Can you help? Someone cut down or damaged a number of long standing mangrove trees in the waterfront back yard of Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor John DuBois last week, under cover of darkness, and after calling the Miami-Dade Police who came out to investigate, DuBois has offered a $50,000 reward to catch the person responsible. Mangroves are a protected species in South Florida because they provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for sea life and wildlife, and filter out pollutants. Whoever did it may face felony charges for the damage that was done, and the Vice Mayor hopes that the reward will result in someone coming forward with info that will lead to an arrest. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Miami- Dade Police at 305-278-4012.
Spring Fair… St. Thomas Lutheran Church, located at 17700 Old Cutler Road in Palmetto Bay, will host a Spring Fair on April 27. The family friendly event featuring arts and crafts, food, shopping and other fun things will help raise money for a number of charitable organizations throughout the area and was inspired by the popularity of the Fall Fair they hosted there last year, according to Diana Orme, the coordinator of Fair. Habitat, Camillus House, Lutheran Services of South Florida and the Miami Bridge in Homestead all benefit from the proceeds. Vendors who would like to participate in the Spring Fair should contact the church as soon as possible by calling 305-232-1227 or by sending an email to stthomaschr@aol.com
Keeping PACE! Cutler Bay Mayor Ed MacDougall couldn’t be happier with the solar paneling on his roof that is part of the PACE program. “As the first in Florida to go energy independent with PACE, I can now preach what I practice,” Ed told us. “A 3,800 Square Foot house (under air-conditioning) with a $8.20 power bill. And this only because of taxes and service charge. I have banked 20 percent additional power not even used.” Ed said that his second month’s bill was just as low, and it shows that the PACE project works. “This is proof that every house and building can become its own power station.” There’s a special PACE dedication ceremony coming up in April with visiting state officials.
Joanne Flinn just turned 21 on March 28. She’s the daughter of Walter and Jennifer Flinn and niece of Eugene and Alexandra Flinn. She appears to be following in the footsteps of her aunt Alex, the author of many popular young adult novels, and has her own first novel out called “Beautiful Temptation.” You can check it out on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Temptationebook/dp/B00BEH0CH4.
Alec Rosen, the long-time area public relations guru, was excited to tell us about his “new job.” Now we’re excited, too. “As you know, for the past 10 years I have been running my own business, AJR & Partners,” said Rosen. “AJR has won numerous awards, earned national recognition, worked with major international brands, launched new products and services and helped many start-ups to well, get started. Over the years, I have worked with amazing partners, clients, employees and vendors. So, after 10 years of running my own shop providing PR, marketing and Social media services I thought it was time to move on.” Rosen isn’t retiring though. Instead, after more than 25 years in PR and marketing, he decided to “give back to the community, make a difference and to follow a passion.” In April he will become the new marketing manager of Chapman Partnership, the private sector partner of the Miami Dade County Homeless Trust, operating two Homeless Assistance Centers in downtown Miami and Homestead. The mission is to empower homeless men, women and children to build a positive future by providing the resources and assistance critical to growth and stability. Congratulations, Alec. We know your expertise will benefit a worthwhile organization.
Etchings, anyone? Fulwood Limited Editions Press is hosting a juried show of etchings, engravings, drypoints, mezzotints and similar techniques to be held in their studio in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. Opening reception is from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday April 13 and will run until May 11. This is the second in a series. The first show in January was a general printmaking exhibition. The next show in June will feature monotypes followed by a show of drawings in August. The studio is located at 251 NW23rd Street in Miami. The popular band, Southern Atlantic Muse, will provide music at the opening reception, refreshments will be served and the public is invited.
A real “Calendar” item… The Marlins are celebrating their 20th anniversary season this year and asked fans to select their favorite moments in the franchise’s history. The top 12 moments will be featured in the Marlins 2013 Calendar, to be given away to the first 15,000 fans attending the game against the Phillies on Sunday, April 14. The calendar will be presented by Leon Medical Centers.
For info go to www.marlins.com.
Thought of the Day:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
—Albert Einstein
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
