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Pinecrest Things To Do

L'Atelier Gourmet and AB Fine Wines

I just came back from a wine tasting at L’Atelier Gourment and AB Fine Wines.  What a great way to spend a Friday evening!  I went with some French friends who went crazy over the pastries saying they were so French they reminded them of their childhood.  I tasted (and purchased) some amazing wines to start figuring out what I will be serving at Thanksgiving.

If you live and/or work in Downtown Dadeland, take a stroll across U.S. 1.  They have wine tastings most Friday evenings.

Categories
Florida Life Pinecrest Things To Do

L’Atelier Gourmet and AB Fine Wines

I just came back from a wine tasting at L’Atelier Gourment and AB Fine Wines.  What a great way to spend a Friday evening!  I went with some French friends who went crazy over the pastries saying they were so French they reminded them of their childhood.  I tasted (and purchased) some amazing wines to start figuring out what I will be serving at Thanksgiving.

If you live and/or work in Downtown Dadeland, take a stroll across U.S. 1.  They have wine tastings most Friday evenings.

Categories
Buying Coral Gables Neighborhood News Selling

Coral Gables Real Estate – Short Sales

There are currently 36 short sales, single family homes,  listed on the MLS in Coral Gables.  They range in price from $3.95 million to $250,000

Categories
Neighborhood News Pinecrest

Pinecrest Schools Participate in e-learning Pilot Program

With the assistance and support of Village of Pinecrest Mayor, Cindy Lerner, and Miami-Dade County Public School Board Member, Larry Feldman, two elementary schools in the Village of Pinecrest are participating in an e-technology pilot program.  The schools are using clickers, to engage students in learning and increase the tools teachers have to provide the students with up to the minute information, lesson plans and to make the classroom experience interactive.

When my kids were in middle school years ago, I remember the introduction of Smart Boards and being concerned that technology would take the place of text books.  The media specialist at Palmetto Middle School pointed out that Smart Boards and other forms of technology were important to keep the students engaged, since they were raised with technology and that was their method of learning.  After watching my son learn how to make fishing flies,  paint, and increase his lacrosse skills on-line, I have to admit that technology in classrooms is the way of the future.  Kudos to the Village of Pinecrest for recognizing this and moving forward.

clicker technology

Categories
Florida Life Neighborhood News Pinecrest Things To Do

Pinecrest Gardens To Charge Small Admission Fee

Pinecrest Gardens will be charging a minor entrance fee.  $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children is all it will cost to spend a beautiful day cruising the gardens.  Children will love feeding the fish, looking for turtles, visiting the butterfly garden, going to the petting zoo, playing on the playground or splashing in the water park.  Although many people have been enjoying the park for free, the Village of Pinecrest decided to reinstate an admission fee, though much lower than previous fees, to help cover the $1.5 million it costs to maintain the gardens and increase the programing.

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Florida Life Neighborhood News Restaurants

Le Tub – Great Food and Views in Hollywood

Le Tub in Hollywood is one of those funky, fun, old-Florida places that I love.  Originally a Sunoco Gas Station, Le Tub was built out of flotsam, jetsam, and ocean “treasures” over a 4 year period.  The atmosphere is great, on the Intracoastal,  the food is very good beach fare and the  portions are large enough for sharing.  If you don’t finish everything on your plate and don’t want to take a doggie bag, just throw the food over the side and watch the fish have a feast.  These have to be some of the best fed fish in Florida! No credit cards.

Le Tub's Award Winning Hamburger
Le Tub's Award Winning Hamburger

Categories
Neighborhood News Pinecrest

Miami Palmetto Senior High School Has Another Great Year

As Miami-Dade County Public Schools wraps up their academic calendar and students get ready for their summer vacation that starts later this week, I am amazed at how rapidly another school year flew by.  My children are wrapping up their last years of high school and I am grateful that I live in a community that appreciates the difficulties the public schools are experiencing, both economically and because of increased competition, and steps up to the plate to assist.

Some of the achievements of Miami Palmetto Senior High School for the 2009-2010 school year, in no particular order:

  • 15 Silver Knight nominees, winners Noah Gray and Veronica Rigl, honorable mention Michael Grey
  • Athlete of the Year – Michael Saco for swimming
  • won the Class 6A All-Sports Trophy, given to the county’s top athletic program, for the fourth time in the past five years
  • Dade Scholar Athlete of the Year – Denizen Kocak
  • Principal of the Year recipient – Howard Weiner
  • 142 AP Scholars
  • 49 AP Scholars with Honor
  • 96 AP Scholars with Distinction
  • 26 National AP Scholars
  • State Championships for Boys Swimming, 1st place, Girls Bowling 3rd place, Boys Tennis, 4th place
  • All-District Honors Girl’s Lacrosse Team
  • Four National Merit Scholarship Award winners
  • National winners of the LG ecoMobilization High School Cell Phone Recycling cContest
  • Third place honors at the 2010 Florida Envirothon
  • Fairchild Challenge Educator of the Year – Pamela Shlachtman

“Miami Palmetto High School…superior students, an extraordinary education, all in your own backyard.”

Categories
Neighborhood News Pinecrest

Pinecrest Pioneers Celebrate Birthdays at Pinecrest Gardens

Pinecrest Pioneers

Five Pinecrest Pioneers, Pinecrest residents that are 90 years young or over, celebrated their birthdays at a luncheon hosted by Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner and sponsored by Whole Foods.  The Pioneers shared their stories of when and why they moved to Pinecrest and what has kept them here for 3 decades or more.  Many of their reasons for moving here are the same reason more recent residents have made the move:

  • size of yards
  • friendly neighborhood great for raising children
  • the public schools.

Their memories of what has changed:

  • addition of traffic lights on 67 ave.
  • a large bean field with crop dusting planes
  • an airport/landing strip
  • a pony rink where children would ride

Lori, with Whole Foods Catering, provided a beautiful lunch and birthday cake as well as flowers and goody bags for the Pioneeers.

Categories
Neighborhood News Pinecrest

Miami Palmetto Senior High School Wins Principal of the Year!

Howard Weiner_small3Pinecrest is a popular place to live due to its great public schools.  Howard Weiner, Principal of Miami Palmetto Senior High School is one of the reasons this school continues to be a top draw for students and athletes.  It is wonderful to see him recognized by Miami Dade County Public Schools as Principal of the Year.

Congratulations on your well-deserved recognition, Mr. Weiner!

Categories
Aventura Buying Renting in Miami Restaurants Things To Do

10 Things I Love About Aventura

  1. Laurenzo’s Italian Center – Whether you are a gourmet cook and want amazing Italian ingredients or want something already prepared, you will enjoying cruising up and down the isles of this well-known local gourmet supermarket.
  2. Founders Park – Located on a 12-acres site, this park has something for everyone.  Tennis, ball fields, exercise trails, picnic shelters and a splash park for the kids (residents get into splash park free with id, non-residents pay $10).
  3. Size/Value of condos.  If you are renting or selling, you can usually find a larger condo in Aventura than you could in Brickell or Miami Beach, and usually for less.  Search for yourself.
  4. Location:  Close to Ft. Lauderdale, Miami,(and their respective airports and ports) and just a jump to the beach
  5. Boating
  6. Don Soffer exercise trail- this 3 mile loop is perfect for running, walking the pets, or taking an evening stroll
  7. The Farimont Turnberry Golf and Country Club – in addition to having a world class spa and golf course, the restaurants are also amazing.
  8. William’s Island – this enclave of homes, condos, and town homes, all surrounded by water, includes its own private club and is a relaxing jewel of a community, close to everything in Aventura, including a Fresh Market.
  9. Proximity to Gulfstream Park – What a great way to spend the day.  If watching the horse races isn’t your thing, at least stop by and watch the beautiful animals parade around the courtyard prior to each race, then take off and go eat, shop or dance, at one of the many venues.
  10. Mo’s Bagel and Diner – My Dad is a New Yorker who hasn’t lived there since he was born, but it’s in his blood, and Mo’s makes him feel like he is back there.

If I were a shopper, I would add the Aventura Mall.  I personally can’t stand shopping, but this mall is amazing.  It is large, clean and has such a variety of stores.  If you can’t find what you are looking for here, you probably don’t need it.