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JUNE 15 - 21, 2010
Kendall-Tamiami Airport runway extension begins BY RICHARD YAGER long-awaited extension of a major runway at K e n d a l l - Ta m i a m i Executive Airport designed to better accommodate non-commercial private aircraft is underway. “While it may look as though little is happening, the contractor has already cleared 330,000 square feet of brush at the runway’s far west end,” said Mike Handrahan, airport manager. Construction to lengthen the east-west runway paralleling SW 136th Street along the south side of the airport is anticipated to take nearly one and one-half years. The project to extend the runway from 5,000 to 6,000 feet began on June 1 with a 493-calendar day construction time line, meaning the extension should be completed around late 2011. A contract for $4.4 million was awarded to H&R Paving Inc., following final approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and coordination with planning phases developed with the Aviation Department and airport management in recent months. Those details included identifying required office space, ordering materials, scheduling contract labor and resources as well as coordination of work between the FAA and FPL, according to Greg Chin, Aviation Department spokesperson. Temporary curtailment of activity during the expansion contract has been anticipated by airport FBOs (Fixed Base Operators) as a price for future ability to accommodate servicing newer private jet aircraft. “Some closures limiting use of the runway will occur during the 12- to 18-month construction period,” Handrahan said. Limitations will not begin until mid to late August as final construction details are worked out with the contractor, he added. Operators servicing newer private aircraft
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AIRPORT, page 4
‘Kendall Rocks’ Museum hidden gem at college
One day effort offers special incentives to share the ride
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BY MICHAEL GOODMAN
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Miami Dade College Kendall Campus students Patrice Dardompre and Katherine Lazardo check class assignment with rock museum specimen. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY RICHARD YAGER tiger shark jaw from Key Largo, bottom sediments from the Antarctic and a whale’s tooth from Chesapeake Bay — wherever former Miami Dade College professor Loren D. Wicks went, he and his wife traveled with a hammer and pick, ready to excavate and collect samples. Wicks passed away in 1987, but many of his archeological treasures are found today at the Earth Science Museum and Demonstration Center, better known as “Kendall Rocks,” located in Building
Five of the Miami Dade College Kendall campus. Diane McKinney, an associate instructor who oversees the museum, was an art major attending classes at the Kendall Campus more than 30 years ago when inspired to study geology after taking classes with Wicks. “Professor Wicks used to say, ‘Wherever you go, make sure you bring back rocks,’” McKinney recalled. “He was my mentor and made me want to be a scientist.”
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ROCKS, page 4
n these challenging economic times, everyone is looking for ways to save money. Broward County Transit, Miami-Dade Transit, Palm Tran, South Florida Commuter Services, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority/TriRail and Florida Department of Transportation have announced that they will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to encourage people to share the ride and try public transportation as a viable cost-saving option on Thursday, June 17. “Riding public transportation or choosing to carpool is a great way for people to save money,” said James Udvardy, project director of South Florida Commuter Services. “We are encouraging everyone to join us in this effort on June 17.” Local transit agencies are providing commuters with these incentives and opportunities to encourage participation in this one-day effort: • Ride the 95 Express Bus free. The 95 Express Bus offers convenient, direct service from Broward County to downtown Miami. On June 17 only, commuters can enjoy a free roundtrip ride on the bus. To download a pass for a free ride, visit online at <www.95express.com>. • Win a free Tri-Rail monthly ticket. Tri-Rail is encouraging commuters to ride the train by offering the chance to win a free monthly ticket. Those who ride the train on June 17 can mail in their validated tickets, and five people will be
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RIDE, page 4