Community bike ride - pre-Village Celebration Picnic March 7, Coral Reef Park - 8:30 AM.

Let's get a few friends together and work up an appetite. Join me for what should be a great bike ride.  Palmetto Bay/Old Cutler is an outstanding place to bike, jog, walk and enjoy outdoor activities.

We are introducing a new feature of this year's Celebration Picnic. I am hosting "a Bike Ride with the Mayor" or perhaps my opportunity to "Bike Ride with Palmetto Bay families": Saturday morning, March 7 at Coral Reef Park -- site of the 13th Annual Celebration Picnic.

Register for the Mayor's Bike Ride at 8:30 a.m.

Thank you Palmetto Bay Parks & Recreation, Fanny Carmona Director, Eric Tullberg and the County's "Bike 305 Connecting Communities" program. Call for details: 305-259-1234.

Mangowood Estates Citizens Association - Annual Neighborhood Garage sale – Palmetto Bay Garden Club Annual Plant Sale - same day- Sat, Feb 21

Garage salers will have a nice cool Saturday for bargain hunting.  This weekend features one of the best target-rich environments: Mangowood's annual Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, February 21 from 8:00 AM until ???

No early birds please.

Well over 50 homes routinely participate in this highly anticipated event for bargain hunters. 

Mangowood Estates are located between S.W. 144 Street (Mitchel Drive) and 152 street (Coral Reef Drive) on the east side of US#1 between 80 Avenue and 84 Court. This is the biggest one, and it's not to be missed!

Review past Community Newspapers coverage of this event: Mangowood garage sales result in bargains for hunters, by Hal Feldman
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PALMETTO BAY GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE

Don't miss the Palmetto Bay Garden Club Annual Plant Sale - same day, Saturday, Feb 21.  This sale will be held nearby to the Mangowood Garage Sale at 15203 S.W. 84th Court beginning at 9:00 AM until 1 PM

Things to do this weekend: Art Show season continues - South Miami Rotary Art Festival - Feb 21, 22

Things to do this weekend (info taken from official website):

The Rotary Club of South Miami proudly presents its 32nd annual festival during the last weekend of February. The South Miami Rotary Art Festival takes place in the vibrant downtown area of South Miami on Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street) from US 1 to Red Road (SW 57th Avenue) adjacent to The Shops at Sunset Place. The area is filled with historic buildings, restaurants and unique shops. Just three miles south of Miami's Coconut Grove, South Miami borders the University of Miami and the upscale neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Pinecrest.

There is free admission for patrons with ample nearby parking on-street and in garages. The festival features 150 outstanding artists, a fine expanded food court and beer garden and live jazz onstage.

For online or GPS directions search for 5750 SW 72 St., South Miami, FL 33143. You can reach them at info@southmiamiartfest.org or by telephone at 305-769-5977. Please be advised that volunteers periodically check messages and reply or return calls 

Check out the Community Newspapers coverage of this event (CLICK HERE): Its time for the South Miami Rotary Art Festival, by Jose Bowles: The festival was started in 1984 by John Sorgie, Karen Dorfman, Lydia White, and other members of the Red Sunset Merchant’s Association. It started as a small show with only 25 booths; it has grown into one of Miami-Dade’s most anticipated events.

And you should be there!  Weather will be cool.  Fun times.  We are in the midst of area Art Festival season.  Pinecrest, Beaux Arts, Coconut Grove, Wynwood and now South Miami.  Alexandra and I hope to see you there!

Photo of the day - Perrine Elem. has No place for Hate.

There is "No place for Hate" at the Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts.  It was my privilege to attend the Third Annual Banner Reception on Wednesday, February 18, where it's once again, a "Banner Day" for students, teachers and administrators. Congratulations and thank you for participating in this Anti-Defamation League program.

Kudos to those involved and in attendance, the students, administrators including School Board Vice Chair Dr. Larry Feldman; Principal Maileen Ferrer, Sonia Cruz, Assistant Principle and Dr. A.J. Major Dean, School Counselor. 

No Place for Hate is an outstanding program and I want to personally thank Lilian Medina, Anti-Defamation League Director. 

Helen Marie Witty Memorial Scholarship Gala this weekend Feb 20 at Fairchild Tropical Gardens

Please join Alexandra and me at the Helen Marie Witty Memorial Scholarship Gala this weekend February 20, 2015.

CLICK HERE to view the official website.  There is information on Helen Marie Witty and how her life was tragically cut short by Carla Wagner, an intoxicated and distracted driver. The money raised by this event is for a memorial scholarship in Helen Witty's name, awarded to theatre students who embody Helen's love of theatre and passion for life as well as their academic and community service achievements.

Now, in 2015, the Helen Marie Witty Memorial Scholarship will receive its funding by hosting a charity gala at Fairchild Tropical Gardens. The scholarship not only benefits Miami Palmetto students, but has grown to include theatre students all across the Miami area who lead by example and steer away from destructive decisions in all aspects of their lives. 25% of the money we raise will be appropriated for a permanent memorial to Helen in upcoming renovation of the Miami Palmetto Senior High School Auditorium.

The goal is to have 100-150 people in attendance and raise $20,000 to keep the scholarship running for the next four years. The event will take place on February 20, 2015 from 7-11 pm at the Garden House in Fairchild Tropical Gardens. This Gala will include a silent auction and entertainment with live cabaret-style student performances from the most talented students in the Miami-area, as well as honor past recipients of the Helen Marie Witty scholarship.

We hope you can attend and participate.  You can also donate to the Helen Marie Witty Memorial Scholarship:  CLICK HERE.

Movie Night - This Sat 2-14-15 - and note new location - Ludovici Park.

from the official Palmetto Bay website

Join us for "Love is in the Park," a movie-night showing of "The Proposal," a PG-13 film, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m., at Ludovici Park. Please bring your a picnic basket and big warm blankets out to enjoy this PG-13 rated romantic comedy on a two-story screen starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. (Click images for a movie trailer and event details.) Weather-wise, it could be a bit nippy -- but what better reason to snuggle up under the stars!

Event Location: Ludovici Park, 17641 Old Cutler Rd

This movie was chosen through the Palmetto Bay survey. I look forward to the movie and time with our Palmetto Bay community. 

It should be a great night - for those who pre-registered - Date Night at Thalatta Estate Park - CLOSED

from the official village website:

Date Night at Thalatta Estate Park - CLOSED

"Date Night at Thalatta," Friday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., is now full to capacity for adults 21 and older at Thalatta Estate Park. Event offers couples a romantic venue to connect through art. Park Events staff is partnering with Painting with a Twist, Inc., for this event which includes wine, appetizers, painting instructions, and all supplies -- for $45 per person. Thank you for your overwhelming interest.

Event Location: Thalatta Estate, 17301 Old Cutler Road

Alexandra and I are looking forward to seeing friends and meeting new people at this event.

Photos of the Day - a great day at the Peoples Dock (Deering Estate)

It was a great day at the Deering Estate's Peoples Dock.  A wonderful Sunday afternoon. 

Lil Timmy wanted to visit the pelican.  Permission DENIED.

Cuban migrants arrive on shore in Palmetto Bay - Friday, Feb 6, 2015

Cuban migrants arrive on shore in Palmetto Bay: PALMETTO BAY, Fla. -- A group of Cuban migrants came ashore in Palmetto Bay, Friday morning - - landing at the home of Vice Mayor John Dubois. WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco

Exciting new events for Valentine's Day weekend(2/13) - Palmetto Bay - has our first-ever 'date night' - details

The Village of Palmetto Bay is offering a sweet pairing of adult-only events over the Valentine's Day weekend at two of our most darling Village parks.

The Community Newspapers, Palmetto Bay edition provides details of these two events. 

Residents 21 and older are cordially invited to attend an evening of art, wine, and hors d'oeuvres at "Date Night at Thalatta" on Feb. 13; followed the next night by "Love is in the Air," a movie night showing of "The Proposal" on Feb. 14, at Ludovici Park.

The first-ever 'date night' event offers couples a romantic venue to connect through art. Park Events staff is partnering with Painting with a Twist, Inc., for this event which includes wine, appetizers, painting instructions, and all supplies -- for $45 per person. Please pre-register online. 

Please follow the links to official village of Palmetto Bay Parks page for details, including the Village Facebook and Thalatta Facebook pages.

Urban Dictionary: leftshark - Just for fun

Urban Dictionary: leftshark

Just who was that in the left shark suit at the Super Bowl Half-time show? The performance - or as described below, the 'maverick dance' has won fans and placed a new term in our American lexicon.

 I prefer proposed meaning #2:  leftshark (Urban Dictionary)
to inexplicably deviate from expected routine, despite significant practice and talent.
Pete Carroll leftsharked the Seahawks chance to win the Super Bowl when he called for a pass instead of giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch.

Also see: Bleacher report: 'Left Shark' Is the One and Only True Hero of the 2015 Super Bowl, by Dan Carson. The article discusses that ... we will always have, however, is Left Shark—a beacon of ungainly hope in an otherwise serious and cruel world.

The shark—a costumed backup dancer in Katy Perry's Super Bowl XLIX halftime show—won over a nation of viewers Sunday night with its maverick dance moves and complete disregard for rhythm.

Have fun and a great Thursday.