First 5th Friday - A Blast

Some 45 Rotarians, their partners and guests showed up for the first 5th Friday of the 2010 -2011 Rotary year, hosted by Citizens for a Better South Florida and CEO Kelly Sastre at their new headquarters office.

The CITIZENS Bungalow, formally known as the J. Hubbard Alvarez Bungalow, is the best
example of a Belvedere Bungalow in the City of Miami. It was saved from the bulldozer by Dade Heritage Trust, which used its Preservation Fund to purchase the building in August, 2003. Located at 138 NW 16th Avenue, near the former site of the Orange Bowl, the house, built in 1921 was home to Rolando and Mercedes Alvarez for 40 years.

Dade Heritage Trust Executive Director Becky Roper Matkov learned that it was imperiled at a City Historic and Environmental Preservation Board meeting, DHT’s Board decided to act. Empowered with a Preservation Revolving Fund, established with support from Miami-Dade County, DHT acquired the house, secured its historic designation and obtained a historic preservation overlay for office use. They restored the bungalow, making it ADA-compliant as headquarters for the environmental nonprofit.

It's still a "work in progress" as old houses always are. But it's a really neat example of early Miami architecture and it was a terrific site for our favorite fellowship event. Kelly and her staff graciously took us on an extensive tour of the wonderful old home, now adapted as one of the nicest places you could want to work.

And as usual, the food was plentiful and perfect. Elizabeth Lovables cooked up the chicken wings she had left over from our Beaux Arts adventure along with other great treats from her creative kitchens. And of course we had wine ... lots of wine.

And aside from the fact that we published the address for the party - kinda wrong - everyone had a good time - when they finally got there! We apologize for printing the address as N.W. 16th Street instead of Avenue.

The next month with five Fridays is October. Yes, Halloween. Plan now to attend the Halloween 5th Friday on October 29 at the new Coral Gables Museum.

Here's a few snapshots from the evening ...

Walter & Annette Alavrez, Carol Brock, Donald & Amanda Trombly



Jordan & Margaret Steele











Deena Bell Lewellyn












Hadley Williams & Jennifer Kila