún más allá empieza el 26 de junio cuando el trío abra su gira en San Juan, Puerto Rico. Domm expresó que las presentaciones del grupo estarán llenas de efectos visuales y producciones con mucha creatividad.

“Quisiéramos llevar nuestra música a Brasil, Francia, Italia, Alemania y todos los lugares a donde no saben quién es Camila”, dice Parra. “Queremos que el público sienta una conexión con la música”.
Quizás formar un trío pop masculino con nombre de mujer no sea la manera ideal de cautivar a miles de personas por toda Latinoamérica, pero el grupo mexicano Camila parece estarlo logrando.

Después de su éxito a mediados del 2005 con “Todo cambió”, su primer álbum que vendió 500,000 ejemplares a nivel mundial y que comparte título con la balada romántica que los dió a conocer en el ambiente, Camila busca dejar una huella más profunda con “Dejarte de amar”, su actual producción que viene sonando desde febrero.

Con la meta de alejarse un poco del pop tradicional, los vocalistas Mario Domm y Samuel Parra “Samo”, junto al guitarrista Pablo Hurtado, se han lanzado con una mezcla de rock, guitarras más cargadas, percusiones y hasta la participación de una orquesta en el álbum que ya ha sido catalogado disco de oro en Colombia y Venezuela. Camila expone un emotivo sonido a lo largo de la producción con las armonías vocales de Samo y las melodías de Domm, junto a las contestas de Hurtado con su guitarra.

Con un segundo sencillo, “Aléjate de mí”, sonando en las estaciones radiales de México, Puerto Rico y Argentina, entre otros lugares, y una gira de conciertos lista para arrancar en junio, Domm está seguro que el trío va en buen camino hacia alcanzar su deseo. Aléjate de mí lleva más de dos meses encabezando las listas de las principales estaciones radiales argentinas y mexicanas.

“Este (disco) es más intenso, con más rock y hasta folk. Queríamos un disco mejor y distinto al primero”, afirmó Domm, compositor de nueve de los 11 temas de la producción.

“Dejarte de amar” ganó la certificación de doble platino por sus altas ventas en su México natal, donde los tres integrantes dicen sentir el mismo apoyo del público que los recibió hace cinco años. La producción refleja lo que han vivido los tres desde la salida del primer disco–uno que fue acompañado de una gira de tres años.

“Para hacer algo de nuestras carreras dejamos el amor, dejamos muchas cosas atrás, cosas importantes”, dice Hurtado, quien es el responsable de las largas secciones de guitarra y de la letra de la canción “Me voy”. “Nos vimos con mucha soledad y dolor durante la gira pero … cada canción en este álbum está hecha con ganas y mucho amor”.

Aunque existan poquitas diferencias entre los tres integrantes, muchas veces es un reto difícil trabajar juntos para llegar a un acuerdo.

“Se sabe que tenemos que trabajar en equipo para poder llegar a un mismo lugar”, dice Domm.
“Hay una admiración tremenda entre [nosotros] y funcionamos muy bien en equipo”.

Después de escuchar más de 30 temas para luego grabar 11 canciones – todas escritas entre hoteles y aeropuertos durante la gira anterior – Parra y Domm dicen estar motivados por la oportunidad de llevar su música a donde todavía no saben quién es Camila.


La oportunidad de exponer su música aún más allá empieza el 26 de junio cuando el trío abra su gira en San Juan, Puerto Rico. Domm expresó que las presentaciones del grupo estarán llenas de efectos visuales y producciones con mucha creatividad.

“Quisiéramos llevar nuestra música a Brasil, Francia, Italia, Alemania y todos los lugares a donde no saben quién es Camila”, dice Parra. “Queremos que el público sienta una conexión con la música”.

 

Perfectamente Paulina



Con un nuevo álbum, La Chica Dorada vuelve al primer plano.

 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fernie Ruano, Jr.
 
Otra tarde en Miami es acompañada por un aguacero alimentado de rayos, que convierte las calles de Midtown en una piscina de charcos. Como la madre naturaleza continúa su asalto, varios visitantes en una sala de conferencia del segundo piso se apegan a la ventana esperando la llegada de Paulina Rubio.
 
Una hora después y tras varias garantías de una publicista que la cantante mexicana está en camino, se oye la voz ronca y familiar de Rubio revotando por las paredes del lujoso edificio. 
 
Casualmente vestida en cargas de algodón, camiseta y abrigo, aparece la rubia con una leve sonrisa. En un estado de ánimo juguetón, le ofrece, tiernamente, un abraza a aquellos a su alrededor antes de decirle algo en el oído a un miembro de su equipo de trabajo.
 
"Todavía tengo un montón de rasgos de esa niña que totalmente no ha crecido," dice Rubio, entre pausas para atender a sus tres cachorros.”
 
"Esta industria tiene trampas de muchos tipos y es difícil a veces para ver y experimentar todo lo que la vida tiene para ofrecer. La vida es bella y hay que disfrutar cada segundo de ella. ... Me levanto cada día con una actitud positiva."
 
Aunque sólo horas antes estaba en una avión despegando de México, donde recientemente fue nombrada Embajadora de turismo, Rubio se ve fresca y habla con optimismo sobre su nuevo álbum Gran City Pop, su novena producción a solas. El disco fue lanzado después de un período de tres años sin grabación.
 
“Gran City Pop”, una producción donde sobresalen las mezclas acústicas con un toque de rock y pop, especialmente vigente en “Causa y Efecto”, ha alcanzado platino con más de 300.000 discos vendidos en Estados Unidos, apenas una semana después de su lanzamiento en Miami, Madrid y México.
 
“Causa y Efecto” se colocó en el puesto número uno de los “100 Hot Latin Tracks” de Billboard” durante cinco semanas consecutivas tras su debut en marzo.
 
 
"Siempre es bueno, sano, a desaparecerse un tiempo, así se puede uno reinventarse,” dijo Rubio. “El tiempo entre  grabaciones de discos es vital porque permite que vuelva a conectar con la naturaleza y sirve como un impulso de energía".
 
Hay pequeños signos de su etapa cuando joven — la hija rebelde de la actriz Susana Dosamantes y la  superestrella fría como el hielo con 19 millones de álbumes vendidos en todo el mundo ha desarrollado una reputación en los últimos años, especialmente con los medios de prensa, entre otros
.
"El hecho que eres una figura pública significa que la gente va a saber de ti, no importa qué,” dijo Rubio. “Está bien, entonces una historia negativa a veces vale más que un logro a la prensa — he llegado a aprender eso a los apretones."
 
 
Su paciencia y conmovedoras respuestas durante una entrevista de 20 minutos y en varios encuentros semanas más tarde, están en agudo contraste con la cantante ardiente que en el 2006 intento golpear a una mujer fotógrafa en un aeropuerto.
 ¿Adónde esta la chica desafiante — que una vez puso de chispa al gobierno mexicano después de posar desnuda para una revista abajo de un paño rojo, blanco y verde, muy parecido a la bandera del país.
 
"A veces uno aprende de la manera difícil", dice Rubio.
 
Aunque ella no aclara ningún incidente en particular, el pensamiento sólo podría poner sus percances bien publicitados en el transcurso de su larga carrera en perspectiva.
 
A los 38 años, Rubio aparece mucho más madura, sabia, y con un balance espiritual, aunque siempre será una "niña de corazón.”
 
Casado desde el verano de 2007 al ejecutivo de relaciones públicas Nicolás Vallejo, Rubio le da varios vistazos a su publicista cuando se le presento una pregunta delicada, como la del reciente robo en su mansión de Miami Beach — pero resulta aturdida cuando presentan sus perspectivas de convertirse en madre.
 
"Tal vez no sea mañana, pero definitivamente quiero tener hijos," dice Rubio. "Definitivamente puedo verme con una gran familia."
Rubio estuvo fuertemente involucrado en componer las canciones para la Gran City Pop, apoyándose en los productores Estafano y Cachorro López, para nombrar unos pocos, mientras que buscaba crear una producción sentida de "amor y despecho".
 
Aunque las fusiones electrónicas llevan unos tonos más bailables, dándole al el disco un sentido “retro”, la voz de Rubio esta mejor que nunca. "Puede ser que sea que estoy madurando. ¿Cuál es el dicho: ' Yo soy como el buen vino,  Entre más vieja, mas (buena),'"dice Rubio entre carcajadas.
 
Rubio empezó a experimentar con los instrumentos, especialmente la guitarra acústica y los tambores, a la edad de 5 y dice que a temprana edad supo que quería ser cantante.
 
No pasó mucho tiempo antes de que ella estuviera tras bastidores en programas populares de la televisión mexicana como Siempre En Domingo, mientras que iba a todas partes junta a su madre.
 
"Fue definitivamente una ventaja," dice Rubio, ex-Timbiriche, quien comenzó su carrera como cantante a los 10 años.
 

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Angie Chirino scores a big hit – running


By Fernie Ruano Jr.

What woman in a red dress wouldn’t spread enough confidence and pride throughout a ballroom, if she’s not being stared at with the kind of envy that would make every man want to dance “cheek to cheek” and secure “beauty ” by his side as British-Irish singer Chris de Burgh crooned in 1986-hit, “Lady in Red”?
Unless you’re newly-minted, competitive runner Angie Chirino and the only thing on your mind last October at Jungle Island – other than wondering how in the world you managed to fit into a spaghetti-strap red dress – was a round, glossy vegetable found in the produce section of a supermarket.

“I looked like a freaking tomato,” said 45-year-old Chirino, a special education teacher, part-time songwriter and well-rounded foodie, whose passion for cooking stretches from borrowing Perez Hilton’s internet-cookie recipes to taking over the two-pronged fork on Sunday afternoons at her dad’s house.
Chirino, training for her second race after completing the 11 Freedom 5k in 30:23 earlier this month on Hollywood Beach, could barely stomach pictures of herself in the red dress while at the event, despite all the glowing messages circulating on social media.

Well, for the most part.
“You know how it is. It starts; you look great, you look amazing, you look this, you look that, but there’s always that one, but; that one but,” said Chirino, who has been running three miles twice a week for several months despite shin splints and sore knees.

“There’s always that one but, that one. And there was somebody that said, “Angie that can’t be possibly be you. No way, that has to be an old picture of you, or something.”
That one “but” was enough to get an uncomfortable Chrino, admittedly 40 pounds overweight, out of the red dress and off to Zumba class, where she almost fell over from exhaustion after completing a one-mile Indian run in 16 minutes as an introduction.

\
Recharged: Angie Chirino, a special education teacher, recently completed her first competitive 5K.

The motivation? Chirino, daughter of Miami-based, Cuban singer-songwriter Willy Chirino and part of a family with an  imprint in the Latin music industry, was weeks away from a live performance with several of her sisters at a local school.

“How did I feel?” said Chirino, running for the first time in almost five years. “The truth is, I just challenged myself because in my mind I had to be ready (for the show), if I didn’t die first. I thought I was going to die!”
Motivated at mid-life by a teenage daughter dreaming of Broadway, the need to serve and see her special education students blossom, and a reborn passion for songwriting the personable Chirino, childlike during a 45-minute conversation, even while icing her knees down, has plenty of miles and good cheer left to burn, according to a recent study.

The study, conducted by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, concluded 45% of all runners are less likely to suffer from any cardiovascular diseases compared to non-runners. 

Researchers, who took 13,000 runners and divided them into five groups based on how many minutes they ran per week, found that individuals that run for at least five minutes a day reduced their risk of premature death by nearly one-third and extended their lives by three years.

“Today, right this very second, I feel like I can do anything, and I’m in a very happy place” said Chirino, who suffered the unsteadiness of the music industry despite co-writing “Dimelo” (I Need to Know), Marc Anthony’s 1999 hit off his self-titled album.
But that was a decade ago, when Chirino would drop off her daughter at school. Well, her daughter is now months away from heading to college and Chirino is back on her feet – running.

And strengthening her time management skills, if not exploring and imagining.
“I’m truly in love with myself (again), “ said Chirino. “Sometimes we find ourselves in a comfort zone. I can honestly tell you, I’ve broken out of my comfort zone.”

Chirino, who keeps a steady diet of boiled eggs, salads, yogurts and tuna during the workweek, and eats “everything” on weekends, including daddy’s famous barbeque on Sunday, is targeting early-2015 for her first 10k and doesn’t see a marathon in her future.

Today, the only thing Chirino sees, when she’s not out running to 80’s music and unintentionally motivating fellow teachers to follow her footsteps, is a mirror to laugh out at, especially when it’s time to decide what to wear to a commercial filming with her sisters.

“Now, I just laugh to myself when I hear everybody asking what I’m going to wear,” said Chirino. “I don’t cringe anymore when I look at the mirror.”

Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Evolution of the Miami Weather Forecast




A typical South Florida summer forecast includes dark skies, vibrant dresses and a morning deluge of WSVN-7 meteorologist Vivian Gonzalez (@VivianGonzalez7).

There’s loads of airtime too for (WPLG-Ch. 10) Julie Durda, (WFOR-Ch. 4) Lissette Gonzalez, (WTVJ-Ch.6) Jennifer Gray, (WSCV-Ch. 51) Denise Isaac (WLTV23) Paola Elorza and (WLTV-Ch.23) Carolina Ramirez and (WPLG-Ch.10) Betty Davis on weekends for viewers – especially men between the ages of 25 and 54.

They take their coffee with a local weather report as South Florida television stations aim to drive morning ratings with a trend that has flooded the market: female meteorologists.

You’ve probably seen them smiling back at you from the side of a bus, a highway billboard, a television ad or social media page even before any of them are up at 2:30 a.m. to compile computer graphics, style their hair and land on your TV set.

“There’s a trick to the madness,” Vivian says in between chuckles over the phone. She’s one of six women delivering 36 live weather updates during an eight-hour, dawn-to-noon block each weekday and an integral member of an all-female anchor team.

Whatever the trick of the importance of the morning slot – the second largest revenue-generator for a TV station and growth area for viewership – station execs are pouring money into the exposure of their morning talent. The personable Gonzalez fits the mold as tightly as the dresses she routinely wears on ‘Today in Florida’.

“I have my own my secret formula,” adds Vivian, a former intern turned full-timer who replaced Durda in November of 2012.

As a Miami-born, Mississippi State broadcast meteorology alum, Lissette Gonzalez (@LissetteCBS4) has in a short time etched out a profile gig in the country’s 16th largest market.

By quickly establishing herself into the conscious of viewers, she’s also becoming a popular and sought-out commodity within the community, routinely taking part in charitable events — a lethal 1-2-3 combination for any station looking to brand an on-air talent.

And while female viewership is strong in the morning, there are plenty of male eyeballs tuning in to catch a glimpse of the physically attractive women delivering the weather. Though women in television is nothing new, few had originally sought out a career in meteorology, as is the case with an eight-year vet like Lissette, an ex-Miss Florida turned off-Broadway singer and University of Miami journalism graduate.

Aside from figuring prominently in the station’s morning newscast and doing countless radio weather updates, Lissette has also reached celebrity status around town – that was her working the runway during a Susan B. Koman charity event. She also routinely sings the national anthem at events across South Florida, including Kiss Country’s Chili Cookoff, Dolphins games, and Heat games.

She refutes any suggestions that she is known more for her physical attributes than her ability to construct forecasts.

“I can tell you I’ve worked really hard…I’m in this studio early, I prepare my own computer graphics and do my own research,” Lissette says. “It’s incredibly flattering to be recognized in public, especially in a place I grew up in and love, but I am a meteorologist first and foremost.”

She recounts the impact left on her as a teenager seeing former WTVJ meteorologist Bryan Norcross lead worried viewers through the night during Hurricane Andrew. “Bryan is a role model for many of us,” Lissette says, although her arrival at WFOR4 wasn’t until 2005, 13 years after the 1992 hurricane. “I wouldn’t be in this position.”

Still, not a day goes by without Vivian taking to Facebook to post a weather update before appeasing her Twitter followers — and ‘lending’ boutique — with a picture exposing her wardrobe; all of which have become must-see amongst her male contingent, whether it’s a neck strap or zippered-dress.


Julie Durda, a former 49ers cheerleader with an ample collection of bikini shots on the web for your viewing pleasure, does much of the same and continues to be heavily marketed since joining the morning team at WPLG10 in March.

“I have the support of great friends around town that trust what I do and believe in me,” Vivian says. “It’s great to be recognized a lot, but my main responsibility is as meteorologist at WSVN.” She also dials up WQAM each Friday for ‘Club Viv’, a five-minute segment where she tackles the weather among other things with Joe Rose.

But this clearly isn’t your mother’s cup of tea.

The influx of women taking hold of the local morning newscast has increased – thanks in part to the number of female forecasters nationwide going from 19 percent in 1999 to 22 percent in 2010. Respected broadcast meteorology programs live at Florida State and Mississippi State. Also, a large part of the viewership is female. Producers also know male viewers – some looking for the attractive anchor – will tune in.

“It’s not a surprise; all of these women represent big dollars,” says a former Spanish-language TV producer. “Stations all over the country realize the more attractive women you put on there, the more it’s going to help ratings, especially in the morning.”

The producer noted the increase in the amount of women pursuing a meteorology career as broadcast meteorology programs around the country have evolved — Isaac is an FSU graduate — and females have taken to studying atmospheric sciences. Mississippi State’s broadcast meteorology program experienced a 54 percent spike from 1993 to 2010 in the number of its female graduates, according to the Radio Television Digital Association.

Vivian contends – and Lissette supports – that most stations, including the one she’s employed by, are sold if you can master the presentation of forecast maps and monitors in a way that relates exceptionally well with your audience, no matter the gender.

“You need to connect with the viewer because you’re telling a story and how it’s going to impact them throughout the day,” Vivian says. “I feel I have that connection with the audience.”

But while being comfortable in her own skin, Vivian has also mastered the study of scientific atmospheres in addition to all the other technical elements required to succeed as a meteorologist. In addition to a degree, she has passed several evaluations testing her communication skills and technical forecasting capabilities.

“It’s not just about the way I look,” she says. “I don’t think I would be here if I didn’t prove my knowledge along the way.”

Fernie Ruano Jr. (@wordbyfernie) was looking for his umbrella when Doug Flutie threw that pass (you know the one), was in the upper deck with a high school flame during Game 6 of the 1997 World Series and still has a Farah Fawcett poster somewhere. He has never used PEDs.





For Miami Women, It’s in the Cup




Anna Marie Rodriguez can barely toss a Nerf on the beach, but the 28-year-old third-grade teacher packs the self-confidence of an NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.

“I would be down and so mad; I couldn’t fill anything,” Rodriguez says, giggling over wings and beer during a recent midday lunch in Aventura. “But look at me now, I’m like reborn. This is by far the best money I’ve ever spent.”

Passer-by after passer-by set their eyes on the corner stool of an outdoor table. The adequately proportioned and petite Rodriguez paid $4000 last summer for a breast augmentation that took her cup size from 32B to 34C. Sitting with friends and unabashedly exposed – though not difficult to see – she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“I don’t get cold feet anymore when I go to the mall,” said Rodriguez, who spent $500 on new bras – yes, she wears them occasionally – days after her surgery. “My [breasts] fit in anything.”

While her revelation isn’t cut for Disney, Rodriguez now fits firmly into a trend that would make any friendly bear want to cuddle: America’s rising average bra size.

Lingerie retailer Intimacy recently conducted a survey concluding the average bra size in the U.S. has risen from a more-than-plenty 34B in 1993 to a mouth-watering 36DD in 2013, while pointing to more bra sizes available for purchase and breast augmentation surgeries from coast-to-coast as key elements for the overall increase.

But while both factors go hand-in-hand, there’s a bit more to chew on for the recent spike.

‘In the male world boobs are huge,” Rodriguez says. “If I or any of the women in here were walking around with small breasts, there would be no reason to go and buy bras for one and two; we wouldn’t be getting too much attention.”

“I mean, take a look around you. How many women do you see with small [breasts]? So, bigger breasts obviously means more bra sizes… I don’t know a guy who doesn’t like bigger over smaller. ”

Ricardo Santo echoes Rodriguez’s sentiments, although he paid a steep price for it and has nothing to show other than occasionally being reminded there’s a 30-ish single mom walking Miami Beach with a new and improved bra size – thanks to him.

Two years ago, Santo, a West Palm Beach bartender, jetted to Colombia for a breast augmentation that left him $3,100 short, but instilled his girlfriend with the joy of going from a 32B to 34C. She piled up on plunging bikini tops and t-shirts. He was in heaven.

“They were absolutely perfect: perky and really firm. She could be wearing anything,” said Santo, who walked away from the two-year relationship because she wouldn’t commit to marriage. “I could barely take my eyes off her in public.”

Santo hears it from his friends – especially when they’re sitting around having drinks – but he would be open to doing the same thing if the opportunity presented itself again.

“I just love them,” said Santo. “I am a big [breasts] guy.”

But ironically, Rodriguez and Santo, though they’ve never met and were interviewed separately in venues with diverse demographics, share a common bond that readily exists, according to 26-year-old freelancer graphic designer Cindy Hutchins.

“After I got mine done — and to this day — it’s like wow, they look amazing,” Hutchins said. “I never got that from women before and my guess is they didn’t want to say anything when the subject would come up because they knew I wasn’t happy.”

Hutchins sports a 36D cup after having surgery in 2010.

“And my husband still talks about them when three years ago it was the last place on my body he would even touch.”

Law student and part-time trainer Melanie Gianfranco, 21, made it through high school and two years of college without giving her ‘normal-sized’ breasts much thought other than when in the middle of a session of girl talk.

“I was cool with what I had,” Gianfranco said. “My friends would be like, I feel great and whatever but I was fine.”

A former 32C, Gianfranco now sports a busty 34C bra size after undergoing breast surgery last summer.

“My boyfriend plays minor league (baseball) and when I started traveling with him I would see all these beautiful girls with great [breasts],” said Gianfranco. “It was kind of intimidating and more in that environment.”

A Miami cosmetic surgeon concurs that besides elevating the physical state of most women, it improves the emotional well-being of both genders – especially those in relationships.

“It’s a given that the woman is staring at herself a few more seconds in the mirror and probably can’t wait to put on the tank top or whatever,” said the Aventura-based surgeon.

“But it gives men a boost of confidence. Tell me, you’re not walking around feeling great knowing your wife is not wearing a bra, in a tight shirt and will be home when you get there? I don’t know anybody that wouldn’t. ”

Well doctor, meet Denise Colon.

It wasn’t long ago the 38-year-old Puerto Rican masseuse couldn’t get enough of her string bikini, kept a supply of fitted, Heat t-shirts in her drawer, and always slipped into strapless dresses on ‘date nights’.

“I loved them,” said Colon, a perky 34C after plunking down $3,300 in 2007. “I mean I thought I had the perfect [breasts].”

The feeling was mutual from her girlfriends to her ex-husband who constantly showered praise all over her chest, but Colon, who keeps a steady workout routine, started experiencing back pains that have gradually increased throughout the summer and derailed her ability to move around, even altering her sleeping habits.

“I’ve been checked out three times and there’s nothing wrong with me,” Colon said. “I just wouldn’t have had them done if I could do it all over again.”

Rodriguez feels some sympathy for Colon, but she wouldn’t change a thing.

“I would be the same miserable Anna Marie without them,” Rodriguez said. “I would definitely do it again if I had too, no question about it.”

Fernando Ruano Jr. (@wordbyfernie)
 


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