YOU LEAVE US, BUT YOUR MUSIC WON'T

With word that Michael Jackson is not with us anymore, the world grieves the loss of this great talented man. Surely, people and the media always need to bring the negatives of his life; however, when I heard of his death I remembered listening to him as a child. Automatically, my brain recollected memories of him dancing on top of tables wearing a white blazer and pants like in the “Smooth Criminal” video. That video inspired a video game, which I played and at the time the game was awesome. Just picture a 5-year-old fat little kid eating an ice cream cone and playing that game for the first time. I was euphoric.
My cousin, who at the time was a teenager, loved MJ. I remember him going bananas over a concert he was going to attend at the now gone, Orange Bowl. My parents took me to drop him off and, boy, that stadium was rocking. MJ surely knew how to perform. You can’t forget his numerous appearances on MTV and CBS specials. Or, how about when he presented his black and white video after the comedy show on Fox, “In living color”? Also, the time he sang “Heal the world” in front of thousands of people at a stadium that was inspirational and motivational.
I never got to meet this man, but his memories of watching him on television growing up came to mind and made me weep, after hearing the news of death. His music and talent touched us all. It is amazing how one person’s talent can steal the masses’ heart. I guess we were all hit by a “smooth criminal”.
His body might not be here on earth, but his music will live through generations. We will miss the “King of pop”.
R.I.P. 1958-2009
Michael Jackson “King of Pop”

La Antigua visits Coral Gables

Bellator Crowns Alvarez, Lombard

Bellator Crowns Alvarez, Lombard
Options: Email Article | Printer Friendly
Saturday, June 20, 2009
by Rodolfo Roman (roman@sherdog.com) (Photos by Dave Mandel)

Source...Sherdog.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Two champions -- lightweight Eddie Alvarez and middleweight Hector Lombard -- were crowned on Friday in the final event of Bellator Fighting Championships’ first season at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

In the main event, Alvarez continued to impress mixed martial arts fans, as he defeated journeyman Toby Imada by rear-naked choke 38 seconds into the second round.

The Philadelphia native came out the aggressor in the first round, as more than 4,000 fans looked on. Much of the period was spent in the clinch, with Imada landing some good knees to the body. Shortly after the start of round two, the world’s third-ranked lightweight landed a devastating right hook that sent Imada crashing to the canvas. Alvarez jumped on his fallen foe, took his back and sank the rear-naked choke for the tapout.

Imada entered the bout with plenty of momentum after he pulled off an incredible inverted triangle submission against Jorge Masvidal in the lightweight tournament semi-finals last month. In the end, the crafty veteran was no match for the ultra-talented Alvarez.

Alvarez (18-2), who had the crowd behind him throughout the fight, won all three of his tournament matches by submission. His loss to Shinya Aoki late last year now a distant memory, the charismatic 24-year-old plans to spend some time with his family and admits tournament fighting is not for everyone.

“You truly have to love fighting to do it,” he said. “You can’t be half-hearted. Your heart has to be in fighting.”

Alvarez, considered a cornerstone for the fledgling organization, earned the championship belt and a $100,000 paycheck at the end of the lightweight final; he pocketed a total of $175,000 for competing in the tournament. Imada (22-13), meanwhile, confirmed plans to return for Bellator’s second season. The defeat snapped his eight-fight winning streak.


Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com


Hess was a bloody mess.Lombard (21-2-1, 1 NC) dominated the co-main event, as he zipped past the previously unbeaten Jared Hess and stopped him on a cut 1:41 into the fourth round.

In round one, Lombard took down Hess, but the fighters soon returned to their feet. Towards the end of the period, the Cuban judoka connected with a vicious right, which rocked Hess and caused his left eye to swell. Hess recovered, but his legs remained wobbly for the rest of the round.

Hess walked into the second round with his left eye nearly swollen shut. Unable to take down the Cuban judo national champion, Hess resorted to pulling guard -- a ploy which allowed Lombard to wear down his opponent with ground-and-pound.

Lombard -- who fed off “Hector!” chants from the crowd -- later picked up Hess, slammed him on the canvas and pounded on him, leaving a nasty gash in the middle of his forehead. The referee stopped the fight twice to check Hess’ cut, but the doctor allowed the fight to continue since the blood was not affecting his vision.

Hess (9-1-1) entered round four covered in blood. Lombard immediately took him down and connected with several punches that prompted the doctor to stop the fight; the bleeding was only getting worse.

Unbeaten in 15 fights, Lombard -- also a titleholder in Australia’s Cage Fighting Championships -- defeated James Damien Stelly and Virgil Lozano en route to the middleweight final. Like Alvarez, he banked $100,000 for defeating Hess and a total of $175,000 for the tournament.

In non-tournament action, Masvidal rebounded from his stunning defeat to Imada and outclassed Eric Reynolds on the undercard.

The American Top Team standout displayed his superior striking, as he picked apart Reynolds (10-3). Masvidal (18-4) finished the fight when he secured a double-leg takedown, captured his opponent’s back and locked in a rear-naked choke 3:33 into the third round.

Finally, EliteXC veteran Rosi Sexton needed just 3:40 to dispatch Valerie Coolbaugh. The one-time Bodog Fight and Cage Warriors champion posted her fourth consecutive victory in her Bellator debut, as she coaxed a tapout from Coolbaugh (1-3) in the first round. Sexton (10-1) has delivered seven of her 10 career wins by submission.

Other Bouts
Fabio Mello def. Sami Aziz -- Submission (Armbar) 1:58 R3
Sergio Moraes def. Josh Martin -- Submission (Triangle Choke) 4:21 R1
Luis Palomino def. Troy Gerhart -- Unanimous Decision
Stephanie Guimaraes def. Yvonne Reis -- KO (Knee) 0:49 R1

Big Sweep inspires hundreds to clean beaches

BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Under the South Florida sun, Miami Beach resident Lorianne Kerserman walked on South Beach's sand with a cat litter scoop attached to a mop handle with a goal: collecting as many cigarette butts as possible.

''I was appalled,'' said Kerserman, who is a smoker. ``When we were walking [on the beach] it was completely filled with soda bottles, cans, and potato chip bags.''

Kerserman was one of hundreds who volunteered on Sunday for the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach's second Miami Beach Big Sweep, a trash-collecting competition.

Teams of volunteers started at two stations -- South Pointe Drive and Ocean Drive, and 15th Street and Ocean Drive -- and converged at Seventh Street.

Volunteers combed the beach for garbage, especially cigarette butts, which are not biodegradable because the filters contain plastics.

The beach clean-up concept was a creation of ECOMB Executive Director Luiz Rodrigues, who has been passionate about the environment since he was 13.

''I think it's enlightening and exciting that we see people care and are concerned about our beaches,'' he said.

The event was a success: about 500 volunteers registered compared to last year's 250.

Organizers didn't have an official number on how much trash was collected. But after the event hundreds of bags of thrash and cigarette butts were on display on plastic tarps.

Rodrigues praised the city of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County's effort to keep the beach clean but said everyone needs to lend a hand to make the effort work.

''They [the city of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County] are better than they have ever been before,'' he said.'' But they alone can't solve the problem. They need the support of our residents and visitors.''

Susan Lewis, a Miami Dade College North professor who teaches energy and the natural environment, offered extra credit to students who attended the sweep.

''It's a win-win situation for everyone,'' she said. ``It helps them learn and help the beach.''

Eight students joined Lewis. Her group collected the most trash and won the Can It! Award. She said the event was helpful to her students as they had a chance to see what they learn in the classroom in ``real life terms.''

Perpetual trophies, which are passed on from last year's winners, were awarded to the groups that had the most volunteers, picked up the most trash and collected the most cigarette butts. Trophies were made of recycled airplane parts made to look like rakes, garbage cans and other cleaning tools.

Individuals were also awarded prizes such as a dolphin encounter at Miami Seaquarium.

Public officials, such as U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Miami Beach Commissioner Jerry Libbin, also were on hand to help.

''It's amazing how little concern some folks have about the beach, but what's really amazing is the people who are really concerned and volunteered,'' Ros-Lehtinen said.

Kerserman's trusty creation, the cat litter scoop attached to a mop handle, came in handy because it helped her team, Advantaged Yacht Charters and Sales, win the Beach Master award, which is awarded to the team which collects the most cigarette butts.

Her team does more than pick up butts, though. It also does a little preaching.

''We carry a beach ash tray with us,'' she said. ``We've showed them to enough people and hopefully they'll order some for themselves to take to the beach.''

Volunteers also enjoyed a raffle, lunch and refreshments. ECOMB plans to host another beach clean-up later this month.

Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles and Miami Beach get sand replenishment

BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Beachgoers in Bal Harbour and other areas are getting a first-hand look at efforts to beef up shorelines.

On Monday, one of many Caterpillar trucks tasked with hauling sand from Orlando to Miami-Dade dumped it's cargo on Bal Harbour's beach.

On hand to watch the unloading: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, DERM officials and U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen -- who took a playful roll in the piles of sand to celebrate.

The truckloads of sand began barreling into town last month. The first truckloads appeared in Sunny Isles Beach on May 20. Six days later they began dumping their haul at Bal Harbour and a stretch of Miami Beach near 65th Street, said Luis Espinoza, communications program manager for the Department of Environmental Resources Management.

''We saw the flooding that took place here in Miami Beach because of the rain,'' Ros-Lehtinen said. ``Just think if we were to have a severe storm blow here, all of the saltwater will be in the residential area.''

Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of sand is being placed at the northern end of Bal Harbour, DERM's Brian Flynn said.

Beaches will remain open, except for the immediate areas where the crews are unloading sand.

The sand is being trucked in from Orlando to add height and width to beaches in Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach. State and county funds will be used for the truck-haul renourishment project, which will cost an estimated $10 million and expected to last six weeks.

The project will serve as a Band-Aid until a more extensive beach renourishment project begins in 2011.

Bal Harbour residents have long advocated for improvements to their beach, which has shrunk to small dunes in some places thanks to natural erosion and several active hurricane seasons.

''These beaches provide a buffer instead of the storm waves and surge coming in,'' Flynn said.

About $13 million worth of property along the coast of Miami-Dade, east of Collins Avenue, could be at risk due to shrinking shorelines.

Ros-Lehtinen credited efforts for making the beach project a reality, including a lobbying campaign by members of the Bal Harbour Coalition.

''This is a real grass-roots movement,'' Ros-Lehtinen said.

``It's about people here on the ground putting their feet on the fire and saying we have a real emergency, and let's try to mitigate this before it gets serious.''

Resident Brian Mulheren said the project was urgently needed, especially in an area that relies on its beachfront appeal to lure visitors.

''This project will create jobs and stimulate tourism,'' Mulheren said. ``We are getting it done. We need jobs here and at the same time we are preserving the beaches and environment.''

El Portal Cares celebrates five-year anniversary

EL PORTAL
El Portal Cares celebrates five-year anniversary
El Portal Cares, a nonprofit organization, celebrated its fifth-year anniversary with students, parents and staff at Village Hall.

Photo BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
When 9-year-old Elijah Jennings brought home his report card last school year, his mother was alarmed he had earned a D in math.

Worried her son might fail the subject, Stacey Hernandez took Elijah's report card to the nonprofit organization El Portal Cares, located at 8760 NE Second Ave.

''When I first walked in to El Portal Cares, they told me not to worry, that Elijah will soon be getting an A or B,'' Hernandez said.

A few weeks later, Elijah's report card from Phyllis Ruth Miller Elementary showed a B in math.

''When I saw the B, I was so excited,'' Hernandez said.

Elijah is one of many students who use the free services offered by El Portal Cares, which celebrated its five-year anniversary at an alumni awards ceremony and barbecue at village hall on May 31. That same day, Elijah took home an award for most improved. Other students were honored for improvements in individual subjects.

El Portal Cares was the brainchild of former El Portal Mayor Audrey Edmonson, now a Miami-Dade County commissioner who landed a $350,000 grant from the North Dade Medical Foundation to get the center started.

''It was something that was needed in this community,'' Edmonson said. ``We had so many families who couldn't afford this for their young kids.''

The agency offers village residents services such as free after-school tutoring for students and lunch for seniors.

Other programs include yoga classes that also are free, but donations are encouraged.

El Portal Cares, which helps about 20 people daily, opened in 2006. Its staff includes Executive Director Linda Marcus, six board members, two tutors, a yoga instructor and volunteers.

El Portal Councilman Harold Mathis said the center has been a big help to the community.

''The parents and kids love the program and you see it on their faces,'' said Mathis, who is also the chairperson of the agency's board. ``To see these kids have a thirst for learning is great. I can sleep at night.''

Since it began, the agency has served 650 meals to seniors and has provided 1,040 hours of after-school tutoring.

Stephanie Darring's son, Al Jacobs-Darring, was having difficulty in first grade and made a turnaround in school after being tutored by El Portal Cares staff.

Al, 7, wasn't doing well in his first-grade class at Phyllis Ruth Miller.

''They found out [he] was smart and cooperative,'' she said. ``He is doing multiplications and fractions and he is only in first grade. El Portal Cares discovered his level of comprehension and reasoning.''

Mathis said the agency's goal is to offer more services but needs money. El Portal Cares receives funding from the county and private donations.

Hernandez said she hopes the program can help others in the same way it helped Elijah.

''His school informed me that they will be testing him for gifted classes,'' she said. ``That's a big jump from just barely passing to gifted classes.''

The agency is now accepting enrollment applications for summer camp and is also seeking volunteers.

For information, contact EL Portal Cares, 786-412-7879.

CONGRESS NEEDS TO THINK

The Senate is expected to approve a bill that will give a lot of power to regulators to limit nicotine in the cigarettes that kill nearly a half-million people a year.
Supporters of the bill say the measure would not only stop deaths, but reduce the $100 billion in annual healthcare costs linked to cigarettes.
I am all for the bill, however, something isn’t right here: In 1971, a law was approved that would ban tobacco advertising on television and radio and a 1998 rules forbid smoking on airline flights.
Tune into television or listen to the radio and you are bound to see or hear an alcohol based commercial. Drive on I-95 and look up, trust me, you’ll see a Bacardi Rum billboard.
So, here is my dilemma, have our congressmen and women realized how many people die because of alcohol? Tune into the local news on a weekend, more than likely, the news will be reporting on a vehicle accident where alcohol was involved.
In hospitals, there are many patients who are suffering liver failure. I bet alcohol played a factor in that disease. Of course, not all liver failure could be linked to alcohol, but I wouldn’t doubt there is a fair share.
In conclusion, our legislatures should think about passing strict laws on alcohol especially when it comes to drinking and driving. When a person gets in a car toasted, he is as effective as a bullet from a gun. He or she becomes a murder weapon.
Alcohol brings in millions of dollars and plenty of people benefit from the outcomes, but how many lives could we save.
So, cigarettes shouldn’t be the only bad habit to be punished. Let’s push for laws similar to cigarettes to be incorporated into alcohol laws. We can save lives.
Think about that congress!

City News June

ShenShenandoah Middle School Writes Book on Coral Gables

37th Avenue Renamed for William Kerdyk, Sr.

A GROWING SPORT

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

I have heard many critics speak badly about the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. One of their most famous arguments of why the government should step in to ban the sport is violence. Sure, if you see an MMA fight on television or live, I a sure you that you will see blood or maybe a broken leg. There is no escape of the grotesque images, but it’s an exciting sport and, honestly, it’s not for everyone. Many people want to jump on the bandwagon by taking MMA classes. Don’t get me wrong, the exercise classes are intense and you’ll be burning after an hour of hardcore punching and kicking. Trust me, it beats lifting weights and the treadmill.

But, back to my point, New York State legislature is considering to allow the sport there. Currently, a MMA event can’t be held in the state because many state congressmen and woman say it is too violate, but there is a law that could overturn banning the sport. Growing up watching WWF and participating in my high school’s wrestling team; I can tell you that this sport has a long way to go. More than likely, it will defeat boxing. No offense to boxing legends who entertained us, but the men and women of the octagon are bringing in the ratings. Tune in to Versus or Spike TV at a time of the day and you can’t miss UFC or WEC. The sport is growing and the masses love it. Again, no offense to boxing, but MMA pay-per-views are bringing in the green. UFC president, Dana White understands the sports world and knows exactly what to do to excite the fans. For example, he just announced that Kimbo Slice will be on the reality show, The Ultimate Fighter on Spike. Do you know what a bring draw that’s going to be for the network. Slice was supposed to be a big draw for the now bankrupt Elite XC promotion. But, his fame came to an end when he was TKO’d in a matter of seconds by an MMA fighter, who was barely known.

The sport is growing by the minute and it is only going to get bigger. I remember watching UFC back in the early 90’s when it first started. The rules were a lot different then, since the fights were more of a fighting skill versus fighting skill. One of the greats included Ken Shamrock who was champ numerous times. At that point, fighters didn’t wear gloves and wore shoes. Blood would cover the canvass and could be seen from miles away. But, today, the sport is more organized and has a strong following. So, if you guys haven’t sat there to watch a fight, I invite you to do so because you’ll be blown away. The government shouldn’t have any role in deciding if a fight should take place just let the fans enjoy a great bout. Plus, in the end, the state gets lots cash out of hosting the event.

Faber vs Brown

Faber vs Brown had every element of a classic fight. Both warriors fought their hearts out as the bout went five rounds. Faber, after breaking his hand in the middle of the first round, continued to fight by throwing kicks and elbows. In the first round, Faber's intensity as he danced like a butterfly inside the octagon, but his quickness came to an end after his injury. Brown noticed his injury and took advantage. It was not until the fifth round that Faber had some life as he tried to get brown in a submission, but that failed. Brown countered the submission and was quickly on his feet. Right after, the bell rang and the fight was over. After the mathc, an emotional Brown said he was gracious and humbled defeating Faber. As for the California kid, he needs to comeback viciously if he wants to continue to be seen as a force to be reckon with. He has lost his last two fights. After he recovers, he needs to do some soul searching and train twice as hard to bring the heat inside the octagon. As for Brown, well, he is just representing American Top Team very well.

Teen collects shoes for poor in Dominican Republic

BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
rroman@MiamiHerald.com
A Bal Harbour teenager who led a shoe drive for needy children in the Dominican Republic over-achieved his goal: With the help of family members and local leaders, Bennett Blachar collected thousands of pairs of shoes.

''We collected much more than I ever hoped for,'' said Bennett, 17. ``This could not have happened without everyone's help.''

Bennett, the son of Bal Harbour's assistant mayor, Joni Blachar, collected 3,000 pairs of shoes -- about three-times what he had expected.

The soon-to-be senior at Ransom Everglades sealed the final cases of shoes at the Tremont Towing facility in Miami Beach two weeks ago. The containers are being shipped to the Caribbean island and should arrive next week.

Bennett thought of the idea after vacationing with his family in the Dominican Republic. He was inspired after he took a bike ride through a village and noticed several children walking barefoot.

Bal Harbour Police Officer Madeleine Orr said she was moved by his efforts.

''We are always wondering what the youth is doing,'' Orr said. ``To get somebody like this who is reaching out and trying to get help is just amazing to have that kind of a character.''

The shoe drive started last October. People donated all types off shoes, including dress shoes -- but mostly more sensible footwear, such as athletic sneakers, running shoes and basketball high-tops.

Bennett contacted the Rev. Albert Moses James of the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana in the Dominican Republic. Bennett, whose family sailed to the island aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, heard of the church after contacting an employee from the cruise line.

The church will distribute the donations to needy people in the province of Samaná on the northeastern coast of the island.

Bennett got a helping hand from local police departments. The Bal Harbour, Surfside and Bay Harbor Islands departments let the teen use their police stations as collection sites. The Church by the Sea in Bal Harbour, Tremont Towing and Miami Beach City Hall also accepted donations. Luis Salom of Miami Beach donated the cost of shipping.

Bennett dedicated months to get the community involved. He passed out fliers and asked his high school cross-country teammates to donate pairs of shoes. Bennett himself donated a couple of pairs of shoes.

Ed Gonzalez, owner of Tremont Towing, says it's important to lend a hand to those in need.

''It's not a matter of donations. It's really about the kids over there that have no shoes,'' Gonzalez said. ``We are all friends just trying to do the right thing.''

Bennett says he knows the children will be jubilant once they see the shoes, and he plans to have another shoe drive next year, but perhaps to help needy children in another country or here in his own.

''I can't imagine when all this stuff gets off the boat what on earth they are going to be thinking,'' he said.

Bennett is still accepting athletic, dress and practical shoes. To donate, contact Tremont Towing at 305-962-6243.

Proposed El Portal charter school meets opposition

EL PORTAL
Proposed El Portal charter school meets opposition
BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
El Portal residents who turned out at a recent zoning meeting were outraged by plans to turn the former Rader Memorial United Methodist Church building into a charter school.

A development group is interested in purchasing the church building at 205 NE 87th St. and expanding it to a school for 900 students.

While the church campus -- which closed in 2006 -- once housed two private schools, residents say the size of the proposed school -- and the number of students to be taught there -- is too much for the neighborhood to handle.

''I am against it. It's not keeping with the character of El Portal,'' said Courtney Kurk, who lives three houses away from the location. ``This is ludicrous and unneeded.''

At the May 13 planning and zoning meeting, the village council told representatives for the MG3 Developer Group to tweak their application to address concerns, such as including a plan to ease traffic in and out of the school.

The charter school would require the council to approve a special exception to convert the lot into a school, as well as site plan approval. The developer, which has offices in Hollywood, plans to lease the property to Imagine Charter Schools. Imagine, which started in 2003 and has more than 70 schools and 35,000 students nationwide, has five schools in Florida.

The former Rader Memorial United Methodist Church once housed a private preschool and the Revelation Academy. In 2006, the property was sold to the Archdiocese of Miami, which planned to use the building as a residence for cloistered nuns.

But plans fell through and the church put the property on the market.

Gustavo Carbonell, an architect for MG3 Developer Group, told the council that approving the school will help El Portal.

''The school will add to the property value,'' he told the council. ``We think the facility is a beautiful building and we want to preserve it.''

The proposed charter school project would expand the building from 28,000 square feet to 54,231 square feet to accommodate a school for kindergarten through eighth grades. Additions will expand the building to the north and east.

The current Colonial-style architecture will be maintained and the facades and courtyards will be enhanced, Carbonell said. New windows, roofing and additional parking also will be part of the proposed project.

The building is set to have approximately 50 classrooms with about 900 students, Carbonell said.

Some residents say they are concerned with traffic -- and an influx of teenagers.

''Anytime you have middle school-aged students, unfortunately, there are drugs that come with that. And that goes for public, private and charter schools,'' Kurk said in a phone interview.

But Carbonell said the development group is willing to pay for a traffic study. The developer also plans to include drop-off and pick-up areas for students to ease traffic, he said.

Councilwoman Linda Marcus said she wasn't sold on a new charter school, and wanted more information before making a decision.

''Charter schools tend to do very well or bad according to what I have looked at,'' she said.

And Mayor Joyce Davis said council members just aren't ready to act on the project. ''There was so much public opposition to the project that it's going to take additional time,'' she said.

Despite opposition, MG3 Developer Group plans to move forward. ''We are going back to the drawing board,'' said Pamela Butler, development coordinator for MG3 Developer Group.

Bal Harbour Council meetings won't be on television

BAL HARBOUR
Bal Harbour Council meetings won't be on television
BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Bal Harbour residents won't be seeing Council meetings on television anytime soon.

Village officials had been looking into a plan to broadcast public meetings on Channel 77, which currently only airs announcements about Bal Harbour events.

But at a meeting last month, Council members shelved the idea, despite concerns from some members and residents that airing the meetings would make their local government more accountable.

At the May 19 meeting, resident Neil Alter suggested the Council should look into televising Bal Harbour meetings on Channel 77 available to villagers who subscribe to Atlantic Broadband cable.

''Broadcasting the meeting on the village channel I think would be highly educational, motivational and we could gain citizen participation,'' Alter told the Council.

Officials already had been looking into the prospect.

Village Manager Alfred Treppeda had consulted with the governmental services company that tapes Surfside's meetings, Calvin, Giordano & Associates Inc.

The village would have to buy equipment in addition to contracting with a production company.

Treppeda said the equipment would cost $26,000 for standard broadcasts and $57,000 for high definition and $350 per meeting for a person to operate the equipment.

Councilman Martin Packer agreed with Alter, saying that airing the meetings would benefit villagers.

''Education never hurts anyone,'' he said. ``There are many people who are in the village who cannot get out to the meetings.''

However, Assistant Mayor Joni Blachar said airing the meetings would cost the village a lot of money.

''I think it's a poor idea,'' Blachar said.

``First of all, it would extend the length of the meeting because people will come up just because they want to be on television.''

Packer said the Council should make an effort to be more transparent, noting public scrutiny following a series of contentious issues, including accusations that a former councilman did not live in the village.

''We have been accused of hiding things and not showing what the Council does,'' Packer said. ``The rest of my honored council members, I think, are being closed-minded.''

He later asked his colleagues to test airing the meetings for about two months, but he failed to get a second motion.

Mayor Jean Rosenfield said broadcasting meetings isn't out of the picture.

''I think it's an issue that I personally will investigate further,'' she said.

Faster than a speeding bullet...Father Alberto pictures posted on Lazy journalist

The controversial priest, Father Alberto Cuite gave his first sermon at the Episcopal Church of The Resurrection in the small community of Biscayne Park. Hundreds of people including media and individuals who were curious waited for Cutie outside the small church. Inside, more than 200 people listen to him speak. It surely didn't feel like a mass inside because everyone took pictures of the celebrity priest. There were no protesters; in fact, he had a lot of supporters. When he walked outside the church, one woman yelled, "We love you and we support you Father Alberto. He was greeted with a standing ovation. It was a media frenzy outside. Every television, newspaper, radio and website that you could imagine wanted to get a word or picture of the man left the Roman Catholic Church after photographs surfaced of him kissing his girlfriend in Miami Beach. Here are the pictures.