South Miami News 5.3.2011

MAY 3 - 9, 2011

BY AMY LIVERGOOD DONNER

One of the best daysof the year in SoMi isthe Saturday beforeMother’s Day. Thereis a delightful gladnessin the air – more thanany other day of theyear that says SoMi.Come to town on Saturday, May 7th. Visityour favorite merchants and introduceyourself to others. It’s that kind of day.

This year, members of the Red SunsetMerchants Association have decided tomake sure you know how happy they arethat you choose to shop for Mother’sDay gifts in SoMi. Offers of gratitudeare all over town. You’ll be indulgedwith a cup of tea, lots of champagne,sweet discounts and a few flowers to siton the seat next to you on the way home.

At MMyy SSiisstteerr’’ss CClloosseett, treat yourselfto a cupcake and champagne while shop-ping, plus 20% off your purchase. AtCCooooll DDee SSaacc PPllaayy CCaaffee, moms will geta complimentary glass of champagneand free hummus dip with their mealpurchase. BBeevveerrlleeee KKaaggaann AAnnttiiqquuee &&VViinnttaaggee JJeewweellrryy is offering free giftwrapping along with a 10% discount onthe already legendary great prices.

VVeerroonniiccaa’’ss DDoollllhhoouussee,, that adorablelife size dollhouse, invites you to comein for tea, sweet treats and 20% off allpurchases. MMiissss PPeeppppeerr is celebratingthe holiday with cookies and cham-pagne, plus 15% off purchases. Stop bySSpplliittssvviillllee LLuuxxuurryy LLaanneess && DDiinnnneerrLLoouunnggee on Sunday and enjoy one freegame of bowling along with a glass ofchampagne. IIssaabbeell’’ss FFiinnee HHoommeeAAcccceessssoorriieess && GGiiffttss is offering a LadyPrimrose gift bag filled with lotion andparfum, as well as a champagne toast.

––––––––– See AMY ON SUNSET, page 7

Amy on Sunset

––––––––––––––––– See EARTH DAY, page 3

SoMi loves Mother’s Day

Youngsters celebrate Earth Day at South Miami Farmer’s Market

SSMM CCoommmmuunniittyy RReeddeevveellooppmmeenntt AAggeennccyy 22001100//22001111 JJaammeess BBoowwmmaann SScchhoollaarrsshhiipp NNoottiiccee

South Miami Mayor Philip K. Stoddard (L) with student art winners and Farmers' Market CommitteeMember Annick Sternberg. David Fairchild Elementary School students pictured are: Alan Garces,11; Robert Guemes, 10; and Matthew Gonzalez, 9.

BY GRAY READ

SS outh Miami children celebratedEarth Day through art, gardenersswapped seedlings, and localmusicians played, adding rhythm

to the weekly market. Students from David Fairchild Elementary

School and Ludlam Elementary School dis-played earth-inspired art at the South MiamiFarmers’ Market on Saturday April 23. Thestudents were awarded prizes: both schoolsreceived computers donated by the Farmers’Market Committee and the 4th grade atLudlam Elementary won a pizza party spon-sored by South Miami Hospital, for having themost student participation. The Earth Day cel-ebration was put on by Earth Learning, a not-for-profit organization and the South MiamiFarmers’ Market Committee to highlight com-munity efforts toward more sustainable living.

James T. Bowman, Sr. was a lifelongSouth Miami resident and a communityleader.

He served tirelessly in numerous communi-ty organizations and on several municipalboards, held memberships in various SouthMiami organizations including theCommunity Action Agency and the Alliancefor Youth and served as a South Miami CityCommissioner from 1978 through 1986. Hislife was dedicated to facilitating economicdevelopment opportunities and establishingcareer opportunities for the CommunityRedevelopment Agency resident youth popu-

lation. Mr. Bowman will be fondly remembered

for his many contributions to improve theentire South Miami Community.

The SMCRA Board has subsequentlyestablished a scholarship dedicated in hisname. This scholarship is awarded on anannual basis to eligible South Miami CRAresident students. The total funding amountavailable for the 2010-2011 Academic Yearis $15,000.

Awards shall be made at the discretion of

––––––––––––– See SCHOLARSHIP, page 5

Bike-Friendly South Miami petition organizer MariChael with South Miami resident Ignacio Zabaleta.

COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM May 3 - 9, 2011

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South Miaminews

Miller Publishing • Community Newspapers6796 SW 62 Avenue • South Miami, FL 33143

305-669-7355

www.communitynewspapers.com––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PUBLISHERGrant Miller

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE EDITORMichael Miller

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTING EDITORSDavid Berkowitz, Richard Yager

WRITERSRon Beasley, Linda Bernfeld-Rodriguez, Kenneth Bluh,

Nancy Eagleton, Robert Hamilton, Yelany Rodriguez,

Gary Alan Ruse, Richard Yager, Lee Stephens

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESAlbie Barnes, Roberta Bergman, Beatriz Brandfon, Celia Canabate,

Diane Chasin, Henry Chau, Sharon Christian, Amy Donner,

Cecile Fanfani, Dianne Maddox, Denzel Miles,

Miller Myers, Ann Robbins-Udel, Fara Sax, Diane Sedona Schiller,

Lori Schwadron, Karina Soave, Georgia Tait, Walter White

PROOF DEPARTMENTIsabel Vavrek

GRAPHIC ARTISTSIsabel Ortega, Catalina Roca, Vera Salom, Sergio Yanes

PUBLISHER EMERITUSRon Miller

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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, including

advertisements, 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, Homestead News, Kendall Gazette, Miami Beach News,

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

South Miami

Right: A preferred way to travel

to the Farmers' Market.

Having her face painted at the Farmers' Market Earth Day Celebration isfour-year old Ashley Acebo of Hialeah.

Earth Day also the apropostime to launch a grass-roots effortto work toward making SouthMiami a “Bike-Friendly City.”Petitions were on hand for marketvisitors to sign.

South Miami Farmers’ Market isheld each Saturday of the year from9a – 2p and is located beneath theSouth Miami Town Center ClockTower at City Hall.

For details regarding theSouth Miami Green Task Forceand the South Miami Farmer’sMarket, go online atwww.greensouthmiami.com.

EARTH DAY, from page 1

South Miami Farmers’ Market is located beneath the South Miami Town Center ClockTower at City Hall and held each Saturday of the year from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Umm... they taste really good!

(Photos courtesy of SoMiMAG)

Vice President of the

Florida Native Plant Society

Amy Leonard agrees with

board member Amida Frey

as he displays a native

plant from the endangered

Pine Rockland canopy

forests that used to cover

SouthWest Miami while

board member Buck Reilly

and FNPS supporter

Ximena Mesa look on.

May 3 - 9, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM

GFWC Cocoplum Woman’s Club visitedGFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club recent-ly to participate in a fun-filled Karaoke Nightthat had literally everyone singing, dancingand laughing. Organized by Gables’ memberMireya Kilmon, admission was free butdonations were required to sing or havesomeone else sing. Aside from raising fundsfor Operation Smile, the affair provided agreat way for club members to get to knoweach other before many traveled together tothe Florida Federation of Women’s Clubconvention in Orlando the end of April.

Among many belting out tunes during theevening were Susie Tilson who broughtalong her daughter and granddaughter;Carmen Suarez, kicking off a night of song;Barbara Lapsley, who danced more thanshe sang; Pam and Sandy Schaefer; MariaO’Hoollearn; Cocoplum Woman’s ClubPresident, Heike Leibkuchler; Coral GablesWoman’s Club President, Linda Hartwell;Elaine Del Valle; Patty Hendon; and a host

of others, all of whom work hard and playwith that same fervor in service to others.

Speaking of fun meetings, the Coral GablesChamber Breakfast on April 21, sponsored byGulliver Schools, entertained from start to fin-ish. The morning began with GulliverSchool’s Symphonic Band with a programthat featured Gulliver Academy, MiddleSchool and Prep students, culminating with apanel discussion emceed by Drew Kern withUM Head Football Coach Al GGolden and FIUHead Football Coach Mario Cristobal. Bothcoaches are turning failed programs aroundand shared their strategies. During Q&A, 94-year-old Marge Hartnett explained she hadseven brothers who played football and,knowing the sport, volunteered to help themout if needed. Not to miss out, CoachCristobal immediately took her up on heroffer!

Golfers are encouraged to save May 20 forChamber South’s Military Affairs Committee’s20th Annual Golf Tournament, to be presentedby Baptist Health South Florida at PalmettoGolf Course, 9300 SW 152 St. Registration is$150 and includes continental breakfast, lunch,goodie bag, green fees and golf cart.Registration starts at 8 a.m. with an 8:30 a.m.shotgun start followed at 1 p.m. with the awardreception and luncheon. Call Chamber Southfor more information on registration and spon-sorships at 305-661-1621.

Finally, congratulations to members of theUniversity of Miami’s roller hockey teamwho captured the Division II NationalCollegiate Roller Hockey AssociationChampionship on April 10 in Wisconsin,defeating Florida Gulf Coast University 4-3.

Until next time, keep making each daycount.

If you would like to submit information forthis column, please send your news via e-mail to [email protected].

Karaoke Night Delights; Gulliver hosts coaches

GLORIA’S GAB

Gloria Burns

Cocoplum Woman’s Club members (l-r) Nadine LaGuette, Maria O’Hollearn, Dottie Zammas, Heike Leibkuchlerjoin Coral Gables Club for Karaoke Night.

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


the SMCRA Board to students exhibiting astrong desire for self improvement througheducation. The SMCRA Board reserves theright to select one or more recipients withthe total available funding to be distributedamongst the selected recipients.Scholarship funding may be utilized fortuition assistance, or related books/suppliesfor vocational or higher level educational.

The deadline for receiving this year’sscholarship applications is 5:00 p.m. onThursday, June 30, 2011. In order to be con-sidered for funding awards, a fully complet-ed application and required documents mustbe received by the deadline. Applications canbe picked up in the SMCRA Office or down-loaded from the city’s web page at<CityofSouthMiami.net>.

Following the deadline, incompleteapplications will not be accepted for fund-ing consideration. Completed applicationpackages must include the followinginformation:

COMPLETED SCHOLARSHIPAPPLICATION

• State of Florida or School IssuedIdentification

• Proof of Residency in the SouthMiami Community RedevelopmentArea; (Deed, Lease Agreement, TaxReturn, Utility Bill, Etc.)

• Letter of Acceptance from anAccredited Educational Institution or TradeSchool. (This item is Required forEntering Freshman Only);

• A Letter of Recommendation onOfficial Letterhead from an Employer,Faculty Member or School Counselor;

• Official copy of the High School orGED transcript;

• A copy of Class Schedule for the 2011-2012 Academic Year;

• A copy of your High School Diplomaor GED Equivalent;

• Breakdown of Tuition Costs and orOther School Related Expenses

• Completed Applications must be sub-mitted from May 1st and no later than June30th

• An affidavit must be submitted to veri-fy proof of residency of the applicant

• Applicants must have a grade pointaverage of 2.0 from prior academic year(This applies for both high school and cur-rent college students.)

SCHOLARSHIP, from page 1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––



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


Moms who visit Gardner’s Market willreceive a flower and a glass of champagne.Segafredo will have a DJ for jammin’moms, along with complimentary mimosas,champagne and 50% off mom’s meal. Andbefore you even leave your house, book aphoto session with Anais GanounaPhotography. She is giving a $50 printcredit for sessions booked that day.

A recap of where merchants are having achampagne toast. Why of course… You can

get a glass of champagne at My Sister’sCloset, Cool De Sac, Miss Pepper, Splitsville,Isabel’s Fine Home Accessories & Gifts,Gardner’s Market and Segafredo. Hmmm,might be fun to have them all. (Hiccup)

And please “like” Red Sunset MerchantsAssociation on Facebook. Thank You.

Amy Donner is the President of The RedSunset Merchants Association, a 90 mem-ber not-for-profit business associationwith a mission to foster the economic inter-est of the area around Red Road andSunset Drive. Amy can be reached [email protected].

AMY ON SUNSET, from page 1

WRITERS ASSOCIATIONMiami Herald columnist and Letters Editor Nancy Ancrum

will speak to the South Florida Writers’ Association

SOUTH MIAMI ELKS LODGE6304 S.W. 78 St., South Miami, 33143

SATURDAY, MAY 7 • 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon

Ms. Ancrum, who joined the Herald’s Editorial Board in 1990 and writes the column“Cultural Kitchen” for the Herald’s food section, will talk about the joys and perils

of editing for a daily newspaper. The public is welcome.The $10 requested and $8 for SFWA members include the program and a full brunch.For details: Teresa Bendana, [email protected] or www.southfloridawritersassn.org

Gardner’s Market

Segafredo

Anais GanounaPhotography

Are you dreading the idea of going to the beach or wearing a bathing suit in front of your friends? Tired of covering up and wearing that boring one-piece? Wishing you could confidently wear a bikini again?

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ATTENTIONMIAMI-DADE

Veterans and SpousesThe Director of the New South Florida National Veteran’s

Cemetery in Lake Worth will hold an informal roundtable discussion regarding your FREE burial benefits.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 • 11:00 amWhere:When:

Main Moon Buffet18423 South Dixie Hwy.(South Dade Shopping Center)

This presentation is sponsored by:

Eden Funeral ServicesPlease RSVP no later thanMay 11, Seating is limited

305•257•8110

Party Platters To GoThe best way to make your party, picnicor Gathering a success and memorableis with Papa Ricco’s delicious entrees,

pastas, salads and rolls.

www.papariccosmiami.com

14415 S. Dixie Hwy. Miami Fl305•253•6511

(King Bay Shopping Center)


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

BY KIMBERLY PORTER

Not everyone knows that their trash bin isa major breeding ground for bacteria.Luckily for those of us in the South Miamiarea, Sparkling Bins will keep your wastecontainer hygienically clean, for as low as$5.75 per bin.

The idea came to owner John Conwayafter his wife chased him for weeks to cleantheir bins. After he spent hours on theprocess he realized a serv-ice for this task could reallytake off.

“An hour and a halfcleaning my own bin, Ithought – this is somethingI’d never want to do again,”said Conway.

This concept originatedin the UK and SparklingBins has brought it to SouthFlorida. “We’re getting a lotof traction, mostly fromreferrals,” said Conway.

As a first time businessowner, he says it is “very excit-ing just seeing how it’s going.”In four months the businesshas gained 175 customers.

Sparkling Bins uses natu-ral solvents that kill 99 per-cent of all known germs,fungi and viruses. All water and chemicalsare collected into the self-contained cleaningunit to be recycled according to EPA regula-tions.

Sparkling Bins has an environmentallyfriendly truck that visits customers at theirhomes. “You waste 15 percent more waterusing a hose and broom on your own. Withus, nothing goes into the environment, it allgoes back in our truck to a water treatmentfacility,” says Conway.

“It’s really getting the awareness out intothe community. People can get the flu, H1N1

[from dirty bins]; people aren’t educated onthe hazards,” said Conway. He also warnedthat you can get fined for allowing dirty waterfrom cleaning your bins to run into the publicstreets. Bacteria infested water will flow intostorm drains, contaminating all bodies ofwater it enters from there.

The initial cleaning for new customers takesa good hour, cleaning both the inside and out-side of the bin. From there, Conway says thepoint is to get on a regular schedule. “A good

40 percent of our customershave their bins cleanedmonthly and 50 percentevery two weeks. We dorecommend at least month-ly cleaning to maintain,” hesays.

Currently SparklingBins’ focus is on the areasof South Miami, PalmettoBay, Pinecrest andKendall. They are alreadyin the process of addingtwo additional trucks with-in the next 3 to 6 months.

He says it is telling that justdriving around in the truckhas people stopping and ask-ing him questions about theservice – and then signing upright on the spot.

Now there is an effi-cient, easy way to protect oneself from thehazards of bacterial and fungal infectioncontracted from on, in and around uncleantrash bins. Sparkling Bins will leave yourdirty, smelly bins disinfected, deodorizedand smelling fresh. Leave the dirty work tothe professionals.

Conway says, “It’s a great concept. It’simportant that people know this service doesexist out there and the key is to keep itaffordable.” For more information visit<www.SparklingBins.com> or call 305-382-BINS (2476).

Sparkling Bins brings trash bin cleaning service right to your curb

Sparkling Bins usesnatural solvents that

kill 99 percent of all known germs, fungi and viruses.

All water and chemicals are

collected into theself-contained

cleaning unit to berecycled accordingto EPA regulations.

BY RAQUEL GARCIA

‘Hit the road, parkers!’ was the messagefrom South Miami City CommissionChambers April 19 when Vice Mayor ValerieNewman and Commissioner Brian Beasleysuccessfully voted to shut down temporaryparking lot at 7150-7160 SW 6i2nd Avenue.

Mayor Phillip Stoddard andCommissioner Walter Harris lost theirrequests to defer the issue until the nextmeeting with a full quorum of Commissionmembers attending.

A six- month grace period for 62nd

Avenue LLC to bring the operation up tocode (or vacate the premises) as recommend-ed by the Planning Board also failed. The lothas been in operation since the early 1980’s.

Atty. Javier E. Fernandez of AkermanSenterfit representing the Richard Mattawayproperty since assuming ownership in 2006requested the delay as a “reasonable vehicleto come into compliance.”

Developers inherited the long legacy ofthe project during a time when downturnedeconomics slowed on-site construction, saidFernandez, noting that Mattaway could notbe present at the meeting during observanceof Passover.

Because an ultimate vision for the space isthe location of a medical office building, thedevelopers hoped the city would allow for a“bridge use” until a ground-breaking for thatproject, Atty. Fernandez stated. The develop-ment group sought concessions of approxi-mately $4,000 in landscaping expendituresfor code compliance.

“Paving, marking, lighting and landscap-ing” Stoddard surmised was all that wasneeded not to disrupt the estimated 60 to 130working commuters who rely on the lot fordaily parking.

Newman led the charge for eliminationarguing that these “delays” were strategicand claiming there is now an illegal gymna-

sium in operation on the site that also utilizesthe spaces. Safety issues and oil seepageinto the grass lot were other concerns raisedby citizens and the commissioners.

Chief of Police Orlando Martinez DeCastro who now oversees the CodeEnforcement department said the operatingentity is essentially running a business ille-gally.

“If you want to change the law, change thelaw and I’ll oblige, but let’s do it right. Ifyou have a timetable you need to get it done,an extension doesn’t cure the cancer,” hecommented. Chief Martinez is also dealingwith parking issues at Larkin CommunityHospital.

During a public hearing, photographsfrom an overhead projector displayed a con-gested parking lot with cars parked vertical-ly and horizontally. A parking lot operatorwho has managed the lot for 20 yearsclaimed oil drips and safety were not a prob-lem, adding parking is getting harder to findin South Miami and shutting down the park-ing lot could push people out of jobs. RossUniversity students and other area workershave apparently relied on the lot for years.

Nevertheless, Commissioner Newmansaid the answer is to park at Metrorail andwalk four blocks, likening the challenge towhat commuters face when traveling down-town. She said a six-month timetable was a‘stall tactic’ and had the language of the res-olution changed to ensure the parking lot’simmediate shutdown.

City Manager Hector Mirabile noted lotusers were originally scheduled to get twodays notice to relocate, if the resolution tokeep the lot in temporary operation did notpass. Even a suggestion by CommissionerHarris for a three-month compromise toallow parkers an opportunity to find newspaces failed. Commuters using the lot nowhave until the end of April to find a newhome for their vehicles.

Hit the road, parkers!Parking lot to close, temporary use fails



BY DAVID LANDY

The Robotics Academy at Miami-DadeCounty’s first LEED “green” high school,Terra Environmental Research Institute, inKendall, recently returned from competingin the internationally renowned U.S.FIRST Robotics regional competition inOrlando.

Each year, FIRST (For Inspiration ofResearch, Science and Technology) devisesa new challenge for students and their vol-unteer professional engineering mentors todesign, engineer and construct a robot.Then they write the programming code toperform prescribed tasks against a field ofcompetitors.

The FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC)is dubbed a “varsity sport for the mind” thatcombines the excitement of sport with therigors of science and technology. It’s as

close to “real world” engineering that a stu-dent can get.

This year’s challenge was branded“Logomotion” which required the designof a robot to place inflatable tubes on ascoring grid nine feet tall and then deploy aminibot to climb a 10-foot pole.

Terra placed highest of all Miami-DadeCounty Schools entered in the competition,but more importantly the students hadaccess to a unique applied learning envi-ronment led by highly skilled mentors andschool staff and compete with other stu-dents from around the country.

The program requires a significantamount of funding, which this year wassupported by Motorola and JCPenney.

As a result of the students’ involvementin the FIRST program, they eventually canqualify to apply for over $14 million in col-lege scholarships.

Terra Environmental Research Institutestudents compete in robotics challenge

Pictured (l-r) are Robotics Academy students Wesley Bowman, Ryne Neer, Jake Landy, Sophia Reyes-Hadsall,teacher Nydia Molina, Jackie Carbajal and Brenda Abreu Molnar.

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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.

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May 3 - 16, 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 7

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––––––––––––––––––––

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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.

____________________________



BY BROOKE ALBERT

Dow Chemical and the ChemicalHeritage Foundation recently announcedthe student winners of the national “It’sElemental” video contest.

Locally, St. Brendan High School inWestchester was selected as the sole win-ner of the contest’s “People’s Pick” awardfor garnering the most votes — nearly215,000 in just three months — bylaunching a campaign that involved reach-ing out to the school’s network of stu-dents, teachers and alumni. The school’sgrant money will be used to hold the

school’s first-ever science fair.Nearly 700 individuals and teams

entered the contest from 36 states acrossthe U.S. and 11 winning schools wereselected to receive $5,000 grants to helpsupport the schools’ science departments.The program was designed to inspireinterest in chemistry among students, oneof the objectives of the United Nations-designated 2011 International Year ofChemistry.

To check out the winning video visitonline at <www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXBPk7W_Z1c&feature=player_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.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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.

____________________________


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Palmer Trinity celebratesits 20th annual Book Fair

BY LINDA RODRIGUEZ BERNFELD

The 20th annual Palmer Trinity Book Fairon Apr. 11 featured author Alan Cheuse,author and book reviewer for National PublicRadio.

The Palmer Book Fair is well known notonly because of the authors who speak at thebrunch, but because of the incredible themedtables. This year’s table themes ranged from“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to “On the Beach” to“Putting on the Ritz.”

One table featured peacocks, promptingthe head of school, Sean Murphy, to quip inhis welcome speech that “no peacocks wereharmed in the preparation of this brunch.”

Murphy told everyone that while thetables were fabulous, what has made thebook fair so special over the years are thebooks and the people who attend.

“There is an abiding love for books,” hesaid.

That love of books and an innovative sum-mer reading list convinced Mitchell Kaplan,owner of Books and Books, to send his twinsons to Palmer. Kaplan promised to stayinvolved 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 beinga respected writer, Cheuse has reviewedbooks on NPR for more than two decades.He has written five novels, short stories anda memoir. His latest novel is Song of theSlaves in the Desert, which delves into theworld of southern slavery. Interestingly, bythe time he finished the book, he was agrandfather to a child adopted from Ethiopia.

“Books are everything to writers,” Cheusesaid. “We hope they are everything to readers.”

He talked about a writer who sent hisgrandmother his first book when it was pub-lished. The grandmother was quite religious

and when she received the book, she senthim a note thanking him, but told him, I havethe books I need — the Bible and the Searscatalog!

“Whether we need the Bible, we need toaugment it with other visions,” Cheuse said.“Books help us understand and rejuvenateourselves.”

He said there are characters in novels thatwe know better than people we grew up with.

In the question and answer session, he wasasked about his work as a writer and as areviewer for NPR.

“We are the only broadcast network in thehistory of civilization that takes books seri-ously,” he said.

To do his reviews, he reads three to fivebooks a week, featuring books he hasenjoyed. To date he has done very few nega-tive reviews.

“For every book I review I read five to 10others,” he said.

One of the questions he fielded was aboutthe future of books in this digital age wherepeople are reading books on their phones, oniPads or on readers such as Kindle or Nook.

“I think books will go on,” he said.“Twenty-five percent of every book willcome in hardcover.”

As to how to keep boys reading, he saidfathers can make a difference if they wouldmake it a point to read with their sons.

As far as the contentious debate inCongress about cutting federal funding forNPR, Cheuse said, if the funds were takenaway, NPR would survive in urban areas butit would limit access to multiple points ofview for people who live in more remoteareas.

The book fair raises money for theMatheson Library, headed by RuthanneVogel, which has a collection of more than19,000 books, videos and magazines.

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.

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

UM to present artwork of the BFA graduating studentsCOMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFS


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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


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.


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

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.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––



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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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>.

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F O O T N O T E S

Katie Crouch(Photo by Miriam Berkley)


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

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BY SHERRY MILLER

Cauley Square Historic RailroadVillage has long been acclaimed as one ofthe area’s most beautiful and naturalretreats with some 10 acres of environ-mentally preserved acreage includingsome 25 cottage shops in structures builtoriginally in 1903 by workers on HenryFlagler’s railroad.

This Mother’s Day, May 8, CauleySquare Village invites families to comeand stroll together through the land-scaped gardens overflowing with flow-ers, plants, lush tropical foliage, naturalwhite coral rock and more.

The cottage shops surrounding thelandscaped gardens are special interesthavens for collectors of art and artifact,antiques and collectibles, aquariums andexotic birds.

There is truly something for everyone,and the family friendly village also ishome to the world famous Tea Room and

Village Chalet restaurants open dailyseven days a week.

This Mother’s Day weekend starts onFriday, May 6, with “Viva” Classic Rockperforming on the main patio from 7:30to 11:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 7, at theVillage Chalet Restaurant, jazz king KimBankston performs from 7 to 10 p.m.

On Sunday, May 8, in both the VillageChalet and in the Tea Room restaurants,family dinners will be served honoringmothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters.

There are no cover charges at CauleySquare Village and entry is free to thepublic as well as free parking. The villageis open seven days a week; cottage shopsare closed on Mondays.

Also, the annual Pet Fest is scheduledon Sunday, May 22, at Cauley Square.

Cauley Square Historic Railroad Villageis located at 22400 Old Dixie Hwy. inGoulds. (Take S. Dixie Highway to SW224th Street). For information, call theAdministrative Offices at 305-258-3543.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Cauley Square Village



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

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BY REBECCA STANIER-SHULMAN

Miami native Russell Thomas returns tothe concert stage in a recital accompaniedby Orchestra Miami’s artistic directorElaine Rinaldi at the piano.

In his first appearance in Miami sincehis triumphant win at the Francisco ViñasCompetition in Barcelona, Spain, Thomasand Rinaldi will present a program ofmusic by Beethoven, Griffes, Verdi,Donaudy, Tosti, Britten and VaughanWilliams.

“I first met Russell when he was astudent at the New World School for theArts,” Rinaldi said. “I have taken greatpleasure in watching Russell grow as anartist, and I’m thrilled to be able tobring him home to perform for theMiami public.”

The recital will be on Saturday, May 14,8 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church ofMiami, 609 Brickell Ave. Tickets arepriced at $40 for priority seating, $30 forgeneral admission seating, $20 for seniorsand $10 for students. A special receptionwith the artists will be held immediatelyfollowing the recital in the FellowshipHall, proceeds of which ($20 per person)go to the benefit of Orchestra Miami.

Tickets for the recital and reception can bepurchased online through Orchestra Miami’swebsite (www.OrchestraMiami.org) or bycalling 305-274-2103. This recital is one ofthe events celebrating 115 years of servicefrom the First Presbyterian Church of Miami(www.fpcmiami.org).

A native of Miami, Thomas quickly isestablishing himself as one of the most

exciting vocal and dramatic talents onthe international opera and concertscene, most recently as the First-Prizewinner of the prestigious “ViñasCompetition” in Barcelona (First Prize,Audience Favorite and Best Tenor) andat the “Competizione dell’Opera” inDresden. He has sung at many of theworld’s most important opera houses,including the Metropolitan Opera(Tamino in Magic Flute; Steuerman inDer Fliegende Hollander; Forresto inAttila; Andres in Wozzeck), OperFrankfurt (Faust in Berlioz’s Damnationof Faust), Welsh National Opera(Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly;Tamino in Magic Flute).

Conductor Rinaldi is fast making hermark among the ranks of rising youngAmerican conductors. Critics have calledher performances “brilliant” and her inter-pretative work “impeccable.” As founderand artistic director of Orchestra Miami,Rinaldi has brought a new level of profes-sionalism and quality to the local artsscene. In addition to her work withOrchestra Miami, Rinaldi is much indemand as a recitalist and vocal coach.

Founded in 2006 by Rinaldi, OrchestraMiami quickly has established itself as animportant part of Miami’s vibrant culturalcommunity. In its brief history, OrchestraMiami has presented the finest in classicalsymphonic, Latin jazz and opera, withsome of the most important and recognizednames in the world of music.

For more information about this recitaland the orchestra, visit the website at<www.OrchestraMiami.org>.

Tenor Russell Thomas returnsto Miami in recital on May 14


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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.

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

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>.


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Join Miami-Dade ParksEcoAdventures during an open housefor their Nature Adventure SummerCamps on Saturday, May 21, from 10a.m. to 4 p.m., at the following Miami-Dade Parks area nature centers: Sense ofWonder Nature Center at A. D. BarnesPark, 3401 SW 72 Ave., and BillSadowski Park & Nature Center, 17555SW 79 Ave. in Palmetto Bay.

This is a great opportunity for parentsand their children to learn more about theEcoAdventures Nature AdventureSummer Camp programs available foryouth and teens. The Youth NatureAdventure Camps have educational andfun activities such as exploring naturetrails, interactive presentations, hands-onactivities, field trips and more.

The Nature Adventure Camps for teensoffers a variety of unique outdoor adven-tures, such as canoeing, paddle boarding,snorkeling and “swamp tromps.”

Nature Adventure Summer Camps areavailable at the following area locations:

YOUTH NATURE ADVENTURE CAMPSDeering Estate at Cutler/Bill Sadowski

Park & Nature Center, Eco-Explorers (ages6-8) 17555 SW 79 Ave. in Palmetto Bay

(Bill Sadowski Park), 305-255-4767 or305-235-1668, ext. 233;

Deering Estate at Cutler, DiscoveryCamp (ages 9-11), 16701 SW 72 Ave. inPalmetto 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 SW72 Ave., 305-662-4124.

TEEN NATURE ADVENTURE CAMPSDeering Estate at Cutler, Camp Ikana

Okee “Sea & Land” (ages 12-15), 16701SW 72 Ave, in Palmetto Bay, 305-235-1668, ext. 233;

Matheson Hammock Park, Camp on theSea (ages 12-17) 9610 Old Cutler Rd, inCoral Gables, 305-255-4767 (BillSadowski Park & Nature Center) Camp onthe Sea offers convenient drop-off andpickup at A.D. Barnes Park and BillSadowski Park.

Tropical Park Fishing Camp(Freshwater), new, (ages 9-15) in part-nership with Florida Fish & WildlifeCommission, 7900 SW 40 St. (BirdRoad), 305-255-4767 or 305-365-3018.

For information about Miami-DadePark and Recreation Department call 3-1-1 or visit online at<www.miamidade.gov/parks>.

Nature Adventure Summer Campsslate open house events, May 21

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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.

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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.


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.

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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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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 callTicketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Ticketsmay also be purchased online at <www.tick-etmaster.com>. For information online, visit<www.sesamestreetlive.com>. Become afan 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.

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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

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South Miami News 5.3.2011

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Transcript of South Miami News 5.3.2011