As 2013 drew to an end, there was no shortage of activities to attend in South Florida.
On December 29, one of this writer’s favorites, the King Mango Strut Parade in Coconut Grove, brought out the crazies despite the rain. As always the irreverent participants had fun making light of current affairs and putting on a great show for an appreciative crowd. It was great to see Gables Rotarian Jesus Guzman getting Shell Lumber & Hardware to continually participate in these terrific community events.
Speaking of Rotary, February promises to be a busy one for several local clubs. Rotary Clubs of Coral Gables and Miami Dadeland-Pinecrest will present the Rotary Charity Golf Classic on Feb. 6, at the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. for registration and will conclude with lunch and a Golf Ball Drop. To reserve space or receive sponsorship information, call Coral Gables Rotarian Chris Morrison at 305 582-7690.
Meantime, South Miami Rotarians are in full court press for their 31st Annual South Miami Rotary Art Festival to be held Feb . 22-23. As always, the festival takes place on Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street) from US 1 to Red Road (SW 57th Avenue) adjacent to The Shops at Sunset Place. Admission is free admission and there is ample nearby parking on-street and in garages. Look for more than 150 outstanding artists whose works will be on display and for sale, an expanded food court and beer garden as well as jazz onstage. For more information, visit info@southmiamiartfest.org.
Further south, celebrating their 25th anniversary, the Grammy-winning vocal performance group Take 6 will perform at South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center on Sunday, February 9. at 7 p.m. Take 6 is the quintessential a cappella group comprised of Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Christian Dentley. Recognized as the pre-eminent vocal group of its kind in the world, Take 6 promises a show you will not want to miss. Tickets are $29- $75 and may be purchased at www.smdcac.org or by calling the box office at 786-573-5300. The Center is located at 10950 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay. Parking is FREE.
In other charitable news, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club begins the new year making plans for its March 8th Casino Night fundraiser to benefit the Club’s May Van Sickle Children’s Dental Clinic. This free children dental clinic provides more than $220,000 in dental care every year to children in need. Save the date for a fun evening of gaming, silent auction, dancing and more. To donate or become a sponsor for this annual event, call 305 968-3090.
Women interested in community service are also welcomed to join the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club whose membership comes from all over Miami-Dade with a few members also from Broward County. Congrats go out to Carmen Suarez, whose club work with SMARTRIDE this past November earned her the member of the month tiara at a recent meeting following Dr. Iris Torres, the Club’s Dental Clinic Director. For more information on this dynamic group of women, visit www.coralgableswomansclub.org.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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