South Miami and Coral Gables Rotarians will be busy the February with two big signature events and a district picnic all on the same weekend. The 33rd Annual South Miami Rotary Art Festival will be held February 20 -21. This community event features 150 outstanding artists with a juried show , an expanded food court, beer garden amd live jazz o stage. It is located along Sunset Drive between Red Road and US 1. Admission is free.
That same weekend on Sunday, February 21, Coral Gables Rotarians are planning their inaugural Chili Cook Off at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park from 2 – 6 p.m. Among the many sponsors already committed to major sponsors already committed to the event are Concrete Beach Brewery and Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables. Other sponsors include Tonkinson Financial, Stanfill Funeral Homes, Coral Gables LaSalle Cleaners and Vortex Communications. More on this in upcoming issues. For more information or to register for the event, visit chilichillin.com.
To promote this First time event for the Gables Rotary Club and get some on site training. Coral Gables Rotary President Greg Martini and fellow Rotarian Bruce Kerestes (who cooks a great chili) participated in the Cutler Bay Chili Cook Off on Jan. 9. It was a perfect perfect day for those folks who gathered at Cutler Ridges Park for a fun filled day of great food and entertainment. While the Club’s Chili did not win their category, it was a really good chili. Among the crowd at the event tasting Bruce’s recipe with this writer were Fred Baddour, Tom Carlesso, and Nancy Martini and hundreds more.
District 6990 Rotarians will gather the morning of February 21, 11 a.m. for a picnic at Tropical Park; so, for many it will be a triple header… art festival, picnic, and chili cook off weekend.
In other news, two upcoming galas and a walk in February support causes focused on children. The first of two galas will be the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club Black & White Gala on February 13. Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, open bar , silent auction and more in the beautiful setting of the Club’s historic building at 1009 East Ponce de Leon Blvd. Tickets are only $75 per person with all proceeds benefitting the Club’s free Children’s Dental Clinic that provides in excess of $250,000.00 in free dental care annually to children in need. VIP table of 8 tickets also available.
For Gala ticket info and purchase, contact ruth.jb.martinez@gmail.com or for information on the clinic or donations, contact Susie Tilson at belletil@bellsouth.net or iristorres@bellsouth.net.
On Saturday, February 27, the Junior Orange Bowl Committee will hold their annual gala at the Conrad Miami. The Junior Orange Bowl “Miami Vice” Gala will feature an exclusive reception, a fine dining experience paired with live music and a silent auction. Community leaders being honored, who have significantly impacted the community through their philanthropy and volunteerism, include John and Pam Admire, Miami’s Community Newspapers, and the City of Miami Springs. The evening will also celebrate the organization’s milestones and the Junior Orange Bowl’s mission to serve the youth of South Florida. Please consider being a Junior Orange Bowl partner by advertising in our signature full color calendar program. Help us to celebrate the youth and provide them with continued opportunities to reach new heights and enhance their future. Tickets are $125.00 per person. Call 305 662-1210 for more info.
Finally, A Safe Haven for Newborns Walk will be held February 13, at Amelia Earhart Park. Registration is 7:30 a.m., walk start 8 a.m. For more information or to register for the walk visit www.asafehavenfornewborns.com.
Until next time, make each day count.
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