JULY 6, 2010
James Barker receives George Merrick Award BY LARRY M. NOLAN
GABLES GREAT
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he Allen Morris Company, in partnership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, honored James T. Barker as the recipient of the third annual George E. Merrick Award of Excellence on June 24 at the Biltmore Hotel. For more than 40 years, Barker has excelled in his signature areas of expertise — community relations, marketing and public relations. He has applied his talent to every sector of Coral Gables and the community at large. Barker served as chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce from 1972 to 1973 and his unwavering focus on the community, most notably during his long tenure as a Coral Gables City Commissioner, was to serve the people of Coral Gables. The board of judges was comprised of: W. Allen Morris, chair, president and CEO of the Allen Morris Company; Donna Shalala, president of the University of Miami; Ron Shuffield, past chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce; Betsy Adams, past George E. Merrick Award recipient, and John O’Rourke, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce chair-elect. The distinguished honorees also recognized this year were: Joseph Adler, producing artistic director, GablesStage Theatre; Paula Brockway, principal, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables; Jorge Hernandez, professor, University of Miami School of Architecture; Arthur H. Hertz, CEO and chair, Wometco Enterprises, and Barbara S. Stein, founding executive producing director, Actors’ Playhouse. The George E. Merrick Award was created in 2008 to recognize and celebrate a visionary leader who has made a significant impact and set standards for the cultural celebration, promotion, beautification, preservation and economic growth of the City of Coral Gables. “This is a great award named after the founding father of Coral Gables, George Merrick, who was a true visionary and what better way to honor his legacy than to have
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AWARD, on page 4
Mireya Kilmon uses pageant successes to promote causes BY GLORIA BURNS
Pictured during the presentation are (l-r) Montye Barker (wife of James Barker), James Barker and W. Allen Morris.
Historic Biltmore Hotel hosts photo contest on Facebook BY ROSA QUIROZ
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his summer the Biltmore Hotel is hosting a photo contest where guests and visitors from around the world can share their most memorable photographs taken at the National Historic Landmark. Now through July 31, The Biltmore will select the best images received and post them on the hotel’s Facebook page where everyone can view and vote for the photo of their choice. Photo entries can include your favorite Biltmore site, such as the pool, ballrooms, main lobby or an inspiring architectural
detail. Photos also can be of a memorable experience at the resort, such as dining with family, tee-time at the golf course, a friend’s wedding, or any other enjoyable event you would like to share. Send your photos to <pr@biltmorehotel.com>. To vote for your favorite photo simply become a fan of the Biltmore on Facebook, <www.facebook.com/biltmorehotel>, and click on the album called “Photo Contest” then click “Like” on the photo of your choice. The photo contest winners will be –––––––––––––––––– See
FACEBOOK on page 4
Mireya Kilmon, is an intelligent, passionate woman whose charitable outreach has a larger voice because of her success on the pageant circuit. As the 2009-10 reigning American Image National Queen, Kilmon has championed many charitable causes over the years, not the least of which is the Arthritis Foundation. In fact, Kilmon recently was named co-chair for the second annual Miami-Dade County Arthritis Foundation “Let’s Move Together” Walk to take place on Nov. 13 at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. As someone who has suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for more than 20 years, Kilmon has undergone many surgeries and overcome much to achieve her success. Of course, MIREYA KILMON arthritis and pageants do not define this Cuban-born ball of fire who can sing, dance and act with the best of them. Kilmon even has revealed a wonderful talent as a photographer, winning first place ribbons at recent Art Federation art shows. ––––––––––––––––––––––––– See
KILMON on page 4