LTC 121-2008 Parks and Recreation News - March and April 2008
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MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # i21-Zoos LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: April 22"d, 2008
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SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation News -March and April 2008
Humana Wellness - On March 4th, 2008, representatives from Humana Inc. conducted a
presentation to a group of 75 seniors at North Shore Youth Center in order to give them
information on Medicare and Medicaid and how Humana can help them navigate through
the various choices available. Breakfast was served before the presentation as the seniors
discussed with one another the importance of insurance coverage.
Movie In the Park- On Friday, March 7th, 2008, hundreds gathered at Flamingo Park to
watch SpongeBob Square Pants and Patrick Star save Mr. Crab and Bikini Bottom from the
evil Plankton in "SpongeBob Square Pants, The Movie". Guests enjoyed an entertaining
evening of fun at the Parks and Recreation Department's Movie in the Park event.
Special Olympics Local Games -The Parks and Recreation Department Special Olympics
athletes recently competed at the Special Olympics Local Games held on Saturday, March
15th, 2008 at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus. Each athlete now has the opportunity
to compete in the Special Olympics State Games, which will be held in Orlando, Florida. The
City of Miami Beach congratulates all the athletes who competed in the Local Games and
encourages them to keep "going for the gold".
Spring Eggstravaganza- The annual "Spring Eggstravaganza" took place on the lawn of
North Shore Park on March 22"d, 2008. 1200 people of all ages enjoyed a wonderful day of
rides, music, food, eggs, and our famous Easter Bunnies. Children ages 10 and under
participated in an Egg Hunt searching for eggs stuffed with candy and surprises. The little
bunnies with their baskets in hand, eagerly awaited the dj's countdown to begin their hunt
and obtain as many eggs as they could find.
Teen Club Conference -Our Teen Club was invited bX the Homestead, Miami-Dade
County, and Miami Beach Coalitions to be part of the 9t annual National Youth Crime
Prevention Conference and International Forum in Miami. The highlight of the
conference, which began on Wednesday March 26th and ended on Friday March 28th
was when the Teen Club's "North Shore Players" performed "The Streets 2" in front of
250 teens from across the country.
2008 APR 23 A~ ID= 47
CITY U~.FI~I~'S UFFICf:
Hang Ten Surf Club -The Parks and Recreation Hang Ten Surf Club meets every
Saturday at Flamingo Park Pool and Sunday at Normandy Isle Pool from 8:30 am - 3:30
pm., as they travel up and down the coast in search of waves. Besides teaching the kids
techniques and skills on how to surf, the coaches take time to educate the participants about
marine life, surf history and meteorology.
Rock the Night Concert - On March 282h, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted
their "Rock the Night" concert event at the Scott Rakow Youth Center from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The concert full of classic rock music featured "Valhalla", a local youth rock band and the
famous local Miami Beach Senior High "Rock Emsemble". This new and fun family event
attracted many people of all ages.
Surf Camp for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders- In an effort to provide
innovative community recreational programming for children with disabilities, the Parks &
Recreation Department conducted a special Surf Camp during the week of Spring Break
(March 3152 -April 42h ). For the first time, youngsters with autism were able to learn to surf
through a unique partnership between the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation
Department and the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism
and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD).The camp was a huge success!!! Miami Beach
Parks & Recreation...meeting the needs of all!
Congresswoman lleana Ros-Lehfinen Visits Teens - On April 122h, 2008 at 12:00 PM, in
the auditorium at the North Shore Park Youth Center, Congresswoman lleana Ros-l_ehtinen
paid the Miami Beach Teen Club a visit in order to present them with a check from the Office
of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention for the amount of $681,500. In attendance were
90 teens, 30 parents and City of Miami Beach staff.
Captain Planet's Carnival- Over 700 participants attended the Captain Planet's Carnival at
Flamingo Park on April 182h. Residents enjoyed the tree planting ceremony. Children enjoyed
the arts and craft activities, carnival rides and the free entertainment. This event was a huge
success.
Upcoming Events:
3'°'Annual 3 on 3 Basketball Challenge- May 3`d 2008 at Scott Rakow Youth Center
from11:00am - 4:OOpm
Go For the Gold Youth Fitness Challenge -May 72h & 142", 2008 at Flamingo Park
Track from 3:OOpm -5:30pm
Movie in the Park- May 182h 8:30 p.m. at the Scott Rakow Youth Center Pool
Should yo v additional questions, please contact Kevin Smith at (305) 673-7730
J M ~ /rm
c: Robe Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Kevin Smith, Parks & Recreation Director
Julio Magrisso, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director