One of Miami’s Community Newspapers _______________________________________ Supporting local businesses since 1958
Doral Tribune AUGUST 2009
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Parks and more parks ahead for our city BY MICHAEL DIPIETRO Vice Mayor of Doral In recent conversations with residents, constituents, business owners and even our children who play in our parks, I have been asked the status on the different projects and events going on in our beautiful city. I certainly welcome any and all questions and concerns that you, the reader, may have about any other community activities. If you have any questions about our city , feel free to reach out to me — I’ll always let you know “the way it is.” RECENTLY, we held another fantastic Fourth of July celebration at JC Bermudez Park that included carnival rides and games, live entertainment, raffles, great food and, of course, culminating with our fireworks show. However, several people asked: “What happened to our city parade?” With the current economic climate, the City Council decided it was best to
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DIPIETRO, page 7
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‘Green’ Master Plan wins state award ler Planning and the City of Doral received the 2009 Outstanding Innovation in Planning Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) for Iler’s cutting-edge ‘Green Master Plan’ created for Doral. The FPZA presented the award at its annual conference in Tampa on June 12, recognizing the city and the Jupiter-based Iler Urban Planning firm for helping prepare the plan as a co-recipient of the award. Iler Planning initially developed Doral’s first Comprehensive Plan and their Land Development Codes which allowed for the Green Planning overlay.
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New Pet Chamber helps you and yours
PET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LOGO
BY ERIC GONZALEZ Planner Robert Iler and Mayor Juan C. Bermudez receive state award for City of Doral’s new “Green Master Plan.”
PBS&J awards $10k scholarship Shannan Ighodaro of Post, Buckley Schuh and Jernigan engineers headquartered in Miami presents Deshorn King, scholarship recipient and Captain Barrington Irving (right) with $10k to assist Experience Aviation in its “Discover Aviation” after-school and summer programs at Opa-Locka Airport. Capt. Irvington established the program to expose career opportunities in aviation to deserving young adults. The scholarship is part of PBS&J Foundation’s contributions to help further knowledge in the sciences throughout the South Florida community.
hambers of Commerce (also referred to as a boards of trade) originated the concept in Europe in 1599, as a form of business network that organizes either local or national businesses to further their associated interests. Business owners in towns and cities across the country form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Now, after several centuries, the first national “Pet” Chamber of Commerce has been established by President and Founder, Monica Rimada, who officially initiated the Pet Chamber on February 14, 2009 after collaborating for months with friends and animal enthusiast alike. The benefit of the chamber is to merge business owners and individual animal lovers and pet owners together to learn, network, and grow together in the animal industry. Active members are groomers, veterinarians, animal trainers, res-
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Based on Info from SEFML as of 8-03-09. Details and more undervalued homes at:
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PET CHAMBER, page 5
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• Fitness & Defense • Israeli Army Fitness tests the teacher Julio G. Anta GET FIT WITH ANTA
Support shelter pets. Donate online! The Miami-Dade County Animal Services Trust is now accepting donations on the web. Your tax-deductible gift helps us to: • Provide toys, beds and sweaters for cold weather and more! • Reunite shelter pets with their owners or find them new homes. • Develop spay/neuter programs. • Work with over 50 rescue partners to help save as many animals as possible. Donating online is secure, convenient and a great way to lend a helping hand. To donate online, go to www.miamidade.gov or call 3-1-1 for information on other ways to help.
Sign up at miamidade.gov for direct access to news and services.
About a year ago, while surfing the Internet, I found the <www.EliteCombatFitness.com> website of the Israeli Special Forces and National Judo Champion, Moni Aizik. Aizik claimed the fitness program to be the most challenging and demanding elite fitness workout available to help develop world class athletes and Olympic champions. Not only was I impressed by the website videos and photos but I had seen Moni in a History Channel documentary on “Krav Maga” and in numerous martial arts magazines. Krav Maga designates the Israeli military’s martial arts program, similar to Haganah for which I’ve been certified to instruct. Both as a Christian and military retiree, I admire Israel for defying the odds and defeating its enemies, just as David overcameGoliath in Biblical times. I read how the ECF (Elite Combat Fitness) certification became the ideal workout for extreme athletes and fighters, and how Moni trained Yael Arad, Israel’s first Olympic and World medalist, as well as UFC champion Carlos Newton. ECF certification is extremely demanding, both physically and emotionally, and EFC trainers are not only expected to be in extraordinary shape but possess a strong work ethic. At 52, I do not know what possessed me to enroll in this certification. Before you are accepted in this elite program, you must have a phone interview with Aizik, and when Moni called me and asked my age, he immediately wanted to know if I had any disabilitating injuries. “Yes, I’m full of injuries but I’m in great shape and go around them,” I replied. “I like that,” Moni said. “You’re like me. We don’t give up.” Moni, now 55 but then 54, told me to train hard because his was a very demanding certification routine. For years I’ve developed great martial artists and super athletes, believing that martial arts and fitness are one and the same. My XFT functional training class is a super-demanding fitness workout with kettlebells, Indian clubs, battling ropes, circuit training, medicine balls, kickboxing and more. While expecting hard and
demanding work by Moni, I never realized what I had to go through what I did in three days’ time. On Day One, I met Moni and our instructor, Steve Ledford, and three other brave souls taking the challenge with me: Kim, Tim and Andre. In three days, we became best of friends, bearing ten and one-half tortures-in-hell. Steve, a South Carolinian whose demeanor and gentleman-like manners and motivation resemble those of a Confederate officer, told us that each successive day would get still harder. By Day Two, I could not believe Day Three could surpass the first two. At one point, light headed and almost fainting, I became so beat and in so much pain that I could hardly sleep at night. Then, the moment of truth came: Day Three. It consisted of three physical tests, an interview, a theory test and a teaching test, the hardest a “Suicide Mission,” that turned out to be a non-stop 45-minute workout in a park.
Pictured are (l-r) Steve Ledford, Moni Aizik and Julio Anta. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– My school office walls are plastered with certificates but my ECF Instructor Certificate proudly gets the dead center spot, exemplifying the hardest training I’ve experienced since U.S. Marine Corps training at Parris Island in South Carolina, the base known as “the land that God forgot.” Now I’m one of the few ECF certified instructors in this area — and proud of it. Just ask me why!
Julio Anta has been a martial arts and fitness instructor at Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense since 1998. He can be reached at 305 599-3649 or go online at <fitdef@aol.com> and <www.miamikettlebell.com>.
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Healthcare expense DBC Forum Topic
Managing health care discussed by Pete De La Torre, Executive Director of the Doral Business Council, Dr. Alejandro Badia, Dr. Doug Bartel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Dr. Ralph Aleman, CEO of Hialeah Hospital; Dr. Romualdo Segurola Jr. And Dr. Nestor De La Cruz-Munoz M.D. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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Better cost management for business while improving health for employees was the umbrella topic for a Doral Business Council forum in partnership with Hialeah Hospital, July 23 at the DaVinci Center in Doral. South Florida business owners who attended the panel discussion, moderated by Ralph Aleman, Hialeah Hospital CEO, heard from medical experts Dr. Doug Bartel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida; Dr. Alejandro Badia, Dr. Nestor De La Cruz-Muñoz and Dr. Romualdo J. Segurola Jr., three physician specialists associated with the hospital. “Healthcare coverage is one of the biggest expenses that a business owner can incur, and with costs rising yearly, it is important for business owners to know how to be proactive in saving money and also how to keep employees healthy,” said Pete De La Torre, Council Executive Director and panel moderator. Topics discussed at the forum ranged from the leading causes of the upward spiral of American healthcare costs to the importance of health education and prevention in regard to employee healthcare costs and benefits. Dr. Badia explained that the U.S. “has
gotten to this point because medicine has become too much of a business,” and discussed the barriers that physicians face in making treatment decisions and being able to treat the patient. Dr. De La Cruz- Munoz went on to explain that obesity is a direct cost of the use of healthcare and that obese patients’ pharmaceutical costs are 77% higher than people of a normal weight. Dr. Sugurola discussed the need for better prevention and education, explaining, “this is something that we are not currently practicing enough of in this country.” Dr. Bartel of Blue Cross and Blue Shield agreed, stating, “consumers do more research when looking for a new washer or dryer than they do when it comes to their healthcare.” Closing the panel, Dr. Aleman explained that the hospital business is not high profit – that the average margin for a nonprofit hospital is two percent, noting that in terms of healthcare reform, the hospital industry has planned to cover millions in costs. Hialeah Hospital, part of Tenet’s Florida region, is a 378-bed acute care hospital located at 651 East 25th Street, serving central to north Miami-Dade County since 1951.
August 2009
GREEN,
COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
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During the summer months, the city has worked on incorporating elements of the new plan into the existing Master Plan for Doral’s future growth. In selecting Iler Planning and Doral, the FPZA Selection Committee made these comments on why the Green Plan stood out: “The Green Plan is a sustainable plan with a comprehensive approach that focuses on real implementation. It breaks down a very complex topic into easy-to-understand principles, and adds the all-important outreach to residents and businesses to show them how they can be more sustainable in their daily activities. “The Green Plan contains many resources that readers can investigate to get more information. It is not a question of if, but a question of when. Most communities will need to prepare a Green Plan like this to be competitive in the future global marketplace. The strong implementation program in the Green Plan was impressive and includes a scorecard for Doral so they can track the green benefits and cost-savings in the future.” Doral only became a city five years ago and its visionary ‘Green Master Plan’ is the only comprehensive and community-wide approach in Florida, providing for a sustainable future of
PET CHAMBER,
greenhouse gas reduction, resource conservation and immediate and longterm budget cost savings. The Green Plan utilizes the 10 Guiding Principles of Sustainability which address the ways a community can impact greenhouse gas emissions and resource conservation. These include reduction in vehicle travel, more green spaces, incentives of solar and wind power, making city government sustainable, bringing back local community agriculture and aggressive outreach to residents and businesses. Doral recently received recognition for its business climate from BusinessWeek who said that it is one of the best small cities in the country – and the best community in Florida – to start a business. This is the second recent national recognition for this young city, which came in at 51 in the nation and No. 2 in the state in a report published by CNN Money last summer that named the Top 100 U.S. cities to live in and launch a new business. “It goes to show that we are one of the premiere places to do business in the country,” Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez said. “In this case, we are the premiere place to do business in the state.”
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cue club members, and many other businesses with interests in animals and pet care. Some local members include my own K9 firm, “Gonzohaus K9 Service” (www.gk9s.com); “Pets In Touch” (www.petsintouch.com); and “Paws 4 You Rescue” (www.paws4you.org). While relationships between people and animals continue to grow, the Pet Chamber is a great resource for everyone with an interest in animal and pet care. Furthermore, members receive exclusive discounts from businesses associated with the Pet Chamber. The Pet Chamber remains on the cutting edge with many animal functions in our area neighborhoods, easily located and following by visiting
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<www.petchamber.org>. You can also visit and/or volunteer your presence at events hosted or supported by the Pet Chamber. They occur several times each month, all around town, include the PETCO Pet Supermarket club events, and many others. For further information, visit this new Pet Chamber, site, browse around, read some articles, and contact members. It’s well worth it, for you and your best friend. Eric Gonzales, retired K9 Sergeant, founded Gonzohaus K9 Service and authored “Dog Training for the General Public.” He can be contacted for questions and answers at <www.gk9s.com> or blogging him at <www.petsintouch.com>.
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Doral Tribune
6769 S.W. 62 Avenue, South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355, Fax (305) 662-6980
PUBLISHERS .........................................................................................................................................................Grant & Michael Miller EDITOR ..........................................................................................................................................................................David Berkowitz WRITERS, COLUMNISTS.....................................Bari Auerbach, Ron Beasley, R. Kenneth Bluh, Gloria Burns, Robert Hamilton, Art Jacobson, David Pines, Marilyn Rodriquez, Gary Alan Ruse, Ike Seamans, Lee Stephens, Al Sunshine ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES..................................Albie Barnes, Beatriz Brandfon, Roberta Bergman, Ana Caceres, Celia Canabate, Cecile Fanfani, Enrique Chau, Diane Chasin, Sharon Christian, Lori Cohen, Lenny Gold, Myrna Golob, Diane Maddox, Fara Sax, Diane Sedona Schiller LEGAL ADVERTISING ...............................................................................................................................................................Georgia Tait BOOKKEEPING ......................................................................................................................................................................Jesus Toledo PROOF DEPARTMENT.............................................................................................................................................................Isabel Vavrek RECEPTIONISTS........................................................................................................................................................................Gaby Cruz ART DIRECTOR........... ........................................................................................................................................................Maria Scheer GRAPHIC ARTISTS........................................................................................Isabel Ortega, Angie Santiesteban, Isabel Vavrek We will not return solicited or unsolicited editorial material including stories, columns and or photographs. If you send us anything, please make sure that you have duplicate copies of the material. GENERAL PROVISIONS: Every issue of Community Newspapers is fully copyrighted, and all property rights, including advertisements produced by Community Newspapers. Artwork and/or typography furnished or arranged for/by us, shall be the property of Community Newspapers. No such ad or any art thereof may be reproduced without the prior consent of Community Newspapers.
Editorial e-mail: cneditor@gate.net • www.communitynewspapers.com
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consider moving the parade date and venue. We are now in a “documentation mode” to build the new park at NW 33rd Street to be dedicated to veterans who have served our great country. As we prepare for a sealed bid procedure to award a construction contract, it appears most likely that we will award the bid during our October City Council meeting with park construction to take an estimated seven months before opening. (Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will recommend an official name of the park sometime this fall). A parade to celebrate the park opening was suggested as an alternative to this year’s July 4 parade but no formal action or adoption or action was taken at that time. As most of you know, parks and green space are one of my major passions because this is where our residents have the opportunity to come together and enjoy not only the beauty of Doral but one another as we continue to build upon our sense of community. We establish stronger “people” bonding while providing all ages the opportunity to become involved in this city, play sports, and enjoy the great outdoors.
BERMUDEZ PARK ENDING PHASE I JC BERMUDEZ PARK has just completed Phase One of its future development, including a feasibility/expense study for build out and operations, installation of two restroom facilities and a partial lake filling. We are currently reviewing and monitoring the economic conditions as we study the best funding sources for this 86acre park.The master plan for future development includes an aquatic complex, community center, football/soccer stadium, baseball fields, multipurpose fields, tennis center, a walking trail and pavilions. Doral’s other new park and green space is our upcoming dog park. The city received the property from the Sonoma development, transferred to us in June. We are currently in the planning stages for this 10-acre parcel at the SW corner of NW 114th Avenue and NW 50th Street. We have formed a Dog Park Subcommittee to provide input into the park needs and design, and a recent organization formed as a result is The Pet Chamber of Commerce, initiated by Monica Rimada, a committee member. If interested in becoming a member, reach out to Monica and join the Chamber as my children did with their
dog, Peanut! And if you are a dog lover and have been taking your pet elsewhere to let them “run wild”, you’ll be excited to hear this news.
PALM PLANTINGS BEAUTIFY DORAL THE CITY HAS recently planted 150 Washingtonian Palms at Doral Meadow Park and an additional 40 palms are scheduled to be planted in the upcoming weeks as we wrap up the third and final phase of the Street Tree Master Plan. The implementation of the plan resulted in the planting of approximately 2,600 trees. In addition we performed a Geographic Information System “GIS” inventory of the street trees to create a way to measure improvements to the tree canopy within the right of way. You may recall The National Arbor Day Foundation in July 2008 named the City of Doral, “2008 Tree City USA,” an award that “recognizes communities that have proven their commitment to an effective, ongoing community forestry program” that is “marked by renewal and improvement.” STREET SURFACING FOR US COMMAND NEW PUBLIC WORKS projects include completion of NW 33rd Street from NW 87th Avenue to NW 97th Avenue, related to the preparation of the U. S. South Command’s new home. Reconstruction of NW 36th Street between NW 79th and NW 87th Avenues has also gotten underway, as well as a resurfacing project on NW 112th Avenue from NW 25th Street to NW 33rd Street. Resurfacing of NW 82nd Avenue from NW 12th to NW 25th Street was also completed recently. With the initiative to beautify Doral, we will be installing median improvements along NW 107th Avenue between NW 58th and NW 90th Streets, Florida Department of Transportation will install landscaping at the NW 58th Street interchange and State Road 826 (the Palmetto Expressway). You may have also noticed land clearing on NW 41st Street from 109th to 112th Avenues. The property owner cleared this land per our Code Compliance Department. The site plan is approved for mixed retail and office space but no plans have materialized to build in the near future. Still another land clearing recently completed for code compliance bordered NW 58th Street at the NW corner of 102nd Avenue. Vice Mayor Michael DiPietro can be reached via email michael.dipietro@cityofdoral.com or at City Hall (305) 593-6725.
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Coffee Café debuts thanks to Class of ‘09 BY GLORIA BURNS Next year’s students will be pleased to learn of a new school feature: the graduating Class of 2009 left a gift that adds a coffee café in the school library. Students will now be able to enjoy books, get online and sip coffee and lattes on their breaks and during lunch. A beautiful fish tank also adds to the décor. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • In the coming school year, MCS is offering a self-contained ESE program for the high school. The clinical program offers an individualized high school curriculum for students diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability, ADHD, and Asperger’s
Miami Christian School Athletic Director James Colzie, Sr.
miami christian
update Syndrome. MCS is a fully accredited private school and prepares its ESE students to obtain a standard high school diploma. Also new this Fall: a two-year-old Daycare/Learning Center. For more information or applications for either the ESE program or Center, call Gladys Mata at 305-221-7754 x771 or e-mail her at gladysmatamcs@hotmail.com. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Miami Christian School’s Athletic Director, James Colzie, Sr., was recently named to Florida High School Activities Association’s (FHSAA) Board of Directors and will hold the seat reserved for private schools. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • MCS is looking for funding to keep technology in forefront. The school is developing a new distance learning program to assist homebound, and/or home school students to get their high school diploma. The program also allows credit recovery for students who need to make up courses; these courses can also be taken online and count towards graduation. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Birdies for Charity, a fundraiser for non-profits organized by the South Florida Golf Foundation, brought in more than $1,000 this year for Miami Christian School and more than $800,000 in total for non profits throughout Miami-Dade County. Charities sold tickets giving donors an opportunity to guess the number of
You know what happens when you don’t advertise? Nothing. To avoid nothing from happening call 305-669-7355 today.
Miami’s Community Newspapers www.communitynewspapers.com
Representing MCS at a South Florida Golf Foundation Luncheon, Gloria Burns accepts check for the school from “Birdies for Charity” fundraiser from (left) Eddie Carbone, Executive Director of the CA Championship and Ray Zomerfeld, President of SFGF.
Students will enjoy taking a break in MCS’s new Internet Café, an addition to their library from the Class of 2009.
birdies that would be made in the Doral Championship. Those with the correct number could win a wide variety of great prizes. On June 30, the South Florida Golf Association held a luncheon to award checks to the charities and prizes to the winners. On hand for the event were Tr a c y M u l l e n s , Executive Director of the CA Championship, Eddie Carbone , and President of SFGF Ray Zomer feld . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The school is busy preparing for the upcoming school year which begins Wednesday, August 26. In preparation for the year, the Parent Teacher Fellowship has purchased and is having installed a new electronic school sign for announcements for the school family and community. Registration is open. For more information, call 305221-7754.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
August 2009
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Perez Administrator for VITAS Hospice Zonia Perez, RN, of Miami 2005 as a home team managSprings, has been promoted to er and then became an IPU Patient Care Administrator for manager. She formerly VITAS Innovative Hospice served as director of nursing Care of Miami-Dade/Monroe. for the Floridean Nursing Associated with VITAS four and Rehabilitation Center in years, Perez bring significant Miami. She received her RN nursing and management from Miami-Dade experience to her new posiCommunity College. tion, overseeing five inpatient A pioneer and leader in the hospice units in Miami-Dade hospice movement since County, including the compa1978, VITAS is one of the Zonia Perez, RN ny’s newest unit at nation’s largest providers of –––––––––––––––– Metropolitan Hospital of end-of-life care. Miami, the city’s first Hispanic inpatient Headquartered in Miami, the firm operates hospice unit. 45 hospice programs in 16 states. VITAS inpatient hospice units offer Employing more than 9000 professpecialized teams composed of nurses, sionals caring for terminally-ill home health aides, physicians, social patients daily, service is provided priworkers, chaplains and volunteers to pro- marily in patient homes and the comvide around-the-clock, on-site care for pany’s 25 inpatient hospice units, as hospice patients experiencing a medical well as area hospitals, nursing homes crisis and their families. and assisted living communities with Responsible for daily communications, residential care facilities for the elderquality of patient care services, employee ly. Concluding the first quarter of and customer satisfaction, and financial 2009, VITAS reported an average daily management, Perez joined VITAS in census of 11,805.
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Junior Orange Bowl enjoys Doral’s ‘Blue’ Nearly 100 VIPs attended the event! The Blue, a new upscale hotel on the Blue Monster Golf Course at Doral Resort and Spa, hosted and sponsored a reception on July 28, for the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, introduce JOBC members to the Doral City Commission and of the city's business leaders. Doral Mayor Juan C. Bermudez, Vice Mayor Michael DiPietro and City Commissioners Pete Cabrera and Sandra Ruiz represented Doral at the event, joined
by Mayors Don Slesnick of Coral Gables and Mayor Billy Bain of Miami Springs. Nearly 100 gathered to enjoy a night of networking with JOBC members who actively recruited volunteers for various events. JOBC President Marti Bueso introduced the dignitaries and thanked The Blue’s General Manager, Steven von Hemert, Executive Chef Josh Wahler and Food and Beverage Manager George Rodriguez for their generous support. Not only were most Doral Commission members present but so, too, were Mayors for nearby cities, all of whom are increasingly aware of the economic impact of Junior Orange Bowl festival events throughout the area and the opportunities for young people to participate. –––––––––––––––––––––––– Pictured are (l-r) George Rodriguez, Food and Beverage Manager at The Blue, Marti Bueso, JOBC Past President and Josh Wahler, Executive Chef of 5300 Chop House.
Pictured are (l-r) JOBC Chuck Little, Gloria Burns, Doral Mayor Juan Bermudez, JOBC JR Steinbauer, Chef Josh Wahler at The Blue.
Among community leaders attending were Chuck and Nancy Little, Jim Borgmann, John and Pam Admire, Joey Deyerle, Paula Franco, John Sorgie, Ann Goodrich, Rich Lopez, Gus Machado, Jr., Kathleen Kauffman, Nubielena Medina, Enid Miguez, Don and Ceci Slesnick, Dr. Randy Groh, David Bobbitt, Carol Bovee, Dallas Brown, John and
Gloria Burns, Robin Preston, and Mark Pidal, among many others. AZUL FOR TWO! Azul, a new spa at The Blue, now offers a $49 Mother/Daughter package that includes a pedicure and manicure for two with lunch; for information, tel. 305-597-8600.
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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM
Opustore opens Value Vault Showroom BY LEE STEPHENS Opustone Granite & Marble has opened a new Value Vault outlet in Doral at 3192 NW 77th Court, opposite the Opustone corporate headquarters, one of Florida’s largest importers-distributors of travertine, marble, granite, quartzite, onyx, limestone, coral and unique stones in slabs and tiles. “Opustone is known for offering a vast array of quality and unique natural stone products,” said Eric Schigiel, vice president and cofounder. “Our inventory provides ample choices for customers, including a wide range of colors, textures, and now cost, thanks to the Value Vault. “Our clearance center gives customers a chance to revamp their home or office at a fraction of the cost.” The new Value Vault store is a 2,500-square-foot showroom and clearance center providing quality product in a collection Eric Schigiel, Opustone vice president and co-founder. of discounted materials, small ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– lots and blow outs, including an With more than 30 years of experiexpansive inventory of natural stones in varied colors, textures and sizes, with ence and showrooms in Miami and select products marked as much as 50 Jacksonville, Opustone offers outstanding materials for flooring, bathrooms, percent off. Customers who need specialized serv- kitchens, patios, driveways, fireplace ice or want to preview the latest trends facades and landscaping in styles from in natural stone can see the full rustic to contemporary and tumbled to Opustone line in the main showroom, polished. For information, call 305-594-2555 or just across the street.from the new visit online at <www.Opustone.com>. Value Vault.
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Toyota of South Florida women in driver’s seat TRANSFORM YOUR OLD KITCHEN TO NEW WITH CABINET REFACING
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All-female administrative staff at Toyota of South Florida includes (l-r) Gretel Santana, Odalys Fernandez, Sheila Korn, Donna Seldes, Flor Bonega and Yady Diaz. (Missing: Sandi Runkles). –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Toyota of South Florida, located in Doral off of State Road 836 literally puts women in the drivers seat through their management, sales and financing teams, all staffed or led by women in senior positions. Toyota of South Florida is unusual in the number of women in leading roles in a car dealership and its management team includes many high profile positions held by highly qualified women with more than 117 years of combined experience in the auto dealership business. The Toyota of South Florida team includes: Sandi Runkles, Comptroller, 20 years experience; Gretel Santana, New Car Sales Manager, six years; Odalys Fernandez, Finance Manager, 19 years; Sheila Korn, Fleet Manager, 23 years;
Donna Seldes, Executive Administration Officer, 25 years; Flor Banegs, Office Manager, 15 years; Yady Diaz, Customer Relations Manager, nine years. “Toyota of South Florida at Doral is a leader in promoting diversity and we recognize that by having a workforce that resembles our community we can better serve our customers’ needs in buying, financing or servicing a car,” said Marc Kahn, president, Toyota of South Florida. Toyota of South Florida has planned a series of workshops to help women navigate any car dealership from when entering the front door to picking up the keys. For more information regarding events, visit <www.toyotaofsouthflorida.com>.
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State association honors Pelayo Calante joined PBS & J Doral Parks & Recreation as group manager in S. Florida Florida Recreation and Park Association will present its award to the City of Doral Parks and Recreation Department at an August 27 ceremony, honoring the city’s efforts promoting the value of its park services and recreation programs. The association awards, categorized by populations served and highlighted messages, are based on fostering a sense of achievement, community, conservation, economic development, health, heritage, and nature. The awards are given to programs that culminate in making the statement that “Florida’s Future is in our parks, open spaces and recreation programs. The campaign began two years ago as a way of increasing awareness of the important role parks and recreation play in communities across the state. Over 160 public parks and recreation agencies are currently implementing
the campaign with the City of Doral is being recognized for excelling in its implementation. “We are very pleased to be recognized by the State of Florida’s Recreation and Park Association for our attempts to make the Doral parks, places where the whole family can go, not just for sports and exercise, but also for recreation of the mind, heart and spirit,” remarked Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez. “We’ve made a concerted effort to integrate the arts, culture and family oriented events and activities in our parks on an on-going basis. We take pride in our parks and pride in the fact that our efforts have not gone by unnoticed.” For information, contact Christina Baguer, Public Information Officer for the City of Doral at 305-406-6736 or go online at <christina.baguer@cityofdoral.com>..
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minium, Coral Gables; The Creek at Maritime, a 27-story complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Panorama, a twotower, 24-story residence in San Pedro Sula, Honduras; the Four Seasons, 70story, mixed-use building, Miami, Florida; and Concourse D Extension at Miami International Airport. –––––––––––––––––––––––– Pelayo Calante
Pelayo Calante, PE, LEED AP, has joined PBS&J as group manager for the South Florida mechanical, fire protection, electrical, and plumbing engineering (MEP) group, responsible for management and production of MEPrelated projects. Notable Miami projects Calante has served include 1080 Brickell, a 45-story Miami residential condominium; Merrick Park condo-
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Molina Healthcare names David Pollack president Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH) has announced that David Pollack has been named the president and chief executive officer of its whollyowned subsidiary, Molina Healthcare of Florida, Inc. Pollack was previously the chief operating officer. Pollack joined Molina with nearly 20 years of experience in various operational and financial positions in the health care industry. He started his career as an accountant at Ernst & Young and later became vice president of portfolio operations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, overseeing the university’s investments in diverse health care entities. He also served as president of Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc., a South Florida managed care plan. Pollack, a CPA, earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration
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Naples – Almost in your backyard
at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Molina Healthcare of Florida was awarded its Medicaid contract in December 2008. The company, located in Doral, currently has health care provider certificates for Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties.Molina Healthcare, Inc., a multi-state managed care organization, arranges delivery of health care services to persons eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-sponsored programs for lowincome families and individuals. Altogether, Molina Healthcare’s nine licensed health plan subsidiaries in nine states currently serve approximately 1.3 million members. Information about Molina Healthcare of Florida is available at <www.molinahealthcare.com>.
Doral Park, Rotary Senior Bingo Aug. 19 Doral Park Country Club and Rotary Club of Doral ask that resident seniors join for a fun day of “Senior’s Bingo” Wednesday, August 19 and complimentary lunch at the Country Club, 500 NW 104th Avenue. Doors will open at 10.30 a.m. to honor seniors (65 years and up). Ten bingo games will be played “for free” with a prize awarded to the winner of each game. Reservations for the event are required by telephoning Marisa Blanco at Doral Park CC at 305-5918800, ext. 21 or 24, or Nathalia Viveros, Rotary Club of Doral, at 786-378-9234.
Big Lots wins Hialeah High $2,500 prize Hialeah Senior High School will have $2,500 extra cash for its classes after winning second place in a Big Lots video and essay contest, one of 46 schools in the U. S. competing for a total of $80,000 in awards. Big Lots store at 3580 West 18th Avenue in Hialeah presented the special award on behalf of the “Lots2Give” video program that each school entering the contest explain why it is in need of extra financial sport.Between June 11 to July 12, 300,000 public votes cast determined 26 winners. In addition, an in-store Big Lots program established donations to assist
103 competing schools through donations by customers of $1 to $5 in cash, raising more than $74,000 additional school assistance. Hialeah High will receive $1,364 from their share of those donations. Southwest Miami High School in Miami also participated in the program, receiving $1,364. On August 1, Big Lots stores across the country saluted the efforts of educators by hosting in-store Teacher Appreciation Days event, providing educators with valid school identification cards to receive 10% off a total purchase.
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