Community Newspapers SERVING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SINCE 1958
DECEMBER 21, 2009
TRIBUNE
Biscayne Bay Florida Renaissance Festival coming to Virginia Key Beach VOL. 27, NO. 51
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BY JOSE BOZA
once De Leon explored Key Biscayne on his first mission to the New World in 1513 and claimed it on behalf of the Spanish King. The Florida Renaissance Festival, the only festival of its kind in South Florida, will commemorate Ponce De Leon’s legacy by showcasing its first Miami show ever near Key Biscayne. The Miami festival’s three consecutive weekend dates are Jan. 910, 16-17 and 23-24, at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. “It’s been more than five years since a Renaissance festival graced Miami and our yearly festival goers have been very passionate about bringing an event back,” said Bobby Rodriguez, executive producer of the Florida Renaissance Festival. “We feel that Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is the perfect location because it offers the environment that we recreate every year at our other events.” This 16th Century production features more than 100 costumed performers, five stages with continuous entertainment and stage acts from around the world. During the three family-themed weekends, guests will enjoy jousting tournaments three times a day, hearty food, human-powered rides and games for children that include the World’s Largest Rocking Horse, Giant Chess, Barrel Rides, and games of strength and skill. The festivities will feature historical reenactments, sword fights, magical illusions and an abundance of authentic fare from freshly made kettle corn to roasted giant turkey legs, which can be washed down with a swig of mead or ale. The Florida Renaissance Festival is produced by the national, award winning Bobby Rodriguez Productions and strives to create an entertaining and cultural opportunity by making Renaissance history come
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FESTIVAL, page 2
New Metrobus Book lists route, schedule changes
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BY LEE STEPHENS iami-Dade Transit (MDT) customers now can obtain a free Metrobus Book containing detailed maps and schedules of every bus route. Available while supplies last at all Metrorail stations, Miami-Dade public libraries and at the Transit Service Center on the second level of the Government Center Metrorail station, the Metrobus Book reflects the Dec. 13 service changes, which call for significant adjustments to
This knight on horseback adds pageantry and excitement to the Florida Renaissance Festival.
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METROBUS, page 2
Local law firm employees provide facelift for school
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BY JENNY JULIEN
espite recent reports that South Florida has the lowest percentage of adults who volunteer in the community, the law firm of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP reported that its Bilzin Sumberg Cares program, in partnership with Hands On Miami, conducted its third annual Bilzin Sumberg Cares Service Day at Miami’s Phillis Wheatley Elementary School. The partnership and day of community service on Saturday, Nov. 21, served to revitalize an historic place for learning in Miami’s Overtown community. More than 100 attorneys and staff members from Bilzin Sumberg and 20 students and staff
members from Phillis Wheatley Elementary School installed playground sports equipment, created butterfly and community gardens, and designed and painted murals around the campus. Built in 1952, Phillis Wheatley Elementary School was the first AfricanAmerican elementary school to be located in Overtown. The school, named after the famous African-American poet, Phillis Wheatley, is a pre-kindergarten through –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Painting a mural in the cafeteria at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School are (l-r) David Schubauer, Serge Pavluk and Carey Stiss, all attorneys at Bilzin Sumberg.
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FACELIFT, page 2