Thank you for all the kind comments

My recent South Dade community update has generated many responses.  You can read the March 29, 2011, edition by CLICKING HERE.  I appreciate the e-mails received over the past two days.  Please be patient with the content.  This blog is still in its infancy and your assistance will help it grow into a great community resource.  My former website and all its information was developed over 9 years.

Keep me up to date on items to pass along or issues of concern by e-mailing me at eugeneflinn@aol.com.  

Please feel free to pass the word concerning the e-news and this blog to other interested persons.

Also, please note that the South Dade Updates e-mail is not associated with any governmental entity and is NOT, therefore, a public record.  Your privacy is protected. 

Thank you.

Gene

Photos from the area's first ever International Edible Book Festival

Please take the time to view the 26 photos taken at the Palmetto Bay Branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library System's first ever International Edible Book Festival.  This event was held Saturday, March 26. 

It was an exciting new event! Many local residents participated and many more simply came to see the creations. It is the diversity of events like these that help make this a great area to live. 

The teen book club, Bookbusters, supplied the drive to make this event happen at the Palmetto Bay branch library.  My complements to Sheron Amelung, Elaine Quartin and Berit Hall for their dedicated volunteer work on the Bookbusters youth book group that meets at the Palmetto Bay Branch Library

Palmetto Bay is blessed to have Gabriella Imbimbo, as Branch Manager for the Palmetto Bay Branch Library, MDPLS.  She truly cares about youth activities and the involvement of Ms Imbimbo and the staff have been an excellent addition to the quality of life for all who are smart enough to make use of the County library system. She worked hard to make this first event a great success.  Thank you!

This was the first year. These 26 photos demonstrate the literary and food skill of the participants in creating their own edible version of anything literary (book character, author, title of a book, etc.)  There is a link to view additional photos posted by Elaine Mercado Quartin on her Facebook page entitled Palmetto Bay Library Edible Exhibition at the end of this article.

With your support, there will be a next year to view this unique and inspiring event. 

Palmetto Bay Branch Library (MDPLS) invites you to celebrate the International Edible Book Festival

Miami-Dade Public Library System International Edible Book Festival, 

Saturday, March 26, 3:00 p.m.

An exciting new (edible) event!  Participate or view the International Edible Book Festival at the Palmetto Bay Branch Library on March 26th at 3 p.m. (participants must arrive at 2 p.m.).  The teen club, Bookbusters, inspired this event.

Interested in creating your own edible version of anything literary (book character, author, title of a book, etc.)?  Participants will bring their book inspired entries to the library, where the library will display them as an exhibit. 

The entry form is due on Wednesday, March 23rd by 8 p.m. (late entries will not be accepted). 

The library provided a photo of a sample for inspiration, a cake for Beastly by Alex Flinn made by Cakes by Gaby!

What      :           Miami-Dade Public Library System 

                           International Edible Book Festival

Date      :           Saturday, March 26, 3 p.m. 

TIme      :           3:00 PM (2:00 PM for participants)

Where   :           Palmetto Bay Branch Library, 

                          17641 Old Cutler Rd

Contact :           Palmetto Bay Branch Library at 

                          305-232-1771

Entry must refer to a scene or character, look like a book, or be the pun of a book title.

Whatever your inspiration - it must be edible!

Last minute spring break camp ideas - Link to Miami Dade Camps

I am providing a link to the Miami-Dade County Spring Break camps.  CLICK HERE.  Last minute camp ideas for those not sure if there is anything interesting out there or simply have not yet made those arraignments for spring break camp.  Listed on the web site are Arts Education Camps, EcoAdventure,  Nature Camps, There are also Specialized Camps which focus on a specific interest or need--from camps for nature and wildlife-lovers like the Bank of America Zoofari Camp at Zoo Miami, Spring Camp at the Deering Estate at Cutler, and EcoAdventuresTM Nature Adventure Spring Camps to Visual and Performing Arts Camps offered at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) and the Raices (Roots) Cultural Arts Center (Raices)--focusing on Hispanic Heritage, Spring Break Golf Camp for Juniors at the Country Club of Miami and camps for children with disabilities. Specialized Camps are competitively priced, ranging from $45-$190 for the week. Camps for children with disabilities are FREE

I WISH EVERYONE A SAFE AND FUN SPRING BREAK.

EDC Meeting this Tuesday - Update by SFWMD on Deering Estate Flow-Way Project

Community Outreach Meeting

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to present an update on the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project - Phase 1, Deering Estate Flow-Way Project

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 15th at 8:00 a.m.

TOPIC: Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project - Phase 1

Deering Estate Flow-Way Project

SPEAKER: Ed Hernandez, Director of the South Florida Water Management District

The Deering Estate Flow-Way Project is an investment of nearly $4.2 million. This project will:

•           Restore water to the historic Cutler Creek.

•           Result in a more natural overland flow of water.

•           Redistribute excess freshwater runoff.

Upcoming event not to be misssed - 7th Annual Deering Seafood Festival

One of the best events in Miami is held near your own backyard.  Get on your bike and plan to attend the Deering Estate Foundation's 7th annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay

Sunday, March 27, 2011
11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Ride your bike and enjoy the FREE BIKE VALET SERVICE at the Main Gate courtesy of Green Mobility Network! 

Local restaurants prepare their specialties featuring scrumptious bounty from the sea. Golden Rule Seafood Market, Whole Foods Market, Black Point Ocean Grill, Iggy’s Street Wok, Imlee Indian Bistro, Miller Alehouse, Paella Party, Rodbender’s Raw Bar & Grill, Shibui Japanese Restaurant and Sports Grill offer an outstanding array of the freshest catch that includes delicious lobster, fried conch, shrimp egg rolls, grilled dolphin, garlic blue crabs and heaping mounds of shrimp that are steamed, fried, or just peel and eat.

Cost: $15 for adults in advance online OR $20 at the gate
$5 for children ages 4-14; Children under 4 are FREE.
Admission includes park entrance and all activities excluding, food, drink, pontoon boat rides and rock climbing.

Read on for more information, link to the Deering page and to view a few photos from past events.  

Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner appointed to the National League of Cities’ 2011 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee.

Congratulations Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner on her appointment to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2011 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee.

This Committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions in the areas of energy, clean air, solid and hazardous waste, water quality and supply, national wetlands, and endangered species.

As a member of the committee, Mayor Lerner will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions, while advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns on Capitol Hill, with the Administration, and at home.   More information is available on the Pinecrest web site, CLICK HERE.

I want to congratulate Mayor Lerner for her tireless efforts in advocating for her community and for our future, especially for our youth.  This is an important time for shaping our future.  That is why I am proud that under my leadership as Palmetto Bay's first Mayor, Palmetto Bay took the lead and recently completed a LEED Platinum Certified Municipal Center.  We have to act today to ensure our future.

Beastly spoofed on SNL

Beastly spoofed last Saturday night on Saturday Night Live (March 6, 2011).

FFR Fundraiser 2011 Paws in the Park Sunday, March 13, in Palmetto Bay

Friends Forever presents its 2011 Paws in the Park, held at Palmetto Bay's Perrine Wayside Dog Friendly park Sunday, March 13, 2011, from 9:00am - 1:00pm

This event is billed as an event for the entire dog-friendly family.  Bring the kids, bring the dogs, bring the whole family.  This fundraiser is for everyone!

The event is an approximate one-mile stroll around beautiful Perrine Wayside Dog Park in The Village of Palmetto Bay (with or without your dog) to benefit Friends Forever Humane Society 

Past Paws In The Park, starting point including Palmetto Bay Councilman Paul Neidhart

 Many fun activities for you, your family and your dog including the Best Doggy Costume Contest. 

Linda Robinson, Palmetto Bay's initial Vice Mayor, reflects on celebration history

Linda Robinson, Palmetto Bay’s first vice mayor, reflects upon some of the history of Palmetto Bay’s annual picnic.  Here comments appear in the Soapbox section of the Miami Herald Neighbors, Sunday, March 06, 2011.  Please follow this link to read her full comments (it is the second letter)

Linda, as an important part of the first Village Council (Linda was first elected in 2002 and served through 2008) wants this tradition to continue. Linda gives credit to our special events committee.  The initial chair was Jacquie Sosa who was an anchor with Channel 10.  This position was held later by Jeanne Rothfield and finally Donna Coughlin, our last chairperson. This year the Parks Department, which has worked with our committee, is organizing it. Linda is disappointed to see that the committee isn’t involved anymore.  Her comments note that the special events committee and staff, all working as part of the team under the initial village council created events and interests including rides, city information, educational topics, wholesome family events, dunk tank for charity, & local school participation!

Many people still volunteer Pat and Jim Gladieux still take charge of the ever-popular corn on the cob. Dottie Barton, active on creating Coral Reef park back in the early 80s, was recently assisting staff in the historic house tours. 

The staff of the Planning and Parks Department as well as our police work well to continue to make this event a success.

As Linda points out, we have seen helicopters land in the field and firefighters come in their trucks, and schools were invited to participate. The Voice of the Heat served in past years as emcee. Past years has seen well over 5,000 people for a picnic. Linda thanked prior sponsors which included Starbucks, Home Depot, Dade Paper, Banks and Publix, we have had breaks on the food and donations!

Yes Linda, you are quite right, the efforts and impact that you and the Special Events Committee have been successful and has left an outstanding celebration legacy that continues through this day.  

Thank you Linda.  Thank you all who served on the Special Events Committee

Palmetto Bay Picnic today, Saturday, 3/5/2011

The Village is now up to the Ninth Annual Celebration Picnic for residents on Saturday, March 5^th  Thank you to our first Vice Mayor Linda Robinson and the original Special Events Committee for starting such a wonderful tradition.  The celebration begins at 11 a.m. at Coral Reef Park, located at 7895 S.W. 152 Street (east side). This has been an outstanding event for gathering with friends for an afternoon of good, old-fashioned fun.

As we have done annually since our first year of incorporation, Palmetto Bay holds this signature event as our way of saying “thank you” to all of the residents.  This year’s picnic offers something for everyone - entertainment provided by local schools, children’s activities, rides, demonstrations by local agencies, and, of course, food - including everyone’s favorite roasted corn on-the-cob. 

Each year, thousands of residents attended and enjoyed a great day at the park. Each year’s event is anticipated to be even bigger and better, with performances to take place in the Village’s gazebo and a number of traditional community picnic games, such as, a hula hoop contest, tug-o-war, potato sack race, and a bubble-gum blowing contest.  It’s a great way to spend your Saturday, and most importantly, a great way to spend time with family, friends and neighbors.

Special thanks to Grant Miller of the Community Newspapers, with whom I had the pleasure of working with to create a lasting and exciting event: the annual Mayor’s Cup in Baseball.  Our local high schools – Palmetto High and Coral Reef High again be facing each other for what promises to be an awesome baseball game.  The winner of the game will be awarded the annual “Mayor’s Cup” first awarded in 2008.  Be at the baseball field across the canal from the picnic at 1:00 p.m. to cheer on your favorite team!

I will post some photos of friends and family at the picnic sometime after the event.  Have fun.  

Click read more to see a few of the photos I posted from the picnic.