We hear from Steve Zarzecki of the Concerned Citizens of Cutler Bay that their August meeting will feature representatives from Miami-Dade County’s Department of Public Works and Waste Management. “They will speak about the Landfill and Waste Treatment Plant adjacent to the southern border of Cutler Bay. Topics of interest will be purpose and operation of the facilities, history, technologies, future expansion and/or end-of-operations, and odor control,” says Steve.
The meeting is Tuesday, August 4, 7 p.m. at the Cornerstone Church (it used to be the Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church), 20740 Old Cutler Road in Cutler Bay. Admission is free. Coffee and donuts will be served. All are welcome. For more info, call Steve at 305-255-4351
Young persons in Palmetto Bay, you can get involved. Eleven students who reside within, are home-schooled, or who attend public or private schools within the municipal limits of Palmetto Bay will be appointed. Their role will be to “Advise the Village Council as to the quality of life and recreational needs of the youth of the Village. Assist in the planning, promotion and implementation of programs and services for youth and teens of the Village. Participate in Village events such as the village picnic, Earth Week, and sponsored events including, but not limited to Relay for Life, and other events as determined to be appropriate. Foster a greater involvement of youth and teens in municipal government and community service.” Membership is limited to age 21 or up through date of graduation. For information call Village Hall at 305-259-1234 or visit the website at www.palmettobay-fl.gov/.
Back to school in Cutler Bay… If you live in Cutler Bay and you want to enroll your child in the town’s Afterschool Program at Cutler Ridge Park, there’s a “registration lottery” you can enter from 8:00 a.m. August 3 to 5:00 p.m. August 7, since space is limited and open slots are filled by random selection. The program serves children from Kindergarten through 5th Grade. The park is located at 10100 SW 200 Street in Cutler Bay, so stop by the park office and add your child’s name to the list to be eligible to participate in their 2015-2016 lottery for the Afterschool Program. For information call them at 305-238-4166.
Love the Everglades Movement Summer Symposium to Advocate for the “Rights of the Water” will take place on August 22-23. We hear there’ll be a weekend of presentations, guest speakers, excursions, entertainment, art installations, prayers, and strategizing aims to raise awareness and spur action to preserve the River of Grass. The non-profit, volunteer organization is holding the event at the Miccosukee Resort & Convention Center (500 SW 177th Ave.) on August 22, and on August 23 at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus (Graham Center, 11200 SW 8th Street, room 150). The event is free and open to the public both days and all ages are welcome. Free table space is available for community organizations that would like to participate on Saturday, August 22. A special benefit concert is planned for Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Gramps in Wynwood. For information visit www.lovetheeverglades.org/summer-symposium-2015.html or email LoveTheEverglades@gmail.com.
Fishing enthusiasts, take note! The 2015 Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Fishing Championship takes place September 18-20, and registration is now open. Limited to the boundaries of Everglades National Park, the tournament is a unique and challenging two-day, “catch and release” event that welcomes anglers of all skill levels, both young and old, and male and female. The seven species to be caught are: snook, snapper, redfish, trout, bonefish, tarpon and black drum. Anglers may use bait, artificial or fly tackle, and may be guided or unguided. All proceeds from the tournament benefit Everglades National Park, a national treasure and designated World Heritage Site. The Herman Lucerne Memorial is a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. For information, visit hermanlucernememorial.
com/.
Thought of the Day:
However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.
— Stephen Hawking
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.
