The King of Motown, Smokey Robinson, was in town for Jazz in the Gardens recently and took time out of his busy schedule to share with South Florida signature wines he has recently launched. At a recent get together while Smokey was in town, he generously donated several signed bottles for local charitable events including the Coral Gables Woman’s Club benefit for the Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic.
This icon of the music industry, who is as kind as he is talented, has written 4,000 songs that are the background music for most of our lives. Looking decades younger than he is, he is not a big drinker but was very involved in the taste and favors of the wines that carry his name. His wines may be purchased online at smokeyrobinsonwines.com.
A Safe Haven for Newborns (ASHFN) held its annual 5 K Walk on March 10 at Amelia Earhart Park drawing participants from all over Miami Dade and Broward Counties. Long time supporter Pete de le Torre was on hand to emcee the event once again this year, introducing several dignitaries on hand as well as the organization’s founder Nick Silverio. The count is now at 279 babies saved from abandonment since ASHFN was founded some ten years ago. Miami’s Community Newspapers is proud to be a media sponsor for this amazing group of volunteers and Nick, who works 24/7 and has never taken a salary… a truly incredibly selfless man whose love is boundless.
Kudos to the event chair Norris Perez, the teams who came out to lend their support and volunteers. It was a perfect day and great to see participation from such groups as the Coral Gables Woman’s Club just weeks before their big gala to support the club’s free children’s dental clinic.
In other news, the Rotary Club of Freeport Grand Bahama held their annual ball on March 17. A few fellow Rotarians from District 6990 were among those who traveled from South Florida to support this club’s event. Among the guests were Rotary International President-Elect Barry Rassin (Nassau Rotary); Past District Governor (Key Biscayne Rotary) Ellen Blasi; Assistance District Governor 2017-2018 Wayne Russell; Assistant District Governor 2018-2019 Rengin Johnson; and ADG 2018-2019 Yoli Woodbridge from Coral Gables. Green was the order of the day for this St. Patrick’s Day affair that had many dancing the night away.
Speaking of Rotary, many local Rotarians are among the tens of thousands making plans for the upcoming Rotary International Convention to be held in Toronto this year June 23 – 27. Rotarians may register at www.riconvention.org.
Yet another gala was held March 10 for the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee. On hand to emcee the affair was Craig Stevens. The event also served as an installation for new officers. Among those installed were 2018-19 officers: President, Frandley DeFilie; President-Elect, Isa Goenaga; Vice President, Steven Gonzalez; Vice President, Luis Quiñones; Secretary, Ana Rivera; and Treasurer, Aldo Castañeda. The new board will work closely with Executive Director Alex Markel to continue the organization’s mission of showcasing our youth in every area from athletics to creative and cultural arts. The Gala also honored Past Presidents Don and Jeannett Slesnick; The Biltmore Hotel; and the Kiwanis Club of Miami. The JOBC’s Empowered Youth honorees were sisters Celine Borotto-Alvarez and Chelsea Rivero-Alvarez who were praised for their volunteerism.
Speaking of the Jr. Orange Bowl and the Kiwanis Club of Miami, the Jr. Orange Bowl Basketball tournament play, with support from the Kiwanians, continues as middle school teams will participate in invitational tournaments at Miami Springs Recreation Center in April.
First up will be girls’ games on Friday, April 6, 6-8 p.m. and then Sat., April 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Boys play Sat. April 13. 6-8 p.m. and then on Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Jr. Orange Bowl Basketball chair, Chuck Little, is to be applauded for his boundless energy and efforts to provide young basketball players with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
