NOVEMBER 16 - 22, 2010
Village clerk supervises different kind of voting
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
V
illage Clerk Meighan Alexander, who also is the superintendent of elections for Palmetto Bay, had a different kind of election to supervise on Wednesday, Nov. 10, and no candidates for the council were involved. Alexander was called upon to supervise and certify the voting process for an election taking place in the first grade class of teacher Joann Gibson at Coral Reef Elementary. The vote was to select a class president and two other posts. Alexander enjoyed seeing the children participate — especially compared to adult elections. “They do take it seriously, but the atmosphere is so fun that it’s different in that there’s not quite the stress involved,” Alexander said. “But they were serious — you should have seen their campaign posters.” Alexander had an added, personal interest in seeing the process play out, because her daughter, Bridget Pier, was one of the youngsters running. It gave her a new appreciation for the rigors of campaigning.
Pictured (l-r, front)) are Owen Katsikas, Bridget Pier and Brooks Hocutt, with teacher Joann Gibson (left) and Village Clerk Meighan Alexander behind them. (Photo by Bill Kress, Village of Palmetto Bay)
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VOTING, page 4
Local student chef makes ‘Cupcake Challenge’ finals
Miami-Dade MPO conducting eighth annual PSA contest
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
E
BY ELIZABETH ROCKWELL
mily Nelson, a young Palmetto Bay resident who is in the 11th grade at Robert Morgan Educational Center and is majoring in Culinary Arts, has been selected as a finalist in the “Miami’s Top Cupcake Challenge,” part of the Nov. 18 “How Sweet It Is” event at The Shops at Sunset Place. The daughter of Amy and Randall Nelson is excited about the opportunity to display her talent and training in a contest where she’ll be going head to head against some of the best bakers in the area. “Her recipe is for ‘Chocolate Piggies,’ a dark chocolate and bacon cupcake,” said her mom Amy. “She got her start cooking at Southwood Middle School with Mrs. Towsley and is now at Robert Morgan with her teachers, Mr. Galadza and Mr. Diaz. She plans on attending FIU for hospitality and then going to the Culinary Institute of America for cooking.” Local residents of all ages were invited to submit recipes for their original cupcake concepts in October, then a selec–––––––– See
CUPCAKES, page 4
T
he Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the agency responsible for transportation planning in Miami-Dade County, is conducting its eighth annual PSA (public Service Announcement) Contest that has attracted applicants from high schools, colleges and universities throughout MiamiDade County. The focus of this year’s PSA Contest is to inform citizens about the county’s Bike & Ride Program. This program assists cyclists on extended trips as they can take a singleseat, two-wheeler bicycle anytime and just about anywhere in Miami-Dade County on many MDT Metrobus routes, the Metrorail and the Metromover. Interested students will create a 30-second PSA to educate the community about the benefits of the Bike & Ride Program.
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CONTEST, page 4
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Emily Nelson is pictured at the Holy Moly Guacamole event in 2009. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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