Get your Rhythm on this summer in Bal Harbour

Rhythm Sundays offers international music -- like tango, bossa nova and Indian sitar -- though the summer.


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Summertime in Bal Harbour will be melodic.

In an effort to highlight local arts and culture, the village has teamed up with The Rhythm Foundation, a nonprofit cultural organization, for a series of Sunday musical performances.

Through Sept. 5, a weekly roster of music programming created by the organization will be featured from noon to 3 p.m. at the ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa and Bal Harbour Shops.

All events are free.

``This has been a successful series that brings wonderful free concerts to the public and allows us the pleasure to work with locally-based artists,'' said Laura Quinlan, director of Rhythm Foundation. ``Bal Harbour has a great tradition of being a home for the arts and culture, and we are really glad to have the opportunity to work together.''

At Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., the series takes place on the mall's terrace and will focus on international instrumental music, including Indian sitar and Argentine tango music. At ONE Bal Harbour, 10295 Collins Ave., the program will take on Brazilian flair with a Bossa Brunch at ONE Kitchen.

The village allocated $22,500 to supplement the program using village resorts tax funds to pay for the entertainment, which started May 30.

Miguel Paredes' new mural `a landmark piece' in Miami's Wynwood Arts District

MIGUEL PAREDES' NEW MURAL, `PULGHA WORLD,' BRINGS A NEW ARTISTIC TWIST TO MIAMI'S WYNWOOD ARTS DISTRICT


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Taking an evening stroll through Miami's Wynwood's Arts District with his poodle, Canadian Brgron Jean came to a halt when one of the area's latest art piece, Miguel Paredes' mural titled Pulgha World, stood out.

``It's beautiful,'' said Jean, who is a painter. ``I love it.''

Jean was one of many art lovers who admired the unveiling of Pulgha World, which translates to ``Flea World'' in Spanish.

(Flea is actually spelled pulga, but Paredes adds an ``h'' in his title.)

The piece was presented at Wynwood's Second Saturday art walk recently.

A New York native, Paredes installed the 18-by-26-foot mosaic mural on the side of a building at 2399 NW Second Ave., which is the home of Mizrach Realty Associates and multiple art studios.

While the Wynwood area is known for its murals, graffiti and urban art, Jean said Paredes' work has some different features than the others.

``It's very detailed; it has great definition and design,'' said Jean, who lives in Davie. ``It looks like Japanese anime, which has a great influence.''

Pulgha World is made up of 550 tiles dedicated to bring variety and a splash of vibrant colors to the area's urban streets.

It includes an iconic diminutive anime flea, which is part of Paredes' concept for a children's storybook, where the insect serves as an educational tool by promoting environmental conservation and green initiatives.

In the collage, the flea is a magical insect showcasing New York City's skyline as a backdrop. Colorful flowers and birds, a geisha and three children spray painting are featured.

The children also appeared in his signature oil painting series Los Niños, a dedication to his kids.

``I wanted to have something unique,'' Paredes said, while pointing at the mural. ``I could have gotten on a scaffold and painted, but it wouldn't have turned out like this.''

But the piece does have some of the Wynwood's flavor as there is tag-style writing, which looks like graffiti.

Paredes' friend, Ari Dispenza of Mizrach Realty Associates, approached the artist about the possibility of creating the mural about two months ago.

``It's a landmark piece in the area,'' Dispenza said. ``There's a lot of great ones out there. We are proud to have his piece on our building.''

The mural is a first for Parades in the area and served as a preview of his personal art gallery scheduled to open in Wynwood later in the summer.

Paredes is known for his crossover artwork. His style is pop art, oil painting and sculptures.

Aside from the art, Paredes, an urban impressionist, is also the owner and founder of PK Graphics, a multimillion-dollar printing company. A New York native, he developed his artistic skills during the early 1980s as a student at the city's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts. He later moved to South Florida and now lives in Pinecrest.

To put the mural together, Paredes sketched it on paper and later converted it digitally. Soon after, he printed the drawing on a large printing press using more than 500 tiles. It took four days to install the mural.

But Parades' mural wasn't the only artwork being highlighted at the Wynwood art walk. Several gallery shops opened to display their latest pieces. Paredes said the area is full of talent willing to be recognized.

``It is time for Miami to look at these artists who are designers and so forth because they can create and do more city projects,'' said Paredes, who helps promote new artists.

FIU STUDENTS, FACULTY AND ALUMNI PUT ON AN ALTERNATIVE THEATER FESTIVAL THIS WEEK

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Florida International University student Fadoua Hanine has been acting since middle school.

Now Hanine, 21, will share the spotlight with classmates and alumni as part of FIU's Alternative Theatre Summer Festival, which kicks off Wednesday.

Three productions by FIU students and alumni will be presented at the DM 150 Studio Theatre at the main campus, 10910 SW 17th St., Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $10 general admission, and the festival runs until July 25.

``I love performing, so any opportunity I get to be on stage is a blessing,'' Hanine said.

A fine arts performance major, Hanine will be playing the role of Angie in Caryl Churchill's Top Girls, directed by Shani Bernard.

Top Girls is set in the 1980s and revolves around Marlene, an independent career woman celebrating a big promotion. She meets various women from history as she explores the price she has paid for success.

Also part of the festival is A Bicycle Country by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and former Miamian Nilo Cruz. That play takes a look at the lives of three Cuban exiles inextricably linked by their dream of finding freedom and peace. The third play, Prodigal: The Execution of William Spencer, is a piece that describes the final day of a prisoner on Death Row.

FIU theater professors Phillip Church and Marina Pareja created the festival in an effort to bring Miami's cultural diversity to the stage and to encourage students to experiment.

``ATSF encourages our students to take risks and not to play safe. Try things. Explore. Fail,'' Church wrote in an e-mail. ``Learn from mistakes instead of pursuing the perfect production.''

Church believes each play is a lesson learned.

``We need to do plays that are constantly challenging the students in all areas of theater production,'' he said.

Actors auditioned at the beginning of the summer for the program that is open to all FIU students regardless of major. Alumni also participate, and faculty work on a volunteer basis.

``It is a great learning experience for our ongoing students to work with those who are now in the profession,'' Church said. ``And it helps sustain a connection with FIU alumni, something that as a young university we are in constant need of maintaining.''

The author of Prodigal: The Execution of William Spencer is FIU alumnus Edward G. Excaliber. The play, which features a cast of six, is Excaliber's first full production at his alma mater. He is grateful for the exposure.

``The fact that it is happening so early in my career is helping me learn to stay humble and to admire my colleagues, for they are remarkable at what they do,'' he wrote in an e-mail.

Aside from delivering entertainment and education, Church said the productions also bring culture to the FIU neighborhood.

``The productions we offer allow the community to have stimulating theater on campus at a time when there is very little in this West Miami region,'' he wrote.

Get head start on Coconut Grove bed race

The annual Great Grove Bed Race is not until Sept. 5, but racers can start getting tips on how to build a bed as part of the Get Rolling Gatherings event.

The first will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 17, at the Grove Spot, 3324 Virginia St.

The race consists of beds rolling down Grand Avenue.

This week's gathering will consist of demonstrations on constructing a bed to race. One of last year's beds will be on hand.

There will be a raffle and prizes, including free movie tickets to the Paragon Grove 13 movie theaters.

There will be three Get Rolling Gatherings, each held on the third Thursday of the month -- in June, July and August -- at various venues. There are still open spots during early registration, so pick a division: men, women co-ed or corporate.

For information, go to www.thegreatgrovebedrace.com.

-- RODOLFO ROMAN

Fruit and Spice Park festival offers a sweet taste of summer

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
South Florida will get a taste of summer just before it officially arrives.

Delicious tropical fruits will be for sale and sampling at the annual Redland Summer Fruit Festival. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 SW 187th Ave. Summer starts June 21.

Admission is $8 per adult; children younger than 12 are free.

Fruit and Spice Park manager Chris Rollins said the event pays homage to the area's fruit growers.

``It's the only event that represents the South Dade Redland farming community,'' he said.

The two-day affair will showcase local agriculture and tropical fruit plants. More than 30 vendors will attend. Fruit lovers will have the opportunity to sample rare fruits and fruit smoothies. There also will be a tasting of chocolate-covered fruits.

For festival-goers interested in learning about topics such as cultivation and grafting techniques, there will be educational workshops.

U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives also will be on hand. There will be cooking demonstrations using various kinds of fruits.

While visiting the park, fruit lovers can take advantage of amenities like the new 2 ½-acre lake stocked with native fish. The park is also known for growing more than 500 varieties of subtropical fruits, herbs, spices, vegetables and nuts from around the world on 40 lush acres in the Redland.

Visitors won't have to travel far to learn about plants from the Eastern Hemisphere, as the park offers a green house for tender Asian plants and features over 70 types of bamboo.

The park will offer botanical tours.

Mango lovers will find several varieties of their favorite fruit.

``These mangoes down here in the Redland are different than what you see in the store,'' Rollins said.

Music lovers can enjoy local bands like Alternative Tradition. For animal lovers and children, the Little Farm Petting Zoo, pony rides, book signings and other fun family activities will take place.

And, for the heavy eaters, there will be a watermelon-eating contest with the winner taking a prize.

For information, visit www.fruitandspicepark.com.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald

Legendary comic book characters Batman and Spiderman will be in town this weekend, but not to fight super-villains.

Instead of their superpowers, the costumed heroes will wield Sharpie pens to sign autographs for fans at the fifth annual Florida Supercon at the Doubletree Miami Mart Airport Convention Center, 711 NW 72nd Ave.

Entrance fees vary, but a one-day ticket for Friday and Sunday is $20, while on Saturday the charge is $25. Three-day tickets are $40.

The three-day festival will showcase the latest in comic books, anime, animation, video games, fantasy and science fiction. Comic fans will see crowds dressed up as their favorite characters along with celebrity guests, voice actors and writers.

It's an opportunity for South Florida adults to relive childhood memories and check out the newest the industry has to offer, and for youngsters to see their favorite heroes and villains in person.

``There's a lot of comic book fans here,'' said Mike Broder, president of Florida Supercon. ``It's a place to get together.''

Broder said the crowds have grown each year. Last year, more than 5,400 fans showed up, leaving Broder with no choice but to expand convention floorspace, which is three times bigger than in 2008, Broder said. He expects about 7,000 visitors this year.

More than 100 vendors from across the state, the country and Canada will set up shop in the 150,000-square-foot space.

The convention serves as a launch pad for businesses trying to make a name for themselves, said JoAnn Minieri, manager of Tate's Comics in Lauderhill .

``For a company that isn't established, it is great,'' he said. ``It's a chance to pass out flyers and get the word out. This can only help.''

Minieri has had a booth at the convention since the beginning and plans to sell everything from comic books to Japanese snacks.

Aside from admiring the fictional characters, fans can jam to the latest tunes of several bands like ska punk group Less Than Jake, which will perform on the main stage along with other musicians.

Total Nonstop Action and former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Kevin Nash will be meeting and greeting wrestling fans. Making his first convention appearance, Richard Roundtree, best known for his role in Shaft, will be hosting a question-and-answer event.

Also on the list of celebrities: actor John Wesley Shipp, who played the Flash in the television series, and Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island.

Festivalgoers also can compete in video game tournaments and costume competitions with over $3,000 in cash and prizes. There also will be the Smash Brothers 300 Super Show, a live-action video game performance.

The convention is not only goofy and wacky, but it brings families together.

``It brings in family of all ages'' Broder said. ``We get grandchildren with grandparents. We have events geared for all ages.''

Curran Wins Bellator Tournament, Earns Crack at Alvarez

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- The Cinderella story continues for Pat Curran, as he defeated Toby Imada by split decision in the 2010 Bellator Fighting Championships lightweight tournament at Bellator 21 on Thursday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

The win earns Curran a shot at Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez later this year. He also defeated heavily favored UFC veteran Roger Huerta by unanimous decision and Mike Ricci by knockout en route to winning the tournament.

Curran’s fight with Imada started off slow. Most of the first round was spent clinched against the cage, where both men exchanged knees and attempted to score with strikes. Imada -- who fought Alvarez in the 2009 lightweight final -- felt Curran’s wrath late, as he rocked him with a left hook.

A lackluster second round made those in attendance restless, as they begged for action. To answer the fans, Curran caught Imada with a right hand, but the fight came to a halt when his mouthpiece came out. With a few seconds left in the round, Curran attempted an unsuccessful Superman punch, but he landed a front kick to Imada’s chin right before the bell.

The last round was a struggle for survival. Curran opened the period with a few left jabs, but Imada countered and connected with a right cross. A stiff knee rocked Imada, yet he fearlessly responded with an offensive combination. Curran controlled the rest of the fight by sprawling out of Imada’s takedown attempts. He punctuated his victory with a hard right hand, which opened a nasty laceration on Imada’s eyelid.

Imada’s last-ditch effort to get the fight to the ground failed, as the two lightweights finished the match on their feet and left the decision to the judges. Scores were 29-28 across the board, with two of the judges siding with Curran.

In the co-headliner, the undefeated Megumi Fujii earned the first technical knockout of her storied mixed martial arts career, as she stopped Sarah Schneider 1:58 into round three on strikes from the mount.

Fujii, who had not fought on American soil in more than three years, tested her foe by throwing kicks in the first round. Schneider worked on landing some jabs. A black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Fujii controlled the fight on the ground, cut Schneider across the bridge of the nose and mounted her in the third round. A series of unanswered blows ended Schneider’s night.

The 36-year-old Fujii, who has finished her last eight opponents, will compete in Bellator’s Season 3 women’s tournament.

Other Bouts
Luis Palomino def. Jose Figueroa -- Unanimous Decision
Zach Makovsky def. Eric Luke -- Submission (Kimura) 4:28 R2
Frank Carrillo def. Sabah Homasi -- TKO (Elbows) 3:16 R3
Mike Hayes def. Steven Banks -- Unanimous Decision
Moyses Gabin def. Chris Boffil -- Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 4:41 R1
Brian Eckstein def. Mitchell Chamale -- Unanimous Decision

Bal Harbour considers making entrepreneurs register their home businesses

Home-based business owners may have to register -- and pay a fee -- under a proposed Bal Harbour rule.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Bal Harbour soon could require home-based businesses to pay a fee and register with the village.

The village council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proposed ordinance requiring a home-based businesses to pay for a business receipt.

The council would vote on whether to give the ordinance preliminary approval. The issue would have to come before council members a second time for a final vote.

If approved, businesses with a residential Bal Harbour address outside of the commercial area would have to obtain a business tax receipt for a fee, which has yet to be determined.

The proposed ordinance would also establish clear rules for the operation of a home business, said Jay Smith, village director of community outreach.

The ordinance would prohibit business owners from meeting with clients in the home, ban no exterior signage, and forbid large-scale business operations he added.

Bal Harbour's rules do not expressly address the issue of home-based businesses.

The new rule would legitimize businesses by requiring them to register with the village, said City Manager Alfred Treppeda.

``We would get a little revenue out of this,'' said Treppeda at last month's meeting. ``And, they would be legal.''

Treppeda brought the issue before the council in response to several residents inquiring about the legality of home-based businesses.

Assistant Mayor Joni D. Blachar said the time is fitting.

``Times have changed. There are businesses that exist in people's homes and they are presently in violation,'' said Blachar at last month's council meeting. ``We are trying to remedy that so people are not in violation.''

At the May meeting, resident Babek Raheb questioned whether Councilwomen Patricia Cohen should vote on the issue, noting state records show Cohen lists her Bal Harbour home as the address for her landscape company, Garden Angel Landscape.

Council attorney Richard Weiss said there was no conflict.

In a phone interview, Cohen declined to comment on the question.

The council meeting takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the village chambers, 655 96th St.

Miami magazine and Saks Fifth Avenue will recognize six dads from Bal Harbour in time for Father's Day

Six local dads will be honored at Saks Fifth Avenue at the Bal Harbour Shops as the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of Father's Day


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Before heading off to his office at an aviation firm, Jon Batchelor makes an important pit stop every weekday -- dropping his kids off at school

``My belief is that the most important job in life is trying to be a good dad,'' said Batchelor, 57, one of several local fathers who will be recognized by Miami magazine and Bal Harbour Shops' Saks Fifth Avenue on Thursday.

The top pops will be outfitted head-to-toe with Saks clothing as part of the prize. The event commemorates the 100th anniversary of Father's Day, which is June 20.

``It is an honor,'' said Batchelor, whose father, George Batchelor, helped provide funds for the Children's Research Institute building at UM School of Medicine.

The fathers were nominated on the store's website and chosen by a committee from the Children's First Society for UM Pediatrics and Miami magazine.

Other recipients include Jeffrey Dever, Robert Finvarb, Rico James, Ryan Rosenberg and Neil Sazant.

The winners were picked for embodying the principles of fatherhood and for leaving a legacy for generations of fathers-to-be, according to Deborah Slack, vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour.

``Saks Fifth Avenue was searching for role model dads in the Miami and Bal Harbour areas who are making a positive impact through their style, generosity and dedication to their families and communities,'' wrote Slack in an e-mail.

Batchelor is no stranger to the runway. He modeled summer wear a few times as a child in New York -- for Saks Fifth Avenue. He is married to Nancy Batchelor and father to Johnathan, 21, Carolyn, 12, and Christopher, 15.

Aside from the awards ceremony, there will be music and food followed by shopping.

Ten percent of Saks Fifth Avenue men's collection sales that evening and throughout the weekend will be donated to the Children's First Society for UM Pediatrics, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and supporting the wide array of programs in the Department of Pediatrics.

The ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. at 9700 Collins Ave.

For more information, call 305-341-0231 or e-mail rsvpmiami@modernluxury.com.

Former pro wrestler mentors students on the importance of living healthy

A FORMER PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TURNED COMPETITIVE BODYBUILDER SHOWS KIDS THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING FIT AT ANY AGE



BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Wearing a traditional Indian headdress and flexing his biceps, professional wrestler and bodybuilder Cristobal Gutierrez preached the importance of practicing a healthy lifestyle at Everglades K-8 Center Career Day.

But Gutierrez is not your ordinary lifter. Better known as Chief Running Deer inside the squared circle, the 66-year-old continues to pump iron in addition to his mission to inspire youngsters at local schools.

``I feel so lucky every time I go out,'' said Gutierrez, who lives in in Westchester. ``People look at me and ask me for my age. They always think I am 50.''

Age isn't a factor for Gutierrez. He spends countless hours working out at a nearby Bally's or at his home gym, squatting 315 pounds. Gutierrez follows a strict diet, eating five small meals daily -- including oatmeal, egg whites or tuna -- and doesn't drink or smoke.

Joanka Lana, physical education teacher at Everglades K-8 Center, said his words are encouraging.

``He is a good role model for students by spreading the message that if you stay focused and exercise, you will live a healthy long happy life,'' said Lana, who like Gutierrez, has competed in bodybuilding competitions.

``When an outsider comes, it has a different impact,'' said Lana during Gutierrez's May visit. ``He is reinforcing what I do here. They see that at his age you still look good, so that paints a different picture.''

The Colombia native first began working out at age 15. He said he was scrawny and wanted to bulk up, so he read magazines featuring exercising tips by the late bodybuilding great, Charles Atlas.

``I told myself, `If they can change, why can't I?' '' said Gutierrez, wearing a bandanna and black and blue jogging pants reminiscent of the 1980s. ``I wanted to change.''

He would exercise in his backyard using anything he could find -- stools and chairs -- because he didn't have money to join a gym.

In his late teens, he tried out professional wrestling.

His first bout was against a 300-pound wrestler in front of an audience made up of Colombian soldiers. The weight difference wasn't an issue, he said.

He won.

``I had the love of learning and wanted to do it professionally,'' said Gutierrez, who looked up to famed Mexican luchadores like El Santo and Frankenstein. ``I had the conviction of wanting to be the master.''

In the match, he suffered a large gash under his right eye. He earned 50 cents for the performance.

In the mid 1960s, he immigrated to the United States where he appeared in matches in New England put on by wrestling outfits, including the World Wide Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment. His wrestling career in North America didn't last long after he suffered three herniated discs. He retired from the ring in the late 1970s and claimed disability for three years.

Despite the injury, he never quit exercising.

``I would walk around with a cane,'' he said. ``I told my doctors that no matter what, I had to go to the gym and work out.''

He rejected back surgery out of fear that it would make his condition worse.

After wrestling in New England, he moved to Miami with his wife, Titi Gutierrez, and his two children, where he competed in the South Florida bodybuilding scene. He won the titles of Mr. Miami and Mr. South Florida in the over-55 category.

Gutierrez credits his faith in God for keeping him mentally strong.

``You need the spirit of doing what you want,'' he said. ``Your mind is bigger than your pain.''

Trainer and professional bodybuilder Sergio Pacheco said Gutierrez is one of a kind.

``He has endless energy and is a man close to God willing to help those in need,'' said Pacheco, who runs Physique World Gym in Hialeah.

Nursing assistant Maiyte Mendez, 42, has been trained by Gutierrez and credits him for helping her lose 10 pounds.

``I feel new,'' she said.

Although approaching 67, he plans to soon hit the stage to impress the judges in upcoming body-building competitions.

During a career day visit to Rockway Middle School earlier this school year, Gutierrez showed students the proper way to exercise and even pulled off a couple wrestling moves on Jim Thomas, administrative assistant for discipline.

Thomas has known Gutierrez for several years.

``Look at the shape he is in,'' Thomas said. ``He is an inspiration. To maintain his physique is motivational.''

Grant to help add 100 native trees to El Portal

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
El Portal officials will soon be painting the village green.

About 100 native trees will be planted thanks to a state grant.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services awarded the village $10,000 to plant native trees such as mahogany, live oak, wild tamarind, gumbo limbo and green buttonwood.

The village will provide a $10,000 match to the grant.

The trees will be planted in areas where there is a lack of tree canopy. Trees will also be added to entryways, medians and streets. Village administrators decided on the locations.

Adding additional trees is part of El Portal's mission, said Village Manager Jason Walker.

``This grant is in keeping with our goal to provide adequate tree canopy throughout our Village,'' Walker wrote in an e-mail.

Trees are abundant in the village, which the state designated as a tree and bird sanctuary more than 50 years ago.

The village will seek bids from local tree nurseries and contract with them to provide the trees, delivery, planting, staking, mulching and watering during establishment, and replacement if dead during the first year, wrote Walker.

El Portal last planted trees in the village four years ago. Walker said the planting could be conducted later in the summer.

For information, call 305-795-7880.

Math students trust `Pythagoras' of Sweetwater to tutor them to success

FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, THE `PYTHAGORAS' OF SWEETWATER HAS BEEN TUTORING KIDS ON THE FINER POINTS OF MATHEMATICS


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Palmetto Middle School student Gabriel Paez wanted to finish the school year with a high grade in his math class.

So, like many students over the past two decades, Gabriel turned to math tutor Armando Arroyo to help him.

``He has helped me a lot,'' said Gabriel, who said he will end eighth grade with an A in math.

Gabriel is one of many students who have sought assistance in everything from geometry to calculus at Pitagoras-Arroyo Math Academy, 10384 W. Flagler. Arroyo's tutoring acadamy has been a Sweetwater fixture for 24 years.

``I don't like math, but I like how Arroyo teaches because he makes it fun,'' said Gabriel, after getting an algebra lesson.

The Sweetwater-based tutoring academy opened its doors in 1986. Arroyo, 65, who was born in Costa Rica, has dealt with numbers all his life.

``Math is important because it changes students' minds,'' said Arroyo, who at 18 first tutored classmates and high school students in Rivas, Nicaragua.

After studying math and physics at the Universidad Nacional in Nicaragua, he later became the math department chair at Colegio Primero de Febrero, a school for children with military parents.

In the early 1980s, he immigrated to the United States. In New York and Miami, he taught at several schools, including the Little Havana Institute, an alternative education school, before opening the tutoring academy.

He names his new venture after the nickname previous students had bestowed upon him: Pitagoras, or Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher and mathematician.

Since then, he has drawn students from Coral Gables, West Miami-Dade and other parts of the county.

The academy has four tutors, including Arroyo, who teach everything from pre-Algebra to college-level calculus.

Prices range from $18 to $20 an hour, with discounted prices for tutoring for SATs and other national exams. Tutors teach three students per hourly session.

For Arroyo, there is no satisfaction like watching his students succeed.

``Our intention is that students understand math,'' said Arroyo, who is known for making jokes during lessons and offering words of encouragement. ``That's why people look for us.''

The academy is tucked away in the second floor of the Biltmore Plaza. The office is filled of whiteboards with written numbers and equations along with computers, where students practice math problems.

In opening the business more than two decades ago, Arroyo has helped future doctors, actors and teachers like Sergio Sotolongo, 32.

Sotolongo started attending tutoring sessions with Arroyo when he a was student at Ruben Dario Middle.

``I was struggling early on,'' recalled Sotolongo, who is a social studies teacher at Mavericks High in south Miami-Dade. ``We reviewed and built from there. I passed my classes with a good grade.''

Like father like son, Sergio Sotolongo, 14, is also following his dad's footsteps. The younger Sotolongo is now taking classes at the academy.

Sergio, who attended Rockway Middle School this year and is going on to high school, said Arroyo makes learning easy.

``It's more of a one-on-one where he explains to you, as opposed to a teacher that is just explaining to the entire class,'' Sergio said.

Arroyo is proud that his former students bring their own kids back to his academy. ``Many parents come and present me their children when they are all grown up,'' said Arroyo, who has five children.

The academy has changed a little over the years -- tutors now also e-mail practice problems and other online work to students.

Arroyo said math is a never-ending adventure.

``The mathematician always needs to read and figure problems,'' he said. ``Math is a passion.''


Pitagoras-Arroyo Math Academy is located at 10384 W. Flagler. For information, call 305-227-2928.

Coconut Grove celebrates festivals and its Bahamian culture this weekend

From history tours to Bahamian food, there will be plenty to do in Coconut Grove this weekend.


By RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Coconut Grove will play host to two festivals this weekend -- one celebrating Bahamian culture and the other in honor of the village itself.

First up will be Satuday's Grove Day, presented by the village's Business Improvement District.

A highlight will be the opening of the new Paragon 13 movieplex in Cocowalk. The BID bought 3,300 movie tickets from the Paragon, and is giving them away to people who sign up for the district's newsletter at www.coconutgrove.com .

Also as part of Grove Day, Miami Dade College historian Paul George will give tours of the village, with stops at sites like Peacock Inn and Millionaire's Row. Tours are free and begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Coconut Grove Women's Club, 2985 S. Bayshore Dr.

A gallery walk starts at 7 p.m. in the Center Grove.

Meanwhile, on Saturday and Sunday, the Grove will throw a street party celebrating its Bahamian heritage and culture.

Grand Avenue will become Nassau Bay Street, where Junkanoo groups will be dancing and beating the drums, while whistling and banging the cowbell as part of the 34th annual Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival.

``We celebrate the people that established Coconut Grove,'' said Cornelia Dozier, executive director of the host committee that helped organize the event.

Three musical stages will be set up where the Royal Bahamas Police Band will hit the platform to play native tunes along with other Caribbean-style entertainment, such as Rake and Scrape Legendary Musician Ancient Man.

The annual festival is a colorful celebration of culture named after a kind of goatskin drum, as well as Bahamian music, a blend of African and European musical influences.

The Bahamas have a close tie to the area. In the late 1800s, Bahamian immigrants first settled in Coconut Grove searching for jobs and homes for their families.

``We want to bring back the traditions,'' said Dozier.

At the event, revelers will get a feel of the islands by stopping at the Lil Bahamas cultural village and straw market on Grand Avenue. A visiting straw market will feature sculptures, pottery, jewelry, handmade straw bags and a wood carving demonstration. Fine art will also be for sale.

For food lovers, typical platters like fried fish, conch fritters and guava duff will be sold along with the Bahamas' national beer, Kalik. Chefs will demonstrate how to make authentic dishes.


Famed Olympic track runner Altheus ``The Hawk'' Finlayson will be signing books at the shops of Mayfair, while international Master artist Antonius Roberts will showcase her work. A live fashion show will also take place featuring clothing by designer Jeff St. John.

The event is an economic boon for the area, said the consul general of the Bahamas, Gladys Johnson-Sands.

``It's a new engagement of the community coming together with the best of the Bahamas,'' Johnson-Sands said. ``We are interacting with the business community.''

A Goombay Festival gospel service will be celebrated at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 3515 S. Douglas Rd., at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The 34th annual Miami/Bahamas Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove will take place from Douglas Road to McDonald Street on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For information, go to www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com.