South Miami Rotarians celebrated the holidays with a December party at the home of David and Melissa Jacobs. Among many enjoying the event organized by Rotarian Donna Gaines were Club President Doreen and husband, Leon Reitnauer; former South Miami Mayor Horace Felui, and wife, Seida; Past President Ellen Book and husband, Daniel Berger; and Asaad Masoud. The same club that also helped with South Miami’s Parade of Elves is now gearing up for its 27th Annual South Miami Rotary Art Festival the last weekend in February of 2011 in downtown South Miami. Once again Diane Phillips chairs the event, noting that show proceeds will fund Rotary scholarships as well as international and local community service projects. For more information on the Festival, contact info@southmiamiartfest.org or tel. 305- 769-5977.
Speaking of South Miami Rotary, this service organization meets every Tuesday, 12:15 p.m., at Carrabba’s in South Miami, welcoming visiting Rotarians and featuring informative speakers. Most recently, Coral Gables Rotarian and Past President of Miami Rotary Club, Rick Tonkinson of Rick Tonkinson & Associates, discussed “Financial Planning for the New Year,” offering some great practical advice. Advised Tonkinson: pay off debt of all kinds as a number one priority, even before starting to save. Tonkinson, who met his wife as a Peace Corps volunteer in the 70’s, is very active in the community and commended the Club on its support of Shelter Boxes.
South Miami Rotarian and Past President, Ellen Book, overseer of the South Miami Rotary’s donations of dictionaries to schools, was especially grateful to volunteers who made four presentations at local schools when she recently traveled with her husband.
On a similar note, at the annual December Christmas Party, members of GFWC Coco Plum Woman’s Club donated Teddy Bears collected throughout the year to “Cops for Kids,” accompanied by a $500 check. A nonprofit, ‘Cops’ prides itself on police and volunteer distribution of only new, non-violent toys to Miami-Dade underprivileged children. GFWC Coco Plum Woman’s Club, located at 1375 Sunset Drive, is open to new members interested in charitable activities. For information, tel. 305-665-5731 or e-mail mabizette@bellsouth.net.
On the cultural front, GableStage at the Biltmore Hotel brought the southeastern premiere of “A Round- Heeled Woman” starring multiple Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress, Sharon Gless ( Burn Notice Queer as Folkand Cagney & Lacey). The play that opened in December and runs through January 30 depicts a retired school teacher who has not had sex in 30 years. Setting out to remedy the situation, she places an ad in the personals in the New York Review of Books, leading to adventures and emotional entanglements, both comic and touching, while telling the true story of a woman who decides there’s still time to pursue passion with a vengeance.
Performances continue Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets range from $37.50 to $47.50. Subscriptions: Six plays for $200.
For more information, visit www.GableStage.org. GableStage is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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