One of Miami’s Community Newspapers
Phone: 305-669-7355
JUNE 20, 2011
www.communitynewspapers.com
TRIBUNE
Biscayne Bay Coconut Grove getting ready for July 4 events BY LILIANA DONES
S
oon the flags will be unfurled and once again be lining the streets of downtown Coconut Grove as the village readies for its favorite holiday celebration — Independence Day. As in previous years, the events start early and end late, beginning with the traditional picnic at The Barnacle, and culminating with a big bash and fireworks display at Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd. The board of directors of the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce is excited to be coordinating the fireworks extravaganza at Peacock Park, and especially looking forward to teaming up with returning sponsor, the Boston Beer Company. Sam Adams once again is the official beer for July 4 at Peacock Park, and nothing goes better with beer than an assortment of some of the city’s top gourmet food trucks, including, as of this date: CheeseMe Mobile, Dim Ssam a gogo, Gastropod, Latin Burger and The Fish Box, plus Fireman Derek’s World-Famous Pies and a Snow Caps stand. Soft drinks, cocktails and Zico Coconut Water will round out the menu. Free Entertainment includes perform-
––––––––––––––––––––––––– See
GROVE, page 4
See Grove Section Inside
Xavier Suarez sworn in as Miami-Dade Commissioner
Greater Miami Chamber installs Penny Shaffer as 2011-12 chair BY CORNELIA PEREIRA
T
Commissioner Xavier L. Suarez takes the Oath of Office, accompanied by his wife Rita and U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY LEE STEPHENS
I
n front of a packed audience filled with elected officials, dignitaries, county directors, family and friends, Commissioner Xavier L. Suarez officially took his seat as the representative of Miami-Dade’s District 7. The installation ceremony, hosted by chair Joe A. Martinez and the Miami-Dade County Commission, took place on Monday, June 6, at the Stephen P. Clark Center. Harvey Ruvin, Miami-Dade’s Clerk of Courts, served as the emcee for the occasion, presenting the commissioner with a
Certificate of Election after taking the oath of office. Commissioner Suarez was sworn in by U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno. Suarez noted that he will place priority on improving public transit and parks, advocate for more affordable housing, and work to lower property taxes. Addressing his colleagues on the dais, Commissioner Suarez stated that the commission “could not desist from starting, right now, to improve the lives of our fellow citizens with the $7.5 billion entrusted to us.” Martinez congratulated Suarez and presented him with a special commission pin. For more information, contact Martinez’s office at 305-375-5511.
he Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the voice of business in South Florida, has announced Penny Shaffer, market president for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, as its 2011-12 chair. Shaffer was installed formally during the morning general session of the chamber’s 2011 Goals Conference conducted June 3 at the Hilton Miami Downtown. Shaffer succeeds Maria Alonso, senior vice president with Bank of America, who concluded her one-year term as chair. Shaffer has been engaged actively in an array of professional organiPENNY SHAFFER zations. She is member of the Executive Committee of the Beacon Council, secretary of the Dade Community Foundation, on the Governor’s Council of Broward Alliance, immediate past chair of the board of the Miami-Dade College Foundation and secretary of the board for the Foundation for New Education Initiatives of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
–––––––––––––––––– See
SHAFFER, page 4