I am reminded, especially during the holidays, of the importance of family and the importance of maintaining our sense of civic spirit. I am personally humbled and grateful for the remarkable compassion and goodwill that our residents demonstrate throughout the year.
The residents of Palmetto Bay consistently come together and exhibit a warmth that you find in far too few places, whether it is by participating in civic fundraising events, donating food, clothing, toys, or time to civic organizations, such as the many sports teams, scouts, and PTAs in our area public and private schools, and by contributing to your place of worship.
The Palmetto Bay food drive was an outstanding success this year with many people dominating from as far as Coral Gables or simply donating canned food items anonymously.
I hope that all of you who have performed these wonderful acts of generosity know how truly valuable your efforts are. What you do is demonstrate to another human being that you care. This is what the holiday spirit is all about.
I hope during this holiday season as we celebrate and enjoy our families that each and every one of us takes a few minutes to think about those families who cannot be together – for the soldiers who defend our country, for the loved ones who must share in their sacrifice, and for those who are no longer with us, although we hold their memory dear.
I hope that we will also never forget and never stop striving to achieve the holiday ideal of “Peace on Earth.” Everyone can do their part to help create a better world simply by treating each other with understanding, kindness and respect. Each time you help another person, we all take another step closer toward true peace on earth. So, on behalf of the Council and Village staff, we wish each and every one of you, a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season and a joyous and prosperous New Year. You all have earned it.
Thank you all, again, for the kindness you show others, not just during the holidays, but all year long.
We wish each and every one of you, a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season and a joyous and prosperous New Year.
I look forward to continuing our work in progress in 2010 with all of you.
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Community Spotlight – Green is Definitely Our Color
Please take the time to view my interview with Kathy Hersh in the December edition of Natural Awakenings, scroll to page 34, "Green is Definitely Our Color" http://bit.ly/8mvLwV
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Help a family keep their pet –Friends Forever Rescue’s
Pets and Families Sponsorship Program
Channel 7 Investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero recently reported on the innovative program started by Palmetto Bay based Friends Forever Rescue. As reported, pet rescue groups are reporting record numbers of dogs that have been abandoned or surrendered due to the economy, but one local organization has come up with an option to help desperate pet owners keep their pets.
Don’t forget about all the pet rescue/animal groups that operated within our communities – including (but not limited to) The Cat Network, Humane Society of Greater Miami, Paws 4 You Rescue and MDC Animal Services.
Friends Forever is looking for donors to sponsor pet owners who are having trouble making ends meet. The rescue says it will take anything from food to money. Please click the link to view the entire article describing the program and how to participate:
http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/carmelcase/MI138898/
If you want to be involved or need a helping hand contact:
Pets and Families Sponsorship Program
786-229-9002
www.friendsforeverrescue.com
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County Garbage Service schedule
RECYCLING DURING THE HOLIDAYS:
I am providing the link to view the official Miami-Dade County information relating to the holiday solid waste pick up schedule:
http://www.miamidade.gov/dswm/releases/09-12-15_holiday_service_schedule.asp
RECYCLING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE:
Follow this link to obtain information on the County plans to recycle your Christmas tree: http://www.miamidade.gov/dswm/recycling_trees.asp
Christmas Tree Drop-off
DSWM customers can drop off their clean, undecorated Christmas trees at a Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Center or at the South Dade Landfill's designated drop-off location at 23707 SW 97 Avenue, Gate A. All centers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The landfill is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Curbside Collection of Christmas Trees
Place your clean, undecorated Christmas tree at your curbside on Jan. 7, 2010. Trees placed curbside after Jan. 7 will not be collected.
Free Christmas Tree Mulch
To promote environmental sustainability, the clean trees collected at the recycling sites will be chipped in-house. Beginning in late January, service area residents can collect the mulch free-of-charge at the Eureka Drive Trash and Recycling Center, 9401 SW 184 Street, in Palmetto Bay
REMEMBER – New recycling cart service allows more items to be recycled – reduce your garbage load during the holidays.
View the materials that are now recyclable under the new cart service:
http://www.miamidade.gov/dswm/new_curbside_recycling.asp
Remember to recycle your holiday wrapping paper and boxes:
Paper Products: [wrapping paper (but not bows or ribbons)] newspapers,magazines, catalogs, telephone books, printer paper, copier paper, mail, all other officer paper without wax liners.
Cardboard: packing boxes, cereal boxes, gift boxes, corrugated cardboard; flatten all boxes prior to placing them in your cart _______________________________________________________
Palmetto Bay Official Food Drive
Village Food Drive . . .
Thank you to all who donated. The canned food items collected were distributed to local community based organizations.
We can make a small difference to those in need in our community.
Happy Holidays!
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PALMETTO BAY POLICING UNIT –
BEWARE THE GRINCH:
"It's Not Worth It . . ."
"Don't put your life at risk over material items..." That's just one of many preventive steps issued in advance of the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Busy people get careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. View these tips.
Have a happy and safe holiday season.
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ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT THE DEERING ESTATE AT CUTLER
For more information on the Holiday Season of Events at the Deering Estate please call 305-235-1668 ext. 233 or visit www.deeringestate.org.
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2010 VILLAGE HALL CALENDAR
Stop by Village Hall or a local park to pick up one of Palmetto Bay’s new 2010 Palmetto Bay annual calendars.
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VISIT THE "VILLAGE GREEN"
Check out Palmetto Bay's new web page that showcasing helpful resources and information on the Village's green initiatives
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IT’S HOLIDAY TIME –
HELPING TO SHARE SOME HOLIDAY WISHES:
AMERICAN RED CROSS – HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES:
The American Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. They are collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world.
Their goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.
Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Complete information can be found at:
http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/
XEROX WEB SITE PROVIDES ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY:
Xerox also provides an opportunity to pass some kind words on to our troops. Xerox has collected millions of messages and passed them on to U.S Service Men and Women.
Please go to: http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html
MAYOR’S NOTE: There are several local efforts which have been providing similar services and I’d be happy to post those as well.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY CARD FOR TROOPS EVENT
Thinking of You Services is having its annual Christmas card writing event for our troops serving overseas
Let's show our service men and women how much we care. For more information or to submit a soldier's name and APO #
e-mail or phone 786 252 2798
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Freddie Ambrose for updated event information.
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I am always available to address your concerns. You can reach me through my official village e-mail at
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if it concerns Palmetto Bay business.
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