Coral Gables RotaryGram: Vol. 66 No. 47 Notes from the Podium

Presidents Time

It's with deepest sympathy that we extend our best wishes to Terry Long and her family on the death of her mother, and to Gene Marriutto on the death of his brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

If you get a minute, send a note or make a call to Carol Brock who has had surgery on her wrist and is now in therapy. Also Dan Scipione who began his second round of chemotherapy this week.

A member of the South African GSE Team from Mexico needs housing in Miami for three days - May 25 through 27 - if you have a spare room and can accommodate this young man it would be greatly appreciated! He is going to be in Miami starting the 21st but has already found housing for the first four nights of his stay. If you can help, contact Yoli Woodbridge and she will facilitate.

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE: Saturday is a very busy day for Coral Gables Rotarians. There's Bingo with the Vets from 1:00 until 3:00. And then there is BAY DAY at Shake-A-Leg. Judy Pantoja is really excited about the project this year ... there are five not-for-profits involved and 125 kids are confirmed as coming. We still need between seven and 10 more volunteers to work four hour shifts - from 10 until 3 - with each group of kids. It's great fun, very rewarding and there is a (shhhh....) cocktail party for the volunteers afterwards. Sign up now. You'll be glad that you did!

Foundation Minute

by Abe Horowitz

Foundation Chair Abe Horowitz recognized Yoli Woodbridge today for her outstanding contributions to The Rotary Foundation.

She has achieved the equivalent of eight Paul Harris Fellowships, the original plus seven which gets her a beautiful pin with TWO RUBIES. it's important that we stress the fact that it's rubies because apparently Abe hasn't bought any for his new wife yet ... he thought they were sapphires. RED, Abe, not BLUE.

Congratulations and thank you Yolanda Woodbridge for your generosity of purse and spirit for all things Rotary.

Congratulations to Andrea Covre!

New member Andrea Covre has been diligent in the pursuit of his permanent Rotary badge. He's been on the fast track to accomplish this goal. His diligence paid off.

Sponsored by Andrea Fusero, Andrea happily removed his Red Badge and welcomed his new status as a "Permanent Rotarian" as his sponsored pinned on the new white badge. Now that he knows the secret handshake he's a Rotarian FOREVER.

City of Coral Gables

Employe of the Month for May, 2012

Eddie Hernandez introduced us to his employee, Lizbeth Riveria from the Parking Department. Eddie says that in his opinion, they picked the best person for this recognition. Lizbeth has worked in parking for the past 13 years and she's one of the best employees he has.

Congratulations Liz. Keep up the good work!

Here come those cusp babies again! People born on the cusp of Taurus and Gemini are stubborn, persistent, clever, creative, devious and self indulgent! Say Happy Birthday today to Ed Morris. On the 20th it's Dan Scipione and on May 23rd Jon Arthur.

Happy Rotary Anniversary to Julio Velis who has been in our club for six year on May 18th. Commissioner Frank Quesada who celebrates his first year on May 19th and Jim Roen who has been a member for 14 years on May 21st. THANK YOU! For all your years of service!

Introduction of Guests & Visitors

by Dick Bullman

Deena Bell Llewellyn brought her husband Charlie, who's sort of become a fixture - the forever guest! Jim Roen brought Peter Zavarita who used to be a Rotarian in the Coconut Grove Club. Mead McCabe brought Attorney Carlos Padron who was accompanying our speaker, Mike Fernandez.

Not very many visitors today so Dick was able to make "quick work" of it. But he wasn't really happy about it. Make Dick happy - bring a guest next week.

Happy $$$

Dr. Randy was AWOL again today but Dick Golden is back so we're sure to have people who are happy to NOT have him tell a joke - especially like the one he told today, about a thief in a bank who threatened to shoot anyone who saw his face - some guy volunteered that his wife had!! Judy Pantoja did 10 Happy Dollars because there are an extraordinary 125 children coming from five organizations for Bay Day at Shake-A-Leg on Saturday. She needs more volunteers - at least 10. The shift is from 10 to 3 with lunch from 12 until 1 and a cocktail party from 5 to 6. How can you go wrong? Sign up now. Deena Bell-Llewellyn said that she was traveling all last week, learning everything she needs to know about satellites at a conference in Orlando. She and Charlie are opening up a second business - Frontier Satellites. Jim Roen urged everyone to listen carefully ...Last weekend his kids went to the Regional Regatta State Championships in Sarasota. His son, Brandt, didn't get there in time to have his boat weighed for entry into Saturday's light weight boat race, and so was disqualified. On Sunday he managed, through protest, to enter the race but they put him in the worst lane and set him up so that he couldn't win. He has to petition for the right to race in the Nationals in Oakville Tennessee. Well great is great ... Brandt beat out everyone else in the race. He beat the fastest boat in the race by 14 seconds!!! He's got the best boat in the nation! So Brandt and his sister (who placed second in her races) are both going to the Nationals in Oakville!!! Yoli Woodbridge was happy that her oldest grand daughter is getting married and soon she will be a Great Grandmother! Abe Horowitz made a contribution to the Club Foundation's scholarship fund to honor Terry Long's mother and urged others who were not happy to contribute after the meeting. Happiness pays so keep on smiling!

Working Rotarians - May 17, 2012

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Rodney Langer

Collections - John Porro

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Frank Sexton

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Rodney Langer

Pledge - Yoli Woodbridge

Singers - Bill Quesenberry

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Bill Forshee

Given to - Jon Arthur & John Porro

Pin Drawing Gift - Yoli Woodbridge

Pin Drawing Winner - Jim Roen

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Donald Trombly

50/50 Winner - Rodney Langer
4 Way Test - Ed Morris


THE WINNER!!!

Rodney Langer won the 50/50 Raffle today!! In addition to $21 for the day, he pulled the King of Hearts and won the entire pot - $561. He donated half of his winnings back to the Scholarship Fund to honor Terry Long's mother. Rotarians are terrific people!! Congratulations Rodney.

Today's Program

Michael B. Fernandez is a resident of Coral Gables. His family came from Cuba to New York in 1964. They moved to Miami in 1975. He spent three years in the US Army. A graduate of University of Miami, he is in the healthcare service company business. He's active with United Way and University of Miami where he serves as Vice Chair of UM Medical Affairs. In 1995 Ernest & Young names him "Entrepreneur of the Year". He's never sat on a condo board or been active in his HOA. He's never been involved in City politics. Nothing in his history has prepared him to be a political advocate.

Then in December of last year he heard from his neighbors about the boat warehouse that was in the planning stages to be built at Matheson Hammock Park. There had been a meeting of the HOA and they were told that it wouldn't impact their homes at all. It couldn't even be seen from his house. So he started doing some investigating.

He met with the Buonicontis and their representatives. He has the utmost respect for the men, the family, their mission and their cause. There is nothing personal in his campaign to stop them from building this boat warehouse in Miami Dade County's FIRST recreational low density park. He objects to a for profit business venture on county land in the City of Coral Gables that will result in lower property values for the people living adjacent to the park and a diminishing of the quality of life for everyone around there. The 500 ft. building doesn't belong there. Picture a 50 story high rise building, laid on it's side. That's what is being proposed for Matheson Hammock.

In six months they have collected 11,000 signatures from all over the world. In fact people have signed a petition to stop this building from 47 states and nine countries. It seems that one of the tours available to Miami visitors is a bus tour to Matheson Park. And people who have seen the park are appalled at what is being proposed. It is more than three million cubic feet of space being constructed at the water's edge. Between the noise (beep, beep, beep every time a fork lift backs up) and the site pollution, from gas, oil, soap and chemicals from fiberglass repairs, we are going to lose the Park forever.

While he supports the Buonicontis both financially and personally for the work that they do, what they do has nothing to do with this proposed boat storage facility. It will be run by a company called Aquamarine. They (the developers) will pay Miami Dade County $7 million over the next 10 years as rent for this site. But studies have shown that it's construction will decrease the value of adjacent homes and property by $7 million in only four years. Know the facts. There is still time to stop it. The City of Coral Gables will listen to its residents. Save Matheson Hammock.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM: Pedro Garcia, Miami-Dade County Property Appraisor