The Junior Orange Bowl Committee (JOBC) kicked off its 2009-10 festival with a party poolside at the Gables Waterway complex.
Catering by Lovables provided food for the crowd that included many prospective volunteers. JOBC president Marti Bueso unveiled the theme for the coming year, “Children Eliminating Boundaries Through Knowledge and Friendship.” Committee chairs spoke about their programs while administrative director Mark Pidal orchestrated the festive evening.
Among the many seen enjoying the affair were Jim Borgmann, JOBC’s immediate past president and city manager of Miami Springs; past president and Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, as well as several other past presidents including John Admire, Chuck Little, Eunice Perry, Linda Brown, Corinne Steinbauer, Rex Russo and Jeannette Slesnick.
To learn more about how to become involved in this “world’s largest youth festival,” call 305-662-1210 or go online to www.jrorangebowl.com. Top students from several middle and senior high schools were honored at the annual Junior/Senior High Recognition Breakfast hosted by the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables on Apr. 21.
Event coordinator representing organizational sponsor Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation, Joan Reitsma, of The Giving Tree, credited generous sponsors: Title Sponsor, Build A Bear Workshop Foundation and the Maxine Clark and Bob Fox Foundation; Double Gold Sponsor, Claire-Frances Flanagan Whitehurst, and Gold Sponsors, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club.
CBS 4’s Jim Berry made quite an impression on the graduating students from several middle and senior high schools. More than 280 students, parents, teachers and friends gathered for the affair, all of whom enjoyed Berry’s entertaining and inspiring address. He even included one of his famous “raps,” something that made him stand out as a sportscaster before he became a news anchor.
Berry challenged students to not be afraid to be bad at something and talked about his first job as a newscaster, a job at which he was not great initially. Hard work, learning from others and persistence helped him achieve success in the field.
Following Berry’s address, students were awarded certificates and medals, and posed for photos taken by photographer Alberto Romeu, who donated his services once again for the day. Coral Gables Rotarians showed up in full force on Sunday, Apr. 26, helping provide physically challenged children at Shake-A-Leg with a day to remember.
Actors’ Playhouse and Lexus of Kendall held the 18th Annual Reach for the Stars Gala Auction at the Miracle Theatre and raised $115,000 with funds going to the capital improvements of the historic Miracle Theatre and the operating costs of Actors’ Playhouse Spectacular 2009-10 season. For more information on Actors’ Playhouse, go online to <www.actorsplayhouse.org >.
Save the date for the Baptist Health South Florida 5K on May 23, at Coral Gables City Hall, organized by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. For information, call 305-446-1657. Until next time, keep making each day count.
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