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Phone: 305-669-7355
NEWS
Cutler Bay SERVING SOUTH DADE
FEB. 21 - MAR. 5, 2012
‘Taste of the Bay’ returns on Feb. 26 BY GARY ALAN RUSE
Zoological Society of Florida to host Feast With The Beasts
T
he town’s biggest food and entertainment event of the year, “Taste of the Bay,” returns on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event debuted in May 2011 and was well attended. Sponsored by the Cutler Bay Business Association (CBBA) to bring residents together for a fun-filled day and to increase awareness of the town’s many great restaurants, it again will take place at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, 18001 Old Cutler Rd. Local participating restaurants include Applebee’s, Chopsticks House, Cutler Bay Bar & Grill, Rodbender’s Raw Bar and Grill, Inc., Sal’s Italian Ristorante, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream, Moon Tai, Steve’s Pizza and The Butcher Shop Deli and Catering. Tickets to the family-oriented event are
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TASTE, page 6
BY CINDY CASTELBLANCO
CBBA president Cyndi Rogg (left) and Patricia Farina are pictured with the Taste of the Bay poster.
Police lieutenant tells CBBA about security in Cutler Bay BY GARY ALAN RUSE
L
t. William Hernandez of the Cutler Bay Policing Unit spoke to members of the Cutler Bay Business Association about crime at their monthly meeting on Feb. 9. “The good news is, crime is down in Cutler Bay,” Lt. Hernandez told them. “But you still need to take precautions.” Hernandez attributed the crime reduction in the town to the higher ratio of police officers to residents than in other parts of the county, Lt. William Hernandez briefs CBBA members on crime prevention.
especially under budget cutbacks. But he stressed the importance of personal safety. “Be careful when you’re shopping, especially in parking lots at the malls,” he said. “Know your surroundings; pay attention to what’s going on and don’t flash a lot of cash.” He reminded everyone of the usual precautions of avoiding shopping alone and leaving purchased items visible in vehicles while they return to do more shopping. He suggested placing things in the
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SECURITY, page 6
The Zoological Society of Florida and the Host Committee are hosting Feast With The Beasts (FWTB) on Mar. 2 to celebrate wildlife and tantalize your palates with tastes of the most extraordinary dishes created by some of South Florida’s most renowned fine food establishments. Proudly presented by Ryder Charitable Foundation, Feast With The Beasts will help support the Zoological Society of Florida’s wildlife education and conservation programs on behalf of Zoo Miami. From 8 p.m. to midnight, Feast With The Beasts returns in its 19th year as one of the best events in town featuring tastes from 40 local restaurants and caterers, eight open bars, wild animal encounters, live entertainment and complimentary valet parking. To date some of the featured restaurants that will be present include: Asia de Cuba, Bijan’s on the River, Blue Martini, Bonefish Grill, China Grill, Kitchen 305, Miyagi Sushi Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Sawa
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FEAST, page 6
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Cutler Bay Business Association Luncheon February 9, 2012
Lunch furnished by The Butcher Shop Catering
Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin waiting to sign in for the meeting.
Members enjoying the meal before the meeting
Cyndi Rogg and Dennis Peterson
A good turnout for the February meeting
Juana Martinez of The Butcher Shop Catering
Councilwoman Sue Ellen Loyzelle and other CBBA members
Cutler Bay Police Lt. William Hernandez
Lt. Hernandez addressing the group
Members Maxine Turner, Granval Turner and Wade Nembhard
William Hernandez and his wife Mercy Hernandez of Old Cutler Academy
Sponsored by: Sue Ellen Loyzelle with a map of Cutler Bay road projects Cyndi Rogg (left) and Patricia Farina with Taste of the Bay poster
Photos by: Gary Alan Ruse
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
County reviewing Code in effort to make it more business friendly BY ARLEEN GOMEZ
In an effort to make Miami-Dade County more business friendly, Miami-Dade County Commission chair Joe A. Martinez joined forces with the Florida International University (FIU) College of Law to review the Miami-Dade County Code in order to identify provisions that delay, impede or hinder the manner in which business and industry interact with the county. The details of the code revision initiative were presented at FIU’s College of Law on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Phase One of the project involves law students identifying the application of a particular Code section to one or more businesses. Phase Two of the project will delve into what Code provisions should be revised and, if so, in what manner. The goal is to have these law students, along with the County Attorney’s office, identify those provisions that directly impact the various business industries adversely. That research will then be reviewed in various workshops by a cross section of the business community in an attempt to streamline the way businesses work with county govern-
Pictured (l-r) are FIU president Mark Rosenberg, Miami-Dade County Commission chair Joe A. Martinez, FIU law student Vanessa Pinto, and College of Law dean R. Alex Acosta. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––
ment. “I began this effort to make sure MiamiDade becomes an agent of progress that fosters the formation of new businesses and the success of existing ones,” Martinez said. “The assistance of FIU’s law students and local business owners will provide a fresh perspective of how Miami-Dade can better serve our local industries and limit unnecessary red tape. The less we hinder business development, the more our economy can grow.”
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Join us for lunch and networking! March 8, 2012
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Planes, trains and automobiles: hobby for resident Paul Conner
The CBBA will be hosting their Monthly Luncheon Palmetto Bay Village Center Between 11:00am and 1:00pm. Members $10 Non-Members $20
Special Presentations by: Job Corps and South Florida Workforce Topic: Helping Your Business
Lunch provided by: Peperoni Italian Restaurant
WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US! To R.S.V.P. visit www.cbba.biz or call 305-609-1096
Paul Conner is pictured at his Hollywood Station hobby shop. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
When Cutler Bay resident Paul Conner retired at age 56 after a career as a CPA for Price Waterhouse, his longtime interest in model trains, toy cars and planes saved him from boredom and became something of a second career. “I tried at first to set up an office at home but I wasn’t active and I just went crazy,” Conner said. “When I retired I had quite a collection of the various toys I had accumulated over the years so I thought I would try something with that.” In May of 1995 Conner opened a small hobby shop in Hollywood (FL) called Hollywood Station. He was there for eight and a half years, then moved to Cutler Bay in 2003 when his late wife’s medical problems made it necessary for him to live closer to his grown children. He kept his hobby shop on Old Cutler Road near Publix for three and a half years before relocating to its present location. A scale model of the limousine from the movie, The Godfather, complete with a miniature Marlon Brando, is one of many intriguing items. Conner has been a member of the Train Collector’s Association since 1970, and although he has maintained a shop for 17 years, he says that it’s something he does
mainly as a labor of love. “I have to do it mostly as a hobby here,” Conner said. “You can’t really do it as a business.” His shop, which is off the beaten path in a warehouse district near a Home Depot and other small specialty shops, carries lots of boxed model trains from Lionel, American Flyer and Ives, collectible die cast metal cars and some die cast planes. Visiting it is like a trip back in time. He’s open seven days a week and most of his customers are regulars who have been with him for years. “Probably half of my business is stuff we order for people out of catalogs,” he said. “Over the years we built up quite a clientele.” He also is very knowledgeable about old collectables according to his daughter, Marilyn Horne, and can appraise model trains and cars as well. Although he turns 81 in March, Conner still jogs every day to stay fit and the shop helps him keep active. He and his children all live within blocks of each other in Cutler Bay. Hollywood Station is located at 19301 SW 106 Avenue, No. 9, and is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call 305-278-1669.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Meetings and special events in Cutler Bay this month Michael Miller EXECUTIVE EDITOR
AROUND TOWN Mark your calendars! The Town of Cutler Bay will hold its next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 21, at Town Hall, 10720 Caribbean Boulevard. Call 305-234-4262 to confirm meetings. Worth mentioning even though it was passed unanimously last November is Cutler Bay’s “Town’s Commitment to Maintain Civility In its Public and Political Discourse” resolution. Check it out on the town’s official website at <www.cutlerbayfl.gov/>. And don’t forget, although Founders Day is coming up next month, the usual Town Celebration Picnic won’t be taking place since the effort and funding that
would have gone for that went instead into the super big blast at the grand opening of Lakes by the Bay Park that was held recently. Music! We hear that Siempre Flamenco’s guitarist Paco Fonta is teaming up with jazz vibraphonist Richard Sprince for “an exciting journey of musical dialogue, exploring connections between the two musical genres.” The show will include Flamenco dancing by acclaimed artists Celia Fonta and Paola Escobar, original compositions by both Paco Fonta and Richard Sprince as well as an arrangement of the classic Jazz composition Crystal Silence by Chick Corea, set to flamenco rhythm. Performances will take place in the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center’s intimate Black Box Theater on Friday, March 16 at 8:30pm, Saturday, March 17 at 8:30pm and Sunday, March 18 at 3:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For ticket information call 786-5735300 or visit <www.smdcac.org>. The Center is located at 10950 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay. Tropical Park was full of dogs and owners February 11, rallying for a right to
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Cutler Bay News
6769 S.W. 62 Avenue, South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355, Fax (305) 662-6980
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PUBLISHER .................................................................................................................................. Grant Miller EXECUTIVE EDITOR .....................................................................................................................Michael Miller EDITOR.................................................................................................................................. David Berkowitz WRITERS, COLUMNISTS.............................................................. Ron Beasley, Kenneth Bluh, Robert Hamilton, Linda Rodriguez-Bernfeld, Gary Alan Ruse, Lee Stephens, Al Sunshine, Richard Yager ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES..........................................................Albie Barnes, Beatriz Brandfon, Roberta Bergman, Ana Caceres, Celia Canabate, Diane Chasin, Henry Chau, Sharon Christian, Diane Maddox, Denzel Miles, Ann Robbins-Udel, Fara Sax, Lori Schwadron, Diane Sedona Schiller, Walter White LEGAL ADVERTISING ..................................................................................................................... Georgia Tait BOOKKEEPING ............................................................................................................................ Jesus Toledo PROOF DEPARTMENT....................................................................................................................Isabel Vavrek
GRAPHIC ARTISTS ............................................................ Denise Cebrero, Isabel Ortega, Cristian Ortiz
PUBLISHER EMERITUS...........................................................................................................................................Ron Miller COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
Aventura News, Biscayne Tribune, Coral Gables News-Tribune, Doral Tribune, Kendall Gazette, Cutler Bay News, Palmetto Bay News, Pinecrest Tribune, South Miami News, Sunny Isles Beach
vote for Pets’ Trust, a dedicated fund designed to save thousands of animals from being killed in Dade County each year. The “BARKupy” campaign was largely the work of Kendall’s Michael Rosenberg who unknowingly adopted a diseased kitten from Dade County Animal Services, only to see it die four days later. That provided the inspiration to create Pets’ Trust and BARKupy with those equally appalled at daily killing of cats and dogs by the system now in place. To keep up with the cause, visit <www.PetsTrustMiami.com> where you can sign a petition for the right to vote on enabling legislation, Rosenberg urges. South h ern Cross Astros hosting “MarsWatch” for public and media at 8 p.m. Mar. 3 at Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Center, SW 176 Street, one-half mile west of Old Cutler Rd. in Palmetto Bay. Fiery Mars will be brightest as it lies opposite the Sun, and closest to Earth (on its two and one-half year schedule). Hightech equipment will focus on Martian detail, the Great Orion Nebula, the Moon, Jupiter and more! Wheelchair accessibility provided. Call 305-661-1375 for details. Sgt. Thomas Pikul at Florida Highway
Patrol wants you to know that if you (or your organization) want to view their dayto-day enforcement life, there’s a justreleased documentary: Inside the Florida Highway Patrol available, a 92-minute flick featuring recruits becoming Troopers. Details at 305-308-0586. Cutler Ridge United Methodist C h u rch, 20740 Old Cutler Road, will hold an indoor Flea Market on Friday, Feb. 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Center. Early morning coffee and a hot dog lunch will be available both days. For information please call 305-235-6651 or 305-2350561. Thought for the Day: Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. — Colette
Gary Alan Ruse and Richard Yager contributed to this column. Got any tips? Contact me at 305-6697355, ext. 249, or send emails to <Michael@communitynewspapers.com>.
Solar Dogs "play" Tropical Audubon Society February 25 Tropical Audubon's 2012 Conservation Concert Series, now in its third season, continues to gain momentum. Solar Dogs, a four-piece, acoustic string band specializing in Americana, Bluegrass, Blues and Country & Western, returns for their second season, volunteering to again rock the old Doc Thomas House and Tropical Audubon grounds. The critically praised Coconut Grove-based band regularly appears at venues such as The Barnacle, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Gifford Lane Art Stroll, Scotty’s Landing and the annual Shell Lumber Howl in the Wood. Michael Stock, host of WLRN’s Folk and Acoustic Music, considers Solar Dogs (Eric Wagner/vocals, guitar and mandolin, Zip Robertson/vocals, guitar and harmonica, Bill Kunz/fiddle and mandolin, and Steve Gaskell/upright bass) “the definitive South Florida sound.” Concert goers are encouraged to pack a picnic, bring a blanket, a date, a friend and come out to enjoy a laid-back "Old Florida" evening. A donation Bird Bar provides liquid refreshment in the form of beer, wine or water. Picnic tables are available on a first-come basis. Mark your calendars now and flock to Tropical Audubon Society for a truly wonderful evening under the stars, the oaks and the pines.
Solar Dogs Saturday, February 25th Gates open at 6:30 pm
Tropical Audubon Society 5530 Sunset Drive, South Miami 33143 Admission: $10 donation, children free Parking: Limited parking is available on the TAS grounds via the 55th Avenue gate. Limited free parking along 56th Avenue. Metered parking available on Sunset Drive.
We will not return solicited or unsolicited editorial material including stories, columns and or photographs. Please make sure that you have duplicate copies of the material.
Concert Proceeds will benefit capital improvements to the grounds and historic buildings.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
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free if picked up at participating restaurants ahead of time, or $5 each at the gate. In addition to all the food vendors, the Road Kings and the Mosquito Heads bands will provide live music, and between sets DJ Johnny 5 will keep things jumping. There will be a belly dancer, a car show sponsored by Cutler Auto Repair, arts and crafts displays, petting zoo, pony rides, art contest for kids, bounce house by Jump A Roos and playground equipment by My Gym. CBBA president Cyndi Rogg, who has been busily coordinating the group of par-
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SECURITY, from page 1
ticipants and volunteers, seems to be energized about the event’s return. “We’re looking forward to the community coming out and enjoying a great time,” Rogg said. “Working on the second one has definitely been fun and challenging. We’ve put in a lot of hours to make this happen and we’re looking forward to a great event.” Event sponsors include Palmetto Bay Village Center, Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay, Southland Mall, Cutler Auto Repair, Intellaclaim Public Adjusters Inc. and My Gym. Additional sponsors and volunteers still are welcome. For more information and the addresses of restaurants and others offering free tickets, visit <www.thetasteofthebay.com> or call 305-815-1536.
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trunk or leaving them with the store cashier until shoppers are ready to leave to go home. Hernandez advised not to open car windows on the road when panhandlers approach at traffic lights, and offered advice for business owners as well. “In your business, you have to be careful,” he said. “Keep your door locked if you can, or keep an eye on who’s coming in. Don’t keep a lot of money in the store and don’t make your
bank runs at the same time every day; vary your routine.” The lieutenant pointed out that security surveys by the police are available for businesses or homes, offered free of charge. “Our neighborhood resource unit will sit down with you and evaluate your situation and help you take steps to prevent crime,” Hernandez said. For a security survey in Cutler Bay, call 305-234-4237.
FEAST, from page 1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Restaurant & Lounge, Shake Shack, Shula’s 347 Grill, and Trattoria Dolce Vita. Dessert providers include: Blue Bell Ice Cream, Contenti Cupcakes, and Unique Designer’s Cake. After all of the wining and dining, every guest is invited to burn off the calories at Ron Magill’s Spectacular Dance Party from 10 p.m. to midnight with live entertainers and the hottest deejay in town playing the latest tunes. “One more year of the legendary Feast With The Beasts and we’ll have been celebrating this event for two decades,” said Norma Jean Abraham and Irene Korge, FWTB chairs. “We are honored to chair this event again and hope to raise much-needed funds for the Zoological Society of Florida.” Admission tickets to FWTB are available for $175 and VIP Cocktail Reception tickets that include admission to the main event are $225. VIP cocktail reception is at 7 p.m. Safari chic attire is encouraged. Those planning on attending should make advanced reservations. Sponsorship packages also are available. Visit <www.fwtb.org> or call 305-255-5551 to purchase tickets or for more information. FWTB 2012 is presented by Ryder Charitable Foundation. Comcast is the Official Communications Partner. Other event sponsors include: FPL, Ruby Bacardi, Mercantil Commercebank, Main Street Children’s
Dentistry & Orthodontics, Assurant, Shutts & Bowen LLP, United Way of Miami-Dade, U.S. Trust, Anthony Abraham Foundation, Cap Trust, United Property Management, Carnival Foundation, Wells Fargo, Bernstein Global Wealth Management, Parrot Fish Studio, MGM Manny Gonzalez Foundation, and The Goldsmith Family Foundation. Media Sponsors are Miami New Times and Social Miami. In-Kind Sponsors include: Brandano Lighting Displays Inc., Express Flowers, Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Caidal Moroccan & Indian Theme, Chamber South, Hi-Tec Graphics, Irene Korge, L&M Engraving, Owen Creative, and Winn-Dixie. The Zoological Society of Florida is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports Zoo Miami through education, conservation and outreach programs; marketing and public relations; volunteer services and financial support for the construction of new exhibits. Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St. Zoo general admission is $15.95 per adult, plus tax and $11.95 per child (3-12) plus tax. Children 2 and under, zoo members and parking are free. Zoo Miami’s hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; ticket booths close at 4 p.m. For more information please visit <www.zoomiami.org>.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Coral Reef student has ‘reel’ feel for making athletic films BY RAQUEL GARCIA
While a sophomore at Coral Reef High School, Corey Griffin signed up for a video production class and became fascinated with the process of taking moving images and crafting them into a captivating story using various editing techniques like special effects and voiceovers. A resourceful Griffin, who was a linebacker for the Coral Reef Barracudas at the time, realized he could take these newly acquired skills and create his own highlight film to market himself for college athletic scholarships. After completing his own highlight film and performing well in his spring game, University of Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones offered Griffin, who graduates in June, a full ride to play outside linebacker for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats as of next fall. Today Griff Productions has completed 15 highlight films for athletes seeking college admittance and sports scholarships. “I knew I needed a highlight film for college football scouts but didn’t know anyone who knew how to make them,” Griffin said. “My video production teacher, Mr. [David] Ernsberger, showed me how to take my editing skills and use them to make my very own personal highlight film for football. I then started helping out some of my teammates who were also trying to get their names out to college coaches.” Griffin said that it was a natural progression to turn his love for video storytelling and editing into a business after receiving positive remarks about the quality of his work. “After I received so much encouragement, I took an entirely different approach. I looked at the skills I developed as a way to help athletes, not only from my school but other schools as well, get their highlight films out there and gain needed exposure.” Griffin has positioned himself into a unique niche in the business of video production. Having walked the same path as other high school athletes looking for scholarship offers with no prospects in sight and understanding now what coaches are looking for thanks to his own highlight reel success, Griffin has much to offer high school athletes making the transition to college life and athletic opportunity. “So far, five of the 15 videos I completed for my clients have won them Division One scholarships,” Griffin said. “It is up to each athlete to learn how to market themselves
Corey Griffin hits the field for practice. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
and it is not an easy position to be in. “The best feeling in the world is knowing you helped someone get a scholarship. Seeing the smiles on their faces after viewing their video, knowing what a confidence builder it is, and what a special presentation it makes to show family and friends, these are the driving forces behind my business.” Griffin will begin his college career at the University of Cincinnati this June studying telecommunications and hopefully working on and off the field as a football player and a producer of athletic video productions. “My parents have been incredible role models. They are both University of Miami graduates and showed me how to work hard in life to create a successful future. Making my parents proud really motivates me to work hard. From here, it is all on the up.” To find out more about Griff Productions and its “top quality editing for top quality athletes,” call 786-554-3374 or send email to <Coreygriffin16@gmail.com>.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
You don’t have to be history buff to appreciate Red Tails BY ERNIE SOCHIN
Vice Mayor
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a WW II buff, having read perhaps thousands of books on the subject, and even having a room in my house called the “War Room” where I keep all my WW II stuff and spend hours watching the History and Military channels. In our travels, my traveling companion and I have visited virtually every battleground and historical location having to do with the war. My companion spent most of her time waiting in the car or cafeteria while I filled my mind and camera with everything that I could observe. We have the same problem when we go to the movies. She claims that we always see my kind of movies while I call attention to all the “chick flicks” that I sat through waiting for the end. So of course when Red Tails, a movie featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. and about a famous WW II fighter squadron piloted by only black pilots, came to town I immedi-
ately began stomping my feet and demanding that we see it before it left the theater. My sweet and accommodating companion finally agreed after I swore to go to at least two more “chick flicks” in the future, She also told me that as soon as she got bored watching Red Tails, she would leave and go shopping. I agreed. By the time this great movie was over, she had become overwhelmed with emotion and on the way out of the theater began giving me marching orders. She demanded that I immediately begin contacting black leaders in our community to insist that arrangements be made for every African American child in our area to watch this inspiring film, so much so that two lovely black women behind us, one a court magistrate, stopped us to see what had made us so emotional about this movie. To backtrack a bit, I am frequently asked to speak at various schools in the area and on one visit began to tell the class of mostly African Americans that in my day they would not have been allowed in my classes because they were black and thought to be unequal to us white folks. They seemed surprised and turned to their black teacher for confirmation. She
Ernie Sochin is a Colonel and Life Member of the Commemorative Air Force, an organization dedicated to the preservation of WW II airplanes. This is one of the planes, a P-51, the type used by the Red Tails and one of the most beautiful planes ever to fly. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
confirmed. Then I told them of my first trip to Florida when I stopped at a rest stop on the Florida Turnpike and went to the two water fountains there — one marked “white,” the other “colored.” They couldn’t believe this either and once again turned to their teacher for confirmation. I, of course, drank from the “colored” fountain. I was a rebel even back then. Back to the movie: It showed in some detail how during WW II, when we were in desperate need for pilots to protect our vulnerable bombers from the enemy, our military thought that “coloreds” were not intelligent enough and believed a medical study stating that “Negroes are incapable of handling complex machinery.” It took a lot of talking from a Colonel A.J. Bullard and Lt. Col. Benjamin Davis Jr. to convince the Army Air Force that they could do the job. Once given the chance they performed magnificently and eventually were welcomed into the ranks of our proud military and became known as “The Tuskegee Airmen” (for the base in Alabama where they received their flight
training.) The unit received 850 medals over the course of the war as well as the Distinguished Unit Citation. Sixty-six pilots were killed in action out of 450. They destroyed 111 German airplanes in the air and another 150 on the ground as well as numerous other targets such as a destroyer at sea. Now do you see why this film is so important? Don’t miss it!
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Cutler Bay News! For all your advertising needs call Roberta Bergman • 305-284-7380 or Georgia Tait • 305-284-7381
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Term limits: Herald said vote ‘yes’; voters said ‘no’ R. Kenneth Bluh KENNETH’S COMMENTARY The Miami Herald recommended in their pre-election day editorial that this is the chance we have been waiting for. The opportunity to say “yes” to a pay raise for our county commissioners and at the same time vote a two-term limit in the future. The voters went to the polls and voted “no” on the issue. I spoke to a number of voters who said that the idea of someone who has served on the commission for the past 10-20 years having the opportunity to stay for eight more years was just too much. The voters are saying, “Want more money? Then include your past service on the commission toward the two-term limit and we will pay you the $90,000 and some odd dollar salary you want. Otherwise stay as long as you can get reelected and earn $6,000 a year.” The voters are bitter. The question you must be asking is: If the voters are so bitter, why do they keep
reelecting them to office? If the majority of the voters want them off of the commission, why don’t they just vote them out and replace them with someone else? The answer is rather simple. With only 12 to 15 percent of the registered voters voting in off presidential or senatorial elections the only voters who vote are those that support the commissioners, the ones it seems everyone else despises. It is one thing to pontificate about the quality of our elected officials and what should be done with them. It is another thing to take the time to vote. Seems few have an extra 30 minutes on Election Day to vote or the interest to vote by mail. One other charter amendment did catch the eye of the voters and they voted “yes” to extending the time petition gatherers could collect petitions from 60 days to 120 days. If nothing else it proved that the voters understood the issues and didn’t just say “no” to both charter amendments. With the ability to spend 120 days gathering signatures it quickly became apparent that for once the voters could get the changes that they really want on the ballot for a vote. They did not have to depend on the commission to put the appropriate amendments on the ballot for our vote — appropriate mean-
VIEWPOINT ing what the commissioners wanted, not what the voters were seeking. Vanessa Brito, head of Miami Voice, the organization that spearheaded the removal of Mayor Carlos Alvarez and county commissioner Natacha Seijas, wasted no time in jumping to the forefront of a movement to take to the streets of Miami-Dade with a petition drive to get on the ballot what Miami Voice believes the public really wants to vote upon. Brito wants separate amendments, one to cover term limits and another to cover salary and limiting outside employment. In other words the commission job is a fulltime position. Brito feels that combining the questions is confusing to the voter. Meanwhile two county commissioners, Lynda Bell and Rebeca Sosa, are proposing the same basic questions as Miami Voice. The proposal will go before the full commission in March with a final vote on the issue in April. How two different approaches to the same resolution work out is diffi-
cult to predict. However, I doubt that Miami Voice will stop their drive for fear that the commission will not support Bell and Sosa and we end up with nothing on the ballot. Miami Voice considered charter amendments that would make the two-term limit retroactive, however they feel that it would bring on legal challenges that might void the entire vote of the public. What do voters want? Two-term limits. The two terms to include the terms already served, no outside employment, a salary increase to the state mandated formula if every other amendment is approved. This I find difficult to visualize happening. We appreciate your opinions on this column whether in agreement or disagreement. Please send your comments to (fax number) 305-662-6980 or email to <letters@communitynewspapers.com>. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of this newspaper, its editors or publisher.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
SMDCAC presentation celebrates Black History Month on Feb. 23 BY NICOLLE UGARRIZA
South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) celebrates Black History Month with a presentation of The Langston Hughes Project, Ask Your Mama, and Twelve Moods for Jazz, Thursday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m., on the main stage. The performance features the Ron McCurdy Quartet with celebrity spoken word artist Malcolm Jamal-Warner. As part of this special evening, delancyhill law firm will host its eighth Annual Black History Month Celebration with a VIP reception honoring Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss at 6 p.m. in the Black Box Studio. Proceeds from the VIP reception will benefit SMDCAC’s education and outreach programs. Tickets to the performance are $30, $20, $10 ($5 tickets CultureShockmiami.com), $5 off orchestra level seats for students seniors and active military service members. Tickets to the VIP reception are $50 and include entrance to the performance. The public should contact SMDCAC’s Box Office at 786-573-5300 or visit <www.smdcac.org>. SMDCAC is located at 10950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay. The Ron McCurdy Quartet performs Langston Hughes’ insightful, wise, poignant, funny and soulful, poem accompanied by celebrity spoken word artist Malcolm JamalWarner, most famous for his role on The Cosby Show and his recent sitcom, Reed Between the Lines. The performance includes video images of the Harlem Renaissance by African American artists and photographers including Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks and Romare Bearden. Ask Your Mama is an 800-line, 12-part poetic suite written by noted African American poet/writer/playwright Langston Hughes in 1961. This work is described as a multimedia presentation that recreates Hughes’ vision of the global struggle for freedom in the coming, tur-
bulent decade. The piece itself is an original work conceived by Dr. Ron McCurdy, USC professor and chair of Jazz Studies. A scholarly exploration of the original work by Dr. McCurdy revealed that Hughes originally had included musical cues to accompany his poem, intending to work with musical contemporaries on a full production; regrettably, Hughes died in 1967 before a production could be developed. “I felt that the unrealized work had enormous potential, not only to entertain, but more importantly to introduce modern audiences to the power of Hughes’ words and the eloquence of his political discourse,” McCurdy said. A collaborative effort between McCurdy and film maker Damani Baker expanded on Hughes’ original concept, adding an accompanying jazz suite based on Hughes’ original notes, composed and arranged by McCurdy and Eli Brueggeman. McCurdy presents The Langston Hughes Project in both performances and master classes on the college circuit and for African American Heritage celebrations throughout the nation. Information about The Langston Hughes Project is available at: <www.ronmccurdy.com/about_hudges_project.htm>. “As children of South Miami-Dade County, my law partner and I are proud to return home to our community where South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center shines as a jewel for our artistic soul and heritage,” said Marlon Hill, founding partner, delancyhill PA. “We are thankful for a community that gave us so much.” Sponsors and community partners of the eighth annual Black History Month Celebration will include Bilmor with Advertising Specialties, Caribbean Today, Chef Irie Spice, Circle of One Marketing, Community Bank of Florida, Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay, Invizio, Medium Four, Richhaus Media, and South Florida Caribbean News.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Studio helps young patients have a picture-perfect day
Carlos Barquin shows the photo he took with his camera to one of the children. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BY LEE STEPHENS
More than a dozen children at Miami Children’s Hospital benefited from a special activity presented by Barquin Photography, a professional photography studio in the Kendall area. Barquin Photography hit the road on Monday, Feb. 6, to introduce Posh Portrait Parties, a unique concept that lets boys and girls play dress up, sing karaoke, work on arts and crafts and pose in front of the camera for their very own professional photo shoot. Patients ranging from the age of 10 months to 15 years enjoyed an afternoon filled with excitement that will never be forgotten. Carlos Barquin, owner and professional photographer at Barquin Photography, created this event to offer families in the community an alternative to traditional birthday parties for kids, but now it’s also touching the lives of those that need it most. “Seeing the expressions on the faces of
these young kids was the most rewarding experience,” said Eli Barquin, marketing assistant and wife of Carlos Barquin. “We are proud to have been able to use Posh Portrait Parties to impact the lives of people in our community.” Young girls also received a light makeup application, wore feather scarves and tutus and got their nails painted. The arts and crafts activity entailed decorating a picture frame to have as a keepsake of the Posh Portrait Party. At the end of the event, participants got a glimpse of their spectacular photos. “Thanks to Miami Children’s Hospital for granting us this wonderful opportunity.” Carlos Barquin said. “As a family and children photographer, being able to capture such magical moments and uplift the spirits of these boys and girls was phenomenal. It truly helped them forget about their illnesses for a day and dream big.” Barquin Photography is located at 7192 SW 47 St.; call 305-984-8028 or visit <http://poshportraitparty.com>.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Students of all ages benefit from tutoring programs at Huntington By Susan Smith
T
he Huntington Learning Center on North Kendall Drive has been successful for so long they now welcome adult alumni students coming back to bring their own children in to benefit from the program. A holistic approach involving exhaustive academic evaluations and individual attention is why the tutoring program at Huntington has excelled since 1986. “Tutoring means different things to different people. We do not do classroom settings and we do not work in clusters where all of the students are working on the same material regardless of their level of proficiency. After exhaustive testing to determine exactly what skills the student needs to focus on, our teachers work with them on a one to one basis. We are totally dedicated to the student throughout the session,” said Huntington proprietor Robert Santana. All of the tutor/teachers at Huntington are accredited so the center is able to maintain its established accreditation status from The
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. “We do not hire teachers who do not have degrees. Of our staff of 26 teachers, about 20 are Dade County public school teachers and the rest are teachers by profession in area private schools,” said Santana. The purpose of the initial academic evaluation is to hone in exactly on the area of study where the student has fallen short. “If a student is failing Algebra we do not know why until we test them. Then we may, for example, discover they never mastered fractions and decimals from fourth grade Math. So our next stop would be to fill in those gaps and make sure they understand those concepts before moving on to the next lesson,” said Santana. Filling in those educational gaps is essential to the ultimate success of the student according to Santana. Instead of a reactive approach that appears to be prevalent in the industry whereby students are essentially getting homework help, the program at Huntington Learning Center is designed to
break the tutoring chain. Learning opportunities at Huntington are not limited to Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Study Skills, Phonics and Vocabulary tutoring for ages 5 to 17 although this is a major element of the program. They also offer high school entrance exam preparation and SAT, PSAT and ACT coaching as well. “We are seeing Moms coming back to the center who received instruction from us when they were kids and they are now bringing in their own children. So while Mom is brushing up on her Math for the SAT because she plans to go back to school, her third grade daughter is working on her reading skills. We are seeing a lot of that because we have been around for so long and people know about us and know we deliver results,” said Santana. The results are derived from over 1000
pieces of curriculum utilized by the center including over 300 Math books alone. A combination of the latest resources, one to one instruction and exhaustive progress monitoring with a team of qualified professionals is why Huntington Learning Center sets the standard for successful individualized tutoring of all ages. To find out more about Huntington Learning Center call 305-598-0686 or visit huntingtonlearning.com
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Student’s summer internships lead to ‘Poster of Distinction’
Jake Radell, a Gulliver Schools senior, recently presented a poster on kidney transplantation during a national surgical symposium. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– BY MELISSA LICHTENHELD
Jake Radell has been learning a lot about rejection lately. But the Gulliver Schools senior isn’t referring to the omnipresent college application process. He is more interested in the processes involved in kidney transplant rejection and success in patients. Radell became so well versed on the subject during a series of summer internships that he was invited to defend a clinical research poster accepted for presentation during the American Society of Transplantation Surgeons Winter Symposium that took place, Jan. 12-15, in Miami Beach. A student in Gulliver’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Radell researched and wrote part of the abstract appearing on the poster. To his surprise it earned a Poster of Distinction award as one of the 10 best posters presented at the annual meeting. The topic: predicting the success of organ transplants. “It was really interesting to hear the questions asked by other researchers who came around to visit the poster,” said Radell, who presented the poster alongside his grandfather, Ralph J. Graff, MD, a pioneer in the subject of transplantation and organ rejection. When Radell was 15, he started spending his summers as an intern at his grandfather’s clinical laboratory at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Always interested in biology, he added this to other activities in his busy life that include working on engineering club projects after school and playing classic rock on the bass guitar. “My grandfather always told me about his work and kept inviting me to come out and help in his lab, and I finally did,” Radell said. Summers in the lab opened his eyes to the undertaking required to match a donor organ to a patient and developed a passion for working in the area of transplantation. His most recent internship gave him the opportunity to help analyze test data from successful transplantations. The research he helped with resulted in an abstract published in the American Journal of Transplantation on “The effect of flow cytometry cross match and panelreactive antibody status on kidney transplant survival.” Radell took the subject and turned it into the topic of his Extended Essay, an arduous 4,000-word paper IB students must research and write to qualify for an IB diploma. Has the early success made a difference? “This is just the beginning of my work in research. I hope to do research at college and possibly for the rest of my life,” said Radell, who has been accepted at several prominent universities. “Jake is the perfect mixture of test tube and YouTube,” said Warren Zucker, the Gulliver Schools counselor who has been advising him during the college application process.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Barry Katzen, MD, honored with prestigious award for excellence
Barry T. Katzen, MD, founder and medical director of Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, (left) receives the Julius H. Jacobson II, MD Award presented by Robert B. McLafferty, MD, president of the Vascular Disease Foundation. (Photo credit: Gort Productions) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY BARBARA MOORE
Interventional radiologist Barry T. Katzen, MD, has been presented with the Julius H. Jacobson II, MD Award presented by the Vascular Disease Foundation. The prestigious annual award recognizes outstanding contributions to physician education, leadership or patient care in vascular disease, and is endowed through a donation from Julius H. Jacobson II, MD. Dr. Katzen is the founder and medical director of Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute. He has been a leader in advancing the science and clinical practice of vascular disease in endovascular interventions for more than 30 years. He pioneered the development of angioplasty for vessels outside of the heart, and performed the first
“peripheral” angioplasty in the United States in 1976 by using a balloon mounted on a catheter to open a blocked artery. He helped popularize the use of clot-busting drugs for vascular disease. More recently, he has been on the forefront of developing carotid artery stents and stent-grafts to repair aortic and thoracic aneurysms. Dr. Katzen graduated from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed his radiology residency at the New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center. He was awarded a fellowship in cardiovascular radiology at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York. He lives in Coral Gables with his wife, Judi. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.
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3 Steps to Better Social Media Marketing By Misty Buck
Fact: social media use is growing. A few years ago most business owners labeled social media as a fad. Today, the staggering numbers prove otherwise. Social media usage is increasingly popular across all demographics with no signs of slowing down. Regardless of which website is the current favorite, it’s clear that people love socializing on the web. What does this mean for businesses? How can you have an effective social media presence? The answer is simple: You have to build it. There are basic principles that will put you ahead of your competitors if you take the time apply them correctly. Here are three easy steps to help you dramatically improve your social media efforts. Miss Ink’s Three C’s of Social Media Marketing™: 1. Content: What’s in it for me? Post information on your blogs and on your social networks that people will find useful and interesting. For example, if “Buy from Miss Ink” was the title of this article, would you read it? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Instead, you choose to read stories about information that is of value to you. The same rule applies for your network. Don’t be afraid to showcase your expertise while being creative. Photos and videos are great eye catchers. The content will keep them there. 2. Consistency: If you have a Twitter account, but are only tweeting once a week or worse,
once a month, you’re completely missing the boat. You have to be consistent. New information is posted every minute of every day. If you’re not sharing information on a regular basis, how can you expect to be seen? I’m not suggesting that you bombard your fans with status updates, blogs or emails every 5 minutes, but do find a rhythm that works for your audience. To help you stay consistent, make social media part of your daily schedule and only sign up for as many networks as you can dedicate time to daily. 3. Conversation: Last, but certainly not least, is conversation. You spend time coming up with interesting content to post so don’t ignore your fans and followers when they comment. Similarly, participate in the conversation by “listening” (i.e., reading) what others are saying and then respond. One of my top pet peeves is people who auto post everything that appears on their social networks. For one, a post on Facebook won’t necessarily translate the same way on Twitter. Secondly, those who auto post hardly ever check their networks to see if anyone has reached out to them. In other words, get involved. Of course there is much more to social media marketing than these three concepts, but if you can remember “Miss Ink’s Three C’s of Social Media Marketing™” you’ll be on your way to powerful results. Misty Buck is the president of Miss Ink, LLC, a public relations firm specializing in social media marketing. For more information, contact Misty at info@miss-ink.com or visit miss-ink.com.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
First Lady in Homestead to discuss living healthy
First Lady Michelle Obama joined an expert panel from WebMD at the Homestead YMCA on Feb. 10 to discuss how families can implement healthy changes in their daily lives. The WebMD Town Hall was a collaboration to highlight the First Lady’s Let’s Move program and WebMD’s FIT initiative, two efforts to help families maintain health and wellness.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run registration has gone online
More than 20,000 runners begin the 2011 Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run in Miami. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY MAYRA HERNANDEZ
After 27 years of managing loads of paper registrations, TeamFootWorks announces some big changes are coming to the 2012 Corporate Run series as the race goes green. For the first time since the race’s inception in 1985, all participants in the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run series will submit their registration paperwork online. In addition, onsite registration no longer will be available at each of the 5K runs, which begin in Fort Lauderdale on Mar. 29, wind through West Palm Beach on Apr. 18 and conclude in Miami on Apr. 26. “With 25,000 plus participants, we are always looking for ways to improve the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run Series experience,” said Laurie Huseby, race director. “By taking the registration process online, we are utilizing technologies that will make the process easier for all race participants. Registration is easy and can be done on our website, <www.mercedesbenzcorporaterun.com>.” Race dates and registration deadlines are as follows: Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run — Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, Mar. 29, 6:45 p.m., Huizenga Plaza, 32 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, $30 until Feb. 23; $35 from Feb. 24 through Mar. 8. No registrations accepted after Mar. 8. Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run — West
Palm Beach, Wednesday, Apr. 18, 7 p.m., Meyer Amphitheater, 104 Datura St., West Palm Beach, $30 until Mar. 14; $35 from Mar. 15 through Mar. 28. No registrations accepted after Mar. 28. Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run — Miami, Thursday, Apr. 26, 6:45 p.m., Bayfront Park, 301 North Biscayne Blvd., Miami; $30 until Mar. 22; $35 from Mar. 23 through Apr. 5. No registrations accepted after Apr. 5. With a special competition that awards the overall men’s, women’s and co-ed teams in 20 different industries, the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run series, a 5K (3.1-mile) Run Walk, attracts more than 800 South Florida Companies and is open to employees of businesses, corporations, government agencies, financial institutions and non-profit organizations — no matter how big or small. With the goal of promoting health and fitness at all levels and provide a venue to boost company morale and encourage camaraderie in the workplace, all companies are encouraged to participate and may enter an unlimited number of employees to walk or run as a group. A portion of the proceeds from each race will benefit the South Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross. For more information, contact TeamFootWorks at 305666-RACE (7223), <www.teamfootworks.org> or visit online at <www.mercedesbenzcorporaterun.com>.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE United Way Center offering BY KAREN ARONOWITZ, President, United Teachers of Dade
responses that you can use interchangeably as an instant response (a requirement of this brave new world) which allows you to take some time before you answer, while still providing an answer. Try ‘em, you’ll like ‘em! I’ll get back to you by early next week. Let me run that suggestion by the team. I see what you mean. (Ha!ha! It doesn’t mean you agree! – No, this is not part of the response! Don’t press the SEND. . .too late.)
Don’t press that button! You know which one. SEND. How many of us have pressed that button in a moment of anger, a moment that is followed by ten minutes of terror and years of living with words that can never be recalled. Heck! (OK, not heck, but this is a family paper.) I can’t believe I sent that to my boss, my manager, my sister-in-law, my kid, reply all—the list goes on and on. Some of us have even gone so far as to write a second email requesting that the first email was sent in error, prompting everyone to run to read what they might have skipped. Ah, me. Life in the connected lane. Are we really saving time? We spend more time mopping up the messes we create with our instant messages than we would have spent cooling down, composing a letter, burning the letter in a can, rewriting the letter and sticking it in a drawer for later because we are out of stamps. So, in service to my fellow interconnected, intergalatic citizens, I have provided a list of
Let me think that over. (People will puzzle over this one for days.) I’m going to consult _____on that. Have you run that by legal? And finally, the coup de grace: I’m required to report this to _____________________. I hope this helps! It’s no use replying faster if we end up undoing what can’t be undone and requires more work, or in the case of sisters-in-law, more frequent contact than ever before! Bye for now. I’m off to the post office for a stamp. The United Teachers of Dade represents 35,000 teachers and school support personnel in MDCPS. The union is committed to being a leader in creating public school reform, fostering a quality public education for all students and elevating the professional status of teachers, paraprofessionals, o f f i c e employees, and all school support personnel.
tax help, financial resources BY YANET OBARRIO SANCHEZ
United Way of Miami-Dade is launching a public awareness campaign to inform families who earn less than $49,078 annually that they can receive up to $5,751 in tax credits through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In addition, the campaign is promoting dozens of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in Miami-Dade that offer free tax services by IRS-certified volunteer preparers to those who qualify. This campaign is made possible by two separate grants — a $20,000 grant from Bank of America and a $15,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation. United Way is utilizing radio and outdoor advertising to reach its target audience. The “Put more money in your pocket” message will be heard on Spanish, English and Creole radio stations and seen on Metrorail cars and stations. The campaign also combines public relations, website and social media outreach with a direct market-
ing component via United Way’s database of supporters and partner agencies. In addition to free tax preparation, working individuals and families can access year-round financial services and support — from financial coaching to benefits enrollment to employment assistance and credit counseling — at the United Way Center for Financial Stability. “Each year billions of dollars in tax refunds are not claimed by the people who most need those funds, because they don’t know they qualify or how to properly file their taxes,” said Harve A. Mogul, president and CEO, United Way of MiamiDade. “We are grateful to Bank of America and Walmart for their dedication to helping our neighbors file their taxes correctly and access much needed funds.” For more information about free tax preparation sites call 2-1-1, or visit online at <www.miamifinancialstability.org>. For information on free year-round financial services, contact the United Way Center for Financial Stability at 305-688-3551.
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Waste Management collects organic material from Publix BY SAVANNAH WHALEY
Waste Management trucks are collecting and transporting organic material from 40 Publix stores in Aventura, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, Hialeah, Kendall, Miami and Miami Lakes to a new Okeechobee Organics Recycling Facility, the most advanced aerated composting technology to process food residuals in South Florida. The eight-acre facility, located adjacent to Waste Management’s Okeechobee Landfill, utilizes a forced aeration system with computer controls to regulate airflow and air treatment to process pre-consumer food waste from Publix stores — including produce, bakery and floral items — with yard waste into organic compost products. “As the nation’s largest environmental solutions provider, our customers are asking us to help them meet their sustainability goals,” said Tim Hawkins, area vice president for Waste Management. “We’re very pleased to partner with Publix on the first dedicated organics composting site in South Florida to serve their needs.” During the coming months, Publix plans to add additional stores in Miami-Dade and Broward counties to the program. “Publix commends Waste Management on moving the industry forward with the opening of their Organics Recycling Facility in Okeechobee,” said Kim Jaeger, Publix’s Miami media and community relations manager. “Our partnership with Waste Management presents an opportunity in fulfilling our mission to be intolerant of waste by diverting food waste that would typically be sent to local landfills. Publix’s continued success depends upon sustaining our environment, our community and our business.” The Okeechobee facility is permitted to accept up to 30,000 tons per year, including 15,000 tons of food waste and 15,000 tons of yard waste, and is part of Waste
Management’s strategy to expand organics recycling in Florida and throughout North America. Garick, a subsidiary of Waste Management and leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of organic lawn and garden products, is producing the lawn and garden products from the Okeechobee composting facility. North America generates more than 80 million tons of organic waste each year. In the United States, approximately a third of municipal solid waste is organic, including food, yard and wood waste. Approximately 65 percent of yard waste and 2.5 percent of food wasted collected in the United States is currently diverted from disposal. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), converting waste into valuable raw materials through recycling creates jobs, builds more competitive manufacturing industries, and adds significantly to the U.S. economy. “As one of the nation’s largest residential recycling services provider, we’re always focused on how to improve recycling rates in our communities so that we can extract more value from the materials we manage,” Hawkins added. “Recycling is easy, good for the environment and good for our local economy, and we encourage residents in South Florida that on America Recycles Day we think about recycling every day.” Waste Management currently operates some 155 recycling facilities and processes approximately 10 million tons of recyclables per year. The company is now halfway to its goal of managing more than 20 million tons each year. In 2010, Waste Management recycled, reused, or managed enough material to fill a football field 2.11 miles high. To learn more information about Waste Management visit online at <www.wm.com> or <www.thinkgreen.com>. For information about Publix, visit the company’s website at <www.publix.com>.
Pictured at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Okeechobee Organics Recycling Facility are (l-r) Bob Shanz, Garick; Eric Myers, director of Organic Recycling Operations, Waste Management; Tim Hawkins, area vice president, Waste Management; Kim Brunson, Recycle and Solid Waste manager, Publix; Maria Borus, director of Media and Community Relations, Publix, and Bill Fauerbach, vice president, Retail Operations, Publix. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Simon Youth Foundation seeking applicants for $1M in scholarships BY DESIREE LLERENA
Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, will award a college scholarship to one student from every community that is home to a Simon property. Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2012 and lives within 50 miles of a Simon property is eligible. The program will award a one-time scholarship of up to $1,400 to students who plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school. Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarships are awarded through the Simon Youth Scholarships program and in partnership with local Simon properties. The application period is open through Thursday, Mar. 1. Locally, students can pick up a copy of the scholarship application at Simon Guest Services Centers in Miami-Dade County at Dadeland Mall, The Falls, Miami International Mall and The Shops at Sunset Place. Applications also can be downloaded at the SYF website at <www.syf.org/our-initiatives/scholarships/community-application>. In addition, 10 regional awards called “Award of Excellence” will be given to top
candidates in regions that include Miami. Students from these areas will have the opportunity to win a $2,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three years. In 2011, the Simon Youth Scholarships program awarded $1.15 million to 260 students nationwide. “Our mission is to ignite hope for a brighter future in students, and our foundation is proud to partner with Simon’s South Florida Malls to award scholarships that will remove some of the financial obstacles that would otherwise prevent a student from achieving the dream of a college education,” said J. Michael Durnil, PhD, president and CEO of SYF. The 2012 SYF Community Scholarship recipients will be selected by Scholarship Management Services, a third-party administrator. Students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic performance, leadership skills and participation in school and community activities. Those students who are the first in their family to pursue a post secondary education also will be given close consideration. The completed application, along with official school transcripts and parents’ most recently filed tax form, must be sent to Scholarship Management Services by Mar. 1.
Community Newspapers
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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Miami-Dade County recognizes Jason Taylor with his own day BY ARLEEN GOMEZ
Retired Miami Dolphins player Jason Taylor received resounding applause in Miami-Dade Commission Chambers as he was honored by county officials for his 15-year football career and service to the community. Commission chair Joe A. Martinez presented Taylor a proclamation declaring Jan. 24 as “Jason Taylor Day” in MiamiDade County. He also was commended by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who gave Taylor the Key to the County, and Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, chair of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission. With a NFL career spanning 15 years, Jason Taylor spent 13 seasons in a Dolphins uniform, becoming a stellar defensive player who collected more sacks than any player in Dolphin history and a NFL record holder for career fumble-return touchdowns. Aside from his exceptional football career, Taylor is known for giving back to his community. In 2004, he established the Jason Taylor Foundation, a non-profit
organization that supports and creates programs to facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s underprivileged children. Since its inception, the Jason Taylor Foundation has contributed more than $2 million in programs and services to more than 40 different organizations, awarded 35 middle school students college scholarships, and annually gives 50 kids $300 back-to-school shopping sprees. Taylor graciously accepted the awards, thanking officials and the community for their support. He also congratulated and signed autographs for Miami Norland High School’s varsity football team, which was honored earlier in the morning for being Class 5A State Champions. “It was privilege to be able to honor Jason Taylor for everything he has contributed to our community,” Martinez said. “His dedication and hard work on and off the field are what makes him a role model. I am confident that whatever endeavor he takes on he will continue to do great things, especially for this community.” For more information, contact Martinez’s office at 305-375-5511.
Miami-Dade County Commission chair Joe A. Martinez shakes hands with retired Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jason Taylor after presenting the athlete with a proclamation. (Photo by Armando Rodriguez/Miami-Dade County)
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Florida Board of Governors seeking applicants for FIU Board of Trustees BY KELLY LAYMAN
The Trustee Nominating Committee of the Florida Board of Governors is seeking candidates for an appointment to the Board of Trustees for Florida International University. Each of the 11 state universities has a 13-member board of trustees responsible for cost-effective policy, and for implementing and maintaining high-quality education programs consistent with the university’s mission. The boards of trustees also develop processes to meet state policy, budgeting and education standards. Individuals interested in this public service must complete an application. The term of service is through Jan. 6, 2015, and would fill an existing vacancy. Applicants do not need to live in the Miami area to serve in this capacity. “The Board of Governors is looking for individuals to serve as university trustees who are interested in higher education and
interested in taking our universities to a level of excellence that helps both the institution and the goals of the State University System,” said Morteza “Mori” Hosseini of Daytona Beach, chair of the Trustee Nominating Committee of the Florida Board of Governors. For more information and the application visit online at <www.flbog.edu/aboutsus/ubt.php>. Applications for seats appointed by the Board of Governors should be mailed to the address in Tallahassee indicated for processing, and not to the university. Also, Board of Governors’ appointments are separate from appointments that are made to university boards of trustees by the Governor of Florida. The deadline for completed applications to be received is Mar. 1. For questions, call the Board of Governors at 1-850-2450466. For more about the Board of Governors, visit <www.flbog.edu>. For more about FIU, visit <www.fiu.edu>.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
ELEVATION BURGER FINALLY ARRIVES IN SOUTH MIAMI THE FIRST100% USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC NATIONAL BURGER CHAIN OPENS NEW LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN DADELAND
Elevation Burger, the rapidly growing, fast-casual restaurant serving great-tasting 100% USDA-certified organic, 100% grassfed, free range burgers, opened its first-ever location in South Miami last week. Recognized as the nation’s first organic hamburger chain since opening in Falls Church, VA in 2005, Elevation Burger offers a healthier, delicious alternative to the usual fast-food burger. Elevation Burger is re-thinking an American-classic and redefining the fast food
gestalt with its focus on offering quality food that is better for customers and for the environment. In addition to amazing organic hamburgers, Elevation Burger offers two kinds of veggie burgers, fries cooked in hearthealthy olive oil and hand-scooped shakes. The chain’s warm, welcoming, and well-appointed restaurants provide an elevated dining experience for families and kids, health-conscious consumers and on-the-go urbanites. The entrepreneurs behind the new Downtown Dadeland location are French transplants Magali and Stephane Vannier de Langre, who purchased the Miami-Dade franchise rights and have plans to open 5 locations by 2015. After hearing about the Elevation Burger concept and its healthy and environmental focus, the Vannier’s were immediately interested in coming on board to
bring the chain to Miami. “We have lived all over the world, in places where eating Organic is the norm. With Elevation Burger we found an opportunity to do what we love and provide a healthy food alternative that is often hard to find at affordable prices for the entire family,” said Magali. “We also really liked the fact that Elevation Burger is committed to environmentally sustainable practices and to being part of the communities it serves,” added Stephane. The new Dadeland location features monthly and weekly specials including Teacher Tuesdays, Uniformed Officer Days, Senior Citizen Discounts, Little League/Sports Days, College Days and “Fun” Raising Wednesdays where they will donate 10% of the days sales to a different local charity each week. In addition, they will be sponsoring and participating in activities around the community to promote sustainability in schools. South Miami’s Elevation Burger is located at 8975 SW 72nd Place. The Franchise is the second in Miami-Dade and first in South Miami. Both are managed and operated by Magali and Stephane Vannier de Langre and
their group EBM2. The rapidly expanding chain is set to have over 100 locations by the end of 2013. For more information visit www.elevationburger.com. About Elevation Burger Elevation Burger is a national organic burger chain that serves 100% USDA-certified organic, 100% grass-fed, 100% free range beef burgers. Recognized as the nation’s first organic hamburger chain since it’s opening in Falls Church, VA in 2005, the idea for Elevation Burger was conceived by Hans Hess in 2002 and quickly gained national acclaim. Driven by their passion to bring organic, sustainable and fresh food to a national audience, Hans and his wife, April, created Elevation Franchise Ventures, LLC, which began franchising Elevation Burger restaurants in 2008. There are currently 27 Elevation Burger locations throughout Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Deering Estate at Cutler to host One-Minute Play Festival, Feb. 26 BY SHEILA STIEGLITZ
The One-Minute Play Festival, Deering Estate at Cutler and South Florida Theatre League present the South Florida OneMinute Play Festival on Sunday, Feb. 26, 4:30 and 8 p.m., at the Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Ave. The South Florida One-Minute Play Festival wraps up the SoBay Festival of the Arts, a two-week celebration of literary, visual and performance art at the Deering Estate at Cutler. The South Florida One-Minute Play Festival will feature 40-plus new oneminute plays by writers connected to the South Florida Community, including: Michael McKeever, Michael Yawney, Juan Sanchez, Gene Excaliber, David Sirois, Mark Della Ventura, Vanessa Garcia, Kimberly Patterson, Marj O’NeillButler, Andrew Rosendorf, Kenny Finkle, Sheri Wilner, Deborah Zoe Laufer, Andie Arthur, Carmen Pelaez, David Caudle, Stacy O’Neill, Neena Beber, Edith Freni, Jorge Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas, and more.
The plays will be directed by Steven Chambers, Elizabeth Price, Nicole Stoddard, and Ricky J. Martinez. The South Florida One-Minute Play Festival is curated by One-Minute Play Festival producing artistic director and founder Dominic D’Andrea, One-Minute Play Festival director Tessa LaNeve (Primary Stages), and co-produced by Andie Arthur (South Florida Theatre League) and Jennifer Tisthammer (Deering Estate at Cutler). Tickets are $25 per show and can be purchased online or by calling the Deering Estate Ticket Office at 305-235-1668, ext. 233. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Theatre Lab, a yearlong series of playwright workshops presented by the South Florida Theatre League and the Deering Estate at Cutler. The next Theatre Lab will be on Sunday, Mar. 18, at 2:30 p.m. at the Deering Estate at Cutler. For more information on the Deering Estate’s educational and cultural programs, visit online at <www.deeringestate.org>.
Asian Culture Festival returning to Fruit and Spice Park, Mar. 3 and 4 BY CATHY GUERRA
The Miami-Dade County AsianAmerican Advisory Board, the Fruit and Spice Park and the Thai-American Association present the 22nd annual Asian Culture Festival on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 SW 187 Ave. in Homestead. The fun-filled family event offers a virtual day trip to Asia where festival-goers will enjoy a variety of Asian arts, crafts, exotic music and dance, and authentic Far Eastern cuisine. Activities include a Malaysian no-hands volleyball tournament known as Sepak Takraw, Chinese Lion Dances, performances by Japanese Taiko drummers, and demonstrations of Thai fruit and vegetable carving. Children can participate in the Asian passport activity, storyteller, show and more.
New to the festival this year is the Traditional Thai Wedding, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday at noon. Other highlights include Iranian, Persian, Thai, Bangladeshi and Indian folk and classical music and dance as well as demonstrations of Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangements) and Origami (Japanese techniques by folding papers into decorative shapes such as flowers, animals, etc.). Admission is $10; Children ages 10 and under are free. Located 35 miles south of Miami, in the historic Redland community, the Fruit and Spice Park is a 35-acre park filled with more than 500 varieties of fruits, herbs, spices, nuts, and other exotics. The park is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the park’s website at <www.fruitandspicepark.org>.
www.communitynewspapers.com
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Second annual ‘Vintage Day’ at Everglades National Park BY LINDA FRIAR
Experience Everglades history during the second annual “Vintage Day” celebration on Saturday, Mar. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Park admission at the Homestead entrance will be waived for the day and all activities are free of charge. Events include historical re-enactors, an old fashioned ice cream social and the Guardians of the Everglades exhibit. This is a great opportunity for young and old to interact with the characters that molded Everglades National Park into one of the most biologically and culturally diverse parks in the world. At the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center celebrate the opening of Nicholas Petrucci’s multi-media exhibition featuring life-size oil portraits of Everglades advocates and heroes. Portraits of Miccosukee Chairman Buffalo Tiger, Gladesman Franklin Adams, photographer Clyde Butcher and statesman Nathaniel Reed will be on display against a backdrop of Connie Bransilver’s paintings of endangered native orchids. At Royal Palm, interact with historical re-enactors portraying Calusa and Seminole people, Gladesmen, plume hunters, early park wardens, botanists, artists, gator hunters, women conservationists, and political activists. Their stories will bring you back to the days of old.
Collect a limited edition vintage character trading card from each re-enactor. Guided tours of the old Royal Palm State Park also are available. This historical area was owned and protected by the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs members. These genteel women activists provided the vision while the Civilian Conservation Corps supplied the muscle to develop a world-class tourist destination that became the nucleus of Everglades National Park. A Civilian Conservation Corps enrollee will reveal remnants of this old Florida paradise. Cool down at an old-fashioned ice cream social, compliments of the Everglades Association. Don’t forget to bring your camera. This is a fee free day at the Homestead entrance of Everglades National Park. Fees will be collected at the other park fee station at Shark Valley. Visitors coming from the Miami area and points north should take Florida’s Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with US1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th Street) and follow the signs to the park. Visitors driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park. General park information is available by calling 305-242-7700.
Community Newspapers
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Miami-Dade County Extension Civic Chorale of Greater Miami to perform in concert, Mar. 3 to host 2nd open house event BY ROBERT HAMILTON
BY ALEJANDRA CASTRO-NUÑEZ
The Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension will host its second open house event on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the John D. Campbell Agricultural Center, 18710 SW 288 St. in Homestead. Make plans for a fun-filled day for the entire family. Come and interact with the county’s Cooperative Extension staff and volunteers, including 4-H/Youth Development Program members and leaders. Master Gardeners will be on site to discuss gardening problems and answer questions. The event will feature interactive demonstrations, including grafting (in English and Spanish), and making a rain barrel. There also will be educational displays on gardening, tree pruning, healthy eating, new pest and plant problems, a plant diagnostic clinic, and much more.
“We encourage residents to join us, learn more about what County Extension is, and have a fun-filled educational day with us,” said county Extension director Teresa Olczyk. In addition, there will be fun and educational activities for the entire family, including a “Fun and Learn 4-H Zone” for kids, and seminars on the following topics: • Vegetable gardening made easy; • Colorful landscape plants for waterwise yards, and • Florida-friendly plants for your landscape. Participants will be able to purchase fresh, locally grown vegetables, orchids, and other plants for their gardens. They also will have the opportunity to exchange up to two old showerheads and three incandescent light bulbs for new ones that are more efficient as part of the water conservation effort by the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.
Miami Dade College Kendall Campus presents the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami in a program titled “The Language of Love” on Saturday, Mar. 3, 7:30 p.m., at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 14260 Old Cutler Rd. in Palmetto Bay. The program features music of Rogers & Hammerstein, Brahms and more — something for everyone to enjoy. The chorale is under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Boos, artistic director; Dr. Robert Gower, associate conductor, with William James, accompanist. Featured special guests are “Good Blend,” a four-part vocal a cappella harmony quartet with Mike Verdesca, Tom Ball, Roberto Masson and Chris Moore. There will be a post-concert dessert reception prepared by Master Chef
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County seeking qualified parties to provide Head Start services BY W. DAVID ALLISON
Miami-Dade County is seeking Requests of Expressions of Interest (REOI) from qualified parties to provide Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) Program services. As part of the 2012 budget approved by county commissioners, the county is seeking to contract out Head Start/Early Head Start services currently provided by the MiamiDade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD).
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 WALK THE RED CARPET DRESSED UP AS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR OR CHARACTER
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Emcee-Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill Enjoy a night on the red carpet! Cocktail reception, prizes for best costumes, silent auction, entertainment,dinner and dancing!
Steve Tangredi. Under the direction of Kenneth Boos, the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami has been a vital part of the South Florida musical community since 1970. Founded by Lee Kjelson, the group is comprised of students and adult members of the community who share a love for singing and musical excellence. The Civic Chorale is housed at Miami Dade College’s Music, Theater and Dance Department, Kendall Campus; Rodester Brandon, chair. Tickets available at the door are $25, including concert and reception. Concertonly tickets are $10, adult; $8, senior, and $5, student. For more information, call 305-4905930 or send email to <kboos@mdc.edu> or <pheeprice@gmail.com>. Visit the Civic Chorale’s website at <www.civicchorale.info>.
Parties interested in providing these services must complete and submit the REOI documents by Feb. 29, 2 p.m., in order to be considered for a county (HS/EHS) contract. The REOI documents are available online at <www.miamidade.gov/dpm>. Head Start/Early Head Start is a federally funded, comprehensive child development program, serving low-income families. In Miami-Dade County, the Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves 6,756 children and families.
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Greater Miami Symphonic Band to present Sousa-style concert BY ALLAN TAVSS
Join the 85-member Greater Miami Symphonic Band, celebrating 33 years of musical excellence, as it presents a re-creation of the style of concert that John Philip Sousa presented at the turn of the 20th Century. The concert will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m., in Pinecrest Gardens’ Banyan Bowl 11000 Red Rd. Sousa, the “March King” traveled the
world with his band and this concert will showcase the style and music that Sousa presented to his audiences. There will be plenty of marches. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students/children (5 years and older). Advance tickets are available at <www.gmsb.org>. Box Office opens an hour before the concert. For additional information regarding concerts or tickets visit <www.gmsb.org> or call 305-273-SOUSA (7687).
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Program to honor Jack Meyer, Columbus, Belen to compete Miami Marine Stadium engineer at new Marlins Park, Mar. 5 BY ALEX I. MADEJA
Miami Marine Stadium is seen under construction. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY DON WORTH
Join Friends of Miami Marine Stadium in honoring Jack Meyer, engineer of the Marine Stadium, during a program and dinner on Feb. 29 at the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club in Miami. Tickets are $40 (price includes a full buffet dinner). The event is open to the public but space is limited. Meyer, now 88, performed this amazing body of engineering work while at Norman Dignum Engineers in 1962. He was responsible all of the engineering work on the Marine Stadium and collaborated with architect Hilario Candela. When the stadium was completed in 1963, it was considered an engineering marvel. Its roof, consisting of a series of hyperbolic parabolas, was the longest span of cantilevered concrete in the world. Meyer said that it was by far the most difficult project in his 60-plus-year career. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and at 7 p.m. a multi-course buffet dinner will be served. The program will include an array of speakers honoring Meyer. The event is sponsored by Friends of Miami Marine Stadium, (www.marinestadi-
um.org) a not-for-profit organization devoted to restoring the Marine Stadium. Since its inception in 2008, the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium has succeeded in achieving historic designation locally from the City of Miami. The Marine Stadium was included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “11 Most Endangered List” (2009) and was internationally recognized in the World Monuments Fund Watch List (2010). The stadium’s restoration is a key priority of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. Friends of Miami Marine Stadium will present its much anticipated restoration plan to the City of Miami in the near future. Biscayne Bay Yacht Club not only provides a stunning location for the dinner, it also plays an important role in the story of the Miami Marine Stadium. The oldest organization in Miami, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club was founded by Miami Pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe. The Marine Stadium was named for Ralph Munroe. Meyer is a long-time member of Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and is a past Commodore of the Club. For tickets, call 1-800-838-3006 and ask for “The Jack Meyer Dinner.”
All eyes will be on the new Marlins Park when the first baseball players take to the field on Mar. 5 to begin the second annual Selective Recruiting/Sir Pizza Invitational. The tournament, to be played at various locations throughout South Florida from Mar. 12 to 17, invites top regional high school baseball teams for a week of intense competition aimed at increasing exposure for the participating players. The tournament’s first match-up will create history as Christopher Columbus High and Belen Jesuit open the gates at Marlins Park for the facility’s inaugural baseball game. The previous year’s opening event was named one of the top-five tournaments in the country by Baseball America and included five teams ranked in the top 100 by Rivals.com. This year, 32 high school teams from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will be competing, including Class4A National Champions Archbishop McCarthy (2009, 2010), 2A State Champions Westminster Christian, last year’s tournament champions, and 2008 National Champions American Heritage, as well as a host of other top baseball programs in South Florida. Teams include: American, Archbishop Carroll, Belen Jesuit, Braddock High, Christopher Columbus, Coral Park, Coral Springs, Doral Academy, Dwyer, Ferguson, Hialeah, Killian, La Salle, Mater Academy, Mater Lakes, Miami Senior, Monsignor Pace, North Broward Prep, Pompano Beach, South Dade, South Miami, Southridge, Southwest Miami, St. Brendan, Stoneman Douglas, Terra and Trinity Christian. “Sir Pizza recognizes the talent and commitment shown by our high school ath-
letes,” said Rene Prats, CEO of Sir Pizza of South Florida. “We feel it is very important to help these students realize their potential to play baseball on the collegiate and even professional level. That’s why we help sponsor this great event.” Sir Pizza has sponsored various scholastic sporting events over the years and is the official pizza vendor of the new Marlins Park. Created six years ago by former Archbishop Carroll baseball coach Lazaro Llanes, the mission of Selective Recruiting is to assist talented players in South Florida to realize their dreams of playing in college and beyond. “I felt that the hard work of high school coaches in South Florida, and the need to help student athletes fulfill their dreams, would receive a boost by having a local tournament with national implications,” Coach Llanes said. “Selective Recruiting is now one of top-ranked tournaments in the country. There could be as many as 15 players drafted in the 2012 Major League draft and dozens of players have committed to major college programs. “This year’s event will again be among the top tournaments and the expectations are that we will continue to amass attention from recruiters and media around the country,” Llanes added. For more information about the tournament, visit online at <www.sirpizzarestaurants.com>. La Ley Sports will televise live both the Columbus vs. Belen game at Marlins Park on Mar. 5 and the championship game at the University of Miami on Mar. 17. Visit <www.layleysports.com> for more information. Both games also will air on CSS Sports. Visit <www.css-sports.com> for broadcast scheduling.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
S. Florida animal shelters offer spay/neuter surgeries for cats BY KATHLEEN LABRADA
In an effort to help reduce the pet overpopulation problem in Southeast Florida, six animal shelters have joined forces to provide spay and neuter surgeries for all owned, feral and free-roaming cats. The weeklong event is taking place from Feb. 21 through Feb. 25. The service is available to all residents of MiamiDade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Surgeries can be scheduled at any one of six convenient locations. There is no limit to the number of cats that any individual can present for sterilization. The cost is the same at all six locations — $15 per cat, which includes the sterilization surgery, rabies and FVRCP vaccines and a microchip. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the desired location.
“The goal is to sterilize 1,650 cats over the course of the five-day event,” said Alex Muñoz, director, Miami-Dade County Animal Services. “This is a critical step to reducing the number of cats and kittens received in shelters throughout the spring. While kittens are cute, the sad truth is that there are often more kittens than there are homes for them.” Southeast Florida Region Spay/Neuter Coalition Members: • Broward County Animal Care and Adoption, 1-954-359-1313 ext. 9271; • Humane Society of Broward County, 1-954-895-3605; • Humane Society of Greater Miami, 305-696-0800; • Miami-Dade Animal Services, 3-1-1 • Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, 1-561-233-1261, and • Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, 1-561-686-3663.
East Ridge Hosts First Olympic Challenge On February 4, East Ridge Retirement Village, known for its camaraderie and sense of community among residents and staff was divided. Neighbor competed against each other and employees battled for bragging rights. The friendly competition was part of the life care community’s first annual East Ridge Olympic Challenge. Teams of residents representing six nations competed in five grueling events which included Equestrian Irons, Bocce Ball, Golf, Bowling and Ball Vaulting. Each of the community’s departments then rooted for their respective resident teams. “The athletes who participated should be especially proud of themselves,” said Wellness Coordinator Suzana Delgado, who organized the event. “They trained very hard and continue to take advantage of the host of health and wellness programs available at East Ridge.” The East Ridge Olympic Challenge— complete with torch lighting ceremony— was attended by 500 guests including residents, families, community supporters and vendors/sponsors.
Winston Park Middle School’s cheerleaders and Quartet + One hyped the crowd and players from Pinecrest Premier Soccer Club served as referees for the Challenge. Author and long-time Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry officially commenced the competition with “Let the games begin!”. For residents Jay and Louise Lockwood, 58 years of marriage was put to the test when the two squared off against each other on opposing teams. She represented the United States while he was on Team Brazil. The Lockwoods joined two other competing couples—George and Nancy Fehr and Barrie and Sandra Reed. Judy Mangasarian could be seen (and heard) cheering her mother, Betty White, and Team Armenia onto victory. “She’s playing hard and having a great time,” she said. “It’s all in such good fun. The good times never end at East Ridge.” Cutler Bay VIPs also attended the event to show support to the Olympians. Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin and Councilmembers Sue Loyzelle and Peggy Bell praised the community’s commitment to seniors. Guests were treated to a special appear-
ance by Essie Faria, a 20-time gold medalist in the Florida Senior Games State Championships. The 77 year old, who began competing at age 70, addressed the audience and assisted in the event’s closing ceremony and award presentation. “The Olympic Challenge is a wonderful activity,” she said. “I encourage everyone to continue being active. Everyone can do something, regardless of age or physical limitations.” The Gold medal was awarded to Team Libya, comprised of George Fehr, Carole Bell, Bonnie Massey and Skippy Rossi. Team USA’s Barrie Reed, Tag Marvel, Elise Henline and Louise Lockwood came in second place and received the Silver award. Bronze went to Team England’s Nancy Fehr, Keith Phillips, Grace Ganser and Gwen North. Team Bolivia (Bob Parkerson, Jackie Smith, Margie Brown and Helen Berner); Team Armenia (Art North Betty White, Ann Burdin and Fran Plummer); and Team Brazil (Carolyn Carter, Jay Lockwood, Sandra Reed and Elaine Koch) finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
Community VIPs – Cutler Bay’s Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin and Councilmember Sue Loyzelle joined Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry in supporting the East Ridge Olympians.
East Ridge Olympic Challenge athletes, who represented six nations, competed in five grueling events including Equestrian Irons, Bocce Ball, Golf, Bowling and Ball Vaulting.
Team Libya (Carole Bell, Bonnie Massey and George Fehr) celebrate their victory with special guest Essie Faria, a 20-time gold medalist in the Florida Senior Games State Championships, and Wellness Center Coordinator Suzana Delgado, who organized the event.
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Cavalia is returning in March with an all new show, Odysseo BY GABRIELA LAMBERTUS
Cavalia, whose horse-and-human production received standing ovations and critical acclaim in Miami in 2010, has announced that, in partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, it will make Miami its second U.S. tour stop for its all-new show. Set to open Mar. 13, 2012, Odysseo will be performed at the same site as in 2010 — Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami — but this time under a White Big Top more than twice the size. Tickets are available now at <www.cavalia.net> or by calling 1-866-999-8111. Surrounded by awe-inspiring projections and visual effects, some 70 horses and 55 artists embark together on a journey, traveling through amazing natural landscapes. “The horse has been a partner of humanity throughout the ages,” explained Normand Latourelle, president and artistic director of Cavalia. “It’s thanks to horses that humans imagined they could travel to the ends of the earth. “This powerful and natural wonder of an animal enabled mankind to bridge cultures, to create alliances amongst people, and thus to freely roam the planet. He has been one of the most important instruments in the evolution of humanity. This is the essence of Odysseo.”
Some 70 horses and 55 artists will perform in Cavalia’s all-new show, Odysseo. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Latourelle continued, “We had such great big top in 2010,” said M. John Richard, presisuccess in Miami last time around that we dent and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. knew it would be one of our first tour stops “This new production, Odysseo, will captivate once we finished creating our all-new show.” Miami audiences with its pristine beauty, bold Miami is the only Florida stop slated for acrobatic feats, and remarkable artistry.” Odysseo’s U.S. tour. Odysseo is presented under the world’s “The Arsht Center is proud to partner once largest touring big top. Covering an area of again with the internationally renowned cre- more than 100,000 square feet — two and a ators of Cavalia, which brought so much joy to quarter times larger than the original Cavalia Miami audiences when it debuted under the show’s tent — the new big top houses a
27,000-square-foot stage. “We’ve created an even bigger big top to put as few limits as possible on our horses and artists, allowing them to play, run, dance, jump and twirl around to their hearts’ content,” Latourelle said. Inside, an immense theater seats 2,290 people with no obstructed views. By redefining the scale and possibilities of a touring space, Odysseo can accommodate even more in the way of equestrian arts, acrobatics, music, multimedia wizardry and special effects, the signature ingredients of a Cavalia show. For its exclusive run in Miami, Odysseo will be presented under the White Big Top at Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami. Tickets are on sale now at the introductory price of $59.50 to $109.50 plus applicable fees for regular tickets. For guests who desire an extraordinary outing, the show can be customized for an extended experience from $144.50 to $199.50, including a Horse Lover’s Package that lets patrons tour the Cavalia stables after the show, and the VIP Rendez-Vous Package which includes a tour of the stables after the show, a cocktail/dinner reception and much more. Special pricing also is available for children (ages 2-12), juniors (13-17), and senior citizens (65-plus). For ticket information, visit <www.cavalia.net> or call 1-866-999-8111.
Why You Can’t Lose Weight BY SONIA MARTINEZ, RPH
If you have tried diet after diet without shedding pounds, it may not be your fault. In “Why You Can’t Lose Weight: Why It’s So Hard to Shed Pounds and What You Can Do About It”, Pamela Smith, MD, MPH discusses the eighteen most common reasons why you can’t lose weight, and guides you in overcoming the obstacles that stand between you and a trimmer body, including insufficient exercise and sleep, biochemical problems such as insulin resistance and depression, food allergies and thyroid hormone dysfunction. For example, when you’re under constant stress, your body remains in fight-or-flight mode and your adrenal glands pump out excess cortisol, a hormone that suppresses the thyroid’s ability to regulate your weight. The last part of the book can guide you in putting together a customized, easy-to-follow weight-loss program. If you’ve been frustrated by one-size-fits-all diet plans and medications that have not worked, contact our compounding pharmacist who can help you begin your journey to optimal health.
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Marco Drugs and Compounding will provide you with compounded medications prepared with the highest standards and with high quality bulk materials, traditional prescriptions and high grade nutraceuticals, supplements and multivitamins. We provide to you health information in a clean, comfortable, fun and safe environment. Make us your doorway to total health. Marco Drugs & Compounding is located at 6627 South Dixie Highway, Tel: 305-665-4411 • Fax: 305-663-3258 Email:marcodrugs@bellsouth.net <www.marcodrugs.com> This article is intended to provide information on healthrelated matters. The ideas expressed cannot be used to diagnose or treat individual health problems and should not be taken as medical advice or instruction.
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Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
Author Jen Lancaster to discuss her latest book, If You Were Here BY MELISSA BRODER
After a fall from designer handbags and spa visits to the unemployment line, Jen Lancaster began detailing her experiences on her blog at <www.jennsylvania.com>. Her acerbic wit quickly won the blog a massive following, and Bitter is the New Black, Lancaster’s first memoir, was born. Four memoirs later, Jen Lancaster is a repeat New York Times bestselling author. Bitter is the New Black was published in 2006. Since then, Lancaster has published one book a year with NAL. The first three — Bitter is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big Ass, and Such a Pretty Fat — have more than 100,000 copies each in print. Such a Pretty Fat spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Pretty in Plaid, her hardcover debut, earned a coveted spot on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction list when it came out in 2009. My Fair Lazy debuted at No. 9 on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction list and If You Were Here (NAL Trade Paperback; $15; Mar. 6, 2012) now in paperback debuted at No. 14 on the New York Times hardcover fiction list. funny cast of supporting characters, Lancaster’s longincluding a celebutard ex-landlady. awaited fiction debut To top it all off, they end up buying is as uproariously the same exact house that the dreamy entertaining and Jen Lancaster laugh-out-loud funny (Photo credit: Jeremy Lawson) Jake Ryan “lived in” in John Hughes’ Sixteen Candles. As Mia and Mac strugas her beloved mem––––––––––––––––– gle to adapt to their new surroundings, oirs. If You Were Here follows Amish-zombie-teen-romance they will discover whether or not their marauthor Mia and her husband, Mac, (and riage is strong enough to survive months of their pets) through the alternately frustrat- do-it-yourself renovations. A nationally syndicated monthly columing, exciting, terrifying — but always hilarious — process of buying and renovat- nist for Tribune Media Services’ Humor ing their first home. Set in the same Hotel, Jen Lancaster lives outside Chicago. Chicago suburbs as John Hughes’ 1980s Visit the author on her blog at <www.jennmovie classics like Sixteen Candles, The sylvania.com>. Lancaster will be speaking and signing Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, Mia and Mac get caught up in wars with the home- her book on Tuesday, Mar. 6, 8 p.m., at owner’s association, meet some less-than- Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave. in Coral friendly neighbors, and are joined by a Gables.
FOOTNOTES
Community Newspapers
Feb. 21 - Mar. 5, 2012
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Thom Elliott’s photo exhibit captures images of the stars
Thom Elliott (right) is pictured with an attendee at the opening of his photo exhibit, which continues through Mar. 2. (Photo by Daniel Portnoy) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
Thom Elliott, a Cutler Bay resident who has lived in South Florida since 1973, is a photographer whose celebrity photos are featured in an exhibition, which continues through Mar. 2 at Pyramid Photographic Studios in the warehouse district of the Falls. Images of Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Peter Sellers and other stars reveal a different approach to photography. “They’re not portraits,” Elliott said. “I call them ‘super candids.’” The 10 featured photos and others in smaller frames in the main room were taken when he was the film production manager of a daytime television show in the 1960s, called Dateline: Hollywood on ABC-TV, starring Rona Barrett and Joanna Barnes. Mastering the job in about a week, Elliott sought to add some interest to his routine through photography. “I picked up my camera and took casual snapshots of celebrities,” Elliott said. “The unique thing is that the stars did know I was taking their pictures because nine out of 10 times I asked their permission. One of them was George Raft, and the lighting was so low that his face was lit up by the match he was lighting his cigarette with.” Elliott’s interest in photography began in the seventh grade in junior high. An afterschool program allowed students to process their own negatives and make contact prints. “Then when I went into the Air Force I had a top-secret job I couldn’t talk about and my father had sent me a $10 box camera so I started taking pictures with that,” Elliott said. “I wanted to get a better camera so I bought a Rolleicord that was a version of a Rolleiflex, and I started taking pictures
around Germany and Europe during the four years I was stationed over there.” After Dateline went off the air, Elliott returned to the advertising field and moved to New York, doing freelance work for a number of clients. After he moved to South Florida, a chance encounter gave him new insights into the kind of work that was important to him. “I took pictures of the artist Christo when he was here at the Lowe Art Museum for three days,” Elliott said. “He said that he never used corporate sponsorship because there are too many strings attached to it, and he didn’t allow anybody to put strings on his heart, and he did this from his heart. I turned away and started to cry, and his wife came over and said, ‘Thom, what’s wrong?’ and I said I just realized that I hadn’t taken any pictures from my heart.” Since then he has tried to devote as much time as possible to creative photography, although he still does it as a business locally and keeps his New York clients by commuting monthly. He and his wife, Irene, also work as a team — she as a court reporter and he as the videographer. Elliott has taken part in Career Day at Southwood Middle School in Palmetto Bay, talking about photography to Jenifer Berse’s art students. “I love the process of photography and I’ve met a lot of fine people through photography,” Elliott said. When asked what’s next, Elliott said that a friend of his who lives in Las Vegas has broached the idea of him coming there with the same show of his celebrity pictures. Elliott’s website is <http://www.tomelliott-photography.com>. Pyramid Studios is located at 8890 SW 129 Terr. Its hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or by appointment at 305-256-6944.
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2013 Hyundai Veloster lineup adds hot new 201 hp turbo
Ron Beasley LET’S TALK CARS I liked the Hyundai Veloster when I first drove it at the press preview in Portland, OR, back in October. I like it even more after spending a week behind the wheel of the little three-door coupe. It’s nicely designed, very sporty and handles well in traffic and on the highway. My only knock on the car was that it was a bit underpowered, but Hyundai has moved to correct that fault, introducing a new turbocharged model for the 2013 lineup. The turbo version of the Veloster made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January. It’s a bookend to Hyundai’s turbocharged sports coupe lineup, paired with the refreshed 274 hp rear-wheel-drive 2013 Genesis Coupe 2.0T (Turbo), which also debuted at the show. Veloster is powered by a new 1.6-liter 201 hp Turbocharged-Gasoline Direct Injection (T-GDI) engine mated to a six-speed auto-
matic or manual transmission. The T-GDI engine produces 201 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 pounds-feet of torque from 1,750-4,500 rpm with regular gas, and delivers 27/38 mpg with manual transmission models. The Gamma engine has a twin-scroll turbocharger that, when combined with the GDI system, results in instantaneous power delivery. Twin-scroll turbochargers are usually found on more expensive high performance engines. They have two exhaust gas inlets divided by split walls inside the turbine housing, with both gas passages controlled by a waste-gate. A twin-scroll turbo recovers more energy from the exhaust than a single-scroll turbocharger, thanks to a divided manifold. The twin-scroll design separates the cylinders, whose exhaust gas pulses interfere with each other, resulting in improved pressure distribution in the exhaust ports and a more efficient delivery of exhaust gas energy to the turbocharger’s turbine. The Turbo Veloster has the same 104.3inch wheelbase as the production Veloster, but the Turbo is 1.2 inches longer (167.3 inches) and about a half-inch wider (71.1 inches). It is further distinguished by a sexy sporttuned engine intake and exhaust note, sporttuned steering, a unique front fascia, fog-
Hyundai Turbo Veloster has a unique front fascia, foglights and 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
lights, 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts, a Graphite Black interior with blue accents and headliner graphics. Full leather seats with the word “Turbo” stitched into the seatbacks deliver a unique look and offer excellent support and comfort. A Supervision Cluster in the dash gives the driver information in a larger, clearer and more interactive format, thanks to a pair of screens located between the tachometer and the speedometer. The center stack and controls resemble a sport-bike fuel tank and
incorporate a push-button starter and alloy pedals. Heated front seats are standard on the Turbo version. Pricing on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster starts at $17,300, but an MSRP for the Turbo model has not yet been released. Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to <LetsTalkCars@aol.com>.
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