Homestead Air Reserve Base Senior Airman Astrid Lopez-Michelen and Homestead Job Corps Center student Juan Ramey Jr. are pleased to work together to beautify the community by participating bi-monthly in the Adopt-a-Road project in south Miami-Dade County.
Adopt-a-Road program helps to beautify the community
‘Top reasons’ to join Business Tour to Brazil’s Top Markets
Recognizing the tremendous opportunities for doing business with Brazil, GH International Consulting is organizing three-city “Business Tour to Brazil’s Top Markets” trade missions March 11-21 and August 2-12 with support from UPS, TAM Airlines, Greater Miami Chapters of OWIT (Organization of Women in International Trade), the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as well as other U.S. companies.
March tour destinations include Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba, where a series of business meetings, seminars and high-level networking receptions have been scheduled with local business professionals. August tour destinations include Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
“Leading law firms along with top government agencies and private-sector business groups will be meeting with tour participants in every city,” said Gláucia Hartman, founder of GH International Consulting – specializing in business development, management consulting and intercultural marketing. “Our focus is to help American companies succeed in Brazil. GH International is also planning a full-day ‘How to do Business in the USA’ round table event with the Federation of Industry in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba.”
Business Matchmaking programs can also be scheduled (at least four weeks prior to departure). Participants can benefit from one-on-one appointments with companies and representatives in Brazil coordinated by the U.S. Commercial Department or Amcham. Arrangements can also be made to be accompanied by Gláucia Hartman – or if travel to Brazil is not possible, companies have the option to be represented by GH International Consulting during matchmaking meetings.
Full Business Tour registration includes: Briefings, presentations and group appointments with local officials and Brazilian business organizations; translation services; networking events; access to discounted airfares and hotels; a confirmed agenda close to departure date; local transportation and tourist information for each city; a Welcome memorandum after registration to prepare for the mission; and cultural training in Brazil.
To prepare for the Brazilian tour, participants are invited to arrange personal or group consultations with Gláucia Hartman. For tour registration, contact Gláucia Hartman, GH International Consulting: 310- 941-1887, email gh@ghiconsultants.com, or visit ghiconsultants.com
Billy The Marlin reflects team’s new look, colors
After some colorful modifications, South Florida’s favorite fish, Billy The Marlin, has returned better than ever. Standing eight-feet tall, this new and improved Billy will reflect the Miami Marlin’s new colors and new logo.
The new Billy The Marlin will feature the team’s colors — blue, red-orange, yellow and black.
“The new look of Billy perfectly complements the new look of the Miami Marlins,” said Sean Flynn, Marlins senior vice president of marketing. “By utilizing the same color scheme, which represents Miami and its diverse cultural and geographical mix, we are confident fans will embrace Billy’s new style. Just as they have embraced our new brand by buying Miami Marlins tickets and merchandise at record-breaking numbers.”
Billy The Marlin, an icon representing baseball in South Florida for more than 18 years, has been ranked as one of the most popular mascots in professional sports. The new Billy is making his first appearances as part of the Marlins’ fourth visit to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas. The Marlins organization is visiting U.S. troops stationed in Japan, Guam and Hawaii through Dec. 15.
Billy The Marlin was handpicked not only for his skill, cunning and great competitive nature, but most of all for his outstanding sense of humor and great rapport with baseball fans of all ages.
Holiday Concerts Feature MCS Student Performances
From Thanksgiving through December, Miami Christian students showcased their musical talents with several choral and band concerts while also volunteering time for community service activities.
The concert season began with a high school chorus presentation, followed by performances by the symphonic and jazz bands directed by Derek Shute. The season concluded with an elementary musical drama, “The Late Great Potentate,” directed by Diana Cummings. Taking the starring role in that production was MCS senior thespian, Alexandra Rios, who sang and acted with the elementary school drama cast.
MCS senior Lizette Vinas had a leading role in a group of special performances presented by the Maria Verdeja School of Arts. Lizette, who played the Mayor of Whoville in the musical, “A Whoville Christmas”, received rave reviews. The group performed for both Dade County Public Schools System and the City of Coral Gables’ annual tree lighting ceremony.
MCS students continue activity in charitable causes, including a gift drive for their friends in India at Sunil’s Home Orphanage. This year, a collection of boxes with new underwear varieties was donated by the students for Christmas. While children here might think otherwise, the children at Sunil’s Home treasure practical items they receive as gifts. The boxed garments will be delivered by a team of friends from Coral Gables who have scheduled a visit to Sunil’s Home in January, expecting to bring back letters and garden updates for their pen pals at Miami Christian School.
Recently, Miami Christian has been the recipient of a number of grants from foundations and local funders including The Chatlos Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Coral Gables and the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Miami Christian appreciates it many corporate and foundation partners who contribute to a variety of programs at the School helping them offer their students cutting edge technology and programs.
The performing arts continues to be an area where students at Miami Christian excel. Roberto Barrueco received recognition in the University of Miami honor band this year and Barbara Del Valle achieved status in the All State High School Honor Band which will perform in Tampa at the All State 2012 FMEA convention.
The first Admission Open House of 2012 will be held Thursday, Jan. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. Tel. Gladys Mata at 305.221.7754 x771 in the admissions department for an appointment and personal tour.
Mary Surratt and the plot to kill Lincoln
Mary Surratt’s life should have been spared. Mary, together with Lewis Powell, George Atzerodt and David Herold, were found guilty before a Military Tribunal of conspiracy with John Wilkes Booth to kill Lincoln and, in a rush to justice, all four were hanged on July 7, 1865 – less than three months after Lincoln’s death on April 15th. The three men “were all part of Booth’s inner circle. Not so with Mary.” Just before the hood was placed over his head, Powell cried out, “Mrs. Surratt is innocent!” Mary had testified that she knew nothing about the plot to kill Lincoln. She was “the first and only woman ever hanged by the U.S. government.” The key testimony against Mary came from a highly questionable witness, John Lloyd, who operated a tavern in Mary’s boardinghouse. Mary’s attorney argued that Lloyd, who was a conspiracy suspect, was motivated to “exculpate himself by placing blame” on Mary. Four other men were given prison terms for their passive roles in the assassination conspiracy.” Booth was previously shot and killed at Garrett’s farm in Virginia.
Booth and his conspirators may have discussed the kidnapping of Lincoln at Mary’s boardinghouse. The kidnapping plot was later changed to killing Lincoln. One man, Mary’s son John, could have saved Mary’s life but chose not to do so. John, a co-conspirator with Booth, could have been “instrumental in reducing his mother’s sentence by showing that her part in the assassination, if any, was passive support instead of active participation.” Rather than give testimony that might have implicated himself, but may have spared his mother’s life, John fled to Canada, “where he followed the news of his mother’s trial and execution.” Ironically, John was ultimately brought back to the U.S. and tried before a civilian jury as a conspirator in Lincoln’s assassination. A recent Supreme Court decision held that trials of civilians before Military Tribunals (as Mary was) were unconstitutional. John testified that both he and Mary were innocent of the plot to kill Lincoln. The jury deadlocked; 8-4 for not guilty. John was freed, to live with his conscience.
Mayor Bullies, Fails to Derail Town Hall Meeting
Despite pressure from the Mayor of Palmetto Bay to derail a public town hall meeting, the event will take place as scheduled, on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm at Christ Fellowship Church.
At Wednesday’s Council workshop (referred to as a COW meeting, or Committee of the Whole), District 1 Councilman Patrick Fiore made known his plans to hold a town hall meeting for the residents, his second since taking office in November, 2010.
As soon as he made the announcement, his plans came under fire by Mayor Shelly Stanczyk. Stanczyk chastised Fiore for planning a meeting while she and other council members and the Village Manager would be away in Tallahassee to attend an annual event known as, “Dade Days.”
The mayor chided the Councilman, citing the “importance” of attending Dade Days, and the opportunities to meet with Miami-Dade’s state legislators in the hopes of securing state funds for Palmetto Bay. She even said, “All of the other council members” would be attending Dade Days.
At that point, Councilman Howard Tendrich chimed in and reminded the mayor he too was staying home and not going to the Tallahassee event. When Tendrich opined about the event being primarily a party, Stanczyk shifted her verbal assault in his direction.
[The ugly incident can be viewed via streaming media on the Village website. Go to http://www.palmettobay-fl.gov/content/streaming-media-archive then select the link to the Jan 18, 2012 Committee of the Whole meeting and scroll forward to 46 minutes and 16 seconds“]
Not only is the mayor’s bullying disrespectful, her assessment of the importance of attending Dade Days is off-base and underlines her own failure to secure any funding from state legislatures during her first year as Mayor of Palmetto Bay.
Dade Days IS a party. The event’s website touts the 2-day happening as a “…celebration of our community during the Florida Legislative Session..created to embrace our diverse cultural community.”
The time to visit Tallahassee and meet with our representatives is in the weeks prior to Dade Days, during the legislature’s early sessions. By the time Dade Days rolls around, much of the state’s available funding (if there is any in these challenging times) has already been allocated.
Mayor Stanczyk may be comfortable spending the taxpayers’ money to attend the, “Paella Fest,” but she should withhold her caustic, misplaced criticism of any council member willing to stay home to meet with and listen to the residents.
The town hall meeting is open to all Palmetto Bay residents and will take place on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm at Christ Fellowship Church, 8900 Southwest 168th Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157.
What are your thoughts on this?
‘Waste Watch’ program puts extra eyes on road
Miami-Dade County recently announced the “Waste Watch” program for Waste Management Inc.’s (WMI) drivers and “Waste-Watch-Like” program for county- employed drivers.
The programs will train waste collection drivers to report suspicious and criminal activities to law enforcement while out on the job. The official launch and demonstration took place on Nov. 30 at the Miami Science Museum.
This past May, the Miami-Dade County Commission adopted chair Joe A. Martinez’s resolution directing the Mayor’s Office to present a report detailing the best methodology and implementation schedule to create both programs.
The objective of WMl’s existing Waste Watch program is to enhance community safety by providing timely information to local police and emergency services. This program trains drivers of Waste Management’s vehicles within the locality to look for and report suspicious or criminal activity to authorities.
Martinez believed this model would be beneficial for the county’s own Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) and proposed a training program for DSWM truck drivers to follow this methodology to assist residents.
“The Waste Watch program will aid in the efforts to decrease crime in Miami- Dade County,” Martinez said. “Drivers from our Solid Waste Department are frequently out at times of the day when residents are at work and away from their homes, an opportune time for break-ins and other illegal activities. Having an extra set of eyes on the street will give residents peace of mind.”
The county’s DSWM will work with WMI and implement the Waste Watch program for WMl’s drivers within a four- to six-week period. A WMI team based in Atlanta, GA, would be brought in to coordinate with local law enforcement/ emergency response agencies and provide training for their waste truck drivers.
The driver training includes instruction on how to respond to various types of incidents, such as: crime in progress, unattended child, house fire and non-emergency situations that warrant investigation. Drivers are instructed not to place themselves in harm’s way, but are encouraged to report what they see and take reasonable actions to protect life and property.
Implementing the DSWM portion of the program will require development of an in-house training program partnered with WMI. Development of the DSWM program would require the support and cooperation of the waste union and may require changes to the collective bargaining agreement. The informal initial reaction of waste union representatives was very positive.
For more information, contact Martinez’s office at 305-375-5511.
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!” -Sir Walter Scott
Former Mayor of South Miami
The downward spiral South Miami has taken over the past 22 months saddens many of us who have worked hard to improve our city through years of dedication and involvement.
As we have witnessed, beneficial accomplishments for the overall good for our city have not come to fruition. Pseudo-intellectual doublespeak may impress naïve college freshmen, but it will never replace common sense and efficacious leadership.
For then candidate Phillip Stoddard, the beginning of his web of deception began two years ago. The F.I.U biology teacher turned politician illicitly recruited his impressionable F.I.U. students to work on his campaign. With an alleged nod and a wink assuring a good grade, they went knocking on the doors of unsuspecting South Miamians, innocently spreading their teacher’s lies and deception.
Citizens of South Miami should not have their rights violated nor should they be disrespected at Commission Meetings. South Miami should not be the laughing stock of the county such as when current Mayor Stoddard wrote a letter to a citizen banning her from all future commission meetings. Though he had no choice but to retract the letter, a supposed educated man who once proclaimed, “Power to the people” should have realized that it is simply wrong and a complete violation of a citizen’s first amendment rights.
Our city’s annual budget should not be manipulated for self-promoting political purposes. A budget should reflect realistic and correct revenue projections as well as accurate expenses. Unrealistic revenue projections by over 7% compounded by underestimated and omitted expenses by as high as 9% will only create a major problem for the next commission, and more importantly to South Miami taxpayers. It is little wonder that this commission has looked at annexing huge parts of the neighborhood area from the Palmetto Expressway and Sunset north to Bird Road.
Expected lawsuit settlements along with all attorneys’ fees should be included in the budget as clear and transparent line items. Taxpayers should not have to pay for lucrative politically motivated contracts to cronies or allow the overpriced outsourcing of our departments. These practices once reserved for Banana Republics are now prevalent in South Miami. Once again, these issues serve as sources of rumors of corruption placing South Miami in the same league as certain Caribbean and Latin American countries.
As a resident and taxpayer contributing 12 plus years of service to our city, I am concerned over the lack of direction, lack of leadership, poorly run government, unproductive meetings and unprofessional treatment of our city employees.
Some of you may already know that I am not running for election this February. I would, however, like to take this opportunity to thank many of you for offering me your support. It is both humbling and rewarding to know that my administration is fondly remembered for having made positive tangible differences throughout South Miami.
It is now time for a positive knowledgeable city commission to return civility and direction to the city.
On February 14, we will have an opportunity to vote for honest and effective leadership. You can cause a change come election day and vote for the three best candidates whom will lead the city of South Miami with common sense, dignity and respect.
Horace G. Feliu
Former Mayor
2002-2004 & 2006-2010
horacefeliu@bellsouth.net
William Gallagher joins City National Bank as Senior Vice President and Real Estate Banking Relationship Manager
City National Bank of Florida (CNB) has named William Gallagher as Senior Vice President and Real Estate Banking Relationship Manager. Mr. Gallagher will be headquartered at the bank’s 1450 Brickell office. Mr. Gallagher has more than 20 years of real estate banking experience in the Miami market. Prior to City National, he served as senior vice president at Mellon United National Bank and Sabadell United Bank. He has brokered a number of large commercial real estate transactions in South Florida including an $85 million construction loan on the retail/office/parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, a $53 million construction loan on Portofino Tower in Miami Beach and a $52 million line of credit for airplane hangars at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
“Bill has a wealth of experience and a great knowledge of the South Florida real estate market,” CNB President and Chief Executive Officer Jorge Gonzalez said. “He will be an invaluable asset as we continue our lending growth.”
Zoological Society of Florida to host Beastkeeper party
The Zoological Society of Florida, Host Committee and Zoo Miami, as a prelude to the legendary “Feast With The Beasts” dining event at the zoo, has scheduled the Beastkeeper VIP Party, a wild evening of tantalizing tastes from fine South Florida restaurants, open bars, exotic animal encounters from Zoo Miami, and cool music.
The event is Saturday, Jan. 28, 7-11 p.m., at the residence of Chris and Irene Korge (event co-chair), 10355 SW 67 Ave. in Pinecrest.
The funds raised will help support the Zoological Society of Florida’s wildlife education and conservation programs on behalf of Zoo Miami. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.
Exquisite fare will be served from the following excellent restaurants: Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House, Caffé Abbracci, Zucchero Ristorante-Bistro, and Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar. The Office Cake and Wicked Confections will be satiating sweet cravings with delectable desserts.
An extravagant silent auction will include items like jewelry, trips, handbags and art.
The $500 Beastkeeper VIP Party Passport tickets include admission to Feast With The Beasts (8 p.m. to midnight) and the VIP cocktail reception (7 p.m.) on Friday, Mar. 2, at Zoo Miami. Tickets to Feast With The Beasts are $175.
For tickets, sponsorship and more information, visit online at www.fwtb.org or call 305-255-5551.
The Zoological Society of Florida is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports Zoo Miami through education, conservation and outreach programs; marketing and public relations; volunteer services, and financial support for the construction of new exhibits.
Nuances of Loss and Grief
Death and loss touch everyone in often unexpected and profound ways. They produce a mix of thoughts and feelings and impact an individual’s life on many levels. Some reactions are obvious and some are more subtle.
Aside from the feelings of pain and loss there can be some unrecognized, uncomfortable feelings associated with the passing of someone close to you that you cared about. Sometimes there are unexpected feelings of shock, numbness, regret, guilt and longing.
Even when the decline is prolonged and death is imminent, the death itself, when it occurs, can still come as a shock. It is often hard to believe that the person is truly gone.
People often experience an immediate numbness. It allows them to get through the initial days after the death. When it wears off the person feels the loss more acutely. This can bring increased pain and grief. There can also be feelings of regret especially if you were not there and you were unable to say, “Good Bye.” There are frequently feelings of inadequacy and guilt.
When death is near
We sometimes fear
We sometimes dread
The words and deeds we left unsaid.
It came so suddenly, your end.
Did I do enough my friend?
Was I there when you needed me?
Was I the best that I could be?
The finality and irreversibility of the death invokes certain unique feelings as well. People frequently want one more minute with the deceased. One more question to ask. One more statement they feel the need to make. One more word they want to hear. One more reassurance that they are looking for. Make sure you are as attentive as you can be to those experiencing a life threatening illness. Then there will be fewer regrets and less or no guilt.
Very often the family and friends experience a special wish and longing. They are not ready to let the individual go “I wanted more time with you.” expresses their feelings after the loss.
Patricia Frank is a Licensed Psychotherapist. She can be reached at 305-788-4864
50-year-old law firm moving to Gables Business District
Richman Greer PA, a law firm offering a wide range of litigation and business-related legal services in Miami and West Palm Beach, has announced that it will relocate its Downtown Miami office to the 396 Alhambra office complex — a new, two-tower, 275,081-rentable-square-foot (rsf) mixed-use office and retail development located in the heart of the Downtown Coral Gables Business District.
The firm will occupy a total of 10,755 square feet of Class A office space in the project’s newly developed 156,000 rsf North Tower. Financial terms of the lease were not disclosed.
“In order to manage the firm’s continued growth, and continue providing outstanding service to our local and international clients, we made the decision to move our Miami office to Coral Gables and its vibrant multinational business community,” said Manuel Garcia-Linares, managing shareholder, Richman Greer PA.
“We were attracted to the top quality of the 396 Alhambra project, its LEED certification, proximity within the commercial business district as well as the economic stability of the City Beautiful, where many of our attorneys live and are already involved in the community.”
Celebrating 50 years in South Florida, Richman Greer will relocate to 396 Alhambra in Coral Gables from its current Downtown Miami office at Miami Center joining tenants such as CitiBank NA, international architecture firm RTKL Associates, internet company Terra Networks, and marketing/communications firm KabooKaboo.
David Valdez, Danet Linares and Andres del Corral of Blanca Commercial Real Estate represented landlord 396 Alhambra LLC in the transaction, while David Prevé of CresaPartners represented Richman Greer PA.
“Richman Greer’s relocation to 396 Alhambra from a Class A building in Downtown Miami is a good example of the strong appeal of the Coral Gables market,” said Linares, executive vice president of Blanca Commercial Real Estate. “This is an ideal location for companies large and small seeking premium office space in a newly constructed office building that is located in the center of one of South Florida’s most desirable submarkets.”
The announcement of Richman Greer’s move to 396 Alhambra’s North Tower follows the delivery of the project’s first phase, the seven-story, 87,000 rsf South Tower, which underwent a dramatic renovation and modernization, converting the 1960s-contructed building into luxury class A office space. The project’s North Tower is slated to open in the first quarter of 2012, with Richman Greer’s move scheduled for July.
Designed by Miami-based architectural firm The Fullerton Group and constructed by Balfour Beatty, 396 Alhambra is located at 396 Alhambra Circle.
Learn more at www.396alhambra.com. For leasing information, contact David Valdez, Danet Linares or Andres del Corral of Blanca Commercial Real Estate at 305-577-8850.