First National Bank of South Miami was one of the winners of the Coral Gables Chamber’s prestigious Diamond Awards held December 11, at Coral Gables Country Club where they collected the Diamond Award for Outstanding Large Business. Emceed by CBS4 Anchor, Rick Folbaum, this annual event honoring outstanding businesses added a special category this year, Business Leader of the Year.
The honor went appropriately to a man whose buildings are works of art, Allen Morris. Other winners in their categories included LOI Marketing, BevIntel, Intermedia Touch, Inc., Giardino Gourmet Salads, Jae’s Fine Jewelers, and, in the outstanding non-profit category, the Coral Gables Museum. Among the two other nonprofit finalists were the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, whose free children’s dental clinic serves 600 children a year, and Blossom’s Therapy Center, that fills the gap in therapeutic services for children.
Toy drives have become a great way to spread the joy of the holidays for those in need and to remind us it is better to give than receive. Scott Sime, who serves on the board of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, and his wife Belinda took advantage of their holiday party to collect loads of toys for that organization. Similar drives were held around town by chambers, churches and even our own Community Newspapers office. Of course, Santa for Seniors was also a huge success thanks to South Miami Rotary President Gabriel DeArmas, of Home Instead Care, and all the many Rotary Clubs and businesses that collected for this ongoing program he started to bring smiles to seniors. We are very blessed to live in a community that is so generous not just in December but year around.
One of South Florida’s oldest business networking groups, Profit Inc., held a holiday party hosted by Robert Beans and Bay Plumbing, at Wayne Eldred’s Tarpon Bend on December 11. A very dapper looking Robert Beans, immediate past president of the organization, sent everyone home with a gift bottle of wine and great memories. Among the many enjoying the affair were Daneza Socarras, Kemp Mobley, Jerry Lance, Kirk Whipple, Profit Inc President Stacy Alonso and husband José, Bill Garza, Marci Rodriguez, John O’Rourke, Dr. Joe Briggle, Mike and Susan Sutta, Carrie Loper and Seth Coleman, to mention a few.
On the pageant front, young women who are interested in participating in a pageant to win scholarship dollars may want to check out the Kiwanis of Little Havana. They are now accepting applications for contestants to compete for the coveted title of 33rd Annual Miss Carnaval Miami 2015. Those interested should call 304 644-8888 for information. The final competition will be held Saturday, February 7, at Manuel Artime Theater. The winner of the celebrated pageant will become an ambassador of Carnaval Miami 2015, receive $2,500 in college scholarship funds, a complimentary entry to the Miss Florida USA pageant and other prizes.
Wishing all of our readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year… until next time, keep making each day count.
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