Hard to believe two decades have passed since Andrew

Remember Hurricane Andrew? If you were living here in South Florida when the Category 5 Hurricane tore through the area on August 24, 1992, you likely do remember it and the impact it had on you, your family, friends and neighbors. Well, 20 years has passed, incredible as that may seem, and to commemorate the event that made everyone painfully aware of the dangers of such storms and the damage they can do, the Miami Science Museum is hosting “Hurricane Andrew Remembrance Day” on August 25. It runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the museum complex located at 3280 South Miami Avenue.

The museum has a new Hurricane Andrew exhibit and there will be special guest panels that include Bryan Norcross, Max Mayfield, Stan Goldenberg, Chris Landsea, Frank Marks, Kate Hale, and Richard Ford. There’s also a special planetarium showing of “Remembering Andrew Under the Stars” featuring WLRN survivor stories. For information on admission costs and other things check the museum website at www.miamisci.org or call 305-646-4200.

Veggie lovers take note: the Cutler Bay Farmer’s Market is still open on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. They’re on Old Cutler Road and SW 87th Avenue, and besides the farm fresh produce they also have other items for sale and usually pony rides for the kids. For information call them at 786-486-0202 or send them an email at oldcutlerfarmer@yahoo.com

Chevy Chase won’t be attending, but we still want to remind folks about “SCAS Saturday Nite Live,” hosted by the members of the Southern Cross Astronomical Society at 8-10 p.m. every Saturday evening all year at the free, popular, outdoor SCAS Observatory in Miami-Dade’s Bill Sadowski Park & Nature Center, SW 176th Street / SW 79th Ave., which is a half mile west of Old Cutler Road. That’s weather permitting, of course. Since the skies are so dark there away from city lights, “you might see a satellite a sudden brilliant meteor or the Int’l Space Station in addition to the seasonal planets, the magical Moon and dazzling constellations.”

Director Barb Yager suggests wearing jeans, sport shoes, and bring a long-sleeved top for the educational evening under the stars, and to “Bring your family, friends, house guests, snacks, lawn chairs and bug cream.” (chemical aerosols remove the coating on the expensive telescope mirrors). She also reminds us that no lights, litter, alcohol or pets are allowed in the Nature Preserve. and asks folks to please turn off car lights when entering the park. The SCAS telescope deck is accessible to the disabled with convenient parking.

Groups of 20+, please make your reservations on the SCAS Hotline at 305-661- 1375 so they know you are coming.

And by the way, the SCAS also offers ‘Safe Solarviewing’ at ZooMiami, 12400 SW 152nd Street on Saturday 10-Noon at the waterfall entrance to the zoo. “Powerful prominences often explode off the solar surface as the Sun enters Cycle-24 of increased activity.” For updates, call 305- 661-1375, ext. 3 by 9:30 a.m.

Summer is almost over, and so is Palmetto Bay’s “Summer Senior Sampler” program offered to residents as part of the Village Parks system. The special senior seminars, exercise classes, and other activities, such as Zumba, music therapy, arts and crafts and other things end September 1, so you’d better hurry. Programs are either free or low-priced, are for Palmetto Bay residents and others, and are held at the Arlene & Edward Feller Community Room at Ludovici Park. For more info please call 305-259-1234.

With school back in session, drivers should be extra careful and watch out for youngsters crossing streets and walking along parkways.

New Bus! We just received at press time an invitation from the Town of Cutler Bay and County Commissioner Lynda Bell to the unveiling of the Cutler Bay Local, a new local bus route for Cutler Bay residents. Come see it at Pinewoods Villa Senior Citizen Community, 8420 SW 188th Terrace, Cutler Bay FL 33157, on Wednesday September 5, 2012 at 10 a.m. Please RSVP to RSVP@cutlerbay-fl.gov

Thought of the Day:

Simplicity is the ultimate

sophistication.

— Leonardo da Vinci

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


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