Miami Laker November 16, 2018

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The original community newspaper for the Town of Miami Lakes & surrounding areas

Main Street Festival of Lights set for November 24 Vol. 44, No. 22

305-817-4078

MIAMI LAKES, FLORIDA

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

The Main Street Merchants and The Graham Companies are inviting the South Florida community to join them for the 34th Annual Main Street Festival of Lights from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 24. The holiday festivity will take place along two blocks in Miami Lakes Town Center and will celebrate the beginning of the 2018 holiday season by creating memories for families, friends and loved ones as Main Street lights up with a series of holiday-themed performances. Residents and guests can experience the Lighting of Main Street, a live DJ, photo stations, performances by students from local schools, characters, and lots of complimentary surprises for children, courtesy of presenting sponsors The Graham

Companies and Main Street Merchants, along with supporting sponsor Publix Super Markets. Renown journalist and radio personality GiGi Diaz will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. Media partners include The Miami Herald, Y100 Miami’s #1 Hit Music Station, and 93.9 MIA, Variety of the 80s, 90s, and Today. Shoppers who arrive early before the Festival of Lights begins will have an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping as the Main Street Merchants will offer amazing sales in honor of Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate and support small businesses in the community. Santa will be stopping by to help light up Main Street at 6:30

p.m. on the Main Stage, and will then welcome young visitors to the Santa House where photos will be available and proceeds from photo sales will help fund Miami Lakes Boy Scout Troop 247. Miami-Dade County Animal Services will be on hand to host pet adoptions. “We are thrilled to be able to carry on this fun-filled, family tradition on Main Street,” said Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of Corporate and Customer Relations at The Graham Companies. “Along with the Main Street Merchants, we love that the Festival of Lights brings together so many generations to enjoy such a heartwarming celebration,” she added. SANTA CLAUS will arrive on Main Street during the Festival of Lights to throw the giant light switch which will illuminate Miami Lakes Town Center. Children are invited to visit Santa with their wish lists in the Santa House.

By David L. Snelling The Miami Laker staff With two open seats to be filled on the Miami Lakes Town Council, area voters elected a pair of political neophytes over two hopefuls who previously ran for political office. Attorney Jeffrey Rodriguez and charter school principal Carlos O. Alvarez won Seat 2 and Seat 6, respectively, during last week’s November 6 midterm elections, which saw the closet races in history for the U.S. Senate and Florida governor that appeared to be heading to a mandatory recount. With 55 percent (6,105) of the votes, Rodriguez defeated Xiomara Pazos, who gained 45 percent (4,979). Pazos, owner of a non-emergency transportation company, unsuccessfully ran in 2014 and 2016 against Councilmember Ceasar Mestre and Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez, respectively. Alvarez defeated retired government administrator Esther

CARLOS O. ALVAREZ Colon, as he mustered 63 percent (7,188) of the votes, while his opponent collected 36 percent (4,085). Colon unsuccessfully ran two years ago against Councilmember Luis Collazo. Rodriguez, 35, replaces Tim Daubert who was term-limited, and Alvarez, 41, takes over for Mestre, who’s eight-year term also came to an end. Councilmmember-elect Joshua

JEFFREY RODRIGUEZ Dieguez automatically won Seat 4 on the Town Council in August when he ran unopposed, as the attorney is replacing Vice Mayor Frank Mingo, who vacated his seat to run for State Representative. Rodriguez and Alvarez reportedly were Mayor Manny Cid’s slate of candidates, as he campaigned for them, as well as Our Lady of the Lakes Fashion Show student models includCollazo, Mestre, Daubert, and ed (front to back) Maya Welch, Elise Cueli, Andrea Luna and (See story, more photos on Page 5.) Hailey Hernandez. (Please see Page 2)

Carlos Alvarez, Jeffrey Rodriguez are new members of Town Council Our Lady of the Lakes 22nd annual Fashion Show

A Look Inside:

I Martinez family creates I News and Notes of interest I Two Hialeah Miami Lakes I Miami Lakes Education“running shoe” drive to collect from the Town of Miami Lakes. swimmers win championships al Center students debate shoes for Cuba......................4 See pages.........................6 & 7 in state competitions..............14 over midterm elections......19

I Our Lady of the Lakes I Eagle Scout project freshens I Mater Lakes Academy’s I Community Calendar, 11, annual Fashion Show and basketball courts at Miami swim team finishes second in School, sports and church news, luncheon a big success...........5 Lakes Optimist Park..............10 District competitions............16 14-20, Classified ads...21-23


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