Miami-Dade’s airport and seaport thriving, directors say

At PortMiami, the $1 billion port tunnel project that connects the mainland to Dodge Island is on time and on budget, several new cruise ships will soon call the port home, and the deep dredging at Government Cut means the port will soon be able to support the huge vessels that will cruise through the new Panama Canal.

Miami International Airport, meanwhile, has undergone a $6.3 billion overhaul, completed a 72-lane Customs and immigration facility designed to speed up passenger traffic to connecting flights, and could soon embark on a massive mixed-use project dubbed Airport City.

Those and other improvements were highlighted Wednesday during the annual “state of the ports’’ luncheon, a two-hour gathering of nearly 1,100 people at the Miami Airport Convention Center.

“There has never been a more exciting time at Miami International Airport than right now,” said Airport Director Jose Abreu.

Said Port Miami Director Bill Johnson: “2012 was a very good year, but looking ahead — and I like to look ahead — I can tell you that we are well positioned to continue our successes.”

Johnson credited PortMiami with helping create 207,000 jobs last year. Abreu said MIA broke a traffic record last year with 39.5 million passengers.

Abreu was hired in 2005 to turn around the limping airport renovation project. His last day with the county is March 31. He’s taking a consulting job with Pennsylvania-based construction and engineering company that has a Miami office.

“At the end of the day I’m a civil engineer,” he said. “They brought me in there to finish the capital improvement project, and we did.”

Despite all the cheerleading, not everything at Miami-Dade’s ports is hunky-dory.

Cargo freight at PortMiami has seen only modest gains since the economy tanked in 2008. There’s still the threat of a union strike that could cripple cargo movement across the country, and the port’s largest passenger cruise client, Carnival Cruise Lines, has had three on-board ship fires — including one this week — that have left vessels stranded at sea in recent years.

At the airport, despite the completion of the $180 million state-of-the-art immigration and Customs facility at the North Terminal, Abreu has been arguing with the feds about a lack of personnel. The airport director said he was promised enough staff to operate the 72 lanes, but only has enough workers to operate half that number.

“People are still missing connections; it’s an issue,” he said.

Few doubt that the proposed Airport City would make a great addition to MIA. The $827 million, 41-acre project would let visitors shop, eat, play, and work all within a short ride on the airport’s new MIA Mover. But politics could get in the way.

That’s because Odebrecht USA — the developer on the project — is a subsidiary of a Brazilian engineering-and-construction conglomerate that has another affiliate doing work in the Port of Mariel. That prompted local lawmakers to sponsor state legislation last year that would halt state and local governments from hiring firms whose affiliates work in Cuba.

The law was found unconstitutional, but the state is appealing.

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Grammys Crasher: Are the Oscars Next?

Is the Grammy Crasher targeting the Oscars next? Should the Academy be concerned that the 24-year-old Ukrainian reporter will target Hollywood's biggest awards event? ET's Rob Marciano gets answers from Hollywood's newest prankster.

PICS: Candid Grammy Moments

"Adele is going to be there -- maybe I will sit next to her, I don't know," says Vitalii Sediuk, who managed to not only get through security at Sunday's Grammys to take an open seat in the second row – but jumped onstage right before Adele accepted her Grammy win. "I just beg you, Academy, don't ban me. I just want to broadcast nobly and be a part of your show. I will be good guy."

Despite heightened security at the 55th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Sediuk managed to not only get inside the venue, but interview celebrities on the red carpet and sit in Adam Levine's seat, forcing the Maroon 5 frontman to sit on the floor. After interrupting the show to take the stage, he landed a night in jail and a March court date.

VIDEO: Meet the Man Who Crashed the Grammys

Sediuk previously made headlines with other celebrity close encounters, handing Madonna flowers at a press event and kissing Will Smith on the red carpet, prompting the Men in Black star to smack him in the face.

So, is the audacious reporter going to be allowed back on the red carpet? We have a feeling that security will specifically be on the lookout on Oscar night…

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JFK airport staffer allowed Kanye West and Kim Kardashian to sneak past security checkpoints

VLNY / Sharky / Splash News

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

Celebrity lovebirds Kanye West and Kim Kardashian forced an airplane full of travelers to wait for takeoff at JFK after an airline employee allowed them to bypass security screening, sources told The Post.

The stars -- who were running late for an American Airlines flight – were ushered around a security checkpoint before boarding the plane from New York to Los Angeles yesterday.

But airport officials got wind of the special treatment and yanked them off the plane – giving them a private pat-down and delaying the flight by nearly an hour.

The stars arrived in JFK on a flight from Rio De Janeiro, where they were celebrating Carnaval. They cleared Customs and were through the baggage area when the airline employee gave them the unsolicited escort through a restricted area, the sources said.

Rules require all airline passengers to pass through the TSA security checkpoint at the airport.

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Now owned by top executives, Cruise Planners on course toward continued growth

With a background in travel and present-day focus on raising her two small children, Lori Jahner set out to find work she enjoyed that would give her the flexibility she needed.

The 33-year-old from Aurora, Colo. decided on Cruise Planners — American Express Travel, a home-based travel agent network headquartered in Coral Springs.

“They have so much training to offer, ongoing education, and the branded name alone is so reputable and distinctive,” Jahner said. “Out of all the ones that I kind of looked into, this is the one that was standing out. More or less, it’s just the perfect opportunity so that I can do what I love, which is raising my kids but also selling travel.”

She has plenty of company. More than 850 franchise owners around the country are actively selling travel through Cruise Planners after paying startup costs that range from zero to $9,995. Those costs cover initial and continued training, marketing and advertising programs, a website, accounting and customer management software and support from the home office.

Fueled by everyone from stay-at-home moms to firefighters and retirees, the number of franchisees has grown by 14 percent annually for the last few years.

That has not gone unnoticed by cruise lines, who welcome more voices pitching their product.

“I think they are very important,” said Camille Olivere, Norwegian Cruise Line’s senior vice president of sales in North America. “They’re big supporters of ours and they’re bringing new people into the industry — and that is something that we desperately need.”

Cruise Planners agents sold $156 million in travel and related services last year, a 16 percent increase over 2011 and 48 percent jump over 2009.

Confident in continued growth, top Cruise Planners executives bought the company late last year from Palm Beach Capital, the private equity firm that had been majority owner since 2007.

CEO Michelle Fee, who has always held a stake in the company and now owns 50 percent, said she and fellow owners chief financial officer Tom Kruszewski and chief operating officer Vicky Garcia did not want to risk Cruise Planners being taken over by another investment group that might try to make changes.

“We wanted to make sure that whatever we keep doing is in the best interest of the company,” said Kruszewski, 60.

Before, Fee said, agents often asked whether the investment company would try to sell or change Cruise Planners. She said the purchase sends a good message.

“It shows them that we’re in this with you,” said Fee, 50, who co-founded the company with two partners 19 years ago. Those partners retired in 2007.

The company has invested about $2 million in technology upgrades and equipment in the last few years, including a mobile reservations system for agents that was introduced about a year and a half ago, and a consumer mobile app for iPhones and Androids that should launch later this month.

“We just have to be cutting edge,” Fee said. “Travel is technology; we have to be there with the big guys. Not only are we matching them, but we want to be better.”

Janet Fernandez, who started her Crise Planners franchise, Cruise Impressions, last July after working in different parts of the cruise industry since 1998, said she is already taking advantage of the latest tech innovations.

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MIA director to unveil Airport City project at annual speech

The futuristic plan for Miami International Airport envisions newly arrived visitors checking in at a four-star hotel to relax at a pool, corporate executives hopping onto a people mover to meet at a business center minutes away, and locals crossing the street from the terminal to pick up Fido at the pet spa.

And the airport wouldn’t pay a cent to build any of it.

Instead, a private developer, Odebrecht USA, would finance the $512 million project. In return, Odebrecht would run the new facilities for half a century, paying rent and a percentage of revenues to the county.

This is Airport City, a massive project — in the works for nearly five years — intended to create new funding sources for the airport by turning MIA into a travel destination itself.

On Wednesday, Miami-Dade Aviation Director José Abreu will announce at the annual “state of the ports” speech, delivered with PortMiami Director Bill Johnson, that, three years after the county selected Odebrecht’s bid for the project, Airport City will come before county commissioners for approval next month.

“This can be the future,” Abreu said in an interview, calling Airport City “essential for us to be able to move forward.”

The reason: The more money the county-owned airport makes from non-aviation sources such as concessions, the lower the landing fees and other charges have to be paid by the airlines that bear the financial burden of operating MIA. During Odebrecht’s 40-year agreement with the county, with an option to renew for 10 more years, the airport could receive nearly $580 million in operating revenues.

“The more business we get, the more the airport gets,” said Gilberto Neves, president and CEO of Odebrecht. The company approached the county with the Airport City idea more than four years ago. Miami-Dade later put the project out for bids, and Odebrecht won.

Airport City would represent a capstone of sorts for MIA, which has spent about $6.3 billion and more than a decade — partly because of delays, cost overruns and, in some cases, corruption — expanding. The airport’s chief contractor: Odebrecht, which, as part of a joint venture with Parsons, upgraded the North Terminal, built a new South Terminal and put up the rails for the MIA Mover train that connects the airport Metrorail station to the terminal.

For Abreu, who was hired in 2005 to take control of the troubled capital-improvements program, launching an airport city — like the ones that exist in places such as Beijing, Frankfurt and Dallas/Fort Worth — is part of the legacy he hopes to leave when he retires at the end of March.

“The great thing about it is, it doesn’t hit our books” to develop the project, Abreu said. “There’s no downside.”

As part of the project, Odebrecht , which is working on a $4 billion mixed-use Rio de Janeiro port redevelopment project known as “Porto Maravilha,” would make the investment — and take on the risk — to develop, in phases, 41 acres east of the airport’s terminals and parking garages.

The county would retain ownership of the land, and the assets would revert to Miami-Dade at the end of Odebrecht’s agreement.

The project is divided into three parcels:

• A $359 million business center, with corporate offices, meeting space, a hotel and a new station for the MIA Mover train;

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Lady Gaga Postpones Shows Due to Injury

Lady Gaga announced on Tuesday that she has had to cancel four upcoming shows due to a severe inflammation of joints that has left her unable to walk.

PICS: Candid Celeb Sightings

Through a series of Twitter messages, Mother Monster revealed that she's been hiding the "show injury and chronic pain" from her staff "for sometime now," but now her condition has worsened.

"I didn't want to disappoint my amazing fans," Gaga tweeted. "However after last night's performance I could not walk and still can't. It will hopefully heal as soon as possible, I hate this. I hate this so much. I love you and I'm sorry."

According to The Associated Press, the dates in question include Feb. 13-14 in Chicago, Feb. 16 in Detroit and Feb. 17 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Makeup dates for these cancellations will be announced later, according to the news source.

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WATCH: Cops punch, kick Queens teen in drug arrest

A Queens teen got a brutal beatdown by a group of NYPD police officers during a stop outside the Flushing YMCA, dramatic video released today shows.

The Jan. 8 attack — which was captured on a witness’ cell phone — begins about 12:38 p.m. with two cops fighting to restrain Queens resident Robert Jackson, 19, on the ground while yelling “put your hands behind your head.”

“I can’t, I can’t, please stop,” Jackson pleads, crying, as the number of cops kicking and punching — and at one point scraping his face against the asphalt — increases to seven officers.

Robert Jackson, 19

Meanwhile, shocked bystanders are heard shouting, “Why are they hitting him?” and “They’re actually jumping him!”

Cops managed to arrest Jackson and charged him with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct.

He was mouthing “profanity threats” against one of the cops prior to the incident, court records show.

But Jackson’s lawyer, Jacques Leandre, said he wants the charges to be dismissed because his client is “an innocent victim of police brutality.”

“Its unfortunate that this could happen to somebody like me when cops are supposed to be protecting us,” said Jackson, whose badly-bruised face is still scarred from the incident.

Jackson has four prior arrests, including an Aug. 2012 arrest for criminal possession of a weapon, police sources said. Three of his arrests are sealed.

Police yesterday said the incident has been referred to the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board.

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Romance and the executive woman: When it comes to love, leave work mode at the office

While on a blind date, Alexandra Arguelles found herself behaving as if she were interviewing a candidate for a job.

“I caught myself asking him question after question and trying to control everything.” Afterward, she says she felt as if she had been at a business dinner.

“It’s not easy for me to be laid back,” says Arguelles, a 42-year-old sales executive at a travel IT company in Miami. “But on my next date, I’m going to try.”

Women have made huge strides in business. We have climbed to the top of companies, built million-dollar businesses and forged into traditional male professions. We’ve positioned ourselves as some of the most powerful voices in politics and on the Internet. Yet, when it comes to romantic relationships, we still struggle to make it happen in love.

IT’S US

Ask the growing army of high-earning women and they will say men are intimidated by their professional and financial success, making it difficult to date and marry. But relationship experts say we have it wrong. It’s not them; it’s us.

“Today’s women just don’t seem to understand you have to leave the office at the office,” says Maya Ezratti, a relationship coach and owner of Rewarding Relationships. “You can’t treat your husband, boyfriend or date like an employee.”

Fewer Americans are married today than at any point in at last 50 years, according to a 2011 Pew Research study. The causes and consequences are the subject of much debate. But what is clear is that as more women have gained economic control over their lives, they need to switch modes when it comes to relationship dynamics.

John Gray, author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, says keeping romance alive in the age of female empowerment takes getting in touch with your feminine attributes: “In the workplace, to be successful, women have to be independent, self reliant, focused on solving problems and managing people. Outside the office, those attributes are romance killers.”

In dating, Gray says a woman comes across as more attractive when she puts out a vibe she is happy and that a man can make her even happier. “Men want a job. They need to be needed,” he says. But a successful women’s natural instinct may be that she can do it all herself. “Be in touch with the part of yourself that is looking to have someone in your life that would lighten your load, and be open to receiving what he has to offer.”

In Miami, Ezratti coaches businesswomen to change their approach: “A lot of women are pursing romance like business.”

First, she advises they lose their pant suit and show up in more trendy, flirty attire. Next, she suggests they let go of being competitive. “Some women have no problem ripping men to shreds to prove their intelligence. No guy wants to go out on a date and feel like a schmuck. You don’t’ have to prove anything; the quiet one wins.”

David Berry, a 28-year-old Miami writer and author of a dating blog, affirms that most of his single male friends are scared to approach women who are rich, successful, brilliant and beautiful. They assume the women won’t be interested. “We have fears approaching women anyway. Now add in that they out earn us or drive a nicer car, and we start to doubt our ability to impress them.”

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First Lady Michelle Obama invites 102-year-old North Miami woman to State of Union speech

WASHINGTON --
At age 102, it's possible Desaline Victor is the oldest guest ever to attend a State of the Union address.

But the North Miami woman, known as "Granny" among the city’s Haitian community, was chosen less for her age than what she signifies.

As a naturalized U.S. citizen who waited for more than three hours to cast her ballot on Nov. 6, Victor, says the White House represents what President Barack Obama wants to highlight most in his second term. So Victor will sit in the First Lady’s box, along with military families, people who are championing immigration reform, and victims of gun reform.

"I know I’m going to sit with the president’s wife. I did not think I would get here," she said. "I am proud."

As an immigrant, former farm worker, and respected elder and minority from one of the poorest parts of South Florida, Victor and others like her stand to benefit most from the policies the president will discuss during his speech, say White House officials.

Victor came to the attention of the White House through the Advancement Project, which was tracking problems at the polls after Florida lawmakers cut early voting days.

The White House describes Victor as "a spirited and independent centenarian," who was born in Haiti in 1910 and arrived in the U.S. in 1989. She enjoys attending church services and cooking her own meals.

Victor voted at a library on the first day of early voting when waits were as long as six hours. She stood in line for three hours until some voting rights activists complained that an elderly woman was struggling on her feet. A poll worker asked Victor to return later. She did so, emerging that evening from the building with an "I Voted" sticker.

That prompted the crowd to erupt into applause — and encouraged many to wait their turn instead of giving up on voting, the White House said.

“The line was shorter at night,” she said. “I wanted to voted for my guy, my son President Obama.”

"She said even if she got dizzy or collapsed on the line, 'This is something I have to do,'" said Philippe Derose, a North Miami Beach councilman who met Victor after her challenges during early voting.

For South Florida, Victor symbolizes thousands who endured long lines during a reduced early voting schedule and on election day.

Local activists and observers expect Obama to address voter’s rights during the State of the Union address. During his election night speech Obama said “we have to fix that” in referring to those who waited hours to vote.

He echoed a similar sentiment in his inauguration speech. “Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote," he said.

Two Florida House members are also making a political statement with their guests at the State of the Union address. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston and Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach both invited those impacted by gun violence.

Frankel’s guest, Lynn McDonnell, is the mother of Grace, 7, who died in December in the shooting spree that killed 26 people, mostly children, at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. McDonnell’s husband, Chris, will attend the State of the Union with Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Calif.

"The reality is that it's going to be pressure from the public that's going to move some of our colleagues, and that's the reason so many of us are bringing guests from Newtown," Frankel said. "I want my colleagues to look these parents in the eye, and tell them that we can get this done, that we can do something. You cannot look these parents in the eye and say 'I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do.' That's why these folks are going to be there."

Frankel sits on the Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which recently outlined several gun-control measures. They include a ban on high capacity magazines; requiring criminal background checks for all firearms purchased at gun shows; banning assault weapons; requiring universal background checks and closing loopholes that allow gun purchasers to avoid a background check altogether; and strengthening mental health programs.

Grace's father gave Obama one of his daughter's paintings, which Obama keeps in his private study just off the Oval Office.

"Every time I look at that painting, I think about Grace, and I think about the life that she lived and the life that lay ahead of her," Obama said recently. "And most of all, I think about how when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us, we must act now...for all the Americans who are counting on us to keep them safe from harm."

Wasserman Schultz invited Megan Hobson, 17, of Hialeah, who in May was the victim of a drive-by shooting.

She was hit by a bullet that entered through the trunk of a car and helped save the life of a two-year-old passenger, according to the congresswoman's staff. Hobson spent three weeks under intensive care at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Hobson, now a senior at Miami-Dade's American Senior High, will join Wasserman Schultz at a news conference Tuesday morning before traveling to Washington for the president's speech.

Miami Herald staff writer Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report.

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13-year-old who opened fire on crowd of people arraigned

The geeky 13-year-old named "Elmo" charged with opening fire into a crowd of people in East Harlem was arraigned today on attempted murder charges.

Elmo Williams had allegedly pulled a 9 mm pistol and tried to shoot a rival 14-year-old in front of Jefferson Houses just after school let out on Thursday. Manhattan Family Court Judge Stewart Weinstein ordered the young teen remain in a juvenile detention facility, and set Feb. 27 for his next hearing.

No one was injured, and Williams dropped the gun and ran when cops intervened, getting arrested almost immediately.

Williams was accompanied at court with his brother, who is his legal guardian, and several other family members.

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