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Classes are back and kids should be well prepared if all the school supply drives are any indication.
Anthony Rodriguez, chair of the Miami Dade County Commission who represents District 10, conducted a Back-to-School National Night Out on Aug. 5 at McMillan Park in West Kendall. More than 1,000 people attended and kids picked up free backpacks, school supplies and even haircuts to begin the new school year. An appreciative crowd enjoyed lots of activities that night with food trucks, rides, bubble machine, bounce house for kids and more.
In Doral, the previous Saturday, Aug. 2, another backpack and school supplies giveaway was hosted at International Mall by Miami Dade County Commissioner J.C. Bermudez. It seems everyone was on board to help this time of year.
South Florida non-profits also were committed to making sure that kids were prepared for the start of the school year regardless of their economic situation. Kudos to all the generous donors and organizations like the GFWC District 11 women’s clubs, District 6990 Rotarians, Branches, Voices for Children, and more, all of whom were looking out for our students.
Speaking of students, almost all our elementary, middle and high schools as well as universities are back to class. With that in mind, it was a pleasure having St. Thomas University’s president, David Armstrong, JD, as a guest on Gloria’s Gab LIVE on July 31.
President Armstrong’s last appearance on a Miami’s Community Newspapers show was right after he was hired as president seven years ago. Since then, STU has made amazing strides in increased enrollment, campus expansion with new dorms, an outstanding athletic program, a College of Nursing, and more.
The university even has a unique Institute for Ethical Leadership offering degrees up to a PhD, a doctorate that Armstrong will complete in short order. To view the show with him, visit cnewstv.com.
On the cultural front, following Actors’ Playhouse great run with the production of Shrek the Musical for young audiences, Actors’ Playhouse decided to let the talented kids from its summer camp program audition for a limited run of the musical over the Aug. 1 weekend. Happily, this writer attended the final show and those kids nailed it. There were a few young performers that could go straight to Broadway including Ronan Horth, who stole the show as Lord Farquaad, the main protagonist.
Now the focus turns to the fall, and Actors’ Playhouse’s 2025-26 season will bring South Florida five incredible mainstage shows: The Spitfire Grill (Oct. 8-Nov. 2), Man of LaMancha (Nov. 19-Dec. 21), Dear Evan Hansen (Feb. 11-Mar. 8, 2026), Dial M For Murder (May 13-June 7), and The Shark is Broken (July 15-Aug. 9).
To subscribe now, visit www.actorsplayhouse.org.
Congratulations to Coconut Grove Woman’s Club on the club’s new sound system recently installed. To test it out, celebrate and help pay for the system, on Aug. 2, the club had a fundraising dance party coordinated by Marlene Erven with great food, a cash bar and with DJ Nicholas Martin playing music through the ages. It was an eclectic group, some in ’70s and ’80s attire, and with the best of the lot being club member Nancy Tedford who electrified the party dressed as Chappell Roan.
For those not in the know, Roan made a memorable entrance at the 2024 Coachella festival with a pink butterfly outfit with LED wings and Nancy replicated that look beautifully greeting guests as they arrived.
Among the many helping make this event a success included Lina Duque, Kat Sitton, Freda McMillan, Jeanie Heller, Nancy Boggio, Lisa Remeny, Mimi Lara, Travis Swain, Jonathan Welsh, Catherine Swain Pendlebury, and Robert Deresz.
Dates to save on your calendar:
Sept. 9 – CGWC Charity Gringo Bingo, 6:30 p.m. registration, 7-9 p.m., Birdie Bistro, $30 p.m. RSVP gloria@cnews.net
Sept. 13 – LEAP’s Second Chance Gala, 6 p.m., The Hotel Colonnade, $280 per person, info@leapforladies.ccsen
Sept. 25-28 – General Federation of Woman’s Club FL, Fall Board, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando
Oct. 2 – Beeliver Havana Nights, The Biltmore Hotel, 6:30-9 p.m., $150 per person, RSVP @bee.liver 305-310-3585
Oct. 4, – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Bowling Tournament at Bird Bowl, 9275 SW 40 St., to benefit Family Resource Center, visit www.frcflorida.org
Oct. 4 – Out of Foster Foundation/Citrus Family Care Network’s “Hope Under the Stars Gala” at Trump National Resort, 7 p.m.., for information visit www.outoffoster.org
Oct. 4 – Dedication of the Dr. Lawrence and Barbara Stein Center for the Performing Arts at the Miracle Theatre Gala, 6 p.m., www.actorsplayhouse.org
Oct. 16 – Cancer Link’s “Hope Blooms in Pink” Luncheon and Fashion Show, 10 a.m., Jungle Island. Proceeds benefit the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Send email to afitzsimmons@med.miami.edu for more information
Oct. 24 – The Home Team 10th Anniversary Masquerade Gala, 5-9 p.m., LPM Miami, $500 per person
Oct. 25 – Alfalit International Groove Ball (1960s attire), Trump National Resort, cocktails start 6:30 p.m., email to info@alfalit.org
Oct. 31 – Voices for Children Annual Luncheon at Loews Coral Gables
Nov. 7 – AFP National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, Jungle Island.
Nov. 14 – GFWC FL District 11 Meeting, Miami Springs Woman’s Club
Nov. 13 – Miami Lighthouse’s “See the Light” luncheon at The Biltmore Hotel. For information contact Cameron Sisser at csisser@miamilighthouse.org.
Nov. 13 – Elio’s Kitchen 2nd Annual “Fashion Art Beats” 6:30 p.m., at Coral Gables Woman’s Club, visit www.FashionArtBeats.org
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
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