Where is Santa now? NORAD Tracks Santa - 2014. This is for the young and young at heart.

Santa visits Mangowood 2014

NORAD Tracks Santa.  A recommended site.

Click on this link to Welcome to NORAD Tracks Santa to view where Santa is at the time.  


Or follow Santa on Google's Santa Tracker by CLICKING HERE

Always a family favorite, at least until the kids age out.

Merry Christmas from Eugene and Alexandra Flinn

Meeting up with Brian Tannebaum - author of "The Practice"

Home

I picked up my copy of The Practice at a Friday evening Holiday party directly from the source - Palmetto Bay resident and well-respected attorney Brian Tannebaum.

It is a highly recommended read (info from the official web site):

As its title suggests, The Practice delivers brutal truths about lawyers and lawyering in Tannebaum’s slightly snarky—but always honest—signature style. Whether the reader agrees with him or not, they can’t deny his opinions are provocative and provide plenty of food for thought and maybe a laugh or two along the way.   Reading this book, you can’t deny Brian Tannebaum tells it like it is. There is never a question about where he stands on any issues relating to the legal profession. In The Practice,Tannebaum riffs on everything from asking yourself what type of lawyer you want to be, to the most effective way to network and market yourself in an industry where lawyers increasingly over-rely on social media to prove their relevance.

Get your copy today!  Good luck Brian with all you do.

Event for Sunday - 12/21/2014 - Coral Reef Park - Chanukah celebration Grand Lighting of a chocolate coin menorah at 3 p.m

Chanukah will be celebrated at Coral Reef Park, 7895 SW 152 Street, on Sunday, December 21, 2-4 p.m. This free event, centered at the Gazebo/Bandshell off 77th Avenue, is being hosted by Chabad of Palmetto Bay. Please join with Rabbi Zalman Gansburg for the Grand Lighting of a chocolate coin menorah at 3 p.m. The entire community is encouraged to attend this event, which includes activities for all ages.

Reminder - Sat, 12-20 is here. It is Palmetto Bay Boat Parade day

Twisted Sister - I'll Be Home For Christmas

A little Christmas music - Blue Christmas (Live) 1968 - Elvis Presley

Wonder of Christmas light display and events at Christ the King Lutheran Church - Fri 12/19 - Mon 12/22

The fifth annual Wonder of Christmas light display and events at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Pinecrest will be held Friday, December 19 through Monday, December 22.

Each night the gorgeous campus along Snapper Creek is aglow with lights, with special events at 7pm:

Friday-live bluegrass music and decorate a gingerbread house;

Saturday-blessing of the pets (holiday attire encouraged for pets, too!) and children’s crafts;

Sunday-dramatic presentation complete with magical, miraculous special visitors; and

Monday-an old-fashioned carol sing.

Details can be found on the website at www.ctkmiami.org or by calling 305-665-5063.  The church is located at 11295 SW 57 Avenue in Pinecrest.

Christmas Eve Candlelight worship on December 24 is at 6pm (family), 8pm and 10pm.  It “snows” after each service!

A specific blanket request from Animal Services - Pet Blanket Drive - Miami-Dade County

Animal Services - Pet Blanket Drive - Miami-Dade County

Do you have a extra blanket? Miami-Dade County Animal Services can put it to good use. 

View the page: 'Tis the season when Miami-Dade gets those occasional chilly days.Let's make sure that shelter pets are as warm and cozy as we are at home by donating new or gently used clean blankets for them to keep snug during those sudden cold spells.

Animal Services' blanket drive has donation bins set up at its shelter, the Stephen P. Clark Center lobby and many County library branches. Be a blanket-caped hero and donate a blanket today. Thank mew!

The Animal Service page advises that Donation bins will also be available at the following library locations (partial list posted below). Here are a few close to us in Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay/Cutler Bay:

- CORAL REEF BRANCH - 9211 CORAL REEF DR., 305-233-8324
- KENDALL BRANCH - 9101 SW 97 AVE., 305-279-0520
- PINECREST BRANCH - 5835 SW 111 ST., 305-668-4571
- SOUTH DADE REGIONAL - 10750 SW 211 ST.,  305-233-8140

For more information, contact www.miamidade.gov/animals or call 3-1-1. To find a branch library near you, visit www.mdpls.org and click ‘Find a Library.’

Photo of the Day - Thalatta / C100 - a drone's eye view!

A friend forwarded me two photos of the C100 / Thalatta Estate Park taken from his drone .  Outstanding photos. Photo credit: Photos courtesy of “ESwakon@Photos-by-Drone.com”

Feeding South Florida - Holiday Food Drive opportunities within Palmetto Bay

Help fill the box - this one located at village hall.

The Village of Palmetto Bay is working with the members of the Palmetto Bay Canal Association in encouraging all to join together to support the Annual Holiday Food Drive. Working in conjunction with Feeding South Florida.

Please join in as together we can make a difference and assist with hunger relief efforts in our State.

CLICK HERE to view the official guidelines, include was can or cannot be accepted. A list of the top ten items needed is also included.

Community Chanukah Celebration - Coral Reef Park - Sun, Dec. 21, 2-4

Chanukah will be celebrated at Coral Reef Park, 7895 SW 152 Street, on Sunday, December 21, 2-4 p.m. This free event, centered at the Gazebo/Bandshell off 77th Avenue, is being hosted by Chabad of Palmetto Bay. Please join with Rabbi Zalman Gansburg for the Grand Lighting of a chocolate coin menorah at 3 p.m. The entire community is encouraged to attend this event, which includes activities for all ages:

 

   Bounce house

   Kids  arts and crafts

   Music and raffles

   Traditional holiday delicacies

   Donuts

   Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins)

For information, visit Chabad of Palmetto Bay or call 786-208-9222.

And so it begins. And I will continue to work to earn your support. Thank you Judge Bertila Soto

There are just so many people to thank. I pledge to work hard for Palmetto Bay. 

It was my honor to have been sworn in by the Honorable Bertila Soto, Chief Judge Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. I am posting information on her as our outstanding judges are not often enough recognized for their service to our community. Thank you Chief Judge Soto! CLICK HERE to view some past news about Miami-Dade County's Chief Judge.

Swearing in tonight - 7 PM - A new era begins

I look forward to once again taking the helm as Mayor of Palmetto Bay - with your help. 

The swearing in ceremony will be held tonight, Monday, December 1, 2014 - 7:00 pm, at the Village Hall Chambers, 9705 E. Hibiscus Street.

Just for fun, here is a family photo from my first swearing in, November of 2002.

Wabasso Tackle set to close on Dec 31, 2014. Closing to allow for widening of 510.

Time is coming to a close for the Wabasso Tackle Shop.  See my Sunday, October 21, 2012, post:
The Wabasso Tackle Shop – a temporary reprieve for a local landmark. Reopening under a former owner, but slated to be taken down for future development.

Future development arrives in 2015.  The tackle shop will forever close on December 31, 2014.

Katherine and Meredith out front of the soon to close Wabasso Tackle shop. Taken 11/30/14

Hello Boys I'm Back - Video of the day - just for fun

I am just having a little fun on this Sunday morning.  I don't know what it means.  

Have a great Sunday.

The fifth Annual Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parade is scheduled for Sat, Dec 20, 2013

Palmetto Bay’s own festive boat parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 20.  CLICK HERE to view the Facebook event page.  Once again, an annual "thank you!" to Rainer & Noel Schael, as well as all the members and participants of the Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parade for organizing this event.  Spectators can enjoy the parade from Coral Reef Park, Bill Sadowski Park, or anywhere along the canal parade route. Gather your family and friends in the beautiful Palmetto Bay outdoors while celebrating the spirit of the holidays.

If you wish to enter your boat into the parade, or for additional information, please FB Message or email Rainer Schael at rainer@rs-env.com

I have posted photos from the 2013 event on the South Dade Updates Blog (CLICK HERE).

This is a wonderful community event that brings participants, friends and neighbors together in the holiday spirit, collecting canned food for a good cause, and is supported both by members of the residential community as well as a local business.

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.

Click the label “Boat Parade” label on the South Dade Updates blog to view posts and photos from prior Palmetto Bay Canal Association Holiday Boat Parades.

Happy Thanksgiving - 2014.

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 5th Annual boat Parade scheduled for Saturday, December 20. 

 

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)

THANK YOU PALMETTO BAY! 2014 run off election results

I will have more to say in the near future, but for now I simply want to express my deep and sincere appreciation to my fellow Palmetto Bay residents.

Miami Herald coverage:
Palmetto Bay’s Flinn wins back his mayoral seat in runoff

By Lola Duffort, Special to the Miami Herald,11/25/2014 9:38 PM

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4151752.html#storylink=cpy

Palmetto Bay’s founding mayor, Eugene Flinn, has reclaimed his old seat, handily beating incumbent Shelley Stanczyk — his successor — in Tuesday’s runoff election.

And in the race for District 3, which represents the southern part of the village, political newcomer Larissa Siegel Lara beat veteran village activist Henry Clifford by a small margin.

“It's a very emotional night for me,’’ said Flinn, 52. “I'm just so pleased; I just want to look forward at this point.’’

Flinn, who was mayor from 2002 to 2010, took in 2,883 votes to Stanczyk’s 1,498. Siegel Lara garnered 2,278 votes to Clifford’s 2,035.

From the start, Stanczyk, 65, who has been on the dais since 2006 and mayor since 2010, faced a tough bid for reelection. She faced three challengers in the general election, two of whom, including Flinn, made a divided and bickering council during her tenure top campaign issues. Among the most divisive issues: the village’s protracted, expensive and unsuccessful fight against the expansion of Palmer Trinity, a private school in a residential neighborhood.

Outgoing council member Patrick Fiore and retired business executive Peter England, the other mayoral candidates, endorsed Flinn when they failed to make it to the runoff.

As is typical in runoffs, the turnout was low. Of 16,478 registered electors, only 4,415 voted. About half of the votes came in absentee.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4151752.html#storylink=cpy

Run-Off Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 25. List of polling locations in Palmetto Bay

Vote at your assigned precinct on Tuesday, November 25.  Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Bay web page regarding this run-off election.

Polling Locations

Precinct:	Location:	Address:
806	Coral Reef Park	7895 SW 152 Street
807	Howard Drive Elementary	7750 SW 136 Street
808	St. Andrews Episcopal Church	14260 Old Cutler Road
809	Christ Congregational Church	14920 SW 67 Avenue
810	St. Richard Church - Parish Center	7500 SW 152 Street
811	Marlin Moore - Post #133	16401 SW 90 Avenue
819	Perrine Peters UTD Methodist Church (Temp)	18301 S. Dixie Highway
820	Edward & Arlene Feller Community Room (Temp)	17641 Old Cutler Road
837	Southwood Middle School	16301 SW 80 Avenue
844	Southwood Middle School	16301 SW 80 Avenue

PB Checks the record - a true comparison. I am running on my positive record, not misleading attacks.

Be careful what you print and distribute in those nasty attack ads. They may come back to bite you.  Comparing records is one thing, but distortion or falsely claiming credit is quite another.  It is fact check time courtesy of Lola Duffort of the Miami Herald:

Former friends — now foes — Stanczyk and Flinn seek to be elected Palmetto Bay mayor, By Lola Duffort, posted Friday, 11/21/14.

Two solid examples:

Zoning:
Stanczyk’s mailer says it’s his 2008 decision to deny rezoning that lead to the lawsuits – but Flinn points out that she voted “no” along with him then, and continued to do so after he left.

“It’s really funny — you’d think she would be giving me credit for voting with her on that. Instead she wants to blame me, even though she voted the same way,” he said.

Finance:
The Stanczyk mailer told voters that Flinn left office without getting the village rated – that’s not true, ratings were released in his last year in office. (Emphasis added)

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4055011.html#/tabPane=tabs-30a8a142-1#storylink=cpy

Read for yourself by clicking the link above (or HERE).  

VOTE this Tuesday, November 25. 

Please CLICK HERE to view my positive record for Palmetto Bay in detail.  I am proud of what we accomplished in our first eight years and there is much more we can accomplish, but we need to work together and stop the baseless attacks and name-calling. 

I humbly ask for your vote to continue the positive vision of Palmetto Bay!

Thank you,

Eugene Flinn

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Eugene Flinn for Palmetto Bay Mayor

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/palmetto-bay/article4055011.html#storylink=cpy

The Franjo Triangle Commercial Island Charrette Report – posted online and Sec. 30-50.18 of the Village Code

The Franjo Triangle Commercial Island Charrette Report – posted online (not available on the official Palmetto Bay website) at http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1021/ML102110564.pdf Note that this is an 84 page document and is a slow download.  This is “A Citizens’ Vision Plan” November 2004 and was a partnership with Palmetto Bay and the Miami-Dade County Department of Planning and Zoning, Community Planning Section. 

I have also posted links to the November 8, 2004, resolution accepting the Charrette report.(Resolution 04-89).  This resolution details part of the public processes employed in this Charrette.    Also see numbered pages 19 - 26 of the actual Charrette report.

The Village Code was created by ordinance known as the “Franjo Triangle & US1 Island Zoning District" (FT&I) was eventually adopted as of May 1, 2006.  First reading was held February 6, 2006, second reading was held April 3, 2006 and a third reading was held on May 1, 2006.  See: http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1021/ML102110563.pdf
This code section can be found on Municode and is codified under Sec. 30-50.18. - FT&I,Franjo Triangle and U.S. 1 Island District.

Veterans Day - 2014 - Thank you for your service to our country

Veterans Day is a holiday honoring living military veterans. It is a Federal and State holiday observed by all 50 states.

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. 

Online article on Military.com: 8 Ways to Express Appreciation on Veterans Day

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

Please join us this Wednesday, November 12, from 6 to 8 PM at the PBVC - Palm Room

There is a run-off election on Tuesday, November 25, to decide the Mayor and Council District 3 positions.

I humbly ask for your vote.

I also invite you to join your friends and neighbors for what should be a fun event  this Wednesday, November 12, from 6 to 8 PM at the Palmetto Bay Village Center - Palm Room (3rd Floor).

Palmetto Bay mayoral, council races headed to Nov. 25 runoff - Miami Herald.com

An important read on the Miami Herald.com site:

Palmetto Bay mayoral, council races headed to Nov. 25 runoff, by Lola Duffort, 11/07/2014.

And yes, I am focused.  I am tuning out any distractions: “I’m focused on my record, and that’s what I’m campaigning on,”

But it is more than mere promises.  We will see a return to realization of village goals, including ... more traffic calming initiatives, expanded park programming, a village personnel audit, and a clearer timeline and goals for the village’s redevelopment efforts to create a commercial district in the southern area known as the Franjo Triangle.

Wings Over Miami event Saturday, November 1, 10 AM to 2 PM.

Wings Over Miami

 Kicks-off  Aviation History Month

(CLICK HERE to view complete & official info)

 

Saturday, November 1

10 to 2

Disney Studios makes a promotional stop

To celebrate their DVD release

of 

PLANES

FIRE & RESCUE

Children $3.00 ~ Adults $7.00

• See the Miami Dade Aviation foam fire truck and more
• Enjoy Disney Planes give-aways
• Register to win a Planes Fire & Rescue DVD
• Look at planes and meet Wings pilots
• Visit with WW2 veteran, Todd Silverman

Happy Halloween from our family to yours

Happy Halloween from our family to yours

Classic Peanuts- the Great Pumpkin.  Who is staying up late to wait for the Great Pumpkin tonight?

Happy Halloween 2014 from Eugene, Alexandra and family.

EYE ON MIAMI: Vote For Eugene Flinn in Palmetto Bay. Guest Blog ...

EYE ON MIAMI: Vote For Eugene Flinn in Palmetto Bay. Guest Blog ...: Letter to the editor of Miami Herald: As a long-time community advocate living in Palmetto Bay, I am very disappointed in the maneuverings...

Click the link above to read the entire post.  It is a great read, if I do say so myself, on the Eye on Miami Blog.

Thank you everyone, for all the love and support.  This campaign has been so positive. Let's work together to continue the vision of Palmetto Bay!

Your qualifying test drive raises $20 for Miami Palmetto Senior High School PTSA at Gus Machado Ford

The Miami Palmetto Senior High School PTSA receives $20 with a qualifying drive. See you there on Oct. 10 from 3-7 PM

What:     $20 for Palmetto High School. 
                 For every test-drive taken, Ford Motor Company will donate $20 to the school
Where:   Gus Machado Ford in Palmetto Bay
When:    October 10, 2014
Time:     3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Facebook members - students, parents of a student, alums or a friends/supporters of Miami Palmetto Senior High should CLICK HERE to view the official Palmetto Facebook page.  Like the page to stay current on the happenings.

Miami Hal’s video - Palmetto Bay candidate’s forum held 9/30/14

CLICK HERE to view the full Miami Hal site. Over the past six years, Hal "MiamiHal" Feldman, a Realtor and resident of Palmetto Bay has covered our community events in video, newspapers and on his own blog (www.miamihal.com) to educate and enrich fellow Villagers. He covered the Candidates' Forum LIVE on the web (real time 9-30-14) as well as posting the video on-demand (CLICK HERE) for those of you who could not attend. Hal deserves much appreciation for his commitment to our community.