Last month the City of Miami Gardens crowned its new queen, Miss Abigail Williams to represent the City in the 2010 Miss Florida pageant and serve as role model for the young women in the City. Miss Williams, along with four other beautiful young ladies competed for the coveted crown on the campus of Florida Memorial University on Saturday evening February 27, 2010.

Miss Williams received a $2,900 scholarship to attend a university in the City of Miami Gardens and she will have the opportunity to compete in the Miss Florida Pageant in July 2010. Williams, wants to utilize her title to promote the arts in the community and encourage other young women that dreams do come true. Janey Tate, first runner up won a $1,000 scholarship and second runner up Angelica Spicer, received a $500 scholarship to round out the scholarships for the competition.

“I want to advocate my platform statement which is arts advocacy,” she said. “I really want to work hard to push for more performing arts programs because I think that it is what we need in the community.” Later this month Ms. Williams, will be formally introduced to a worldclass audience from all over at the City’s 5th Annual Jazz in the Gardens, in addition to making appearances a local hospitals and schools in Miami-Dade County.

The five competing young ladies entertained the crowd with their unique talents, skills and presentations.

Williams danced to the Michael Jackson’s You Rock My World, and Tate sang a stirring rendition of Home, from the musical The Wiz, along with special musical performances by Miss America 2004, Ericka Dunlap, Diva Arts Academy and the Miss Miami Gardens Sunshine Princesses.

This is the 4th year that the City of Miami Gardens has hosted the pageant which is the brainchild of Councilman Melvin L. Bratton to stress education in the community.

The pageant gives young women a positive outlet for healthy competition amongst their peers to achieve a worthwhile endeavor and positive exposure in the community.

Contestants for the Miss Miami Gardens have to be between 17 – 24 years of age, be resident or attend a high school in the City of Miami Gardens.

Young ladies who compete for Miss Miami Gardens must a raise a minimum of $100 from the community to be donated to the Miss America Organization official partner the Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in need.

For more information about Miss Miami Gardens 2010/11, contact Ula Zucker, Events and Media Coordinator at (305) 622-8035

The City of Miami Gardens Stand Up! Be Heard! Be Counted! 2010 Complete Count Census initiative officially kickedoff Monday, March 1, 2010 with radio Public Service Announcements by Mayor Shirley Gibson, distribution of City branded posters and flyers. Direct mail delivery of the City’s community park mailer and two (2) scheduled City sponsored Census Education and Awareness events during the month of March.

This planned effort is extremely important to the City’s Mayor because she wants to ensure that the City reaches out and captures the participation of the hard-to-count communities in the City. It is very important to the City of Miami Gardens and Miami-Dade County as a whole that every citizen is counted.

This is the first time that the City of Miami Gardens will be officially counted since its inception in 2003 and it is important that officials of the City get an accurate count of the population to ensure that the City of Miami Gardens allocate services properly and has better opportunities for partnerships and governmental resources over the next 10 years.

In 2000 Miami-Dade County was estimated to be undercounted by as much as 20% and the number was even greater than 30% in minority and hard to count communities in the area. As a result of this undercount eight of the following major programs were affected in Miami-Dade County- Medicaid, Foster Care, Rehabilitation Services, Basic Support Services, Child Care and Development Block Grants, Social Services Block Grants, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants, Adoption Assistance, and Vocational Education Basic Grants.

Mayor Shirley Gibson and the City Council of Miami Gardens are committed to making sure that all of its residents and employees are aware of the importance of the 2010 Census and what it means for the City’s future.

“It is very important that we expend all of our resources and energies to ensure that everyone is counted in the City of Miami Gardens. The census is really about three things – politics, money and power, and the community needs to understand that an accurate census count helps to level the playing field,” stated Mayor Shirley Gibson.

According to the US Census Monitoring Board report produced by Pricewaterhouse Coopers in 2001, it was predicted that over a 10 year period (2002-2012) over 58 of the largest counties in the US would lose over $100 million dollars each in federal funds as a result of the undercount. Overall 31 states which included Florida lost a total of $4.1 Billion in Federal funding, and 58 Counties including Miami-Dade County lost $3.6 Billion.

The City of Miami Gardens has made great strides in the past seven years, and Mayor Shirley Gibson and City Council members want to make sure that the City continues to grow in a positive direction. Miami Gardens is home to the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and Sun Life Stadium. The City has hosted two Super Bowls™, and each year hosts a BCS College Bowl Game, and is poised to host its signature event the 5th Annual Jazz in the Gardens Festival March 20 – 21, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium.

At the close of last year, the Mayor and City Council received great news about the City from a published report by CQ Press in Washington, D.C., where Miami Gardens had dropped 22 places to 35th from 13th in overall crime in the nation, and received an “A” issuer credit rating (ICR) from the leader of worldwide financial market intelligence, Standard & Poor’s (S&P). Both accolades can be attributed to sound management and accurate distribution of the City’s resources.

The City of Miami Gardens has launched an official website www.cmgcensus.com to educate its residents about the U.S. 2010 Census and what it will mean to the City of Miami Gardens.

In addition the City will be hosting several Census education and awareness events during the month of March beginning on March 14, 2010, from 12 Noon – 2PM, Tony’s Restaurant & Catering in the Cloverleaf Shopping Plaza, located at 18230 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens. March 20 -21, 2010, 5th Annual Jazz in the Gardens, Dolphin Stadium, attendees for the City’s signature event can visit the US Census van and receive information about the Census and what it will mean to their communities. On March 28, 2010, 12 Noon – 4PM Miami Gardens Shopping Plaza, 4646 NW 183rd Street, Miami Gardens.

The City will conclude its Complete Count Initiative with a Community Census Day Event where residents from the City of Miami Gardens and across Miami-Dade County can come and return their Census Questionnaires or get important information about the Census.

For more information about the City of Miami Gardens Complete Count Initiative contact Jay Marder, Development Services Director (305) 622-8025. Media inquiries contact The Marome Agency, Anthony Jackson (954) 765-1995.

XO Communications Services a Miami Gardens-based company, announced a matching contribution program for employees interested in donating to the American Red Cross for Haiti Earthquake disaster relief. XO is an advanced telecommunications company that specializes in high-capacity nationwide and metro networks and broadband wireless capabilities. In just three weeks, XO employees have donated $16,870 to the American Red Cross for Haiti Earthquake disaster relief. To date, 166 XO employees have contributed, and amounts have ranged from $10 to $1,300 per person!

“This generous support for those suffering from the natural disaster is lifesaving for many far away and heartwarming for us here. Thank you for each employee who participated in the program,” said Henry Garcia, Major Account Executive for XO Communications.

XO Communications is one of the nation’s largest service providers exclusively serving businesses, enterprises, government, carriers and service XO providers. XO Communications is located at 16563 NW 15TH Avenue in the Sunshine State International Park.

Miami, Florida – Andrea Ivory, internationally recognized 2009 Top Ten CNN Hero, breast cancer survivor, and founder of The Florida Breast Health Initiative knows that early detection saves lives, because it saved hers. She founded the Florida Breast Health Initiative (FBHI), the premiere source of free door to door breast health awareness, education and screening to the uninsured and underserved in South Florida.

There are many organizations that offer awareness, education and screening to the uninsured and underserved in an effort to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening disease. However, what sets internationally recognized Florida Breast Health Initiative apart is their “take it to the streets approach”.

FBHI will be taking it to the streets again for the 2010 March Outreach Campaign, Saturday mornings on 3/6, 3/13, and 3/20. Armed with 180 volunteers, FBHI will knock on the doors of 1,305 households in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida, to save lives by delivering breast health education, awareness, and the resources to fight breast cancer. At the end of the door to door outreach, FBHI will culminate the program on 3/27 with a visit from a mobile mammography van providing free mammograms to pre-qualified women right in their own neighborhood.

Breast cancer kills our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, family and friends. ALL women are at risk for breast cancer. Although early detection saves lives, not all women have access and awareness. FBHI believes that all women have the right to benefit from the early detection of breast cancer regardless of their ability to pay, and fights breast cancer as a life threatening disease, one household at a time. Since 2006 FBHI has knocked on more than 22,000 doors to save lives in South Florida.

Memorial Healthcare System has come on board to support the efforts of FBHI by collaborating to provide our participants with free screening.

“I welcome the much needed services that The Florida Breast Health Initiative provide and look forward to working closely with them in their endeavors,” said Bobbi Meyers, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale.

Who: The Florida Breast Health Initiative

What: Door to door campaign offering free breast health awareness, education and mammograms to the uninsured and underserved.

Where: City of Miami Gardens, Florida 33055

When: March 20, 2010 – Starting – 10:00AM

Contact: Andrea Ivory, Founder, Florida Breast Health Initiative 866–315–7711

The City of Miami Gardens has announced the star-studded lineup for the fifth annual “Jazz in the Gardens” — hosted by No. 1 rated, nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner — taking place on Saturday, Mar. 20, and Sunday, Mar. 21, at Sun Life Stadium, 2269 Dan Marino Blvd. in Miami Gardens.

Confirmed artists include the queen of R&B Mary J. Blige, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter John Legend, R&B crooner Robin Thicke, funk/R&B diva Teena Marie, ’90s R&B/pop super group Boyz II Men, Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist Melanie Fiona, jazz chanteuse Cassandra Wilson, saxophone king David Sanborn; already classic newcomer K’Jon; and famed pianist, keyboarder and founding member of the Jazz Crusaders Joe Sample.

Local artist names will be released soon. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the Sun Life Stadium Box office, through www.jazzinthegardens.com or www.ticketmaster.com .

Ticket prices range from $55 for a one-day ticket to $125 for the two-day ticket.

Teena Marie

Jazz in the Gardens, a two-day weekend festival is now in its fifth year and has grown to be one of the top cultural events in America. The jazz festival delivers a diverse mix of music genres that range from jazz, R&B to Caribbean and African sounds. Having something to offer all music aficionados at an affordable price, the 2009 Jazz in the Gardens shattered expected ticket sales, enjoying an attendance of almost 40,000, which was more than double the sales of the 2008 festival For more information on the fifth annual “Jazz in the Gardens” go to www.jazzinthegardens.com or contact the City of Teena Marie Miami Gardens at 1-877-640-5299.

The City of Miami Gardens has received an ‘A’ issuer credit rating (ICR) from the leader of worldwide financial market intelligence, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) at the close of 2009. It was the City’s first try at a national bond rating.

The City of Miami Gardens which was incorporated in 2003 and has an estimated population of 111,171 and is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. It is home to the Miami Dolphins Stadium where the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, and University of Miami call home and host to the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIV™.

In 2003 when the City was formed it was widely speculated that the City would not be financially viable. By 2009, the City closed its books with a positive unreserved fund balance of $10.1 million or 16% of expenditures, which is “very strong” based on S&P’s assessment. Miami Gardens’ Mayor Shirley Gibson stated that she was very pleased that the newly formed City could impress the national rating agencies, especially during a period of major recession, but added that she was not surprised. “From the beginning, the City Miami Gardens set out to be the best in whatever it did, and this rating is just another reflection of that determination.”

Overall S&P concluded that City’s financial position is strong with a stable outlook. The stable outlook reflects the City’s “good management practices” and “strong financial position” as well as the City’s diversifying employment base. Currently there are two major projects under construction in the City: Mercedes of Miami is moving its operations to the City and building a new, 12 acre dealership, and Calder Race Course is completing a new 100,000 square foot casino at its Miami Gardens racecourse.

For more information about the City of Miami Gardens S&P’s Ratings, please contact the City Manager, Dr. Danny O. Crew at (305) 622-8000.

The Miami Gardens Police Department has recently implemented an emergency notification system. The City is now using the CodeRED Emergency Notification System, which is an ultra high-speed telephone communication service for emergency notifications and distribution of information considered to be important to our residents.

This system allows us to telephone all or targeted areas of the City for informational purposes or in case of an emergency situation that requires immediate action, such as an evacuation, contaminated water, hazardous chemical spill, a missing child, etc. This system is capable of dialing the entire City within minutes, delivering a prerecorded message describing the situations to a live person or an answering machine in the affected area. This information could include instructions requiring immediate action on the part of the recipient.

A calling database was established by extracting information from the City’s computerized files and other public record sources. It is certain that not all phone numbers of residents and business/residential property owners within our incorporated limits were captured.

If you reside in the City, operate a business, or own property within the incorporated limits of the City of Miami Gardens and would like to receive CodeRED emergency messages you may sign up by visiting the Department’s web site, www.MiamiGardensPolice.org or by clicking the CodeRED icon below. IMPORTANT: USE YOUR PHYSICAL MIAMI GARDENS ADDRESS. DO NOT USE POST OFFICE OR OUT OF TOWN ADDRESSES. Should you at anytime desire to be removed from the calling list you may do so by calling the Miami Gardens Police Department at (305)474-1469.

It’s all politics: power and money. How do states and local governments get some of the money they need to provide certain services? Well, parts of those funds are provided by the federal government based on information collected by returned letters mailed out to every household address in the United States. It is important that every person is counted by the Census Bureau, and in Miami Gardens, that means that the people hardest to count – Black males between the ages of 18-25 and non-English speakers, primarily Haitian and Spanish speakers – deserve extra attention for full allocation of funds towards our city.

The census seeks to count those who have historically been undercounted. The Census on Campus Campaign attempts to count highly mobile college students living on and off campus. Students living away from home will receive their own questionnaires to prevent being counted twice or not at all. The census is usually mailed out in English only, but it will be sent in English and Spanish to areas with high Spanish speaking populations. For Miami Gardens, that is not the case.

We as neighbors need to speak with our communities and tell how the census is safe to complete and return. We are the most powerful force towards debunking deportation and other myths about participation in the census. The more representation, the more money can be expected by state and local governments by the federal government. Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution says, “Representation and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States… according to their respective Numbers…” The census collects this data to “determine the distribution of Congressional seats to states,” and to “distribute $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year,” amongst other things, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Here in Miami Gardens, we need full participation in order to receive our fair share of census dollars.

So the next time you think that the census is unimportant and that you don’t have to participate in it, think about your community and how much more money could become available to your local city council to fix some of the problems that stagnate in your community. You should begin to see questionnaires arrive in your mail in March of 2010. Fill it out, send it back, and help make our city better.

On Saturday, December 5, 2009, Lulu’s Carwash held its official grand opening. Lulu’s Carwash is a private, family-owned business, committed to delivering a high quality and customer friendly car wash. The first Lulu’s is now open at 17551 Northwest 27th Avenue in Miami Gardens, Fl. Over 200 cars were washed with proceeds being donated to His House Ministries. Mayor Shirley Gibson and members from the North Dade Chamber of Commerce attended the event. 99 Jamz hosted the event with music and games. Lulu’s environmentally-friendly carwash system uses reclaimed water and reduces water consumption by as little as eight gallons of fresh water per car; the “green” shampoos are biodegradable and non-corrosive.

The business is owned by a set of father-daughter teams; Angel Canete, and his daughter, Lourdes Canete Wydra along with Alex Rubio and his daughter, Vivian Bonet Rubio. Back in 2005, the City of Miami Gardens held a seminar by the Small Business Administration and the Beacon Council to encourage businesses to open in the City’s enterprise zones. It was Mayor Shirley Gibson’s vision for her City and residents that inspired this Father-daughter team to debut their first carwash franchise in the City of Miami Gardens. The City’s vision for growth along the 27th Ave corridor and the Master Community Development Plan made it a no brainer for this family owned business. It is because of the city’s leadership that they are now home to the first, (GREEN) environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art Carwash in Miami Gardens and in south Florida. This carwash will immediately bring a positive economic benefit to the City. This environmentally friendly business is providing upwards of 20 new jobs.

Lulu’s Carwash wants to lead the industry in the Green movement, which is why they have incorporated several eco-friendly initiatives. They have incorporated their own water plant in their facility to recycle the water used in the wash through revolutionary Reverse Osmosis. The Free Vacuums and Free Mat Cleaners are energy efficient; all soaps and chemicals are environmentally friendly; all paper products are 100% recycled. For more information on Business fleet accounts, fundraising programs, or just have questions contact Lourdes Canete Wydra at 305-319-1819. Or visit www.luluscarwash.com

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft . . . Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

• Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census . . . The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

* Excerpts from article: Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson

Hosted By Tom Joyner March 20 & 21, 2010 at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fl Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Robin Thicke, Teena Marie, Boys II Men, Melanie Fiona, Cassandra Wilson, David Sanborn, K’jon & Joe Sample Headline

The City of Miami Gardens is pleased to announce the star-studded lineup for the 5th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens” hosted by #1 rated, nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner, taking place on Saturday, March 20th and Sunday, March 21st at Dolphin Stadium, 2269 Dan Marino Blvd, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056.

Confirmed artists include the queen of R&B, Mary J. Blige; Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, John Legend; R&B crooner, Robin Thicke; funk/R&B diva, Teena Marie; 90’s R&B/pop super group, Boyz II Men; Grammy nominated R&B vocalist, Melanie Fiona; jazz chanteuse, Cassandra Wilson; saxophone king, David Sanborn; already classic newcomer, K’Jon; and famed pianist, keyboarder and founding member of the Jazz Crusaders, Joe Sample. Local artist names will be released soon.

Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Dolphin Stadium Box office or through < www.jazzinthegardens.com > or < www.ticketmaster.com >. Ticket prices range anywhere from $55 for a one-day ticket to $125 for the two-day ticket; an amazing value given the fact the concert is completely loaded with the a star-studded line-up and the experience of the event goes beyond music, offering food, shopping and sophisticated pleasures.

“’Jazz in the Gardens’ has grown beyond almost any and everyone’s imagination. When we first started, it was with optimism to make this event, not only well known, but also highly respected amongst other music festivals. Five years later, this is a dream realized and still growing. In 2009 we transcended the local, national and international borders, drastically increasing the previous years’ attendance. Our expectations have grown and remain high,” says Mayor Shirley Gibson.

Jazz in the Gardens, a two-day weekend festival is now in its fifth year and has grown to be one of the top cultural events in America. The jazz festival delivers a diverse mix of music genres that range from jazz, R&B, Caribbean and African sounds. Having something to offer all music aficionados at an affordable price, the 4th Annual Jazz in the Gardens shattered expected ticket sales, enjoying an attendance of almost 40,000, which was more than double the sales of the 2008 festival. In 2009, the Jazz in the Gardens crowd enjoyed the hip-hop flavor of Common, the beautiful neo-soul melodies of Erykah Badu, the smooth R&B of Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds and the crowd-stopping soul of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, among other a-list artists.

For more information on the highly-anticipated 5th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens” Hosted by Tom Joyner, go to < www.jazzinthegardens.com > or contact the City of Miami Gardens at 1-877-640-5299.