Coral Gables News 5.17.2011

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MAY 17 - 30, 2011

Resident business owner donates trees valued at $95,000 BY MARIA ROSA HIGGINS FALLON

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prominent business owner and resident of Coral Gables is helping make his home city a little more beautiful. Manuel C. Diaz, president of Manuel Diaz Farms, has donated trees worth $95,000 to the Coral Gables Community Foundation/ Parknership to be used by the city as an enhancement to the landscaping along Ponce de Leon Boulevard from Alcazar Avenue to Salamanca Avenue. The city commission accepted the donation on Apr. 26. “On behalf of the residents of this community, we extend a message of gratitude to Mr. Diaz for this generous donation,” said Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason. Streetscape improvements currently are underway on Phase II of Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The donated trees, which are to be handpicked by Diaz, will enhance the overall streetscape significantly. “Manuel Diaz’s commitment to the beautification of his home community is commendable,” said Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk Jr., founder and advocate of the public/private Parknership program, which seeks private donations to underwrite improvements and acquisitions to parks and green spaces throughout Coral Gables. On the list of donated trees headed to the city are mature Bismark Palms, Spindle Palms, Yellow Tabebuias, Gumbo Limbo, and Chinese Palms. The Bismark Palms are to be planted on the landscaped areas at the intersections of Ponce de Leon and the cross streets of Minorca, Majorca, Madeira, Zamora, Mendoza, Menores, and Salamanca. The Bismark Palms, with their broad, silver-blue foliage, will create an impressive entrance to each block along Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The Spindle Palms will be planted in the narrow median areas. A combination of Yellow Tabebuia and Gumbo Limbo trees will provide significant color in the areas of the two mid-block pedestrian crossings, one of which is adjacent to Coral Gables Elementary School. Additionally, two Chinese triple Palms will be planted in the large landscaped area near Salamanca Avenue. The trees are scheduled to be planted during May.

BNI Miami-Dade focuses on giving back to community

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

CATHERINE ORDONEZ

BNI Miami-Dade’s Leadership Team Trainers are pictured with the directors and Franchise Advisory Board chair. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY CHARLES JONES

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ore than 400 members of BNI Miami-Dade, a regional chapter of BNI, recently gathered for one of its most important meetings of the year at the prestigious Coral Gables Country Club. BNI Miami-Dade hosts a biannual leadership training conference for the newly elected officers in each of its 30 chapters representing a total of more than 950 members. In addition to strategic

planning, BNI Miami-Dade leaders discussed innovative ways for their individual chapters to give back to the South Florida community. “The greatest part of success is being able to share it with others…giving back to our community in a very real and tangible way,” Jeff Stay said. “Living the BNI Core Philosophy which is ‘Givers Gain’ means doing so on every level and this includes giving to our local community.” –––––––––––––––––––––––– See

BNI, page 4

KEVIN FLETCHER

JASMINE JACKSON This is another in a series of profiles of outstanding students attending schools in Coral Gables. These students excel both inside and outside the classroom. See profiles beginning on page 7.


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Coral Gables News 5.17.2011 by Community Newspapers - Issuu