South Florida is a most generous community year round but even more so during the holiday season. From the Salvation Army bell ringers to our many service organizations, temples and churches, the spirit of giving abounds. Many of our Pinecrest residents participate in outreach through Coral Gables Rotary and the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, two organizations that often work together to promote good works. Gables Rotary is planning their Annual Chili Cook Off for Sunday, February 24, and will be accepting entries soon for chefs. This is one event the Coral Gables Woman’s Club commits to every year, chaired by Pinecrest resident Greg Martini. There are cash prizes and this is always great fun for all.
Speaking of Rotary, there is a new Rotary fellowship being introduced into Miami-Dade County called Rotary Means Business.
The first meeting for our area was held on October 23 at the Tank Brewing Company which offered a private room for this networking social. Rotarians gathered from all over the greater Miami area. Look for more of these events in 2019. Among the many attending were Dr. Imelda Medina, Neil Kodsi, Tony Pinheiro, Keith Noble, Felipe Vidal, Jorge Garcia and Felipe Madrigal.
The Merrick Festival Caroling Competition is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Starting November 28 through December 2, school choirs from our area and around the Miami-Dade will be competing for cash prizes in this annual event that helps support performing arts programs. The performances are held in front of the giant poinsettia tree at the 550 Biltmore Building nightly at 7 p.m. with the exception of Sunday, which will begin at 3 p.m. Among the 30 schools competing from South Dade will be South Miami Middle School, Miami Southridge and Coral Reef Senior High Schools. For information on times visit www.carolingcompetition.org. An awards show will be held Tuesday night, December 4, 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Save the morning of December 2 for the 2018 Jingle Bell Run of Miami, to be held at The Falls. This holiday-themed 5K race series proceeds benefit The Arthritis Foundation’s efforts to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. Executive Director, Lisa Boccia, encourages everyone to don their favorite holiday costume, tie bells to their shoelaces and help support this fight to cure arthritis. Yes, 100 percent of your registration fee and fundraising efforts go to this great cause. For information contact Lisa at lboccia@arthritis.org or call 305-928-3553.
Of course, there are some great parades coming soon as well. The 22nd Annual Miracle on 136th Street holiday parade with Grand Marshal Ron Magill will take place at 1 p.m. on November 17 at The Falls. Fans of Soft Surroundings may want to check out their beautiful new store that just opened in The Falls on November 2. Then on Sunday, December 2, is the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade at 5 p.m., down Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.
The Junior Orange Bowl just had their Robotics Competition the weekend of November 2 with many more events to come. For information visit jrorangebowl.org.
May you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
Until next time, keep making each day count.
