April showers held off for the Annual Downtown Doral Art Walk & Earth Day Celebration, April 21. This fun family day, emceed by the amazing Marly Q, is one of so many great events Doral hosts with our City’s Parks and Rec staff and volunteers.
Music, artists, vendors, kids activities, food trucks, and more provided something for everyone. Throughout the afternoon, everyone who registered received a raffle ticket giving those who were present at three scheduled drawings a chance to win a mountain bike. A dozen bikes were raffled off thanks to the generosity of the Intercontinental Hotel and Codina Partners.
Among the many vendors was Spin, a friendly bike share in our city that provides a great and inexpensive way to get around. Christina was on hand to show this writer and others how the system works. Walking to the store and coming home with bags is a lot easier if you can put the bags in the basket and ride home.
In other news, the Doral Bar Association’s Kick-Off event for the Doral business community happens May 23, 7:30-9 a.m. at Chase Bank’s branch located in the Publix shopping center on 41st and 97th.
The topic of the morning program will be the risks of doing business abroad, with a focus on OFAC and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with an emphasis on the restrictions applicable to US businesses doing business with Venezuela, an issue near and dear to the hearts of much of Doral. Please see the article in this issue written by Santiago Cueto, President of the Doral Bar Association.
A Safe Haven for Newborns held its annual golf tournament on April 23. Despite a thunderstorm that cut short the play, golfers who gathered at the Trump National had a fun day – and even received a voucher to come back another day.
Of course, there was enough play to award trophies and a drawing and silent auction raised additional funds for the efforts of A Safe Haven For Newborns. Nick Silverio, founder of the organization that has now saved more than 270 babies, thanked the many sponsors and volunteers attending.
For this writer it was great to see once again the Murphy boys from Coastal Construction, long time Safe Haven supporters, and so many other great sponsors who are committed to the organization’s mission. Kudos to Nick, Gina Perez, Marti Bueso, and all the volunteers on a successful event.
The Independent Schools of South Florida held its 28th Annual Star Luncheon at the Doubletree MACC Hotel on April 18 attended by 55 of its member schools honoring outstanding students with medals and certificates.
Notable schools in the Doral area attending the luncheon included Miami Christian School, whose star students were Valentina Lopez, Miguel Diaz and Karen Linares; Divine Savior Academy whose honorees were Sydney Spiegelberg, Dante Ledezma and Rosalia Russoniello; St. Brendan’s High School recognizing Christine Rodriguez, Alejandro Ruiz-Paiz and Lauren Vera; and Belen Jesuit, whose star students were Gabriel Marrero, Luke Pennie, and Adam Magoulas.
Kudos to the organizers ISSF President Cheryl Rogers, ISSF Executive Director Dr. Teri Logan, Alicia Casanova, and many others who volunteered to help with this massive event attended by close to 800 people.
Business Forum Group’s Women’s Mastermind hosted regular meetings, one of which was held at Organic Cafe, a beautiful venue in the previous home of Mercantil Bank on 107th Ave. in Doral.
This group is under the umbrella of the Business Forum Group and is one where woman in business might find great benefit. For more information on this and other community events, visit doralbizforum.com.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
