The Interview - Miss Miami

Last week judges at the Miss Miami USA pageant narrowed the field down to two contestants - the former Miss Texas and last year's Miss Daytona. When the announcement finally came, the hometown girl Meg Perkins, 23, was crowned Miss Miami. This is Perkins' second win in four pageant competitions and another line item for a resume already full of names like Von Dutch, Audi, Doritos and McDonalds. These names are just part of her impressive background which also includes principal roles in Wyclef Jean’s “Gone Till November” and the ever popular “Who Let the Dogs Out.” In just seven weeks Perkins will be competing for the title of Miss Florida and is rumored to be a frontrunner.

What responsibilities come with Miss Miami or is it just a title?

It’s really what you want to make it, some girls want to win a preliminary or a city event just so they can qualify for Miss Florida. I want to make myself available and do more public appearances, which is why I have several events booked and hope to focus on working with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

What is it like backstage during a competition, do these girls get catty?

For the most part the girls are really helpful and supportive. In rare cases you get girls who are maybe catty and give backward comments, but the girls 'chasing the crown' don't have the right attitude and honestly- they don’t win. That show on MTV (Tiara Girls), shows the worst stereotypes.

What differentiates contestants, why did you think you won?

I won because I went in with the mindset that I was competing with myself and not the other girls. It may as well be Miss USA, because this is the city I was born and raised in, and the one that's really is special for me.

Do the interviews really matter?

During preliminaries we meet with each judge for 2 minutes and you have to be eloquent and sound intelligent. Pageants are really won in the interview, but you can lose it in swimsuit and evening gown. Sounds cheesy, but the swimsuit competition is won from the neck up.

You have a boyfriend right, what does he say about you being Miss Miami?

{laughing} He just keeps calling me Miss Miami.


Is there a party after a competition to celebrate the winner?

If you don’t win you don’t want to be around… you just want to go home or go eat!

Is the Miss Florida competition open to the general public?

The unofficial fact is that if you have fan support it influences the judges. I want to get people there. If I can raise sponsorship money, I would love to put it towards my friends and fans ticket price ($50).

Miss Florida USA, featuring approximately 70 contestants ages 18-26, will run from July 11-15. The final event takes place on the 15th at the Broward Community College Campus and airs on Channel 7 at 7 p.m. Channel 7’s Louis Aguirre and former Miss Florida 2000, Kristen Bell, will host the event. The winner will compete in the 2007 Miss USA Pageant, owned by Donald Trump.

Email Meg Perkins at MissMiamiUSA@gmail.com.

Interview: Hip Hop Missionary - A Look Back

We heard about Joel Stigale in an article titled, "Churches Work to Add Hip Hop Edge." With a simple description he might sound like a guy that fits the missionary mold. He's the bald, white guy with glasses and two clips hanging from his belt; one for the cell phone and the other for his palm pilot. It's the bulky cargo pants, oversized tee, Reebok low cut sneakers and repeated usage of "word", "word", that caused us to do a double take. Joel started doing gang ministry at 16 and turned hip hop outreach into a full time job after hooking up with a national organization, Youth For Christ. He organizes events every Saturday night (6-1) at the Church of Pembrooke Pines. Here kids can delve into the four elements of hip hop: graffiti writing, mc'ing, break-dancing and dj'ing. The only catch comes at 11pm when he asks attendees to join him for a quick message about God.

You work for Youth For Christ and your title is Catalyst Director, but you choose to go by Hip Hop Missionary… why?

Missionary means sent one, or sent to a particular culture. When the phrase was coined, it just stuck, because hip hop is what I understand and those are the kids I’m trying to reach. It’s my hobby, passion and job; it’s hard to distinguish between my personal and professional life.

How did you come to the decision to make missionary work a career?

My parents were missionaries, but I grew up in a rough neighborhood and all my friends were in gangs. Just after I turned 16, my father passed away. It sounds crazy but literally his last breath was my first spiritual breath. I realized I felt like God called me to be with kids and reach them. I went out and started doing gang ministry.

How does that work do you just walk up to some Bloods and start preaching?

We used to be crazy and put ourselves into some tough spots. In the early 90’s when things were still bad here in Miami, my truck was broke into like 12 or 13 times. They did it all: slashed tires, broke windows, stole parts, but people would always help me get back up again.

If you spend all this time at kid’s houses, in their hoods, how do you make any money?

I have a salary, but I have to do my own fundraising. There are times when I have actually owed youth for Christ. For the most part I pay my bills. A lot of people from the outside don’t understand it, usually the people that are around the most support it the most. Our biggest supporter is an average blue collar guy. He works security, makes a $11 an hour and still manages to donate $200 a month.

Break-dancing and MC battles get really intense. Your Catalyst events take place on church property, are there ever fights?

At Catalyst it gets real intense during battle; hip hop is centered around battles (competetion). We have close encounters but people respect it. If they have real beef with each other and need to take it to the next level I understand. I take every measure, but sometimes it just gets so electric. If they really need someone to watch and get it out of their system I will go off site somewhere and watch.

How long do you see yourself doing this type of work?

We have anywhere from 80 to a couple hundred people show up each Saturday night. For one event we had almost 700. In five years, I want my own building. We need a place with a free standing graffiti wall that we don’t have to break down every night. On Saturday night we over sprayed and paint went on to a section of the church building. My 10 year goal is to duplicate Catalyst across the country.

Interview: Lucie Arnaz and Kate Luckinbill

Earlier this week, we caught up with Lucie Arnaz and her daughter Kate Luckinbill, the stars of new play at the Coconut Grove Playhouse. This is Lucie's fourth performance in Miami, but the first with her daughter Kate, a junior at the University of Miami.

Sonia Flew is a new play by Boston playwright Melinda Lopez. It follows a Minneapolis woman who must come to terms with the turmoil in her Cuban past when her son announces he's joining the Army post 9/11. The show almost shut down when the theatre closed last week due to financial problems. With the help of a $50,000 donation from Lucie and a little help from Bacardi the play is expected to open tomorrow night. The cast is hoping for a big turn out to provide enough revenue to carry the show for another two weeks.

What was it about this script that brought you back to Coconut Grove Playhouse?

Lucie: I was sent the script a year and a half ago. Arnold Mittleman (Coconut Grove Playhouse Artistic Director) said this is a play I want to do for the end of the 50th year season. He said it was one of the best plays he has read and he is right. I’m half Cuban and anything with the Cuban story interests me a little. This is the second Cuban story play I have done down here and I think this one is ready to fly- no pun intended. But is not just about Cubans. It is about family, forgiveness second chances. It is a Jewish family in Minneapolis and a Cuban family outside of Havana in 1961 and 2001. We all play different parts … Melinda Lopez has written a beautiful play.

Kate: Arnold Mittleman asked my mom then he said we need a teenage girl for the show and she said I can think of one. I read the script, loved it and auditioned.

Your father was from Santiago, Cuba and later became a staple in Miami, did you remember hearing about this story as a child?

Lucie: My father came here in 1933 during the Batista revolution, which we heard about but this was a similar thing. You have to leave in a hurry, bring nothing and leave your dreams and family behind. He was virtually the same age as the young girl, my character is in the play. The exile story is a fascinating story... never to be able to go back home is a terrible thing if you think about it.

Why do you keep coming back?

Lucie: I like being down here and especially since Kate became a student at UM. It is nice to be able to spend time here with Kate.

How is it working together?

Lucie: (laughing) Kate?

Kate: (laughing) Mom?

Lucie: I try not to open my mouth. David Ellenstein is the best director I have ever worked with. I did not know him before the production started. He has answers, he knows how to talk to actors, he just is a really nice guy. I don’t have to say anything… he is always right there.

You are constantly asked about being the daughter and granddaughter of Lucille Ball do you ever get tired of the references?

It is where we come from this is the legacy. (laughing) It’s not Jack the Ripper, it’s not Hitler. It’s a good legacy to come from and as I said in the paper as crosses bear, it's a good legacy to have. I think it can be hard for Kate when she just wants to be like everybody else.

What’s next for the both of you…. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?

Lucie: It is going to be so fun, I think this was the best new play on Broadway last year. We will be at the Imperial theatre, where my father (Desi Arnaz) did the play, "To Many Girls." That is where he met my mother.... there is a big history there.

Kate: I get my last summer as a college student.

Image Credit: Coconut Grove Playhouse

Gary Noland, Singer/Song writer

Gary Noland will tell you he loves you and then, if you are lucky enough he will sing it to you ... that is if you happen to be lying on South Beach when he walks by with his guitar. The singer/song writer spends his time witing catchy love songs for beach goers. The song he wrote for us was in our heads all weekend! He records a personalized song and burns a CD for you to take home all while you sit back and enjoy the sand, surf and sun. He works for tips at the beach, but if you like what you see and want an original, you can order one from his web site. For the cost of some nice roses, Gary will send you a basic song. If you are looking for something one of a kind for that special anniversary, birthday or thank you, a song complete with an original melody and lyrics will cost around $100. You choose the style. Dave Mathews, Coldplay, boy-bands, Adam Sandler, he does them all.

What is your biggest source of inspiration?

Love, as defined by the unseen and unknown. It has many dimensions, as does a song. I try to get beyond the concept of love our mind has created. I find that the words of the song have little to do with this.

Why South Beach?

I grew up in South Florida, this is home. Logistically South Beach is perfect for what I am doing. It has beauty people from everywhere and sunshine-hurricanes aside.

Favorite singer/band/type of music?

Favorite singer is Birds. Bands, I would have to say Waterdeep or United. Type of music? Music that is more about the emotion and less about the words. If I want to be mental I will watch the Discovery Channel. I
listen to be shaken in my heart, to be awakened to life beyond forms.

How do you decide who to sing to on the beach?

I only sing for the most beautiful girls! No just kidding. Often times people will call me over or just
give me what I call the look. You girls know what that is.

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Interview: Ron Magill - Miami Metrozoo (Comm. Director & Photographer)

Ron Magill describes his photos as windows to the world and we caught up with him to get a glimpse into his world as the Miami Metrozoo Communications Director and Goodwill Ambassador. He appears in publications and reports around the country and was recently featured by Nikon in their monthly publication for his work in Africa.

When you call the Miami Zoo you get a very upbeat message, whose idea was that?
That was my idea. What happens is you call and get these stupid machines all the time so I thought if we have to have one we should have a fun one. There is nothing that says you can’t do serious things and have fun doing them.

How did you survive the storm? Did any of the animals have any difficulties during the storm?
We survived it pretty well. There was certainly a lot of tree and roof damage. The most important thing is we didn’t lose any animals and none were injured. Generally speaking you find that the animals have a psychological reaction to the storm. For example, a chimpanzee could be very stressed. After Hurricane Andrew there was a chimp who rocked back in forth for days. Animals can become very agitated and nervous, but it is usually relevant to the intelligence of the animal. Any changes in routine can make an animal quite stressed.

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