|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
2025 events offer everything from cultural events and charity fundraisers to festivals and sports. For foodies, you will not want to miss The Way Forward’s Lobster Feast at Coral Reef Yacht Club on February 24. Formerly known as The Woody Foundation, The Way Forward is a non-profit founded by the Beckham family after son, Woody, was paralyzed in a rugby match at age 22. Seeing the need to offer opportunities for others like Woody, the family created a foundation with a mission of enhancing the lives of those living with paralysis.
Most recently The Way Forward Foundation helped with the wheelchair division of the Miami Marathon on February 2, and has a lineup of events to come, from a golf tournament at Top Golf to its Annual Fishing Tournament and, of course, the Woodystock Music Festival.
The foundation’s executive director, Lucy Foerster, was a recent guest on Gloria’s Gab LIVE to talk about their history, events and programs and the family foundation’s support for their numerous outreach efforts.
Of course, running through February 23, Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre brings us Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Even before opening night on January 24, raves reviews were out as the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce came in force for a dress rehearsal with standing ovations every night. Jersey Boys is a production you will want to see more than once and kudos to Director David Arisco for bringing this amazing show. Of course, that’s not all Actors’ provides our theatre audiences. Actors’ Playhouse 2025 Musical Theatre for Young Audiences Season also brings us Junie B. Jones, The Musical, running through February 28. and then from April 2-19, based on the Bestselling Book “Junie B. Jones” by Barbara Park. These shows are at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. For tickets or information, visit www.actorsplayhouse.org.
The end of January was packed with activities for all ages. Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church held its 46th Annual Miami Lebanese Festival that offered some of the best food this writer has ever had at a festival and entertainment for folkloric dances to a fine show and more. It was a pleasure to have on Gloria Gab LIVE Show prior to the three-day event philanthropist and church member Norma Jean Abraham and Christopher Abi-Dauod, Coordinator of Maronite Youth Adults, an organization with more than 140 members (20 yrs to 40 yrs) who volunteer to do good work in our community. They were among the hundreds of church members who make this annual festival happen and its popularity is evident when you see the numbers who line several blocks around the church to enter, knowing it is worth the wait.
On the festival front, the Junior Orange Bowl continues its many events. They are looking for volunteers for its Sports Ability Games on Thursday, February 27, at Palmer Trinity School. Those interested in serving as a volunteer should contact the Junior Orange Bowl Executive Director Madisen Michel at madisen@jrorangebowl.org. This is a most rewarding event and once you attend, you will be hooked forever. Meantime, the Junior Orange Bowl Photography Competition is being judged with hundreds of entries. Winners will be notified soon with an invitation to attend an awards ceremony at the City of Doral Cultural Arts Center, Saturday, February 22, 1- 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.juniororangebowl.org.
In other non-profit news, Voices for Children Gala was held at Mandarin Oriental on January 18, raising an amazing $1 million in one night. It was a night to remember with a who’s who of Miami in attendance including Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who, in 1984, was one of the founders of VFC with Joni Goodman, Rita Switchkov, Cindy Lerner, Berta Blecke and others who were moved to action by the vulnerability of abused, abandoned and neglected children in Miami-Dade County. With a small seed donation of $4,000, Voices For Children Foundation was created to address the lack of state-allocated resources needed to run the local 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Office. Since that time, Voices For Children has provided more than 1,600 children in Miami-Dade County’s foster care system with a voice in court, basic needs, dignity items and experiences including mission trips. Look for more on this event in this issue. For more info, visit www.beavoice.org.
Finally, here are some more dates to save:
March 8 – 32nd Villagers’ Garden Tour, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. in the Pinecrest and Ponce/Davis area www.thevillagersinc.org.
March 8 – Paws4You’s Mardi Paws! Gala at the Cruz Building in Coconut Grove.
May 10 – Coral Gables Woman’s Club Mother’s Day Tea – For info visit www.gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference!
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
