Honduras Protest in Miami

Tomorrow, a number of people will protest in downtown Miami to oppose how the media is portraying the Honduras crisis. According to these folks, who will apparently meet at 10:30 a.m. under the scorching heat, will hit the streets to express their opinion on the media supporting the coup. According to this group, they believe the media only supports the new government's procedure and adds that the press has been biased. Now here is my question to them: If the people of Honduras really supported Honduras former president Manuel Zelaya and oppose the current governments move then why are there only 100 people on the border where Zelaya is crying to the current government to let him back in?

Port executives meet in Coral Gables

Port executives from the western hemisphere visited the city beautiful to discuss the future of ports. Topics such as economy, expansion of the Panama canal, and security were discussed at the Biltmore Hotel, where officials met for three days. We had a chance to speak to these port leaders who gave us their perspective on the economy and how it affects our ports, which are a leading economic factor.

The crying isn't worth it; Zelaya show should stop

The drama continues for former Honduras president, Manuel Zelaya as he pleads for the current administration to let him back inside the country he once led.
Now, Zelaya is stationed on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras sleeping inside a tent, screaming via a megaphone to Honduranian military men, “Let me in”. Friday, he made an attempt to enter his native land, but he only got 16 feet. Wearing his famed white cowboy hat and his mustache, he went back crying to Nicaragua where his “friend” and Sandinista/Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega offered Zelaya hospitality.
Before camping in Ocotal, Nicaragua, he has traveled the western hemisphere on his quest to once return to the Honduras presidential house. The soap opera started late June when the current government woke up Zelaya, who was wearing his pajamas, at gun point rushed him to the nearest airport and sent him into exile. Zelaya had six months left on his presidency. The current government said if Zelaya were to return he would be put in jail. Zelaya, at one point, called for a national referendum that might have allowed him to redraft the constitution.
His opponents said Zelaya wanted to extend term limits on the presidency. However, Zelaya said he wanted the country to speak and decide. The new government is now calling for elections in November. International governments aren’t accepting the new government nor validate an election. Zelaya is now aligned with socialist, Venezuelan Hugo Chavez, who along with his boys, Ortega, Ecuadorian president Raphael Correa, Bolivian president Evo Morales and Cuban leader Raul Castro make up the group, ALBA.
So, my question is: How come they let Zelaya travel all over Central America and North America? Who is paying for this and how come, we, allow this to happen when we are known for stopping drama.
Secretary of state, Hillary Clinton has dialogued with Zelaya only to come up with no conclusion. The press, unfortunately, has followed Zelaya steps from the beginning. Sure, the news sales, but seriously, is all the drama worth considering he only has about 100 people standing by his side on the border. It is sad to say, but there is as much Zelaya followers as reporters.
In the end, we can all conclude that Zelaya will either return home and be in jail or be exile somewhere and cry that he wants to finish his presidency, which will conclude by the time that happens. All the crying and whining will lead him to nothing.

At La Goulue in Bal Harbour Shops, French holiday celebrated with gastronomic delights

Frenchmen and Francophiles celebrate Bastille Day at La Goulue in Bal Harbour Shops with mussels and other gastronomic delights.


BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Frenchman Gregory Delaunay, general manager of Bal Harbour Shops' La Goulue, enjoyed a cold glass of white wine on a recent Tuesday, a fittingly festive drink for the occasion: Bastille Day, France's national holiday.

Delaunay was one of many South Florida's French expatriates who celebrated the July 14 holiday -- which at La Goulue meant mussels, French beer and wine at the 2-year-old restaurant at 9700 Collins Ave.

``People are enjoying the atmosphere here,'' he said. ``They can smell the food and drink some wine.''

Delaunay, who is from Brittany region of northwestern France, said back home the holiday is celebrated with fireworks and parades similar to those seen in the United State on the Fourth of July.

``In France, the 14th of July is a day off,'' he said. ``Normally, we watch the military walk in the morning.''

The holiday celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a prison and fortress in Paris, which became a flashpoint for the French Revolution.

There weren't any fireworks in Bal Harbour celebrating Bastille Day, but there were plenty of mussels to go around at La Goulue -- named after a French can-can dancer from the Moulin Rouge and whose name literally means ``glutton.''

Mussels are popular in France during the holiday.

The restaurant offered a special: all-you-can-eat mussels served in a soup bowl with a pail of French fries for $15.

Chef Jean Pierre Petit was working hard in the kitchen, while customers ordered piles of the seafood dish.

``We sold out of mussels,'' he said. ``We had 80 pounds of mussels sold in two hours and 40 minutes.''

Eventually, Delaunay had to order more mussels from his distributor to satisfy customers.

Customer Robert Pierre, who was visiting South Florida from France, celebrated the holiday with family and friends.

``It's not a big occasion here because we don't have fireworks,`` he said. ``But, we are celebrating with friends, while enjoying mussels and wine.''

The mussels were so much of a favorite that the restaurant plans to have the same special throughout the summer on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

After work, Delaunay planned to join some of his friends.

``I am going to eat some great French dinner among French people,'' he said. ``We are all connected. Today is a good reason to celebrate something.''

Miami City Ballet's summer program has an international flair

BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Twice a year, ballet instructor Alice Arja visits the favelas, or shanty towns, of Rio de Janiero with a mission: To recruit young boys and girls and enroll them in her Brazilian dance school in hopes of inspiring and educating the poorest children of her country.

And for the past two years, she has helped some of those students take the stage far from the poverty of the favelas -- learning classical ballet and other forms of dance at the Miami City Ballet summer camp.

More than 1,000 young dancers audition each year for the program, competing for about 200 spots.

'I visit the favelas and ask the children, `Who wants to practice ballet?' '' said Arja, director of Escola de Danca, which has three locations in Brazil.

She first heard of the Miami City Ballet five-week program in 2007 and sent audition DVDs for four of her students, including her daughter, to the studios at 2200 Liberty Ave. in Miami Beach.

All four were accepted. This year, 23 of her students won coveted spots -- including several she recruited from the favelas.

''One of the greatest things about this school is seeing kids from all over the world and you learn about other places and their training,'' said Alexander Fereirra, 18, who met Arja during one of her trips to the favelas and was accepted into the Miami City Ballet program in 2007.

He obtained a visa, allowing him to study dance in the United States, and now attends Miami Beach High. He soon will become a student apprentice with the ballet company.

The summer program is rigorous, and students are hand-picked by the teachers.

''We look for their passion, how their body develops and dedication,'' said Linda Villella, the school's director, noting that more than 1,000 aspiring dancers seek spots in the summer program. The program is open to dancers age 12-19.

The program, which ends Friday, costs $1,500; although, many of Arja's students rely on sponsorships, such as one she obtained from the head Brazilian executive at Coca-Cola.

This year's class is made up of 215 dancers from across the United States and as far away as Bazil, Mexico and Spain.

Learning from the school's staff of professional dancers is a major draw, said artistic director Edward Villella.

''The premise of this program is that we have a certain knowledge and sophistication here that can attract people from other places in training,'' he said.

Classes are taught by 13 professional instructors, including Villella.

''People come here because they think we know enough to provide them with information that is going to [help] them,'' said Villella, who has performed for four U.S. presidents.

For New York native Sarah Hochman, 20, the school helped her obtain a job with the Pennsylvania Ballet, which she will start in August.

She's a veteran, currently enrolled in her seventh year in the program.

''The training here is well-rounded, which makes you strong and versatile,'' said Hochman, who wore her black tights and ballet shoes as she stood outside one of eight studios in the building.

Throughout the day, students take four 90-minute classes with an emphasis on ballet -- such as classical technique and pointe work -- as well as jazz.

At a recent session, students spent about 40 minutes at the barre, focusing on their posture, alignment and flexibility.

Soon after, the students are leaping and twirling through the air, learning the ballet style of the legendary George Balanchine.

''There is a sensible and practical evolution to these classes that ends up in flying around,'' Villella said.

Marlins break ground

Hundreds of Mar lins fans braved the hot South Florida sun to witness the ground breaking ceremony of the Little Havana ballpark expected to open in 2012. Here are some pictures of the event where fish fans enjoyed pork and cafe as well as some much needed cold drinks. A salsa band played music to entertain the hardcore fans. Local politicians were present to start the digging using shovels and hard hats. However, there were some fans who opposed the new ball park's location. More pictures will be posted as the event concludes at noon.

Marlins break ground

As a marlins' fan, I am thrilled to attend the ground breaking of the new fish's home. The new stadium with a retractable roof is set to open 2012. However, the stadium has come with a lot of economical controversy.Yet, the name stadium is set to start being built shortly. Public offcials say it will help everyone. Stay tuned for some pictured

The Color Queen photo shoot

Glamazon Series art exhibit

Cecilia Paz showed of her work of art at Coral Gables. Her "Glamazon series", is insipiring and motivational for her and she hopes to help others through her art work. Paz has a wonderful story.

Martial Fusion

Here is a great workout to try out: Martial Fusion. The class is held at the Biltmore Hotel's Fitness center. It is opened to the public Saturday at 9 am. All you need to do is pay five bucks and you'll be burning some fat, guaranteed.

Art is Cool deuce

Thanks again to the color queen for the great art work.

Art is Cool!

Growing up as a kid, I would sleep, eat, and bleed sports. I would live and die watching the USA network's WWF Monday Night Raw. After school on Mondays, I looked forward to sitting in front of the tube only to enjoy two hours of choreographed fights. I didn't care it was fake; I just appreciated it because of the hard work the performers put in to pull off an amazing and entertaining show. I was so much into wrestling that whoever berated the sport I would try my best to defend it. See, I watched wrestling at its peak, when the Rock, Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin where house hold names.
However, at school, my teachers would assist I tune into PBS to watch ballet or painting. That's like comparing apples and banana. I will tell myself, 'I can't watch that crap.'
Yet, now that am grown up, I actually understand and appreciate art. As a journalist, I am blessed with experiencing numerous events and really getting the grasp of things. These past two weeks, I have covered art and ballet events. A couple of years ago, I would have replied with, 'yuck'. But, there's so much behind a painting or a dance.
I have had the pleasure of interviewing and getting to know different artist: one who paints portraits, while the other takes pictures and turn them into a Andy Warhol type of artwork.
It's amazing how these two individuals used art as the fuel to escape their personal issues. Taking a picture or painting a work of art, has made these two individuals appreciate life and themselves.
Turning to ballet, I interviewed a woman who visits dangerous neighborhoods in Brazil only to recruit young boys and girls to enroll them in her dance school. The purpose of the visit doesn't lie behind increasing enrollment, but to help these children get out of misery and allow them to learn using dancing techniques.
So, as I look back when I used to ridicule art and was stubborn by only watching wrestling, I must admit that I now have a different perspective on art because art, whether its dancing or painting could be the remedy a person needs.


Here is a picture of me created by THE COLOR QUEEN

Fees resume at Haulover Bridge parking lot

After a two-year hiatus, parking fees resume at the beachfront lot under Haulover Bridge.
BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Beachgoers will have to cough up some cash if they plan to park under the Haulover Bridge.

For two years, parking under the bridge was free during construction of the One Bal Harbour project.

But this week, police have started enforcing parking rules at the bridge parking lot.

The lot has new pay-and-display meters, meaning that drivers have to feed coins, bills or credit cards into the parking meters and place receipts on their dashboards. There is a three-hour maximum.

''They are convenient because people don't have to search for change,'' said Village Manager Alfred Treppeda.

Enforcement was scheduled to begin Tuesday. The 65-spot lot is owned by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Before the construction of One Bal Harbour, parking at the lot cost 25 cents for 10 minutes with all the revenue going to the village. Now, the rate will be 25 cents for 15 minutes with 60 percent of the revenue going to the village. The rest goes to the the state.

The money collected is used for general village operations. ''The meters provide us with some revenue,'' Treppeda said. ``It could help us maintain the lot and meters.''

The fine for expired parking is $18, he said.

The lot had been a subject of controversy after local surfers protested the parking spots should be open around the clock. But the village objected to the idea, saying a 24-hour parking lot would invite crime and violence.

The village and FDOT agreed to a five-year lease in February. Parking hours are from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Volunteers pitch in to renovate Miami Gardens foster home for teens

Volunteers pitch in to give a foster home for teen girls a much-needed makeover.


BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
For more than three years, house parent Rosa Abud had been fighting to renovate the dilapidated foster home in Miami Gardens where she tends to five teenage girls.

''I had been advocating for them, but it was hard to bring something new to the house,'' said Abud, who has worked at the foster home for five years. ``I had to go through too many channels.''

Because of the struggling economy, Abud said donations slowed.

But Abud's commitment to bring change to the foster home, at 1511 NW 168th Ter., paid off: Dozens of volunteers from Luke's Sawgrass Landscaping and The Continental Group, a property management company, renovated the decaying home Saturday.

Volunteers, who also brought family members to help, transformed the three-bedroom house in 2 ½ days.

Work started June 20.

The group made improvements by installing new light fixtures and ceiling, painting the interior and exterior, repairing the air-conditioning system, replacing broken tiles and decorating the teens' rooms. The girls chose the color for their three bedrooms: purple, peach and pink.

'Every time they go in their room to pick up clothes, they tell me `I can't believe it's my room,' '' Abud said.

Hector Vargas, senior vice-president of The Continental Group that has offices in Hollywood, said the makeover is life-changing for the girls, whose ages range from 12-16.

''By doing this, we are providing a better environment for them to live in that they can feel they have a home,'' said Vargas, who organized the project's logistics.

Continental Group employees also donated radios, comforters and kitchen ware.

Luke's Sawgrass Landscaping provided the landscape design, materials and labor for the outside.

Vargas said the home, which is overseen by The Center for Family and Child Enrichment, a nonprofit organization, was in bad shape.

The home had outdated smoke detectors and mildew was abundant, he said.

Volunteers completed about $20,000 in improvements, but watching the girls smile was priceless.

''It was an incredible experience seeing them believe that someone was giving them the opportunity to choose something on their own,'' he said.

Abud said the girls are rarely given an opportunity to make decisions -- like deciding how to decorate their home.

''All the time, people make decisions for foster kids. This is the first time they have a choice,'' she said.

The Continental Group prides itself in helping the community, Vargas said.

A few weeks ago, the company renovated the Miami-Dade County Regional Juvenile Detention Center's recreation center.

The company also works in conjunction with the nonprofit Voices For Children.

Local agencies nominated several homes for the Continental makeover. Vargas inspected four homes in South Florida, including the Miami Gardens foster home. He said his decision wasn't difficult.

''I saw a lot of sadness in their face, and it was very touching,'' he said. ``It was really the motivating factor.''

Bunchy Gertner, who sits on the board of directors of Voices For Children, said the girls were ecstatic when they heard the news.

'What you can't see is the emotion because someone cared enough to come to these girls and ask them `What color would you like your room painted?' '' she said.

Volunteer Justo Romero, who pressure-cleaned the sidewalk, traveled from Homestead to assist in the effort.

''I feel great helping out,'' said Romero, who has been with the company for 14 years. ``I am always looking to help. This is refreshing to help these kids.''

Vargas said The Continental Group plans to work on several other community projects throughout the year.

An emotional Abud, whose office in the house also was given a face-lift, said the makeover will have a positive impact.

''When you give them love and care, you can see the change, including stabilizing their behavior,'' she said.

Bal Harbour council fills vacancy on police pension board

BAL HARBOR
Bal Harbour council fills vacancy on police pension board
BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to the Miami Herald
Bal Harbour village leaders have filled a vacant seat on a volunteer board that oversees the police department's pension fund.

The village council unanimously appointed resident Daniel Gold, director and founder of Rushteam Properties, to the five-member board at a meeting this month.

''If I can put myself in a position to assist the council, the board, in any way I can, it would be a pleasure to do so,'' Gold told council members.

Gold will fill the seat vacated by former member Cecil Mullen, who resigned in January citing a medical condition. Mullen had served the board since 2006. Gold will serve a two-year term.

The board is composed of five members: two police officers elected by their peers, two Bal Harbour residents appointed by the council, and one member selected by the other four members. The board serves as the plan administrator for the pension fund. Three residents submitted resumes before the May 29 deadline: Gold, Dr. Lois P. Krop and Stephen H. Shulman.

Gold will join members Abraham Gotman, Det. Paul Eppler, Sgt. Jack Young and the board chairwoman Lois Evans.

Gold, who is from London, said he has plenty of experience that will come in handy.

''I firmly believe that my worldwide experience and running of major businesses makes me an ideal candidate for this position,'' Gold said.

Summer Camps in Coral Gables

Nicaraguan Boxer Alexis Arguello Dead

Former professional boxer and three time World champion, Alexis Arguello was found dead in his Nicaraguan home today. Police say the mayor of Managua, Nicaragua committed suicide by shooting him self on the heart. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the actual cause. The Nicaraguan champion was notable for his fight against hall of fame boxer, Aaron Pryor. He was 57 years-old.