Conservando nuestras tradiciónes y nuestra cultura

DIAS DE INDEPENDENCIA

By RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Especial para The Miami Herald
Roberto Amador se paró junto a la estatua del poeta Rubén Darío, viendo a un grupo de baile folclórico nicaragüense moverse al compás de la marimba, un instrumento similar al xilófono.

Para el emotivo Amador, que se fue de Nicaragua en los años 80, la música trajo recuerdos de su lugar natal en Centroamérica.

``La música penetra mi alma'', dice Amador, que vive en el área de Fontainebleau y hace unos tres años regresó por primera vez a su patria. ``La música nicaragüense es muy especial. Me emociona mucho''.

Cientos de personas con raíces centroamericanas y mexicanas asistieron al Décimo Día Anual de Integración Cultural para celebrar los respectivos días de independencia de sus países en el Parque Rubén Darío el domingo.

``Es un día para recordar mejores días en nuestros países'', dijo Amador, refiriéndose a los problemas políticos que han azotado a su país a través de los años.

El Día de la Independencia de Centroamérica se observa en Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Costa Rica el 15 de septiembre, mientras que los mexicanos celebran su fiesta nacional el 16 de septiembre. El lugar de la celebración del domingo era más que adecuado: el cercano municipio de Sweetwater se ha convertido en una zona de inmigrantes centroamericanos, especialmente nicaragüenses, con el pasar de los años.

Un desfile que comenzó en la escuela primaria Sweetwater y terminó en el Parque Rubén Darío inició la festividad. Siete veteranos del Ejército encabezaban el desfile con una bandera de Estados Unidos, seguidos de otros miembros de organizaciones comunitarias locales, que llevaban banderas de los cinco países centroamericanos y de México. También marchó la banda de la secundaria Coral Park.

La Asociación Comunitaria de Artes Escénicas, una organización no lucrativa del sur de Miami-Dade, organizó el evento. La organización ayuda a promover las tradiciones y cultura latinoamericanas en el sur de la Florida, entre otras cosas.

Consuelo Espinosa, la fundadora de la organización, dijo que la celebración es una manera en que los centroamericanos recuerdan sus tierras.

``Es un modo de conservar nuestra tradición y nuestra cultura, lo que dejamos detrás'', dijo Espinosa, que es nicaragüense. ``Siempre recordaremos nuestras raíces''.

La organización celebra varios eventos culturales en el sur de la Florida.

Los que asistieron también participaron en rifas y concursos de baila, y disfrutaron de comidas tradicionales, como tacos y carne asada.

``Me encanta celebrar los 15 de septiembre'', dijo Jary Meza, de Costa Rica. ``Me emociono mucho cuando celebro mi independencia''.

La gente también disfrutó mucho de bailes tradicionales, como El enano cabezón y la gigantona.

El grupo de baile de Nubia Pomar, de La Pequeña Habana, compuesto de 10 chicas, presentaron bailes folclóricos nicaragüenses como La casa de mi suegra.

Carlos Pereira, hondureño, dice que es importante mantener vivas las tradiciones. ``Es importante enseñar a nuestros hijos las tradiciones, para que ellos también quieran a nuestros países'', dice Pereira, que recuerda los desfiles por la capital hondureña de Tegucigalpa durante la celebración anual, ``porque es de ellos también, aunque algunos nacieron en Estados Unidos''.

Pereira añade que la celebración del Día de la Independencia de su país no puede duplicarse aquí, pero que él lo recuerda como un día familiar.

Y en cuanto a Amador, asistir al acontecimiento es un momento para recordar y ser patriótico. ``Estar aquí me da grandes deseos de estar de nuevo en mi país. ``Para otros es difícil''.

Otros eventos en celebración de la independencia de Centroamérica y México también se observaron en La Pequeña Habana y otras zonas de Miami.

Para más información sobre las próximas actividades de la Asociación Comunitaria de Artes Escénicas, visite comperarts@hotmail.com.

Miami Beach Gold's Gym general manager survives cancer thanks to faith, fitness

After surviving 96 chemotherapy treatments, the general manager of Gold's Gym South Beach shows his appreciation to the cancer center that helped him survive and encourages others to stay healthy.



BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald

Five years ago, personal trainer David Octavio Gandell faced the challenge of his life: At age 29, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and told he had little chance of survival.

He credits an indefatigable faith and his oncologist at the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center with saving his life.

Earlier this month, Gandell decided to show his appreciation to the medical center.

Gandell, now 34 and general manager of Gold's Gym South Beach, organized a health fair that raised funds for Sylvester as well as encouraging people to take a more healthy, optimistic approach to life.

``I want people to know that it was through my faith that I was able to achieve this,'' said Gandell, a native of Puerto Rico who also works as a motivational speaker and model.

Originally diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004, Gandell thought he was in the clear after surgeons removed a testicle.

But a few weeks later, doctors discovered he actually suffered from a rare form of malignant tumor called immature teratoma.

Gandell had consulted with several oncologists who told him his chances of survival were slim.

However, Pasquale Benedetto, an oncologist at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, was willing to help.

``He was in bad shape when he came,'' Benedetto said. ``He had a very rare form of cancer.''

Gandell underwent 96 chemotherapy sessions and a 12-hour surgery.

``I never had a feeling of holding back of stopping and planning my life ahead,'' Gandell said. ``If you don't plan it, you're going to fail.''

In February 2007, doctors told him he was cancer free.

At the Change Your Life Health Fair, which took place at Gold's Gym South Beach, 1400 Alton Rd., sports memorabilia, dinners and spa treatments were auctioned. More than $10,000 was raised for the center, which opened in 1992 and treats more than 4,000 patients a year and performs more than 2,400 surgical procedures.

Vendors like Whole Foods Market and supplement companies such as Dymatize were on board to promote their products and support the cause.

Miami Beach resident Berk Aydalka said the fair was encouraging.

``This is part of your life,'' said Aydalka, who looked forward to meeting bodybuilders and fitness models. ``You can't think of living without fitness.''

Gandell credits his healthy lifestyle for helping him overcome cancer.

After his third chemotherapy session, at a time when he only weighed 128 pounds, he still went to the gym. Benedetto said a healthy living could be a positive factor in combating cancer.

``He was very active while he was sick, and I am sure his shape helped out the cause,'' Benedetto said.

Despite what doctors said about his survival rate, Gandell didn't stop believing.

``Everything that I prayed for, I got answers through people or through feelings,'' said Gandell, who hosts several fitness contests in South Florida.

Soon after being declared cancer free, he started training to host the 2007 Universe Weekend competition, a fitness show in downtown Miami.

Coral Springs resident Alyssa Hynes, who competed in the event, accompanied him in his workouts for 10 weeks. Hynes said Gandell served as a motivation.

``Even though he was going through all sorts of stress, I would walk in his house and he had endless motivation and an endless life,'' said Hynes, a model for Dymatize supplements.

Benedetto said Gandell's positive outlook played a major role in treating his disease.

``He was an optimist,'' Benedetto said. ``He was aware that what we did was untested waters.''

``Cancer is a challenge, so challenge yourself,'' Gandell said with a smile. ``We go through challenges every day.''

Gandell plans to host another health fair early next year.

El Portal keeps same tax rate

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
The El Portal Village Council unanimously approved a tax rate of $7.84 at its final budget hearing Tuesday -- the same as the current rate.

Under the proposed rate, which takes effect Oct. 1, the owner of a typical El Portal home assessed at $151,689 taking the standard $50,000 homestead exemption, would pay $797 in property taxes.

Some homeowners may actually pay less than this year because of falling property values. El Portal property values have fallen more than 17 percent, according to the Miami-Dade property appraiser's office. The proposed $1.8 million budget trims roughly $155,000 from the current 2008-09 budget.

Despite keeping the same tax rate, the village had to keep a close eye on its finances by making cuts to departments..

One department taking a major hit under the proposed budget: code enforcement, which will decrease to $2,900 compared to last year's $63,887.

The reason: El Portal no longer has a code enforcement officer. The village's eight police department officers now also serve as code enforcement officials, a change that began in May.

Also, the village cut its state lobbyist, which will help save $15,000. Village manager Jason Walker added that funding for tree trimming will be reduced by more than half: $10,000 for 2009-10 compared to the $25,000 allotted for tree trimming in the current budget. On the other hand, Walker said the village would be prepared in case of an emergency.

El Portal has maintained a healthy reserve account keeping more than $700,000 in reserves for use in emergencies such as hurricanes.

Central Americans and Mexicans Celebrate Independence Day

The 10th annual Cultural Integration Day celebrates
Central American and Mexican independence days with traditional
food, music and costumes.


BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to the Miami Herald

Roberto Amador stood by a statue of Nicaraguan poet Ruben
Dario, watching dancers perform a folkloric dance from Nicaragua
to the sounds of the marimba, an instrument similar to the
xylophone.

For an emotional Amador, who left Nicaragua in the 1980s, of
the music brought back memories of his Central American
birth place.

"The music penetrates into my soul," said Amador, lives in
the Fountainbleau area and last visited his country about three
years ago. "The Nicaraguan music is so special. It's very
emotional for me."

Hundreds of people with ties to Central America, Mexico and
the 10th annual Cultural Integration Day to celebrate their
countries' respective independence days at Ruben Dario Park, 9825
W. Flagler Street, on Sunday.

"This is a day to remember better days we had in our native
country," said Amador, referring to the political and economic
troubles that has plagued his homeland over the years.

The Central American Independence Day is observed in
Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica on
Sept. 15, while Mexicans celebrate their national holiday Sept.
16. The venue for Sunday's event, which also drew revelers
hailing from many Latin American countries, was fitting: Nearby
Sweetwater has become an enclave for Central Americans,
especially Nicaraguan, immigrants over the years.

A parade, which began at Sweetwater Elementary and ended at
Ruben Dario Park, kicked off the festivities. Seven army veterans
from the U.S. Southern Command led the parade by carrying an
American flag, followed by other members of local community
organizations, who each carried flags from all five Central
American countries and Mexico. Coral Park Senior High's "Band of
Gold" also marched in the parade.

The non-profit Community Performing Arts Association,
based in South Miami-Dade, organized the event. The organization
helps promote Latin American tradition and culture in South
Florida, among other goals.

Organization founder Consuelo Espinosa said the
celebration is a way for Central Americans to remember their
homelands.

"This is a way to conserve our tradition and culture that we
left in our country," said Espinosa, who is from Nicaragua. "We
will always remember our roots."

The non-profit hosts several cultural events
throughout South Florida.

Party-goers also participated in raffles, dance contests
and enjoyed traditional foods such tacos and carne asada.

"I love to celebrate the festivities for the 15th of
September," said Jary Meza from Costa Rica, who was breathing
hard after winning a dance contest. "I get very emotional
celebrating my independence."

The crowd also enjoyed several traditional dances like El
enano cabezon y la gigantona (which translates roughly to mean
The Short Man with the Big Head and the Giant Woman).

Little Havana resident Nubia Pomar's dance group, made up of
10 young girls, danced Nicaraguan folkloric ballets such as La
casa de mi suegra (My Mother-in-law's House).

Carlos Pereira, who is from Honduras, says it's significant
to keep traditions alive.

"It's important to teach our children our traditions, so they
can also have love to our country," said Pereira, who remembered
the parades that would march through the Honduran capital of
Tegucigalpa during the annual celebration. "Because it's
there's, too, even though some were born in the United States."

Pereira adds that his native country's Independence Day
celebration can't be duplicated, but he remembers being a family
day.

As for Amador, attending the event is a moment to catch
up with old friends and be patriotic.

"Being here gives me a lot of desire to return back to my
country," he said. "However, for some, it is difficult for
us."

Other events celebrating the independence of Central
America and Mexico were also held in Little Havana and Miami.

For information on the Community Performing Arts
Association's upcoming events email comperarts@hotmail.com.

Bal Harbour Village Council will increase tax rate

Bal Harbour's tax rate will increase in order to offseta dip in property values.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
The Bal Harbour Village Council unanimously approved an 8.6 percent tax rate increase at its final budget hearing Tuesday.

The new rate, which takes effect Oct. 1, is an increase from $2.308 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $2.526.

The village's tax rate has to go up to offset an 8.38 percent decline in property values, Village Manager Alfred Treppeda said.

Mayor Jean Rosenfield said Bal Harbour has been tightening its belt. ``Our city has been prudent on the way we have managed our funds,'' said Rosenfield in a phone interview. ``We have been able to save money for future expenditures.''

Even with the increase, the village still has one of the lowest property tax rates in Miami-Dade County. Under the proposed rate, the owner of a typical Bal Harbour home assessed at $652,031 taking the $50,000 homestead exemption would pay about $1,520 in annual municipal taxes. Many homeowners may see a drop in their tax bill because of a dip in property values. The village projects that it will take in $13.3 million in taxes and fees for the 2009-10 fiscal year -- up from the current year's $12.5 million.

Big-ticket items for the new budget include a storm-water drainage project and bus shelter replacement, the latter being paid for with $250,000 in federal funding. Treppeda said vacant positions in public works and the solid waste department will be left unfilled, and a police officer position will be eliminated. The village is setting aside $500,000 for reserves, which will be used as revenue for the 2010-11 budget year. The money will come in handy, since funding from the St. Regis hotel and condo project will end in 2010.

For the past few years, Bal Harbour has counted on a development agreement with the St. Regis in helping shore up the village's bottom line. According to the 2009-10 budget, Bal Harbour will receive $2.25 million from the project.

El Portal turns down charter school

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
The El Portal Village Council shut down a proposal to turn the former Rader Memorial United Methodist Church site into a charter school after the plan drew opposition from residents.

``If this is going to cost us a great deal of angst for villagers, I can't see myself in good conscience voting for the continuance of this,'' Mayor Joyce Davis said at a Tuesday meeting.

The council unanimously approved to deny a special exception to convert the lot into a school. The council also denied granting site-plan approval, which MG3 Development Group had sought before purchasing the church building at 205 NE 87th St. and expanding it to a for-profit charter school.

Most people packed into village hall also opposed the school.

``It's clearly not in the best interest of the village,'' resident Craig Smith said. ``It's a matter of traffic, noise. There's a matter of whether this is appropriate for the size of the village.''

Not all residents were opposed, though.

``I would love to send my child to get an education here in El Portal,'' said Edward Blasini, who said he recently moved to the village. ``A good school like Imagine, that has a good track record speaks for itself. I think the school would be an attraction for the neighborhood.''

After the meeting, MG3 attorney Ben Fernandez said his client may consider legal action.

Fernandez had asked the council for more time in order to answer traffic questions raised by El Portal's consultants, The Corradino Group.

Davis said the group had already been given plenty of opportunities to address the village's concerns.

``This situation has been going on for a long period of time,'' she said. ``Every time we have a meeting there's another carrot dangled before us.''

The issue has been before the village since about May.

In July, the village council deferred a vote on converting the lot into a school after requesting detailed traffic information.

The developer had planned 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 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.

The school would have accommodated students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Since its original proposal, the developers had decided to reduce the student number to 600 and nixed plans to expand the building.

The developers had also promised to give $200,000, since the school would not have to pay property taxes, Fernandez said.

That didn't sit well with Davis.

``I personally think it's a slap on the face,'' she said Tuesday.

``Because it's a feeling as though we are a small hick little village and that we are so desperate that $200,000 would appease us.''

Latin Americans celebrate independence

Although the city of Sweetwater has a small population and is known for it's great Central American restaurant, the place was rockin this week as Central Americans, Mexicans, and Chilenos celebrated their independence. Party-goers danced the night away at Sabores Chilenos last night drinking pisco sour and jammed to latin rock. Earlier in the week, Nicaraguans danced to the marimba and remembered the good ol days of their country, when it was free of economical and political turmoil. I wrote an article on the event, so stay tune because I'll post it shortly.

El Portal cuts code enforcement, lobbying in proposed budget

EL PORTAL

A tough budget year means belt-tightening for El Portal, but homeowner's tax rates will stay the same.
BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
El Portal village council will be tightening its belt for the upcoming fiscal year, with code enforcement and lobbying efforts facing cuts.
The village council unanimously approved a proposed tax rate of $7.84 at the village's first budget hearing Tuesday -- the same as the current rate.
The council will have to vote on the proposed tax rate and budget at the final budget hearing later this month.
Under the proposed rate, the owner of a typical El Portal home assessed at $151,689 taking the standard of $50,000 homestead exemption, would pay $797 in property taxes.
Some homeowners may actually pay less than this year because of falling property values. El Portal property values have fallen more than 17 percent, according to the Miami-Dade property appraiser's office.
The proposed $1.8 million budget trims roughly $155,000 from the current 2008-09 budget.
The village's code enforcement department would be taking a hit under the proposed budget, which decreases funding for the department from $63,887 to $2,900.
The reason: El Portal no longer has a code enforcement officer. The village's eight police department officers now also serve as code enforcement officials, a change that began in May.
``In these tough economic times, we understand that we have to do more with less,'' Village Manager Jason Walker said.
Councilman Harold Mathis says the village didn't waste time in looking for ways to save money.
``We started early because of the known shortfalls and still we proceeded with caution and responsibility,'' he said.
The village also cut its state lobbyist, saving $15,000.
Walker also says El Portal will reduce funds for tree trimming by more than half: $10,000 for 2009-10 compared to the $25,000 allotted for tree trimming in the current budget.
Despite the budget crunch, Walker said El Portal has maintained a healthy reserve account.
The village has more than $700,000 in reserves for use in emergencies such as hurricanes.
Walker said he is optimistic for the village's financial future, noting an uptick in paperwork that would indicate people are considering buying and building property.
``We've had an increase in lien searches and building permit request,'' he said. ``So, somebody is moving in.''
The village council will take a final vote at its final budget hearing scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at village hall, 500 NE 87th St.

Bal Harbour proposes higher tax rate

Bal Harbour is proposing to increase its tax rate to help offset declining property values.




BY RODOLFO ROMAN
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD
The Bal Harbour Council unanimously voted at its first budget hearing to increase the village's property tax rate by 8.6 percent for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
The village proposes to raise the rate from $2.308 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $2.526.
Village Manager Alfred Treppeda said the village's tax rate has to go up to offset an 8.38 percent decline in property values.
``With the reduction in property values county-wide, this was a very challenging budget year,'' Treppeda said.
But even with the increase, the village still has one of the lowest property tax rates in the Miami-Dade County.
Under the proposed rate, the owner of a typical Bal Harbour home assessed at $652,031 taking the $50,000 homestead exemption would pay about $1,520 in annual municipal taxes.
The village projects that it will take in $13,261,858 in taxes and fees for the 2009-10 fiscal year -- up from the current year's $12.5 million.
Big-ticket items for the new budget include a storm water drainage project and bus shelter replacement.
However, $25,000 will come from federal funding to help pay for the bus shelters.
The storm water project will be financed.
Bal Harbour also plans to renovate its village hall, which will be paid for with funds from the county's General Obligation Bond.
To save money, Treppeda does not plan to fill two public works positions after two employees retired.
The police department's budget will also go down after an officer's position is eliminated. However, one police officer will be paid by forfeiture funds. Currently, the village has 28 sworn-in police officers.
The village's solid waste department's budget will also go down, thanks to savings from lower disposal fees and less waste after the trash transfer station was eliminated, Treppeda said. Also, a position will be eliminated after an employee retired.
For the past few years, Bal Harbour has counted on a development agreement to helping shore up the village's bottom line.
This upcoming budget year, Bal Harbour will receive $2.25 million from the St. Regis hotel and condo project, which is under construction.
However, that funding will end in the new fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, 2010.
Another potential future revenue problem: The St. Regis project might not be completed in time to be added to the tax roll for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
So the the village is already preparing, using $500,000 from the 2009-10 budget year to set aside for 2010-11 as part of a mileage rate stabilization fund.
``The village has been responsible in increasing its fund balance for the past several years, and will have to utilize a portion of it to get through the lag year,'' the village manager said.
``In addition, a separate garbage fee, which most other cities have, will be recommended.''
The village council will make a final vote on the 2009-10 fiscal year budget at its final budget hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Village Hall, 655 96th St.

Miami Beach first stop for Mexican ship of peace

A FIVE-MONTH JOURNEY TO PROMOTE PEACE -- AND THE BEACH'S SISTER CITY OF COZUMEL -- INCLUDES A YOUNG MEXICAN BOY ALONG FOR THE RIDE



BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to the Herald

Carlos Antonio Angulo Carrillo, 12, is embarking on a journey most children read about in fairy tales.

For five months, the Mexican child will hit the high seas with a crew of 12 men and a lone female -- a pooch named Coco -- on a ship similar to those in tales like Peter Pan.

But this ship won't travel to Never Never Land. First stop on the months-long journey to spread an international message of peace?

Miami Beach.

The expedition, sponsored by the Beach's sister city of Cozumel and funded by a Mexican businessman, stopped at the Miami Beach Marina Aug. 30.

Carlos and his crew arrived on the Zamna, a hand-crafted wooden ship named after an ancient Mayan high priest.

``I am very emotional to be a part of this project,'' said Carlos, who is of Mayan descent and left his Cozumel home on Aug. 26.

At the Zamna's first official stop, local schoolchildren and Mexican and Miami Beach officials welcomed the crew with open arms.

Two children from local middle schools -- Emily Witt from Nautilus Middle School and Abigail Garcia from Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center -- were the first to greet the boy.

The young girls won an essay contest on world peace to be the first to greet Carlos.

Carlos said he is thrilled to be spreading the message of peace across the world.

``Peace means friendship between the human race and it prevents problems with family and friends,'' said Carlos, who is traveling with his father, Manuel Angulo Lopez, a tourism promoter in Cozumel. The Zamna will stop in 15 ports, including visits to Spain, Italy and Israel before ending its voyage in Greece.

The 110-foot ship is trimaran, a vessel with multiple hulls, motors and three masts.

Carlos first heard of the trip when his father read an advertisement in a local Cozumel newspaper. Dozens of children applied. The Cozumel government picked the winner.

The idea of building the Zamna came from ship captain Vital Alsar, who has more than 40 years of navigation experience.

The Zamna's owner, Yucatan businessman Manuel Diaz Rubio, said 400 tons of Mexican wood were used, which came from trees in Chiapas, Veracruz, and Campache.

The ship is solely devoted to its singular mission and won't be used for commercial purposes, Diaz said.

He said he turned down an offer from the Mexican network Televisa, which wanted to use it as a setting for a telenovela.

``But I said `no,' '' said Diaz, who wouldn't disclose how much the ship is worth. ``This ship is built to spread the message of peace.''

The journey's cost was also defrayed by private donations.

The ship was built over 14 months in Alvarado, Veracruz by 49 Mexican carpenters.

The Zamna's design incorporates Egyptian, Greek and Mexican influences. The windows are decorated with images, such as birds, that evoke Mayan artistry.

The prow of the Zamna has a dove, a symbol of peace.

On the ship's sails, the word ``peace'' is written in 24 languages.

It also has a makeshift chapel, where a ceramic figurine of the Virgin of Guadalupe sits on a table.

The ship carries 12 volunteer crewmen from different parts of the world including Spain, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

``We are here just to help and promote peace,'' said Shayne Holden, a volunteer from Canada. ``This is just like an adrenaline rush. This is an experience that will challenge me.''

The United Nations recently named Cozumel ``The Island of Peace.''

``The bringing of peace is a spectacular way of uniting countries and cities,'' said Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower.

Miami Beach and Cozumel have been sister cities for more than 10 years.

Carlos, who had already visited Miami for family vacation, said he is working on a diary of the trip to show his mother, Isela Carrillo. He will miss a portion of the school year in Cozumel, but said he'll learn plenty on the trip.

``I am going to spend time in the water and gain experience from people I don't know and with my father, Carlos Manuel,'' said Carlos, who plans to stay aboard the entire five month trip.

The crew was invited to several Miami Beach events, including paying a visit to a local school.

They departed from Miami Beach Wednesday.

The Zamna's next stop will be New York, where the crew will pay tribute to the victims of Sept. 11.

Carneiro Tops Patino at Shine Fights 2; Edwards Victorious

Saturday, September 05, 2009
by Rodolfo Roman (roman@sherdog.com) (Photos by Dave Mandel)


19508
MIAMI, Fla. -- Roan Carneiro defeated fellow UFC veteran Jorge Patino by unanimous decision in the main event at Shine Fights 2 “American Top Team vs. The World” on Friday at the James L. Knight Center.

The two well-rounded Brazilians tested each other’s skills throughout their three-round affair. They fought mostly on the ground, and the crowd of almost 2,000 did not approve. The referee had to return the fighters to their feet when the action stalled on a number of occasions.

Patino struck first in round one, as he landed body kicks that failed to exact much of a toll on Carneiro, a Pan-American Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion. Eventually, the battle spilled onto the ground, where Carneiro worked from half guard. Patino ultimately swept the ATT representative and landed some vicious elbows from the top position. However, Carneiro recovered rapidly and attempted an armbar from the bottom.

Carneiro fired some powerful knees that grazed his opponent, but the bout moved back to the ground in the second round. The crowd was firmly behind Carneiro in round three, as the fighters spent most of their time on the mat. In the last minute, Carneiro missed with a sloppy jab and was met by a stout overhand right from Patino, though no harm was done.

All three judges sided with Carneiro, who snapped a two-fight losing streak and won for just the third time in seven fights. Patino has lost two of three.

Meanwhile, Yves Edwards followed his ATT teammate’s lead in the co-featured bout, as he submitted EliteXC veteran James Warfield with a triangle choke 4:48 into round two.

Edwards’ considerable skill and experience proved too great to overcome for Warfield -- a late replacement for Mario Stapel, who withdrew from the match to deal with personal matters.

The 32-year-old Edwards put an end to his two-fight skid and rebounded from an injury to post his first victory of 2009. The one-time EliteXC lightweight title challenger connected with a round kick in the first period and then brought Warfield into the clinch where he did damage with knees to the head. Edwards later took down his Wisconsin-based foe. However, Warfield reversed the position and attempted a rear-naked choke, which failed.

In the second round, Warfield unleashed some right hooks and a Superman punch but had no luck. When the battle hit the ground again, Edwards cinched a triangle choke for the tapout.

Edwards called the fight a wakeup call.

“He hits hard,” Edwards said. “He hit me with one shot and it kind of rocked me, but I think this is what I needed -- to feel some pain to make sure this is what I want to do.”

Elsewhere, ATT standout, Micah Miller submitted Anthony Morrison by arm-triangle choke 4:25 into round two. The 22-year-old Georgian has rattled off three straight victories since his decision loss to former King of Pancrase Yoshiro Maeda at Dream 7 in March.

A World Extreme Cagefighting veteran, Miller sucked up some nasty leg kicks from his opponent. Morrison later took Miller into a clinch against the cage, where both men exchanged knees to the body. Miller’s talent took hold in round two, as he grounded Morrison, secured side control and finished the fight.

Finally, former University of Miami football player Brian Fuery won his professional mixed martial arts debut, as he submitted Phil Friedman 2:03 into the opening round.

Other Bouts
Luiz Firmino def. Ryan Healy -- Unanimous Decision
Flavio Alvaro def. Jean Silva -- Majority Decision
Junior Assuncao def. Pete Grimes -- Split Decision
Herbert Goodman def. James Brasco -- TKO (Punches) 3:24 R3

El Portal coalition sending supplies to storm victims in Jamaica

A councilwoman teams up with residents and a Jamaican nonprofit to help children in a storm-ravaged section of the island country.


BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
El Portal is coming to the aid of hurricane victims in Jamaica.

Councilwoman Daisy Black -- along with some concerned village neighbors -- have partnered with a Jamaica-based nonprofit to help needy school children living in the northeastern part of the Caribbean island, which has been ravaged by storms in recent years.

``I have always felt that if someone is in need, it is our duty to help out,'' said Black, who donated $400 of her own money and recently traveled to the island country to help distribute backpacks to school children.

``In the past, I have donated goods to Haiti and feel that I should help others in the Caribbean islands as well.''

In recent years, major hurricanes and tropical storms have struck Jamaica, leaving the island with extensive damage.

In 2007, Hurricane Dean pummeled the island with strong winds and rain, leaving serious damage and killing dozens. Last year, Tropical Storm Gustav, which eventually became a hurricane, brought heavy rain and flooded streets, causing significant damage for the island's road infrastructure and leaving more than $200 million in damage.

El Portal resident and Jamaica native Sharon Isaacs reached out to Black after hearing from her friend, Jamaican Councillor Desmond Gilmore.

Gilmore is involved with the Lime Hall Benevolent Society, a 3-year-old nonprofit that has sought help for the children of the Lime Hall district of Saint Ann's, Jamaica.

Several schools in Saint Ann's were severely damaged by the storms, but are now opening for the new school year.

``This is something I have always wanted to do,'' said Isaacs.

The group collected roughly $3,000 and more than 500 backpacks, school supplies and clothing.

Black reached out to local businesses and employees of El Portal.

Isaacs, who has lived in El Portal for 18 years, began the effort in April. In her down time, she would make phone calls to friends and family asking for donations. Isaacs adds that she received donations from as far as Ocala.

``On a weekly basis, I would spend at least a hundred dollars on purchasing school supplies including crayons, pencils, and backpacks,'' she said.

In all, the group managed to collect 32 boxes filled with shoes, food and school supplies, clothing and soap.

The items were shipped last month.

Gilmore also came to El Portal to finish packing the boxes last month, before they were shipped.

For information on how to donate, call 305-754-6141.