Into cycling? You might be interested in a a group of cyclists called Team StormRiders. They’re local professionals that enjoy the camaraderie of cycling together, and they focus on fun and fitness while supporting a number of local charities including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Patches PPEC, and others. A number of Palmetto Bay residents, including Pam Gorman, who has been a member of Team StormRiders for six years, ride with the group on a regular basis. Team StormRiders welcomes cyclists of all skill levels, and they ride on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Beginners can meet up with the group at 7:15 a.m. at the Deering Estate parking lot behind Starbucks on 168th street. For info on how you can join the StormRiders, visit their website at teamstormriders.com.
Time to clean up! Yep, the 4th annual World Wetlands’ Day Clean Up at Black Point Marina is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. As you may know from previous years, it’s a volunteer project involving all Cutler Bay students, families and community members. In the past three years they have collected almost one ton of debris. Sponsors of the event include Youth Service America and Dream In Green. The USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 61 (FSO-Sea Partners) will be there as well. Participants can meet the organizers and other volunteers at the pavilion on the jetty side. Appropriate attire and sunscreen are suggested. The yearly project is supported and approved of by the Miami-Dade County Public School system, and it’s a great chance for youngsters and parents to do something positive for the environment.
And speaking of the outdoors, the 7th Annual “Rainer & Noël’s Excellent Camping Adventure” takes place Saturday and Sunday January 24-25 in Everglades National Park. South Florida National Parks Trust Board Member Rainer Schael and his wife Noël host their yearly family camping weekend to support the park’s Camping Adventure with My Parents (CAMP) program, which is a ranger-led program that introduces South Florida families to camping and the Everglades. A number of activities are included in the program: Dinner on Saturday night (shrimp boil, burgers, dogs and more) and Sunday Breakfast. Regularly scheduled ranger guided hikes, canoe and boat trips are also available. You’ll need to bring camping gear, cameras, bicycles, bug spray, and food for lunch on Saturday. Tickets are $40 per person and $20 kids under 18. For details and Reservations call 305-979-4290 or send an email to rainer@rs-env.com. For information on the South Florida National Parks Trust, visit www.southfloridaparks.org. (Note: Donations to the South Florida National Parks Trust are tax deductible.)
Thought of the Day:
Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.
— Robert Collier
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.
Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com.
