It’s almost here, folks. Palmetto Bay’s 11th Annual Celebration Picnic will take place on March 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the usual place, the landmark Coral Reef Park, 7895 SW 152nd Street. This popular yearly event allows village residents to get together for an old-fashioned community picnic with complimentary beverages and food, including “all the roasted corn-on-thecob you can handle.” There are free rides for the kids, musical performances by local schools and groups and special booths and exhibits. Thousands are expected to turn out to celebrate Palmetto Bay’s incorporation in 2002 as an independent municipality. They call it Palmetto Bay’s signature annual event, and it’s true. And since the village is a committed “green” city, they’re encouraging those who can to ride their bike or walk, but there is parking onsite and nearby.
Put these on your calendar… There will be a Committee of the Whole (COW) Meeting on Wednesday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m., in the Village Hall Chambers, 9705 East Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay. The issue raised at the last council meeting about the possible hiring of a new village attorney may be discussed. Then there will be a Zoning Public Hearing and Special Council Meeting on Monday, February 25, at 7 p.m. also in the Village Hall Chambers. Pending topics are a Site Plan approval request to establish a day care facility use for 145 children between the ages of three months and four years of age at 14875 South Dixie Hwy, Unit B, and a request by Westminster Christian Private School to modify a set of previously approved plans. For information call Village Hall at 305-259-1234.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros Lehtinen (RFL) is establishing a Congressional Outreach Office in the Town of Cutler Bay. Her Congressional Aide Lourdes Ruiz will be at Cutler Bay to meet with constituents on issues such as: immigration, veteran’s affairs, Social Security, Medicare, housing, U.S. Academy nominations, tours of the U.S. Capitol, or any other federal issue. This will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Thursday of the month at the Town Hall, Council Chamber, 10720 Caribbean Boulevard, Suite 115, in Cutler Bay. If you need more info, contact Lourdes Ruiz at 305-934-9441 and/or via email at Lourdes.Ruiz@mail.house.gov or contact the Miami Congressional Office at 305-668-2285. Lourdes will also be at Palmetto Bay Village Hall on Wednesday February 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but that is one day only. Movie anyone? Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell asked us to let everyone know about the Free Movie Night on Friday, February 22, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Somerset Academy – Silver Palms, which is located at 23255 SW 115 Avenue. There’s free popcorn and refreshments, and all are welcome to attend. “Don’t forget to bring your blankets and lawn chairs,” Lynda’s office tells us. “We will be collecting books to benefit needy charter schools.”
If you’re a Miracle Theater fan and you drove through the Gables last week and noticed the marquee covered up and barricades in front of the building don’t panic! The landmark building is merely undergoing a little sprucing up, according to a spokesperson from Actors’ Playhouse, which operates the theater for its various stage productions and student programs. Next up for them is In The Heights, which runs from March 6 to April 7. Music and lyrics by Lin- Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegia Hudes. Winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, In The Heights is “a sensational show about chasing your dreams and finding your true home.” Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre is at 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. For information visit www.actorsplayhouse.org or call 305-444-9293.
The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center (HDEC) announced its 2013 Spring Student Awareness Day series that will serve over 2,500 students. Attendance is open to high school students who are home schooled and from public, private and parochial schools in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Reservations are required through school teachers or school administrators. The dates of the upcoming events are: March 5, April 4, April 16, and May 2, 2013. Please call Amanda McGee at 954-929-5690, or email education@hdec.org for more information, or visit www.hdec.org.
Thought of the Day:
Anyone without a sense of humor is at the mercy of everyone else.
— William Rotsler
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.
Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com.
