Nationally recognized contemporary artist Maria Reyes-Jones has been selected to create the 2010 poster for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. The event will take place on President’s Day weekend, Feb. 13-15.

A Florida native, Maria Reyes-Jones received her formal training from Florida State University, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine arts.

Exploring a rich variety of subjects, Reyes-Jones’ work ranges from traditional still life and landscape paintings to colorful, quirky portraits — each piece a unique reflection of her world.

By using intense, dramatic color and striking minimal compositions, her  pieces are instantly recognizable. She is most widely recognized for her series of palm tree paintings, while other notable works include “Scenes from the Road” and the comical “Dog and Cat Series.”

Reyes-Jones has received top honors and awards of excellence at national festivals including Rochester Summer Arts Fair, Melbourne Art Festival, Mandarin Art Festival and the Beaux Arts Festival at the Lowe Art Museum in Coral Gables. Her paintings hang in numerous corporate and private collections and in fine-art galleries across the country.

Most recently, her celebrated palm tree collection covers the walls of Orlando Health’s newly unveiled $27.5 million parking garage, as the original artwork was converted into 16 palm tree murals ranging in height from 32 to 61 feet.

“I have always held this festival close to my heart,” Reyes-Jones said. “To once again be invited to create the festival’s annual poster, and share my artistic vision with so many other art enthusiasts, is an absolute privilege.”

This is Reyes-Jones’ second invitation to the festival’s select group of poster artists, including notable local favorites as Rick Garcia, Lisa Remeny, Clyde Butcher, Jacqueline Roch, Romero Britto and Xavier Cortada.

“We chose Maria Reyes-Jones as this year’s poster artist for her inherent love of Florida’s illustrious character,” said Monty Trainer, president of the arts festival. “She tells a story through her art of the many places and aspects which make our state shine.”

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is produced by the Coconut Grove Art and Historical Association Inc., a non-profit community organization under the direction of a board of directors and full-time staff. Proceeds from the annual event help to fund year-round arts programs.

For more information on the 2010 Coconut Grove Arts Festival presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, call 305-447-0401.

With preparations underway for the 2010 Census — one of the most important undertakings in the U.S. — the Miami- Dade Consumer Services Department is cautioning consumers to learn how to spot potential scams.

By knowing exactly what to expect from the Census Bureau, you can avoid becoming a victim of a crime.

Every U.S. household will receive a short, 10- question form in the mail within the next few months. It requires that you fill in the form to account for everyone living at your address as of Apr. 1, 2010 and includes a prepaid envelope so you can mail it back as soon as possible.

• Any request for census information from the Census Bureau will be marked clearly as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.

• You will receive a letter from the Census Bureau director notifying you that in a few days, your household will receive a form in the mail, a phone call from the Census Bureau or a visit from a Census Bureau representative.

• The Census Bureau will never ask for any information to be submitted online. A census worker only will come to your home to follow-up if they do not receive your form, as they are required by law. If someone knocks on your door and identifies himself/ herself as a Census worker:

• Ask to see their official government badge marked with just their name.

• You may also ask them for a picture ID from another source to confirm their identity.

• Some census workers might carry a “U.S. Census Bureau” bag.

If you still are not certain about their identity, call the Regional Census Center toll-free number (1-800-923-8282) to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau. Most importantly, the Census Bureau will never, under any circumstances, ask to enter your home.

Participating in the Census is critical because it counts every resident in the U.S. to determine how much money each state will receive from more than $400 billion in federal funds as well as the number of seats allocated to each state in the U.S. House of Representatives. It happens only once every 10 years. Private information — such as names, addresses, social security numbers or telephone numbers — is never published. The information is used to produce statistics. Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.

To see what questions will be on the forms, go to the Census Bureau website. There, you also will find answers to common questions about how information is collected and used.

The Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department takes consumer complaints and provides general information on consumer issues. For more information, log on to www.miamidade.gov/csd  or call 305- 375-3677.

Southland Mall, the only enclosed regional mall servicing South Miami-Dade County down to the Florida Keys and boasting over 1 million square feet of gross leasable space, has partnered with Old Navy and the Rotary Club of Perrine Cutler Ridge Palmetto Bay to hold a Shoe Collection Drive for the Haiti earthquake victims.

The event will take place on Saturday, February 27th at the Old Navy store entrance and the fountain area inside the mall by TJ Maxx from 12 noon through 5 pm. The focus of the collection is shoes, but people are encouraged to donate new and gently used items, such as clothing, blankets, diapers, canned goods, and first aid kits. Cash and check contributions will also be accepted and forwarded to Food for the Poor.

“Among the many needs that Haiti has right now, one of them is shoes; children are walking on glass and debris and workers need boots to wade through the rubble”.

“Haiti needs everyone’s support and Southland Mall is honored to be a part of this noble endeavor,” said Maggie Anzardo, marketing director at Southland Mall. To help mitigate this need, for a limited time Old Navy is offering a special price on sandals, two for $5.00. The community is encouraged to participate. Help us send shoes to Haiti.

About Southland Mall Southland Mall, located in South Miami-Dade County, Florida, the densest, most populous county in the southeastern portion of the state of Florida, has over 1 million square feet of gross leasable area.

Southland Mall is conveniently located on U.S. 1 and SW 205th Street, off the Florida Turnpike Exit 12, and is the only enclosed regional mall servicing South Miami-Dade County down to the Florida Keys. Southland houses approximately 100 specialty stores, including Macy’s, Sears, JC Penney, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Starbucks, a 16-Ples Regal Cinema and diverse Food Court. For more information about Southland Mall, go to www.mysouthlandmall.com or call (305)235-8880.

About Gumberg Asset Management Corp. Gumberg Asset Management Corp., a diversified real estate organization with a tradition of uncompromising integrity and unbeatable performance is the manager of Southland Mall. For further information. visit the Company’s website at www.gumberg.com

The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization, has announced the winners of the Eighth Annual Beacon Awards. This year’s awards will be presented on Wednesday, Apr. 7, at Jungle Island. The most prestigious honor of the evening, the Jay Malina Award, will be presented to Brian E. Keeley, president and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida.

The awards program recognizes businesses and organizations for their significant contributions to the local economy in the areas of job creation, business expansion, corporate citizenship and leadership in their respective industries. “The Beacon Awards are a reminder that our diverse local economy is vibrant and that each recipient’s contribution to our business community has elevated Miami- Dade’s profile as a world-class destination,” said Alexandra Villoch, chair of the Beacon Council. “The recognition given today is the Beacon Council’s way of celebrating and thanking Miami-Dade’s most prominent individuals, businesses and organizations for their commitment to our community.”

The Judges’ Committee, which included the chair, chair-elect, and past chairs of the Beacon Council, selected all of the 14 awards being presented during the Apr. 7 ceremony. The awards ceremony is part of the Beacon Council’s “Local Business Local Jobs” outreach program, which focuses on local business retention and expansion by assessing and addressing the needs of local businesses, and recognizing their contribution to the creation of new jobs in the community. The other main components of the program include business surveys and a business visitation program.

“This year the Beacon Awards take on an added sense of importance precisely because our ‘Local Business Local Jobs’ program and this awards ceremony are an outgrowth of the ‘One Community One Goal initiative,’” said Frank R. Nero, president and CEO of the Beacon Council. “As we begin to rethink this initiative, the Beacon Awards are a good way to bring the Miami-Dade business community together in support our efforts to evaluate a new targeted industry study. It all comes down to one common goal, to strengthen and diversify the local industries which have the most potential to create new high-paying jobs.”

The Jay Malina Award is presented to the business executive who has contributed the most to the growth of his or her industry in Miami-Dade County. The award is named in honor of the late founder and co-chair of the One Community One Goal project, Jay Malina. Keeley is this year’s honoree in recognition of his leadership and notable contributions to the growth of the economy of Miami-Dade County. Baptist Health South Florida is the largest notfor- profit healthcare organization in the region. It includes Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, South Miami Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, Baptist Outpatient Services, Baptist Health Enterprises and the Baptist Health Foundation.

The Chairman’s Award, sponsored by BlueCross and BlueShield of Florida, honors a leader who has dedicated his or her life to making Miami a better place for all of its citizens and for having inspired the rest of the community to do the same. This year’s honoree is Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, president of Miami Dade College (MDC).

He has been president of Miami Dade College since 1995 and his pace-setting work at Miami Dade College has been hailed as a model of innovation in higher education. MDC enrolls and graduates more minorities than any other institution in the United States, including the largest numbers of Hispanics and African- Americans.

The Education Award, sponsored by Bank of America, honors an organization that has made exceptional contributions to the educational system in Miami-Dade County through innovation, leadership and community involvement. This year’s award is given to City Year Miami, an organization made up of young-adult corps members that tutor, mentor and provide critically needed services to some of Miami-Dade County’s most underserved children and youth. Founded in 2008, City Year Miami supports the Miami-Dade Public School System in its efforts to help youth succeed in school and realize their potential.

The Judges’ Special Award is presented to a Miami-Dade company or individual that demonstrated a notable commitment to giving back to the community. This year’s honorees are The Beacon Council founding chairs: Sidney Levin, Merrett R. Stierheim and Theodore J. Hoepner.

Industry Awards include:

• Aviation: AAR CORP., sponsored by SunTrust Bank Inc.;

• Business Services: Performance Foodservice-Empire, sponsored by FPL;

• Fashion and Lifestyle: Mayda Cisneros Couture Collection, sponsored by Perry Ellis International;

• Film and Entertainment: Univision Communications Inc.;

• Financial Services: Sabadell United Bank, sponsored by Seitlin Insurance;

• Healthcare Services: VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, sponsored by Carlton Fields PA;

• Information Technology/ Telecommunications: Neoris;

• International Commerce: Taurus International MFG Inc.

• Life Sciences: Medtronic USA Inc., sponsored by AXAAdvisors LLC, and

• Visitor Industry: Norwegian Cruise Line, sponsored by Wachovia Bank NA.

Jungle Island is located at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail on Watson Island along the MacArthur Causeway.

Local CBS4 News anchors Shannon Hori and Antonio Mora will emcee the award presentation. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with registration and networking, followed by the awards ceremony and dinner beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Corporate table sponsorships are $2,500 and are still available by calling 305-579- 1326. Individual tickets are $275. RSVP by logging on to the events page at < www.beaconcouncil.com/events > or calling 305-579-1382.