South Miami Hospital’s 51st Annual Mercury Ball will be themed “Paraiso Basileiro, A Celebration of Color Music and Joy,” at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Saturday, March 5. Presented by Total Bank, the event is hosted by South Miami Hospital Associates, business and community leaders who serve as the hospital’s goodwill ambassadors and fundraisers for the hospital. The black-tie affair starts at 7 p.m. with a reception and silent auction followed by dinner and musical entertainment by Marty K’s Music Makers.
This year’s ball planning kicked off with a party at Shula’s 347 Grill in South Miami on February 1 with Chair Jim Brennan joined by Co-Chairs Sylvia Sanchez Vegas and Steven Kang, M.D., welcoming a crowd. Among many at the event: Steve Parsons, Wayne Brackin and Lincoln Mendez and Michael Miller.
Proceeds from the ball will fund renovations and the expansion of South Miami Hospital’s emergency center, operating suites and imaging center. Noted oncological surgeon Ricardo Estape, M.D., will also be honored as “Person of the Year”, for his many contributions to the hospital, the community and the healthcare field. For more information, tel. 786-596-6535 or e-mail events@baptisthealth.net.
The Junior Orange Bowl Committee (JOBC) and Pitman Photo Supply will showcase the photographs of talented middle and high school students during a reception on Friday, February 11, at 7 p.m. in the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater. Each students submitted two photographs in each of four categories: “People in Motion,” “Night Lights,” “Photo Assignment: The Everglades,” and “Containers for People” as well as a “Portfolio Review.” JOBC Photography Contest Chair, Dr. Randy Groh, a partner of Dental Leaders in Coral Gables and a scenic and wildlife photographer himself, enlisted the help of some impressive adjudicators. Among those helping him judge the entries: Ron Magill, renowned photographer and Goodwill Ambassador for Zoo Miami; Daniel De Azoulay, gallery owner and professional fashion and scenic photographer; and award winning photographer and art buyer, Kay Levine.
First, second, and third place winners in each category will be awarded gift certificates to Pitman Photo Supply with three special awards going to the best Middle School photographers. In addition, a $200 gift certificate will go to the Portfolio Review student winner, recognizing the finest overall photographs with coherent style.
The Photography Contest is just one of 15 athletic, artistic, and cultural events making up the 2010-2011 Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival. After this final event, the Committee will hold elections, organize an installation dinner and begin work on the 2011-12 season. This is certainly one of the hardest working groups of volunteers anywhere. The JOBC receives support from the City of Coral Gables, Miami Children’s Hospital, the Orange Bowl Committee, Miami- Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council, the Miami- Dade’s Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.The JOB Committee is always looking for people of like mind who want to give back to their community. For more information on how to become involved, call the JOBC office at 305-662-1210 or go online to www.jrorangebowl.org.
The folks at Town Kitchen Management, Inc., well-known for their highly-successful Smoke’t Southern Kitchen & Tap and TOWN Kitchen & Bar, have opened yet another “neighborhood joint”: “sake blue asian kitchen & bar” located in The Collection building next to Village of Merrick Park, 225 Altara Avenue in Coral Gables. The place was packed for its opening weekend January 29 as guests enjoyed the new restaurant and welcomed well-known local Chef Robert Pagan, new to the TKM team. For now the restaurant is open for dinner on Sunday and Monday, 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Tuesday thru Saturday, 5:30-11 p.m. with a late night menu Thursday-Saturday, 11 p.m.to 1:30 a.m. (Note: Lunch will be available in March, 2011) . For reservations, call 305-774-5959. Additional information about sake blue asian kitchen & bar can be found at www.sakebluemiami.com.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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