Event alert! Fanny Carmona-Gonzalez, Parks & Recreation Director for the Village of Palmetto Bay, tells us they’re hosting the First Annual Holiday by the Bay on Saturday, December 18 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. It’s going to be at Ludovici Park with fun rides for the kids, some holiday musical concerts, and a real magical North Pole setting with Santa Claus himself in attendance. The village is hoping to offer carnival-style foods and holiday crafts to sell to the community, so if you’re a potential vendor, now’s the time to contact the Events Coordinator at events@palmettobay-fl.gov, or call Mary Fernandez at 305-721-0033. Vendors get a great chance to boost their businesses by being there for direct contact with the public, and Presenting Sponsors will be highlighted in the Village e-newsletter, website and Facebook page, as well as all event media coverage. Space is limited, though, so don’t delay.
A fun event! The Palmetto Bay Business Association just had their annual Holiday Social at the Palmetto Bay Village Center on Old Cutler Road and SW 184th Street, and it’s always quite the event. This year’s was no exception, with complimentary food and drinks, a live jazz band, and the usual fun and networking, not to mention the festive attire. The PBBA does a lot of good in the community for businesses and others. If you’re a business person and you haven’t joined yet, why not start off the New Year right by contacting them by email at info@palmettobaybusiness. com or call 786-581-2219.
Shop local! The malls get a lot of attention this time of year, and that’s to be expected, but don’t forget that there are lot and lots of small shop owners not far from your own neighborhoods that have great gifts and good prices as well, and they’ll appreciate your business just as much if not more. Chances are you’ll get more attentive service shopping there than when you’re lost in the crowds at the mega malls.
Now’s the time when lots of charities seek donations to enable them to continue their good work helping the homeless, providing toys for underprivileged kids and so much more, and certainly around the holidays we all want to do our part. But even if money is tight there are still positive things that can be done by volunteering a little of your time and talent through church programs, service organizations and other community efforts. Brightening the spirits of those who need a lift is a great gift to give.
And on a sad note, we learned that James R. McGhee, 82, of Palmetto Bay, passed away Nov. 23. He and his wife Beverley have been mainstays of the community for decades, with Beverley and her husband founding the Alexander Montessori School in 1963, with two locations in the village. Their son, James R. McGhee II, is the headmaster of the school. They are good people who have accomplished a lot, and we extend our condolences to the family and others who knew him.
Holiday spirit boosts Kendall shopping!
We’re big on boosting local merchant shopping!
And helping make the hometown stores even brighter, The Palms at Town and Country is kicking off the season with new holiday decorations including a 23-foot tall sculptured Christmas tree featuring more than 10,000 lights and 300 holiday ornaments.
“We’re excited to unveil our new holiday décor,” said Joy Medlock, General Manager of The Palms at Town & Country, about the glittering array of lights that include 2,500 feet of crystal bead garlands on the pedestrian bridge over the The Palms’ lake, and 2,500 feet of strung LED lights, as well.
It all took about 10 gallons of paint and glitter as well as 25,000 additional LED lights to keep the newly-enhanced lake area adjoining SW 117th Avenue alit and cheery for the holidays while providing a festive esplanade walkway for shopping expeditions.
West Kendall Business Association is taking advantage of all that glitter for a special “Lakeside Under the Stars” at The Palms Wednesday, December 8. The holiday celebration takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (tickets are $20 at the door) with several merchants pitching in to provide food and wine, including Blue Martini, LaFogata and Casanova Restaurants, Moe’s Grille, Haagen-Dazs and Gelosia’s Gelato, all manned by local folks who appreciate your business. Silent auction with all proceeds benefitting the Hearing and Speech Center of Florida.
Just the kind of event to restore the fun in the season!
And if you’re not already “into the spirit,” spend a moment to view Kendall’s biggest Santa Claus that annually decorates the tented Christmas tree sale, just opposite the SW 117th Avenue Entry to The Palms, always a focal point for camera bugs, especially when lighted at night.
Continental Park folks gearing up for their annual “Holiday in the Park” on Saturday, December 11, with movies, bounce house, hayrides, cotton candy’n snow cones for the kids from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with Santa visiting the historic Dice House from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The evening extravaganza will be topped off with announcement of winners of the area’s home lighting awards following a December 9 nighttime tour by judges. For details, call 305-274-9666.
Comish Joe Martinez and Farm Share get into the spirit with the Annual Holiday Food Distribution at Hammocks Community Park, 9885 Hammocks Boulevard, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Alliance for Aging will be on hand to provide information to Medicare recipients on saving money for prescription medications, and if you lack those energyefficient showerheads, Dade County Water & Sewer will exchange the new article for your old one.
Sir Pizza opened a ‘first-of-a-kind’ location at 15725 SW 72nd Street last month with carry-out and delivery only. The chain expanded to the Kendall area with its first new restaurant at SW 120th Street last November. Known for a ‘good to the very edge’ pizza, the fast-growing chain that first opened on Key Biscayne in 1957 also serves up subs, salads, lasagna, chicken wings and desserts, too, if you have room.
The new West Kendall opening is part of an expansion that will result in 20 Sir Pizza restaurants throughout Miami-Dade and Broward by late 2011. Order up at 305-846- 7272 or visit www.sirpizzarestaurants.com for details.
Assisting homeowners with loan modification is just part of a “Homeowners’ Assistance Forum” at Kendall Federation of Homeowners Association, Monday, December 13 at 7 p.m. at Kendall Village Center meeting pavilion, 8625 SW 124 Street, free and open to the public. A second topic: energy conservation installations under federal grants at no cost to homeowners. Let’s hope it will help make someone’s season brighter in the family homestead!
Thought of the Day:
There must be more to life than sitting wondering if there is more to life.
— Unknown
Richard Yager contributed to this column.
Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to <michael@communitynewspapers.com>.
Hi Michael!!
So nice to open my e-mails and find you there! Hope you and yours are doing well. My best to you and Grant for a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year!
Lotsa Love Always,
Your Friend Betty Delfino ("BD")