MAY 4, 2010
Impressions of Haiti will remain forever
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BY DON SLESNICK
Coral Gables Mayor
n unexpected phone call led to my decision to participate in the volunteer relief effort in Haiti. As the day of departure approached, the serious nature of the trip began to sink in as I was vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A and B, influenza and began the oral administration of malaria tablets. The group’s leadership had “collected” an army of volunteers numbering 120 persons including people from all walks of life. Several days before departure, we were reminded that the need was great for relief supplies. Through a fast two-day email effort using local resources like the GablesHomePage, Pat Morris’ personal outreach and Boo’s List, my wife, Jeannett, collected approximately 7,000 T-shirts for the children of Port-au-Prince. Thousands of shirts came from the students at West Lab, St. Thomas, St. Philip’s and Coral Gables Elementary schools; pri-
Dr. Greer’s passion is to help less fortunate
Miami Children’s Hospital set up a satellite unit in Haiti to help with sick and injured children.
Downtown Gables announces new and relocated businesses
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BY GRACE SALISBURY
Mayor Don Slesnick is pictured with a young Haitian during his visit.
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HAITI on page 4
GABLES GREAT
ith more than 15 new restaurants, merchants and cultural venues debuting in Downtown Coral Gables in the coming months, Miracle Mile is abuzz with action. Dining is the talk of the town with celebrity chef Norman Van Aken making his highly anticipated return to the Gables and the Ale House introducing its casual brand of fun to the area. Additionally, J. Del Olmo bridal salon and Reminiscence antiques and accessories have relocated to accommodate a 300-seat Seasons 52. The healthy grill
and wine bar will take over six storefronts on the north side of the 300 block of Miracle Mile between Salzedo Street and LeJeune Road. “There’s a lot of excitement in the air this spring, notably in the 300 block,” said Mari Gallet, executive director of the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables. “While we, like other major retail districts, saw some storefronts go dark during the height of the recession, a considerable amount of development has been underway since late last year, and we are looking for-
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DOWNTOWN on page 4
Dr. Joe Greer receives Presidental Medal of Freedom from President Obama. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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BY GLORIA BURNS
umanitarian, physician, author and family man, Dr. Pedro Jose Greer is someone whose passion to help those less fortunate is a movie script waiting to happen. He is one of those people who bring home the message that one person can make a difference. One only has to look at Greer’s accomplishments to comprehend how this one man has changed the lives of so many. Dr. Joe Greer, who has a joint private practice with his father, Pedro Greer Sr., also is the assistant dean of Academic Affairs at the Florida International University School of Medicine, where he serves as chair of the Department of Humanities, Health and Society. In 1984, inspired to never let anyone die alone after the death of his sister four
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GREER on page 4