One of Miami’s Community Newspapers _______________________________________ Supporting local businesses since 1958
South Miami
FEBRUARY 3 - 9, 2009
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‘VolksBlast’ to fill city streets with beetle-mania
Julio Robaina runs for senate seat
BY GARY ALAN RUSE olkswagen fans, whose numbers seem to be legion, will be in Seventh Heaven for VolksBlast weekend, February 6th-8th. Whether it be a chance to view classic VWs to awaken treasured memories or take a look at the latest models for 2009, there’ll be something for everyone. The Schwartzhog band of Germany will be providing the entertainment at VolksBlast 2009, with a rockin’ sound system and DJ. Bill Steckley, a photographer and one of the founders and participants in the event, said it should be fun for everyone. He’s been involved in the shows for 11 years. “It’s a big family event with all ages of people there, from an 86 year old guy who bought his car new from Volkswagen South in 1974 to kids who don’t even have a drivers license yet who want to own a Volkswagen,” said Steckley. “This year we’re adding water-cooled models to the traditional air-cooled engines.” VolksBlast Inc. is a Florida non for profit corporation with all unpaid volunteers as staff, and all profits donated to charitable causes, such as Habitat for Humanity. The event is put on with the support of The City of South Miami, S t e c k l e y Photography, The Wizards Foreign Car Repair, Vintage Made, and the Wide 5 and Palmetto Bugs VW clubs. The event had its start when
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BEETLE MANIA, page 3
Julio Robaina is pictured at the podium during his press conference. BY GARY ALAN RUSE
tate Representative Julio Robaina (R-Miami) of Florida’s District 117, who was reelected in the November 4, 2008 election, announced last Tuesday at a press conference held at South Miami City Hall his intention to run for Florida Senate District 36 in 2010. Senate District 36 comprises a large area in Miami-Dade County including the City of Miami, West Miami, South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay. The current state Senator for District 36 is Republican Alex Diaz de la Portilla. Before Robaina was elected to the House in 2002, he had served as a commissioner, Vice Mayor and Mayor of the City of South Miami, so selecting South Miami City Hall as the site for his press conference seemed natural. Zavier Garcia, Councilman for the City of Miami Springs, took the microphone to thank Robaina. “I just want to tell you that I’m proud
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Volkswagens on display on Sunset Drive at last year’s event (photo by Spanish Flea).
Pine Manor development a ‘must see’ BY LEE STEPHENS uyers are taking advantage of the values to be found at Pine Manor, a fully-completed 42-residence luxury townhome community located between Coral Gables and South Miami in the picturesque High Pines neighborhood. Low prices for the high-end homes are being
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PINE, page 5
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ROBAINA, page 3