Call it a contest of sorts, but the folks at Coca Cola are having a survey or “election” to determine “the coveted title of America’s Favorite Park.” Residents can go online and vote at www.coke.com/parks. Type Coral Reef Park in the search box and follow the instructions to cast your vote. You can tell all of your friends and family members (over the age of 13) to become a coke rewards member and vote every day through July 15, 2013. No purchase necessary. The winning park will receive a $100,000 recreational grant from Coca Cola.
Congrats, Palmetto Bay… the village placed 3rd nationwide among all U.S. small cities in the Wyland Foundations Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, which asked municipal leaders to inspire their residents to make online pledges to reduce water and energy usage during Earth Month. The more pledges, the higher the city’s ranking, and commitment to conserve water.
Got kids? Give ‘em an edge if strangers threaten. The Village of Palmetto Bay Policing Unit is now offering weekly radKIDS personal empowerment training as part of the Village’s Summer Camp program, but children don’t have to be enrolled in the Summer Camp to attend the classes. Best of all, it’s FREE! The weekly classes just started last week, 9-11 a.m., Monday-Friday, and will run through August 3 for kids ages 5-12 at Coral Reef Elementary School. You can drop by the school weekdays to enroll. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a rad/KIDS certificate. Note: Children MUST be picked up immediately following class. Call Officer Patience Glasko at 305-278-4016 or Officer Peter Judge 305- 278-4018 for information. To learn more about the program, visit www.radkids.org. Got a group or club? You can use the Edward & Arlene Feller Community Room
PB Community Room for free if it’s a nonprofit, charitable organization, or community group. It’s located at Ludovici Park, 17641 Old Cutler Road, in the building that houses the library. For more info call 305- 259-1234.
Does politics beckon? If you missed one of the earlier seminars conducted by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, you can still make their next scheduled Campaign Skills Seminar where you can learn the rules and regulations of electioneering if you’re considering running for office or helping someone who is. The two-hour seminar takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, in the Miami Beach Commission Chambers, 1700 Convention Center Drive, 3rd Floor, Miami Beach. Speakers will include representatives from the Ethics Commission and the Elections Department. It’s free and open to the public, and attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credits from the Florida Bar. For more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305- 350-0630 or e-mail robthom@miamidade.gov.
Need paint or shutters? A county program offers homeowners in single-family residences valuable services at no cost to allow them to have the exterior of their home painted and/or accordion hurricane shutters installed. The Paint and Shutter Program is funded through Surtax dollars and is available through the Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD). Homeowners will be required to participate in a forgivable mortgage program which requires them to remain in the home for up to 10 years after the upgrades have been completed. Participation in the program is subject to the availability of funds and is on a first come first served basis. For more information about the Paint and Shutter Program and other services available to assist low income homeowners, call 786-469-4600.
Transportation planning meeting… The Metropolitan Planning Organization seeks resident and business participation to prepare a transportation plan for the future of Miami- Dade. Provide feedback for a safer and more efficient transportation system. It’s on Wednesday June 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Cutler Bay Town Center, Council Chamber Suite 115, 10720 Caribbean Boulevard, Cutler Bay. Call the Miami-Dade MPO at 305-375-4507 for more info.
Thought of the Day: My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.
— Jim Valvano
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
