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    TO RIDE OR NOT TO RIDE

    South Miami Resident Donna Shelley offers her original perspective on the recent cancellation of the proposed Bike SoMi community ride due to City Manager Hector Mirabile’s insistence that permits were required before the ride could proceed.

    A plan to raid the streets of this city by a motley band of local bikers was foiled recently. Thanks to the quick action of the city’s manager, Dr. Hector Mirabile, citizens were spared the sight of 20 middle- aged bikers donned in their traditional gang clothing (safety helmets and spandex) clogging major arteries and the picturesque downtown.

    When Mirabile got wind of the plot to ride en masse for a looksee at city road conditions he immediately put the kybosh on it.

    Confronting the group’s leader, a diminutive mother of two, he told her “under no circumstances will you do this!”

    Mirabile was congratulated by the South Miami City Commission for his presence of mind. They praised his steadfast determination to keep the daily flow of 500,000 vehicles safe from the threat of marauding gangs of cyclists.

    Donna Shelley is a freelance writer and seven year resident of South Miami. She is married to the artist Ronald Shelley. She takes an active interest in the community and has served on city boards and committees as well as volunteering for the South Miami Alliance for Youth.

    Back-To-School Supplies Giveaway

    On Saturday, August 20th, the City of West Park held an inaugural Back-to- School Supplies Giveaway for students going back to school. In an effort to get the children ready for their first day back to school, over 800 bags were given to children containing grade appropriate supplies for the upcoming school year. The event also included a free basketball clinic hosted by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Florida Memorial College’s Men’s Basketball Team, free haircuts to visiting children, music, and performances to get everyone in the back to school spirit.

    The event was made possible by many donations from the following groups/individuals: The Runway Salon, Fire for Hire Music Group, Shani Talks, Nest of Living Arts, Better Sports Corporation Basketball, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Keyes Realty, TD Bank, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Vice Mayor Felicia Brunson, and the City of West Park. Plans are already in place to make the event bigger and better next year so make sure you plan to attend!

    Thanks to all who participated and supported this event!

    A Simple Thank You Is In Order

    By Vice Mayor Brunson….
    The summer sun is beginning to set. I hope you were able to enjoy your time off. The lazy days of summer have been far from lazy for your Commission and Staff. We have been extremely busy preparing for the upcoming year. Over the summer months, your Commission and Staff have been working on a myriad of projects, some of them long-standing, that have significant impacts on our city well into the future.

    In the midst of all this, I wanted to take some time to just say “Thank You!”

    I am deeply honored to be elected to “serve” as Vice Mayor of this great City- West Park. It has been the beginning of a new era… The City of Positive Progression. And I am privileged to have your support, your confidence, and your expectations. I am also filled with a sense of excitement and optimism as we continue to manage our magnificent City. I am aware of the serious responsibility which has been bestowed upon me and I continuously accept this responsibility willingly.

    Our vision is simple: Our residents deserve to live in the best City in Broward County. We as your Commission will work with staff and youthe community- to achieve this vision. That means strong schools, safe streets, clean communities, economic development, and beautiful parks. It means access to services and programs. It means quality services for seniors and youth. It means a rich social and cultural life through various activities in our parks. It means a vibrant economy. It means true inclusion – a seat at the table for all. It means taking advantage of our truly unique assets-our lakes. In no way do I consider these accomplishments as being achieved exclusively by the Commission. Rather, these accomplishments are and will be achieved by all the residents who give us their time and talent to serve on committees; by all of the residents who provide their input; and by our very talented Staff who provide guidance as well as implementing our decisions with excellence.

    I refer to this three-pronged partnership of COMMISSION, RESIDENTS, AND STAFF as a triangle of achievement… as a triangle of togetherness. Many of you are responsible for selecting me to “serve” you… yet all of you are responsible for the success of our city.

    I thank all residents of West Park who have supported, encouraged, and helped us through the process. I look forward to serving and working with you, our beloved residents, to address the challenges that face our great City.

    Remember to contact me at City Hall with your ideas, suggestions or concerns. I represent you and appreciate your input into the continued success of our beloved city. I can be reached at (954) 889-4164 or email fbrunson@cityofwestpark.org.

    Looking Back and Moving Forward

    By Mayor Eric H. Jones, Jr….
    As summer ends and fall begins many changes will soon be taking place. There will be things that require much adjustment. During the week of August 10-14 we attended the Annual Conference of the Legislative Policy Committee Meetings sponsored by the Florida League of Cities. These meetings are designed to review and make suggestions to the Legislature on various items that will be discussed in their next session. Some of the changes are new and frightening while others are encouraging.

    One of the key bills that passed pertains to Affordable Housing with regard to the State Housing Trust Fund. This is HB639 which removes the $234 million dollar cap on documentary stamp revenues to be deposited into the State Housing Trust Fund. Two other key bills dealt with ethics and Elections (SB 330 and HB1355). Standing on the brink of something new is scary – there is uncertainty and fear.

    Have you ever been faced with something new and been scared? I can remember when I was thinking about becoming mayor and how many fears arose. It seemed like such an enormous task. I didn’t know anything about politics and it was a bit daunting. I was uncertain and a bit fearful. Maybe you have faced a similar situation – standing on the brink of a major change – watching a new day as it is dawning. Maybe it was a job change or a move or you were about to get married – that is scary isn’t it!!! Whatever your experience, whenever you stand on the brink of something new, there is excitement and adrenaline as well as uncertainty and fear. We look ahead into the unknown; we look back into the known. We can look back and see how we were provided for in the past – over the years. Over the last 6 years. We stand now on the precipice of a new fiscal year and our city is preparing for more great things. I must admit that standing on the edge is always scary.

    When we try to peer into the future, it is UNKNOWN. We wish we had a crystal ball, but I think sometimes that would just scare us more. Looking forward is SCARY – far more frightening than looking back. When we look back we see our history – where we have come from – it is KNOWN AND SAFE. The past is comfortable. For the past six years we have met every challenge. Although some challenges weren’t pleasant we became familiar with the struggle and provided a SAFE PLACE in the storm for our City. We were provided for and blessed in incredible ways. I am convinced that there is a great future planned for us. To grasp this future we need to do several things – support the efforts of our City, trust the leadership, and have a vested interest in our progress.

    There is far more in store for us than our present status reveals. Therefore get ready to go to new heights. But we must stand up against every challenge. Now we might not have all that we need right at the moment, but I firmly believe that there is more in store for us than what we have seen in the past six years, good as it has been. As a matter of fact there is more in store for us than what we have seen in the past 12 months, exciting as it has been. Wouldn’t it be tremendous to see our city become the city of our dreams? We’ve got a lot more hills to climb before that happens. What I know is that this overwhelming task is no more daunting than what we have faced in the past. We were charged with the task of making our city viable. We were facing some fairly big obstacles and some fairly strong opposition, but we did several things that helped us. We stopped looking back and reminiscing about our past and started moving forward to make our City what we desired.

    I am still waiting to see more wonderful things happen. I firmly believe we are standing at the edge of a new era in West Park and we are predestined to succeed. We have to be willing to do it. Let’s look back and celebrate the past, but let’s prepare to move into the future and take ground. I hope you will commit to this journey with us.

    WATCH OUT FOR OUR KIDS

    SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION

    Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee Set To Host “Miami Carnival in the Gardens”

    By Yvette Harris….
    Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee (MBOCHC) is pleased to announce one of South Florida’s signature events, Miami Carnival in the Gardens will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011, in Miami Gardens, FL. This year’s parade will move this colorful and rhythmic Caribbean party along the streets of Miami Gardens to the festival area at Sun Life Stadium (2269 Dan Marino Boulevard, Miami Gardens, FL 33056). Miami Carnival has been an important ingredient within the culture and fabric of the South Florida community. It has been enthusiastically celebrated for the past 26 years on Columbus Day weekend.

    The colorful parade of bands will once again feature a kaleidoscope of incredible costumes that are a delicious cocktail of colors and pageantry. With “Generation X” holding the title of “Band of the Year” from 2010, this year’s competition is set to bring on a sea of enchanting costumes designed to represent all the islands of the Caribbean. An early buzz has already been created by a new band called Ascension. They will be portraying “Eau De Vie [Water of Life). Also intensifying the fervor is China Mas Group. With their portrayal of “What Lies Beneath”, depicting some resemblance of what lies deep beneath the water; they have set the tone for some fierce competition this year.

    “Home to a vast Caribbean population, Miami Gardens is proud to be the home of the Miami Carnival in the Gardens for the second consecutive year. The history of Carnival began in the City of Miami Gardens and we are happy to have it come home. The event is truly the best celebration and representation of Caribbean culture and pride. We look forward to the people from around the world, who will be visiting the City, to participate in this extravagant and exciting affair. The residents and the businesses are equally as enthusiastic and look forward to welcoming and hosting visitors to our City”, says Shirley Gibson, Mayor of the City of Miami Gardens.

    “Miami Carnival in the Gardens” is a unique opportunity for sponsors to reach a global audience of Caribbean Americans who travel annually to South Florida to participate in this one-of-a-kind experience. There are Carnivals in various cities throughout the year, but Miami Carnival is unique as evidenced by the soldout airlines, hotels, rental cars and other business establishments throughout the tricounty area in previous years. With our Caribbean creativity and hospitality in full view, we anticipate that in 2011, we will be breaking records and welcoming even more visitors to the City of Miami Gardens than we have in the past” states Ruthven Williams, Executive Director of MBOCHC.

    “One cannot afford to miss this premier Caribbean family-friendly event. You will be mesmerized by the spectacular display of pageantry and color as the various mas bands showcase their magnificent costumes to the pulsating beats of Caribbean music,” All under one place, Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins in the beautiful City of Miami Gardens,” states Rafiek Mohammed, Director of Broward Caribbean Carnival, and Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee, Inc.

    This evocative Caribbean charged event also features some of the most infectious sounds of the Caribbean by a top all-star royalty artist line up which will be announced at the end of August. Attendees will enjoy a tantalizing selection of Caribbean cuisine provided by local vendors and Caribbean restaurants. Patrons will also enjoy a Caribbean Village sponsored by the Caribbean Consulates General and Tourist Boards.

    In true Carnival fashion, this year’s Miami Carnival in the Gardens will categorically celebrate the spirit and captivating culture and heritage of the Caribbean and its roots.

    Early bird tickets are $15 (Purchase by August 31) at ticketleap.com. The tickets are $20 online after August 31.Tickets at the gate are $25. For information about vending and sponsorship, please call 305.653.1877. Visit www.miamibrowardonecarnival.com, www.facebook/cacarnivalmiami Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee Set To Host “Miami Carnival in the Gardens” Thousands of Carnival Revelers and Masqueraders Set To Transform Miami Gardens into a Potent Mixture of Caribbean Culture and twitter/#1/carnivalmiami.com.

    Tips to Increase Your Sales

    By Thamarr Griffith….
    Businesses have experienced tremendous success during the economic boom of the late ‘90s and turn of the century. Today, over a decade later we find ourselves in undeniably one of the worst recessions in history. As business owners we need to strategically figure out how to make more than just a fraction of what we earned in the past while remaining profitable. Below are a few questions to ask yourself about the respective business in which you operate. Who are my true customers? Why did they shop at my business? How can I access more customers?

    Take the time to get to know your customers. The customers who frequent your business have a clear need and know exactly where to find it. Appreciate that they can go to any opposing company for the products they purchase from you, but they come back to you and give you repeat business. Ask them what they like specifically about the product or service you provide. Capture vital information like email addresses. Ask them to “LIKE” your page on Facebook so they can stay connected with store events. When business seems slow or when you simply want to say “thank you”, send out coupons via email for the popular items. Be sure to include an expiration date on the coupon with a short time frame i.e. 2 weeks to drive sales on a high margin popular product. This will allow you to measure the results of the promotion.

    Why your company and not another company? This question may answer where your competitors fall short. Here is a chance to capitalize on your competitors’ weakness before they notice. Come up with a quick message about the benefits of your company and repeat it to each customer who comes through the door. Make your competitive advantage clear. Strike when the iron is hot.

    Broaden your reach. Target the ideal customer from question #1 in the neighborhoods of your competitors and make them aware that your business is an alternative. Consider offering first time customer promotions. You can also try partnering with other businesses who offer products to be used in conjunction with your product or service offerings. This will enable you to access a well-defined defined targeted customer base from an existing company. If you are going to ask for partnering opportunities, don’t ask if you are not willing to give. Here are two examples of partnering or strategic alliances:

    Example 1- Used car dealership offers $50 gas card from a local station to customers with a vehicle purchase. The car dealership may then ask the gas station to set up an ad at the pumps or distribution of promotional cards for an upcoming test drive event.

    Example 2- A local restaurant in a shopping plaza with a video rental offers, “Get 10%off movie rentals from Acme Video with purchase of a dinner”. The video store will then offer “Free meal from Sample Restaurant with every 10th video rental”.

    Thamarr Griffith is the principal of Grifco Incorporated, a business development consulting firm specializing in strategy, growth and sales for health care and government organizations. They work with small startups to large worldwide conglomerates. To learn more about how to grow your sales and revenue in your respective industry, email Thamarr Griffith at (800) 515- 4024 or info@grifcoincorporated.com.

    A Message from the Director, Tom Ruiz Abusing Our Drainage System

    The Public Works Department has been busy installing a new Stormwater drainage system and making sure that we all are aware of the existing storm drains, and how they are directly connected to the quality of water in canals and the ocean that affects the beauty of our City and the quality of life that we enjoy. However, we have discovered waste oil and other waste (antifreeze, paint, grass clippings, household waste, pet wastes, etc.) that do not belong in Stormwater drains. These types of discharges to storm drains are illegal and harm our environment! Storm drains either go to bodies of water or into the ground. The water below the ground is the water we drink. We also do not want to fish or play in water that has oil in it, and oil will kill plants and animals in our canals. One last problem this causes is that the oil will clog the drain system, and can ruin the system. After the system does not function any longer we need to replace them at cost to us all and those costs can be better used to install other drainage systems to other parts of the City that do not have any drainage.

    And remember these simple things you can do to prevent runoff pollution of our waters.

    • Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and roads.

    • Never dump anything down the storm drains.

    • Vegetate bare spots in your yard.

    • Compost your yard waste.

    • Avoid pesticides, if possible.

    • Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.

    • Take your car to the car wash instead of washing your car in your driveway or wash on grass.

    • Check your car for leaks, and recycle motor oil. Do not park your vehicle over a storm drain.

    • Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly.

    • And, for gosh sakes, pick up after your pet!

    I urge everyone to be conscientious of our Stormwater Drainage System in your community. They help minimize flooding in our streets and rights-of-way, and treat the pollution that is in Stormwater runoff. Cleaning this runoff ensures that our drinking water stays clean and keeps our cost to treat our water low, which at the end willimprove the quality of life of the community where we can live, work, and play together.

    For more information on our storm drains, or to report clogged drains, contact the City’s Floodplain Management Program, at 305.622.8039 or Email: mgambino@miamigardens-fl.org.

    City of Miami Gardens Welcomes New Citizens Academy Members

    Front - Left to Right: Rita Santana; Flora Matchett Johnson; Sonia Flowers and Evelyn Heisley-Sanchez Center - Left to Right: Sharon P. Ragoonan; Tim Turner; Shannon Campbell; Fannie M. Gilbert; Claudette Armbrister; Susan E. Burns; Janice R. Isley; Pearline Powell and Steven E. Bellamy Back - Left to Right: Pamela Know-Shuler; Sandra D. Williams; Rodney Harris; James Clausell; Damian Gonzalez; Donald U. Koonce; Remy Hermain; Sr.: Kevin Brown and Milton Felton: Jr.
    Front - Left to Right: Rita Santana; Flora Matchett Johnson; Sonia Flowers and Evelyn Heisley-Sanchez Center - Left to Right: Sharon P. Ragoonan; Tim Turner; Shannon Campbell; Fannie M. Gilbert; Claudette Armbrister; Susan E. Burns; Janice R. Isley; Pearline Powell and Steven E. Bellamy Back - Left to Right: Pamela Know-Shuler; Sandra D. Williams; Rodney Harris; James Clausell; Damian Gonzalez; Donald U. Koonce; Remy Hermain; Sr.: Kevin Brown and Milton Felton: Jr.

    Congratulations to the graduates of the first Miami Gardens Citizens Academy. These individuals represent the successful completion of an inaugural 10-week educational program and the embodiment of citizen participation in government. Participants in this program had the opportunity to meet the City’s elected officials and professional staff who educated them about the purpose of local government, city services, interdepartmental collaboration, and the public servants employed by the City. Nineteen (19) loyal residents will graduate from the program and be recognized at the next City Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011:

    • Claudette Armbrister

    • Kevin Brown

    • Steven Bellamy, Sr.

    • Susan Burns

    • Shannon Campbell

    • James Clausell

    • Milton Felton, Jr.

    • Sonia Flowers

    • Fannie Gilbert

    • Rodney Harris

    • Janice Isley

    • Pamela Knox-Shuler

    • Donald Koonce

    • Flora Matchett Johnson

    • Pearline Powell

    • Hermain Remy

    • Christopher Smith

    • Tim Turner

    • Sandra Williams

    In an effort to increase citizen participation and engagement in the City of Miami Gardens, Councilman Oliver G. Gilbert, III established the Miami Gardens Citizens Academy by resolution on February 9, 2011. The program consists of interactive presentations by the various City departments and culminates into increased citizen awareness and involvement on boards, committees, and other community-wide initiatives. The course sessions range from the organization of the City, public safety, fiscal management, building permitting and code compliance and zoning. The next series of classes will start on January 26, 2012 and online registration will be available.

    Green Giant Award goes to Waste Management Inc.

    By Dawn McCormick….

    Community Outreach coordinator Shiraz Kashar (left) and sales representative Susie Ane-Vega accept the Green Giant Award on behalf of Waste Management.

    Waste Management Inc. recently received the Green Giant Award for its ongoing efforts toward sustainability and excellence in implementing “green” practices. The award was part of the Green Means Green presentations by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the role that businesses play in leading the way to social change.

    “At Waste Management, we feel a responsibility to leave our planet in better shape than we were given it,” said Jason Neal, Government Affairs director. “We work with our government, business and community partners to extract value from waste in ways that protect and enhance the environment.”

    Waste Management’s collaborative effort contributes to a more sustainable world by:
    • advancing technologies to reduce waste;
    • increasing recycling and reuse;
    • creating even safer treatment and disposal options;
    • developing sources of renewable energy, and
    • sharing the benefits of learning and innovation.

    Waste Management Inc., based in Houston, TX, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is the largest residential recycler in North America and a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company’s clients include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America.

    To learn more about Waste Management visit online at www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.

    Martin Rosen honored by the U.S. Department of Defense

    By Lee Stephens….
    The Florida Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced recently that Martin Rosen, associate vice president of Wells Fargo Advisors in Coral Gables was named Volunteer of the Year in recognition of extraordinary support for military personnel who serve in the Florida National Guard and Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Reserves.

    According to Phillip Speake ESGR Florida Chairman, “The ESGR 2011 Spirit of Volunteerism Award was was created by ESGR to publicly recognize volunteers who provide extraordinary patriotic support and cooperation between military reservists, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve, and their civilian employers who are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s National Guard and Reserve units The Reserve and Guard make up more than 54% of our military strength,” he added

    “Col. Rosen’s outstanding achievements and devotion to the men and women serving are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Florida ESGR committee and reflect great credit upon himself, the National ESGR Committee, the Department of Defense and the United States,” he added. The awards was presented Aug. 22 during the annual meeting of the group in Orlando.

    “It’s an honor to assist these young soldiers sailors, airmen and women who volunteer to serve thousands of miles from home to defend their country. Many in Florida and throughout the U.S. have given their lives to keep us safe and free,” said Rosen, a retired army colonel.

    As the 37 thousand members of the National Guard and Reserve in Florida and Nationally 1.3 million members continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors.

    More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at Floridaesgr.com, or by calling Doug Corbett, Program Support Specialist of the Florida ESGR Committee, at 904-823-0172.

    Florida Committee for Employer
    Support of the Guard and Reserve
    St. Francis Barracks, P.O. Box 1008, St.
    Augustine, FL 32085-1008

    Foreign Real Estate investing – What you need to know

    W South Beach hosts Real Estate Luncheon

    Foreign investors have been flocking to South Florida for its real estate investment opportunities for decades, however, more so than the European buyers, individuals from Central and South America have now come to the shores of Miami. South Florida’s strategic location gives it a global competitive advantage when attracting foreign real estate buyers specifically from Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina.

    According to the Miami Association of Realtors, Venezuelans have led the Miami condo market resurgence, accounting for 28% of unit purchases among international investors in Miami. Currently, Canada stands at 10% of international investment, followed by Brazil at 9%. These global investors are bringing capital to the local economy by purchasing both commercial and luxury properties, which has helped South Florida’s revival in this market. From 2010 to 2011, real estate purchases have totaled to $82 billion in the United States, of which, 33% is in Florida.

    Florida offers an appealing platform for foreign investors with its culturally diverse business environment, international workforce, and prime beach front real estate. The best way to learn more about doing business in this unique field is to hear it straight from the real estate experts at the upcoming “What You Need to Know” luncheon. On Friday, September 16th, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Miami Association of Realtor will host the “Foreign Real Estate Investing in South Florida- What you need to Know,” Real Estate Luncheon at the W Hotel in South Beach from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

    This year’s panel includes Teresa King Kinney, Miami Association of Realtors, Kobi Karp, Kobi Karp Architecture and design, Jay Parker, Clear Title Group, James Campanella, City National Bank, Jeffrey Blinn, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC and Madeleine Romanello, Douglas Ellimen Florida. The panelists will share their expertise with foreign investment in Miami to educate the local community of the positive turn the market has taken and how to keep international investor’s eyes on South Florida.

    It is the mission of the Miami Beach Chamber’s Real Estate Council to share expertise and offer guidance to educate Chamber members and realtors around the Miami-Dade community. Melissa Rubin, Vice President of Platinum Properties International boutique real estate firm and Co-Founder and Chair of the Chamber Real Estate Council, said, “The importance of this Real Estate Luncheon is to discuss additional trends and provide tips to our business community on how to capture and understand the value of foreign investments in Miami.”

    Last year, the “The New Now” Real Estate Luncheon attracted over 250 attendees with a panel including W South Beach’s developer, David Edelstein. This year’s “What You Need to Know” luncheon anticipates to be sold out as a result of last year’s success. All interested parties in the should RSVP to reserve tickets by visiting www.miamibeachchamber.com.

    Safe Haven Charity of 2011 DBC-WAG Luncheon

    Nick Silverio, founder of Safe Haven, with an abandoned newborn

    This year the Doral Business Council’s Women’s Alliance Group will once again raise funds for the Safe Haven for Newborns, at their annual luncheon on September 23. The luncheon will be held at the Hotel Sofitel, located in Blue Lagoon. Don’t miss this opportunity to support this noble organization.

    Safe Haven is an award-winning, trailblazing non-profit Florida organization that is dedicated to rescuing newborn infants who are tragically abandoned by their mothers. Over the ten years of Safe Haven’s existence, the program has grown substantially, expanding in concept and now offering a range of services and programs to prevent newborn abandonment. Safe Haven was created in 2001 by Nick Silverio, a man whose deep compassion and love for all children led him to devote his life to saving abandoned infants. He created the organization to honor the life of his beloved wife Gloria, who was killed in a car accident in 1999. Nick and Gloria were married for 32 years, and although they had no children, they were devoted to children and served as godparents to fourteen.

    In just ten years, Safe Haven has gained national attention and become a prototype, setting the standard for affiliated programs in Kansas and Missouri. It has launched a network of chapters across Florida and attracted a team of over 300 dedicated, hardworking volunteers. The organization has provided web-based training for 4,000 professionals in healthcare and emergency services and has enlightened the public about the issue of newborn abandonment through public service announcements, billboards, community presentations and social media Internet sites. “People are aware of Safe Haven now,” says Executive Director Silverio. “They’ve heard of us, they know what we do and most importantly, they know that there’s a number to call for help.”

    To attend the DBC-WAG luncheon register online at www.doralbusiness.com or call the DBC office at 305-470- 9597. Individual tickets are $55.00 for members and $65.00 for non-members. Table sponsors are $800.00. One hundred percent (100%) of the silent auction will benefit A Safe Haven for Newborns.

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