We hear that Village Manager Ron Williams has helped create a Downtown Redevelopment Task Force to create a “livable, walkable downtown” in the city’s southwest corner along South Dixie Highway. The group, which meets on a regular basis, consists of local area residents, business owners, and other stakeholders. The group is charged with transforming the existing business district and to “expand services for the Palmetto Bay residents with an eye on enhancing the Village’s overall financial viability now and well into the future.” For information, contact Village Hall at 305-259-1234.
D.A.R.E. Arts & Crafts Fair… It’s coming up on Saturday, November 16, at Coral Reef Park 7895 SW 152 Street, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., but if you’re a vendor who wants to participate in this worthwhile and popular fundraising effort now’s the time to contact them and sign up. DARE is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violencefree lives. Last year’s Arts & Crafts Festival for D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program), raised $2,530 from proceeds provided by 60 vendors. With a generous $350 donation from the Alexander Montessori Academy the total amount raised during the 2012 event was $2,880. Please contact Officer Patience Glasko at 305-278-4016 or Rosie Hart at 305-331-3974 for info.
Drivers alert! The info from a new FDOT advisory re the US-1 improvement project in South Dade says due to the ongoing construction project one lane may be closed at times along US 1 from SW 168 Street to SW 136 Street while the contractor performs signalization work. The closure will be from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays. At least one travel lane will remain open at all times. Conditions may affect the schedule, so visit the website, <www.dot.state.fl.us> or contact Construction Public Information Specialist Ivette Ruiz-Paz at 305-640-7462 or email her at <Ivette.Ruiz- Paz@dot.state.fl.us>. Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log onto www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.
A smokin’ new business… We hear from Dr. James Thomas, Economic Development Council Chair, that he persuaded Origins Cigars to move to the Cutler Bay area, where they have expanded and are now open for business. Origins Cigars is located at 18932 South Dixie Hwy. (across from Best Buy), and the owner is Karel Martinez. Check ‘em out, or call Karel at 305-252-1314 for more info.
Artists, take note! We know there are a lot of artists here in the area so we are relaying this bit of news involving a call to artists for Sculpture Key West’s 2013-2014 Season. “Sculpture Key West offers a unique opportunity for artists to create outdoor works that respond to and interact with the tropical environment. Each year the exhibition takes place in Key West’s historic fort, gardens, beaches, forests and grass areas. Artists are encouraged to apply for the 2013-2014 season. Please write to <director@sculpturekeywest. org> for further information if you are interested in submitting to either the Sculpture Key West main exhibit and/or the AIDS Memorial categories. Applications are taken on their website, www.sculpturekeywest.org.
Thought of the Day:
It’s never too late to become what you might have been.
— George Elliot
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
