LTC 160-2008 Parks and Recreation News - April and May 20081=c~;~li~Fn
~ NI I AM I B EAC H 2008 JU~d 13 A~3 3~ 14
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 160-2008 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: June 11t", 2008
SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation News -April and May 2008
Captain Planet's Carnival- On Friday April 18th over 850 children and adults enjoyed the
Parks and Recreation's Captain Planet's Carnival held at Flamingo Park. The carnival style
event was organized to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day. Informative posters with ways to
save our planet surrounded the fence, including important vocabulary and ideas on how to
conserve water and recycle.
Teen Talk About - On Friday, April 25t", the Parks and Recreation Department partnered
with the Miami Beach Coalition and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention Program to present the first ever "Teen Talk About". The North Shore Park &
Youth Center gymnasium had more than 400 kids in attendance, which also included a free
dance; properly named "Show Love for Anti-Drug Dance".
Go for the Gold - On May 7t" and 14t", the City of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation
Department hosted its 4t" annual "Go for the Gold" youth physical fitness challenge at
Flamingo Park from 3:00 - 5:30 pm. Activities included the shuttle run, 50-yard dash, push-
ups, curl ups, pull-ups, and the quarter mile run. Out of the 464 participants, there were
2 gold medals, 33 silver medals and 58 bronze medals awarded.
Teen Drama Club - On May 14t", the Parks & Recreation Department's Teen Drama Club
performed their popular theatrical piece "The Streets," in front of a collective audience of 700
teens at Homestead High School and Campbell Middle School. The presentation was a
partnership between City of Miami Beach and the Dade County School Board. The
Homestead Tour allowed the Teen Club to raise awareness on the dangers that are
affecting their peers. The Teen Club strives to use their art form as a tool to help other teens
from becoming involved with drugs and gangs.
Special Olympics Local Games -After placing first place at the Special Olympics Local
Games, the City of Miami Beach Special Populations program athletes competed in the
Special Olympics State Games held on May 16t" & 17th in Orlando, Florida. Club members
Jose Trevino and Victor Colon earned gold medals in the soccer skills division; Clarice
Geller won a gold medal in the tennis skills division, and Marry Helpern won a bronze medal.
In addition, the Department's Special Olympics Coordinator, Jose Polo, was recognized with
a "Dade County Inspirational Coach" medal at the closing ceremony and Clarice Geller
received the "Inspirational Athlete" medal.
Play Time Graduation- The North Shore Park and Youth Center's Play Time program had
their Class of 2008 graduation on Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at. Children walked down the aisle
to receive their very first diploma from the City of Miami Beach after a performance
highlighting all they have learned throughout the year.
Traveling Soccer Team- The City of Miami Beach Boys U-13 Traveling Soccer team placed
3`d in the Disney's Memorial Day Shootout held May 23 -May 26, 2008 at the Disney's Wide
World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. This marks the first time a Miami Beach Travel
Soccer team travels to Orlando for astate-wide competition! The team began tournament
play on Saturday, May 24t" at 8:OOam facing off against Indian Harbor Beach Three Lions
Soccer Club, which is ranked 17th in the State of Florida, fighting to a 3-3 tie. Their second
match of the day was against Florida Premier Soccer Club, and resulted in a 4-0 victory for
Miami Beach. The third match of the tournament on Sunday morning was against Cyclone
Soccer, in which Miami Beach defeated the team from our neighbor city, Surfside.
Rock fhe Night -The sound of live rock music filled the air on May 30t" at the Scott Rakow
Youth Center's "Rock the Night" event. Residents enjoyed a variety of classic rock music
performed by the famous Miami Beach Senior High "Rock Ensemble" and the local youth
rock band "Valhalla". The event attracted an audience of all ages, who enjoyed an evening
filled with food, fun and entertainment.
Mollie Kafin's Birthday- The Parks and Recreation's ceramics program held in conjunction
with Miami Beach Adult Education has been on going for over 30 years. The seniors come
to North Shore Park to mold, sculpt and paint different ceramic pieces such as animals,
mugs and vases. Mollie Kafin has been a member of the ceramics program since 1978.
She still has her first ceramic piece she ever made, a poodle that she adores dearly. Mollie's
95t" birthday is coming up in September, 2008. The North Shore Park and Youth Center staff
wishes her a very Happy Birthday!
Upcoming Events:
Loco Luau- June 23`d~ 6:OOpm - 9:OOpm at North Shore Park
65th Annual Playground Revue - July 10'", Fillmore Theater/ Jackie Gleason Theater
Should y hav additional questions, please contact Kevin Smith at (305) 673-7730
JM R / /rm
c' Rob . Middau h, Assistant City Manager
9
Kevin Smith, Parks & Recreation Director
Julio Magrisso, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director