The count-down commences… Well, Palmetto Bay residents, it’s been quite a year, but 2010 is finally drawing to a close. Here’s hoping that 2011 is a banner year for everyone and that only good things will be coming our way.
Don’t you hate moving? We’re betting the folks at Village Hall do. On the plus side, they’re finally into their nice new digs in the first permanent, all theirs, village hall building Palmetto Bay has ever had. On the minus side, they had to move all that stuff and it took even longer than they expected. And it somehow knocked out their website. And their phones. But that’s past and they’ll be starting the New Year in spiffy quarters.
Correction—Sorry… we goofed! In last week’s story about the new council member, Patrick Fiore, the photo caption incorrectly gave his lovely daughter’s name as “Alexandra.” Her name is really Alixandria, and we apologize to Alixandria, to Patrick and to the rest of the Fiore family.
Don’t forget — parents — students — January 15 is the deadline for applications for the Magnet Program at Southwood Middle School. For more information, visit their website, Southwood.dadeschools.net, or call 305-251-5361, Ext. 2224.
Got some photos to show everyone, of a victory party back on November 14 held at John Dubois’ home with a lot of the movers and shakers in the village. Good to see everyone.
From all of us at Community Newspapers to all of you, our very best wishes for a safe, happy and enjoyable New Years, and a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
New route would eliminate 110-foot poles on US1, E. Kendall
The power corridor issue involving FPL and East Kendall folks may be solved in the New Year.
If so, thank officials from Pinecrest and other municipalities who are trying their best to get those 110-foot poles off our busiest highway and our oldest neighborhood.
According to the latest communications from Pinecrest City Hall, plans are in the works for an alternative transmission route that would avoid erecting concrete pillars along a section of Continental Park on SW 77 Avenue, as well as US 1 in Kendall.
Working against a January 14 deadline, the Pinecrest Village Council on December 14 learned that the last alternative under study utilizing the Turnpike west had a “fatal flaw” due to FDOT plans to expand the expressway from six to 12 lanes. The project is too far along, says FDOT, having survived public hearings, gained permits and has construction ready to go.
The optimistic news, however, is that a newly-proposed route using existing power lines initially appears acceptable to FPL. Overhead transmission lines from the Davis Substation at SW 136th Street north to a Flagler Substation would carry the new power load. A combination of overhead and buried lines, roughly parallel to the SR 836/Dolphin Expressway. would complete the route into the downtown Miami substation.
That’s where FPL says power draws are needed to make up deficiencies currently drawing on grids as far north as Jacksonville to serve current and projected demands in the city.
If approved, that alternative would apparently eliminate the objectionable new concrete poles both on US 1 and the Continental Park neighborhood.
Several cities including Coral Gables, South Miami and Doral are working to postpone the January 14 deadline for submission of an alternative route until March 1 but unless there is reason for urgency, Pinecrest folks will ask for May 1 date and June 1 for a final report.
Either way, it would appear use of existing transmission lines is a win-win situation for the communities involved although expanding Turkey Creek with two nuclear reactors remains major issue with environmental and civic organizations.
In case you missed it, FDOT has announced it will build a one-mile bike and walking path to connect the M-Path bike route under the Metrorail line with the path that runs along the South Miami-Dade Busway, a two-year project costing $4.5 million. Best news for South Miami and East Kendall is that the new path pick up at SW 67 Avenue by erecting a pedestrian-and-bicycle only bridge over the Snapper Creek Expressway (SR 878) entry.
The project will even include a clean out of the sediment at the bottom of Snapper Creek in the same vicinity to improve its flow that now creates a stagnant water vista just north of Dadeland Shopping Mall.
The 10-mile M-Path now connecting downtown Miami and South Miami will link up with the East Coast Greenway to create a continuous 31-mile route that may someday connect to the upper Keys. Credit John Hopkins, Green Mobility Network Chairman, and David Henderson, County bike and pedestrian planner, with shepherding the success that will eliminate a long-existent “gap’ endangering anyone attempting to walk or bike on the west side of US 1 in that area.
Red Lobster folks appear before the East Kendall Community Council to obtain needed zoning to build a newly-styled eatery on Kendall Drive just east of SW 117 Avenue.
Public hearing scheduled after election of chair and vice-chair at 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Pavilion in Kendall Village Center.
MD College/Kendall (and all other campuses) were closed from December 20 through January 2, 2011, but will open Wednesday and Thursday, December 29- 30, before closing again to resume regular operations on Monday, January 3.
Many thanks to all who attended West Kendall Business Association fantastic holiday party at The Palms at Town & Country. Proceeds from the event raised over $5,000 for the Hearing and Speech Center of Florida! A nice way to start a New Year!
Hope yours will be productive – and peaceful, too.
The New Year is upon us!
The count-down commences… Well, Cutler Bay residents, it’s been quite a year, but 2010 is finally drawing to a close. Here’s hoping that 2011 is a banner year for everyone and that only good things will be coming our way.
Speaking of which, we want to remind you that Friday December 31, which is New Year’s Eve, the town hall will be closed due to the holiday. And let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to get those staffers to get any serious work done while they’re wearing those funny hats, tossing confetti and singing Auld Lang Syne anyway, so they may as well close. Although, contrary to what the official Cutler Bay website says, the townis not closing, just the town hall. Maybe the webmaster started partying a wee bit early…
Well, the next meeting of the Town Council will be with a complete compliment of council members, five instead of four or less. With Ernie Sochin filling the seat of Vice Mayor and Sue Ellen Loyzelle the new Seat 2 member, the town’s government is back to running on all cylinders once more and can get back to the day to day, nuts and bolts business they normally take care of. Can’t help but notice, though, that for the first time ever, the ladies outnumber the gentlemen, 3 to 2. That seems only fair. Watch out, guys!
Alert the Fire Department, and break out the Tums! The Second Annual Chili Day in Cutler Bay is almost here! “Chefs will be getting their favorite chili recipes ready for the Second Annual Chili Challenge in Cutler Bay on Saturday, January 8, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for plenty of entertainment for the whole family throughout the day,” say town staffers. Where? Why, at Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200th Street in Cutler Bay. The recent weather has certainly been right from some good hot chili!
Don’t you hate moving? Over in neighboring Palmetto Bay, we’re betting the folks at Village Hall do. On the plus side, they’re finally into their nice new digs in the first permanent, all theirs, village hall building Palmetto Bay has ever had. They were always in borrowed or rented space before. On the minus side, they had to move all that stuff and it took even longer than they expected. And it somehow knocked out their website. And their phones. And everybody was feeling just a wee bit cranky, which is understandable. But that’s past and they’ll be starting the New Year in spiffy quarters.
The smart arts start… The teachers over at Southwood Middle School are asking us to remind everyone that January 15 is the deadline for applications for the Magnet Program there. Even though the school is located in neighboring Palmetto Bay, the Magnet Program accepts students from all over. For more information, visit their website, Southwood.dadeschools.net, or call 305- 251-5361, Ext. 2224.
From all of us at Community Newspapers to all of you, our very best wishes for a safe, happy and enjoyable New Years, and a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
Thought for the Day:
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
— John Lennon
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.
Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to michael@communitynewspapers.com.
I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.