On July 12, 2014, South Miami Rotarians joined forces with the Biscayne Bay Kiwanis Club gathering at the Nature Center at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne to perform a beach clean-up. Forty 40 folks attended this joint outreach effort removing pounds of plastic that were either discarded on shore or had been washed up by the tide on Key Biscayne.
After tackling the beaches, the two clubs enjoyed a baseball game and BBQ to finish off the day. Among the many enjoying the day were South Miami Rotary’s President Gabriel De Armas and Bicayne Bay Kiwanis’ incoming President Todd Paton. Both look forward to working together in the future.
In other Rotary activity, while most of South Florida readied for the World Cup games of the day and fireworks, Coral Gables Rotarians celebrated Independence Day early on with their annual picnic at Matheson Hammock. A game of Ultimate Freesbie at the event helped burn off some of the major calories consumed with a lunch from Shorty’s BBQ. Among the many enjoying the day were Club President Carlos Bolado and wife Terry; Club Past Presidents Yoli Woodbridge, Frank Sexton, Wily Hicks, Bruce Kerestes,Walter Alvarez, and Sally Baumgartner; President- Elect Greg Martini; Carol Alexander; Fred Baddour; Dan and Dr. Kendra Scipione with daughter, Jiana; Kathy Rosa and daughter, Madison Rodriguez; and Steve Magenheimer, to mention a very few.
The City of Coral Gables, The Biltmore Hotel, the University of Miami, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables along with other corporate citizens partnered to sponsor a July 4th celebration on the grounds of the historic Biltmore Hotel. Entertainment included a concert by the Greater Miami Symphonic Band, concessions, patriotic mascots and, of course, great fireworks display. Serving as emcees for the night were local CBS news anchors, Irika Sargent and Rick Folbaum.
On the camp scene, Shake-A-Leg (SAL) has a great summer camp in Coconut Grove that is abuzz with more than 400 disabled and able-bodied campers enjoying a chance to make lifelong friends while learning to sail, kayak and paddle-board. Youngsters are also discovering marine science using Biscayne Bay as a canvas for conservation and exploration.
SAL provides an environment that is both safe and accessible allowing children to experience success and help each other explore their potential. Most recently, SAL was the benefactor of a dollar to dollar match for up to $50,000 from the Batchelor Foundation, a private foundation that helps so many worthy programs in our community. SAL has been blessed with many great donors. In fact, on June 20th, American Airlines donated a tug as part of its continued support. The tug will be utilized to help SAL transport its watercraft from land to water and back, especially now during the busy summer camp season. This is the second tug AA has donated to Shake-ALeg Miami.
Dinner and a musical at Actors Playhouse provide a perfect combo for a summer night out. Check out MID-LIFE 2 (The Crisis Continues), a brand new that looks to be as big a success as was MID-LIFE! The Crisis Musical, which performed to critical acclaim at Actors’ Playhouse in the summer of 2008. The show takes the audience back to the middle ages with laughs and looks at the ever-growing legion of Mid-Lifers. This is a great mix of sketch comedy and musical comedy that will entertain with a wit and new music. The performances will run through August 17, 2014, Wed. through Sunday. To purchase tickets, call 305-444- 9293 or visit www.actorsplayhouse.org
Finally, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families and friends of all those involved in the terrible accident off Dinner Key. Those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking, horrific tragedy will not soon be forgotten. Please keep them in your prayers.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
If you would like to submit information for this column, send your news via e-mail to gloriagalburns@aol.com.
Comments are closed.