8th Annual CCDH Poker Tournament

In 2004, after spending 22 weeks in a wheelchair recovering from surgery, Michael Gray, a Palmetto Middle School student, started a poker tournament to raise money for wheelchair repairs. Three years ago, when he went off to college, the reigns were handed over to the Morrison brothers (Brian, 13 and Jay, 11) and they haven’t looked back.  This year, Jared Heller (age 14) joined them.  Jared, heavily involved with B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), brought dozens of his friends to the event.

Brian Morrison (age 13), brother Jay Morrison (age 11) and Jared Heller (age 14) run the annual CCDH poker tournament.

The 2+ hour mock Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney, held at Bet Shira Congregation on Sunday February 5, 2012, started with ten tables and progressively whittled down to one table with the best players.  The winner, Palmetto Senior High School 9^th grader, Tony Cai, took home the donated grand prize of a 32” flat-screen HDTV.  During the event, there were raffles for dozens of prizes and a silent auction.  Pizza, snacks and beverages were served, as were smiles and a good time.

The event drew people age 7-75.  Jared Heller used Facebook, email and text messaging to promote the poker tournament.  He was delighted to say that, “friends and family sent in donations even if they were unable to attend.”  He was “excited and happy that it turned out so well.”  Brian Morrison was pleased with the great turnout and amazing community support.  Jay Morrison took great pride in setting up for the event and being part of announcing the raffle winners.

All three boys worked hard to get donations for the event.  As usual, local businesses were glad to participate. Wagons West, Original Lots of Lox, Ruben’s Cuban, House of Bagels, Alf's Golf Shop, Tutti Frutti, Subway, Anacapri, Oye Cuban Grill, Kings Bay Athletics, M Cycle Gym, Wayside Market and SoMi Fitness all chipped in.

Each year, the poker tournament sends its proceeds to the Community Committee for Developmental Handicaps (CCDH), who in turn use the money to fix wheelchairs for those who can’t afford it.  This year’s event attracted more than 100 people and raised nearly $5000.

2nd Annual Shade Tree Giveaway

On Saturday, January 21, in celebration of Arbor Day, the Village of Palmetto Bay gave away shade trees to their residents.

Palmetto Bay resident Leanne Frazee Tellam with daughter Marissa (age 9), son Harrison (age 6) and their new Weeping Bottlebrush tree.

Palmetto Bay resident Leanne Frazee Tellam says she found out about the event by being on the Village email blast list.  “I love the fact that we keep finding ways to focus on ways to be green in the Village.”  Her new Weeping Bottlebrush tree will join another 50 year old one in the front.  The Mangowood resident says her backyard is filled with (what else?) mango trees.

The Village had 325 trees to give away thanks to sponsorships (yes, MiamiHal was one of them).  All residents needed was a driver's license with a Palmetto Bay address.  With species ranging from Bursera simaruba to Tabebuia chrysantha, it was a fun to watch all the trees get picked up and headed to their new homes.

Citizens United Against Crime

On the evening of January 20, the Palmetto Bay Village Voice put on a community outreach event to address the issue of rising home burglaries.  Nearly 75 concerned citizens came out to the Palmetto Bay Village Center to hear about ways to protect themselves against crime.

The main speaker, Carmen Caldwell (Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade), talked about how blocks and communities can significantly improve the effectiveness of their police department(s) by being their eyes and ears.  Police Commander Greg Truitt concurred, “Having 26,000 residents’ eyes watching are far better than my 40 police officers.”

Standing: Carmen Caldwell (Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade), Peter England (Chairman, Palmetto Bay Village Voice), Shelley Stanczyk (Mayor, Village of Palmetto Bay)

Besides the host Village of Palmetto Bay, residents came from many South Dade communities, including Kendall’s Fernanda Katz-Junkins.  Fernanda runs a Citizens’ Crime Watch group with nearly 90 homes involved.  She astutely addressed the audience in saying, “Your best security is an alert neighbor.”

Here are some great tips and facts YOU can use to protect yourself:

• Most home burglaries occur weekdays between 8am – 1pm because this is when most people are not at home.
• If you are a dog owner, keep your dogs inside when you are away.  This way an intruder can’t entice them with a nice steak to keep them busy.
• An audible home alarm instantly alerts neighbors.  One that calls the police through a monitoring service takes about 9 MINUTES before anyone is alerted. Enough time for the criminal to be long gone.
• Lighting and easy to see street address numbers at night are great crime deterrents.
• Signs (like dog on premises, alarm system or Citizens’ Crime Watch block) are very helpful in crime prevention.
• Never let someone selling magazines or collecting money for any cause into your home for any reason.  They are likely casing the home for robbery.
• Do not update your Facebook status telling people you are away on vacation.  Wait until you get home to show where you have been.

One of the biggest points made by Caldwell was that you should call the police for even the slightest concern.  “Let the police determine a course of action.  But they can’t act if they don’t know.”  For crimes in progress, call 9-1-1.  For concerns or observations, call 305-4-POLICE (305-476-5423).

After showing a 7-minutes video underscoring how people usually are unaware or ignore crimes occurring right in front of them, Caldwell urged the audience to form a Citizens’ Crime Watch group for their area.  The idea is that once people are thinking about protecting their neighbor, they tend to keep their eyes open.  I should know, I run a Citizens’ Crime Watch group and it really works.

Peter England (Chairman, Palmetto Bay Village Voice), Carmen Caldwell (Executive Director of Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade), Gregory Truitt (Commander, Palmetto Bay Police), Hal Feldman (that's me!), Fernanda Katz-Junkins (Block Captain, Kendall Citizens’ Crime Watch) and Howard Tendrich (Councilman, Palmetto Bay District 2).

Peter England reports that 15 people signed up that night to start their own group. To get involved, call Citizens’ Crime Watch at 305-470-1670 or go to http://www.citizenscrimewatch.com/

Coral Reef Senior High Defines Art

By the gridlocked traffic and 30-minute search for parking, it was clear that the Pinecrest Gardens Arts Festival had a hit on their hand.  Now in it’s 9^th year, I think they’ll need a “bigger park” for the next one.  On January 14^th & 15^th, over 16,000 people took in some amazing art, craft and food.  Oh, and the weather was just perfect too. 

What caught my eye was Coral Reef Park Senior High’s Art Academy display.  Inside the old Pinecrest Gardens entrance, nearly 120 students’ works consisting of photographs, paintings, drawing and jewelry graced the walls and shelves.  Patrons poured over the works with delight.

Senior year student, Isabella Rodriguez, stands between Sick Daddy and Self Portrait

Isabella Rodriguez had two of the larger pieces in their show.  When I arrived, she had just sold her acrylic Self Portrait.  “I was at home and one of the parents called to tell me a couple had purchased it.  My Mom was screaming she was so happy,” Isabella said.  It’s not the first sale for her either… an amazing accomplishment for such a young artist.

Her other featured piece is of her Dad.  She came home to find him sick and lying on the kitchen counter.  She told him to freeze, put the thermometer in his mouth and started working on the painting.  It is her first oil-based work.  By the reaction she got at the show, there is no doubt she has a future in oil painting too.  She was very adamant that Sick Daddy was not for sale.

Renee Espinosa, a Booster Mom, was glad to report, “Things went really, really well.  Tons of people, lots of sales, and even when the pieces were only there for exhibit, we had people asking how to get in touch with the student to convince them to sell!”

Pinecrest Gardens’ Director, Alana Perez, said, “The 63-artist juried show exceeded all expectation.  We are thrilled with the participation and look forward to an even larger one next year.”

From Savannah With A Smile (Girl Scouts Cookies)

While you can get your Girl Scout cookies at nearly any grocery market or outdoor event these days, I encourage you to seek out Troop 57’s Lauren Teller (pictured below, left...with mom Fanny) and Rebecca Bogert (with her Mom Aileen) and buy your Thin Mints or Savannah Smiles from them.  Not only are they Girl Scouts, they also volunteer at Miami Children’s Hospital singing to patients as their Gold Award project.

For the past 6 months, the musical theater students leave school each Tuesday and head right to the hospital for 3 hours of singing.  Dressed as Disney princesses and handing out homemade stickers, their group, Pigeons for Patients, puts a smile on so many faces.  When Lauren and Rebecca graduate they want the program to continue, so they are organizing a group at the New World School of the Arts to ensure others take their place.

I found these two community-minded Pinecrest residents outside Wagons West a few Sundays ago.  Business was good.  They were proud to be helping Miami Children’s Hospital with sales proceeds and appreciative of the ability to learn through their efforts.  The sale runs through February 12^th.  This year also marks the 100^th anniversary of the Girl Scouts.  I predict New Year's resolutions will crumble, much like the cookies on sale.