June is just days away, and with the youngsters out of school and looking for some fun special activities to fill some of those free hours (and parents, we know you’re looking for those, too) it’s definitely not too early to mention some of the options that are available.
Summer Camp at Coral Reef Park… Each year the Village of Palmetto Bay has two summer camp programs and registration is already underway for both. One is Camp Palmetto Bay, which has a range of activities, events and field trips, taking place at Coral Reef park, the school next door, and other locations. The other is Tennis Camp, conducted by top-flight staff at the recently renovated tennis courts there at the park. Both camps begin on June 8, so better hurry and register now! Call Village Hall for more info at 305-259-1234, or visit the village website at www.palmettobay- fl.gov/ and click on Parks & Recreation in the menu on the left side of the screen. There’s also a promotional video on the village’s Facebook page.
Do your children love to sing? Then they should really enjoy the choral camp hosted by The Children’s Voice Chorus at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church, 14401 Old Cutler Rd. in Palmetto Bay. Music educators and industry professionals aim to enhance the lives of young singers through choral training which develops vocal technique, ear-training, music reading, and interpersonal skills. Activities are fun and include the writing, recording and filming of a professional quality music video! Singers in grades 3-12 are invited to attend. They do not require former music training or an audition. Space is limited! The cost for the full 3-week session is $450. It is possible to attend one week of camp during weeks one and two, but music video participants are required to attend all three weeks. Financial assistance is available to qualifying families. Contact them for more info. Price includes a t-shirt but does not include lunch or any specific wardrobe or costume needs for the video. Camp runs from June 15 through July 3 (the final camp concert and video premier will be held on July 2nd during camp hours). Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, but extended hours are available (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for an extra $55 per week. For information call 786-216- 7003 or email them at info@childrensvoicechorus.org.
Love pets? Then you may want to attend the Lucky 13 Casino Night & Awards Presentation at the Cutler Bay Mercedes- Benz, 10701 SW 211 Street on Saturday June 6. It goes from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Ron Magill of ZooMiami will EMCEE the event, a “festive evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, raffle and gaming” in celebration of South Florida’s most stellar animal advocates, the Pets’ Trust. Tickets are $50 or $75 at the door. Miami- Dade County Animal Services receives up to 37,000 dogs and cats each year and on average 20,000 of these adoptable animals are killed.
For reservations or to purchase raffle tickets for a Mercedes-Benz C300 lease visit WWW.PETSVOICE.ORG/REGISTRATION. For info, call Rita Schwartz at 305-491-5651 or email her at Rita@PetsTrustMiami.com.
Day of Smiles… Does your child have a facial or congenital hand deformity that needs reconstructive surgery? Baptist Children’s Hospital will offer free corrective facial and other medically necessary reconstructive procedures (cleft palate, cleft lip, scars, tumors, burns, port wine birthmarks and congenital hand problems) for children and teens whose families cannot afford the procedures. A medical screening to determine if surgery can help your child will be held Saturday, May 30, 8 a.m. to noon at Baptist Children’s Hospital 8900 North Kendall Drive. Come to the Pre-surgery area, located at the back of the hospital, on the first floor of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. An appointment is required. Call 786-596-3673.
Reminder for World War II veterans… on Friday June 12th the Homestead Military Affairs Committee will host an event at Homestead Air Reserve Base from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to honor men and women who served in our United States armed forces during WWII. If you were in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or Coast guard between 1938 and 1945 you are invited to attend and bring photos and memorabilia for display. For information contact Rich Erschik at 630-642-6500 or by email at Rich@JustAskRich.com.
Thought of the Day:
Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
— Dr. Seuss
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.
