One of Miami’s Community Newspapers _______________________________________ Supporting local businesses since 1958
South Miami
NOV. 25 - DEC. 1, 2008
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www.communitynewspapers.com ______________________________
Long time Commissioner Around Town Randy Wiscombe resigns Is there going to be BY GARY ALAN RUSE
andy Wiscombe, who was first elected in 2000 to the city commission and also served as vice mayor, announced his retirement through a letter read by Mayor Horace Feliu at last Tuesday night’s meeting. Wiscombe cited health problems as the reason for his decision. The mayor later commented on the impact of Commissioner Wiscombe’s work for the city. “Very few elected officials have been able to bring about the positive changes that Commissioner Wiscombe has brought forward to our city, from the ‘McMansion Ordinance’ which he sponsored and championed, representing many concerned residents, to a tree ordiRandy Wiscombe nance that would create a better, greener South Miami, and he championed a vibrant, better town center, which is what we’re enjoying today,” said Mayor Feliu. “He worked
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––––––––––– See Pictured (l-r) are owner Dan Hitchcock, designer Lisa Rispoli, buyer Betty Phillips, design associates Stormmie Raines and Heather Hodkins, head of light crew, Tony Rodriguez and sales specialist, Sharon Levy.
WISCOMBE, page 5
Ready to rumble! Pictured are (l-r) Daniel “Montanha” de Lima, a 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Manny Fonseca, a personal trainer, who were among the dozens of students that took lessons from Master Carlos “Carlinhos” Gracie, Jr., an 8th Degree Red & Black Belt (the belt designated to a “Master” or “Mestre”) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos traveled from Brazil to share his knowledge with fellow enthusiasts at Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu, located at 6600 SW 62nd Ave. Carlos is the creator of the International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu, running the largest Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in the world including The Mundials, Pan American and European Championships.
‘A Christmas Miracle’ occurs at Ace Home Center BY NANCY EAGLETON
Christmas Miracle” is exactly how designer Lisa Rispoli and buyer Betty Phillips describe the store front transformation that they and their team of “elves” accomplished at the Ace Home Center on Red Road in South Miami.
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ACE, page 5
a park in the middle of downtown? BY MICHAEL MILLER <Michael@communitynewspapers.com>
There is an ol’ saying, “Even New York has Central Park,” and that gives me pause about the constant rumor that some citizens are going to ask the city to condemn some large pieces of land right there on S.W. 74th Street. It’s so that the city could create a huge, tree filled park, with a circular sidewalk around the perimeter of it with a fitness trail and bike path. The pieces of land that have been rumored for consideration are the surface parking lots that the First National Bank of South Miami now parks cars on and the property on which Winn Dixie now sits. Folks, it’s only a rumor and we have not been able to get any officials at City Hall to acknowledge the city’s desire to have a park where families could enjoy themselves. Can you image sitting on a beautiful green bench, reading your favorite newspapers, being part of nature, feeling awfully green, with large oak trees galore, the squirrels running up to you trying to get fed and the birds just chirping away. And when you get centered, you get up and cross the street and have breakfast at Town or Casa Larios or Deli Lane. Hmmm, sounds pretty appetizing!
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AROUND TOWN, page 3