2012 SoBay Festival of the Arts kick-off a two week long series of events with the 13th annual "Moonlight & Music" Valentine's Day Concert

An annual not to be missed event at the Deering Estate!  Get your tickets early and don’t be left out of the 2012 SoBay Festival of the Arts  which will kick-off its two week long series of events with the 13th annual "Moonlight & Music" Valentine's Day Concert. The two-week celebration of literary, visual and performance art runs from February 14 - 26, 2012  and features art exhibits, concerts, lectures and discussions, readings, and the performances of one-minute theater.

This year's concert will feature Sarah Packiam and Scott Kirby. The Valentine's Day Concert at the Deering Estate offers couples the opportunity to celebrate their love at a romantic, outdoor concert under the stars, on the edge of Biscayne Bay.

Click on the “Read more” link lower left with includes links to the Community Newspapers article as well as links to the Deering Estate and its SoBay Festival of the Arts pages.

You can purchase the  SoBay Festival of the Arts All Access Pass for $75 (a $151 Value). You can purchase the SoBay Festival of the Arts All Access Pass online.

Palmetto Bay breaking news update. Thank you Howard Tendrich!

One small step for residents! Palmetto Bay council accepts Councilman Tendrich's request made at the Wednesday, 1/18/2012, Committee of the Whole Meeting (COW) to put the Palmer Court decision on website.  

How long will it take to hit the web site?  

Thank you Howard, you are Mr  Transparency listening to and working on behalf of village residents.

35 years ago this Thursday, it snowed in Miami - really - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

35 years ago this Thursday, it snowed in Miami - really - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

35 years! I was in Junior High. I can remember the morning very well, playing on the field and the disbelief of the event. This is a remember where you were at the time moment, but thankfully, it was a good one. For those lucky enough to have experience this day, where were you and what were you doing?

Transparency should not be merely a political catch phrase in Palmetto Bay

I penned an updated article that appears in the Palmetto Bay News regarding the responsibility of elected officials to be transparent through their actions rather than merely wrapping themselves in the label.  A lack of true communication renders the term "transparency" meaningless.  Please click "read more" below and check out this entire article.

I am concerned about the over use of the term "Transparency" by current village officials - note the quotes where it appears to be followed up with no true communication.  Being on TV is not transparency, that is generating spectators.  Posted check registers without explanations is not providing a true picture of village expenditures.  Making people look up past crime listings weekly is not effectively forewarning residents about actions to take on crime trends.  There needs to be a return to a true interactive process in Palmetto Bay, a process that unfortunately has come to a screeching halt with the current administration.

Read the Palmer court decisions posted on South Dade Matters

Two of the Court decisions have been posted on the South Dade Matters blog.  

Click the case number to read the December 23, 2011, court decision: CaseNo10-25912232011 

Click the case number to read the February 11, 2011m court decision: CaseNo10-259AP.

Both opinions contain significant background that should assist interested readers in becoming updated in the status of the ligation between the Palmetto Bay council and Palmer Trinity School.  There are other orders and court filings not posted here that would also be of assistance in gaining a full and complete understanding of the present issues.  These documents can be obtained from the courts and are public records.  I could not find any materials relative to the Palmer litigation posted on the official Palmetto Bay web site as of the morning of Tuesday, January 17, 2011.

Girl Scout cookies season now open. New cookie this year to celebrate the 100th anniversery.

Support your local Girl Scouts. The cookie season has arrived. We have two girl 2 scouts in our family looking to fill your cookie order. There is a new cookie this year, Savannah Smiles, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Scouts. 

Miami Herald calls out the notice: Girl Scout Cookies are here!

E-mail us at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.com if you are looking to purchase Girl Scout cookies.

Council Member Howard Tendrich, a strong supporter of the greening of Palmetto Bay - Invites everyone to celebrate Arbor Day festivities in Palmetto Bay

Congrats Howard - an official who gets it and is a true supporter of green: Council member Howard Tendrich is a strong supporter of continued Arbor Day events. As reported in the Community Newspapers/Miami Herald, Village to celebrate Arbor Day with poster contest, free trees

Howard is looking forward to the event because he has a long-standing commitment to the environment. “As a proud participant in the Tree City USA program, Palmetto Bay is excited to host this two-day Arbor Day celebration,” Tendrich said. “Our celebration not only offers a fun, educational component for village youth, but the event also involves parents and other adults by motivating them to plant free trees throughout our community.”

Past events have included renowned Eco Artist Xavier Cortada at the events held with the Palmetto Bay Garden Club at Ludovici Park in January 2010.  Both the Garden Club and Xavier worked with area youth who came out an participated in an outstanding eco learning experience.  

Xavier Cortada installed art at Earth's poles to address environmental concerns at points in between.  Read more about Xavier at http://www.cortada.com/

Rainer's Excellent Camping Fundraiser February 4-5. You can also help raise funds for Everglades National Park’s CAMP (Camping Adventure with My Parents)

It’s that time of year again! Join Rainer Schael and friends the weekend of February 4-5 at Flamingo in Everglades National Park for the Fourth Annual Rainer’s Excellent Camping Adventure to help raise funds for Everglades National Park’s CAMP (Camping Adventure with My Parents), a ranger-led program that introduces South Florida families to camping and the Everglades. 

If you’re a long time camper, or if you and the kids are just beginning, this is the perfect event!! Come out and enjoy all that the National Parks in your backyard have to offer. Your tax deductible donation to the South Florida National Parks Trust of $40 per adult and $20 per child gets you into the Park, a campsite, ranger programs, dinner and breakfast. 

Speaking  of food, this is not beans over a campfire.  The group has upped the ante this year for Saturday night’s dinner! Chef Jason Timmons will be adding a shrimp boil to the usual fare of burgers, ‘dogs and all the fixings!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Rainer Schael at Rainer@rs-env.com.

For more information on the South Florida National Parks Trust, visit www.southfloridaparks.org or www.facebook.com/SouthFloridaNationalParksTrust.  CLICK HERE to view the Facebook event page.

Hope to See You!
Rainer W. Schael

Carmen Caldwell, Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade to speak at PBVV event to discuss the basics of setting up a Citizen's Crime Watch in your neighborhood

Save the date and plan on attending at 7 PM on Thursday, January 19^th.  Carmen Caldwell, Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch, is the featured speaker. to discuss the basics of setting up a Citizen's Crime Watch in your neighborhood

From the (PBVV) release:

The Palmetto Bay Village Voice is proud to present a Seminar on the formation and importance of Citizens' Crime Watches in our community.

With the recent reports of increases in property crime, this is subject of great interest to every home and business owner.

We have been fortunate enough to secure Carmen Caldwell as our featured speaker. Ms. Caldwell has been the Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade since 2000, overseeing thousands of Neighborhood Crime Watch Groups. Carmen will address basics of setting up a Citizen's Crime Watch in your neighborhood, and will be available to answer any questions you may have.

She will be introduced by Commander Greg Truitt, who is responsible for the policing unit of the Village of Palmetto Bay.

The event will be held at the Palmetto Bay Village Center, 18001 Old Cutler Road, in the 3rd Floor Palm Room at 7 PM on Thursday, January 19th. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome.

Help make your community a safer place to live, join us on the 19th! All neighboring communities are welcome.

I hope to see you there.

Updates from cutlerbay.net, Cutler Bay News- Chili Cookoff, High School Discussion , Charter Commission Meeting

Concerned Citizens Discuss "A High School in Cutler Bay"

   

Concerned Citizens of Cutler Bay will host an open discussion, “A High School in Cutler Bay”, on Tuesday, January 3rd, from 7-9pm at their new meeting location, Cutler Ridge United Methodist Church, 20740 Old Cutler Road. All residents are invited

Cutler Bay Charter Commission Meeting

Thursday, January 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the conference room at town hall. The Charter Revision Commission will begin the process of reviewing the town's charter, the document providing the framework for how the town's government works. The January 5th meeting will focus on pages 1 to 17 (Articles 1,2 and 3). If you would like to make any suggestions for changes to the charter please email the committee by sending your comments to the town clerk at ecoulson@cutlerbay-fl.gov or by fax at 305-234-2535. Ms. Coulson will distribute all comments to the full commission. Please write “Charter Comments” in the subject line. Read the current town charter here.

3rd Annual Chili Day in Cutler Bay

Saturday, January 7th, at Cutler Ridge Park from 11am to 3pm. Cutler Bay will be holding their 3rd chili cookoff with prizes awarded for the best chili, salsa and corn bread in Cutler Bay. Chili tastings and entertainment for the whole family. To participate in the contest or for more information, contact Fred Bobson at 305-238-4166.

 Tom and Barbara Condon  

 http://www.cutlerbay.net  

     

 cutlerbay.net is an independent community website serving the Cutler Bay area and is not the official website for the Town of Cutler Bay.  CLICK HERE to red the actual e-mail update online.

ART and ALL THAT JAZZ Saturday, January 14th, 2012, 6 to 10 pm

The Cultural Council is bringing the joy of art and music to the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, January 14th, 2012 / 6 to 10 pm.  This event is a unique combination of a fine art exhibition and an exciting jazz concert.

CLICK HERE to view The Cultural Council’s web site for more information on the ART and ALL THAT JAZZ  
CLICK HERE or the headline to read details in the Community Newspapers article: ‘Art and All That Jazz’ coming to Arts Center, by Gary Alan Ruse 

Following its tradition of more than 20 years with In The Park With Art and Jazz Under The Stars, both award-winning events, the enjoyment of this evening cannot be missed.

About the Cultural Council: The Cultural Council, Inc., is a non-profit volunteer organization which has realized its mission of presenting an event in the auditorium that was the inspiration of the late County Commissioner, Clara Oesterle, during the County's Decade of Progress in 1972.

Beaux Arts weekend coming January 7-8th

Set aside some time during the weekend of Jan. 7-8.  It is time for the 61st annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art, held as usual, at the grounds of the Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami main campus.  The art show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

CLICK HERE or the headline to read the Miami Herald/Gables Home Page.Com  article: 61st annual Beaux Arts Festival Jan. 7-8 features over 200 artists

Proceeds benefit the Lowe Art Museum, which will be open to the public all weekend, and support bringing children from low-income schools on cultural field trips to the museum.

Bark Bark Woof Woof: If There's An Afterlife...

Credit to the Blog Bark Bark Woof Woof, Sunday, January 1, 2012.
Bark Bark Woof Woof: If There's An Afterlife...