Coral Reef Park Outdoor Arts & Craft Festival

Coral Reef Park Outdoor Arts & Craft Festival

After a several year hiatus, the Coral Reef Park Outdoor Arts & Craft Festival made a comeback. A pet project of Mayor Eugene Flinn, he remarked, “My family and I enjoyed walking the art show. I am pleased to see the return of yet another cultural event in Palmetto Bay. There were many great comments from attendees and the show will be even better next year. It’s a great start.”

The show featured 71 tents and drew a majority of the artists and crafts people from outside South Florida. One of the unique aspects of this show is that it is required that the artist or craftsperson must be present to participate.

Artist Ana Monsanto from Coconut Grove (www.anamonsanto.com) paints with acrylics on wood and seals it with resin to create stunning pieces. “This is an enjoyable show and I got great, great feedback. Because I’m local, I’ll probably have some people visit me in the Grove.”

The festival days (May 21 & 22) were unseasonably hot. Miamians Leonard and Marlene Zwieback enjoyed 20 minutes of strolling through the artists’ tents before saying, “It’s great to have this in such a nice park, but its just too hot!” They left soon thereafter.

One of the most impressive booths was manned by married artists Roberta & Arthur Jacobs out of Wellington (their email is timelesstreaureart@gmail.com). Their works appear to be incredibly detailed drawings or paintings, but upon closer exam you’ll find they are actually hand-stitched silk art.

“I’ve been stitching since I was 6-years old,” Arthur explains, “But in my mid-20s I turned my hobby into an art endeavor after accidentally discovering the word SUZHOU in the encyclopedia.”

Suzhou refers to a city in China where this beautiful style of handmade silk embroidery originated over 2500 years ago. Arthur raced to China and immersed himself in the style. Now he is so well known, he teaches a master class in the art and even taught his wife, who he says now exceeds his skills on some pieces.

“This is a great location,” said Mickey Bradham from American Craft Endeavors, one of the show creators, “but we’re a bit disappointed with the turnout. We’ll likely return next year at a cooler time of the year.”

Mayor Flinn added, “I’m very appreciative of the hard work of the vendor who coordinated, as well as the Parks director and her staff.”

SportClips Grand Opening
On June 1, SportClips Haircuts had its grand opening day, complete with official ribbon-cutting. The store is located on SW 136 Street next to the UPS Store and across from Home Depot. Steve Risi and his son Frank already own a successful franchise near Miami Executive Airport and knew Palmetto Bay was a great place to open another SportClips.

“There are more than 1500 SportClips around the country and we plan on opening a bunch more in Miami-Dade,” explained Frank Risi.

“The Village of Palmetto Bay was so supportive and helpful during the launch of our business and the people who have come in are incredibly friendly. We’re very happy here.”

Ranging from $16 for a basic cut to $23 for the MVP treatment (which includes shampoo and a neck/shoulder massage), SportClips makes getting a haircut an easy excuse for catching some sports on a flat-screen TV while indulging yourself.

Tom wandered in after seeing the commotion. “I definitely can’t complain about the theme. What’s not to like about sports on TV and looking your best?”

Sport Clips Haircuts of Colonial Palms Plaza is located at 13611 S. Dixie Hwy and is open 7 days a week, beginning at 10a.m. Walk-ins are welcome and you can reach them at 305-235-1801.

Palmetto Bay Downtown Plan Wins Award
On Friday, June 3 the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (a professional association of planners, architects and engineers) presented Palmetto Bay with the 2016 award for Outstanding Study/Plan. Planning and Zoning Director, Darby Delsalle, accepted the award in Jacksonville.

The award recognized the Village’s out-of-the-box comprehensive approach to land use and zoning to facilitate a prosperous downtown redevelopment. Managed principally by Village Manager Ed Silva, the multi-year effort highlights many groups cooperating together. Since 2013, beginning with the formation of the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force (a community-centered organization of residents who brought unique professional disciplines to the table to brainstorm all facets of the downtown project) and including consulting partners Kimley-Horn & Associates, Bermillo & Ajamil, and Marlin Engineering, Palmetto Bay steadily built its plan into what it is today.

Director Darby Delsalle explains, “What makes this plan particularly special is that it follows the basic planning tenants of sustainability but it does it under the rubric of market flexibility that is sustainable.”

Delsalle believes the award and its recognition will provide Palmetto Bay with attention from across the country. “Developers and Planners will take note because this puts us on the map as an exciting project that warrants their attention.”

Real Estate Update
School is out for summer. This means the high season for home sales! You should know the value of your home and if you are selling, do it NOW. I’d be glad to provide you market analysis. It’s easy to get started at miamihal.com/myvalue, so why are you waiting?

Hal Feldman (MiamiHal) is a Realtor with RE/MAX Advance Realty. You can contact him with your story ideas or real estate questions at www.MiamiHal.com, Hal@MiamiHal.com or www.facebook.com/MiamiHal.


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