south miami news 5.14.2013

BY LEE STEPHENS

A s the sun returned follow-ing a week of torrentialrains, The ChallengeWeekend kicked off May 4

and 5 in South Miami Town Center. Localshops and restaurants joined in sidewalksales and benefit brunches, while parentsheard a local sports legend talk aboutchoices and consequences. The weekend’scrowning event, The King Pins Challenge

V, raised more than $16,000 for the SouthMiami Drug-Free Coalition.

The Challenge weekend grew out of theannual King Pins Challenge bowlingfundraiser started by Splitsville LuxuryLanes and local lifestyle and entertainmentpublication SOMI Magazine. For the pastfive years, The King Pins Challenge hasbenefitted the South Miami Drug-Free

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The recent 2013Legislative sessionended a few weeks agoand here are a coupleof items that wethought would be ofinterest to you:

Miami Children’s Hospital ulti-mately prevailed and got approval toopen a labor and delivery ward forhigh-risk pregnancies.

This item that had some opponentsbleeding red (money) had strong oppo-sition and was hard fought on bothsides. At one point it looked like a 30-bed maternity ward might getapproved, but a couple of the big localhospitals fought it and for a moment itlooked like the whole deal was DOA,but son of a gun it was resuscitated andcame back with a lot less beds andwhen all the dust settled much to the

Around TownMMiiaammii

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––––– See AROUND TOWN, page 7

MAY 14 - 27, 2013

One of Miami’s Community Newspapers –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Connecting local businesses. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

––––––––––––––––– See CAMPAIGN, page 8

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–––––––––––––––––––––– See CHALLENGE, page 9

BY RAQUEL GARCIA

S outh Miami Mayor PhilStoddard understands itis only the city managerthat is able to removethe chief of police from

his duties. As a result the FIU scientistseems to have launched a “take no pris-oners” campaign to get Chief OrlandoMartinez de Castro fired by way ofsoap box submissions to the MiamiHerald, blog postings, crime statisticsresearch, and voluminous departmentalpublic records requests.

As Interim city manager StevenAlexander prepares to address thedemoralized officer ranks in a longdelayed contract meeting to release areserved two percent salary bonus, themayor appears to have only amped uphis efforts to replace the chief.

“I have found additional things

Reading the ‘News’ at Cream

Tamra Gordon from Cream, which is located on Sunset Drive, is all smiles as she holds a copy ofher favorite newspaper with Francisco Vasquez, who just happens to work at the South MiamiNews. Funny thing how that worked out.

Detective Jose Lopez and Detective Lisa King onthe job at So. Miami Police Department.

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COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 14 - 27, 2013

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

Thinking of You Services will host itssixth annual picnic to support Americantroops stationed overseas on Saturday, May18, from noon to 6 p.m.

The non-profit organization hosts theyearly picnic to collect care package itemsto send free of charge to U.S. military per-sonnel from any state who are serving inthe Middle East and other places.

Freddie Ambrose, founder of the event,said that their only request is that peopleattending bring some care package itemsfor the troops. Needed are coffee (16-ouncebags), energy bars, disposable razors, babywipes, Pop Tarts, Slim Jims and socks.

Each year, Ambrose and his wife wrappackages of these items and mail them toservice men and women overseas.

“This year we have quite a few sponsorsand we have more children’s activities,”Ambrose said. “We’re having a bouncehouse, a watermelon eating contest, a hulahoop contest for the kids, and a ‘Take yourpicture with the superheroes’ area. There’sa company coming in and they’re dressinglike superheroes.”

Ambrose is a Vietnam veteran who knowswhat it’s like to be in a distant war zone farfrom home and longing for mail. Knowingsomeone cares makes a big difference.

“This is all to bring attention to thetroops overseas, to send them a bit ofhome, from here to there,” Ambrose said.“People contact us with their loved one’saddress overseas and we send them a pack-

age. The military person is surprised toreceive a package with items that are hardfor them to get over there. Each packagehas enough items for one to four people touse. They usually write back a letter ofappreciation to us. And if anyone gives usa nice letter of support we put that in thepackage, too.”

The first 100 guests will receive a free T-shirt for the event. Last year’s picnicattracted close to 300 people of all ages.Ambrose said there will be a dance contestfor adults and the first prize will be a Blue-Ray DVD.

“We have a wonderful deejay, LouisFundora, who will provide the music andtake care of the dance contest,” Ambrosesaid. “He did such a wonderful job last yearand he offered to come back this year. Wewere so glad to have him.”

People are encouraged to bring theirlawn chairs if they like for the picnic. Andthis year, there will be a special “photo op”chance for guests.

“The Military Museum and Memorial ofSouth Florida, which is located near ZooMiami, is going to bring an authentic fullyequipped military Jeep that people can takepictures of themselves with and every-thing,” Ambrose said. “They changed theirschedule just so they could attend ourevent, and we really appreciate it.”

This year the location is different. Theevent will take place at the Palmetto BayVillage Center, 18001 Old Cutler Rd,Building C. Admission is free.

For information call 786-252-2798.

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Rev. Daniel Coyand his wife,Lorraine, dance toa Latin beat at lastyear’s picnic.

May 14 - 27, 2013 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM

With a thousand guests gathering atJungle Island on April 19, for the Women’sFund Power of the Purse Luncheon, theevent was an unqualified success. Thisyear’s affair also offered attendees achance to meet the organization’s newexecutive director, Marilyn Fizer March.March most recently served as Sr.Development Director for Easter Seals ofSouth Florida. In addition, Emmy Awardwinning anchor, CBS 4’s Shannon Horiemceed the program that included testimo-nials from two grantees, RebeccaFrancisque and Eve Hansen, both of whominspired and brought tears as they told theirstories. Before and after the program,ladies took advantage of the opportunity tobid on incredible designer hand bags andlots of other great items donated by gener-

ous supporters. Yet another Jungle Island event, the

Firefighters Secretary’s Day Luncheon,was the perfect way for businesses to thanktheir administrative assistants as well as fororganizations to support the community.This annual affair is always crazy fun forthe ladies and this year was no exception.Among the many women in the crowd wasa large group from the GFWC CoralGables Woman’s Club who seem to beeverywhere and especially appreciate thehard work that goes into producing this“fashion show” of sorts where half nakedfirefighters strut their stuff and sometimesdance along a really long runway in aneffort to get votes to be included in the fire-fighters calendar for the coming year.There was no shortage of cameras or dollarbills for this event you can be sure.

The Rotary Club of Coral Gables heldthe third in a series of four Wine and Dinefor Charity events at CRAVE on April 26.Guests enjoyed a magnificent meal withwine pairing after a champagne receptionsponsored by Yolanda Woodbridge, YWAssociates. The next in this series will beheld at the Westin Colonnade in CoralGables on June 4th. Westin’s ExecutiveChef Thomas Russo is already working ona great menu that promises yet another suc-cessful evening of good food, fine winesand good company. Tickets are $125 perperson all inclusive and include a cham-pagne reception followed by a 4-coursegourmet dinner with wine pairings.Proceeds will benefit Shake-A-Leg and thecharitable programs of the Coral GablesRotary Foundation. For reservations, callEvent Chair Rodney Langer at 786 251-8459.

Until next time, keep making each daycount.

If you would like to submit informationfor this column, send your news via emailto [email protected].

RReecceenntt cchhaarriittyy eevveennttss aatt JJuunnggllee IIssllaanndd eenntteerrttaaiinn aanndd iinnssppiirreeGloria BurnsGLORIA’S GAB

South Miaminews

Miller Publishing • Community Newspapers

6796 SW 62 Avenue • South Miami, FL 33143

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CONTRIBUTING EDITORSDavid Berkowitz, Richard Yager

WRITERSRon Beasley, Linda Bernfeld-Rodriguez, Kenneth Bluh,

Nancy Eagleton, Robert Hamilton, Gary Alan Ruse,

Donna Shelley, Lee Stephens

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESAlbie Barnes, Roberta Bergman, Beatriz Brandfon,

Celia Canabate, Diane Chasin, Henry Chau,

Amy Donner, Dianne Maddox, Denzel Miles, Miller Myers,

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Lori Cohen, Karina Soave, Georgia Tait, Walter White

PROOF DEPARTMENTIsabel Vavrek

GRAPHIC ARTISTSIsabel Ortega, Denise Cebrero, Cristian Ortiz

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We will not return solicited or unsolicited material including stories, columns and/or photo-graphs. If you send us anything, please make sure that you have duplicate copies of the material.

Every issue of the South Miami News is fully copyrighted, and all property rights, includingadvertisements, produced by Community Newspapers and Miller Publishing. Using artwork and /ortypography furnished or arranged for/by us is the property of Community Newspapers.

MILLER PUBLISHING AND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERSare proud to publish the following newspapers:

Aventura News, Biscayne Bay Tribune, Coral Gables News, Cutler Bay News,Doral Tribune, Kendall Gazette, Miami Beach News,

Miami Gardens Tribune, Opa Locka News, Palmetto Bay News,Pinecrest Tribune, South Miami News, Sunny Isles Beach Sun, West Park

GFWC Coral

Gables Woman’s

Club members

seen here at

Power of the

Purse Luncheon

at Jungle Island.

Top L to R:

Gloria Burns,

Mayra

Dominguez, Pam

Schaefer, Linda

Hartwell, Liz

Wiegandt/

Seated L to R:

Ana Lam, Debi

Moore and

Mireya Kilmon.

Ron Rosenau with Rotarians Bill Quensenberry, Carlos Bolado, and Coral Gables Rotary President-Elect Don

Trombly at recent Gables Rotary Wine and Dine for Charity dinner at CRAVE.

Claire Frances Whitehurst checks out Jungle Island’s parrot and snake during VIP reception at FirefightersLuncheon.

SSeenndd eemmaaiill ttoo::

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My name is Sophia Pérez Estevez, I liketo be called Sophie. I am in second gradeat Coral Gables Preparatory Academy andI want to share my appreciation to allteachers but very specially, to mine.

Thanks Mrs. Eva Benitez for helpingme to reach my goals, for teaching mewith patience and make me an A1A stu-dent.

Thanks to be always dedicated andmake sure I understood any new chap-ter or any new assignment.

Thanks for being so sweet and alsowalk the extra mile to make sure I willpass the test.

Thanks for allowing me to be yourassistant in class and with scholastic.

I want to express how much Ienjoyed being in your class this yearand how much I learned aboutdinosaurs and the human body.

Thanks to all the teachers that workso hard to prepare us for our future. Lastbut not least, special thanks to Mrs.Tapanes and Ms. Sosa, my 1st gradeand Kindergarten teachers.

Thanks Mrs. Benitez, I will miss youand never forget you. I wish you andyour family the best.

TTeeaacchheerrss’’ AApppprreecciiaattiioonn DDaayybbyy SSoopphhiiaa PPéérreezz EEsstteevveezz

SOPHIE AND MRS. BENITEZ

Turley Jewelers opens new store,marks 11 years in business

BY JESSE SCHECKNER

Some 150 well-dressed guests recentlyattended the grand opening of TurleyJewelers’ new boutique hosted by ownersEddie and Charlotte De Paula.

As a harpist played tasteful selections,both classical and contemporary, partygo-ers enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres and cock-tails while admiring the elegant new interi-or of the jewelry boutique, which is threetimes the size the of their old store.

“We were kind of tight in our previous loca-tion and we needed to expand to hire moreemployees,” said DePaula, whose family has100 years in the jewelry business. DePaulahas 25 years of experience as a jewelry con-noisseur and specializes in Rolex watches.

The color scheme and design of the newstore is a refined choice of contrasts.Keeping in harmony with the royal purplechosen as the Turley logo, the jewelry padsare the same radiant hue. They are offsetby the ivory white of the walls and theintricately patterned wood lining the exte-rior of the display cases. Florescent lightsamplify the cases and intensify the lumi-nosity of the diamond-adorned pieceswithin. Above the guest reception andlounge area hangs a custom glass chande-lier created by local artist Terje Lundaas.

“I wanted the experience of our store tobe that when you walk in you are trans-ported to another place such as BalHarbour or Rodeo Drive, and no longer ina strip mall,” said Charlotte DePaula.

The jewelry carried at Turley exempli-fies this intent. Popular items of a fleetingfashion will not be found in their cases.

“We try to stay away from the averagethings, so you won’t find five versions of

the same bracelet in our case in five differ-ent colors,” she said. “We’d rather carrystable, timeless pieces that can complimenta person for life.”

Turley Jewelers is named afterCharlotte’s grandmother, Dorice Turley,whose picture hangs in the store workshop.

“She was the matriarch of our family,”said Diane Stewart, Charlotte’s mother.“She would have been so proud of whatEddie and Charlotte have done.”

An additional amenity the larger spacehas afforded is Turley’s exclusive VIProom, set aside as a special buying area forclients purchasing larger, more expensiveitems such as wedding rings, exceptionalkeepsakes or other items.

“I wanted a private consultation roombecause I believe that when someone buyssomething special from us it is a specialmoment in their life,” said DePaula. “Itdeserves that environment instead of justbeing done at the sales station like anyother purchase.”

Turley Jewelers has been in business inPinecrest for 11 years and the De Paulashave developed a strong relationship withthe community. They are active infundraising and benefits, and last monththey donated a percentage of their profit toPinecrest Gardens.

“We’re trying to become even moreactive in the community and we are alwaystrying to do different things,” says DebbieBerman, who joined the team in January.“Whoever needs, we’re giving.”

Turley Jewelers is located at 11219 S.Dixie Hwy. and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,Monday through Saturday. For more infor-mation, call 305-252-1123 or go to<www.turleyjewelers.com>.

Charlotte and

Eddie De

Paula are all

smiles at the

grand opening

of their new

Turley

Jewelers

store.


chagrin of Jackson Memorial Hospital andthe other giant, Baptist Health, the stateapproved 10 beds.

And let’s see what else; early votingwhich had been cut back to eight days is nowgoing to be 14 days and 12 hours per day.That’s great; cuz now there will be more timeto get rid of the clowns at city hall.

And lets see, a favorite topic of boomersdidn’t pass, which was the legalization ofmarijuana for medical purposes. But restassured one way or another it’s coming back asright now some 18 states, plus DC haveapproved medical marijuana use. Additionallythere are some nine other states that havestarting the process to try and legalize the useof pot for medical reasons.

Went to the city commission meeting awhile back and couldn’t help but see HoraceFeliu, the former mayor sitting in the audi-ence. My oh my, he really is checking outthe place once again, getting a feel for it andgetting charged up, I presume for his may-oral run come February.

And speaking of running, how come thethree buffoons on the city commission haven’tbeen run out of town yet. Their ability to majorin the minors is a disgrace and this city wouldbe so much better off if all three would justresign and run for the hills.

My sources tell me that while CommissionersWally and Bobble Head where in Tallahassee oncity business, they were actually asked to leave astate senators office. Yup, the story is theyshowed up in their usual underdressed approach,donned in a type of T-shirt and I’m told and thatthe senator asked them to leave her office and toclose the door behind them. Geez!

Will failure of Miami Dolphins dealhelp Mayor Gimenez’s political fortunesin the future?

With the Miami Dolphins Sun LifeStadium $350 million in upgrades, andabout $280 million in tax concessions over30 years going down in flames on Fridaynight in the Florida Legislature. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez may havedodged a political bullet in the future when

it comes to his reelection cycle in 2016,even while countywide voting on the dealhad proceeded the past week and some60,000 people had voted at the polls or byabsentee ballot. Gimenez said he had strucka much tougher deal than the one for theMiami Marlins stadium, much criticized bycounty residents and said he just wanted togive the professional football team its day incourt, and let the voters decide if it shouldhave gone forward.

However, that is all a moot point now andthe Dolphins are evaluating their options asteam owner Stephen Ross, worth $4.4 billiondecides if he will do some of the renovationsand upgrades himself, or will try again nextyear in the state legislative body. However,with this deal falling through and fails tomeet the NFL deadline of May 22 when thesites for the 50th and 51st Super Bowls willbe held is decided with San Francisco thelikely choice now. Especially since theteam’s new stadium there is also a public/pri-vate project. However, local voters have hada bad taste in they’re mouth since the MiamiMarlins new stadium deal where the publicfeels they were “hosed” when one looks atthe lopsided deal. Where the professionalteam gets almost all the benefits, andGimenez fought the deal when he was acounty commissioner, and had the public andlocal government getting only the monetaryscarps critics say. And this current deal whilebetter was getting mixed traction with coun-ty voters, and had the legislation been suc-cessful. Gimenez in the next reelection cyclecould have felt some political blowback fromthe deal, a problem that he now will avoid.

Moreover, while the Dolphin deal wassaid to generate 4,000 new jobs over thenext few years, had a host of communityleaders as the front men and women for theeffort. The team could not avoid the obsta-cles of a local legislative delegation whooverall were against the deal that statewidealso involved potential funding for five orsix other stadium or racetrack facilities.And the legislation was seen as a major leg-islative policy decision that had not beensufficiently vetted by state legislative lead-ers. The two local legislators that pushed hedeal, and had the most to politically losewere state Senator Oscar Braynon, D-

Miami Gardens and delegation chair stateRep. Eddy Gonzalez, R-Hialeah since ulti-mately their efforts were in vain.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A.Gimenez statement regarding Dolphinsbill outcome.

“The State Legislature did not take actionon the bill to provide an additional 1% main-land tourist tax for the Dolphins’ stadiumrenovations. As a result, and in accordancewith the resolution calling the special elec-tion, I have instructed our ElectionsDepartment to cancel the special electioneffective immediately. The two scheduledmunicipal elections will proceed accordingto plan. It is important to point out that thespecial election did not cost tax payers anymoney, as the Dolphins paid the county $4.7million to cover election expenses – in fact,we estimate that there will be over one mil-lion dollars left over that can be used to meetother county needs. I would like to thankthose voters who took advantage of earlyvoting to express their opinion on the stadi-um issue. My priority from the beginning ofthis process has been to give our voters thefinal say.”

(This item was provided by watchdogreport.net).

Thought of the Day:Few men have virtue to

withstand the highest bidder.— President George Washington

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

AROUND TOWN, from page 1

Shaida Brackin and Former Vice Mayor RandyWiscombe are seen enjoying themselves at theBaptist Hospital Breast Center Fundraiser at theMarriott Marquis on Brickell Ave.

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where the chief has violated the law andprocedures,” said Mayor Stoddard in aninterview, “the more I look into it, the moreproblems I see.”

The problems may have begun duringthe mayor’s re-election campaign inJanuary of 2012 when a 911 dispatchersent a squad car out to a residence com-plaining about “solicitors.” The “solicitor”was campaigning for the mayor who criti-cized the decision to respond to the call asinterference with the democratic process.

“This all goes back to the election andhis (the mayor’s) delusion that the chiefwas playing politics with his opponent,”said Chief supporter CommissionerValerie Newman. Since then the list ofcomplaints grew to include the mayor’sassertion that friends and neighbors weretargeted for arrest and forfeiture fundswere being misspent.

Chief Martinez de Castro is currentlybeing investigated by the Miami-DadeEthics Commission on the charge of steer-ing business to his wife’s company. Basedon pending litigation and the advice of hisattorney Simon T. Steckel, he chose to notcomment for the story.

During Interim Manager Alexander’sinaugural city commission meeting onJanuary 11, Mayor Stoddard, CommissionerBob Welsh, and Commissioner WalterHarris passed a symbolic “no confidence”resolution against the chief. CommissionerNewman and Vice Mayor Josh Liebmanwere the dissenting votes.

“He (Mayor Stoddard) is so hung up onwhether or not the purchase of $80 forcanine vitamins was a legitimate expense,”said Vice Mayor Liebman, “It’s so petty.The constant slandering reflects poorly onthe entire city, everything that’s been writ-ten about the chief is just amateur, childishand pathetic.”

Stoddard claims he regularly receivesconfidential complaints from cops againstthe chief: “Cops have told me they are verymuch supportive of my efforts to see thechief go. I get anonymous letters written bya girlfriend, daughter-kids handwriting.You won’t get a quote because they knowthat anybody who says anything will gethis head chopped off.”

Alexander acknowledges that morale isdown city wide. “You can’t have theturnover in management in a city this size

with this much stuff going on and not demor-alize people.” Alexander’s May 16 meetingto review a bonus for SMPD, may be affect-ed by a recent stalemate on approval of hispending $175,000 a year contract.

“In the last three years there have beensix managers and the effects of that can beseen,” said Alexander. Former CityManager Hector Mirabile was fired by thesame trio of commissioners opposing thechief as Mirabile was about to begin policecontract negotiations.

Preceding his removal, Stoddardemailed Mirabile his own crime analysisreport. He later claimed it was prematurelyleaked to staff. The Police BenevolentAssociation subsequently submitted a pub-lic records request to look into a formalrecall process for Mayor Stoddard andCommissioner Welsh.

“We are feeling desperate, frustrated,and morale is lower than it has ever been,”said PBA Representative for SMPDDetective Jose Lopez. “Before Mirabilewas fired in November 2012 he was gettingready to negotiate a salary merit increase.But the mayor took it upon himself to dothe city manager’s job and negotiate direct-ly with us. He reviewed the budget, if Irecall correctly, and the city manager blewa gasket.”

Stoddard questions Detective Lopez’sposition. “Detective Lopez is really the

chief’s assistant and he is extremely loyalto the chief. I can tell you he wrote falsethings in my burglary file six months after.He has been out to get me with the chief sotake what he says with a grain of salt.”

Stoddard says he wants officers to knowhe appreciates them and is simply doing hisjob. “When it is called to my attention thata member of the city staff is violating thelaw, I have an obligation to take it serious-ly and investigate.”

Although crime is down in SouthMiami as opposed to an uptick in sur-rounding Pinecrest, Coral Gables, andunincorporated Dade, he does not attrib-ute these successes,-nor the celebratedtwo minute response time—to the chief’sleadership.

“I am in awe of the department,” saidCommissioner Newman. “If it was any-body else you would see a total shut downby now, but the chief is a professional andperseveres. Because of his leadership weare seeing an incredible reduction incrime.”

Interim Manager Alexander has made itclear publicly that he is the only one who isable to fire the police chief. When asked ifhe was impressed with his performance todate Alexander said, “I think the crimenumbers are pretty good and you knowthat’s a major factor in how you view yourpolice department.”

CAMPAIGN, from page 1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


Coalition, which is sponsored by InformedFamilies. This year, the celebration beganwith the SOMI Sidewalk Sale on Saturday,which showcased the wares of nearly 20local merchants, who will donate a portionof their sale proceeds to the coalition. OnSunday, five area restaurants serving brunchdonated a portion of their receipts to thecoalition. Later that afternoon, MercuryMorris, Miami Dolphins Perfect Seasonteam member, talked to a group gathered atThe Shops at Sunset Place about how choic-es and consequences shaped his life andhow these same forces impact youth today.Local marriage and family therapist WaltLiebman moderated the discussion.

That night, more than 70 elected officials,civic and business leaders, youth and parentsbattled for title of official King Pins, definedas the team that raised the most pledges.Coalition Director Margaret Sotham said shewas thrilled with the response to this firstChallenge Weekend. “South Miami has sucha unique and vibrant business community,and that’s a critical part of a healthy commu-nity,” said Sotham. “We want to support theircontinued prosperity, and they have demon-strated their commitment to youth in SouthMiami and to helping the coalition grow.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A.Gimenez and NBA Hall of Fame Finalist TimHardaway once again served as honorary co-chairs for The King Pins Challenge, andMercury Morris and NFL player KennardCox joined in to cheer on the teams and havepictures taken with the bowlers. Teams partic-ipating included Chamber South, City ofSouth Miami, First National Bank of SouthMiami, South Miami Hospital AddictionTreatment Center, South Miami Police

Department, South Miami Police ExplorersPost #256, South Miami Senior High Schooland TeamFootWorks and the Tim HardawayFoundation. The Coalition also fielded twoteams and sponsored a kids’ lane, where theyoungest bowlers tried their hand at the sport.

Voces de America Mariachi, sponsoredby The MexZican Gourmet, kicked off theevent with a performance as bowlers pre-pared to do battle and guests dined onSplitsville’s fantastic pizza and slider buf-fet. Local magicians Ron Olmsted and JeffSilver, both members of the InternationalBrotherhood of Magicians-Ring 45/Miamiand of the South Miami/Coral Gables ElksLodge 1676, entertained guests of all ages,while players and spectators shopped at asilent auction that included sports memora-bilia, spa and beauty gifts, vacation staysand products and services from severallocal merchants. A raffle drawing featuredthree prizes: his and hers bicycles donatedby Mack Cycle & Fitness, an anti-agingtreatment package from VIDA Day Spa &Wellness Center, and a one-week resortstay from Interval International.

At the Awards Ceremony following thetournament, the ‘King Pins’ trophy forhighest team pledges went to the SouthMiami Police Explorers team. The City ofSouth Miami team won the “High Roller”trophy for scoring the most points. KenKistner of Team Chamber South was alsorecognized for garnering the most individ-ual pledges; Martha Cortez was recognizedfor the highest individual score of thenight. Photos of the event are posted atwww.facebook.com/drugfreecoalition.

Sponsors recognized at the event were:Chamber South, John Edward SmithCommunications, Mack Cycle & Fitness,Police Benevolent Association, SouthMiami Hospital Addiction TreatmentCenter, TeamFootWorks and The Shops atSunset place. Other lane and contributingsponsors were: City of South Miami Mayorand Commissioners, First National Bank ofSouth Miami, Interval International, LAZParking, Rotary Club of South Miami andVIDA Day Spa & Wellness Center.Community Newspapers served as mediasponsor for the event.

Merchants and restaurants participating inThe Challenge Weekend were Barceloneta,Bhoom Shanti, BlueFish Sport, BlushBoutique, Cream, D.Find on Sunset, Eberjey,Elements of Time, FootWorks, Isabel FineHome Furnishings, Margaux Interiors,Marhaba Mediterranean Cuisine, MarisolBoutique, SoMi So U Boutique, Sushi Maki,STA (Second Time Around), Studio LX, TheMexZican Gourmet, TOWN Kitchen & Bar,Tupelo Honey, The Dressing Room, VIDADay Spa & Wellness Center and VIGI Now.

For information on the work of the SouthMiami Drug-Free Coalition, contact 305-856-4037.

(Photos by Robert Parente and John Edward Smith)

CHALLENGE, from page 1

Members of the South Miami Police Explorers team ended the night as “King Pins,’ winning the trophy for rais-ing the most pledges of any team. They are from left: Explorer Justin Shepard, Explorer Christian Urueta, ExplorerBrian Nieblas, Explorer Ayleen Perez, Lt. Jeneth Sanchez, and Explorer Christian Rosado.

Carlos Marenco with LAZ Parking proudly shows off his score: a pair of bikes donated by Mack Cycle & Fitness.

Members of Team City of South Miami pose with city officials and celebrity guests, from left, front row:Commissioner Walter Harris, Carmen Baker, Marcus Lightfoot, Marta Cortes, Lorraine Council, Mercury Morris,Margaret Sotham and John Edward Smith; back row: Mayor Philip K. Stoddard, Tim Hardaway, Kennard Cox,Manuel Mongolo, Carlos Marenco and Shenise Truesdell.

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Vice Mayor Josh Liebman has his game face on as hecompetes in The King Pins Challenge V at Splitsville.


BY WAYNE E. STRINGER President, Broker of Stringer Realty Services, Inc.

An important component of a successfulmedical practice is the right medical office.Location, size, efficiency and comfort areessential to your business’ success. As in allthings, the details will dictate the outcome.So, it’s important to properly plan the layoutof your new medical office.

A medical office differs from a traditionaloffice. It functions more like a reception areaat a luxury hotel. It is the hub that providesdirection, information, billing, payment andappointment scheduling. This hub should effi-ciently and comfortably handle the large num-ber of people who come and go. It is essentialthat it make a good first impression with yourpatients. It is also essential that the staff cancontinue to efficiently perform accounting,filing and secretarial operations as well.

A medical office also functions as a ware-house for a wide assortment of supplies rangingfrom tongue depressors and medications, topatient files, all of which need to be readilyavailable, carefully handled and properlystored.

Taking into consideration the need for suffi-cient space, accessibility, efficient work spacefor staff and patient’s comfort will contribute tothe success of your operation. With this in mind,here’s how to plan your perfect medical space:

• Make your waiting room comfortable

and inviting. Not only is this the first impres-sion for new patients, it also impacts the mindsetof the existing patient. Make the experience pos-itive.

Unfortunately, most patients do not lookforward to doctor visits. It is best to avoid coldand cavernous waiting rooms. Small waitingrooms are more efficient and comfortable.The space should be well lit and décor shouldbe warm, colorful and interesting. Thoughtfulappointments such as drinking water, currentreading materials and a television will go along way to making patients more relaxedabout their visit and unexpected long waitseasier to tolerate.

• Make your reception/administration

area large enough for multi-tasking. Thisarea of the office is generally the most diversein its functions. It should be sized to accom-modate patient reception, payment billingand/or receipt, accounting, patient files andappointment scheduling. Also, it is best to beprepared for future success. As your patientbase increases, you will need more space.

• Look for ways to minimize foot traffic.

This will also minimize noise and other dis-tractions. A preliminary exam station can bevery effective in reducing hallway traffic.

Locate it somewhere just beyond the waitingarea. Here, staff can perform basic tasks suchas taking temperatures and vital signs beforeescorting patients to an exam room. If thespace is going to have internal restrooms,place these up front and close to the prelimi-nary exam room. This will allow patients whorequire lab work only to be cared for withouthaving to walk through exam space and otherrooms of activity.

• Lay out examination rooms efficiently.

Staff members are a great source for sugges-tions on ways in which to improve theseareas. Minimally, exam rooms should incor-porate uniformity, storage space and displayof supplies. They should have writing sur-faces for physicians and privacy for patients.If your space will have a view, consider plac-ing these where patients can enjoy it. Thiscan have a calming effect while they wait.

• Keep it warm and comfortable

throughout the office. The purpose of youroffice is to provide medical care to yourpatients. The office environment as a wholemay play a role in patients’ healing and intheir attitude toward physicians and staff.Therefore, your selection of office furnish-ings, wall decorations, lighting and colorpalate is integral to the patient’s overallexperience and perceptions of well-being.Consider these details and seek the advice ofan interior designer if necessary.

• Use a space planning tool. There is avariety of diagramming software available onthe market that will help you design yourspace. However, if you are considering a spe-cific building, it probably has an architect thatuses CADD (computer aided design anddrafting software) to create tenant spaceplans. The architect utilizing CADD can cre-ate, modify, analyze and optimize a designthat fits your specific needs.

As the leasing representative of several med-ical office buildings, Stringer Realty Servicesprovides this service free to prospective tenantsin order to determine how much space is need-ed and where it would best fit within a specificbuilding. This can be an invaluable amenity.

If your medical office is properly designedand efficiently sized, it will increase patientand staff comfort, reduce staff fatigue, meetyour patients’ healthcare needs, demon-strate your professionalism and ultimatelysave you money.

Wayne E. Stringer is a commercial realestate broker with 24 years of experience inthe industry. He specializes in medical officebuilding brokerage, management, leasingand tenant representation. Contact him at305-256-1261, 305-772-2801.

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BY ROSA QUIROZ

As part of her two-year term leading theMiami-Dade County Commission, chairRebeca Sosa hopes to provide access to resi-dents of all areas within the county by hostingthe first offsite commission meeting onTuesday, May 21, 8:30 a.m., at the SouthMiami-Dade Cultural Arts Center.

Typically, commission meetings are held at

the Commission Chamber of the Stephen P.Clark Center in Downtown Miami, but Sosahas a mission to bring meetings to other areasof the community, such as South Dade, NorthDade and possibly university campuses. Theaim is to bring government closer to residents.

The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center islocated at 10950 SW 211 St. in Cutler Bay. Formore information, visit <www.smdcac.org> or callthe office of Commissioner Sosa at 305-375-4696.

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BY JESSICA DROUET

The National Court of Honor of the BoyScouts of America will recognize CarlosArboleya’s 53 years of adult service withthe BSA’s oldest and highest commenda-tion for extraordinary and truly noteworthyservice of a national character to Scoutingand the youth of America — the SilverBuffalo Award.

One of South Florida’s most recognizedbusinessmen, Arboleya’s success story is thatof the American dream. After arriving inMiami in 1959 from Cuba, he rose from aninventory clerk to vice president at a shoefactory. He then reentered banking, the indus-try in which he worked in Cuba. In a shorttime, Arboleya made a name for himself.

He continuously used the recognition tosupport the community and his true pas-sion, working for the advancement andguidance of local youth. It is this passionthat has led to Arboleya’s participation inthe Boy Scouts of America.

The success of Hispanic Scouting inSouth Florida is attributed largely toArboleya’s leadership, commitment andeffort, both personally and financially. Herecruited and trained the manpower to leadand organize troops in Miami’s Hispaniccommunity. He is the founder of theLincoln-Marti Boy and Girl ScoutCamporee, held at the Carlos J. ArboleyaCamping and Picnic Grounds in Miami forthe past 43 years, which is attended byapproximately 3,500 Scouts annually.

Arboleya is a recipient of numerousScouting awards, including the SilverBeaver Award on the council level, theSilver Antelope Award on the regionalbasis, the Vale la Pena (It Is Worthwhile)national award, the St. George Award fromthe National Catholic Committee onScouting and the Cuban Silver Fleur-de-

Lis symbolizing the Scout movement inCuba before communism.

Created in 1925, the first Silver BuffaloAward was conferred upon Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movementand Chief Scout of the World, with othernotable recipients including: Charles A.Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, James A.Lovell Jr., John Glenn, Neil Armstrong,Norman Rockwell, Charles M. Schulz,Walt Disney, Hank Aaron, VinceLombardi, Bob Hope, Marian Anderson,Irving Berlin, Art Linkletter, MarianWright, H. Ross Perot, J.W. Marriott,General Colin L. Powell, Bill Gates and 14presidents of the United States.

The Silver Buffalo Award will be pre-sented to Arobleya at the national annualmeeting of the Boy Scouts of America inDallas, TX, on May 24.

For more information on the Boy Scoutsof America, visit <www.scouting.org>.

Carlos Arboleya –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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BY ROXANA ROMERO

Miami Dade College (MDC) is no

stranger to prestigious honors. It is ranked

among the top colleges in the U.S., with a

commitment to quality, diversity, innova-

tion and best practices.

The latest honor comes from American

Association of Community Colleges

(AACC) which conferred upon MDC its

Advancing Diversity Award for its signifi-

cant contributions — over a sustained peri-

od of time — to advancing diversity in

community college leadership, the com-

munity, and within higher education as a

whole.

The first award of its kind, it recognizes

MDC’s ongoing dedication to social equity

for all students and personnel; reflects the

diversity of its community and student

population; models innovative and pro-

gressive practices that support institutional

diversity, and maintains and advocates for

policies that support diversity at local,

state, and national levels.

Under the leadership of Dr. Eduardo J.

Padrón, MDC’s president, the college

has graduated more Hispanics and

African-Americans than any other col-

lege in the country. MDC students repre-

sent 185 countries and speak 94 lan-

guages; in terms of its full-time work-

force, 75 percent of administrators, 63

percent of faculty, and 88 percent of staff

are minorities.

“This recognition is truly on behalf of

everyone who is part of what we call

‘Democracy’s College.’ Diversity is a cor-

nerstone in everything we do. At MDC, we

have proven that diversity, open access and

quality can go hand in hand,” Dr. Padrón

said.

The awards ceremony took place on Apr.

23 during the AACC’s 93rd annual con-

vention in San Francisco.

The AACC established the Awards of

Excellence to align with key recommenda-

tions of the 21st Century Commission on

the Future of Community Colleges, a blue-

ribbon group that issued its findings last

spring. Its mission is to elevate communi-

ty colleges that are at the vanguard of pro-

gressive practices. Finalists for the AACC

Awards of Excellence were chosen by a

specially appointed committee of the

AACC board of directors.

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Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Walter Bumphus, AACC president and CEO; Dr. Leonore Rodicio, MDC vice provost forStudent Achievement), and Dr. Marie Foster Gnage, AACC board chair.

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Interval International employees recently volunteered at the Fruit and Spice Park as part of the company’s annual Community Service Day activities in support of Earth Day. Some 60 Miami-based staff members participated inlandscape maintenance projects in various exhibit areas at the public facility, the only tropical botanical garden of its kind in the United States.



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BY DONNA VAN DER DIJS

West Kendall Baptist Hospital has namedAída Shafer as chair of its board of directors.Shafer, who previously served as vice chair,replaces the late Tony Alonso who died inOctober 2012.

Shafer is owner of the certified publicaccounting firm Viciana & Shafer PA inCoral Gables. She is a graduate of FloridaState University and an active volunteer inlocal Christian organizations. She alsoserves on the Baptist Health South Floridaboard of trustees.

Scott Weston, a broker/partner with thecommercial real estate firm Maddux andCompany, has been named vice chair of theWest Kendall Baptist Hospital board.Weston serves on the board of trustees ofBaptist Health, as well as the boards of theBaptist Health South Florida Foundation,Baptist Health Enterprises and BaptistOutpatient Services.

“Aída Shafer has served in various leader-ship positions in the Baptist Health networkand is a founding member of the board ofWest Kendall Baptist Hospital,” said JavierHernández-Lichtl, CEO of West KendallBaptist Hospital.

“She has a deep knowledge of our opera-tions and is well-equipped to lead our boardas we continue to grow and expand our serv-ices,” he added.

“I have big shoes to fill, as Tony Alonsowas widely respected and loved throughoutBaptist Health,” Shafer said. “He recruitedme to serve on this board. As the hospitalenters its second year of operation, I hope tocontinue his legacy of strong and principledleadership for the benefit of the residents ofWest Kendall.”

All board members serve as volunteers,without compensation. They also must abideby a rigid conflict-of-interest policy that pre-vents them or their family members from

doing business with Baptist Health or any ofits subsidiaries.

West Kendall Baptist Hospital celebratesits second anniversary this month. It is hometo an accredited family practice residencyprogram as part of a formal academic affili-ation between Baptist Health and FloridaInternational University’s Herbert WertheimCollege of Medicine.

Baptist Health, the region’s largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organiza-tion, has more than 12,000 employees and isthe area’s largest private employer. BaptistHealth includes Baptist Hospital, SouthMiami Hospital, Doctors Hospital,Homestead Hospital, Baptist Children’sHospital, Baptist Cardiac & VascularInstitute, West Kendall Baptist Hospital,Baptist Outpatient Services and BaptistHealth Enterprises.

Baptist Health Foundation, the organiza-tion’s fundraising arm, supports services atall hospitals and facilities affiliated withBaptist Health.

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Aída Shafer–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


BY DANIEL MUTTER

Palmer Trinity School hosted its 22ndannual Book Fair on Monday, Apr. 22, fea-turing local New York Times bestsellingauthor James Grippando.

Parents transformed the school gymnasi-um into an elegant dining room with tablethemes like “Nancy Drew Mysteries” and“The Nutcracker.”

Money raised at the Book Fair sup-ports Palmer Trinity Matheson Librarywith funding for books, library automa-tion software, furniture, shelving andspecial projects. In the past two years,

proceeds from the event greatlyenhanced online research databases,which provide an invaluable resource forstudent research.

The Book Fair continued with a week-long campus book sale for students, facul-ty, and staff thanks to Books and Books.This year, the event helped raise over$11,000. Most importantly, the eventhelped strengthen the intellectual missionof the library through promoting love forbooks, reading, and the attainment of aca-demic excellence.

For more information about the school,visit <www.palmertrinity.org>.

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Head of School Sean Murphy (left) presents thank you gifts to Book Fair co-chairs Kitty Koch Espinosa (right) andDiane Lary.

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BY ROXANA ROMERO

Miami Dade College’s (MDC) softballhead coach Gina De Aguero hit one out ofthe park for the team, clinching the 2013Southern Conference Coach of the YearAward.

The Miami native, now in her secondyear as MDC’s softball coach, steered theLady Sharks to first place at the SouthernConference Championship.

Coaching for the past 10 years, DeAguero has used her extensive experience

to lead her Kendall Campus team to a 28-12 season, thus far. She and the LadySharks took what they learned on the fieldand competed in the state tournament, thefirst week of May. In 2012, MDC came insecond place in its conference.

MDC has a winning sports history. Itsathletic teams have earned a total of 33NJCAA titles, and many of the college’sbaseball players have gone on to excel inthe Major Leagues. Most recently, the soft-ball team was the 2010 national championsquad.

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Pictured (l-r) are head softball coach Gina De Aguero and assistant coaches Jennifer Gniadek, Katherine Cabreraand Jennifer Alfonso.

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


BY LEE STEPHENS

With the warm summer months aheadmany families will be spending more timepoolside or at the beach, so there is no timelike the present to prepare your child forbeing safe in and around water.

The Miami-Dade County Commissionhas designated the month of May as “WaterSafety Month,” during which the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and OpenSpaces Department is partnering with theParks Foundation of Miami-Dade to height-en public awareness about the urgency forall youth to receive water safety instructionand swimming lessons to prevent drowning.

In support of this initiative, families areencouraged to attend informative learn-to-swim “Summer Safety Splash” communityevents and register their children for Miami-Dade County Parks’ Learn-to-Swim classes.

Nationally, drowning is the second-lead-ing cause of injury-related death among chil-dren ages 1-14. Florida has the second-high-est number of drowning incidents in theUnited States, and Miami-Dade Countyleads the state in drowning deaths.

“We live in a county surrounded by water,so it is critical that citizens make water safe-ty and swimming lessons a priority for theirchildren,” said Miami-Dade Mayor CarlosA. Gimenez. “These essential skills can helpsave lives. Just one drowning is too many.”

Miami-Dade Parks director Jack Kardysadded, “To keep children safe around water,they need to learn how to swim. Our Miami-Dade Parks Learn-to-Swim classes empow-er children and enable them to safely enjoy alifetime of fun in and around the water.”

Free community events are presented byMiami-Dade County Parks and MiamiChildren’s Hospital, with support fromAvMed Health Plans, Assurant, the LarryLittle Legends Golf Classic and other sup-

porters of the Swim for Jenny MemorialFund. The fund provides free swimming les-sons to disadvantaged children.

More information is available at<www.swimforjenny.org>. Activities willinclude drowning rescue demonstrations;swimming lesson demonstrations; interac-tive activities related to water safety; super-vised water fun for children in the pool andsplash playground, and information on theimportance of water safety from communityleaders.

Locally, the Summer Safety Splash willtake place on May 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., atA.D. Barnes Pool, 3401 SW 72 Ave. It issponsored by Miami-Dade CountyCommission chair Rebecca Sosa.

Miami-Dade County Parks Learn-to-Swim classes are taught by certifiedAmerican Red Cross Water SafetyInstructors. Learn-to-Swim classes includeParent and Tot (ages 2=5), Levels 1-6 (ages6-18) and adults.

For more information or to register, con-tact the pool of your interest.

Area year-round pools:

• A.D. Barnes Pool, 3401 SW 72 Ave.,

305- 665-1626;

• Helen Sands Pool, 16350 SW 280 St.,

305-248-1386, and

• Tamiami Pool, 11201 SW 24 St., 305-

223-7077.

Area seasonal pools (open summer

months only):

• Naranja Pool, 14150 SW 264 St., 305-

257-0404;

• Sgt. Joseph Delancy Pool, 14375 Boggs

Dr., 305-238-5692, and

• Tropical Estates Pool, 10201 SW 48 St.,

305-221-5041.

All pools are outdoors and pool lifts are

available at all pools.

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7320 SW 146 Terrace........................................Palmetto BayLovely 4.3 + office + bonus room on 21,000sf lot with lushfoliage and private backyard with sparkling pool & patio. Woodfloors, granite kitchen, light and bright! Over 4,100sf in excel-lent school district. Sales Price $650,000.

1421 Ancona Avenue...........................................….Coral GablesFrench Colonial Charmer totally renovated in ’06. 3 Bdrms + office+ game room, 3.5 Baths, 1 car garage. Stunning finishes.www.1421AnconaAve.com Offered at $990,000

9840 SW 96 Street……...........................................…Killian AreaRepresented Buyer, listed by Maggie Dokic of Keller WilliamsRealty. Charming 1966 home with 3 bdrms, 2.5 baths & 2 cargarage on 49,500sf lot. Sales Price: $445,000.

6740 SW 94 Street...........……..................................….PinecrestUnique 2-story home on half acre in Pinecrest Elementary schooldistrict with 4 Bdrms, 3.5 Baths, new roof, granite kitchen, fire-place, resort style pool and loaded with mature oaks and fruittrees. Offered at $797,000

2575 S Bayshore Drive, Unit 5B........................Coconut GroveRepresented BUYER, Listing agent is Nancy Yialouris of YialourisRealty. Spacious 3/2 with stunning views, wood floors and over-sized balconies. Over 1,750sf. Sales Price $625,000

www.miamispecialhomes.com • Email: [email protected]

Coral Reef Medical Park Office/Condo…..near Jackson SouthHospital. 9299 SW 152 Street, Unit 206 – Pediatrician’s office –Over 1,230sf with 4 patient rooms, 2 bathrooms, exec office, jun-ior office, lab, file room, administration. Offered at $225,000 forsale or $3,000/mo. Lease.

6355 SW 113 Street...........…….................................….PinecrestGated Acre with N/S Tennis Court! Lovingly maintained 3/3,sparkling pool/patio, ready for your updates. Sales Price $710,000.

13631 Deering Bay Drive, Unit 217.................…...Coral GablesRepresented Buyer, Listed By Mary Arias of MET PropertiesPadua at Deering Bay! 3/2.5, over 2,700sf with large master suite,family room, eat in kitchen and wrap around balcony. Amazingopportunity at $599,000

305.903.8845

12180 SW 71 Court.......................................................PinecrestCharm Galore in this stunning Jennings home with 4 bedrooms,3 baths, 2 car garage and beautifully landscaped yard and sparklingpool. Entertainer’s Delight! Cul-de-sac, updated kitchen/baths, impactwindows, wood floors, and more! Over 3,400sf. Offered at: $849,000

SOLD

Gated Snapper Creek Lakes.............................Coral Gables5505 Arbor Lane - Traditional Elegance and Southern Charmnestled on 1.18 acres. Three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2-cargarage, gorgeous pool/patio, totally updated in 2007.www.5505ArborLane.com. Sales Price $2,200,000.

9501 Kerwood Court................................................Coral GablesMediterranean Masterpiece designed by David Johnson and builtby HOLLUB. Private acre estate next to nature preserve. Six bed-rooms + office, 7.5 baths, 3 car garage. Resort style pool, summerkitchen, guest wing, courtyards, wrap around balconies. over7,200sf. www.9501KerwoodCourt.com Offered at $2,975,000.

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The Ohio State Buckeyes Softball team (8U age division) won the Howard Palmetto Softball 1 champi-onship. The girls finished the season with a 11-5 record and went on to win all their games in the play-offs, including the championship on Apr. 20. Pictured with their trophies are (l-r, top row) coachesKristina Picon and Luis Zabala; (middle row) Zaria Wright, Alyssa Zabala, Sophia Moran, Riley Diedrick,and Samantha Diedrick; (bottom row) Tatiana Christin-Smith, Annelise Alvarez, Lauren Blanco, KaitlynOikle, Angelina Diaz and Gianna Perez.

BY JENNIFER CAMINAS

Radio Lollipop, Miami Children’s

Hospital’s (MCH) in-house radio station,

will host a night filled with fun and laugh-

ter at its annual “A Night at the Improv.”

The comedy show will take place at 7:30

p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Miami

Improv, 3390 Mary St. in Coconut Grove.

Local comedians Dean Napolitano, Jon

Vargas and Orlando Leyba will donate

their time to bring smiles to attendees. This

year’s show, hosted by DJ106.5’s DJ Laz

and NBC6’s Roxanne Vargas, will benefit

the renovation of the 16-year-old radio sta-

tion, which brings joy, laughter, play and

entertainment to hospitalized children at

Miami Children’s Hospital.

Tickets for the event can be purchased

for $30 each and one ticket is good for two

admissions. Raffle tickets also can be pur-

chased for the chance to win one of many

donated prizes, including a trip for two to

Curacao courtesy of Viva Travel, a seven-

day Royal Caribbean Cruise, a two-night

stay at the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, brunch

for two at the Biltmore Hotel and many

more. This year’s raffle tickets are 6 for

$20 or 15 for $30.

Radio Lollipop was founded in England

and MCH was the first hospital to establish

a U.S. program. Radio Lollipop is the only

hospital-run radio program in South

Florida. A group of talented and passionate

volunteers provide entertainment, music,

crafts and activities to hospitalized children

on a weekly basis.

During program hours patients can visit

the studio, help Radio Lollipop presenters

ddejay the show, work on creative activi-

ties, win on-air prizes and request songs.

Radio Lollipop at MCH broadcasts live

from the main playroom studio every

Terrific Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday and

Thrilling Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

To purchase “Night at the Improv” and

raffle tickets contact Miami Children’s

Hospital’s Community and Volunteer

Resources Department at 786-624-4431 or

visit miamiimprov.com.

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BY RITA DIAZ

Everyone likes to share special momentswith friends and family and everyone loves agreat party, but did you know that Mosesalso told us it was a good thing to do? Hereminded the people who were just about toenter the Promised Land that it was impera-tive to take time to celebrate and rejoice overtheir good fortune.

Although we really don’t need permissionfrom a Biblical leader to have a party, it’sgood to know that we’re following God’sword when we do. Temple Beth Am is host-ing a Party and Bridal Expo and to help youget started planning, whether it’s a bris, baror bat mitzvah, christening, quince or wed-ding. The Expo is free and open to everyoneon Sunday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,at Temple Beth Am, 5950 N. Kendall Dr.

Invite your friends, family, neighbors andco workers. There will be tons of food sam-pling, specialty drinks and lots of great give-aways.

Life cycle events are cause for celebration.In Judaism, when a baby boy is born, weplan a bris on the eighth day of his life. Thisevent includes a ritual circumcision, whichconnects the child to his Jewish heritage dat-ing back to Abraham’s covenant with God.

Boys receive a Hebrew name at their Bris,while baby girls are given a Hebrew nameduring a ceremony held during worship serv-ices. At the age of 13, Jewish boys and girlsmay become a bar or bat mitzvah, which lit-erally means son (bar) or daughter (bat) ofthe Commandments. This rite of passagedefines our youth as adults in the communi-ty, responsible for carrying out full moraland religious duties.

The next life-cycle event is the weddingand the synagogue hosts many of them in thebeautiful sanctuary (complete with bride’sroom), chapel and exquisite ballroom. Callfor a tour.

And, then there are birthdays, anniver-saries, graduations and so many otheraccomplishments and blessings that areworth commemorating with a special cele-bration. At the Party and Bridal Expo, youwill find party-related vendors that canaddress all of your needs and answer all ofyour questions. Take advantage of thisopportunity to meet and interview these dif-ferent vendors in one place.

So, who can you meet and talk to at theParty and Bridal Expo? Who will give youideas and suggestions? There will be photog-raphers, videographers, bands and deejays.The florists can design a whole room or cre-ate an intimate centerpiece for a dinner party.Looking for party favors? There will be sev-eral options. Stationery and invitation needswill be met as well. If you are looking forentertainment or set designers, they will bethere too. Party planners will be able to pointyou in the right direction and take direction!Caterers and venue representatives will beable to help with menu ideas and locationdetails and area hotels can provide accom-modations for your guests.

In addition to meeting the Party and BridalExpo vendors, you will be given a free book-let to take home and use as a reference guide.This resource will supply additional namesand contact numbers of vendors that can helpprovide party-related services.

So, come join the fun, whether you’replanning something for next week, nextmonth or next year.

And let’s remember Moses’ words to thepeople, that not only must you take time tocelebrate and rejoice, but it’s in thosemoments that we can fully appreciate all theblessings given to us by God.

For more information on the Party andBridal Expo or for details about congrega-tion membership incentives, call 305-667-6667, ext. 107, or send email to<[email protected]>.

PPaarrttyy aanndd BBrriiddaall EExxppoo ccoommiinnggttoo TTeemmppllee BBeetthh AAmm,, MMaayy 1199

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Other restaurant call you customerWe call you Family.



BY GARY ALAN RUSE

Miami artist and educator Tracy Ellyn has been using herskills and knowledge of art in an unexpected way with aprogram called the Zen Tov Project. Its purpose is healing.

“I started the project about 20 years ago while contem-plating Picasso’s quote, ‘The meaning of life is to findyour gift; the purpose of life is to give it away’,” Ellynsaid. “I had just enjoyed two decades of a fashion designcareer in New York and Europe, and it was time to sharethis gift, which was so freely given to me by the universe,with the next generation. In particular, I was interested ingiving to those of talent or need who would otherwise nothave such an opportunity.”

Having met Mark Knobel, president of The Life QuestFoundation, she joined forces with him to create the ZenTov Project, which is the therapeutic arts branch of LifeQuest. Life Quest advocates for individuals with a varietyof impediments who are unable to navigate the maze ofsocial services.

“My goal is to help people use the creative process toheal, improve their well-being and overcome their circum-stances, whether physical, emotional, mental, spiritual,financial, familial, bereavement, or any other life-relatedcircumstances,” she said.

“The creative process is healing and life-enhancing,whether due to an inner state or an outer catastrophicevent. We want to provide cathartic expression, as well astalent-related opportunities that could provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to fulfill their gift and/or move out

of their circumstances.”In the past she has through her project provided such

things as art and school supplies to Haitian orphanagesafter the earthquake, art classes and art therapy consulta-tions for special needs youth and adults, art scholarshipsfor Miami’s magnet art students of talent who could notafford their class museum trips, and tickets to special per-forming art events to children and teens that were chal-lenged physically, mentally or financially.

She has used art projects to help adolescent teens in sub-stance abuse rehabilitation programs and various supportgroups, anti-bullying groups, and by donating gallery artpieces as fundraising for non-profit organizations. She alsohas done murals for in-need institutions that wish to pro-mote their important work or enhance their environment.

“I will soon be doing projects with the Children’sBereavement Center, helping youngsters express theirgrief through the creation of emotion sculptures and artjournaling,” Ellyn said. “The goal of the Miami-basedCBC is to enable children and families to acknowledgechange and integrate loss with healthful grief and mourn-ing. Later in the year, I plan to do artwork with foster chil-dren and teens in the areas of self-esteem and transitioningto adult life.”

For information search the Zen Tov Project on Google+where a blog and inspiring photos and videos can befound.

“We are grateful to be able to continue to provide arts-related services and experiences that can help transformlives both locally and around the world,” she said.

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Tracy Ellyn of The Zen Tov Project (left) and Ana Carolina Moreno of ArtCenter Miami are pictured during their art opening at Aba House Gallery.The event raised funds from the proceeds for the Emmaus MedicalMission to Guatemala.


BY MICHELLE HAMMONTREE-GARCIA

The City of Sweetwater hosted an activeshooter multi-agency, hands-on tacticaltraining event on May 1, from 4 to 7:45 a.m.,in Dolphin Mall.

The active shooter scenario started with uni-form patrol units responding to an activeshooter at Dolphin Mall. The subject was takeninto custody while at least three more armedsubjects were loose in the mall. There alsowere several victims remaining inside the mall.

The tactical training slowed down to per-form a methodical search using K-9 units andSWAT personnel, while uniformed units res-cued victims. Victims were carried outside to

awaiting ambulances.Agencies that participated include:

Sweetwater Police Department, FloridaInternational University Police, Hialeah Police,Homestead Police Department, VirginiaGardens Police Department, Coral GablesPolice Department, Hollywood PoliceDepartment, Miami-Dade Police Department,South Florida Reception Center, North MiamiBeach Police Department, Miami GardensPolice Department, Pinecrest PoliceDepartment, Custom Boarder and Protection,Homeland Security Investigations, DoralPolice Department, Federal Bureau ofInvestigations, School Board PoliceDepartment and El Portal Police Department.

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May 1multi-agencyactiveshootertrainingevent drawsunits toDolphinMall in thewee hoursof themorning.


BY BRIAN CULLEN

The 17th annual Redland International

Orchid Show will take place May 17-19

at the Fruit and Spice Park located at

24801 SW 187 Ave. in Homestead.

The largest annual orchid show in the

United States features more than 50

booths of educational exhibits and orchid

vendors. The American Orchid Society-

judged event showcases various types of

orchids, plants, and unique supplies for

sale, as well as lectures by experts, raf-

fles and international food.

Admission is $10 per person and children

under 12 years of age are admitted free.

Doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.

For more information, call the Fruit

and Spice Park at 305-247-5727.

Fruit and Spice Park, operated by the

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation

and Open Spaces Department, grows

more than 500 varieties of sub-tropical

fruits, herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts

from around the world on 39 lush acres

in the agricultural Redland. The park

offers daily botanical tours, fruit tasting

and naturalist led workshops.

For more information, visit

<www.fruitandspicepark.org>.

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BY CATHY GUERRA

In partnership with the South Florida

Theatre League, the Deering Estate at

Cutler presents an

Improvisation Workshop

with Michael Yawney as

part of its Theatre Lab on

Sunday, May 19, from

2:30 to 4 p.m. in the

Visitor Center Exhibit

Room at the Deering

Estate, 16701 SW 72

Ave.

The Improv Class is

recommended for ages

16 and older and the cost

is $15 per person.

Through physical improvisation, partici-

pants will develop skills that deepen their

ability to respond to other actors and to the

onstage environment. Most American actor

training focuses on character and story. The

Viewpoints focus on what is happening in

the present moment, encouraging perform-

ers to follow their gut feeling..

Michael Yawney is a director/playwright

whose work has been seen at the Arsht

Center and the Public Theater of South

Florida. He currently

is on the faculty of

Florida International

University.

The Theatre Lab at

the Deering Estate at

Cutler is a performance

art series and residency

opportunity developed

in partnership with the

South Florida Theatre

League. The South

Florida Theatre League

is an alliance of theatri-

cal organizations and professionals dedicated

to nurturing, promoting, and advocating for

the growth and prestige of the South Florida

theatre industry.

For more information on the Deering

Estate’s educational and cultural programs,

visit online at <www.deeringestate.org>.

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BY CATHY GUERRA

South Florida is host to some of the rich-

est natural resources in the world. The bal-

ance of human and natural systems in our

growing urban community is central to

political, cultural, and academic dialogues

regarding the environment.

“Speaking Sustainably” is a film and lec-

ture series offered free to the public at the

Deering Estate at Cutler in partnership with

FIU’s School of Environment, Arts and

Society. The series intends to engage the

community with critical environmental

issues of the 21st Century and to inspire

action.

The next event, free and open to the pub-

lic, is Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m, at the

Visitor Center Auditorium. The ?topic is

“Coastal Carnivores” featuring Mike

Heithaus, PhD, executive director, FIU

School of Environment, Arts and Society;

Philip Matich, doctoral candidate, FIU

Biological Sciences, and Adam Rosenblatt,

doctoral candidate, FIU Biological

Sciences.

On the southern tip of the Florida

Everglades, the Shark River meets the Gulf

of Mexico to form an estuary where a num-

ber of predators, including alligators and

bull sharks, call home.

Humans have greatly reduced water

flows across this famed “River of Grass.”

Scientists from Florida International

University have been studying predators in

the estuary to understand how these ani-

mals will respond to changes in water

flows, and to ensure they continue to fulfill

their role in the food web.

The screening will be followed by a

panel-led discussion and Q&A session. For

more information visit online at

<http://seas.fiu.edu> or call 305-919-6000.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-

Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW

72 Ave. For more information on the

Deering Estate’s educational and cultural

programs, visit <www.deeringestate.org>.

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BY TIFFANI HELBERG

Community Health of South Florida Inc.(CHI) recently received a $1.9 million feder-al grant to provide healthcare services tosome of the most needy and under-servedpeople in Coconut Grove and South Miami.

Out of several bids, the Health Resourcesand Services Administration choose CHI as theprovider of choice to bring primary medicalcare and a host of other services to that area.

This is just one of three new centers toopen in the next four months. The newCoconut Grove, South Miami and Kendallcenters will bring CHI’s services fartherNorth into areas previously not serviced bythe non-profit company. The majority ofCHI’s seven current healthcare centers arefarther south, primarily in the South Miami-Dade area.

“We welcome the opportunity to move intothat area,” said Colonel Brodes Hartley Jr.,president and CEO of CHI. “Coconut Grove,South Miami and Kendall are areas withtremendous need and we will be bringing inthe same high level services there that CHIalready has established farther south and inMarathon.”

The three centers will reach hundreds ofthousands of people both lower and middleincome to help fill the healthcare gap. Healthservices will be provided regardless of theperson’s lack of insurance or ability to paybased on a sliding fee scale.

Community Health of South Florida hasbeen providing a variety of healthcare servic-es to Miami-Dade and Monroe counties formore than 40 years. It will bring its sameexemplary services to the three new centersincluding: primary care, ob-gyn, dental, pedi-atrics, behavioral health and more. Door-to -door transportation for patients, pharmacyservices and delivery also are part of the CHIone-stop shopping model for care.

CHI is designated as a level 3 patient cen-tered medical home. That’s the highest levelof care designated by the NationalCommittee for Quality Assurance. It is justone of many such awards and designationsgiven to CHI for its commitment to puttingpatient care first at its state of the art health-care centers.

“I am tremendously proud of CHI and itsprogress,” Col. Hartley said. “We will contin-ue to reduce barriers and increase access togood healthcare.”

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Exterior of Miami Children’s Museum ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

BY WOODY GRABER

Viator Travel Blog, a highly respected

travel site on the Internet, has named

Miami Children’s Museum one of the “Ten

Best Children’s Museums In The World.”

This news comes following the recent

annual gala where MCM raised nearly $1

million for educational programming.

In naming the MCM one of the world’s

10 best Viator proclaimed the museum:

“Featuring 56,500 square feet of space to

play, imagine and create. Families could

easily spend all day exploring the muse-

um’s many exhibits. Cure sick pets in Pet

Central, play firefighter in the Safety Zone,

give a checkup in the Health & Wellness

Center or pick up groceries for dinner at

the Supermarket. There are 14 themed

rooms in total, each allowing children to

learn while having fun.”

Miami Children’s Museum is located at

980 MacArthur Causeway on Watson

Island. Admission is $16 for adults and

children, $12 for Florida residents, free for

children under 1 year, and admission for

museum members is complimentary.

For more information contact the muse-

um at 305-373-KIDS (5437) or visit online

at <www.miamichildrensmuseum.org>.

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2013 SMCRA Summer Youth Program Scholarship

The South Miami Community Redevelopment Agency is Currently OfferingScholarship Funding Assistance for South Miami Community RedevelopmentArea Youth Entering the City of South Miami’s Summer Youth Program.

The City of South Miami Summer Youth Program currently provides ten weeksof academic and recreational programming for South Miami Area Youth.

Program Location: Gibson Bethel Community Center

Program Dates: June 7th - August 16th (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)Age Group: 5yrs (Must Have Completed Grade-K) – 17yrs

SMCRAApplication Acceptance Date: (Beginning) Thursday, May 16, 2013SMCRAApplication Submittal Deadline: (Ending) May 24, 2013

For more information please contact theSouth Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (SMCRA) Offices at:

5825 SW 68th Street, Suite 4, Office 400

South Miami, Fl 33143(305)668-7239 or (305) 668-7236 (Phone) (305) 284-0912 (fax)


BY CATHY GUERRA

The GroveHouse Artists eighth annualmembers exhibit opening will take placeon Wednesday, June 19, from 7 to 9 p.m.,at the Deering Estate at Cutler. TheGroveHouse Artists exhibit opening is freeto the public. Light refreshments and acash bar will be available.

The GroveHouse Artists member’sexhibit is curated by GroveHouseArtists director Barbara Tejada.Displayed throughout the historichomes, the show highlights award win-ning pieces from the annual Affair onPlein Air Event, a two-day juried on-sitepainting experience. The exhibit will beon display daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from

May 24 through July 26 and is free withestate admission.

GroveHouse Artists is a 501(c)(3) not forprofit, cooperative art gallery whose pur-pose is to provide a venue for local artiststo exhibit their original art work.GroveHouse Artists also strives to establisha community forum for awareness and par-ticipation in the arts and the art experienceby presenting cultural programs, presenta-tions, and exhibits that are open and free tothe public.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701SW 72 Ave. For more information on theDeering Estate’s educational and culturalprograms, visit online at<www.deeringestate.org>.

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BY LEE STEPHENS

If you enjoy working with people and

have a bit of free time, consider volun-

teering at Biscayne National Park’s Dante

Fascell Visitor Center, located east of

Homestead.

Volunteers introduce visitors from

around the world to the park and answer

questions from an information desk over-

looking beautiful Biscayne Bay. In addi-

tion to covering the information desk,

public contact volunteers also rove the

boardwalk at Convoy Point to provide

park information, explain regulations and

answer questions.

Volunteers generally contribute four

hours once or twice per week. They work

side by side with park rangers, and enjoy

training opportunities and excursions in

the park.

Heading into the summer, the park is tight

on “people power” to keep the Dante

Fascell Visitor Center open for park visitors.

“Volunteers give a warm welcome, pro-

vide information, make a lasting impres-

sion, are valued members of our team,

and make the park a great place to visit,”

said Biscayne National Park superintend-

ent Brian Carlstrom.

The park will provide volunteers with a

uniform and training to prepare them for

service as ambassadors to Biscayne

National Park and the National Park

Service. Additionally, summer is the slow

season affording time to read up on the

park’s unique ecosystems and colorful

human history between groups of visitors.

For more information or to apply, con-

tact Christiana Admiral, Biscayne National

Park chief of interpretation at 305-230-

1144, ext. 018, or visit the park’s website at

<www.nps.gov/bisc> and select “support

your park” from the menu on the left side

of the page. For more information on

Biscayne National Park, call 305-230-

7275, ext. 0 or visit the park’s website at

<www.nps.gov/bisc>.

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BY MARIANNE SWAN

Great plants and great prices for agreat cause are what you will find atOrchidMania South Florida’s 15thannual orchid sale on Saturday, May25, and Sunday, May 26, at DanteFascell Park, 8600 SW 57 Ave. (RedRoad) in South Miami. The sale willbe from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

There will be tents and tables filledwith orchids of all varieties, appealingto beginners, serious collectors, andeveryone in between who just lovesthese fascinating plants. And you canfeel good about your purchasesbecause proceeds benefit the PediatricAIDS program at the University ofMiami Miller School of Medicine.

OrchidMania South Florida is an all-vol-unteer organization of orchid enthusiasts.Throughout the year, the volunteers meeton Sundays at the OrchidMania green-house to care for the orchids that have beendonated by commercial growers and hob-byists. These knowledgeable volunteerswill gladly provide expert care and grow-

ing tips for the plants you choose to takehome. And if the orchid bug already hasbitten you, OrchidMania welcomes newvolunteers. It is a great way to learn fromexperts and give back to your communityat the same time.

To learn more about the organization,check out the website at <www.orchidma-nia.org> or call 305-667-2992.

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This is just one of many beautiful orchids available at the sale. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––



The popular Honda Civic returns for 2013with a host of design upgrades and new stan-dard features, while continuing with the effi-ciency and value that has made it an icon for40 years.

The 2013 Civic Sedan and Coupe areavailable in LX, EX, EX-L and Si models,with the Civic Hybrid, Civic Natural Gas andCivic HF offered in the sedan. The entrymodel DX has been discontinued.

The Civic Sedan gets new front and rearexterior styling and the interior on all modelsreceived extensive styling upgrades. Upfront, a new open-mouth lower bumper witha horizontal chrome accent and a sportierblack honeycomb mesh grille is anchored bynew integrated fog lights on EX-L and high-er trims. The grille is flanked by new clear-lens corner lights and the front end flows intoa new taller, more deeply faceted hood.

To the rear, a new bumper design and trunklid are capped by a clean, horizontal chrome

trim piece. The rear bumper features integrat-ed reflector treatments and a new lower dif-fuser panel finished with a honeycomb meshvent. Restyled wheels on all models helpsharpen the look.

Under the hood, the Civic lineup includes

the fuel efficient, all-aluminum, 140-hp, i-

VTEC 1.8-liter 16-valve four-cylinder

engine (28/39/32 mpg city/hwy/combined)

that delivers 128 pounds-feet of torque at

4300 rpm. It’s mated to either a five-speed

manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

Also available is a sporty all-aluminum, 201-

hp, i-VTEC 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve engine

paired to a six-speed manual transmission.Other power options include 1.8-liter, 110

hp a natural gas engine (available in 37states) and a 1.5-liter four-cylinder hybridpowerplant mated to Honda’s IntegratedMotor Assist (IMA) system and its lithium-ion battery pack. Paired to a ContinuouslyVariable Transmission (CVT), the CivicHybrid earns a city/hwy/combined EPA rat-ing of 44/44/44 mpg.

All Civic models have Honda’s ECO Assisttechnology, which with the push of the greendash-mounted “ECON” button helps driversoperate the vehicle more fuel efficiently.

New safety technologies built into theCivic include the application of the next-genAdvanced Compatibility Engineering II

(ACE II) body structure, which includes addi-tional front end structures designed to helpincrease occupant protection by dispersingcrash energy in frontal crashes. Also new areSmartVent side airbags and side curtainairbags with a rollover sensor. AvailableForward Collision Warning (FCW) and LaneDeparture Warning (LDW) systems maketheir debut in the 2013 Civic Hybrid. All 2013 Civic models come standardequipped with such features as BluetoothHandsFreeLink and Audio, rearview camera,

color i-MID display, USB/iPod connection,Pandora Interface, a SMS text feature, steer-ing wheel audio controls, exterior tempera-ture gauge and sliding center-console armrest.

Pricing on the 2013 Honda LX Sedanstarts at $18,165.

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]>.

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LET’S TALK CARS

Ron BeasleyAUTOMOTIVE EDITOR

Civic Sedan has a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honey-comb mesh grille anchored by new integrated fog lights.

KAREL [email protected]

RICHARD WIEDER305.979.0370

[email protected]

FLORIDA PARADISE PROPERTIES LISTINGS

16822 SW 86 AVENUE Very Nice 3 BD/2 BA , Palmetto Bay Family Home on a

lush lot with mature oak and mango trees. Updated Kitchen, Bathroom and Tile

Floors. Master Bedroom, Kitchen and Living Room with views of large screened

in pool. 2 car garage. Also available for lease.

Virtual Tour www.obeo.com/736797

15 SEAVIEW AVENUE- RARE FIND! - Approximate 1.3 acre Marina Facility on Conch

Key, in the middle Florida Keys. Direct bay frontage with ocean access and overseas highway

visibility. Existing wholesale and retail seafood market facility with a sea wall, fuel dock and ad-

ditional dockage in a rare protected deep water lagoon/basin. Two residential building rights!

Please do not visit property without Listing Agent. $1.8M

19520 W. Saint Andrews Drive - Prestigious Country

Club of Miami Golf Course Pool Home. 4 bedrooms/2.5 bath-

rooms, Family Room with Fireplace, Den, Eat-in Kitchen and

24 hour guard gated community.

A must see! Virtual Tour: www.obeo.com/756573

29430 SW 172 Avenue - Meticulously maintained Redland Ranch Estate. 3 bedroom/3

bathroom home on 1+ acre, remodeled with large bedrooms, walk in closets, screened-in pool

and spa, fenced and gated with large mature oaks, citrus trees and a dog kennel.

Virtual Tour: www.obeo.com/760708

29240 SW 172 AVENUE Beautifully remodeled 6 bedroom/6 bathroom Coral Rock

Home with gourmet kitchen, fireplace, master suite with steam shower and jacuzzi

tub, separate in-law quarters, tree house, horse stables, tack room, dog kennel and

2 car garage. Avocado and Mango grove on 5.52 acres.

Virtual Tour www.obeo.com/667706

13901 SW 97 Avenue - Smart living on the prestigious

E Lake. Close to the Falls, Dadeland and Baptist Hospital

with Southwood/Palmetto Schools. Boat, fish and water ski

from this 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom private 1 acre pool home.

8521 SW 179 Street - Remodeled 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom

Palmetto Bay pool home. Two master bedrooms with private

office, walk-in closets & custom onyx master bathroom with

spa tub & walk-in shower. Beautiful large kitchen with cook

island, gas cook top & granite counters. Living room, dining

room & family room with vaulted ceiling. Indoor laundry room,

gas appliances, hurricane shutters & alarm system. Heated

pool with outdoor bar & chickee hut. 2 car garage & plenty of

room for a boat. Southwood/Palmetto School district.Virtual

Tour: www.obeo.com/782015

FOR LEASE JUST LISTED


SUMMER MEMBERS MAY ENJOY

• Full Golf Summer Membership from May through October.• Access to our Arnold Palmer signature 18-hole Golf Course (practicefacilities with unlimited golf range balls and putting green).• Member social and junior events: Holiday Parties, Natural Conserva-tion Program, Summer Pool Parties, Kids and Teenagers Golf & TennisClinics, Spirit Tastings, Movie Nights, Summer Camp & much more.• Access to the finest Har-Tru Tennis courts in Miami-Dade County.• Full access to our Junior Olympic heated pool, Gym, Aerobic studioand locker rooms.• Private event coordinator for Member/social/business event planning.• The highest in service standards, personalized guest experience andthe friendliest staff.

This special invitation is offered on a limited basisOnly 20 spots available!

or www.dbycc.com for detailsand join us for the best summer ever!

Call our Director of Membership & MarketingLaura Decker at (305) 254-2111

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

with our Summer Membership.

Ages 5-14Mon-Fri:9:00am - 2:30pm

Sign up today!(305) 234-0723

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri: 3-8pm

Pinecrest8181 S.W. 117 St.

Summer Camp


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CONDOSGreat location

1/11/2 924 sq ft.$199k.

2/11/2 1290 sq ft.$299k. Heart of

South Miami.Walk to shops

and restaurants.

305.812.3370

NEED ATUTOR?• Reading • Math • Language Arts • Español

Get help from the best!786.651.0862

ANDREA

EASY FUN JOBImmediate openingfor personal driver.

Up to $10.00 per hour.

Full/Part time available, femalepreferred. Driversmust have a valid

driver license.Contact Herb

at 786-242-0703

ProfessionalManicuristNeeded!

Need to rent3 chairs

$130 each.305.254.6292305.772.3823

IT ENGINEERAVIS IGNIS USA

LLC. BS IT Engineering 1 + yr

exp. Will be in charge of dealing

with our businessesIT Dept and

designing web pagesfor our Company inHungary and the US.

Email Resume:[email protected]

MEDICAL & PROFESSIONAL OFFICESPinecrest Area - All Inclusive: Free Electric and Cleaning

Services. 2 story building with elevator. Completely updatedMedical and Professional Building. Ideal for practices and

professionals servicing the Pinecrest area.Office sizes range from 500 - 1850 SF

Executive offices also available - Starting at $250 Per Month.

8353 SW 124th Street - $22 PSFVarious Sizes 125 – 1850 SF

Call: 305-431-5409FIRST MONTHS FREE RENT

JANITOR$14.25 per hour,part time, 5 daysper week, threehours per day,

5yr. govt. position.Location: 36th St in Miami. Seniorsand Veterans Welcome. Call Kathy at

614-864-6582

Experienced Front Desk for Palmetto Bay SalonExperienced front desk for Palmetto Bay Salon. Bilingual preferred. Must be computer literate andhave sales experience. Our perfect candidate will have an outgoing personality and will have a pro-fessional appearance with a flair for style and must possess a desire to assist our guests with a smile.

Leading Salon has Space for a Stylist with Clientele/FollowingLeading Palmetto Bay salon has space for stylist with clientele. No other salon will treat your clientsbetter. We are a team of professionals looking to add team members. Must have verifiable following.We are looking for the best to serve high-end clientele. Please visit marcesalonspa.com and see foryourself.

Massage Therapists/Ultra Body Contouring & Estheticians (Palmetto Bay)Massage Therapists/Ultra Body Contouring & Estheticians for Palmetto Bay Salon & Spa (NearPinecrest). Must have experience and be a team player. Must have previous employer references.We are looking for the best to serve our high-end clientele. Please advise when these posting can bepublished and the cost of these postings in the Palmetto Bay News, Pinecrest Tribune and CutlerBay News.

NURSING ASSISTANT/HOME CARE

Part time, experienced,

caring, reliable, good reference, will also drive to appointments,

meal preparations & light house work,

reasonable rates;call Christine at

305-775-8270

- CLASSES FOR KIDS & ADULTS -

MATH INTERNET COMPUTERS PUBLIC SPEAKING EBUSINESS

Algebra, Geometry, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Email, FaceBook, Twitter, eBay, PayPal, Skype, Photoshop, Web Pages, iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Apps, Video Editing, Business Presentations.

Call us Today at 305-298-8907 IN ENGLISH EN ESPAÑOL EM PORTUGUES

Looking for a jump start to your career?Do you want to own your own business right here in

the greater Miami area? Let Matco Tools show you how. You can test drive, learn and earn as an employee while building equity in your future Franchise.

For more info call Andy Mabrey at 414-324-1322 or apply at http://www.matcotools.com/About/careers.jsp

DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE NEED HELP WITHALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCE RELATED ISSUES?

Paul Merker has helpedhundreds of individualsand families

PAUL MERKER, MS, CAPAddiction TherapistConfidential Counseling

[email protected]

7600 SW 57th Ave, Suite 215South Miami, FL 33143



BUSINESSBUSINESS BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS BUSINESSBUSINESSBUSINESS

Dr. Patricia BrumleyRealtor - Associate

Certified New Home SpecialistCRS - Certified Residential Specialist

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist -sensitive to age 50+ issues and priorities

12498 SW 127th Ave. • Miami, FL 33186E-Mail: [email protected]

LET ME SELL YOUR HOME!With my market savvy and knowledge of yourneighborhood, I can sell your home fast and for

top dollar. “Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!”Call Pat at 305-613-8421, I can make it happen!

Cell: 305-613-8421 • Fax: 305-251-4094 • Office: 305-251-4044

Independently Owned

and Operated

• MARBLE & TILE INSTALLATION• ALL TYPES OF TILE REPAIRS

• COMPLETE BATHROOM REMODELING• BATHROOM/SHOWER CONVERSION

Gonzalez Tile & Marble, Inc.

LICENSED & INSUREDOVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • FREE ESTIMATES!

TEL: 305-803-6901


TUTORING SERVICESSubject Areas Taught:

SAT Prep (math), ACT Prep (math), GRE Prep (math), Algebra I & II, Geometry, Calculus, Statistics,

Physics, College Physics, Chemistry, Organizational Skill, Memory,

Technical Writing.

Shane Smoleny

786-367-671315 Years Experience

Office near Baptist Hospital

Garay Kitchens & Baths, Inc. Best quality!

• Traditional and Modern Designs• Solid Paints and Stains Available• Computerized Drawings• Contractor Friendly• Complete Remodeling• Free Estimates

We Build Custom CabinetsOver 20 years of experience!

All wood kitchen cabinets

10x10$3999.00

Alex Garay 786.252.8474Email: [email protected]


FREE ESTIMATES • 305-233-0699

Licensed & Insured

• Tree Trimming• Consultation• Stump Grinding• Landscaping• Lawn Services• Fertilization• Sprinkler Repair• Debris Removal• Backhoe Service• Driveway Pavers• Fencework - All Types• Chickee Huts• Outdoor Kitchens• And More

Impact resistant Windows and DoorsHigh Performance Accordion Shutters

Hurricane Panels

CLOSED OPEN

��

Call 305-803-7602for a free estimateLicensed and Insured

Florida State License SCC 131150340

Miami Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties Approved

PROTECT YOUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT NOW!!!We Manufacture and Install


CORPORATE APPROVED


• NCSF Certified• Reiki Master • Post Rehab Training• Functional Training for Older Adults

Sibyl Adams

All ages and fitness levels welcomeFeatured fitness blogger for seniority matters.com

A Personal Touch FitnessSensitive Personal Training

[email protected] Phone: 786.395.1588

south miami news 5.14.2013

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