Community Newspapers SERVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SINCE 1958
OCTOBER 11, 2010
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE
Miami Gardens
An Extraordinary Student! Precious Hannah Puts Her Best Design Forward
City Salutes Lily Mae Johnson, Oldest Resident
COUNCIL’S NEW MEMBER LISA C. DAVIS
BY JANEY TATE
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PUBLIC WORKS
BY JANEY TATE • • • • • • • • • •
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH ISSUE
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JAZZ IN THE GARDENS
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City of Miami Gardens resident, Precious Hannah a student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit Michigan, recently tried her skills and luck and entered a the “PinSoul” design contest sponsored by Nike Corporation via mesh01.com and won the opportunity to travel to Washington County, Oregon to participate in the company’s two week design program that afforded a select group of students to work hands on in the company’s creative and intense work culture that symbolizes “Just Do It.”. She entered the contest and submitted her designs earlier this year and within days of her submission she received a call from the company’s Director of Footwear Design at brand Jordan, Dwayne Edwards, letting her know that he was impressed with her designs and he wanted to see more. Once Hannah and the other students arrived, they realized that they were not going to be designing tennis shoes, but sandals for the Victoria Secret Pink Collection. Hannah said Edwards knew that she could design tennis shoes; he wanted to see what
else she was capable of. “I was shocked when I received the assignment. I don’t wear or design sandals,” stated Hannah, but she knew she had to flexible, because Edwards wanted to see what else she could do and if she could meet the organizations challenge. Hannah’s drive and determination would not let her throw in the towel, but rise to the challenge. “I was in Victoria Secret for 3 hours looking at the Bio Fit bra for research for my shoe design.” Hannah decided to base her shoe after the Victoria Secret Bio- Fit bra which can be worn seven ways and designed a shoe that could do the same. “I took the bra strap mechanism so you could hook it [the bra] anyway you want to.” The shoes could be adjusted to many styles to be worn for different occasions. She also designed them with different strap sizes to fit a consumer’s preference. The inspiration for her Victoria Secret
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EXTRAORDINARY, page 8
On July 6, 2010, Lily Mae Johnson turned 104 years old. She is the oldest known and recorded resident living in the beautiful city of Miami Gardens. Johnson and her family moved to the area more than 40 years ago which at the time they were the third black family to move into the Scott Lake area. Ms. Johnson, enjoys knitting pot holders and going to bible study. Although her movements are limited she still contributes to the Scott Lake area‘s Crime Watch Group. She has been a part of the Crime watch group since it began two years ago and feels that it is the least that she can do to help keep her and those around her safe. “I enjoy living in Miami Gardens… I like it.” said Johnson. In her free time Lily Mae Johnson when she is not fighting crime she likes to watch television and sing songs from her hay day. “She loved to cook when she was able to and she loves to sew.” Charles Chestnut, her son-in law and caretaker. Chestnut has been caring for his mother-inlaw since his wife, her daughter passed away two years ago. The Scott Lake community Crime Watch group celebrated Lily Mae’s birthday this past summer and many of the Crime Watch members attended and local city officials and community leaders. The City Miami Gardens is proud to have this living legend as a part of the City new and rich history and her life is a testament to the longevity and perseverance that people of the City possess.