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Every Wednesday: Aventura News

Monthly: Biscayne Bay Tribune and Doral Tribune

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6796 S.W. 62 Avenue • S. Miami, FL 33143 • (305) 662-2277 • Fax: (305) 662-6980Editorial: cneditor@gate.net • Ads: artwork@communitynewspapers.com

AVENTURA NEWS, BISCAYNE BAY TRIBUNE, COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER, CORAL GABLES NEWS-TRIBUNE,CUTLER BAY NEWS, DORAL TRIBUNE, KENDALL GAZETTE, PALMETTO BAY NEWS,

PINECREST TRIBUNE, SUNNY ISLES BEACH SUN, SOUTH MIAMI NEWS

Miami’sCOMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS

published weekly Serving Coconut Grove, brickell avenue and key biscayne

Biscayne Bay Biscayne BayTRIBUNETRIBUNE

MAY 4 - 10, 2004 www.communitynewspapers.com

BY JEFF REITER

ho wouldn’t want to come backas a pampered pooch being treat-ed to a body makeover at LovelyPets? Many of the shop’s loyalclients say they would,.

“Lovely Pets is concerned with thewhole dog, not just cutting hair, and ourprofessional groomers’ use of tender lov-ing care is the best approach to groomingpets,” said Lovely Pets owner FranciscoMonagas. “Our move to 3098 FullerStreet from Commodore Plaza was only astone’s throw, but I am sure that ourclients are so loyal that they would havefollowed us to a location much furtheraway.”

Monagas says many dog owners havea fear about leaving their pets anywhere.So, the members of his staff Lovely Petstry to give the same loving care to the ani-mals in their charge that they would findat home. “One of the reasons that ourexperienced and very patient groomers,Vicente, who was a vet in Venezuela, andAlfonzo, a groomer in Colombia for morethan 20 years, obtain spectacular results isthat we only take up to 20 dogs per dayand average an hour-and-a-half pergrooming,” said Monagas. “We onlyaccept what we are able to do well. Eachanimal is treated as an individual and weprovide whatever is needed. All our prod-ucts are 100 percent natural and we use notranquilizers or chemicals ”

Clients, who are required to completeemergency information cards when theydrop off their pets, know that their dog’shealth will be checked, and if fleas, ticks,or other problems are found, they will becontacted immediately. Monagas sayssalon personnel have even taken dogs to avet on occasion and they do that gladlybecause they feel that their clients’ peaceof mind and their trust is very important.

Lovely Pets, a six-year-old company,provides different haircuts for differentbreeds, as well as baths, nail clipping andgeneral maintenance.

“We are very conscious of the dogs’comfort and our modern equipment --such as quiet blow driers that allow thedogs to remain comfortable while beingdried -- truly pampers them,” saidMonagas. “The high quality of our clean-ing products, such as medicated baths andoatmeal shampoos, is very important andis a typical aspect of the Lovely Petsexperience. Following the bath andgrooming, we have bows and perfume tomake the dogs even more beautiful.” Clients may purchase from a fine selec-tion of products to take home, such asbows, collars, picture frames, toys,colognes and bowls.

Lovely Pets offers pickup and deliv-ery service in Coconut Grove, CoralGables and Brickell, and they have a rep-resentative in Key Biscayne every

BY RON BEASLEY

oconut Grove developer MannyAlonzo-Poch, who once had plansto build a hotel and parkinggarage on vacant GrovePlayhouse property, has settled hislawsuit against the state, paving

the way for theater officials to move aheadwith new development plans.

Six years ago, Alonzo-Poch posted a$25,000 fee for the right to develop theplayhouse property and invested another

$300,000 in surveys,architectural plans, ren-derings and other pre-construction necessities.Shortly before construc-tion, Playhouse officialssaid they were not happywith Alonzo-Poch’s plansand cancelled the agree-ment. They said they

would develop the proper-ty themselves under an agreement with theCity of Miami Parking Authority.

Alonzo-Poch went to court and suedPlayhouse and state officials, claiming “tor-turous interference with a business relation-ship,” an action that resulted in a hands-offattitude by parking authority officials andother related entities. Alonzo-Poch’s legalaction effectively stymied for five years allplans to rebuild the playhouse, and add aparking garage and hotel, necessities thatGrove business entities claim are needed tospur growth in the Village center.

With the settlement, Alonzo-Poch didnot get all of his investment returned, onlythe $25,000 deposit.

“We were selected by the Secretary ofState to develop the property and weadvanced over $300,000 in pre-develop-ment planning,” said Alonzo-Poch,acknowledging that the suit has been set-tled. “(Playhouse producing artistic direc-tor) Arnold Mittelman torpedoed the trans-action by trying to get the property turnedover to the Playhouse board, which I thinkhe has been successful at doing, by the way.

Village Voice

CIt’s our last issue of TheBiscayne Bay Tribune;

back next month as theCoconut Grove Tribune

BY RON BEASLEYEditor

Take a good look,it’s the last issue ofThe Biscayne BayTribune. We’re re-constituting the paperas The Coconut GroveTribune and evolvingit into a monthly for-mat with a focusstrictly on the Grovecommunity. You’ll see the first issue inearly June.

I’ve enjoyed being the editor of TheBiscayne Bay Tribune for the last fiveyears (though it, too, was a monthly pub-lication for the first four years) and rel-ished bringing you the happenings, thecomings, the goings, the off-beat, theunusual, the new, the old, the artists, thewriters, the restaurants, the bars, thepoliticians, the controversies, the devel-opers, the residents, the people. We’ve tried to give you an up-close-and-personal look at your communities – pri-marily Coconut Grovey, but the Brickellarea and Key Biscayne as well. Many ofyou have applauded, some have not, andsome had no comment. Regardless, wehave done our best and I must admit that

Positive PEOPLEaround

Biscayne Bay

SEE HIS

STORYINSIDE

Lovely Pets dog grooming salonhas new Fuller Street address

Pictured in front of the new Fuller Street location for Lovely Pets are (l-r) groomer Alfonzo Gomez, managerVicente Miguel and owner Francisco Monagas.

Lawsuit settled; Grove Playhouse gets green light for development plans

WSee IT’S OUR LAST, page 4

GORDON FALES

Alonzo-Poch

Coconut Grove Grove Playhouse

See LOVELY PETS page 4

Serving Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor, Golden Beach, Hallandale, Hollywood, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside www.communitynewspapers.com Dec. 29, 2004 - Jan. 4, 200

Hamptons SouthThe Parc at Turnberry Isle

The Point oAventura

Turnberry on the Green

BY BARI AUERBACH

Just a few weeks after Carlos Alvarezwas sworn in as Miami-Dade County's newExecutive Mayor, one of his first publicappearances was at an Aventura MarketingCouncil Chairman's Roundtable meetinghosted by the powerhouse law firmGreenberg Traurig (GT).

Mayors, commissioners, city managersand police chiefs from neighboring munici-palities were invited to join AMC businessand community leaders at The FairmontTurnberry Isle Resort & Club for the much-anticipated networking luncheon. Raisingthe bar for eloquent introductions, GT princi-pal shareholder Cliff Schulman, who servesas AMC chairman of the board, recognizedGT president/CEO Cesar Alvarez; and GTattorneys contributing to the firm's phenom-enal success.

"Greenberg Traurig was founded in1967 by Larry Hoffman, Bob Traurig andMel Greenberg," Schulman explained."We're now the eighth largest full-servicelaw firm in the country with over 1,000lawyers and professionals in offices through-out the United States as well as Zurich andAmsterdam. We're very pleased - not onlywith the growth of the firm - but also withour credo passed on by the firm's founders:'Never forget the people who made you great-and make sure you give back to the commu-nity.'"

Taking the podium, Mayor Alvarezexpounded on his dedication to serving thecommunity, commitment to fighting publiccorruption and intent to bring "a fresh per-spective and zeal for true reform to Miami-Dade County."

"It's great to see so many friends herethat I've worked with through the years,"Alvarez said. "Let me tell you a little bitabout myself: I was born in Cuba but I'velived in this community for 44 years. I'm agraduate of FIU; and in 1976, I joined theMiami-Dade Police Department. For thenext 28 years, I held every rank. I started asa police officer on the midnight shift and inMarch of 1997, I was appointed director ofthe Miami-Dade Police Department.

"I never thought I would run for electedoffice - but I reached a point in my careerwhen I made a decision I had more to offerthis community than just in the area of pub-lic safety. It was a long, difficult mayoralcampaign - but I had a very strong messageabout 'reform and accountability' in countygovernment. I never attacked anyone person-ally because this is not about 'people.' It's thesystem in place that needs to be changed -and that's what I ran on.

"I believe the mayor should havecertain authorities and responsibilities.The mayor gets to appoint the countymanager - but he doesn't get to deal withdepartment directors; and I believe thatshould be changed. Other importantissues include procurement reform -doing whatever it takes to make sure the$6 billion budget is spent wisely; advo-cating reform legislation is passed deal-ing with fees for lobbyists; and I stronglybelieve commissioners deserve asalary."

Sharing some of his first missions,Alvarez noted, "I made the decision thatGeorge Burgess would be the countymanager - I've known him for over 20years and he is a man of integrity. Thesecond decision I was faced with wasfinding a new aviation director. We'llhire the best possible person for the jobby March or early April."

Other priorities Alvarez referencedincluded negotiations with the FloridaMarlins; making sure the $2.9 billionbond referendum voters recently passedis spent wisely; and selecting his newstaff members.

In closing, Alvarez reflected, "It'sbeen a hectic three weeks! I look for-ward to working with all the elected offi-cials and everyone here."

For more information aboutGreenberg Traurig Attorneys at Law,phone: 305-579-0613 or visit thewebsite www.gtlaw.com

The Fairmont Turnberry IsleResort & Club

The Venture BellaMaré

Jeannie Stofman, United Yacht Sales; Carolyn Rogers, AccessAventura.com;Bobby Latham; Bibi Gomberg, Apex Lending; Michael Crozier, Where MiamiMagazineAMC Chairman Cliff Schulman, principal shareholder and Cesar Alvarez,president/CEO, Greenberg Traurig with the newly elected mayorPhtotography by Andrew Goldstein

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez hosted by Greenberg Traurig

Standing (L - R) North Bay Village Mayor Joe Geller; North Miami Beach Mayor Jeffrey Mishcon; Event spon-sors Cesar Alvarez and Cliff Schulman, Greenberg Traurig; Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup; BalHarbour Village Mayor Sy Roth; Seated (L - R) Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti; Miami-Dade County MayorCarlos Alvarez; Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy CooperBY MARIA ROSA HIGGINS FALLON

T wo major improvementprojects in the City of CoralGables will be funded thisyear, thanks to federal gov-

ernment dollars recently approved byCongress and the President.

“This is great news for the Coral Gablescommunity,” said Mayor Don Slesnick,who recently returned from the National

League of Cities’ annual CongressionalConference. “This local government wel-comes funding support from the state orfederal level to fulfill the needs and prior-ities of our infrastructure and mainte-nance of our quality of life. These federalfunds will definitely help us achieve that.”

Coral Gables, which is part of Florida’s18th Congressional District represented

T homas Cookson is a man ofgreat intelligence, humilityand kindness. He is a man

who believes in giving back to his com-munity, a trait that he has passed on tohis children with great success.

Born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, in1957, Cookson graduated with honorsand distinction from the University ofVirginia in 1979 with a degree inHistory and Foreign Affairs. While heexcelled academically, it was not all

work. In fact,Cookson was onthe varsity fencingteam at Virginiaand took advan-tage of opportuni-ties to studyabroad, travelingto Paris during thesummer of 1977and then at the

APRIL 7, 2009

Thomas Cookson is very involved

in his community

THOMAS COOKSON

GGaabblleess GGrreeaatt

–––––––––– See COOKSON, page 6

BID welcomes new businessesto Downtown and Miracle Mile

––––––––––––––– See FUNDS, page 6

New Coral Gables business owners Evelyn Lozado of the soon-to-open designer shoe boutique Dulce (left), FabianBasabe of the gourmet Italian restaurant Da Vittorio (center) and Rebecca Brothers of Dulce mingle at TarponBend during a recent Member Mixer sponsored by the Business Improvement District (BID) of Coral Gables.

BY MARK A. TROWBRIDGEPresident & CEO Coral Gables Chamber

This just in... alittle good news forCoral Gables.

Who knew thatthe City of CoralGables had a rockstar in our midst?Well, there arethree shining starssharing the same delicious and historicstage, to be exact. The BiltmoreHotel’s signature French restaurant,the Palme d’Or, is a semi-finalist forthree James Beard Awards — outstand-ing service, outstanding wine serviceand best chef in the South for PhilippeRuiz. A veritable culinary trifecta!

The James Beard Awards are theOscars of the culinary world.Covering all aspects of the hospitalityindustry — from chefs and restaura-teurs to cookbook authors and foodjournalists to restaurant designersand architects and more — the JamesBeard Awards are the highest honorattainable for food and beverage pro-fessionals working in North America.In other words... WOW!

The CityBeautiful

shines bright

<<<< FFOORR SSAALLEE3 bed, 2 bath

Bldg Size: 1,270

$198,89050% below value

FFOORR RREENNTT>>>>2 bed, 1 bath

Bldg Size: 1,206

$1,800/mo

FFEEAATTUURREEDD CORAL GABLES DEALS

See more undervalued Florida homes at:www.communitynewspapers.com

City of Coral Gables to get $642,500 in federal funds –––––––– See APPETITE, page 9

Community Newspaperswww.cnews.net

NOVEMBER 22, 2004 VOL. 22, NO. 4

SERVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SINCE 1958.

New routes, schedules for buses serving areaBY RICHARD YAGER

A new Route 147 minibus route servingthe north-south SW 147th Avenue corri-dor in West Kendall is one of eightmajor improvements to upgrade Miami-

Dade County bus service in Kendall beginning Nov. 21.The new service is part of a five-year bus program

promised through the People’s Transportation Planfunded by a half-cent countywide sales tax.

The route will connect The Hammocks, KendaleLakes and other west Miami-Dade communities witheast to west routes and limited stop express buses, aswell as the Dolphin Mall transit mini-hub.

The new Route 147 will operate during rush hoursbetween 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. weekdays with serviceevery 30 minutes and hourly during midday andevening hours.

Among major activity centers buses will serve areBeckham/Coulter Technology Center, HammocksTown Center, Lakes of the Meadow and BraddockSenior High School. The regular $1.25 Metrobus farewill apply.

David B. Fialkoff, chief of Miami-Dade Transit(MDT) Service and Mobility Planning, described 50major improvements to members of the KendallFederation of Homeowner Associations, Nov. 8, notingMDT Director Roosevelt Bradley called the additionalroutes and expanded service “the largest set of improve-ments in the 44-year history of Miami-Dade Transit.”

Fialkoff noted that some of the changes incorporat-ed in existing routes were designed to tie into the con-struction of a mini-terminal, a first phase constructionrequirement of the Metropolitan PlanningOrganization for Kendall Town Center, a multi-pur-pose project at SW 167th Avenue.

Other significant Kendall area bus improvementsinclude better times for the Kendall KAT along N.Kendall Drive, now on 15-minute schedules, by addinga fifth bus to reduce average waiting time to 12 min-utes during morning and evening rush hours.

Route 204 known as “Killian KAT” now will offerweekday rush hour schedules six minutes apart, arriv-ing at Dadeland North between 6:47 and 8:51 a.m.,and departing on that six-minute schedule from 4:13to 6:31 p.m.

Route 272 “Sunset KAT” will be extended to theShops of Paradise Lakes (N. Kendall Drive and SW167th Avenue) via SW 162nd Avenue. Weekday rushhour service will be improved to 7.5-minute intervals;midday service to 45-minute intervals.

Weekday service at midday will be improved fromhourly to 30-minute intervals on Route 137 in WestKendall between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. with additionalminor schedule improvements in both directions,seven days weekly. Weekday morning northbound trips

before 9 a.m. will leave up to 10 minutes earlier; soubound trips before 9:30 a.m. will leave up to eight mutes later; southbound trips between 3 and 4:30 pwill leave 15 minutes earlier and after 4:30 p.m., up12 minutes later.

The seven added MTD routes include a BuswFlyer between Florida City and the Dadeland SouMetrorail Station, a northwest Allapattah MetrorStation connector to Dolphin and International Maand new routes serving Liberty City, Hialeah GardeQuail Roost Drive, Goulds and Krome Avenue in Homestead-Florida City area.

For details, riders can log on <www.miamidade.gov/transit> and link to a “What’s Ndirectory, or telephone 305-770-3131 or 305-891-3131.

Picturedat the

DadelandSouth

Metrorail station is

one ofthe busesoperating

on theSouthDade

Busway.

Bank executive Irizarry named to WK Council 11BY RICHARD YAGER

D istrict 11 Commissioner Joe A.Martinez has namedBankUnited executive Frank

E. Irizarry Jr. as the seventh member ofWest Kendall’s Community Council.Irizarry will be formally sworn into office onNov. 18.

Irizarry, one of two new council mem-bers following the fall elections, will takethe commissioner-appointed seat afterexpected routine confirmation by theMiami-Dade County Commission. Hebegins service with a Council 11 zoningmeeting on Dec. 1.

He joins Domingo Castillo as one oftwo new faces on the seven-member coun-

actions as well as review-ing and prioritizingmunicipal improve-ments throughout theWest Kendall District.

Former councilmember CharleneBurks, who originallyserved as a Martinezappointee, was defeatedby Castillo in the Aug. 31primary, guaranteeinghis seat without opposi-tion on the Nov. 2 ballot.

A computer engi-neer, Castillo has a back-ground in communityservice, including volun-

and as a division gover-nor in the Toastmastersorganization.

Irizarry, a leadingcommunity figure inWest Kendall, currentlyserves as chairman ofthe Citizens AdvisoryCommittee to theHammocks PoliceDistrict and as a memberof a special citizens advi-sory group studyingpotential developmentof Krome Avenue forthe FDOT. He chaired aWest Kendall MunicipalAdvisory Committee,

2002 and currently is vice chairman of Doral Business Council.

The Council 11’s only other 2004 sion is scheduled Wednesday, Dec. when it meets at Hammocks RegioLibrary, 10201 Hammocks Blvd., on nzoning matters.

Castillo and three other memberthe council were sworn into office Tom Logue, assistant county attorney,Nov. 9, prior to a meeting on three zing applications.

With the newly elected Castillo Irizarry, the full board also includes MigCervera, chairman; Donald Abbott, VChair; Patrick Fiore, Tom Schramm Roy Bustillo, the latter three as eleccouncil members.

C hildren will continue toreceive the best care avail-able at the Doral Center ofMiami Children’s Hospital

(MCH) as the facility announces theopening of new sub-specialty services.

In addition to its basic care, the DoralCenter will now add endocrinology andpediatric dental service to its basic reha-bilitative therapies, diagnostic serviceand the after-hours Urgent Care Centerwhich began operating late last year.

“Our staff is dedicated to meeting theneeds of all of our patients, and offeringa wide range of services in the commu-nity is one of the best ways we can servethe children of South Florida,” said AlRego, Regional Director of AmbulatoryServices for MCH Doral Center andMCH Dan Marino Center in Weston.

The Doral Center which opened doorsin May 2008 became fully-operational inOctober, followed by a November 15“Open House” celebration, attended byDoral residents and city officials.

At that time, various companies andlocal school art programs at DoralAcademy, Eugene B. Thomas and DoralAcademy Charter Middle School wererecognized for generous donations toDoral Center of MCH. Administrators Tethering Dogs

Now Illegal HereWere you aware that tying up your dogcan now bring fines of $100 to $500?To learn about the new rules regulating

your dog outside, read the Doral Tribune’scolumnist, Eric Gonzales, whose “CanineTips” column reviews regulations inside.

Doral Business Council - the Business Force for Doral - Shares its news.L k i id f i t t d i f ti b t th b i it i D l

APRIL 2009

M iami Dade College(West Campus) is pre-senting a tribute to late

Cuban painter and sculptor CarlosSobrino on 60th anniversary of hisbirth with an exhibition of 21 of hisworks, as well as items from his per-sonal collection.

An opening reception for “CarlosSobrino: Celebrating 100 Years” washeld March 28 in the West Gallery inDoral. The artwork will remain ondisplay through April 24.

Sobrino, born in Havana in 1909,studied at the Villate and SanAlejandro art schools, masteringwood carving, xylographs, ceramics,oils, and water colors.

In 1950, he won first place in bothpainting and sculpture at theHispano-American Biennial ofMadrid. For information, call 305-237-1532. Gallery information is alsoavailable on line at HYPERLINK“mailto:galleries@mdc.edu” <gal -leries@mdc.edu>.

MDC West openstribute to Sobrino

–––––––––––––––––––––––– See MCH, page 3

MCH opening Pediatric Sub-Specialty Services

Open House in November at Doral Center of Miami Children’s Hospital attended by (l-r) CityCouncilman Robert Van Name; Vice Mayor Michael DiPietro; Jessica Thomas, MCH RehabilitationManager; Al Rego, MCH Regional Director, Ambulatory Services; Verena Luna, MCH OperationsManager; City Councilman Pete Cabrera; Josephine Villanueva, MCH Urgent Care Manager; JosePerdomo, MCH Vice President, Ambulatory Services.

Artwork of the late Carlos Sobrino

DORAL DEALS<<<< FFOORR SSAALLEE

1 bed, 1 bathBldg Size: 810

$60,00067% below value

FFOORR RREENNTT>>>>4 bed, 3 bath

Bldg Size: 2,580

$3,400/mo

See more undervalued Florida homes at:www communitynewspapers com

Am I legal?

BY CATHY FERREIRA

T he DeeringEstate at Cutlerand the

GroveHouse Artists willhost “Affair En Plein Air,”a two-day outdoor paintingevent, on Apr. 18 and 19.Artists will be painting onthe grounds of the estateon Saturday from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m., and on Sundayfrom 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The completed artworkwill be juried by MarcelleZanetti on Sunday at 3:30p.m. in the Royal PalmGrove at the DeeringEstate. The winners willexhibit their work as part ofthe 2009 GroveHouseArtists Spring Art Exhibit totake place in the RichmondCottage from May 15 toJune 13. Prizes will beawarded at the exhibit’sopening on May 21.

As an avid art collector,philanthropist, and ama-teur artist, CharlesDeering sought to support artists andthe creation of fine art. His traditionand innovative spirit continues onthe estate today through a variety ofart programs — the estate’sPermanent Collection, Art on LoanProgram (semi-permanent and tem-porary exhibits), Artist Village (locat-ed in the historic outbuildings),Artist in Residence Program, and

Creative Art Camps.The show is free with regular admis-

sion to the estate: adults, $10, andchildren (ages 4-14), $5.

The Deering Estate at Cutler, aMiami-Dade County Park, is locatedat 16701 SW 72 Ave. For more infor-mation on the Deering Estate’s educa-tional and cultural programs, visitonline at <www.deeringestate.org>.

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

F or Palmetto Bay residentPaula Palm, the annualgarage sale she organizes tobenefit the Juvenile

Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) isa labor of love. Palm has had Type 1 dia-betes most of her life and knows firsthand that the need for a cure is worth allthe effort.

Her elaborate garage sales are leg-endary and always draw a huge crowd,not only of shoppers but also of volun-teers, helping to raise funds for the char-ity. The downturn in the economy inter-fered with the 2009 effort, with peoplebeing more cautious about both givingup items for the sale and about shopping.

“This was the seventh year we’ve hadthe garage sale, and every year the saleshave increased and increased,” Palmsaid. “However, this year donations weredown and even the attendance was down

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– See SALE, page 4

Lawn wateringrestrictions now

permanentBY NUSLY BARAHONA-ALEA

T he Miami-Dade CountyCommission on Apr. 7passed an ordinance mak-ing the current landscape

irrigation restriction permanent in thecounty. The policy continues the land-scape irrigation restrictions imposed bythe South Florida Water ManagementDistrict (SFWMD) in April 2007.

“We have had these restrictions in placefor the past two years and the citizens ofMiami-Dade County know the rules,” saidDistrict 13 Commissioner Natacha Seijas,sponsor of the ordinance.

“Making the restrictions permanentdoes not change a thing. Water conserva-tion has become a way of life in Miami-Dade County. Our residents have

APRIL 14 - 20, 2009

––––– See RESTRICTIONS, page 4

Garage sale for JDRF impacted by economy

<<<< FFOORR SSAALLEE

331584/3

$275,00041% below value

FFOORR RREENNTT>>>>331575/4 – 3,709 sq-ft.

$2,800/mo

PALMETTO BAY DEALS

Enjoy weekend of artists painting at Deering Estate

Artist is inspired by the beauty of the Deering Estate atCutler.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Based on Info from SEFML as of 3-30-09. Details and more undervalued homes at:

www.communitynewspapers.com

POWERED BY:HOMEXPERTS305.381.8628

Pictured (l-r) at the garage sale are PhyllisGuthrie, Paula and David Palm, Beverly Gerard,Christa Collins and Joan Lindsey.

BY LEE STEPHENS

G us Machado has boughtWorld Ford of Kendall. Itwill be known as Gus

Machado Ford of Kendall.Machado, a long-time Miami-Dade

County auto dealer, recently celebrat-ed his 25th anniversary with GusMachado Ford in Hialeah. His newdealership is located at 15551 S. DixieHwy. and will serve the South Miami-Dade areas of Kendall, Palmetto Bayand Pinecrest.

“We believe in this country and inthe Ford tradition of quality and serv-ice, the company we have been work-ing with for many years,” saidMachado. “We believe in our

James and VictoriaMartin are all smiles as

they celebrate theirdaughter Aubrey’s first

birthday with friends onthe backyard patio oftheir Pinecrest home.Naturally, they had to

show Aubrey a copy of their favorite

hometown newspaper. Happy Birthday from us,

too, Aubrey! We know you’ll enjoy

many more.

--------------------------------------------------- See FORD, page 3

PinecrestPinecrestTRIBUNETRIBUNEwww.thetribune.net

ONE OF MIAMI’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Phone: 305-669-7355

BY JEFF CUTLERCouncil Member, Village of Pinecrest

Due to the severedrought, the SouthFlorida WaterManagement District hasrequested that all localgovernments, includingour Village, increase

enforcement of the water irrigationrestrictions. The Village Manager hasinstructed the Village Police and CodeEnforcement to implement this request.To avoid a citation, please adhere to thefollowing schedule (restrictions apply toall sources of water — from a utility, a pri-vate well or withdrawals from a canal, lakeor pond):

• Landscape irrigation for all propertytypes and sizes is allowed two days a week.

• Odd numbered addresses —Wednesday and Saturday, Midnight-10a.m. and/or 4 p.m.-11:59 p.m.

• Even numbered addresses —Thursday and Sunday, 12 a.m.-10 a.m.and/or 4 p.m.-11:59 p.m.

• No watering allowed between 10 a.m.and 4 p.m.

There are exceptions for new plantings,sod or landscaping. Of course, if it happensto be a rainy period you can always turn offyour sprinklers. There is no good reason to

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−− See RESTRICTIONS, page 3

Happy Birthday, Aubrey

JULIANA SABO ZACHARY ROTH ALEXIS HANDLEY

Positive PEOPLE iinn PPiinneeccrreessttPositive PEOPLE iinn PPiinneeccrreessttThese Positive People help add to the quality of life in Pinecrest. Look inside for their stories.

Village to increase enforcement on watering restrictionsGus Machado buys

World Ford of Kendall

APRIL 13 - 26, 2009

PINECREST DEALS<<<< FFOORR SSAALLEE

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$114,90019% below value

FFOORR RREENNTT>>>>

331564/3 - 3,224 sq.-ft.

$3,200/mo

Based on Info from SEFML as of 3-30-09. Details and more undervalued homes at:

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One of Miami’s Community Newspapers

ENDALL GAZETTENDALL GAZETTKK EEwww.communitynewspapers.com DECEMBER 21 - 27, 2004

BY RICHARD YAGER

P atience, a “green thumb”and ironite are OrestesHernandez’s secrets to

growing a 15-foot high poinsettia plantthat greets front door visitors at 13870SW 74 St.

“The green thumb really does it,”emphasizes Hernandez’s daughter,Nuris. “Just look at our backyard. It’sfull of mango trees and other fruit treeshe’s grown.”

A native Central American flower-ing shrublike plant, poinsettias are pri-marily seen in December asChristmastime décor, although they canflourish in tropical regions.

Introduced in 1825 to the U.S. byJoel Poinsett, the first U. S. ambassadorto Mexico, the bright red blooms andthin, pale green leaves over the yearsbecame the symbol for the holiday.

total $225 million annually.Poinsettias like lots of bright, indi-

rect sunlight and prefer humid condi-tions, according to the Internet’sHelpful Gardener (For details, see<www.helpfulgardener.com>).

However, most holiday poinsettias even-tually seem to wither away by early summer,although their owners have re-plantedthem in Florida yards with due care.

“I give them a good feeding ofironite,” Hernandez explained. “Threetimes a year — spring, summer and fall.We planted this poinsettia as a familyremembrance four years ago. It growsseveral feet high every year.”

Manager and chief engineer for theWinston Towers 700 condominium onMiami Beach, Hernandez believes hispoinsettia will soon reach rooftop levelat his family home in West Kendall.

That’s where you will find livingproof that poinsettias really do flourish

15-foot poinsettia plantgreets holiday visitors

Orestes Hernandez holds granddaughter, Angelise, while her mother, Nuris, admires father’s flourishingpoinsettia that has grown to more than 15 feet high at family’s SW 74th Street home.

BY RICHARD YAGER

A $100,000 grantawarded by theHealth Foundationof South Florida willprovide the first-ever

“Boundless Playground” in Miami-DadeCounty developed by the Parks andRecreation Department.

A “boundless” park includes a play-ground in which each apparatus is atleast 70 percent accessible for childrenon crutches or in wheelchairs. The spe-cial equipment will be located in anarea at Westwind Lakes Park at 6805 SW152 Ave. in West Kendall.

Miami-Dade Commission chairmanJoe A. Martinez announced the specialpark addition during a Dec. 10 dedica-tion ceremony marking the opening ofthe park’s newest additions — a com-pleted recreation center building andsoccer field.

A crowd of more than 650 attendedthe special event that lasted until 9p.m., with live music by the Felix VarelaSenior High School Jazz Band adding toh f i i i

The 6,896-square-foot recreationbuilding is the largest built to date in aneighborhood park. It will offer afterschool and summer programs, as well asspring and fall camp sessions, arts andcrafts classes for seniors, and be avail-able for special observances such asrental for birthdays. The center isequipped with several meeting rooms,an area for ping-pong, restrooms andkitchen facilities.

Westwind Lakes Park currently has asingle unlit soccer field with a secondplanned for the near future. The first oftwo soccer fields was dedicated earlierin 2004.

George Mora, construction budgetspecialist, said the new playgroundequipment is scheduled to be installedby summer 2005. In addition, fundshave been earmarked for furtherimprovements, including a loop walk-way to connect the playground area andrecreation center.

Recognized for his firm’s develop-ment work was Eddie Gonsalves, presi-dent of Zurquic ConstructionCompany, general contractor for the

k t d fi ld

‘Boundless Playground’ set for Westwind Lakes Park

New Westwind Lakes Park recreation center completed on Dec. 10.

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

T he Town of Cutler Bay andthe Miami-Dade CountySchool District haveteamed up to build a soc-

cer field and walkway for the communi-ty in a practical way that also reducescosts.

A groundbreaking ceremony for theproject took place on Monday, Mar. 30, atCutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200 St., withtown and school officials participating.

The field, which will include a newnatural grass surface, new irrigation sys-tem and lighting for nighttime play, islocated between the park and CutlerRidge Elementary School on schoolproperty.

As part of a 25-year lease agreementwith Miami-Dade County Public Schoolsallowing the town to use the field, theschool will have use of the field duringschool hours, and the park will haveaccess during non-school hours, week-day evenings and weekends.

Cutler Bay Mayor Paul Vrooman waspleased with the cooperation that wentinto the soccer field and walkway project.

“It’s a very good example of two localgovernments working together,”Vrooman said. “This land is not beingused by the school board on a daily basisand we need more land for our soccerprogram, so it’s a way we can cometogether in a joint partnership andmake this happen for the benefit of ourkids. It really stretches our dollars, too,instead of having to buy land.”

Lawrence S. Feldman, PhD, schoolboard member from District 9, repre-sented the board in the ceremonies.Feldman thanked the town council forworking with the board to make the spe-cial project possible.

“Because of them, we’ve also beenable to put in a new playground for the

Town of Cutler Bay charrette to plan future of US 1 corridor

BY SANDRA CUERVO

T he Town of Cutler Bay willhold a charrette onSaturday, Apr. 18, to assist

in planning the future of the US1 cor-ridor between Florida’s Turnpike andSW 184th Street.

The event will be conductedbetween 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at theSouth Dade Regional Library, secondfloor. Light refreshments will beserved.

In these economic times whendevelopment is slowed, forward think-

ing cities are reexamining the waydevelopment occurs. This charrettewill revisit the form and function ofthe corridor. It will impact how eachof us uses US1 whether it is for driv-ing, living, shopping or working. Insouthern Miami-Dade County, US1plays an integral role in our lives. It isour Main Street, our downtown, ourtransportation corridor, and our evac-uation route. How it looks and acts inthe future will impact all of us.

This charrette will be an interactive

–––––––––––– See CORRIDOR, page 4––––– See SOCCER FIELD, page 4

APRIL 14, 2009

NNEEWWSSPhone: 305-669-7355One of Miami’s Community Newspapers

Cutler Bay SERVING SOUTH DADE

Town, school district team up to create soccer field

Representatives of the town council, school officials and students dig in for the soccer fieldgroundbreaking ceremony at Cutler Ridge Park. (Photo by Bill Meiklejohn)

Law watering restrictions now

permanent

–––––– See RESTRICTIONS, page 4

BY NUSLY BARAHONA-ALEA

T he Miami-DadeCounty Commissionon Apr. 7 passed anordinance making the

current landscape irrigation restric-tion permanent in the county. Thepolicy continues the landscape irriga-tion restrictions imposed by theSouth Florida Water ManagementDistrict (SFWMD) in April 2007.

“We have had these restrictions inplace for the past two years and thecitizens of Miami-Dade County knowthe rules,” said District 13Commissioner Natacha Seijas, spon-sor of the ordinance.

“Making the restrictions permanentdoes not change a thing. Water conser-vation has become a way of life in

<<<< FFOORR SSAALLEE

331892/2 – 980 sq-ft.

$36,90079% below value

FFOORR RREENNTT>>>>331903/3 – 1,500 sq-ft.

$1,300/mo

CUTLER BAY DEALS

Based on Info from SEFML as of 3-30-09. Details and more undervalued homes at:

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BY BAY PROBY

E mily Martinez-Lanza is likemost high school juniors –thinking about what collegeto attend, studying hard,

doing family chores, and meeting withfriends after school.

In spite of a full schedule, the 17-yearold Gulliver Preparatory School studentfound time to create Teens AgainstDomestic Abuse (TADA).

“I was inspired to start TADA followingthe death of a close family friend thatresulted from domestic violence,” saysMartinez-Lanza. “I became aware of thesuffering she endured, as well as the dev-astating effect that this tragedy had on

her family.” Losing someone

to domestic vio-lence influencedMartinez-Lanza tofully delve into theproblem.

“Throughout thecourse of myresearch, I realized

Gulliver student Emily Martinez-Lanzacreates ‘Teens Against Domestic Abuse’

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– See ABUSE, page 3

APRIL 14 - 20, 2009

Bistro Bisou is a fantastic experience

––––––––––––––––––––––––– See BISTRO BISOU, pa

BY MICHAEL MILLER

H ow best could I explaimy experience at BistrBisou? Well, it was noth

ing short of Fantastic and was sfrom the moment we walked in ‘tiwe left.

My wife, Susan and I were thguests of Al and Amey Elias anfriends at this wonderful restaurantucked in the shopping center othe east side of US1 and DatraBlvd. and were in for a wonderfucouple of hours.

Starting off with some wine sethe mood right away and ouservers Gregory and Sandrine werthere to help us with the menhowever we chose to have ChVictor A. Passalacqua surprise uand boy did he, in the best possibway.

We started the evening witSword Fish Gougenet with CitruButter Sauce, followed by Ve

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen met in Washington, DC with officials from the Florida BicycleAssociation to discuss upcoming transportation legislation and also to ensure that it would be friendly tobicycle riders. In the picture we have from left to right: Collin Worth, Bicycle Coordinator City of Miami;Mary Jane Mark, Mack Cycle; Ros-Lehtinen, David Henderson and Gary Mendenhall.

BY GARY ALAN RUSE

I n a letter dated March 18 andsent by Certified Mail, CharlesA. Finkel, General Counsel of

the Florida Elections Commission inTallahassee, notified South Miami ViceMayor Brian Beasley that it was issuingan Order of Probable Cause concern-ing his election campaign last year.

“The Commission has reviewed thecomplaint, Report of Investigation,Staff Recommendation, and writtenstatements submitted by theRespondent and considered all oralstatements made at the probably causehearing. Based on the facts set forth inthe Staff Recommendation, which is

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– See BEASLEY, page 7

Chef and owner Victor A. Passalacquwith his son Alexandre.

SOUTH MIAMI DEALS<<<< FFOORR SSAALLEE

331433/2 – 3,110 sq-ft.

$300,00029% below value

FFOORR RREENNTT>>>>33143

4/2 – 1,906 sq-ft.

$2,500/mo

Emily Martinez-Lanza

Based on Info from SEFML as of 3-30-09. Details and more undervalued homes at:

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Read in Washington, DC

Florida Elections Commission charges Vice Mayor Beasley with election violations

BY BARI AUERBACH

W ith only a little moreto 2004, it’s time toreflect on the pastyear of headline mak-ing news and events

covered in ’04 issues of your Sunny Isles BeachSun. Community Newspapers wishes theCity of Sunny Isles Beach a Happy New Yearand will strive in 2005 to continue printing“positive news for positive people.”

NORMAN EDELCUP CITY’S NEW MAYORFollowing the death of the late Mayor

David Samson, then Vice Mayor Edelcup wasappointed interim Mayor until he was elect-ed to the seat unopposed on January 8,2004. Commissioner Roslyn Brezin wasappointed to fill Edelcup’s vacant seat.Other elected officials on the City Commis-sion include Commissioner Danny Iglesias,Commissioner Gerry Goodman and ViceMayor Lewis Thaler.

CITY PLANS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR ’04 AND BEYOND

In January 2004, the City Commissionpassed resolutions to facilitate beautificationprojects and capital improvements in keep-ing with goals to promote the “new andimproved” upscale image of Sunny IslesBeach throughout 2004 and beyond.

The resolutions passed provided forenhancements including new median enclo-sures; road repairs; new bathroom fixturesat the Samson Oceanfront Park; new street-light poles and trees for 159th and 174thStreets, lower parking meter rates on NorthBay Road and 174th Street; improvementsfor Sunny Isles Boulevard; and stormwaterprojects. A resolution was also adoptedendorsing efforts to bring a public school toSunny Isles Beach.

COMMISSION AMENDS ‘TDR ORDINANCE’During 2004 the City Commission

amended the transfers of developmentrights (TDR) ordinance contained in thecity’s Land Development Regulations withthe goal to ensure fair and equitable admin-istration for all parties concerned.

Defining TDR’s, Commissioner DannyIglesias explained, “If a developer has apiece of land and doesn’t have any interestin building on that site – he has the optionof picking up the TDR’s on that propertyand transferring them over to another siteupon approval of the City Commission.”

Following numerous discussions andworkshops, on Oct. 14, 2004 the City Com-mission passed an ordinance amending asection of the city’s land development regu-lations relating to TDR’s.

“We’re defining the ‘sender site’ – thesite that gives up the land – as a site the citywill be able to use as a park or open space,”Mayor Norman Edelcup explained. “Theother item we’re [amending pertains to] thesender site…If there are TDR’s involved,they need to be identified at the time thesite plan is being reviewed.”

There are four city-owned sites creating a“bank” of transferable development rights:Golden Shores Park (205-191 Terrace), theactive park (18115 N. Bay Road); Sen. GwenMargolis Park (17815 N. Bay Road); andGilbert Samson Oceanfront Park (17425Collins Avenue). Main TDR “receiver sites”in the city are the east side of Collins Avenueand the town center district on the west sideof Collins Avenue from 172nd Street to andinclusive of Sunny Isles Boulevard.

‘TOWN CENTER OF ATTENTION’What will the west side of Collins Avenue

and Sunny Isles Boulevard look like in thefuture? Issues being discussed during 2004at “Town Center” workshop meetings influ-enced the shape of residential and commer-cial development to come in Sunny IslesBeach as the City Commission, planningconsultants, developers and citizens workedtogether to formulate zoning regulationspaving the way for revitalization and eco-nomic prosperity.

Shelly Eichner of the city’s planning andconsulting firm Calvin Giordano & Associ-ates, helped consolidate feedback from theTown Center meetings as well as commentsfrom commissioners and developers. Subse-quently, a Town Center ordinance wasapproved by the City Commission outliningzoning regulations pertaining to issuesincluding height, density, floor area ratioand permitted uses. According to MayorNorman Edelcup, the Town Center ordi-nance was ultimately adopted following “aprocess of compromise.”

SEN. MARGOLIS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

Sen. Gwen Margolis, often recognizedfor helping the City of Sunny Isles Beachincorporate, celebrated 30 years of serviceto the community in 2004. During a gath-ering of Concerned Citizens of NortheastDade, Sen. Margolis thanked constituentsfor electing her to office and for the acco-lades they have given her over the years.

“You have all been a guiding light,”Margolis said. “There was never a timewhen I was in Tallahassee that I didn’tknow what you thought. Thirty years is along time to deal with the kinds of issuesI have. I look forward to continuing towork for children and the elderly of thiscommunity.”

‘POLICE SUCCESS STORIES’In 2004, Police Chief Fred Maas cele-

brated his fifth anniversary of leadershipwith the Sunny Isles Beach Police Depart-ment along with more award-winningaccomplishments for “best in blue” officers.

In May, at the “Officer of the Year” pro-gram presented during the annual PoliceBenevolent Association’s Gala, Sunny IslesBeach made history - becoming the onlymunicipal police agency to ever win the“Officer of the Year” award twice when Offi-cer Javier Estevez received the prestigious

ISRAELFILM FESTIVAL

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“SPOTLIGHT ON”CONCERNED CITIZENS

Page 6

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ARE YOU AWARETHAT?

THE DRIFTWOOD

Page 8

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LET’S TALK CARSTOYOTA PRIUS

Page 15

INSIDETHIS

ISSUEThe Year in Headlines

SSunnunnyy IIss lesles BBeeachachS U NS U N

presents the

VOL. 22, ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 13, 2004

Community Newspapers

−−−−−−−−−−− See HEADLINES, page 2