Saturday, April 30, 2011

Upcoming US1 Traffic Nightmares along US1 in both Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay, beginning July 2012. You should attend the informational FDOT meeting.

Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay residents are going to have to deal with temporary lane and sidewalk closures on U.S. 1 during a three-part road maintenance project slated to start May 2012 and end a year later. This will cause short term inconveniences for long term gains.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is designing construction plans for improvements to Pinecrest Parkway (US 1) from 136 Street to 102 Street.  FDOT is conducting this public meeting to offer the public an opportunity to review the project design and ask questions.

The first part of the project includes repaving U.S. 1 from 102nd to 136th Street, installing push-button and countdown signals at pedestrian crosswalks, repairing damaged sidewalks, installing drainage inlets and restriping the roadway to provide a wide outside lane to be shared with bicyclists.

The Palmetto Bay section is the third part of the project which is presently slated to commence in July 2012.  This project will run from SW 136 to 168 Street. It will include the same items as the first part, plus providing new railings for two bridges – one at Southwest 139th Street and the other north of 160th Street.

Click "read more" to continue to view meeting and project details as well as resource links.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Kendall (KFHA) Mayor Candidate forum

Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations

Candidates Forum featuring candidates for
Mayor of Miami Dade County

Monday – May 2, 2011 - 7:00 P.M.

All 11 Candidates will be in attendance
to answer questions to help you decide
who will be best for the Community

Location:      Kendall Village Center
                         8625 SW 124 Ave
Date:               Monday – May 2, 2011
Start Time:   7:00 P.M. 

Special Guest Moderator
Elliott Rodriguez from CBS 4

ELECTION TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011

For more information please contact Lee Zimmerman
Phone (305) 388-0964
E-mail: lezim@bellsouth.net
Visit website at www.kfha.org

Saturday, April 23, 2011

‘Jennings Rule’ protects everyone’s due process rights

The goal of every elected official should be constant accessibility to you to discuss any and all issues, especially those items that impact our quality of life. So you can imagine the difficulty for those same elected officials to do the exact opposite on zoning matters; to advise that they cannot talk to anyone about a development project.

I penned an article that appears in the Palmetto Bay News regarding the rational behind the “Jennings Rule” and how it affects the relationship between elected official and concerned residents.  Please click "read more" below and check out this entire article as well as a link to the actual written ‘Jennings Rule’ opinion .  I have also reproduced the full Palmetto Bay ARTICLE IV.  QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING PROCEDURES ordinance.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

We need your help to fix Miami-Dade County. Please join us for a fundraiser and reception for Carlos Gimenez


Please join us for a fundraiser and reception for

Carlos Gimenez

Candidate for Miami-Dade County Mayor

Monday, May 9, 2011


5:00-6:30 p.m.


Capri Restaurant, 935 N. Krome Avenue, Florida City

To learn more about Carlos or to contribute online, please visit

 www.GimenezForMayor.com.

Maximum contribution is $500 per person or business entity per election cycle.  
Corporate and personal checks accepted.  Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.

Please make checks payable to Carlos Gimenez Campaign.

Please RSVP to Katie Edwards (305) 281-7323 
or Edwards.KathleenA@gmail.com 
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Carlos Gimenez for Miami-Dade County Mayor.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Tues - April 19 - Economic Development Council has invited Dr. Lawrence Feldman, Miami-Dade County School Board Vice-Chair for District 9 to speak at the Community Outreach meeting

The Economic Development Council has invited Dr. Lawrence Feldman, Miami-Dade County School Board Vice-Chair for District 9 to speak at the Community Outreach meeting.
 
Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Time: 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Place: 900 Perrine Avenue, Palmetto Bay, FL
(The historic coral rock house between Franjo Rd and SW 175th Street in the Franjo Triangle)

Community Outreach Meeting - Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The future of public education in our hometown.

School Board logo


Our school students and teachers need our support. Important meeting regarding public school budget - come on out April 20- 6:30 PM, KFHA

We all know that improving our public schools is one of the most important keys to successful business and community development.  Our state is facing a budget crisis that will endanger the viability of public education statewide with even a more direct impact on the children growing up in our county. The legislature and our governor is literally putting our educational system back into the dark ages.

Governor Rick Scott's original budget plan called for public education to absorb about 72% of his proposed budget cuts even though public schools only account for 29% of state spending. While lawmakers have not completely embraced the Governor's plan, Miami-Dade County Public School officials last week projected the District will have to deal with $144 million in cuts.


Saturday, April 9, 2011

Reflections on Palmetto Bay's Earth Week celebrations. Pinecrest's April 10 celebration

Local and international events have occurred that really should make anyone paying attention sit down and consider what direction they want our environment to take.  Even the concept of clean water is now under attack.  It is important that we take some time to consider our future, what type of world we want to turn over to our children, our next generation.  I was proud that I was able to start a village Earth Day celebration that has morphed into a multi-faceted Earth Week celebration, partnering with local public and private schools, environmental groups, community groups and involve so many residents of all ages.  We are now seeing the fourth year that Palmetto Bay celebrates Earth Week.  We are looking forward to another great celebration.  This year will see a continuation of the ladybug releases I started, providing a living example of the use of nature’s pest control over chemicals.  The village will be releasing one ladybug for each resident of this outstanding community this year.  This movie night will feature WALL-E, sticking with the environmental themes of past Earth Week movie nights.  Past Earth Week movies have included “Hoot” (with presentations which included the actual Owls featured in the movie), and the “Bee Movie”

It is unfortunate that the events were scaled back this year.  Past years have included events such as the Magical Bus Tour, area clean ups with the administration, staff and students at Alexander Montessori School; Kayak Tours from Deering point in beautiful Biscayne Bay sponsored through Laura Reynolds and the Tropical Audubon Society (TAS); a family bike ride enjoyed by hundreds organized in cooperation with Eric Tullberg and the Green Mobility Network; safe solar viewing provided through the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS); and area nature walks guided by members of Palmetto Bay’s tree board through the preserved areas of the Palmetto Bay Village Center.  Interested persons were able to see crocodiles, several varieties of mangrove trees and other native plants right here in Palmetto Bay! These were extensive events to involve everyone and celebrate our surroundings, all great events.

These events will not be forgotten and there is work behind the scenes to bring them back either through private efforts or simply impromptu community events such as the bike ride.

Please CLICK HERE to review my April 2010 article in the Palmetto Bay news – “It takes more than a day to celebrate the Earth” (Click on the front page of the paper to read the entire article)

Pinecrest is celebrating its Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 10, 2011.  It should not be missed.  The event is held at Pinecrest Gardens from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Admission is free.  Attendees will enjoy the Farmer's Market, Wildlife Shows and Presentations, Plant Exhibitions, Green vendor booths, Food, Area School Talent Show, and Green and Eco-Friendly Workshops

CLICK HERE to review the official information, including specific details.

Have a great Earth Week and do your part to make every day Earth Day.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Local movie outdoor night opportunities run for 3 consecutive weeks


Local Movie Nights-
April 8,   Cutler Bay,
April 15, Palmetto Bay and
April 22, Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) (South Miami)

There are three outstanding opportunities for spending time with friends and family.  Details are listed “read more” below. 

TAS celebrates Earth Day with a movie and sealing a time capsule. Join up!


Capture time in a capsule and watch DIRT! The Movie
Fri., Apr. 22| 6 p.m.| 5530 Sunset Dr.

Looking for family time to celebrate Earth Day? The Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) is celebrating by sealing a time capsule and co-hosting the film Dirt! The Movie with the Gifford Arboretum. (Information taken from the TAS e-newsletter)
 
CLICK HERE for the detailed information on the event.

Dirt! The Movie offers a vision of a sustainable relationship between Humans and Dirt through profiles of the global visionaries who are determined to repair the damage we've done before it's too late.

Donations will be accepted to support the TAS conservation efforts, but are not required! 

Friday, April 1, 2011

Old Cutler - Westminster Christian School 5K Run Walk April 2, 9 am - 11:30 am

Run/Walk for a Good Cause! Saturday, April 2nd.

Westminster Christian School is hosting a 5K Walk/Run on April 2 that will impact traffic flow in nearby neighborhoods.  This event will include Health Screenings, family events, and food will be on site as well after the race. 

This event will be held from 9:00 am - 11:30 am.  The course will begin at WCS heading west on SW152 Street (Warrior Way) to SW 72 Avenue, then South on SW 72 Avenue.

Please CLICK HERE to link to the Westminster's official web site for more details, including complete route (description and map), times, information about and registration for the event.
 
Registration now open.  Please e-mail any questions to
aperretgentil@wcsmiami.org.
Proceeds will benefit the WCS Missions Club.