It opened on June 11 and also features select 21 and over movie showings. The theater features “Midnight Madness” Thursdays-Sundays, with midnight showings of select movies as well as three 3-D screens. What a great addition to Coconut Grove!

The park is located at 20300 NE 24 Av and appointments are required-call 305-805-1603. The services are for Dade and Broward County residents, and you will need to take proof of current rabies vaccine for cats over 4 months old. If need be, rabies vaccine shots can be administered the same day at no additional cost.

The class of 2010 produced 15 Silver Knight nominees, a Silver Knight winner and a Silver Knight Honorable mention. There were 4 National Merit Scholars, each of which scored in the top 2% nationally on their 11th grade PSAT. In addition, there were 2 Coca Cola Regional winners, 4 Ford Salute to Education recipients, 5 Pinecrest Rotary Winners, 5 Perrine/Cutler Ridge Rotary Scholars, 1 Metro PCS Award winner and one William Simon Award recipient.

Not only did the class excel in receiving awards, but 95% of the class is pursuing a post secondary education, 72% will be attending a 4 year college, 23% will be attending community colleges, 2% will attend Vocational/Technical schools. In addition, 2% will join the military and 1% will enter the workforce.

The 50th graduating glass received 365 scholarships which totaled more than $13 million. 26 student athletes are college bound and scholarship recipients. $4.3 million in Bright Futures Scholarships were given out. A total of $17 million in scholarships were offered to this class.

The class was accepted to 203 colleges and the graduates will be attending colleges in 38 states, while some students will study internationally in Italy, Chile, Holland, Argentina, Switzerland and Japan.

Not only did the class provide stellar academics, but they excelled in athletics as well. The Miami Hearld recognized the school, once again, as having the number 1 high school sports program in Miami-Dade County for the 09-10 school year. In addition, for the first time in 40 years, a public high school won the Boy’s Swimming championship…the winners were the boys of Palmetto’s swim team.

There were 3 students who did not miss one day of school in their 13 year education-2,340 consecutive days of attendance from K-12th grade!

What a class…Congratulations Class of 2010!

Although shows like Tap Dogs, Babalu and Camp Kappawanna have already passed, there are a couple more things for you to enjoy.

The XXV International Hispanic Theater Festival of Miami takes place July 7-August 1. It features seven productions from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, the United States, Uruguay and Spain.

Cyndi Lauper brings her Memphis Blues Tour to the Knight concert hall on August 3 at 8 pm. This award winning artist will sing some of her greatest hits as well as songs off her new album.

The center already has lots of shows lined up for the rest of 2010 and the 2011 year, featuring shows like Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast, In the Heights, Hair and Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles. The offer a five-show package, starting at $127.

Be sure to check out the shows this summer and plan ahead for next year too!

Most of the camps have a rolling registration, meaning you can sign your kids up at any point in the summer, for as long as many weeks as you would like, as long as you sign up a week prior. Camps are open daily from 9-5, with a 7:30 early drop off and a 6 pm late pick up.

The Fit To Play, Green It Up in the parks will teach kids to recycle, conservation and eco-friendly activities. It’s offered for kids ages 6-14 and they will participate in activities such as tennis, football, swimming and fencing. Part of the program involves a fitness and nutrition portion designed to help kids stay in shape.

For a comprehensive list of all the camps Miai-Dade County is offering this year, click here.

There are also many other summer camps offered throughout the county. Here are just a few…

Royal Palm Tennis Camp: June 1- August 13. 9:30-3:30. Expert pros, including  former UM star Eric Hechtman, will teach kids everything from technique to match play.

Miami Museum of Science: June 21- August 13. For toddlers to young adults.

Miami Dolphins Summer Camp: June 21-25, June 28-July2, July 12-16, July 19-23. For kids ages 6-14. Meet current and past football players and cheerleaders.

University of Miami Camps: Everything from music and architecture to swimming and baseball.

Miami Seaquarium: June 14-August 10. Kids ages 5 and up. Campers will see all the shows and participate in arts and crafts activities, and will receive a water bottle and t-shirt.

Miami Heat Camp: Week-long sessions starting June 14. Boys and girls, ages 7-16. Kids receive instruction, guest speakers, lunch and prizes.

Shake a Leg Miami: June 21-August 6. Kids learn about ecology, boating skills, marine science, and natural history of Florida. Campers will kayak and sail Biscayne Bay.

These are just some of the many activities offered to your kids this summer. Sign up soon so don’t miss out on these great camps!

Let’s start with the basics-terms you need to know: A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within 48 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected within 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within 48 hours. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected within 36 hours in advance of the onset of tropical-storm force winds.

You should prepare NOW…don’t wait until there is word of a storm heading our way. Trim down trees, clean up debris in your yard, stock up on non-perishable items like bottled water and canned goods. The idea is that once a hurricane warning is issued, most of your preparations should be towards your home (putting up shutters and securing patio furniture, etc).

Once a warning is issued there are a few things you need to take care of. Charge all cell phones and keep a corded phone handy. Take some cash out from the bank. Make sure to fill all your cars up with gas and get enough fuel to power generators and other gas-powered tools (before the gas stations run out!). Be sure to protect your electronics with power surge protectors . Don’t forget your pets- make sure you have enough food and water for them as well. If you own a boat, use double lines at a marina, or consider dry-dock storage.

Some areas require a Mandatory Evacuation, here is where they are and what they mean. If you are required to evacuate, make sure to bring the following with you- water, snacks, prescription and emergency medications, bedding, infant and child care, extra clothes, comfort materials such as cards or a book.

During the storm, stay in a “safe room” ( a room with no windows or doors) and monitor your tv or radio for instructions from public safety officials. If you lose power, turn off all major appliances. Instead of candles, use flashlights as your light source. Make sure pets are inside with you.

After the storm, stay inside until authorities have given the all clear. Don’t drive or walk through standing water. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to FPL.

Hurricanes are part of the trade off we get by living in such a tropical paradise. As long as we are prepared and pay attention to our public safety officials, we will get through them. The key is being prepared and monitoring the storms.

If you would like to move to Pinecrest, or any other South Florida neighborhood, you may reach me here.

The ITALIAN COOKING SHOW IV

A journey through the regional culinary traditions

Chef Luca Taretto from TIRAMESU
AND
Chef Pietro Vardeu from SARDINIA

Featuring

VENETO VS SARDINIA

Thursday, May 20, 2010 – from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Mia Cucina Showroom- 105 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

After the show, enjoy traditional Italian food and wine tasting until 9:30 PM

Costs:

Cooking Class & Festival:
$45 general admission
$30 IACC Members

Italian Food & Wine Festival (only):
$10 general admission
Free for IACC Members

Registration and payment by May 19, 2010
RSVP to tanti@iacc-miami.com

SE CERCATE CASA A MIAMI, RIVORGERSI A VICKI ed ALEXANDRA RESTIVO, AGENTI IMMOBILIARI A MIAMI: 305 793-1365  restivo.v@ewm.com

The original Parrot Jungle sat on 20 acres when it opened in 1936. The park moved to Watson Island in 2003 and the site became Pinecrest Gardens with a petting zoo, botanical gardens and a splash-n-play area.

If you have old photos, please submit them to photos@pinecrest-fl.gov or mail them to the Village of Pinecrest. Make sure to include the names of the people in the photos, with an approximate date in which it was taken. A selection of submitted pictures will be on display at a future Pinecrest Gardens event. Deadline for submission is May 30, so scrounge up those old photographs!