Drug Enforcement

By Chester Robards

On November 10, 2006 several Nassau Flight Service baggage handlers, from the Bahamas, were sent to the Ft. Lauderdale airport for what was to be a routine training exercise with the Transportation Safety Administration.
Lester Bain, 29, Delvino Rigby, 26 and Marcus Rolle, 22, never returned home.
After deplaning Spirit Airlines flight 174 the men were arrested by immigration and customs enforcement officials for attempting to import 2.48 lbs of cocaine hidden within a fourth man's, Giovanni Munroe's, luggage.
In September of 2006, a flight landed in Miami carrying a man whose name appears on President Bush’s Drug Kingpin list.
However, he was not a leisure traveler.
Samuel Knowles, known infamously as ‘Ninety’ in the Bahamas, arrived to the shores of South Florida in hand and leg shackles. His accommodations would eventually be the Ft. Lauderdale Jail, with daily trips to the Federal courthouse for a Trial by Jury.
He is suspected of overseeing the transportation of over $1billion worth of Cocaine into the US.
These arrests were the direct result of initiatives between law enforcement in the Bahamas and the USA.
For years Drug Enforcement Units under the Royal Bahamas Police force have been working with the DEA and FBI in a drug interdiction coalition whose forces stretch even beyond the shores of The Bahamas and USA.
“We’ve taken down some serious drug rings that were operating in Jamaica, Haiti, Canada, The Bahamas and the US,” said Chief Superintendent of Police, Raymond Gibson.
The Drug enforcement Agencies of the Bahamas and US have a working relationship which allows them to share information between each other and which allows US law enforcement to conduct investigations in the Bahamas.
“On May 9, 2006 NFS Baggage Handler Roney Tony met with an individual at the Nassau Beach Hotel and agreed to import 1 kilogram of cocaine into the United States using a courier he identified as Ladaria Higgs,” according to court documents provided by the DEA.
An affidavit signed by Special Agent, Jorge Gomez of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, revealed that Trujillo Darville, while disembarking a Spirit Airlines Flight from Nassau, Bahamas was discovered to have traces of narcotics on his person by Canine "Dottie." Subsequently, he was found to be carrying 4.82 pounds of cocaine in his luggage, and admitted to Law enforcement officers that he was to receive $1,500 for transporting the narcotics to an unknown man in Ft Lauderdale.
Tony was tried in March on four counts of known importation of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine between January 22 and January 27 of 2006, along with co-defendant Darville, who was convicted of cocaine importation in June of 2006.
Tony and Munroe along with Bain, Rigby and Munroe made up the group of five Baggage handlers from the Bahamas arrested in Ft Lauderdale in November 2006.
Information released by the US Embassy in the Bahamas shortly after the group's arrest suggested that they had been under surveillance for over a year.
Knowles remained seated throughout his proceedings in October 2006, even when the court was directed to rise as Magistrate Edwin Torres left the room.
The Judge ruled during his first pretrial detention hearing that he be required to pay a $10 million court maturity bond in case 0425, which would be honored once the money was found to have come from legitimate sources.
However, even if the bond money was to be raised, the still disputed case 1091 would not allow for Knowles’ release under any circumstances.
Knowles is said to have been the General of a drug smuggling ring that was shipping cocaine from Colombia to Jamaica, Jamaica to The Bahamas and then to the US.
Knowles trial by Jury began in mid November in this year.
“They carried out his orders with military precision,” said Federal Prosecutor George Karavetsos, during Knowles’ trial. “He had a well structured organization that he put together.”
The most damning evidence in the trial came from wiretapped phone calls provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“You too light for this operation,” Knowles can be heard saying to one of his men in the recordings.
“I had to give them my 200,000,” he says in another of the prosecution’s audio evidence.
The prosecution, to buttress its case, developed a timeline between 1995 and 1996 in which cooperating witnesses claimed they worked with Knowles transporting Colombian cocaine, through Jamaica and the Bahamas to the US.
According to cooperating witness testimony, Knowles oversaw a small brigade of men who forged a route for cocaine, incorporating go-fast boats, some with 3-250 horsepower engines and low flying aircraft. Prosecutors contended that Knowles had ties to the Cali Cartel in Colombia, through his liaison, Gary McDonald.
Karavetsos painted a portrait of Knowles for the jury of a man who recruited, trained and deployed his men, teaching them nautical routes to and from Jamaica and the best ways to evade law enforcement.
The Jury eventually declared a mistrial in Knowles case.
According to Mr Gibson 2006 and 2007 were good years for the USA, Bahamas Drug interdiction coalition and the fight against illegal drugs.
“We have and excellent relationship with the US,” said Mr. Gibson.






Audio Report:

Mixed Martial Arts

(courtesy of martialartsonline.com)




BY SCOTT FISHMAN

Drop by many South Florida sports bars including Hot Shots in Sunrise on Saturday nights and each will be jammed to capacity with fathers and sons. They’re not there watching football, baseball, basketball or even boxing. Instead, they’re watching a sport which combines boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and submission grappling. Mixed martial arts is taking the world by storm.
Companies like the Ultimate Fighting Championship are raking in millions of dollars with sellout events at venues like the Hard Rock in Hollywood. Its recent pay-per-view gross is at $300 million in 2006 alone, making it the heavyweight champ of the mixed martial arts industry.
In addition to events, UFC banks on branded merchandise and other products including its sponsorship deals with supplement companies and South Florida based fast food giant Burger King.
With its mix of hybrid fighting, scantily-clad ring girls and all around flashy presentation, a UFC show resembles more of a music concert than an athletic competition. At least that is the opinion of many including Luis Gutierrez, head coach for the One Dragon Martial Arts in Pembroke Pines.
“I’d love to see the sport as something that is for everyone,” said Gutierrez, 41, who has been teaching fighters of all ages and skill levels for the past 12 years.
“I think the big media blitz to make it popular in the United States has catered more the WWE [pro wrestling] extreme sport manifestation. There are a lot of shows that are basically a lot of blood being cleaned up with rock & roll rap music being played overhead between the bouts, while a stripper walks across the ring in a tight bikini. It’s fine for an adult thing, but I think there can be more than that.”
Marco Provost Heron, 21, is a local movie theater manager who attends classes at One Dragon twice a week. He says it’s a healthy way to relieve the stress of constant crowds and customer complaints. Bored from the routine of regular gyms, Heron sought an alternative. After watching his first MMA event a few years ago he was hooked, but didn’t started training in the sport until last year. He found out quickly that watching fights on television and actually doing it were two different things.
“From the first day I walked through door, my outlook totally changed on MMA,” said Provost-Heron. “Don’t get me wrong, I love watching the fights on television and the buildup for the match-ups are exciting. When you go to a show, it’s like you’re in the Roman Coliseum or something. However, viewers are really getting a false picture of what the sport is really like.”
Before fighters even enter the arena, Provost-Heron says fans believe they hate each other through the video packages promoters push and sponsors advertise to build buzz around the event.
“In reality they’re two conditioned athletes,” said Provost-Heron. “Nine times out of 10, these guys respect each other and are only there to compete. This is why I think the image fans are being exposed to is leading to a negative outlook from the mainstream world that looks at MMA as a low brow sport.”
Joshua Entin represents White Chocolate Management, an MMA sports management agency based in Hollywood, Fl. The company boasts some of the biggest names in the sport as clients including Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Diego Sanchez. Entin’s job allows him to travel to a number of MMA events held throughout the United States and feels the sport has made tremendous strides in its representation.
“I disagree with the fact the UFC and Elite XC are glorifying violence with its promotions,” said Entin, who has been a fan of the sport since its early infancy in 1992-1993.
During the early 1990s, MMA company’s like the UFC had very little in way of rules and regulations for fights. In 2001 the UFC was purchased by casino executives Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and boxing promoter Dana White under their Zuffa company for a mere two million dollars. Since then the UFC worked with state athletic commissions and redesigned its rules to clean up the sport and make it more legitimate.
“The original UFC was nothing but glorified violence and pitted fighters against each other with very little rules and no weight classes,” said Entin. “Now the UFC has strict weight classes and specific rules and limitations. It has truly become a sport of technique and endurance, as opposed to one of violence and brutality.”
Of the students at One Dragon, Gutierrez says only three percent are training to become professional fighters. In contrast, the American Top Team school in Coconut Creek is a breading ground for K-1, Pride and UFC competitors.
One of them is Cole Miller, 23, who despite not winning a contract on this past season’s edition of UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality show, still competes on the pro level under World Extreme Cagefighting, a sister company of the UFC. He says in many of the video packages shown before fights, an audience is educated on the background of the fighter and has a positive inspirational story to what got them to that point.
“MMA has saved me,” said Miller who was a standout baseball player before making the decision to get into combat sports.
“I was always stuck. I spent four years in college and never took a course over 200 level. I never wanted to be anything growing up. When I started training, I knew this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I’ve sacrificed a lot to be in this sport and do the things I’m doing. It’s nice to finally be able to make a living and not have an extra job. Most of the people I train and train with are all success stories. This stuff will make you a better person.”
With the UFC and other MMA companies going after the crucial 18-34 age demographic, Gutierrez sees many of his adult students dissuade their children to watch the sport on television or take them to events.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Gutierrez.
“It’s not the fighters fault, but the sponsors and the promoters who need to take a look in the mirror and make some changes when it comes to advertising their product.”
While Gutierrez and other traditionalists within the sport look for an outlet for their voices to be heard ratings soar, PPV buys reach new highs, the UFC continues to break attendance records around the world and the sounds of packed bars watching fights remain.

AUDIO REPORT:



Luis Gutierrez In Action:


SLIDESHOW:

COLE MILLER IN ACTION:



CNBC DOCUMENTARY ON MMA DECEMBER 13...

Dog beach raises neighbors' ire

By Jose de Wit

It came as a shock to professional dog walker Monika Stefaniak when she realized she couldn't bring her clients' dogs to nearby North Beach in Hollywood.

"I just didn't understand how we could live so close to so much beach and not let our dogs in," Stefaniak said. "To some people who don't have kids, dogs are like their babies."

The solution seemed simple enough at first: find some supporters, lobby the city, get a dog-friendly beach.

With some quick research, Stefaniak found up a few other South Florida cities with beaches that allow dogs – Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Jupiter are just a few – tracked them down and found out how those beaches got their start.

Stefaniak needed to form a group, a non-profit, so she could raise some funds and lobby the city government. She rounded up her husband, Jeffrey, and co-worker and fellow dog walker Paula Miller, called up the local newspapers and organized a meeting at a local restaurant.

Among 50 or so people who showed up was Lisa Heller, a pilot (CQ?), law student and dog owner. Together, Heller and the Stefaniaks started the Off-Leash Dog Beach of Hollywood Association.

This was in the late summer of 2006, and the three had no idea it would take more than a year of rallies, fundraisers and negotiating local politics to finally get their dog beach.

"I used to joke with my husband that next time, I'm going to try something easier," Heller said. "I could start a terrorist training camp and I'm almost sure that would be less controviersial."

The group encountered much resistance from city officials – and, more importantly, condo associations – who cited fears ranging from doggy doo to dog fights.

Area residents drove the group away from the spot it had originally picked, a small piece of beach toward the south, behind the Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center.

After a long bout of negotiations, the group finally received initial approval from the North Beach Neighborhood Association for a 100-yard stretch of beach between Custer and Pershing streets.

In an emotional commission meeting July 18, more than an hour of heated discussion just barely resulted in a victory, albeit partial, for the group. The commission allowed the city parks and recreation department to open the stretch of beach to dogs and their owners during a 60-day trial period.

A city employee, paid for by Heller and Stefaniak's group, would be present at all times to supervise, enforce rules and answer questions.

It was not made clear at any point (nor has it been made clear yet) by what criteria the trial would be ruled a success in order to make the dog beach permanent.

"If the standard is going to be perfection, we'd have to ban all the beaches. We'd have to disband the government," Heller said. "But it's the same as with anything else. You get a lot of people together, it's the same thing, at some point there's going to be one bad apple."

So far, though, in the beach's 2 ½ months of operation, there have been no bad apples.

Granted, by most accounts, the beach got off to a choppy start.

The orange traffic cones and flags that separate the 100-yard dog park from the rest of the beach mean nothing to a giddy pack of romping dogs. On more than a few occasions, a distracted owner would lose sight of his or her roving dog, which would stray outside the boundaries to make friends with sunbathers.

But over the initial 60-day trial period, there were no major incidents.

"Were there dogs that passed the boundary [that separates the park from the rest of the beach Absolutely," Heller said. "But people were pretty good about taking ownership – this is our beach, we're taking care of it. By and large it was successful.Even the residents who had originally objected to the beach didn't speak out the second time around."

The city parks and recreation rangers assigned to supervise the beach didn't notice any major problems, either, said park ranger supervisor Tom Laurida.

The biggest challenge was opening day, when two sea turtles decided to nest smack in the middle of the 100-yard dog beach. No matter: rangers simply shifted the designated beach a few yards over.

"Dog people are animal people," Laurida said. "People have been really good and understanding."

Laurida said he expects the beach's operation to run even more smoothly since the city began charging an admission fee to use the beach. He said that while 2,340 patrons visited the beach during the initial 60-day trial period, those numbers have since dropped sharply.

The relative peace surrounding the beach's first 60 days corresponds with the experience in other nearby parks and beaches. Ponciana Dog Park, also in Hollywood, has only had minor incidents in its four years of existence, though it is open all day, every day. Fort Lauderdale's Canine Beach has had only one major incident, in which a small dog was killed, in 12 years of operation.

Especially absent have been the vicious dog fights naysaying neighbors had warned about.

"You put them together, and they establish their own pecking order," Heller said. "Even though they might sometimes show it in different ways, like rowdy little boys."

Nonetheless, when the commission reviewed the resolution on Oct. 17, toward the end of the trial period, it decided to extend it the beaches existence only on a temporary basis. The commission granted the beach a second trial period, this time for six months.

The commission also started charging dog owners for using the beach. Hollywood residents pay $5 for a weekend pass or $30 for a six-month pass. Non-residents pay $10 for a weekend pass or a whopping $125 for a six-month pass.

The idea behind the charge is to make the beach self-sustaining, so that the fees offset the cost of operating the park.

Heller said there's more to it.

"Part of it is they really want it to be a benefit for residents, since Hollywood dollars that are going towards this," she said. "The mayor especially feels very strongly about it, and that's how the commission voted."

When the beach's second trial period is over in April 20 08, the commission will decide for good whether to make the 100-yard stretch of beach permanently dog-friendly.

Monika Stefaniak is already pitching another battle, this time against her own condo.

Oddly enough, despite Monika's profession and despite the Stefaniaks' involvement in lobbying for the dog beach's opening, the couple doesn't own a dog. Their condo doesn't allow pets

"I think it's fair that if you own a property, even if it's a condo, you should be allowed to have a pet," Monika Stefaniak said. "But I don't care. I'm willing to pay any fine."

She said that, given her business as a dog sitter, she often has holds clandestine sleepovers for her customers' pets. She's also convinced that a good amount of her neighbors are also secretly breaking the condo's no-pet rule.

Most of Stefaniak's neighbors are snowbirds. Come December, when they're back in town, she's hoping that she'll be able to make her condo dog-friendly, too.

The Poetry Market Speaks Loud and Clear

The power of the word compels its listeners, and they chant in unison: “yes, rewind that.”
At the end of the performance the orator concludes and is applauded. He calms the stage and declares, “buy my CD - one for 10 and two for 20”.
Since Spoken Word spun off during the beat generation, Spoken Word poetry clubs have been sprouting and struggling to maintain an audience for almost two decades. Now its frequenters have found a way to capitalize on a rapidly emerging, but fickle market.
At most spoken word venues in South Florida you can find a fledgling poet hawking a recording of their best work following their performance.
“Support your boy,” says one poet to an audience member as she exits a poetry spot in the design district of Miami.
For most poets of Spoken Word and slam, the venues are a way to express themselves, for others, a means of making a living through the sale of their recorded voice.
“It’s a way for poets to make money doing what they love to do,” said Ingrid B, Co-host and founder of the Bohemia Room, a spoken word club. “Some of them pay their bills with these spots.”
HBO’s Def Poet, Asia, who frequents the Bohemia room, recently released his first major recording. According to him, releasing a CD is just one part of the self-expressive outlet of Spoken Word.
“One CD could change someone’s life,” said Asia.
Venues such as the Bohemia room, which has hosted the Miami masters slam team on numerous occasions, regularly hosts featured artists who implore the audience to “buy my CD”.
And for some established poets such as Asia, the self-advertisement works.
After the release of his second, but first official, spoken word CD, Asia sold 7500 copies while touring various college campuses throughout the Florida and the US.
With easier access to sound recording devices and Compact Disc duplicators, anyone can produce a poetry CD, or any kind of CD for that matter, and become an overnight recording artist.
Junior Smith, also known as Analogy, is working on his very first spoken word CD. With original music produced by his cousin in Anguilla backing his poetry, and professional graphic designs for the album cover done by another colleague, he is looking to turn nothing but a profit on his very first CD, touring the many Spoken Word clubs in Broward and Miami.
“You have to sell a product instead of give someone a product,” said Smith. “In order for your voice to be heard it has to be like an infection that needs to be spread.”
The proliferation of spoken word CD’s is comparable to the back trunk mix tap of the late 90’s and 2000’s. Any up-and-coming star wanting to get their voice heard would produce a CD and distribute it to whomever they could find.
Now, with spoken word, poets tour numerous venues and advertise themselves onstage after which they peddle whatever product they have to offer.
“Everyone has to have a Gimmick,” said Miami master Slam team member, Anomaly.
Captain of the Miami Masters slam team and two time HBO Def poetry artist Will “Da real one” Davis once set up shop whenever he could at poetry venues. As poetry enthusiasts exited joints he would melodically use his oratory prowess to lure buyers to his garage sale set up of past and present CD’s, promising one CD for 10 dollars and a deal of two for 20.
Will now owns his own poetry spot called the Literary Café and according to him some fledgling, spoken word, recording artists and clubs are demeaning the market for viable ones.
“They destroy the market when they perform and the public buys their product,” said Davis.
Spoken word artist are beginning to catch up to the contemporary R&B artists, producing CDs that sell on retail shelves across the nation and overseas. American spoken word artists have even gone on tour and developed a fan base in Europe, where the craft is developing.
For some independent, spoken word, recording artists, though, the day job will always be paramount after they close up shop at the poetry joint.
“Some people’s CD’s just suck,” said Asia.

Does South Florida Rock?

BY SCOTT FISHMAN

Jamie Brown has the typical rock & roll dream. The gigs. The groupies. The money. The music. The sex. The drugs. While in no particular order, it all encompasses a lifestyle many have envisioned, but few have achieved.
However, for Brown and many other budding local artists the path to rock superstardom has been a little harder in South Florida than other regions of the country.
Brown has been leading the psychedelic punk rock group Dr. Gonzo's Bazooka Circus for the past seven years. During this time he has seen the once bustling rock scene fall by the waste-side with rock clubs closing and popular 94.9 Zeta leaving the radio airwaves in 2005. Throughout its near 20-year history, Zeta was a strong supporter of local artists. A big part of its efforts was a Sunday show called Zeta Goes Local dedicated to South Florida bands.
“Local music in our area has no mainstream exposure,” said Brown, who frowns on the current rock station 93 Rock.
“93.1 is a fine station to brainwash and limit the brain activities of music lovers. However, do not be fooled. 93.1 isn't there for you and the spirit of rock & roll, they are there to make a profit. It's a subdivision of the essence of rock & roll. Also, without naming names, mid-capacity level venues have severely declined in hosting local artists compared to three years ago.”
There are only a handful of longtime hotspots for rock aficionados that are still standing. Brown has performed at the Culture Room and Revolution, as well as newer places including the Talent Farm and at Conine’s Clubhouse Grill.
“I've visited Tallahassee, Orlando, and Riley, North Carolina while traveling with my band and saw that all three of those places outdid the South Florida scene,” said Brown, who turned down record contracts from wealthy businessman who ended up being drug addicts and were putting in contract provisions he didn’t agree with.
Much like Brown, Nonpoint drummer Robb Rivera is in it for the music. Rivera’s group formed in Fort Lauderdale in the mid-1990s. Nonpoint has toured all across the United States and other countries for the past decade alongside bands Disturbed, Linkin Park, Sevendust and Staind. Nonpoint gained mainstream notoriety with its cover of Phil Colins’ In the Air Tonight for the Miami Vice movie in 2006.
“I’m not sure that there is a rock scene right now in South Florida,” said Rivera, who joined his band in headlining the 93 Rock End of Summer Slam last year at Markham Park in Sunrise.
Rivera says one of the reasons for his opinion is the lack of clubs who cater to the South Florida rock scene.
“There really is nowhere to play,” said Rivera. “We need clubs to support local music. We had one called the Scene and it was an all-ages club, but Hurricane Wilma kind of wiped that out. There just needs to be someone out there to believe in the music scene.”
Jessie Gilmartin spends many nights going to clubs to listen to some of her favorite bands. She disagrees with the picture Brown and Rivera paint.
“I don’t think the rock scene is dead by any means,” said Gilmartin.
“If you go to shows at Revolution or Culture Room you've got tours constantly coming through and there are tons of kids at every show. The Talent Farm is in the boondocks near the Everglades and hardcore bands mostly play there, but a lots of kids that go there every weekend. It’s as much of a hangout as it is a venue. It’s like this little treasure that not many people know about.”
Gilmartin stays on the pulse of rock in South Florida through Radio Revolution, a program she DJs for on Saturday nights. The show, broadcasted on Spanish formatted station 88.3 showcases alternative rock with trance and hip hop to mix things up.
“The station didn’t create Radio Revolution,” said Gilmartin, who hosts the 10:30 p.m. block of music news for the show. “But the station has been really supportive of us, and we're so thankful to have those airwaves.”
Since 2005, 93.1 has ruled the new rock radio airwaves in South Florida. The station has been criticized by its audience for its lack of variety compared to rock stations in other markets. The station’s program director Kevin Vargas feels otherwise.
“We think we're doing a good job since the station grows more and more successful with time both in size of audience and as a business,” said Vargas, who can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays.
“There may be those who may wish there was an alternative station, or those who wish there was a true classic rock station, as BIG 105.9 WBGG is majority classic pop hits and 60's oldies, but that is not what we are all about. We are a variety station with a commitment to more of the old stuff you love, more of the new stuff you want. It's an ever evolving presentation, and we'll do exactly what the majority of rockers say they want and expect when they turn on South Florida's pure rock station.”
Vargas says the problem in this market compared to others is the difference in segmented audiences.
“This is a very challenging market as it is truly one of more ethnically diverse and with more people who hold onto their culture or heritage rather than assimilate,” said Vargas.
“It's part of what makes Miami/Ft. Lauderdale so colorful and interesting. Because of that diversity, the rock and country music scenes are smaller than most areas of this size.”
As people continue to debate and choose their side when it comes to the rock scene in South Florida, the potential rock stars of tomorrow move forward. When Brown thinks of all the times he has been denied a record deal or a gig, he remembers a quote from the late journalist Hunter S. Thompson or known more famously as Dr. Gonzo. The controversial creator of Gonzo journalism, a style of reporting where the reporter becomes the main part of the story, was an inspiration to Brown.
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side,” said Thompson.



South Florida rock through pictures:

Mainstream bands sound off on the South Florida experience:

The stars are out in Broward

Not Horsing Around

Kim Spicer, 18, began volunteering at a local Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing or F.R.I.E.N.D.S ranch in Pembroke Pines {19801 Sheridan St.] for the past few weeks and enjoys every minute of it.
She works with horses that have the blood disease known as equine infectious anemia. These horses aren’t sick, but carry antibodies that contain the virus. While humans can’t get sick from interacting with the horses, there is a one in six million chance one horse with EIA infecting another horse.
Despite the small number, Florida law requires positive EIA horses to be quarantined on property with a 200 yard radius from the nearest horse. Unfortunately this means the horse must be destroyed even if it’s healthy if proper arrangements aren’t made. Some stables that don’t have space to comply with this law have the horses killed.
That is why it’s so important for Spicer and others to volunteer in watering, feeding and cleaning of stalls. F.R.I.E.N.D.S was established as a nonprofit in 1987 as a place to house these horses and keeping them alive. Since then the organization has established the sponsor-a-horse program for people who would like to adopt a horse, but can’t afford it. The cost of adoption each month covers everything from food to board. The way it’s set up is kind of similar to a Humane Society for horses.
With the group losing a number of sponsors due to hurricanes and the economy, the organization looks for donations or people to adopt. Keeping this in mind, Spicer is trying to use her 12 years of girl scout experience and fundraising to help the ranch. She is looking to have Wal-Mart get involved by hosting an event and having the retail giant match the money raised, which can range to upwards of $500. The effort may not be a lot considering the amount of animals in need, but every little bit helps and can create awareness about the program.

For adoption, donation, or volunteering information call 954-916-9847 or 954-609-5943.


Equine Nurturing Volunteer Kim Spicer:









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