Special photos reflect special children in Haiti

.Pictures taken by Haitian orphans will be on display as part of the exhibit `Through the Eyes of a Haitian Child' at North Miami's MOCA.




BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Miami photographer Boris Vazquez's first trip to Haiti was about more than just taking pictures.

In an effort to lift up the spirits of kids affected by the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake, Vazquez taught 500 orphaned children the basic fundamentals of photography.

``Many of these kids have never even touched a camera before, but they have a natural talent,'' he said.

During a four-day stay in Haiti in June, Vazquez, along with First Presbyterian International Christian School art teachers and principal Ines Lozano, who led the volunteer mission, provided the 500 kids with 250 disposable cameras and seven boxes full of donated art

Pictures were taken by the children and will be part of a photography and art exhibit titled Through the Eyes of a Haitian Child on display at North Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125th St., from Friday through Sunday. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is free. The exhibit captures the lives of the children ages 5 through 13 through their art and photographs.

``This a way of bringing awareness to these children,'' said Vazquez, who took about 2,000 pictures of the kids, which will be shown at the event as part of a slide show.

Lozano thought of the volunteer trip during a family trip to the country in November. She wanted to help, but artistically.

In the past she has helped the country as students at her school are required to take a course titled ``community,'' where youngsters learn about global issues and raise money for nonprofit organizations like Friends of the Orphans.

``Now more than ever we have to help these children,'' she said.

Group members, who stayed with medical volunteers, interacted with children from an orphanage run by the nonprofit Friends of the Orphans located in the mountainous area Kenskoff.

Volunteers also participated with children from the program Angels of Light, which is also run by Friends of the Orphans. The program provides food and education to children that currently live in tent city located in Port-au-Prince.

The children were overwhelmed.

``They received us with lots of hugs and smiles,'' she said. ``These kids were amazing in spite of the misery they live in. They were laughing and never complained.''

Vazquez taught basic techniques of photography to the kids. The final product was great work, he said.

``Every time I see their pictures I see quality that can be shown in a museum,'' he said. ``There is happiness in the pictures, and I also see my story that I lived.''

The kids also participated in an art project in which they drew with tempera paint and created colorful houses and beautiful flowers.

At the museum, 35 pictures taken by the children along with their art work will be on display.

The images tell a tale, Lozano said.

``This is a way to show people here that what we do here makes a difference,'' she said.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/21/1835843/special-photos-reflect-special.html#ixzz10M3yzOuv

Volunteers renovate home for children in crisis

THE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA HELPS SPRUCE A CHARITY DEDICATED TO HELPING FOSTER KIDS AND OTHER CHILDREN IN CRISIS

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
On game day, University of Miami football fan Luis Quinones usually grills up burgers and gets ready to root for the Canes with friends and family.

But on a recent Saturday, when the Hurricanes hit the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Quinones decided to put those in need first.

``It is all about priorities,'' said Quinones, who along with his daughter, Emmi, 6, joined more than a 100 members, family and friends of the Builders Association of South Florida who volunteered to repair and renovate a cottage and the administrative building at His House Children's Home in Opa-locka.

Wearing a Hurricanes' cap, he and his daughter painted the walls of the administrative building of the Christian nonprofit.

``It's about life and these life lessons,'' he said. ``This is our form of tailgating.''

His House Children's Home is dedicated to helping children and families in crisis through residential, foster and adoption services.

More than 30 gallons of paint, furniture, televisions and appliances were donated by the group. Participants also installed a new kitchen with a granite countertop, flooring and cabinets and changed lighting inside a cottage where 12 foster children and two house parents live. The 3,650-square-foot cottage includes four bathrooms, six bedrooms, a dining room and a kitchen. Walls were painted in green, red and light blue. The Builders Association of South Florida, which represents the building industry, helped collect funding for the project through events such as an auction and a golf tournament.

The volunteer effort took place on Sept. 11, a day declared by President Barack Obama as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Fernando Martinez, president of the Builders Association of South Florida president, said the effort was inspirational.

``Anytime that we can help there is nothing more satisfying,'' he said.

His House was founded more than 20 years ago by Jean Caceres-Gonzalez, who lives next door to the re-modeled cottage. The nonprofit was designated as a reception center for Haitian orphans affected by the earthquake.

The Opa-locka campus has 11 cottages and houses about 88 children, from newborn to teens. Volunteers worked on the project for the last three months. The children were moved to a nearby cottage for two weeks while the volunteers painted and installed flooring.

``It is bright and cheery,'' Caceres-Gonzalez said. ``Kids walk in here thinking it is a mansion. They feel special.

For Emmi Quinones, who worked alongside her dad, the day was a learning experience.

``You are lucky to have parents who love you,'' she said.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/21/1834450/volunteers-renovate-home-for-children.html#ixzz10M3fn7n5

El Portal council proposes slightly higher tax rate

El Portal residents are looking at a slightly higher tax rate for next year. But whether that translates to a higher tax bill may depend on when you bought your home.



By RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
With a decline in property tax revenues, El Portal officials will be keeping a close eye on the village budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Village Council last week unanimously approved on first reading a proposed tax rate of $7.90 per $1,000 of taxable value, up from last year's $7.84.

The final rate will be determined after a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Village Hall, 500 NE 87th St.

``Residents won't feel anything because the change is so small,'' said Village Manager Jason Walker.

Walker added that the budget calls for an estimated loss of $131,000 in property tax revenues.

Some homeowners may actually pay less than this year because of falling property values. El Portal property values have fallen more than 17 percent this year, according to the Miami-Dade property appraiser's office. The total value of taxable real estate in the village fell from $104 million to $84 million.

Longtime homeowners whose assessed property values still haven't caught up with market values would see a bigger tax bill, but people who bought at the height of the market might see a smaller bill due to falling assessments.

The proposed $1.7 million budget would be down $112,533 from this year.

The village's administration department would take the hardest hit with a decrease of $44,182. One of the department's three employees may have to go from full- to part-time, Walker said.

Vice mayor Harold Mathis Jr., said this year was ``the most difficult budget process since I have been on the dais.''

Village residents won't pay more for trash collection, however. The fee will remain at $373 for single family homes.

Despite the budget crunch, Walker said El Portal has maintained a healthy reserve account. The village has about $900,000 in reserves for use in emergencies, such as hurricanes.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/14/1825134/el-portal-council-proposes-slightly.html#ixzz0zeVqUHRH

Sweetwater restaurateur serves Italian food `with love in his heart'

Nick Gonzalez serves Italian fare at La Nonna -- just like his grandmother used to make.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
For the past decade, New York native Gladys Lopez has been satisfying her craving for Italian food at La Nonna Italian Ristorante in Sweetwater.

``We have been coming here every Saturday night for 10 years religiously after church,'' said Lopez, who enjoyed an eggplant parmesan dish with husband Jose Lopez.

``And we are not intending to stop.''

The Lopezes are just one of many families who are regular patrons of the restaurant, which opened in 1995 and is located at the Holiday Plaza, 117 SW 107th Ave.

Owner Nick Gonzalez makes customers feel right at home, Lopez said.

``Nick is very jolly and he always comes out and says `Hi' to everybody,'' she said.

Gonzalez, 77, rarely sits down. He can play any role in his eater, from greeting customers customers at their tables to washing dishes.

``La nonna'' means grandmother in Italian.

The restaurant is named after his late grandmother, Ernestina Cossentino, whose parents were born in Italy and who he credits for his success.

``La nonna told me I can't just be a bus boy or chef,'' said Gonzalez, who lives in Hialeah. ``You have to learn everything, whether it is being a plumber or a cashier. You need to know it all when you run your own place.''

Born on a farm in the province of Oriente, Cuba, Gonzalez was raised eating Cossentino's Italian meals. In his 20s, Gonzalez traveled the world, including Italy. In 1963, he immigrated to New York, where he worked at the family restaurant, El Bambino, which was overseen by his grandmother. The Brooklyn restaurant served as a training ground for him.

``I climbed up the ladder from cleaning the basement to being a bus boy to finally managing the restaurant,'' he said. ``That's where I learned to perfect and make my own sauce, along with cannelloni.''

Following his dream of running his own business, he moved to South Florida with his family. In 1986, he opened El Bambino on Bird Road with only $27 in the cash register and one employee -- himself.

He later opened other restaurants in Kendall and Miami Beach, but ended up selling the locations. In 2000, he sold El Bambino and dedicated his time to running La Nonna, which he calls his pride and joy.

The menu is full of Italian favorite dishes, such as spaghetti and meatballs, as well as chicken florentine, which includes spinach and mozzarella in a Marsala sauce.

Dinner meal prices start at $8.50. All meals are served with garlic bread and salad. The restaurant also offers lunch specials for $5.50. Wine is available.

West Miami-Dade resident Michael Commini -- a native of New Jersey -- spoke to Gonzalez in Italian as he enjoyed his linguine.

``A lot of the Italian food in Miami tastes like Spanish food, but this place has the Italian touch,'' Commini said.

Prior to La Nonna, the location housed four other restaurants, which closed. Gonzalez, who also is a carpenter, added wooden walls to the kitchen and interior.

Inside, a picture of his grandmother hangs along with several works of Italian and Cuban artists. Customers get a feel of Italy as Italian music is played. Baby showers and other family events are celebrated also. Gonzalez has six employees servicing customers.

Gonzalez also volunteers as a cooking instructor at Miami-Dade College.

On a recent weekend, wearing a white apron and chef hat, Gonzalez checked on the Lopez's food.

The chef said the key to a successful restaurant is putting the patron first.

``Have love in your heart to give the food,'' he said. ``And don't sacrifice the customer.''

Central American food and culture will take place at festival

Saturday brings a celebration of food, culture and family tradition with the 11th annual Central American Independence Festival.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to the Herald
New Orleans resident Julio Rojas visits his family in Miami twice a year. But his next trip to South Florida will be for more than just a get-together.

Rojas will be traveling with the Nicaraguan Folkloric Ballet Cosmapa group to perform in front of hundreds of people with ties to Central America and Mexico at the 11th annual Central American Independence Festival, which celebrates those countries' respective independence days.

The free festival takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Florida International University's College of Engineering and Computing campus, 10555 West Flagler St.

``We bring a traditional program that includes classic dances,'' said Rojas, director of the 18-member group.

Founded in 1999, the folkloric ballet has performed in several New Orleans' festivals. Rojas said it is an opportunity for his performers to shine on stage away from home.

``I want people in Miami to know that there are Central American artists all over the United States, he said.

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

``This is an integration of cultures where different countries get together to share their traditions,'' she said.

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 Saturday's event is fitting: Nearby Sweetwater has become an enclave for Central American, especially Nicaraguan, immigrants over the years.

A parade will kick off the party, departing from Ronselli Park at Southwest Second Street and 114th Avenue, and ending at the FIU engineering campus. The parade will include floats and JROTC members from Braddock and Coral Park Senior high schools. Members of the community and the Coral Park Senior High's Band of Gold will march and perform.

For food lovers, there will be several food stands offering dishes, such as carne asada with gallo pinto (grilled steak with rice and beans). Also, South American foods, such as arepas, will be on sale.

A children's reading contest also will take place with winners taking home medals and school supplies as prizes. Airline tickets will be raffled, too.

Bal Harbour residents might see their tax rate increase slightly

Bal Harbour will hold a public hearing Tuesday to discuss its proposed budget and new tax rate.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
To offset a dip in property values, Bal Harbour is proposing a slight increase to the village tax rate.

Village Manager Alfred Treppeda has proposed a tax rate of $2.861 per $1,000 of taxable value, up from last year's $2.526.

A hearing on the 2010-11 budget takes place at 5 p.m. Tuesday at village hall, 655 96 St. A second budget hearing will be Sept. 21.

The average of all Miami-Dade County property values declined by 13.4 percent in 2009. Properties in Bal Harbour decreased by 6.1 percent.

Homeowners who have seen the assessed values of their homes drop may see a decrease in their municipal taxes.

But not all of them may -- notably longtime homeowners who have benefited from Save Our Homes, which capped assessment increases at 3 percent a year, and could see their taxes rise. Save Our Homes stipulates that increases must continue annually until they are equal to the market value of the home.

Overall taxes also could increase, as taxes for other government entities, such as county and school board, also are included in the tax bill.

The village projects that it will take in $13 million in taxes and fees for the 2010-11 fiscal year -- down from the current year's $13.3 million.

Treppeda is proposing to use $1 million from the $9 million reserve fund to balance the 2010-11 budget.

Big-ticket items for the new budget include a water and sewer infrastructure maintenance and improvement projects, which will cost the village about $7 million.

``The water and sewer infrastructure is very old and, in most areas, is still the original pipes that were installed in the 1940s,'' he said. ``It is very important to repair and/or replace the system in order to prevent inefficient operation which can drive up the costs of water and sewer services.''

In the Public Works department, three employees will retire, and the positions will not be filled, said Treppeda. The departures leave the department with 15 workers.

Despite the economic setback, Treppeda said the village vows to keep the budget healthy.

``It is understood that we all must do more with less in these tough economic times,'' he said.

El Portal Council election pits 3 incumbents against challengers

Three incumbents will face challengers in the Nov. 2 El Portal Council elections. Two of the challengers are running for the first time. And a special election will be held for one seat.




BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Three council seats will be up for grabs in El Portal -- including the mayoral seat -- with two competitors per race.

In the Nov. 2 election, incumbents Mayor Joyce A. Davis, Vice Mayor Harold E. Mathis Jr. and Linda Marcus all face challengers. Councilwoman Claudia V. Cubillos won Seat 2 after her opponent, former Mayor Anna Ward, dropped out of the race.

Seat 3 will be determined 30 to 90 days after Nov. 2 in a special election. Omarr C. Nickerson ran unopposed for seat 3, but didn't meet all requirements.

During the qualifying period, candidates had to prove they have resided in the village for at least a year, are registered to vote, have appointed a campaign treasurer and provided 15 signatures of registered voters who vote in the precinct, among other requirements. The qualifying period drew to a close Aug. 20.

For the mayoral race, Davis, 67, who has been on the council since 2006, is facing off against fellow Councilmember Daisy M. Black, who served as village mayor in the late 1990s.

Black, 62, is a part-time substitute teacher and is a 20-year resident. She was elected to the council in 2008. Finances are on Black's agenda, along with providing programs for senior citizens.

``I plan to focus on financial responsibility and transparency,'' she said.

Davis, who was appointed vice mayor in her first term, has lived in the village for 13 years and is a former system analyst supervisor for Eastern Airlines.

If reelected, Davis, a retiree, plans on improving El Portal's budget outlook.

``We want to continue to work hard to ensure that we have a balanced budget,'' she said.

For Council Seat 1, Vice Mayor Mathis, 37, will go up against political novice Marcus Parramore, 22. Mathis has served on the council since 2005. Parramore is a fresh face to politics. He recently graduated from the University of West Florida with a journalism degree. Parramore works in customer service for a local insurance agency.

``I like to do things to help others and the environment and this is an outlet for that,'' said Parramore, who has called El Portal home for 15 years.

Mathis, a criminal defense law paralegal, said he will rely on his experience.

``I plan on maintaining the quality of life, code enforcement and fiscal responsibility and transparency,'' he said.

Mathis was appointed to the council in 2006, after County Commissioner Audrey Edmonson stepped down as mayor. Since then, Mathis, an 11-year resident, has served on the village's Administration and Finance committee.

For Seat 4, longtime Councilwoman Marcus, 43, will compete against another political rookie, Sadri Manrique Medina, 32.

Marcus has been on the council since 2004 and is an independent grant writer for nonprofit organizations. She has also chaired the code enforcement committee.

Her opponent, Medina, who was born in Honduras, works as a social worker and moved into El Portal almost two years ago. He credits his family for getting involved with politics.