Saturday, November 30, 2013

Police Investigating Person Fatally Shot In Palmetto Bay « CBS Miami & WSVN reports

Police Investigating Person Fatally Shot In Palmetto Bay « CBS Miami
CBS Miami reports that Police are investigating an incident in Palmetto Bay where one person is dead after being shot.

The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, is investigating the incident that occurred at 16021 Southwest 77 Court.
Police have identified the victim as 36-year-old Israel Rodriguez, who resided in the home.
Upon officers’ arrival, they observed a hydroponic lab inside the home.

Channel 7, WSVN coverage:  Police: Man killed in Palmetto Bay shooting

WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miam Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco

Postal Service decides it won’t open a post office near Coral Reef Estates - Palmetto Bay - MiamiHerald.com

Postal Service decides it won’t open a post office near Coral Reef Estates - Palmetto Bay - Miami Herald.com
This is great news for the neighbors! A bullet was dodged - this time - but it should not be up to the neighborhoods to defend themselves. Palmetto Bay officials need to be proactive, not reactive, in defending the community's quality of life.

Now Palmetto Bay needs to get back to the traffic calming program. It is the best defense for the neighborhoods. See: Eliminating traffic calming program leaves neighborhoods defenseless.

The vision of the original Palmetto Bay council was to make our village one of the most livable communities in the country. Traffic is a major factor that affects the livability. As speeding and vehicular volume increases, walking to the neighborhood store or even across the street to a neighbor’s house can be an uncomfortable event. I strongly recommend that a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program be reinstated to provide neighborhood protection.

Palmetto Bay successfully worked with the county from 2002 to 2010 in traffic calming many roads. Palmetto Bay should be working now, not later, with the neighbors to properly calm the residential roads surrounding the Post Office site, saving the neighbors from new commercial and delivery traffic (which is projected to include 18 wheelers).

Everyone needs to realize that the path to solution starts at the local level and that is why I am calling for resumption in local investment in strategic long term improvements to our traffic issues. Continued lack of action only leads to an increase in the traffic problems as well as unpredictable and unwanted results in the future.

Fortunately, for ACRE (Association of Coral Reef Estates), it was not left to exercise its bargained for property rights in court. It shouldn’t have to be this way.
Eliminating traffic calming program leaves neighborhoods defenseless - See more at: http://www.communitynewspapers.com/palmetto-bay/eliminating-traffic-calming-program-leaves-neighborhoods-defenseless/#sthash.5iPXuaUb.dpuf

Comet ISON May Have Survived | NASA - Outstanding photos for you to view

Comet ISON May Have Survived | NASA

I am still hoping for the big show. Click the link immediately above to view movie and photo updates on Comet ISON posted on NASA.Gov.  Text below taken from the website.

Continuing a history of surprising behavior, material from Comet ISON appeared on the other side of the sun on the evening on Nov. 28, 2013, despite not having been seen in observations during its closest approach to the sun. 

As ISON appeared to dim and fizzle in several observatories and later could not be seen at all by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory or by ground based solar observatories, many scientists believed it had disintegrated completely. However, a streak of bright material streaming away from the sun appeared in the European Space Agency and NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory later in the evening. The question remains whether it is merely debris from the comet, or if some portion of the comet's nucleus survived, but late-night analysis from scientists with NASA's Comet ISON Observing Campaign suggest that there is at least a small nucleus intact.

More information available from NASA.gov:
Related Links:
For more information on Comet ISON: www.nasa.gov/ison
To download recent ISON imagery: http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/CometISON.html

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving - 2013. 20 years after the famous snow bowl gift

It was a cool 54 degrees at 7:00 AM in Palmetto Bay this Thanksgiving morning, a signal that the holiday season is upon us.

There is much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Alexandra, Katherine, Meredith and I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays.

Like millions of others across this great country, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, honoring a tradition older than the nation itself. The Continental Congress proclaimed that the "inhabitants of these states" observe a day of Thanksgiving back in 1782.  Ever since then we set this day aside to give thanks for all our blessings, and this year we have many things for which to be thankful.

Please also take the time to remember and help the less fortunate.  Many families and children are doing with less, Take the time to become involved in a local charity, with time, if not a donation. There are many ongoing charities that are looking for donations and volunteers. The Palmetto Bay Canal Association will be collecting canned foods during its boat Parade this December 21.

Thanksgiving is the busiest traveling season of the year.  Please be aware and be safe.

One of my personal favorite quotes about a holiday:
On Thanksgiving Day all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime.
– (author unknown)

Speaking of football, this is the 20 year anniversary of the Dallas Cowboy, Leon Lett’s, Thanksgiving Day gift to the Miami Dolphins. I have embedded a video excerpting the event.  

 

Happy Thanksgiving.

Those unplanned family conflicts at family holiday dinner. How do you deal?

An interesting read for the holidays. Is your family like the Bailey's, the Waltons or the Simpsons at holiday time? How do you handle the controversies? 

Food fight! Disarm a combative holiday dinner, posted on CNN living, by Terri Trespicio, Martha Stewart Living. 

Remember,
“You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.”

― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

HAPPY CHANUKAH - 2013

This post is being completed as we near sundown the day before Thanksgiving and the start of Chanukah, 2013.  Some will be fortunate to be celebrating two wonderful, meaningful holidays.

I want to wish a very Happy Chanukah, from the Flinn family -- Eugene, Alexandra, Katherine and Meredith.

Families celebrate the holiday season in many different ways, but one of the great things that we all have in common in our area is the overwhelming sense of community and responsibility to family that we share.

I am reminded, especially during the holidays, of the importance of family and the importance of maintaining our sense of civic spirit.

I hope during this holiday season as we celebrate and enjoy our families that each and every one of us takes a few minutes to think about those families who cannot be together – for the soldiers who defend our country, for the loved ones who must share in their sacrifice, and for those who are no longer with us, although we hold their memory dear.

I hope that we will also never forget and never stop striving to achieve the holiday ideal of “Peace on Earth.” Everyone can do their part to help create a better world simply by treating each other with understanding, kindness and respect. Each time you help another person, we all take another step closer toward true peace on earth.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Comet ISON update: It may be a bad break up. WASHINGTON: Comet dances with sun, death; giving mixed signals

WASHINGTON: Comet dances with sun, death; giving mixed signals - Politics Wires - Miami Herald.com
A 30% chance of survival? Not great odds, but I am still hopeful for a great show. 

The early hours viewing are over until the comet makes its Thanksgiving Day slingshot around the sun.

It is now wait and see time, to determine whether the comet puts on a spectacular show or breaks apart from its close pass to the Sun: CNN reports online that comet ISON make be breaking up and may not survive the trip around the sun: Much anticipated comet may be in trouble.

Experts predict that the comet could put on a spectacular show in the weeks ahead if it survives, exploding in brightness as it releases dust.

Even if the comet dies, the Miami Herald reports that Johns Hopkins University scientist Carey Lisse (LIHS) said there's a good chance that people on Earth will get an interesting cosmic show. The comet's remains could paint the sky with a wide swath of green.

We will wait and see.  I recommend that this holiday weekend will be a great time to take the family away from the city lights and spend family time gazing toward the heavens.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Yet another reason to be wary this holiday season. "Knockout" is spreading.

Holiday season is a great time of year, but it is also a time where we have to up our game on keeping a wary eye out to prevent becoming a victim. 

Crime is one thing, but be careful that you do not set yourself up to be victim of “knockout.” Morgan Winsor, CNN reports in Terrifying 'knockout' game assaults spreading. For those who may not have heard, this is the crime where teens are randomly sucker-punch strangers with the goal of knocking them unconscious with a single blow – and this sick conduct is beginning to catch on in other area. Similar incidents have been reported in New York, Illinois, Missouri and Washington.

There has been coverage in the Miami Herald, including a recent article by Colleen Long, AP, Attacks around US probed for link to knockout game.  An expert quoted in this article, Jeffrey Butts, a psychologist specializing in juvenile delinquency at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice noted that "It's hard to excuse this behavior, there's no purpose to this,". "When someone runs into a store and demands money, you can sort of understand why they're doing it, desperation, whatever. But just hitting someone for the sheer thrill of seeing if you can knock someone out is just childish."

Childish? Childish is the old prank of having someone kneel behind a friend and you push a victim back over them.  This is a serious crime of violence; make no illusions that this is anything less. At least two deaths have been linked to the game this year and police have seen a recent spike in similar attacks.

The urgency in this article is the holiday time is one where we are more likely to be victimized due to distractions.  Stay safe this holiday season. Being aware of your surroundings appears to be your best defense to guard against any potential crime, from making sure you get your credit card back after use, to fending away pickpockets or bag-grabbers to even this "knockout" threat - criminals always look for the easiest targets.

Warning - the video shows graphic violence.



Saturday, November 23, 2013

Police dogs blessed during Tihar Festival [Photos] | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Police dogs blessed during Tihar Festival [Photos] | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Nepalese police dogs wear marigold garlands and vermillion pigment on Nov. 13 during the local Tihar festival in Kathmandu. Tihar is the Nepalese equivalent of Diwali, an important five-day festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Arya Samajists. 

Each day of the festival is dedicated to different religious figures including cow, crow and dog, which signifies the relationship between human beings, god and animals. (view article for photos) 

Also see (for more info as well as photos):
Time.Com Pictures of the week: November 1 – November 8 (#14)

Please click “Read more” below for more information on this cultural / religious event 

Friday, November 22, 2013

Young adult authors: big draw at Book Fair - Books - MiamiHerald.com

Young adult authors: big draw at Book Fair - Books - Miami Herald.com
Saturday is a great day to attend the Miami Book Fair, especially if you are a fan of the Young Adult genre.  Connie Ogle sets the stage for the Saturday Young adult authors: big draw at Book Fair, revealing that there are 32 teen/’tween authors at this year’s fair, ranging from two-time Eisner Award winner and comics guru Paul Pope to novelist Lauren Oliver, author of the Delirium series. I am obviously partial to mentioning that Palmetto Bay’s Alex Flinn will be on two panels, at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, 11/23/13

CLICK HERE to view the Miami Book Fair International page for YA Writer Alex Flinn. 

The events: Saturday, Nov. 23, beginning at 1:30 then at 4:00 PM

1:30 p.m., Room 8201 (Building 8, 2nd Floor)
HOLLY BLACK on The Coldest Girl in Cold Town,
LAUREN OLIVER on Requiem,
KAMI GARCIA on Unbreakable: The Legion, and
ALEX FLINN on Towering

And at 4:00 p.m, the Florida Book Awards (information taken from the Book Fair site) — the nation’s most comprehensive state book awards program — has recognized and celebrated the best Florida literature and books about Florida published in the previous year.

4:00 p.m., Room 8302 (Building 8, 3rd Floor)
Florida Book Awards:
DR. WAYNE WIEGAND,
ALEX FLINN,
MICHAEL GRUNWALD,
CAMPBELL MCGRATH and
DAPHNE NIKOLOPOULOS

CLICK HERE to view the official Miami Book Fair International website to view the full day’s events which begin at 9:00 a.m. with VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY on Heart: An American Medical Odyssey

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Tis the season - to be wary. Crime Watch: Don’t let real-life grinches steal your Christmas presents - MiamiHerald

Crime Watch: Don’t let real-life grinches steal your Christmas presents - Miami-Dade - Miami Herald.com
We are coming into the season when people seek their happiness at your expense.  Tis the season to be on your guard, see: Crime Watch: Don’t let real-life grinches steal your Christmas presents, By Carmen Gonzalez Caldwell.

See last year's post regarding Cyber Monday online shopping safety also from Carmen Caldwell: Crime Watch: Precautions make online shopping safer (article still available online, 11/21/12, Miami Herald.

This article addresses Cyber Monday — the Monday after Thanksgiving, when many people buy gifts from online sellers.

The tips are really applicable full time, year round, shopping over the Internet and not just to Cyber Monday.
 
• Plan ahead.
• Know the retailer’s return and exchange policies.
• Read the fine print.
• Check your order twice before confirming a purchase.
• Start a file folder.

As Ms. Caldwell advises: … the FBI is reminding people this holiday season that cyber criminals continue to aggressively seek ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers are using several techniques to fool potential victims including sending unsolicited emails that contain false information by setting up spoofing websites that look like legitimate commercial sites and unleashing phishing and vishing (theft using voice-over-Internet technology) attacks where individuals receive emails or phone calls asking for personal data. So it’s important not to open anything that looks suspicious. Use that “delete” key immediately.

These cyber-scammers will do whatever they can to steal your money and personal information this holiday season and are trying many different ways to commit these crimes, according to the FBI.

For more information on e-scams, please visit the FBI’s webpage www.fbi.gov. You also should visit the National Crime Prevention Council for more tips on Holiday shopping at www.ncpc.org.
--------------------------------------------
Happy Holidays.  Have fun and stay safe! 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Today in History - The sesquicentennial of the Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln delivers one of the most memorable speeches in American history: The Gettysburg Address. Read full details at History.Com - November 19.

In just 272 words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly reminded a war-weary public why the Union had to fight, and win, the Civil War.

The Battle of Gettysburg was the single bloodiest battle of the Civil War. More than 45,000 men were killed, injured, captured or missing in action.

Lincoln's address lasted just two or three minutes. The speech reflected his redefined belief that the Civil War was not just a fight to save the Union, but a struggle for freedom and equality for all, an idea Lincoln had not championed in the years leading up to the war.

This was his stirring conclusion: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Reception of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was initially mixed, divided strictly along partisan lines. Nevertheless, the "little speech," as he later called it, is thought by many today to be the most eloquent articulation of the democratic vision ever written.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Noise ordinance? Chain saws are not neighbor friendly at 8 AM, especially on a Sunday.

Worried about a dog barking? Really? I am sitting on my patio listening to the birds, having my morning coffee and newspaper when the chain saws started at 8 AM on a Sunday. 

Someone better be fighting off a zombie attack. It is the only excuse I'll accept right now.  It did not wake me up, as I have been up since 4:30 AM with the telescope trying to find Comet ISOM.

Photo of the Day (or really early morning). Beaver moon - No view for you!

The Beaver Moon rendered any attempts to look for Comet ISOM useless in Palmetto Bay. Photo taken at 4:45 AM.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

2013 Turkey Trot - Nov 28th -- 5K/10K kicks off at 7:30 AM.

Chase the Turkey! (CLICK HERE to view the official e-mail for complete details)

SOUTH FLORIDA'S TROTTING TRADITION WILL SELL OUT AT 5,000 PARTICIPANTS! This event is a great way to start off your Thanksgiving Day with the whole family. 

Tropical Park on November 28th, 2013; the 5K/10K kicks off at 7:30 AM.


Baptist Health South Florida Turkey Trot 

The Turkey Trot will be teaming up with Camillus House for the upcoming event. US Road Sports will be working together closely with Camillus House and all donations will be benefiting their organization. We will be accepting canned food items at packet pick-up at the Sports Authority prior to the race and also onsite

Friday, November 15, 2013

Look to the sky this weekend. Wings Over Miami Special events may be visible.

Check out "The Flight Log", which provides details concerning upcoming special events at the Wings Over Miami Air Museum (WOM).     

Taken from the post: November 2013, This Weekend, November 16 and 17, Special Aircraft Guests at the Museum: If you happen to be looking up this weekend and see a warbird formation, you will not be imagining it.  

Wings Over Miami will be hosting some guests this weekend out at the hangar. Multiple members of the RedStar Pilots Association, along with some of our planes and pilot friends, have been invited to do fly-bys both days of the NASCAR races.   

On Saturday, around noon, the planes will be arriving to the museum. The pilots will be briefed and will prepare for the fly-bys prior to leaving each day.  The schedule for the fly-bys have not been announced as yet, but the pilots expect to leave the airport about 30 minutes prior to the race start on both days.   

AND NOTE! Any readers like me who while growing up, were hoping for a Cox control-line airplane for Christmas?  I had several along with the (non-controlled) Dune Buggy as well as the on the wire dragster (nailing the wire in the street or merely letting it run amok). 
For those who remember and enjoyed, there is another interesting event to consider and put on your calendar: Remember Model Planes Flying on Wire? Saturday, January 18, 2014

Scroll down to the bottom the "The Flight Log" at end, to read the teaser.  Wings Over Miami is planning a model airplane event with modeling, flying, and those good old planes that flew on a wire!

Please contact them if you are interested in helping with the models or the other activities during the event. 


Wow - I'm feeling it. I recall days of heading out with my father to the old Tamiami Airport grounds to fly the .049 Cox U-Control planes.  My longest lasting was a P-19 model. Just thinking of a term I haven't heard in a while - "glow plugs." I still have some old engines, but none of my old planes remain.  And who among us went for it when starting the engines, rejecting the "starter sticks"?

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Comet ISON update. Nearing the peak.

This is the month where we find out if Comet ISON will live up to the hype.  See New York Daily News: Comet ISON, now visible with binoculars, races toward sun for first time, reporting that the "comet of the century" is blazing a trail so bright that it is visible with binoculars now and possibly with the naked eye later this week. The comet is hurtling toward a close encounter with the sun on Nov. 28, predicted to make a 724,000 mile approach to the solar surface.

This comet has the potential to shine as brightly as the full moon.

We will wait and see. Comet ISON was discovered in September 2012.  This comet is thought to be making its first-ever foray into the inner solar system from the distant and frigid Oort Cloud.

Have you ever taken the time to ponder the wonders of nature? Comet ISON may just be a great family event to spend time with the family. 4 months. Plan ahead. You are going to get only one chance with Comet ISON.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Thank you to those who have served. Have a happy Veterans Day - 2013

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank all US Military veterans for their service to our country. Everyone should take a moment to honor those who have preserved our freedom and protected all of our rights, including the right to vote. Veterans Day is a holiday honoring living military veterans. It is both a Federal holiday and is also recognized and observed by all 50 states.

Veterans Day 2013 is special for our family as brother Walter Flinn, Major, US Army who just returned from his third deployment overseas, this time earning his  Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon.  We are all very proud of Major Flinn for his service to our country. He arrived back in Miami late Friday evening (Nov. 8) just in time for Veterans Day.

History:  President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919. Other countries today also still recognize November 11th as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in honor of the Armistice treaty which ended WWI. The U.S Congress amended this act on November 8, 1954, making this holiday Veterans Day as we know it today.

Military dot com list ways that you can celebrate and educate your children about Veterans Day: http://www.military.com/veterans-day/celebrate-veterans-day.htm

History dot com offers a wealth of information about Veteran’s Day: http://www.history.com/minisites/veteransday/

Thank you to every man and women who has served our county as a member of our armed forces

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Here she GOCEs - What goes up often comes down. Today (Sunday, Nov 10) may be the day.

Is the sky falling? Yes and no.  Eyes are on the he 2,000-pound Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer -- a European Space Agency satellite known shorthand as GOCE as it completes its death spiral and prepare to enter Earth’s atmosphere.  Hopefully it will put on a show while not harming anyone or anything.

Track GOCE / GOCE / Observing the Earth / Our Activities / ESA
Click the link above to follow the ground track of ESA's GOCE Earth Explorer mission, launched 17 March 2009.

There is no chance of us being affected or even seeing any evidence of this burn up.  70% of the Earth’s surface is water, meaning there’s only a 30% chance of the satellite debris hitting a landmass. The chance of anyone seeing or hearing anything from this satellite reentry is less than seeing the partial eclipse last week and how many people even know that was coming, let alone see it.


Read more in Time Magazine online, Science and Space section:
Duck! Here Comes a Satellite | TIME.com http://science.time.com/2013/11/08/duck-falling-satellite-arrives-on-sunday/#ixzz2kFgndFam

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Photo of the Day - Major Walter Flinn returns from Afghanistan

No words are needed here. Part of his family pictured with Major Walter Flinn at Miami International Airport upon his return from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Welcome home Walter.
November 8, 2013

Friday, November 8, 2013

Greek Festival 2013 – going on now at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church

Stop reading this and go join the party which will be going on throughout the weekend.
Miami Greek Festival 2013

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
November 8th, 9th and 10th
11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church
7901 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33156
305 595-1343
Please click and view the links above for official information on the Miami Greek Festival ’13.
Please join us for another outstanding Miami event.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Congrats to Palmetto Bay's Mary Cagle. Committee selects former prosecutor as top choice for Miami-Dade inspector general - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

Committee selects former prosecutor as top choice for Miami-Dade inspector general - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
The Miami Herald has broken the news that the selection committee in charge of finding a new Miami-Dade County inspector general has named Mary T. Cagle to replace Christopher Mazzella, who retired in April.

Ms. Cagle is currently the statewide director of children’s legal services for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She has also served as the chief executive of CHARLEE Homes for Children, a foster-care agency as well as spending 22 years of her career in the Miami-Dade state attorney’s office, prosecuting public corruption cases. She also has served Palmetto Bay with distinction, serving both on the Palmetto Bay Municipal Advisory committee as well as the first Palmetto Bay Charter Committee, authoring the very first Village Charter. 

Not yet a done deal, Ms. Cagle must now undergo a criminal background check before the selection committee signs off on its recommendation Dec. 10.

County commissioners have final approval of the appointment.

Congratulations.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/05/3733773/committee-selects-former-prosecutor.html#storylink=cpy

Palmetto Senior High Alumni Association Event – This Thursday. 11-7-13

The Kickoff Social Event will be held Thursday, November 7, from 6 to 8 PM at Sports Grill – Dolphin Room, 9090 SW 97th Ave., Miami, FL 33176 (305) 595-3335

This is a free event for association members.  Guests are $10.  Complimentary beverage ticket to first 40 attendees.

More information: www.PalmettoHighAlumni.org or www.facebook.com/MiamiPalmettoAlum

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Palmetto Bay News read at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan

Palmetto Bay News read at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan | Palmetto Bay Clink the link to view the photo online of my brother, Major Walter Flinn, reading the local Palmetto Bay News with the international team at Camp Phoenix, Kabul Afghanistan.

Thank you all for your service.  Stay safe.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Palmetto HS Drama fundraiser - SIr Pizza in Pinecrest TONIGHT.

Guilt free Pizza!

Palmetto Drama is having a fundraiser at Sir Pizza in Suniland. Order from Sir Pizza and MENTION Palmetto Drama, and they donate 15% to our organization.
(786) 227-5430 for take-out orders.

SUNILAND LOCATION Monday only!

Support the arts in our schools.

First call - any ideas for the 4th annual Palmetto Bay Boat Parade?

Preliminary preparations for the 4th Annual Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parade (and canned food drive) are in the works.

This outstanding event was the creation of and has been continuously sponsored by Palmetto Bay Canal Association.  They're considering Saturday, December 21 - any thoughts? As usual, we'll start around dark at Coral Reef Park and head south, collecting cans along the way. The group is hoping to hit 1,000 cans this year!

The event has worked well as part of the holiday party events for those living along the C100 canal boat parade route.  E-mail me at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net and I will put you in touch with the Palmetto Bay Canal Association organizers for more information. CLICK HERE to read about the success of last year's event as well as to see photos posted from that event.

The Palmetto Bay Canal Association is made up of Palmetto Bay (and Pinecrest) residents that are both users and stewards of our local canal system. The group includes pleasure boaters, fishermen, skiers, Canoers and Kayakers. The event and the group are not affiliated with the Village of Palmetto Bay government.

Friday, November 1, 2013

A family book event to attend on Sat. Nov. 2nd, 1 PM. SCBWI LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL "INSIDE STORY" PROGRAM

Here is a great event for book lovers tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:00 PM at Books & Books I Coral Gables: The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, in conjunction with First Book, launches its first international "Inside Story" event at select independent bookstores.

Why go? You get to see numerous authors speak. Then there are the other big reasons – you both support independent booksellers and – AND – for every book sold as part event, a book will be donated to a needy child. 

This event provides an opportunity for young readers, teachers, librarians, and children's book lovers to become acquainted with new releases. The group of authors and illustrators will have a brief time to share the "inside story" behind their 2012 or 2013 publications and support independent bookstores.

Featuring: Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Steven Dos Santos, Marianne Berkes, Sherry North Rauh, Jamie Engle, Alex Flinn, Lizette Lantigua, Tamera Wissinger, Gail Fay, and Peter Matthews give the "inside story" on their newest books.
 

Books & Books is located at:
265 Aragon Ave
Coral Gables, Florida 33134-5008
 
Review this event on the Books & Books official site: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators -- Inside Story – Gables
More information is also available on the official website for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (scbwi)

This event will end well before the 8:00 PM start of the UM v. FSU game.You can also probably make home from this event in time for the 3:30 PM start of the Florida / Georgia rivalry game.