Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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MAY 3 - 16, 2011 ALL TYPES OF COVERAGE FROM OVER 100 TRUSTED, COMPETITIVE,INSURERS 305.238.1000 Savings & Service Since 1950 Miriam Quiros-Laso is new manager of village library –––––––––––––––––––––– See CASHIER, page 4 BY GARY ALAN RUSE T he Palmetto Bay Branch of the Miami-Dade Library System has a new manager, Miriam Quiros-Laso, who began her new position on Apr. 4. Quiros-Laso, who previously was at the Fairlawn Branch, at SW Eighth Street and 63rd Avenue in West Miami, said she has several reasons to be pleased to be at the village’s library, located at 17641 Old Cutler Rd. “I like the fact that it’s in a park, and a very good community,” she said. “The residents are active users of the branch. What I’ve noticed about this library is that it’s very family oriented. You have a lot of residents who come in with their families. They want activities and any kind of pro- gram that we offer. You’ll see the little children walking in with their moms or BY GARY ALAN RUSE F or the first time in its his- tory, the Village of Palmetto Bay now has a designated cashier, like other cities, and the intent is to simplify the process of making pay- ments at Village Hall. Wanner Fonseca officially started working as the new cashier on Apr. 18, after undergoing training on the finance systems involved and the departments with which he will be working. Fonseca started in Parks and Recreation in 2005. In his fourth year he was promoted to a Park Service Aide Leader. “The five years that I’ve been working here I’ve seen that it’s a great place to work for,” Fonseca said. “It’s a great opportunity that the village has given me. I was born and raised in Miami, went to Coral Way Elementary and Shenandoah Middle School, and then Everest Institute, where I graduated as a surgical technician.” –––––––––– See QUIROS-LASO, page 4 New village cashier works to simplify transactions Wanner Fonseca is pictured at the new cashier’s office in Village Hall. First graders Nestor Ortiz (left) and Steven Pohl, in Miss Cardin’s class at Coral Reef Elementary, show off the handmade T-shirts they fashioned in time for Palmetto Bay’s Earth Day Celebration, Apr. 19, during which 5,000 ladybugs were released into the school’s butterfly garden. The village released about 25,000 ladybugs at local public and private schools, and in public parks, over a one-week period as part of its annual recognition of Earth Day. Ladybugs are considered nature’s pesticide because they eat aphids that can destroy garden plants — a safe alternative to harmful chemicals. (Photo courtesy: Village of Palmetto Bay) First graders show off T-shirts made by hands

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Transcript of Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 1: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

MAY 3 - 16, 2011

ALL TYPES OF COVERAGE

FROM OVER 100 TRUSTED,COMPETITIVE, INSURERS

305.238.1000Savings & Service Since 1950

Miriam Quiros-Laso is new manager of village library

–––––––––––––––––––––– See CASHIER, page 4

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

TT he Palmetto Bay Branch of theMiami-Dade Library Systemhas a new manager, Miriam

Quiros-Laso, who began her new positionon Apr. 4.

Quiros-Laso, who previously was at theFairlawn Branch, at SW Eighth Street and63rd Avenue in West Miami, said she hasseveral reasons to be pleased to be at thevillage’s library, located at 17641 OldCutler Rd.

“I like the fact that it’s in a park, and avery good community,” she said. “Theresidents are active users of the branch.What I’ve noticed about this library is thatit’s very family oriented. You have a lot ofresidents who come in with their families.They want activities and any kind of pro-gram that we offer. You’ll see the littlechildren walking in with their moms or

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

FFor the first time in its his-tory, the Village ofPalmetto Bay now has adesignated cashier, likeother cities, and the intent

is to simplify the process of making pay-ments at Village Hall.

Wanner Fonseca officially startedworking as the new cashier on Apr. 18,after undergoing training on the financesystems involved and the departmentswith which he will be working. Fonsecastarted in Parks and Recreation in 2005. Inhis fourth year he was promoted to a ParkService Aide Leader.

“The five years that I’ve been workinghere I’ve seen that it’s a great place to workfor,” Fonseca said. “It’s a great opportunitythat the village has given me. I was bornand raised in Miami, went to Coral WayElementary and Shenandoah MiddleSchool, and then Everest Institute, where Igraduated as a surgical technician.”

–––––––––– See QUIROS-LASO, page 4

New village cashier works to simplify transactions

Wanner Fonseca is pictured at the new cashier’soffice in Village Hall.

First gradersNestor Ortiz

(left) and StevenPohl, in Miss

Cardin’s class atCoral Reef

Elementary,show off the

handmade T-shirts theyfashioned in

time forPalmetto Bay’s

Earth DayCelebration, Apr.19, during which

5,000 ladybugswere released

into the school’sbutterfly garden.

The villagereleased about

25,000 ladybugsat local public

and privateschools, and in

public parks,over a one-weekperiod as part of

its annual recognition of

Earth Day.Ladybugs are considered nature’s pesticide because they eat aphids that can

destroy garden plants — a safe alternative to harmful chemicals.

(Photo courtesy: Village of Palmetto Bay)

First graders show off T-shirts made by hands

Page 2: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 2 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 3: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

BY LILYVANIA MIKULSKI

The YMCA of Greater Miami will beginconstruction on the expansion of the SouthDade YMCA Family Center with a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday, May 5, at9:30 a.m., at the center, 9355 SW 134 St.

The community is invited to attend andparticipate in the celebration of what will bethe flagship family center for the YMCA ofGreater Miami.

“Commencing construction on our newfamily center is a huge milestone for the Y aswe continue on our goal to impact as manypeople as possible in the communities weserve,” said Alfred Sanchez, president andCEO of the YMCA of Greater Miami. “Thisexpansion alone will allow the Y to servemore than 30,000 people in the South Dadearea.

“With four family centers in Miami-Dade,and more to come, the Y is working to ensurethat every person has affordable access toessential health and social programs.”

After conducting a study to determine thetypes of services and programs area residentsdesired, the Y designed a center with the resi-dents’ specific needs in mind. Working witharchitecture firm Borrelli + Partners and con-struction company Gerrits Construction, theY will convert the current facility into a mod-

ern 36,000-square-foot center. The expandedfacility will provide a new gathering placewhere all community members will enjoy anarray of programming focusing on youthdevelopment, healthy living and socialresponsibility.

The Y bought the facility in 2002, andsince then has renovated it multiple times toaddress the needs of the community. The cur-rent expansion will add an indoor gymnasi-um for all weather play and for space forcamp and community groups; an extensive

wellness center with cardiovascular equip-ment, resistance training equipment and free-weights; two exercise studios for group fit-ness classes; an outdoor sports court; anactivity center; locker rooms that include afamily change area; a kids adventure centerwith a play yard, and a supervised childwatch center. An outdoor swimming pooloffering a wide range of aquatic activity alsois in the works.

While the new facility is under construc-tion, Y members can still enjoy a full-range

of activities for kids and adults includinggroup fitness classes like Yoga, Pilates, BootCamp, Step, Silver Sneakers, and Spinningtaught by the Y’s professional, certifiedinstructors. Youth programs like summercamp, soccer, flag football and basketballwill be hosted at nearby locations while thecurrent facility is under construction.

For more information about the SouthDade YMCA Family Center, call 305-254-0310 or visit online at <www.ymcamia-mi.org>.

YMCA to break ground for center’s expansion

Rendering of the expanded South Dade YMCA Family Center–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 3

Page 4: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 4 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Bill Kress, village communicationsdirector, sees the move as an improvementthat offers greater convenience and profes-sionalism for homeowners and businesspeople in the village.

“Rather than having four or five dif-ferent people in various departmentscollecting money for things, that is nowcentralized in the cashier’s office,”Kress said. “That was created recentlybecause now we have a facility where

everyone’s under one roof and we canhave a person close to the front door, ina secure location.”

Payments at the cashier’s office may bemade for building and permitting fees,facility rentals, alarm registration fees,stormwater utility payments, occupationallicenses, police fingerprinting or back-ground checks, and any other transactionsthat need to be made.

“Everything from weddings to bath-rooms,” Kress said.

Hours for the cashier’s office are 7:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Itwill be open during lunch hour.

QUIROS-LASO, from page 1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CASHIER, from page 1 –––––––––

with their nannies, the students coming into use the computers. The atmosphere isnice, it’s very beautiful.”

Quiros-Laso said that she has worked ata number of library branches in differentlocations and thinks that the interactionbetween the community and the PalmettoBay branch is special. She sees a lot of par-ticipation in the various clubs the libraryoffers.

“We have a young adult book club andan adult book club, that both meet once amonth,” Quiros-Laso said. “We have aknitting and crochet club that meets twice amonth and we have an Italian club thatmeets twice a month as well. We have theChildren’s Story Time. I’m going to be pre-senting one of the children’s programs.

“We have the Reading Ready StoryTimes, which is one of our library initia-tives. We’ll be offering the Toddler StoryTimes, which is for children ages 2 and 3.We’ll also be offering the Pre-School StoryTime, which is for children 3 to 5. Andwe’ll have the Family Story Time whichwill be on the second Tuesday of everymonth.”

In 2010 she went to South America rep-

resenting the public library system as partof an exchange program.

“A group of us traveled to Argentina andpresented our system and the programsthat we offer here, and in exchange a dele-gation came here and we’ve been network-ing,” Quiros-Laso said. “Something we’regoing to be celebrating this year, all yearlong, is the 40th birthday of the publiclibrary system.”

More information about the library’sprograms and activities can be found on theofficial website at <www.mdpls.org>, ifyou click on “Find a Library,” then“Palmetto Bay” and the events link.

“There’s a lot of material availableonline that people can download to theiriPads, their iPhones and their E-Books,”she said.

Quiros-Laso said that it’s more than justa job for her. The work and the people arean important part of her life.

“I’ve been working for the library systemfor 15 years,” she said. “I started right out ofhigh school. I went up the ranks from part-timer, went to library school while working.It’s my family. We all work together. We alllearn from each other.”

MiriamQuiros-Laso

is pictured inthe village

library’s mainroom.

Page 5: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Palmetto Bay News6769 S.W. 62 Avenue, South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355, Fax (305) 662-6980

www.communitynewspapers.comPUBLISHER ..................................................................................................................................Grant MillerEXECUTIVE EDITOR .....................................................................................................................Michael MillerEDITOR.................................................................................................................................. David BerkowitzWRITERS, COLUMNISTS..............................................................Ron Beasley, Kenneth Bluh, Robert Hamilton,

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We will not return solicited or unsolicited editorial material including stories, columns and or photographs. Please make sure that you have duplicate copies of the material.

Talk about “Old Home Week” at theApril 26 town hall meeting at the PalmettoGolf Course Recreation Room, 9300 CoralReef Drive, that ran from 6:30 p.m. to 8p.m. The topic was proposed Miami-DadeHome Rule Charter amendments, andattendees were invited to share their inputon changes they would like to see in theCharter and the proposed amendments thatwill be on the May 24, 2011 ballot. Amongfolks attending: Interim County MayorAlina Hudak, Palmetto Bay’s MayorShelley Stancyzk and Councilwoman JoanLindsay, Councilman Pat Fiore (formerWest Kendall Council member); CutlerBay Vice Mayor Ernie Sochin, ex-EastKendall Council’s Carla Savola-Ascensioand Bob Wilcosky, plus just about everyknown activist in the boonies!

It’s a shame that the civics lesson

Assistant County Attorney Tom Loguegave there wasn’t foremost in the minds ofrecall petitioners last winter. EvenChairman Joe Martinez admitted “Wemessed up” when the Commission voted toput charter reform on the special recallelection ballot.

Atty. Logue, whose opinions are prizedby his University of Miami law students,sketched out the differences betweenamending constitutional (or charter) provi-sions as against laws passed under its pro-visions.

When a mom left the Palmetto Golf Clubmeeting room amidst his talk, Atty. Logueaptly declared (when the door closed):“That little girl is who we’re talking about.She’s the future and will inherit anythingwe change in the charter.”

His audience (mostly of local govern-ment officials and activists) understood hispoint; you don’t put charter amendmentson a recall election ballot.

“Changing a charter should be purposelydifficult,” he advised. But in Miami-Dade,passion rules and we will likely kick thebaby (strong mayor government) out withthe bathwater (sorry, ex-Mayor Alvarez!)

on May 24.Speaking of government officials... We

won’t mention any names, but we’re think-ing of one or two folks who should proba-bly enroll in a 12 step program for formerelected officials who just can’t seem to prytheir fingers off the reins of government,and keep jumping to attention every timethey see their replacements doing a ribboncutting or some annual function over whichthey once presided themselves. Well, sure,it’s normal to miss the lime light, and we’resympathetic, but all things come to an endand time moves on. So take a deep breathand...just let it go.

Rock & Roll alert... Alexx Calise, thatlocal rocker gal, is returning to SouthFlorida briefly for a live performance at theMonterey Club in Ft. Lauderdale onTuesday, May 10 at 9:00 p.m. It’s anacoustic show and special guests are Sugarin the Gas Tank. If you’re over 20 it’s a freeshow with free parking, but buy a beer orfood if you want to support the venue. TheMonterey Club is at 2608A South FederalHighway. For more info visit www.the-montereyclub.net.

Concerned Citizenns of Cutler Bay are

meeting on Tuesday, May 3, at the JimShiver Community Center at Cutler RidgePark, 10100 Cutler Ridge Drive, from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. They’re hosting a candidateforum for candidates for Cutler Bay TownCouncil, Seat 2. Both Sue Ellen Loyzelleand Chuck Barrentine have been invited toparticipate.

Palmetto Bay residents, the village isadding something new and interesting totheir website (http://www.palmettobay-fl.gov/), a link that will enable you to checkonline to see where the Ibus is located atany given moment. So if you have a smartphone and you’re “traveling green,” it’s agreat way to see when the next free shuttlebus will be passing your way. Cool!

Thought for the Day:You miss 100 percent of the shots

you never take.— Wayne Gretzky

Gary Alan Ruse and Richard Yager con-tributed to this column.

Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669-7355, ext. 249, or send emails to<[email protected]>.

Charter reform is on everyone’s mind these days

AROUND TOWN

Michael MillerEXECUTIVE EDITOR

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 5

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Page 6: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 6 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

I love finding small, but tremendouslyimportant news items that appear buried deepinside the newspaper. Just such an articleappeared in the Apr. 3 issue of the MiamiHerald, headlined: “OHIO – Opponentsbegin push to repeal union law.”

The article tells how opponents of an Ohiolaw, signed by Republican Gov. John Kasichlast month limiting public workers’ collectivebargaining rights, have started gathering sig-natures to get a referendum on the ballot tocancel the law.

The law, similar to that passed inWisconsin, bans public worker strikes, elimi-nates binding arbitration and restricts bar-gaining for 350,000 public workers who arenow covered by a union. The existence of theunions would not be affected — just theirability to represent their members. TheHerald article goes on to say that the petitiondrive will need more than 230,000 valid sig-natures by June 30 to put a referendum on theNovember ballot.

The group seeking signatures, a bipartisanorganization called “We Are Ohio,” statesthat its has 10,000 men and women ready totake to the streets seeking petition signatures.They are quoted as saying, “We want to makesure that the people [of Ohio] have a chanceto veto this legislation. This is going to be anall-out campaign.”

Dennis Willard, a spokesman for We AreOhio said, “Voters are asking us not ‘wheredo I sign,’ but ‘how do I circulate [petitionsfor signature].’”

Interesting? This week the Herald carriedan updated article headlined: “OHIO – Foesof union law cleared to continue.” The articletells that the state’s attorney general and sec-retary of state certified the petition drive overfiled objections.

The question is why did the elected offi-cials pass a bill that appears to be in directopposition to the general feelings of the vot-ers who put them in office? I could answerthat question if this were taking place inFlorida.

In Florida we have more registeredDemocrats than Republicans. However, dueto gerrymandering of voting districts, theRepublicans are able to hold a majority of thestate’s elected positions while being a minor-ity in the state. Result is a Democrat-spon-sored petition drive could amend the state

constitution passing it over solid objectionfrom the Republicans.

Pew Research reports that 37 percent ofregistered voters in Ohio claim to favor theDemocratic Party while 25 percent favor theRepublican agenda. Ohio requires 230,000valid signatures on a petition drive to get onthe ballot. There are 350,000 public workersin Ohio, most represented by a union. Do thearithmetic. If a little over 66 percent of thepublic workers sign the petition it will be onthe ballot in November and they will morethan likely override the law written by theRepublican-controlled legislature.

Interesting? The same can happen inFlorida. So our Republican-controlledFlorida House, Senate and Governor’s Officeshould take note. Running the risk of beingso repetitive, I must say that if the legislaturewere controlled by Democrats and they ger-rymandered the voting districts in their favor,you could take the above story and replacethe word Republican with Democrat andDemocrat with the word Republican. Such isthe way of politics.

That said, I would strongly suggest thatour state legislature and governor’s officewatch their step. Pass a law that is so repul-sive to the mood of the voters and you mightwell find yourselves on the outside lookingin! Only the governor of Florida, aRepublican, is safe from removal. He wouldhave to be impeached by the Florida Houseand tried by the Florida Senate. There is nochance of this happening in a Republican-controlled legislature.

A final word on recalls: We shouldn’trecall an elected official just because wedon’t like how they execute their office. Werecall an elected official for malfeasance,nonfeasance, or misfeasance of office.

We appreciate your opinions on this col-umn whether in agreement or disagree-ment. Please send your comments to (faxnumber) 305-662-6980 or email to <[email protected]>. Theopinions expressed in this column are notnecessarily those of this newspaper, its edi-tors or publisher.

KENNETH’S COMMENTARY

R. Kenneth Bluh VIEWPOINTOhioans take to streets to overturn law killing union rights

Page 7: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

A recently published letter to the edi-tor written by John DuBois made someunfair statements regarding the actionsand motives of the Miami-DadeCounty’s Department of EnvironmentalResources Management (DERM) staff.I can assure you that DERM staff is ded-icated to protecting our beautiful naturalenvironment for the safety and benefitof Miami Dade County residents andvisitors.

DERM is a county departmentresponsible for implementing Miami-Dade County’s environmental protec-tion ordinances. This includes responsi-bility for regulations relating to the pro-tection of our natural resources — air,soil, and drinking water resources. Thisis a challenging task given our growingpopulation and the sensitivity of ourunique natural setting.

We are a community of more than 2million people living between twonational parks (Everglades andBiscayne). Perhaps not everyone real-izes that we are a community that livesand works directly over a groundwateraquifer that supplies the water wedrink.

DERM is responsible for overseeingregulations relating to the dredging andfilling of wetlands, and the trimmingand removal of mangroves. Wetlandsand mangroves are protected under stateand local regulations. The authority for

regulating mangroves in Miami-DadeCounty has been specifically delegatedto DERM by the State of Florida.

Why?Because the wetlands and mangroves

along the shores of Biscayne Bayincluding areas adjacent to BiscayneNational Park are ecologically impor-tant to the overall health of the bay andits fisheries. The ecological role thatthese important resources play extendswell beyond the limits of individualproperties where they occur.

We live in a natural, beautiful setting.Our job is to keep it that way. Our firstapproach is always to inform and edu-cate the public, and work togethertowards compliance. Enforcement andlegal recourses are our last and leastpreferred approaches.

As director of DERM, I urge any citi-zen that feels they are not receiving fairtreatment or who are otherwise unhappywith our level of service to please con-tact me so that we can address their con-cerns. DERM’s actions are governed bylaw.

We are an open and transparentdepartment committed to being fair, rea-sonable, and consistent in the applica-tion of the rules and regulations. Tolearn more about DERM programs,please visit <www.miamidade.gov>.

Sincerely,

CCaarrllooss EEssppiinnoossaa,, PPEEDDiirreeccttoorr,, DDEERRMM

Director of DERM respondsto critical letter to editor

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Page 8: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Page 8 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

BY MOST REV. THOMAS G. WENSKIArchbishop of Miami

The FloridaLegislature’s currentdebate on immigra-tion threatens the eco-nomic stability ofFlorida.

Punitive measuresaimed at undocument-ed workers will createan atmosphere of fear

for them and their families. At the sametime, these same punitive measures willalienate legal residents and foreign touristswho because of their ethnic “profile” couldbe mistaken for undocumented migrants.

While the Church does not advocate forundocumented immigration, the Churchrecognizes the human dignity of the“stranger among us” who, regardless of hisor her legal status, is still the subject ofrights — that are not conferred by the statebut are in fact God given. One cannot for-get the basic humanity of the immigrantwhatever his status.

The Catholic Church has long minis-tered to immigrants and refugees in theUnited States, including those without per-manent legal status. These immigrants, farfrom being a threat to our nation, are seek-ing to meet the basic needs of their familiesby working, often at jobs that Americansthemselves eschew.

The regulation of immigration is clearlythe purview of the federal and not state orlocal government; it is at the federal levelthe current immigration crisis needs to beresolved — but in a way that is just and ina way that addresses adequately presentand future labor needs of our country and

helps reunify and not divide families.The recent Ninth Circuit Court opinion

pointed out the unconstitutionality of por-tions of the Arizona law, including someprovisions which are now in the proposedFlorida bills. Passage of these statutesinevitably will result in costly court chal-lenges, diverting already scarce resourcesthat could be used to implement policiesbetter suited to bolster Florida’s economy.

In this global society, fraught with eco-nomic instability and natural disasters,workers oftentimes are forced to leavetheir home country in search of a means tosupport their families. Present immigrationlaw leaves few lawful avenues for them toregularize their status even though theycontribute to our economy by their labor.Without a path to legal status, they remainvulnerable to wage theft, exploitation orhuman trafficking.

The failure of Congress to enact com-prehensive immigration reform leaves uswith a status quo that all parties of theimmigration debate find unacceptable.However, draconian measures such asthose proposed in the Florida Legislatureand the demonization of irregularmigrants only exacerbates the problemwithout providing any long term and justsolution.

Enforcement of federal immigration lawis a function of the federal government. IfFloridians want to contribute positively toaddressing the problems caused by illegalmigration, then they should join forceswith those pressing Congress for a federalsolution — one that honors the rule of lawbut, at the same time, affords our migrantbrothers and sisters the respect and dignitythat is theirs as human beings made in theimage and likeness of God.

Legislature’s immigration debatethreatens stability of economy

Page 9: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Pictured at the team banquet are mem-bers of the Palmetto High School girls’

soccer squad, which made the finalfour at the 2011 State Championshipsand finished the season with a record

of 24-1-1. Holding a copy of thePalmetto Bay News is first-year varsity

coach Lyndsay Segarra who attendedPalmetto and played on the last team

to go to the state finals in 2004, finish-ing second.

PHS girls soccer team celebrates outstanding seasonMay 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 9

Page 10: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 10 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

BY LEWIS C. MATUSOW

Gerald Grant Jr., branch director ofFinancial Planning for AXA Advisors LLCin Miami and author of Bold Moves toCreating Financial Wealth, has been select-ed for induction into the 2011 Miami DadeCollege (MDC) Hall of Fame.

Grant is being recognized by Miami DadeCollege for his “outstanding contributions inthe field of finance.” He will receive theaward — along with other outstanding MDCgraduates — at the 2011 Alumni Hall ofFame awards dinner on May 10 at JungleIsland.

“Being recognized by Miami DadeCollege with this induction is and amazinghonor,” Grant said. “All I have donethroughout my career in South Florida is tostrive to give back to my community.”

As a financial professional, Grant focuseson helping individuals and business ownersaddress their financial goals. He providesaccess to an array of financial protection andinvestment products and services includinglife insurance, annuities and investments aswell as college, estate, retirement and busi-ness planning strategies.

Author of Bold Moves to Creating FinancialWealth (www.GeraldGrantJr.com), Grant isactive in community and professional organi-zations including serving on the FoundationBoard of Directors for FIU and Florida A&MUniversity as well as serving on the advisoryboard for FIU’s Honors College. He is a mem-ber of the Orange Bowl Committee, 100 BlackMen of South Florida and Phi Beta SigmaFraternity Inc. Theta Rho Sigma Chapter andAlpha Rho Boule Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

Winner of numerous company and indus-try awards — including the 2005 AXAAdvisors Regional Honor Associate Award— Grant was recognized as a RetirementPlanning Specialist by AXA Advisors afterreceiving a Certificate in Retirement

Planning from the Wharton School ofBusiness. He also holds FINRA Series 7, 63,66 and 24 securities Registrations and isinsurance licensed.

Grant is the recipient of AXA Advisors’prestigious 2011 National Honor AssociateAward which is granted to a financial profes-sional each year that represents the “totalprofessional” — the one who most exempli-fies esteemed qualities and attributes ofcommunity service, loyalty, leadership andrespect. He was chosen for this prestigioushonor by a committee of peers from amongthousands of candidates.

Grant resides in Palmetto Bay with hiswife, Jennifer, and their two children, Jasminand Gerald III.

The AXA Advisors South Florida Branchis located at 9130 S. Dadeland Blvd. Suite1400, Miami FL 33156. For more informa-tion about AXA Advisors, visit online at<www.axa-equitable.com>.

Local financial planner selectedfor MDC Hall of Fame induction

Gerald Grant Jr. is pictured in his Dadeland area office.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Page 11: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Most working people are employeesand they think like employees when itcomes to their financial condition. Thismeans their focus is on salary, health in-surance, 401k and vacation time. Yes,these benefits do impact your financialcondition but it is one-sided. It is on theside of what you have (assets).

We suggest that in order to attain fi-nancial independence, employeesshould begin to think and behave as abusiness owner. A business owner’sfocus is not only on what they have butmore importantly, what they owe (liabili-ties). This means accounts payable,which for individuals are items such ascredit cards, car loansandmortgages.Onthis side of the balance sheet, the busi-ness owner wants to minimize expenses.

What you have (assets) minus whatyou owe (liabilities) results in what’s leftover (net worth). $1 of assets and $1 ofliabilities means $0 in net worth. $1 lessin liabilities means you are $1 richer.

Many employees with more salarywill spend more, so they still have littlenet worth or financial independence.The car and house they own may befancier but they may still be broke.

Thebook,TheMillionaireNextDoor,de-scribes how a business owner thinks andbehaves.It isnotsecrethowtobecomefi-nancially secure. It comes down to notthinking and behaving like an employeewhen it comes to your financial future.

Tonkinson Financial provideshands-on money management for themiddle class. They are located at:2398 South Dix ie Hwy. , Miami ,FL 33133. Phone: 305-858-1627

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc.,

member FINRA/SIPC, Rick Tonkinson, Margarita Tonk-

inson, Steven Tonkinson, Registered Representatives

Advisory services offered through Securities America

Advisors, Inc., Rick Tonkinson, Margarita Tonkinson,

Steven Tonkinson, Investment Advisor Representatives

Tonkinson Financial and the Securities America com-

panies are not affiliated.

Manage your FinancialCondition like a Business

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 11

BY JEREMY GLAZER

Former Miami-Dade CountyCommissioner Katy Sorenson wasrecently elected chair ofthe “Building BetterCommunities” (BBC)General Obligation BondCitizens AdvisoryCommittee (CAC). TheGOB, as it is known, wasapproved by the voters in2004 and is a $2.9 billionlong-term investment inthe community. Duringthe next 15-20 years, theprogram will fund proj-ects at approximately1,500 worksites through-out Miami-Dade includ-ing parks, libraries, senior housing, cul-tural facilities and infrastructure.

The county encourages citizen par-ticipation by informing residents on theprogress of bond projects. A 21-mem-ber CAC was established to advise the

mayor, county commissioners and thecounty manager on the program. TheCAC’s role is to monitor the program,participate in progress reports to the

mayor and commission, aswell as provide recom-mendations on any reallo-cations or unspent bondfunds, and communityoutreach.

“The General ObligationBond program is more impor-tant than ever,” Sorensonsaid. “It’s providing sorelyneeded jobs in a tough econo-my while improving thecounty’s infrastructure andamenities. I’m proud to be apart of the Citizens AdvisoryCommittee.”

Sorenson currently is the president andCEO of the Good Government Initiative atthe University of Miami, a program to edu-cate elected officials at the state and locallevels, and to foster citizen participation ingovernment.

Former Commissioner Sorensonto chair bonds advisory panel

Katy Sorenson––––––––––––––––––––

Page 12: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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PLASTIC SURGERY CORNERWITH DR. VIJAY SHARMA

Dear Dr. Sharma,

I am 54 years old and I don’t knowwhat to do. When I look in the mir-ror, I see more and more of mygrandmother. My neck is saggingto become the ‘turkey neck’ shehad. My jawline is no longer sharpand defined like it used to be - I’vebeen told I have ‘jowls’ now! I’m abit nervous about extreme surgery.Maybe I’m ready for a mini-facelift??? What do you recommend?

-Sadly Signed,Sagging Susan :(

Dear Susan,

Like many of my patients, you aregoing through the natural agingprocess. But don’t worry, you havelots of options to help you look andfeel better.

It sounds like you may be on target.A facelift is typically a face and necklift. The procedure is performed bytightening the muscles of the face andneck through carefully hidden inci-sions. Having personally performedover 2,000 of these procedures, Iknow a facelift can improve the areasof concern that you mentioned - espe-cially the loose turkey neck and loss ofjawline definition jowls.

Only you can decide if you areready for the improvement a faceliftcan give. The first step is to consultwith a Facial Plastic Surgeon. As with

all Plastic Surgery, I recom-mend visiting with an expe-rienced Board Certifiedphysician. The doctorshould be able to show youphotos of his or her previ-ous patients.You should feellike your questions areanswered in a polite andinformative way.

As with any procedure, Irecommend you spend timewith your surgeon dis-cussing expectations forwhat I call The Three Rʼs ofPlastic Surgery: Results,Risks, and Recovery.

This sort of approachmakes it much more likely toget the natural, youthful,and well-rested appearanceyou desire.

I offer my patients a modified faceliftprocedure known as The Gables Lift.It takes about 90 minutes and is per-formed under local anesthesia in myCoral Gable office. This procedurehas the advantages of traditionalfacelifts (improved neck and jawline)without the need for deeper anesthe-sia. I do offer higher levels of anes-thesia, especially for patients whoplan to perform other procedures atthe same time.

In my practice, the procedures mostcommonly performed with facelifts areeye-lifts (blepharoplasty) or facial fattransfer (especially to build up sag-ging cheeks).

I hope this information helps guideyou in the right direction on your jour-ney of self-improvement.Best of Luck!

Sincerely yours,Vijay M. Sharma, MD, MPH

Dr. Sharma focuses exclusively oncosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery.His office is located on -475 Biltmore Way, Suite [email protected]

Dr. Sharma is a Double Board Certified Facial PlasticSurgeon. His Coral Gables office is on Biltmore Way.

____________________________

Page 14 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 15: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 15

BY BROOKE ALBERT

Dow Chemical and the Chemical

Heritage Foundation recently announced

the student winners of the national “It’s

Elemental” video contest.

Locally, St. Brendan High School in

Westchester was selected as the sole win-

ner of the contest’s “People’s Pick” award

for garnering the most votes — nearly

215,000 in just three months — by

launching a campaign that involved reach-

ing out to the school’s network of stu-

dents, teachers and alumni. The school’s

grant money will be used to hold the

school’s first-ever science fair.

Nearly 700 individuals and teams

entered the contest from 36 states across

the U.S. and 11 winning schools were

selected to receive $5,000 grants to help

support the schools’ science departments.

The program was designed to inspire

interest in chemistry among students, one

of the objectives of the United Nations-

designated 2011 International Year of

Chemistry.

To check out the winning video visit

online at <www.youtube.com/

watch?v=dXBPk7W_Z1c&feature=pla

yer_embedded>.

St. Brendan wins ‘People’s Pick’award in student video contest

Pictured (l-r) are teacher Aileen Escarpio, and students Justine Golembe, Jasmine Perez and Lourdes Bazan.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Page 16: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

PALMETTO PAINT AND DECORATING CENTER – YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR HOME DECORATINGBY NANCY EAGLETON

There’s no place like home…Whetherworking, relaxing or entertaining, people arespending more time at home than ever be-fore. If this rings true for you, then yourhome should be your sanctuary. The ex-perts at Palmetto Paint and DecoratingCenter can help you refresh, update andcreate the perfect “home sweet home.”

Paint, flooring and window treatments arethree of the quickest and least expensiveways to update a room, according to de-signers. From floor to ceiling, small projectsto total room makeovers, Palmetto Paintand Decorating Center has got you covered.

The team at the center offers specializedattention that you simply will not find inlarger chain stores. Owners Dan Hedrick,Robert Lingle and Perry Arabatzis are al-ways on hand to offer expert service to thefriends, neighbors, designers and contrac-tors who have visited their store in PalmettoBay for more than 41 years. The center, lo-cated on South Dixie Highway, also carriesan array of superior quality products.

As of April 1st, Palmetto Paint carries thecomplete line of Benjamin Moore paints ex-clusively. Whether you think neutral is niceor want to change “blah” to brilliant, paintcan make a big splash. Products in theBenjamin Moore line include interior and

exterior paints and wood stains, primersand specialized paints with metallic finishesand pearlescent hues. “It really is the bestbrand of paint products available,” said co-owner Arabatzis.

Do-it-yourselfers will find all the supplies– and inspiration – they need to get themstarted. Paint technique seminars are heldquarterly. The next seminar is Wednesday,May 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and will be led bythe regional representative from ModernMasters. It will include demonstrations ofModern Masters’ complete product range,including metal effects, texture effects andVenetian plaster. If you’d rather leave yourpaint job to the experts, the Palmetto Paintteam can provide you with the name of apreferred paint contractor.

For high impact, transform a room withnew hardwood or laminate flooring from topmanufacturers, Armstrong and Manning-ton. Like the feel of soft carpet underfoot inthe bedroom? The center offers carpets byMohawk, with a style, texture and colorchoice for every purpose, decorating styleand budget.

Dress up your windows and improve theview with Hunter Douglas wood blinds,plantation shutters, Duette® shades, Sil-houette® shades, roman shades, verticalblinds and privacy sheers.Wallpaper has made a comeback – or

maybe it never went out of style. At Pal-metto Paint, you’ll find more than 100,000wallpaper prints and textures from which tochoose. In-home measuring and estimatesare always free.

While in-store, decorator consultants,

Karla Mergenthal and Lynette Pichardo,can help you choose and coordinate all ofthese products and more, such as custom-made valances, draperies, bedspreads andpillows. To help you put it all together athome, designer Debbie Jarrell makeshouse calls.

“We work with designers and do-it-yourselfers, alike,” said Mergenthal. “Wehave customers who visit us from SouthAmerica and those who have a winterhome here and a summer home in thenorth. We go the extra mile for all of ourclients and because of that, we’ve devel-oped a loyalty.”

Since 1994, local paint and wallpapercontractor Gustavo Inzillo has visited Pal-metto Paint at least twice a week for hisproject supplies. “They carry the best prod-ucts and provide excellent service,” he said.“The paint specialists are experts at colormatching. And, when I work with Karla ona wallpaper job, my clients are all thrilledwith the results.”

Palmetto Paint and Decorating Center islocated at 14031 South Dixie Highway inPalmetto Bay and the phone number is305-233-1224. The center is open Mon-day – Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. andSaturday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more in-formation, visit www.palmettopaint.ben-moorepaint.com

The helpful staff at Palmetto Paint and Decorating Cen-ter in Palmetto Bay, (L to R): Jackie Arabatzis, LynettePichardo, Perry Arabatzis, Karla Mergenthal and RobertLingle. Not pictured: Dan Hedrick and Debbie Jarrell.

____________________________

Page 16 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 17: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Page 18: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Palmer Trinity celebratesits 20th annual Book Fair

BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD

The 20th annual Palmer Trinity Book Fair

on Apr. 11 featured author Alan Cheuse,

author and book reviewer for National Public

Radio.

The Palmer Book Fair is well known not

only because of the authors who speak at the

brunch, but because of the incredible themed

tables. This year’s table themes ranged from

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to “On the Beach” to

“Putting on the Ritz.”

One table featured peacocks, prompting

the head of school, Sean Murphy, to quip in

his welcome speech that “no peacocks were

harmed in the preparation of this brunch.”

Murphy told everyone that while the

tables were fabulous, what has made the

book fair so special over the years are the

books and the people who attend.

“There is an abiding love for books,” he

said.

That love of books and an innovative sum-

mer reading list convinced Mitchell Kaplan,

owner of Books and Books, to send his twin

sons to Palmer. Kaplan promised to stay

involved although his sons are graduating.

“This school distinguishes itself,” he said.

The theme of the love of books was con-

tinued when Cheuse spoke. As well as being

a respected writer, Cheuse has reviewed

books on NPR for more than two decades.

He has written five novels, short stories and

a memoir. His latest novel is Song of the

Slaves in the Desert, which delves into the

world of southern slavery. Interestingly, by

the time he finished the book, he was a

grandfather to a child adopted from Ethiopia.

“Books are everything to writers,” Cheuse

said. “We hope they are everything to readers.”

He talked about a writer who sent his

grandmother his first book when it was pub-

lished. The grandmother was quite religious

and when she received the book, she sent

him a note thanking him, but told him, I have

the books I need — the Bible and the Sears

catalog!

“Whether we need the Bible, we need to

augment it with other visions,” Cheuse said.

“Books help us understand and rejuvenate

ourselves.”

He said there are characters in novels that

we know better than people we grew up with.

In the question and answer session, he was

asked about his work as a writer and as a

reviewer for NPR.

“We are the only broadcast network in the

history of civilization that takes books seri-

ously,” he said.

To do his reviews, he reads three to five

books a week, featuring books he has

enjoyed. To date he has done very few nega-

tive reviews.

“For every book I review I read five to 10

others,” he said.

One of the questions he fielded was about

the future of books in this digital age where

people are reading books on their phones, on

iPads or on readers such as Kindle or Nook.

“I think books will go on,” he said.

“Twenty-five percent of every book will

come in hardcover.”

As to how to keep boys reading, he said

fathers can make a difference if they would

make it a point to read with their sons.

As far as the contentious debate in

Congress about cutting federal funding for

NPR, Cheuse said, if the funds were taken

away, NPR would survive in urban areas but

it would limit access to multiple points of

view for people who live in more remote

areas.

The book fair raises money for the

Matheson Library, headed by Ruthanne

Vogel, which has a collection of more than

19,000 books, videos and magazines.

Page 19: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

BY IVONNE SNAVELY

Dadeland Mall invites children of all agesto roll up their sleeves and explore the funside of food with hands-on learning activi-ties during the Simon Kidgits Club’s SuperDuper Mini Chefs event on Friday, May 20,6:30 to 8 p.m.

Kids will enjoy a nutritional magic showby Amy the Magic Chef where they willlearn table manners and good eating habits.Youngsters also will color their own chefhats and receive an apron to help them makesweet treats.

The Simon Kidgits Club will transformDadeland Mall into a magical kitchen askids cook up a menu including:

• Dip fresh strawberries in deliciouschocolate with Godiva Chocolatier;

• Make chocolate chip cookie sandwicheswith Nestle Toll House Café;

• Create healthy veggie rolls with SushiMaki;

• Learn how to roll dough and make apizza pie with Cozzoli’s Pizza;

• Decorate mini cupcakes with Candy in aCupcake;

• Make desert crepes with Banna Strows;• Create yogurt parfaits and sample chick-

en nuggets with Chick-Fil-A, including aspecial visit by the Eat More Chikin Cow;

• Make mini ice cream sundaes withHaagen Daz;

• Learn how to twist pretzels with AuntieAnne’s and sample on-the-go, famous pret-zel stix, and

• Keep hands clean at the Bath & BodyWorks antibacterial soap station.

Kids also are encouraged to bring non-per-ishable food items to be donated to FeedingSouth Florida. Florida Blue is a sponsor of allDadeland Mall Kidgits events.

For a chance to win a $1,000 shopping

spree, text MALL36 to 74666 or registeryour email address at Guest Services.

The Simon Kidgits Club’s Super DuperMini Chefs event is free to members.Families can sign up for the Kidgits Club,during regular mall hours, for an annualmembership fee of $5. Membershipincludes a Kidgits Club membership cardand T-shirt, scheduled entertainment andactivities for families, a Birthday Club(including birthday card and gift redemptioncertificate), unique programs and offers,discounts and a quarterly newsletter.

For more information, visit online at<www.simon.com/kidgits>.

Dadeland Mall cooks up funwith event for young chefs

These little chefs are learning how food can be funand good for them.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 19

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NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART 10 ACRE CAMPUS FOR GRADES 6 THROUGH 12RIVIERA DAY SCHOOL 6800 Nervia Street, Coral Gables, FL 33146 I RIVIERA PREPARATORY SCHOOL 9775 SW 87 Avenue, Miami, FL 33176

305.666.1856 I www.rivieraschools.com I Accredited by AISF, SACS, AI, NCPSA

CONTACT US NOW FOR AN ADMISSIONS VISIT(PRESCHOOL TO 12TH GRADE)

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)Gallery at UM, presents the work of theBachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) graduate stu-dents running from May 4 through May 13.

A reception will take place the evening ofMay 12, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the CAS Gallery,located at the Wesley Foundation, 1210Stanford Dr. in Coral Gables.

A full schedule of exhibitions can beviewed online at <www.as.miami.edu/art>.

SOUTH FLORIDA CELEBRATES‘NATIONAL MOM’S NITE OUT’

Simon Malls in South Florida invite momsto let their hair down at the third annual“National Mom’s Nite Out” on May 5.

This complimentary event is a guilt-freeexcuse for moms to take the night off to relaxand enjoy a celebration of motherhood at thefollowing: Dadeland Mall, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.,and Miami International Mall, 6:30 to 8:30p.m.

The event will be the ultimate celebrationof motherhood, and will include makeovers,entertainment, fashion tips, refreshments,goodie bags and more.

Simon Property Group is hosting“National Mom’s Nite Out” at 115 of itsmalls across the country. All activities arefree and open to moms of all ages.

For more information, visit online at<www.simon.com>.

‘CHARLIE BROWN’ COMINGTO AREA STAGE COMPANY

The Area Stage Company andConservatory has announced the premiere ofBroadway’s critically acclaimed musicalYou’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, fromMay 6 to 8.

Join the “Peanuts” gang in this fast-paced,lighthearted musical guaranteed to pleaseaudiences of all ages. Tickets are $20 for gen-eral admission and only $10 for students withvalid ID.

Broadway icon Arthur Whitelaw, the produc-er of both the original and revival productions,will be in attendance for the opening perform-ance, and will speak to the cast and other conser-vatory students about his life on Broadway andrenowned career in the performing arts.

For details, call 305-666-2078 or visitonline at <www.areastagecompany.com>.

SIR PIZZA IN WEST KENDALLHELPING CANINE ASSISTANTS

Sir Pizza in Kendall on SW 127th Avenue and120th Street in West Kendall is helping CanineAssistants raise money for the organization.

Anyone who orders anything from the SirPizza on May 7, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.,just needs to drop their receipt in the basket bythe cashier when they pay and a certain amountof that profit will be given to Canine Assistants.

MIAMI CHILDREN’S CHORUS TO PRESENT‘LET THE CHILDREN SING’ ON MAY 15

The annual Miami Children’s Chorusspring concert, hosted at the First UnitedMethodist Church, located at 536 Coral Way,will be take place on May 15 at 4 p.m.

Admission tickets for adults are $20 and$5 for seniors and students.

For information, call 305-662-7494 orsend email to <[email protected]>.

PRACTICAL KABBALAH AND POSITIVEPSYCHOLOGY LECTURE ON MAY 17

Join the best-selling author, lawyer, psy-chologist and spiritual mentor, Rabbi Dr.Laibl Wolf, as he presents “Stillness,Awareness & Wisdom, Steps for inner PeaceTranquility & Calm,” on May 17 at 8 p.m.(venue to be announced). Admission for thisannual conference is $20 with refreshmentsincluded.

As the keynote speaker at the GawlerInternational Mind/Body Conference and theAmerican Psychological Association AnnualConference, this lecture will educate on theimportance of learning the art of emotional

intelligence as well as reprogramming yourattitudes and beliefs.

For information, call 786-282-0413.

MIAMI-DADE PARKS ANNOUNCESNEW ONLINE RESERVATION SYSTEM

The Miami-Dade Park and RecreationDepartment (MDPR) has announced its newonline reservation system, enabling users of itsparks to reserve picnic shelters and playingfields, and to rent recreation centers and facilityrooms from the comfort of their home or office.

Highly convenient, residents are no longerlimited to visiting a local park to engage thereservation and rental system — now theycan do so, even when on the go. Park userscan access this new feature on the homepageof the Miami-Dade Parks website at<www.miamidade.gov/parks>.

In May, the second phase of the systemwill be launched whereby families will beable to register their children online for mostof MDPR’s “Fit to Play, Green It Up”Summer Camps offered at parks around theCounty from June 13 to Aug. 19.

For details about MDPR, call 3-1-1 or visit

online at <www.miamidade.gov/parks>.

UM to present artwork of the BFA graduating studentsCOMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS

Page 20 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 21: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 21

Page 22: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFETWHERE YOU CAN EAT HEALTHY the best & freshest sushi in town!

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$18.95 ALL DAY - Children 10 and under $8.95SENIOR CITIZENS 60+ $2.00 OFF

Westminster Christian Middle School (WCMS) eighth grade students Jared LaVohn, Todd Zuccaro and HunterAger (all pictured) were selected to participate in the United States Naval Academy’s STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) mini-program. The weekend-long program is designed to motivateand inspire students toward studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Thethree were among only 30 students from 17 schools nationwide who were selected to attend.

WCMS students participate inU.S. Naval Academy program

Page 22 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 23: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

SCORE Miami-Dade Offers Workshops forAspiring Business Owners in S. DadeQuickStart Workshop Series Begins May 12

SCORE Miami-Dade (www.scoremia-mi.org) will host a workshop series gearedto aspiring business owners starting May12 at the Economic Development Councilof South Dade (EDC), 900 Perrine Ave.

SCORE's QuickSTART series is com-prised of five workshops led by the non-profit’s experienced counselors, who willhelp you make a “go or no go" decision foryour business idea.

The EDC will extend a special offer tothe first 20 participants for a special priceof only $100.00. Regular price for thisworkshop is $125.00.

To qualify, you must register and paythrough the EDC by May 8. Methods ofpayment include check or credit card.Credit card payments are accepted via theEDC’s safe and secure PayPal account.Call (305)378-9470 for details.

Here's a summary of SCORE's nextQuickSTART series:

Business Basics: Thursday May 12from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.This introductory workshop focuses on thebasics of testing your business idea andidentifying the key factors that influencestart-up success.

Business Concept: Tuesday May 17from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.• Describe your products & services

• Identify your target markets• Collect key competitive information tosupport your plan

Marketing Plan: Thursday May 19 from6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.• Outline your marketing strategy• Test your marketing message• Choose the right sales channel• Exercise your marketing strategy

Financial Projections: Tuesday, May 24from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.• Use our financial model to forecast sales• Build solid pro-forma financial forecasts

Funding Sources*: Thursday May 26from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.• Determine your funding sources• Learn about accounting• Learn the six Cs of credit• Make banking relationships• Consider ratio analysis*Monthly preparation and review of financial state-

ments

SCORE Miami-Dade, an all-volunteernonprofit, offers low-cost workshopsand one-on-one business counseling.For a full list of workshops or to signup for free business counseling, visitwww.SCOREMiami.org or call 786-924-9119.

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 23

Pictured after receiving their Bronze Medal of Valor are (l-r) Firefighter Mike Perez, Capt. Roman Bas and FirefighterJuan Ceballos. The three were among 150 firefighters honored by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department duringits 10th annual Medal Day ceremonies on Apr. 9. More than 400 family members, elected officials, local police andfire chiefs from the entire South Florida area were in attendance to witness this award ceremony.

Firefighters receive recognitionat annual Medal Day ceremony

Page 24: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

New K-4 and K-5 Learning Center. Call for a private visit.Visit our website and apply online www.conchitaespinosa.com or call 305.227.1149.

Conchita Espinosa Academy

Applications are now available for the K-4 through 8th grade 2011-2012 academic year.

Bringing out the extraordinary in every child

Miami area artists and writers launch Creature EntertainmentBY GARY ALAN RUSE

Comic book giants Marvel and DC maydominate the field, but there are a numberof up-and-coming independent companieslooking to make their own mark in theindustry, including one right here in Miami.

Creature Entertainment, founded byJohn Ulloa and Julio Alvarez, has tappedinto the creative pool of area artists, writ-ers, animators and filmmakers who arecombining their talents in new and innova-tive ways to publish graphic novels andproduce films of short and feature length.

For Ulloa, the publisher, who was raisedin South Florida, it’s not a job but a labor oflove.

“Comic books are like comfort food,something from your youth that makes youfeel good when you read one, and by bring-ing that comic book to life on film it lets theaudience relate to it on a whole new level,”Ulloa said.

“I loved comic books since a very earlyage but the calling to create one came laterin life. I knew I had an active imaginationand had a knack for writing stories, butlacked the ability to draw.

“One day working as a comic book deal-er I met a young artist that had the samedesire as I did so we got together and creat-ed our comic book called Double Impactwhich did very well during the ’90s,” Ulloaadded. “We sold over 50,000 copies of ourfirst issue, putting us in the Wizard top 10comic books.”

Editor-in-chief Juan Navarro, a Hialeahnative, has been writing, drawing and paint-ing much of his life. He attended local mag-net programs and earned his Bachelor ofFine Arts degree from the New World Schoolof the Arts at the University of Florida.Navarro is co-director of the CS Gallery inNorth Miami, the art director for the OlivaCigar Company, and the creator and artist ofthe Web comic series “Zombie Years.”

“I’ve always been drawing since I was a

kid,” Navarro said. “I learned to read withcomic books. John started the companyabout two years ago. A lot of the time its

crime noire and the horror genre, but wealso deal with graphic novels and film.”

Jose Varese, a South Miami High School

alum, has been doing comic related art-work since the late 1990s, mostly smallcomic strips and some small independentWeb comics from time to time, but he sayshe really got serious about it in mid 2009when he started working with CreatureEntertainment.

“It is an amazing vehicle for story-telling,” Varese said. “The visual imageshelp the readers to really immerse them-selves into the storyline. Each illustrat-ed panel is like a movie frame and theartist acts as both the director and thecinematographer.

“Is it any wonder why movie studios stillhire storyboard artist to illustrate an entiremovie script before they even pick up thecamera? Working on comic books hasgiven me a deeper perspective of the craftand appreciation for sequential artists.”

Varese has finished two titles, graphicnovels called The Gun and Killswitch Billy,and currently is working on a brand newtitle called Ravenous. He said he thinks theCE crew is great.

“I am very fortunate to be working withso many talented individuals who share thesame love of film, writing and comic art,”Varese said. “But the most important thingis that they are all really good-hearted peo-ple and that’s rare to find these days.”

Also onboard with CreatureEntertainment are other local talents —Anthony Dones, Al and Rene Quesada, andmore. Ulloa is enjoying the ride and isexcited about the future, spreading theword about their enterprise at shows, spe-cial events and online.

“I want people to know that we want tocreate great stories that can be enjoyed intwo medias,” Ulloa said. “Hopefully oneday we’ll be big enough to win anAcademy Award…but we’ll settle for aGolden Globe.”

For more information, visit <www.crea-tureentertainment.com/> or find CreatureEntertainment on Facebook.

Pictured (l-r) are John Ulloa, Juan Navarro and Jose Varese of Creature Entertainment.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Page 24 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 25: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 25

BY PÍA CRUZALEGUI

Miami Dade College has announced thesigning to a national letter of intent for sixMiami-Dade County players and four fromCentral Florida. The 10 new high school play-ers will be part of the new 2012 softball team.

The powerful squad includes: CarolineOtero of Gulliver Preparatory, Alli Schnaidarof Florida Christian, Ellen Morgan of MiamiSouthridge, Ericka Acevedo of DoralAcademy, Kayla Ogle and Megan Lee ofSouth Dade, and Carmen Nadal and NicoleOsterman of Osceola High School andHashel Figueroa of University High Schoolin Orlando, as well as Paris Prusak of BishopVerot High School in Lee County.

The new 2011-12 team will bring a power-ful offense and defense to Miami DadeCollege’s Lady Sharks as these new playerspresently lead their high schools softball pro-grams. On 2010, Otero was Second Team AllDade selection, Schnaider was First Team AllDade County, Morgan earned All DadeSecond Team selection, Nadal and Ostermanearned First Team All County selection, andParis Prusak was First Team All Lee County.

Acevedo earned an All Dade First Team selec-tion in 2009 and 2010, and Third Team All Statein 2010. Lee received Second Team All DadeCounty Honors in 2010. Ogle is a 2010 All DadeFirst Team selection and Figueroa played in thePuerto Rico Junior National Team.

Since 2006, 15 players received theNJCAA-NFCA All American Honors and fiveplayers received the Academic All AmericanHonors. In 2009 the MDC Lady Sharks wereranked sixth in the National Fastpitch CoachesAssociation “Girls Got Game” academicachievement with a GPA of 3.537. In 2010 theywere No. 23 in the same category.

As a result many Miami Dade Collegesoftball players continued their college edu-cation with softball scholarships at universi-ties across the country including Universityof Tennessee at Chattanooga, Fresno State inCalifornia, Nova Southeastern Universityand Marshall University, among others.

MDC’s athletic teams have earned a totalof 33 NJCAA titles, including 13 in women’ssports. Most recently, the college’s softballteam became national champions and wonthe 2010 national ladies fast-pitch softballchampionship.

MDC signs 10 softball playersto scholarships for 2011-12

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Page 26: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 26 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 27: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 27

Page 28: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Page 28 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 29: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 29

Page 30: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Page 31: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

BY JESSICA BROMBERG

Bestselling author Katie Crouch will be atBooks and Books, 265 Aragon Ave. in CoralGables on Friday, May 6, 8 p.m., to discussand sign two of her latest books — TheMagnolia League and Men and Dogs.

Raised in Charleston, SC, Crouch’s booksreflect her Southern upbringing.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evilmeets Gossip Girl in The Magnolia League,an electrifying young adult debut by Crouch.

After the death of her free-spirited mother,the 16-year-old unlikely Southern debutanteAlexandra Lee is forced to move fromNorthern California to Savannah, GA, to livewith her wealthy and matriarchal grandmoth-er, Ms. Lee.

By birth, Alex is a rightful — if unwilling— member of the Magnolia League,Savannah’s longstanding debutante society.As Alex is thrust into the inner circle of theillustrious league (and adheres to a full-bodymakeover, etiquette lessons, and a bizarre andslightly hazy initiation ceremony) she discov-ers that the Magnolias made a pact with a leg-endary Voodoo family, the Buzzards. Inexchange for everlasting youth, beauty andpower, the women of the Magnolia Leaguemust remain in Savannah forever.

Shocked with this discovery, Alex digs

deeper into the pact and begins to fear that hermother’s death may not have been an acci-dent. Does the Magnolia’s power come with adeadly price?

Set within a sultry Savannah backdrop,seductively atmospheric yet plot-driven, TheMagnolia League immediately entices read-ers with its winning combination of paranor-mal mystery and teenage social drama.

Men and Dogs followed on the heels ofCrouch’s wildly successful debut, Girls inTrucks, which was No. 1 Booksense Pick anda New York Times bestseller in 2008. Criticsand readers agreed that Crouch was a com-pelling new voice, calling Girls in Trucks “avery amusing debut” (Vanity Fair). With Menand Dogs, she proves herself as versatile asshe is accessible, with writing that is tender,hilarious and immensely readable.

The novel follows Hannah Legare, awoman transformed by loss. When she was11, her father went on a fishing trip inCharleston Harbor and never came back. Andwhile most of the town and her family accept-ed Buzz Legare’s disappearance, Hannahremained convinced of his imminent return.

More than 20 years later, Hannah’s newlife and marriage in San Francisco are unrav-eling and she’s shipped back to her mother’shome to recuperate and get off her self-destructive path. Once back in Charleston,she is again drawn into the mystery of hermissing father, setting off on an uproarious,dangerous quest that will test the whole fam-ily’s concepts of loyalty and faith.

Katie Crouch was raised in Charleston,SC, where she attended Cotillion trainingbut never was a debutante. She studied

writing at Brown and Columbia universi-ties and now lives in San Francisco. Shesplits her time between San Francisco and

Edist Island, SC.For more information visit <www.pick-

apoppy.com> or <www.katiecrouch.com>.

Bestselling author Crouch to discuss her latest books

F O O T N O T E S

Katie Crouch(Photo by Miriam Berkley)

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 31

Page 32: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

BY ANDY NEWMAN

In January 1912, the first OverseaRailway train rolled from the Florida main-land through the Florida Keys to Key West,forever changing the face of many of thepreviously isolated islands by connectingthem with the mainland and each other.

A celebration to honor the historic rail-road, lauded as the most unique railway inthe world upon its completion, has begun inthe Keys. Events are to culminate Jan. 22,2012, the 100th anniversaryof the inaugural train’s arrival.

Conceived by Standard Oiltycoon Henry Flagler, con-struction on the rail linebegan in 1905, motivated byan announcement that thePanama Canal would bebuilt. Flagler thought KeyWest had the potential to bean important port and traderoute with Cuba and LatinAmerica, as well as a vitalsupply stop for ships enteringor exiting the Panama Canal.

The railroad’s trackstretched more than 100

miles out into open water, requiring trail-blazing construction techniques andHerculean efforts. At several points in theconstruction process, more than 4,000 men

were working on the project.Flagler gambled nearly all ofhis wealth on the venture,which was so daunting andunproven that many out-siders called it “Flagler’sFolly.”

Officially named theFlorida East Coast Railway’sKey West Extension, the linebecame known as theOversea Railway and wassometimes referred to as “theeighth wonder of the world.”The bridges and viaductsconnecting the Keys, includ-ing the landmark Seven Mile

Bridge at Marathon, were regarded as anengineering marvel.

For more than two decades after the rail-road’s 1912 completion, it carried passen-gers to the Keys and Key West, affordingthem a breathtaking sense of steamingacross the open ocean.

The Oversea Railway’s heyday abruptlyended when a portion of the line wasdestroyed in a 1935 hurricane. Less thanthree years later, a narrow highway forautomobiles replaced the tracks.

Today, many of the original railroadbridges still can be seen alongside thebridges that support the modern OverseasHighway, the contemporary connectionfrom mainland Florida through the Keys.

Other reminders of the historic railroadinclude Pigeon Key, a five-acre island thatlies beneath the Old Seven Mile Bridge atMarathon. A base camp for workers duringconstruction of the original railroad bridge,the tiny island now features carefullyrestored structures and a museum dedicatedto the railway and its builders.

Celebrations commemorating theOversea Railway’s centennial year arebeing organized throughout the Keys.

Planned elements include history toursshowcasing Flagler sites, bicycling expedi-tions, educational presentations and explo-rations of Pigeon Key — all leading up tothe 100th anniversary of the first train’sarrival in Key West.

Celebration highlights include “Flagler’sSpeedway to Sunshine,” an exhibition andspecial event series that already has begun atthe Key West Museum of Art & History atthe Custom House in Old Town Key West.

The exhibition includes a re-createdFlorida East Coast railcar, a scale replica ofa section of the Seven Mile Bridge, vintagefootage of the journey from Pigeon Key toKey West, a film recounting Flagler’s storyand the arrival of the first train, rare arti-facts including a conductor’s uniform andrailroad worker’s tool chest, and memora-bilia that brings alive the fascinating storyof the railroad that went to sea.

A comprehensive website focused on theOversea Railway centennial, featuring adetailed schedule of events, is being estab-lished at <www.FlaglerKeys100.com>.

For more information about the FloridaKeys & Key West, visit <www.fla-keys.com>.

Railroad that ‘went to sea’ to mark 100th anniversary

Trains traveled from the Florida mainland to Key West on the Overseas Railway.(Historical images provided by Monroe County Library)

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

NEWS

Henry Flagler–––––––––––––––––

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Page 32 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 33: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 33

Page 34: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

BY SHERRY MILLER

Cauley Square Historic Railroad

Village has long been acclaimed as one of

the area’s most beautiful and natural

retreats with some 10 acres of environ-

mentally preserved acreage including

some 25 cottage shops in structures built

originally in 1903 by workers on Henry

Flagler’s railroad.

This Mother’s Day, May 8, Cauley

Square Village invites families to come

and stroll together through the land-

scaped gardens overflowing with flow-

ers, plants, lush tropical foliage, natural

white coral rock and more.

The cottage shops surrounding the

landscaped gardens are special interest

havens for collectors of art and artifact,

antiques and collectibles, aquariums and

exotic birds.

There is truly something for everyone,

and the family friendly village also is

home to the world famous Tea Room and

Village Chalet restaurants open daily

seven days a week.

This Mother’s Day weekend starts on

Friday, May 6, with “Viva” Classic Rock

performing on the main patio from 7:30

to 11:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 7, at the

Village Chalet Restaurant, jazz king Kim

Bankston performs from 7 to 10 p.m.

On Sunday, May 8, in both the Village

Chalet and in the Tea Room restaurants,

family dinners will be served honoring

mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters.

There are no cover charges at Cauley

Square Village and entry is free to the

public as well as free parking. The village

is open seven days a week; cottage shops

are closed on Mondays.

Also, the annual Pet Fest is scheduled

on Sunday, May 22, at Cauley Square.

Cauley Square Historic Railroad Village

is located at 22400 Old Dixie Hwy. in

Goulds. (Take S. Dixie Highway to SW

224th Street). For information, call the

Administrative Offices at 305-258-3543.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Cauley Square Village

Page 34 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 35: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 35

Stay ahead of the prom fashion curvewith The Palms at Town & Country’sexclusive guide to Prom 2011. Must-havesfeature classically-chic styles, neon colorsand muted prints.

AT SNOB BOUTIQUE, Nordstrom Rack,Marshall’s and Loehmann’s, prom goerscan find enchanting gowns with beading,

rhinestones, sequins and chiffon to dazzleany red carpet. Make a statement with non-traditional Easter egg hues such as mint,periwinkle and honeysuckle. To the otherextreme, a jaw-dropping neon coral,fuschia or lime will give the other girlssomething to talk about.

PATTERNS Are also a big trend for

prom, but they are watered-down to bemore feminine. The blurred patternsinclude florals and are often made softerwith an overlay of chiffon or tulle.

Don’t forget Beauty prep before thebig night: Pamper yourself with a spa dayat Tiffany Day Spa, Asian Nail Salon, andUni K. Wax. Complete your prom lookwith an exquisite updo from Hair Cuttery.

Save the date Join us on May 7th atThe Palm at Town & Country’s secondannual Kite Festival which celebrates theopening of Cadillac Ranch, Carter’s Babies& Kids, C.G. Burgers, Romeo & JulietItalian Ice Cream and Gelato Parlor.

Corner of Kendall Dr. and SW 117thAve., minutes from the Florida Turnpike.Mon.-Sat. 10am-9pm, Sun. 12pm-6pm.Phone 305-274-7982. www.thep-almsshops.com

Classic Hollywood GlamourLeads Prom 2011 Trends

Page 36: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 36 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 37: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 37

BY REBECCA STANIER-SHULMAN

Miami native Russell Thomas returns to

the concert stage in a recital accompanied

by Orchestra Miami’s artistic director

Elaine Rinaldi at the piano.

In his first appearance in Miami since

his triumphant win at the Francisco Viñas

Competition in Barcelona, Spain, Thomas

and Rinaldi will present a program of

music by Beethoven, Griffes, Verdi,

Donaudy, Tosti, Britten and Vaughan

Williams.

“I first met Russell when he was a

student at the New World School for the

Arts,” Rinaldi said. “I have taken great

pleasure in watching Russell grow as an

artist, and I’m thrilled to be able to

bring him home to perform for the

Miami public.”

The recital will be on Saturday, May 14,

8 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of

Miami, 609 Brickell Ave. Tickets are

priced at $40 for priority seating, $30 for

general admission seating, $20 for seniors

and $10 for students. A special reception

with the artists will be held immediately

following the recital in the Fellowship

Hall, proceeds of which ($20 per person)

go to the benefit of Orchestra Miami.

Tickets for the recital and reception can be

purchased online through Orchestra Miami’s

website (www.OrchestraMiami.org) or by

calling 305-274-2103. This recital is one of

the events celebrating 115 years of service

from the First Presbyterian Church of Miami

(www.fpcmiami.org).

A native of Miami, Thomas quickly is

establishing himself as one of the most

exciting vocal and dramatic talents on

the international opera and concert

scene, most recently as the First-Prize

winner of the prestigious “Viñas

Competition” in Barcelona (First Prize,

Audience Favorite and Best Tenor) and

at the “Competizione dell’Opera” in

Dresden. He has sung at many of the

world’s most important opera houses,

including the Metropolitan Opera

(Tamino in Magic Flute; Steuerman in

Der Fliegende Hollander; Forresto in

Attila; Andres in Wozzeck), Oper

Frankfurt (Faust in Berlioz’s Damnation

of Faust), Welsh National Opera

(Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly;

Tamino in Magic Flute).

Conductor Rinaldi is fast making her

mark among the ranks of rising young

American conductors. Critics have called

her performances “brilliant” and her inter-

pretative work “impeccable.” As founder

and artistic director of Orchestra Miami,

Rinaldi has brought a new level of profes-

sionalism and quality to the local arts

scene. In addition to her work with

Orchestra Miami, Rinaldi is much in

demand as a recitalist and vocal coach.

Founded in 2006 by Rinaldi, Orchestra

Miami quickly has established itself as an

important part of Miami’s vibrant cultural

community. In its brief history, Orchestra

Miami has presented the finest in classical

symphonic, Latin jazz and opera, with

some of the most important and recognized

names in the world of music.

For more information about this recital

and the orchestra, visit the website at

<www.OrchestraMiami.org>.

Tenor Russell Thomas returnsto Miami in recital on May 14

Page 38: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 38 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

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BY AILEEN ROXANE VILLAR

The UPS Foundation recently awarded a$35,000 grant to Boys and Girls Clubs ofMiami-Dade. The funds are to support theKendall Club’s Technology Center.

The organization welcomed more than30 UPS supervisors, managers and seniorstaff members, who provided hands-onsupport. They removed old computersfrom the center, cleaned and painted thearea, and installed newly purchased com-puters. As a result of their collaborationand support, the lab has been renamed theUPS Technology Center.

“We are honored to have partnered withthe UPS Foundation. We now have a beau-tiful, updated Technology Center, allowing

our kids full access to new equipment in astate-of-the-art environment,” said AlexRodriguez-Roig, executive director ofBoys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.

The generous funding will contributeto the club’s Academic ImprovementMethods (AIM) program which targetschildren’s academic needs by means oftutoring, educational software, and onlinetesting. The refurbished lab will serve asmotivation for students to access the clubfor homework help and research.Renovations were well overdue, giventhat the computers had not been replacedsince 1997.

For more information on Boys and GirlsClubs of Miami-Dade, visit online at<www.bgcmia.org> or call 305-446-9910.

Boys and Girls Clubs receivegrant from UPS Foundation

UPS supervisors, managers and senior staff members joined Alex Rodriguez-Roig, Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade executive director, (front right) in providing hands-on support. The team removed old computers, cleaned,painted and installed new computers in what is now known as the UPS Technology Center at the Kendall Club.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Page 39: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Significance of a signatureBy Michelle Estlund,Criminal Defense Attorney

We all know that it isimportant to read thedocuments that we sign,but how many of us real-ly do that every time wesign something? Andwhen we do read it, do

we really take the time to think aboutevery consequence that can follow froma signature? When providing a signatureon a document, there are three simplesteps to follow that can prevent civil orcriminal problems in the future.

First of all, reading the entire documentis critical. It sounds simple, but veryoften people sign documents withoutreading through them. Prior to signingthe document, one needs to know thatevery part of the document is correct andtrue. For example, an affidavit is anattestation to certain facts, and the per-son who signs it (the signatory) is swear-ing to the truth of the statements made inthe affidavit. The failure to ensure thetruth of the statements may result incriminal perjury charges.

In addition to reading the document, itis important to understand its contents.While this may seem obvious, there aretimes when people sign documents,such as a contract, without fully under-

standing the terms therein. A failure tounderstand every part of a contract maybecome problematic if the matter everresults in litigation. When a document,such as a contract for work, a lease, anon-competition agreement, or any otherdocument contains unfamiliar terms orsubject matter, it is important to consultwith an attorney who specializes in thatparticular subject area. The people whotake the time and spend a little money tounderstand the agreement fare muchbetter than those who simply sign andhope for the best.

Finally, after ultimately making thedecision to sign a document, it is impor-tant to make a copy and keep it in a filein a safe location. The copy will be help-ful in the future if any kind of legal activi-ty occurs, or if you need to review thedocument’s terms in order to govern yourown behavior. Once a person has read,understood, signed, and maintained adocument, she is in a position of confi-dence, rather than fear or nervousness,regarding the both the document and thesignature.

Michelle Estlund is a criminaldefense attorney practicing in Floridasince 1995. She can be reached at305-448-0077. For more informationgo to <www.estlundlaw.com>.

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 39

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• Plants

• Wedding

• Anniversaries

• Gift Baskets• Sympathy

(we deliver to funeral homes & hospitals)

Hirni’s Wayside Gardens Florist9950 SW 57th Avenue • Pinecrest, FL 33156305.661.6266 • www.hirnisflorist.com

Monday thru Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm

q a i

BY CATHY GUERRA

Join Miami-Dade Parks

EcoAdventures during an open house

for their Nature Adventure Summer

Camps on Saturday, May 21, from 10

a.m. to 4 p.m., at the following Miami-

Dade Parks area nature centers: Sense of

Wonder Nature Center at A. D. Barnes

Park, 3401 SW 72 Ave., and Bill

Sadowski Park & Nature Center, 17555

SW 79 Ave. in Palmetto Bay.

This is a great opportunity for parents

and their children to learn more about the

EcoAdventures Nature Adventure

Summer Camp programs available for

youth and teens. The Youth Nature

Adventure Camps have educational and

fun activities such as exploring nature

trails, interactive presentations, hands-on

activities, field trips and more.

The Nature Adventure Camps for teens

offers a variety of unique outdoor adven-

tures, such as canoeing, paddle boarding,

snorkeling and “swamp tromps.”

Nature Adventure Summer Camps are

available at the following area locations:

YOUTH NATURE ADVENTURE CAMPSDeering Estate at Cutler/Bill Sadowski

Park & Nature Center, Eco-Explorers (ages

6-8) 17555 SW 79 Ave. in Palmetto Bay

(Bill Sadowski Park), 305-255-4767 or

305-235-1668, ext. 233;

Deering Estate at Cutler, Discovery

Camp (ages 9-11), 16701 SW 72 Ave. in

Palmetto Bay, 305-235-1668 ext. 233, and

Sense of Wonder Nature Center at A. D.

Barnes Park, Nature Detectives (ages 6-8)

and Nature Explorers (ages 9-12) 3401 SW

72 Ave., 305-662-4124.

TEEN NATURE ADVENTURE CAMPSDeering Estate at Cutler, Camp Ikana

Okee “Sea & Land” (ages 12-15), 16701

SW 72 Ave, in Palmetto Bay, 305-235-

1668, ext. 233;

Matheson Hammock Park, Camp on the

Sea (ages 12-17) 9610 Old Cutler Rd, in

Coral Gables, 305-255-4767 (Bill

Sadowski Park & Nature Center) Camp on

the Sea offers convenient drop-off and

pickup at A.D. Barnes Park and Bill

Sadowski Park.

Tropical Park Fishing Camp

(Freshwater), new, (ages 9-15) in part-

nership with Florida Fish & Wildlife

Commission, 7900 SW 40 St. (Bird

Road), 305-255-4767 or 305-365-

3018.

For information about Miami-Dade

Park and Recreation Department call 3-

1-1 or visit online at

<www.miamidade.gov/parks>.

Nature Adventure Summer Campsslate open house events, May 21

TTuurrnn IItt OOffff .. .. ..TTuurrnn IItt OOffff .. .. ..CCoonnsseerrvvee WWaatteerr!!CCoonnsseerrvvee WWaatteerr!!

Page 40: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

GREAT PRIZES1

KitchenAid Food Processor

$4000 Best Buy® Gift Card

IN-STORE DEMONSTRATIONS

and tech tips

Free Coca-Cola beverages2

PLUSA special gift

for Mom2

1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT ENHANCE CHANCES OF WINNING. Open and offered only to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C. (excluding P.R.), who are 18 or older (except residents of AL and NE, who must be 19 or older) at time of entry. Void in P.R. and where prohibited.PARTICIPATING BEST BUY STORE ADDRESSES: Ft. Lauderdale, 2829 N. Federal Hwy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Sawgrass, 12301 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation, FL; West Kendall, 12495 SW 88th Street, Miami, FL; Tropicaire, 7751 Bird Rd, Miami, FL; Hialeah, 4001 W 20th Ave, Hialeah, FL; Cutter Ridge, 19191 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL; Dadeland, 8450 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL; Aventura, 21035 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL; Pembroke Pines, 11450 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL; Coral Springs, 650 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL; Florida City, 33590 S Dixie Hwy, Florida City, FL; Margate, 3300 NW 62nd Ave, Margate, FL; Miami Beach, 1131 5th St, Miami, FL; Doral, 10760 NW 17th St, Miami, FL; Pinecrest, 11905 S. Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL. ENTRY PERIOD – START DATE/TIME AND END DATE/TIME: 2:00 p.m. local time on May 8th, 2011 to 4:00 p.m. local time on May 8th, 2011 HOW TO ENTER: Complete an official entry form, while supplies last, and deposit in the entry box. Limit one (1) entry per person per day during the Entry Period. A separate random drawing for First Prize will be held at each participating store from among all eligible entries received at that store. Each participating store will award one (1) First Prize. A separate random drawing for Grand Prize will be held on or about 5/12/11 from among all eligible entries received at all participating stores. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winners need not be present to win. PRIZES: Grand Prize – 1: $4000 Best Buy Gift Card ; ARV: $4000 each. First Prize – (1 per store; 15 total): KitchenAid Chef’s Chopper Series Food Processor; ARV: $49.99 each. Total ARV of all prizes: $4749.85. Subject to Official Rules available at participating stores during the Entry Period. Sponsor: Best Buy Stores, L.P., 7601 Penn Av. S., Richfield, MN 55423.

2 Beverages and gifts available while supplies last.

© 2011 BBY Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FLOWERS ARE NICEFREE KITCHEN APPLIANCESARE BETTERCome in to any Best Buy® in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area on Mother’s Day, May 8th, 2-4PM. We’re celebrating moms with:

Visit BestBuy.com/storelocatorto find a Best Buy store near you.

Page 40 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 41: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Is A Short Sale Right for You?BY PETER B. LAIRD

Recent data indicates that by the endof 2010 nearly half of all property own-ers in Miami-Dade County owed moreon their homes than the properties wereworth. That’s 245,530 underwaterhomes just in Miami-Dade. Statewide,the number jumps to 2.1 million.

Do you owe more than your home isworth? Is a major illness, accident, jobloss or divorce preventing you from mak-ing your monthly mortgage payments?Are you tired of paying for an investmentproperty that has lost its value?

You do have options, according toRobert Perdigon, president of Miami-based Perdigon Title Services, a full-service title company founded in 2002.

“In an ideal world, the best strategyis to continue paying your mortgage,wait for the market to correct, let yourproperty appreciate and sell your housewhen the value has returned,” advisesPerdigon. “However, we do not live inan ideal world and property ownersneed to know their options.”

A foreclosure should be avoided at all

costs, Perdigon says. Not only will youlose your home, you could also beforced to pay what you owe on yourmortgage plus additional fees. Worsestill, it will be reflected on your credit re-port for three to five years.

Your best option, says Perdigon, maybe a short sale. In the past few years,short sales have become the leadingdistressed property solution.

“With a short sale, your house is soldfor less than what you owe on your

mortgage, and your lender willingly ac-cepts the proceeds from the sale aspayment in full,” says Perdigon. “Nolien is filed against you, the sale is re-flected on your credit report for only 12to 18 months, and in some cases thelender will even contribute up to$30,000 to cover your relocation ex-penses.”

Before making such an important de-cision, though, seek professional ad-vice. Perdigon Title Services hasspecial expertise in handling shortsales, and its attorney partner canguide you through all aspects of whatcan be a complex transaction.

“We’ve successfully handled hun-dreds of short sale transactions overthe past few years,” says Perdigon.“We’ll work closely with you, your real-tor and your lender to ensure the quick-est and best possible outcome for all.”

For a free initial consultation todetermine if a short sale is right foryou, contact Perdigon Title Servicesat 305-728-8184, or [email protected].

Robert Perdigon (left), president, and Scott Perdigon, attorney partner

at Perdigon Title Services, 9100 S. Dadeland Blvd., PH1 / Suite #1701, Miami.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 41

FREE "Soft Close" undermount drawers with your kitchen purchase!AAlll ccaabbiinneetts aarre mmaadde iin oouur ffaaccttoorry iin tthhe UUSSAA. These are not foreign

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Page 42: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Summer Members May Enjoy…

� Membership from May 28 - Oct. 30, 2011

� Full access to our Arnold Palmer Signature 18-hole course

in it’s finest shape ever.

� More Social & Junior Events than ever before; Educational “Green”

Family Programs, Summer Pool Parties, Teen Golf Workshops,

Summer Camp, Lecture Series, WineTasting, Member Mixers,

fishing tournaments, book club, movie night and much more

� Seven of the finest Har-True Tennis Courts in Miami-Dade County

� Fine dining using organic produce from our 1,000 square foot

on –site Organic Garden

� Full access to our Jr. Olympic Heated Pool, Gym, Aerobic Studio,

Locker Rooms and much more.

For the price of a one week family vacation,enjoy Deering Bay all summer long

with our Summer Membership.

Hurry, this special invitation is offered on a limited basis.Only 20 spots available!

Call the Club at 305-254-2111or www.dbycc.com for details

and join us for the best summer ever!

Page 42 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 43: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 43

FREE YOUR

TOES!

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*Limit one offer per person. While supplies last. Expires May 8th, 2011

BY ALYSSA EBEL

Your imagination can take you anywhereyou want to be and audiences in Miami areinvited to make a world of adventure cometo life with Elmo, Abby Cadabby andfriends as the stage lights come up onSesame Street Live’s 1-2-3 Imagine! withElmo & Friends.

This imagination-inspired musical willmake a stop at the BankUnited Center, 1245Dauer Dr. in Coral Gables from Friday,June 17, through Sunday, June 19. Ticketsfor all six performances now are on sale.

The magical journey begins as SesameStreet’s mail carrier, Sam, stops by to deliv-er special postcards from far-away places.When Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird andfriends wish to visit the exciting locations,Sam shares her secret on how they can —it’s as easy as counting “1-2-3 Imagine!”

Ernie’s imagination takes him to the highseas to captain the “Good Ship RubberDuckie,” Elmo dances to the rhythm of theAfrican rainforest and Bert meets an octo-pus who has the blues. It’s a story of adven-ture and fun that teaches children they canbe anyone, do anything and go anywherewith the power of imagination.

Like television’s Sesame Street, eachSesame Street Live production featurestimeless lessons for all ages. The universalappeal of each Broadway-quality musicalproduction continues long after preschool.Adults will appreciate the high-tech stage-craft, cleverly written script, and musicthey’ll recognize and enjoy sharing withchildren, such as I Don’t Want to Live onthe Moon, She’ll Be Comin’ ’Round the

Mountain and Surfin’ Safari.Shows are Friday, June 17, 7 p.m.

(Opening Night Discount);Saturday, June 18, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30

p.m., andSunday, June 19, 1 and 4:30 p.m.Tickets are $12, $20 and $28. A limited

number of $36 Gold Circle seats and $65Sunny Seats also are available. OpeningNight, all seats (excluding Gold Circle andSunny Seats) are $12. A facility fee of $1and a parking fee of $3 will be added to allticket prices. Additional fees and discountsmay apply.

Special $65 Sunny Seat packages areavailable at all shows and feature VIP seatsand a pre-show Meet and Greet with twoSesame Street Live friends.

For more information, call 305-284-8686.

To charge tickets by phone, please call

Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets

may also be purchased online at <www.tick-

etmaster.com>. For information online, visit

<www.sesamestreetlive.com>. Become a

fan of Sesame Street Live on Facebook.

Elmo, Abby Cadabby and friendscoming to Coral Gables, June 17

The gang is ready to go surfin’ in the new Sesame Street Live show 1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Like television’s SesameStreet, each Sesame StreetLive production features timeless lessons for all ages.The universal appeal of eachBroadway-quality musical production continues longafter preschool.

Page 44: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Upscale Furniture Consignment Gallery

50% OFF!FIRST ANNIVERSARY SALE!UPTO

Unusual Designer Piecesfrom Gianni Versace!

Limited edition pieces such asThe Cappellini Table

We have something special for everyone. Fine antiques to contemporary pieces. Find one piece or decorate your entire room!

Behind Outback Steakhouse in the Famous Warehouse District by the Falls

8845 SW 132 St. • Miami, FL 33176Open: Monday to Friday 10:30am - 6pm • Sat. & Sun. 10am - 5pm

(next to Battaglia Shoes)

www.upscalefurnitureconsignmentgallery.com

Rita Schwartz- Owner

[email protected]

Page 44 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

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Page 45: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 45

Proud partner of

Offer Ends May 31, 2011

Proud partner of

The Kia Sportage always has been a nifty lit-tle CUV, but the 2011 version is simply adelight; it’s pleasing to look at and fun to drive.

The all-new Sportage retains the functional-ity and versatility of the previous model, buthas been repackaged into a sleek, modern andbold style, with new proportions and a com-pletely new look. It was recognized as a TopSafety Pick by the Insurance Institute forHighway Safety and received top ratings forfront, side, rollover and rear impact protection.

Beautifully redesigned to be longer, widerand lower, Sportage now has a more flowingsilhouette. It also has increased performanceand efficiency, comfort and convenience, andthe latest automotive technologies.

With a high beltline, sweeping angles andmore pronounced wheel flares, the newSportage has a spearing shoulder line thatvisually connects the headlights and tail-lights. From the side, the pronounced C pillargives the vehicle a sense of solidity and bal-

ance, while the front end has the new face ofKia with the signature grille, sculpted hood,swept back headlights, tabbed grille outlineand distinctive lower fascia.

Sportage exterior design flows seamlesslyinto the interior with an inviting and comfort-able ambience and many technology features,including the signature three-pod instrumentcluster set prominently within the dash.

Available in four trims — Base, LX, EX andSX — pricing for the compact CUV starts at$18,295, with standard convenience featuresincluding air conditioning, power windows,door locks and mirrors, Sirius Satellite Radio,MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth4 wirelesstechnology, along with the options of apanoramic sunroof, navigation, push-buttonstart, rear camera display, LED daytime run-ning lights and an air-cooled driver’s seat.

Under the hood, Sportage has more powerwith a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder 176 hp engineand improved fuel economy (21/28 mpg).

Base has 16-inch alloy wheels matchedwith 215/70R16 low-rolling resistance silicatires, body-color door handles and electrical-ly adjustable side mirrors; and a six-speedmanual transmission ($18,295).

LX has side mirror LED turn signal indica-tors, keyless entry and tinted glass. Comesstandard with air conditioning, power win-dows, 12-volt power outlets in the front and

cargo areas, power side mirrors with integrat-ed LED indicators, tilt-adjustable steeringwheel, keyless entry with panic alarm andmulti-way adjustable front seats. Stylishlycloth seats are comfortable, while rear seatssplit and fold 60/40 for cargo needs($20,295).

EX has a leather-wrapped steering wheeland shift knob, telescopic steering wheel,illuminated vanity mirrors, automatic foldingrear seats, a dual-zone temperature controlair-conditioner with ionized filtration, illumi-nated and cooled glove box, and a power dri-

ver’s seat with lumbar support for additionalcomfort and support. Also adds 18-inch alloywheels, roof rails, a rear spoiler and chromebody trim and door handles ($23,295).

SX is the top-of-the-line and has Kia’s effi-cient and powerful new 2.0-liter turbo GDIengine ($25,795).

Ron Beasley is the automotive editor forMiami’s Community Newspapers. He may becontacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261,or by addressing email correspondence to<[email protected]>.

Redesigned Kia Sportage has more power, technology

LET’S TALK CARS

Ron BeasleyNew Kia

Sportage islonger, wider

and lower; has amore fluid silhouette.

Page 46: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 46 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 47: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

CATERING • TAKEOUT • DELIVERYFor more information and reservations call

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May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 47

Page 48: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

Page 48 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

Page 49: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Page 50: Palmetto Bay News 5.3.2011

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Page 56 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011