Plans to expand Bal Harbour Shops put on hold again

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to the Miami Herald
The Bal Harbour council once again put the brakes on plans to expand the village's upscale shopping mall -- for now.

The council voted unanimously to defer two proposals that would amend land usage for two locations: Church By The Sea, 501 96th St., and Bal Harbour's Village Hall, 655 96th St. The parcels of land are key to the Bal Harbour Shops proposed expansion plans.

The council had also voted to defer the item at last month's meeting.

Council members agreed that representatives of the Bal Harbour Shops, the village and Church By The Sea should meet in a workshop before presenting the matter to the council again.

``Personally, I would love to see the shops expand,'' Councilman Martin Packer said at the Nov. 16 meeting. ``It's good for the village because we would get increased taxes, however, the sense of the council and am sure it has come across is that the council wants to see something concrete not specifically something.''

A date for the workshop has yet to be set.

The owners of Bal Harbour Shops would like to purchase both sites to possibly expand the mall to include retail stores, a high-end movie theater and a banquet facility, said attorney John Shubin, representing the Whitman family, which owns the mall. Developer and owner Stanley Whitman opened Bal Harbour Shops in 1965 on the site of the former World War II army barrack. Whitman persuaded Neiman Marcus to open its first store outside of its native Texas. In 1976, Saks Fifth Avenue followed.

In September, the Bal Harbour Shops submitted its application to amend the land usage on the Church By The Sea's site of just over a half acre from institutional to commercial, and Village Hall's site, about a third of an acre, from municipal to commercial.

A contract to purchase both properties and a site plan has not been finalized, Shubin said.

Also at the meeting, Bal Harbour has chosen to change its election date process in order to save money.

The village council voted unanimously on second reading to change the election date to be held in conjunction with the national elections on the first Tuesday in November of even numbered years.

Currently, elections are held on the first Tuesday in April of odd numbered years.

The change would save the village money -- and boost turnout, Mayor Jean Rosenfield said.

``Other benefits for our residents include a greater interest in the November nationwide election, as well as the opportunity for our residents to participate in the early voting option,'' she said. ``We hope that these factors will translate into greater participation by our residents in the voting process.''

The village must reimburse the Miami-Dade County Elections Department for all its costs associated with the election by hosting elections in April, said Jay Smith, community outreach director.

Bal Harbour resident Brian Mulheren applauded the action. ``We save money,'' he said. ``It is a good thing.''

Approving the ordinance means that the term for current council members would be extended by 19 months. Terms for council members are four years. Candidates qualifying period will also be adjusted.

Miami historic district to hold art festival

Art, music and food will fill the air at the Mimo Historic district's inaugural Mimo ART Boulevard festival.



BY RODOLFO ROMAN
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD
Culture aficionados can get a head start on Art Basel as the historic MiMo historic district will transform into a major artistic festival on Sunday.
The MiMo Biscayne Association will present the inaugural MiMo ART Boulevard festival from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Biscayne Boulevard between Northeast 65th and 77nd streets.
Alisa Cepeda, the event's co-chair, said it's an opportunity to introduce the historic area to the community and visitors.
``It's a day to celebrate all that is great and happening in the MiMo Historic District while showcasing the area for the rest of our South Florida community and tourists alike,'' she said.
Art Basel Miami Beach, an art show, starts next month. MiMo ART Boulevard festival serves as a way to promote the MiMo District, artists, restaurants and talent who live in the area, added Cepeda.
Those who attend can see the recently installed LED sign of the Coppertone Girl. Participants will also have a chance to watch artists work along the boulevard and interact as they create their latest art work.
Festival-goers feeling artsy can grab a paint brush and help create a neighborhood mural on 7100 Biscayne Boulevard, while listening to about 10 live musical talents performing on stage like No Saints, Borrowed Time Band and Almost Blue.
Amy Aronson, who is the lead singer of the funk and rock group Almost Blue, thinks performing in her backyard is special.
``We're proud of our neighborhood,'' said Aronson, who lives in the area. ``It's really come a long way in the past few years.''
Aronson is the lead singer of the group, which includes about six members. Performing at local festivals help put local bands on the map, she said.
``This event and others like it help us to gain exposure while giving the event itself a hip image because the music and bands they bring are as good as any you'd see in a club,'' she said.
For food aficionados, there will be several chefs cooking several delectable dishes from local restaurants such as Kirs Wessel's Red Light and Michelle Bernstein's Michy's. Food tickets will be sold for $4. There will also be a wine area.
Children will also have an opportunity to draw at a hands-on art class. Cirque de Soliel-type street performers from the South Florida Circus Art School will be performing throughout the festival.
Animal lovers will enjoy a doggie talent show throughout the day at Smiling Pets, 7310 Biscayne Blvd.
To help kickoff the Christmas season, a tree-lighting ceremony will take place at the New Yorker Boutique Hotel, 6500 Biscayne Blvd., at 7 p.m.
For information, go to www.mimoartboulevard.com.

Dance groups compete for a chance to star in a music video at a local charity event

DANCE CREWS COMPETED FOR TOP HONORS -- AND A SPOT IN A MUSIC VIDEO -- AT A LOCAL CHARITY EVENT


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Dance instructor Terrell Hammonds drove a bus filled with 40 children and teenagers from West Palm Beach to Miami, but it wasn't an ordinary field trip.

His dance troupe, F.B.I. -- which stands for Fun Beautiful Intelligent -- laced up their shoes to perform the latest moves and compete against six other dancing crews in Stop the Violence and Dance, a charity event at the Caleb Center Auditorium on Saturday.

Dancing groups from as far away as Ocala vied to win the $2,000 first prize and an appearance in a music video for recording artist Katrina Laverne Taylor, better known as Trina.

First place was a tie between F.B.I. and Access Granted of Miami-Dade. The groups will split the cash prize but both will appear in the video.

Wreckless, a dance crew from Broward, finished second.

Hammonds said the art of dancing has served as a positive hobby for many of his students.

``It has kept them off the street, jail and getting in trouble with their friends,'' he said.

Wearing black and red dancing attire along with colorful makeup, F.B.I. member Zaria Raiford, 9, said performing is a chance at stardom.

``I have fun with dancing,'' said Raiford, who showed off ballet and jazz moves on stage at the Caleb Center, 5400 NW 22nd Ave.

``I have wanted to be on television since I was 4 years old.''

Spectators paid $11 for pre-sale tickets and $20 at the door. A portion of the funds will be donated to the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 2166 NW 62nd Ave. Groups of four or more participants paid $150 to compete.

The event was organized by songwriter and Miami Lakes resident Reginald Saunders in an effort to spread a positive message and showcase young talent.

``Instead of those kids creating violence they are using their extra curriculum time to be seen and heard with the gestures of their bodies,'' he said. ``Music lets them move to the next level.''

Trina was on hand to witness the up-and-coming performers as she sat in the front row.

``The dancers spent a lot of time to try to create the show,'' she said. ``It was just a positive event.''

The Miami-born rapper, songwriter and model graduated from Miami Northwestern High School and has released five albums, including Diamond Princess.

At the event, spectators danced, clapped and screamed as artists performed moves like the ``kick ball chain.'' Poets, singers and comedians also took to the stage before each performance.

Terry Shackelford, 27, a local dancer who has appeared on MTV's America's Top Dance Crew, led his 18-member dance group Access Granted. His member's ages ranged from 16 to 27.

``Maybe I can push someone into the field and help them move up to have a professional life,'' said Shackelford, who performed to music artist's Ciara's song Gimme Dat.

Access Granted member Shaquisa Wilcox, 16, has been dancing for three years and said the art has helped strengthen her relationship with her mother.

``I used to talk back to my mother,'' said the Miami Northwestern High School student. ``Now, we spend a lot of time together.''

Her mother, Linette Wilcox, hasn't missed a performance.

``It makes me proud seeing her enjoy something she likes to do,'' she said.

More than just a Tree

Whoa, tannenbaum: Local designers transform traditional holiday trees into
creative objects of art as part of Florida International University's annual Festival of
the Trees. The event, which raises money for scholarships and other FIU programs, takes
place Thursday.



BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to the Miami Herald


For interior designer Jennifer Benjamin, children are at the heart of the holidays.

"It really comes down to the toy or unwrapping of something," she said.

Benjamin along with her co-workers at Hellmuth Obata Kassabaum, an architecture
firm based in the Design District, transformed her theory into art by creating a holiday
tree representing the festive spirit of children.

The artwork will be one of many on display at the Florida International
University Design Department’s 24th annual Festival of the Trees in the Coverings Showroom
and Ironsides event space, 7610 NE Fourth Ct., at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 18. Tickets
are $55 and will including food, entertainment and drinks. Proceeds will benefit student
scholarships, field trips and guest speakers.

The entries seek to demonstrate that positive change through design can make a
difference in the world -- and embrace the holiday spirit while going beyond the typical,
traditional tree. Judges will choose winners in categories of most responsible, most
inspired, most global and most humanitarian.

Benjamin's group titled its creation the "The Universal

Imagination of Children''.

The four-foot tree stands on a styrofoam base and looks like an inverted cone
supporting seven wooden sticks -- each representing a continent-- with a spiral wrapped
around the objects. Handmade marbles will be adhered to the spiral, said Benjamin. A
Slinky toy also inspired the design; a version was was made specifically for the project
at a metal shop, and intertwines with the elements.

"Not every child is fortunate as the other,” said Benjamin, an FIU alumnus.
‘‘It’s a celebration of the child’s mind and creation."

There will be 20 trees on display, which will be auctioned off.

The FIU Interior Design Department Advisory Board works throughout the year to
organize the affair.

"The event gives designers and artists a venue to display the versatility of their
talents to a wide audience," said Janine King, chairperson of interior design department
at FIU.

As for Benjamin, who has participated four times, it's also a chance to share in
some holiday cheer with her co-workers.

‘‘It is an event that brings our office internally together," she said. "It builds us as
a team."

For information visit www.festivalofthetrees.net.

Celebrate Japan's fall holidays at the Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD
Thanksgiving is more than a week away, but South Floridians can get a head start by celebrating the holiday, Japanese style.
Friends of the Japanese Garden and the City of Miami will host two traditional religious rituals from the Land of the Rising Sun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Ichimura Miami-Japan Garden, 1101 MacArthur Causeway, adjacent to Jungle Island. Parking will be free.
The rituals: Shichigosan, which translates to ``Seven-Five-Three'', and Niinamesai, which roughly means the Great Festival of Thanksgiving.
``Both are old Japanese customs and we want to introduce it to the people of the United States,'' said Agnes Youngblood, executive director of the non-profit organization Friends of the Japanese Garden.
Nakanishi Masafumi, who is a kannushi -- and ordained Shinto priest -- will be flying in from New York to conduct the religious ceremonies.
Youngblood said she had been working on the project since spring.
``It took me a while to look for a Shinto priest,'' she said.
In Japan, where Niinamesai is a national holiday, the ceremony is performed by the emperor.
The feast is an important date for the Shinto religion celebrated on November 23. The first fruits of the year's grain harvest are offered thanking the deities for their blessing, said Youngblood.
Shichigosan, a festival day dedicated to three-, five- and seven-year-old children, will also be celebrated. Traditionally, kids dress in kimonos and visit Shinto shrines to pray for a healthy life. At the same time, chitose ame, or thousand-year candy, is distributed to youngsters. Wrapped in edible rice paper, the red-and white candy is given in a bag with a crane and turtle -- symbolizing longevity in Japan. The children are only invited to participate in the ceremony to receive a blessing from a kannushi. The holiday is celebrated on Nov. 15.
Coconut Grove resident Etuko Kawamura will be participating with her daughter, Shiori Kawamura, 7.
``It is a good chance for her to study and learn about Japan,'' said Kawamura, who is from Tokyo, Japan. ``It is a great family event.''
The Japanese garden, which is about an acre in size, was donated by Kiyoshi Ichimura, founder of Ricoh Corporation of Japan, in 1961.
In addition to the ceremonies, there will be a bonsai exhibit, origami, ring tossing and kendama, a children's game. There will also be Asian food and items for sale.
The affair will be a learning experience, said Youngblood.
``I think people have a curiosity of seeing a kannushi and seeing him dressed in his clothes,'' she said in a phone interview. ``They need to witness it. It is very Japanese.''
For information visit www.friendsofjapanesegarden.com.

Dragon boats will sail during Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Spectators can watch the dragon boats race and enjoy oriental foods at Miami Marine Stadium on Saturday.


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD
Dragon boats will race on Biscayne Bay this weekend.
will feature more than 30 teams competing at the Miami Marine Stadium, 3601 Rickenbacker Causeway, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Check-in for racers starts at 8 a.m.
The festival preserves Chinese culture, said Joe Chi, president of Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
``The Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is a fantastic cultural event that brings us all together for cultural enhancement, community enrichment and solidarity,'' he said.
The festival is organized by the nonprofit Miami Overseas Chinese Association. The winning teams will receive special trophies and medals from Hong Kong and China . Corporate teams paid $800, Training was provided.
The dragon boats that will be used will be le crème de la crème, Chi said.
``We have fleets of 6 BUK Dragon boats. BUK Dragon boats are the top of the line in terms of dragon boats,'' he said. ``Designed in China, made in Germany, and retrofitted in Canada out of high tech carbon fiber.''
Athletes will be paddling between the Miami Rowing Club and the Miami Marine Stadium. Over 25,000 spectators are expected to attend, Chi said. There will be different competitions including the 2000 meters for about 10 minutes. Levels of competition will be based on various skills and difficulty levels.
Michael Chen, founder of the Puff Dragon Boat racing team, has participated in the sport for seven years.
``It is a unique sport,'' said Chen, who will be paddling with his team Saturday. ``It is a group sport and it is fulfilling.
The Dragon boats used are Hong Kong style, which are 40 feet long, 4 feet wide and carry 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson. Boats usually weigh 500 pounds.
The tradition of dragon boating dates back more than 2,000 years to South China in an effort to honor the dragon and commemorate Qu Yuan, a poet.
Aside from the race, there will be exhibitions, cultural shows, martial arts demonstrations and other performances from China and Japan. Also, food vendors will sell oriental-themed dishes.
``There will be fierce and riveting competition among the many participating dragon boat teams, vying for the honors of winning the races,'' Chi said. ``In the end, all will share the experience of a 2,500-plus-year dragon boat race that has been fun and rewarding in terms of character, cooperation and team building.''
Go to www.miamidragon.com for more information.

The 20th annual ExpoNica -- The Fair of the Americas will begin Friday at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition

Started by five brothers, the annual ExpoNica festival has been celebrating Latin American culture for nearly two decades.


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Natives of Latin America can immerse themselves in the traditions and culture of their homeland this weekend without traveling far.

The 20th annual ExpoNica -- The Fair of the Americas will celebrate Latin American roots by highlighting music, food, crafts and artwork at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition grounds, 10901 Coral Way, in a three-day festival starting Friday.

The cost is $11 for adults. Children under 8 and senior citizens are free. Parking is complimentary.

The fair is open Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

More than 70 vendors will be demonstrating how to make typical ceramic decorations from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia and Chile.

``Miami will be celebrating all different cultures,'' said Eduardo Arroyo, executive director of ExpoNica International Inc., a nonprofit organization. ``It has become a tradition. People wait year round for the event.''

Vendors from across Latin America will fly in to South Florida to sell pottery and jewelry, hammocks, clothes and art.

For the first time, there will be a horse parade and a fashion show. Over 140 artists and musical bands will hit the stage performing musical acts like La Nueva Compañia from Nicaragua, Los Iracundos from Argentina and Binomio de Oro, which will be playing vallenato, a type of folkloric Colombian music.

For food lovers, there will be 30 vendors selling traditional dishes like tortilla, carne asada, grilled steak, gallo pinto, rice and beans. Alcoholic beverages will also be sold.

Alberto Jimenez, who owns Doña Arepa, a factory in Allapattah that produces sweet corn patties with mozzarella cheese, said the event is a marketing tool.

``It's an event that brings in a lot of people,'' said Jimenez, who has sold his products at ExpoNica for more than 15 years. ``It's a great way to promote my product. People get to know the name and you sell your products to festival-goers.''

The three-day event was founded by Eduardo Arroyo and his five brothers as a way to preserve Hispanic culture.

In 1991, the fair began with an exhibition of Nicaraguan artisan pottery and folk art. Arroyo said he noticed South Florida's diversity, so the nonprofit incorporated other countries such as Brazil, Peru, Chile, and the Dominican Republic and much of Latin America, as well.

For children, there will be entertainment like bounce houses and pony rides.

``It is fun for the whole family,'' Arroyo said.

For more information, go to www.exponica.org.

New El Portal mayor to appoint task force

Mayor-elect Daisy Black says she wants about 10 people to serve on an advisory group on village affairs.


BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
As her first order of business, newly elected El Portal mayor Daisy Black says she is organizing an advisory board of village residents.

A former mayor in the late 1990's, Black got her old job back after defeating current mayor Joyce Davis in Tuesday's election. Vice Mayor Harold Mathis and Village Council member Linda Marcus reclaimed their seats.

Village Council Seat 3 will be filled in a separate election within the next three months. Only one person, Omarr C. Nickerson, filed to run for that seat, but he didn't qualify because he was not registered to vote in the village, according to the village clerk, Albertha Patterson.

For those elected last week, a swearing-in ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Village Hall, 500 NE 87th St.

Black, a part-time substitute teacher for Miami-Dade, garnered 379 votes compared to her opponent's 315, according to the Miami-Dade County elections. Results are unofficial until certified by the canvassing board. Davis, a retiree, has been on the council since 2006 and has lived in the village for 13 years.

A 20-year resident of the village, Black said she is ready to work with residents by setting up a task force.

``The first thing I'd like to do is form a mayor's task force of El Portal citizens who will work with the El Portal Council and police department,'' said Black. ``We are a small village and this can be accomplished easily with a task force of about 10 residents. Any resident who would like to be a part of this task force should call the village clerk.''

The village's population is 2,479 according to the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. About 41 percent of village voters came out to cast their ballots, according to Patterson.

Mathis, who won council Seat 1, is humbled for the victory.

``Now that I have reclaimed my seat, I do have some thoughts, but right now I want and need to continue my work for the Villager's now that this election cycle is over,'' he said. ``Firstly, economic growth within the village limits and secondly, code enforcement.''

Mathis, a paralegal, 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.

On council Seat 4, longtime council member Marcus, an independent grant writer, defeated newcomer Sadri Manrique. She has been on the council since 2004 and has chaired the code enforcement committee.

Marcus said she is ready to push the village forward.

``Election Day highlighted the residents' concern over issues such as use of the Rader Church and village maintenance to name two,'' she said. ``My first concern will be to speak with the residents who will drive project focus for the next term.''

She has said she would like the village to buy the Rader Memorial United Methodist Church site located at 205 NE 87th St. noting that ``it could be used for a city hall or community center -- enough to fill a variety of uses and yet is not a fiscal drain.''

Frausto Decisions Fujii, Lombard Retains at Bellator 34

HOLLYWOOD Fla. -- Megumi Fujii is no longer perfect.

Long considered to be among the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, Fujii was defeated by relative unknown Zoila Frausto at Bellator 34 Thursday night, putting an end to the Japanese submission specialist's undefeated record.

Frausto earned a split decision over Fujii to win the promotion's inaugural women's 115-pound title. In the evening's main event, middleweight champion Hector Lombard retained his belt, defeating Alexander Shlemenko by unanimous decision at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Frausto’s win comes on the heels of an underwhelming performance against Jessica Aguilar at Bellator 31, as Frausto advanced to Thursday's tournament final with a contentious split decision victory. “The Warrior Princess” has tasted defeat only once, losing to Miesha Tate earlier this year. Fujii, who advanced to the final by submitting Lisa Ward, was intent on standing with Frausto, a strategy that backfired.

In the first round, both fighters circled the cage to test each other. The heavy favorite to win, Fujii, who is trained by former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett, took the initiative in the early going and connecting with a head kick. However, Frausto’s impressive striking kept earning her points. At one point, both females swung with hard punches, connecting simultaneously. With less than a minute left in the bout, Frausto connected with a strong right kick that shook “Mega Megu,” taking her into the cage. The Japanese fighter was game, however, and attempted an unsuccessful takedown as the bell rang.

After several exchanges in the middle rounds, both ladies entered the cage bruised and battered in the final frame. Fujii, always a submission threat, stuck to her roots and went for takedowns. In the clinch, Fujii landed several knees that damaged Frausto’s face. But it wasn’t enough, as Frausto continued to swing hard and eventually captured the title.

As for the main event, it bore no resemblance to the champion's last two fights, in which he ran through Jay Silva and Herbert Goodman in six and 38 seconds, respectively. The Cuban native competed till the last round against Shlemenko to retain his middleweight championship belt.

Shlemenko won Bellator’s season two middleweight tournament to become the number one contender for Lombard’s title. The Russian had enjoyed a winning streak similar to Lombard's, having won 15 of his last 16 contests.

In the first period, Lombard, who defeated Jared Hess last year to become champion, opened up the fight with fierce combinations, rocking his foe. However, Lombard’s victory did not come easily, as the Russian countered with a spinning back fist.

A knock out specialist, Shlemenko refused to quit despite taking heavy hits from Lombard. Promising to win by submission, Lombard sought a rear naked choke in the fourth round, but he couldn't seal the deal. Throughout the match, the Cuban was successful with his takedowns.

Lombard, who seemed gassed, opened the fifth round with a vicious right that rocked Shlemenko, but the Russian fought back with one of many spinning back kicks. With less than a minute left in the fight, both men stood in the clinch with little action. Eventually the referee separated them, and the judges awarded the victory to Lombard.

Other Bouts
JP Reese def. Bounmy Somchay -- TKO (Ground-and-Pound) 3:32 R1
Raphael Davis def. Tony Lopez -- Unanimous Decision
Mike Bernhard def. Dragan Tesanovic -- Unanimous Decision
Dan Cramer def. Igor Almeida -- TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) 2:36 R1
Frank Carrillo def. Moyses Gabin -- Unanimous Decision
Ralph Acosta def. Tulio Quintanilla -- Split Decision
John Kelly def. William Kuhn -- Unanimous Decision

Sunday's SeeFit Family Fun and Fitness Day in Miami Beach will raise money for blindness

A Miami Beach family, determined to help find a cure for their son's blindness, organizes an athletic day to raise money for research. The SeeFit Family Fun and Fitness Day takes place Sunday at Flamingo Park.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD
In 2007, Helen and Adam Mopsick welcomed their third son, Colton.
When doctor's diagnosed the infant with aniridia, a condition that left him without an iris and visually impaired, the Mopsicks nonetheless hoped science would find a way for their son -- and others -- to see.
To raise money for research, the Miami Beach family has organized SeeFit Family Fun and Fitness Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Flamingo Park track at 12th Street and Michigan Avenue.
The event will feature athletic competitions as well as food vendors, sack racing, carnival games, rock climbing, bounce houses and arts and crafts.
Proceeds will benefit The Vision For Tomorrow Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds research to help the blind and visually impaired.
``Our goal is to raise enough money to help fund research projects which help find a cure that will prevent his poor vision from further deterioration,'' said Adam Mopsick.
The Mopsicks said they were inspired by the book Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure and the Man Who Dared to See, which tells the story of Mike May, who was born blind but had his sight restored almost 40 years later.
Helen Mopsick said she has been touched by the outpouring of support from friends and neighbors.
``We've been overwhelmed,'' said Mopsick, who will be at the event with her husband and sons Colton, 2, Jackson, 7, and Trent, 5 . ``We feel supported.''
Wendy Baum, co-president of the Chicago-based The Vision For Tomorrow Foundation, will fly in from Illinois for the event.
``It will be something of building memories together,'' she said in a phone interview. ``It will be special.'' Baum's 9-year-old son, Tyler, also suffers from aniridia.
The event features a CrossFit competition, sponsored by CrossFit 305, for individual male and female adults and families.
To compete, adults will have to pay $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 5 and up.
Competition includes lifting weights, box jumping, push-ups and pull-ups all within a required time and determined repetitions.
There will be three divisions of competition: advanced, intermediate and beginner. Winners will take home a trophy.
SeeFit Family Fun and Fitness Day has been in the works for about eight months.
The Mopsick family practices healthy habits and thought the event would be a great experience to raise awareness and promote exercise for families,while raising funds for a good cause.
``We are trying to create a day where families can enjoy as a team,'' said Adam Mopsick, a children's trainer at CrossFit 305, 5940 NE Fourth Ave.
Visit www.seefit.org or call 305--753-3190 for information.

Hearts of gold raise money for disease

Thousands of people turned out for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk at Florida International University.

BY RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to the Miami Herald
Susan Holloway, 46, has overcome adversity more than once: At 21 years old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor -- and just six years ago she suffered a stroke.
``You need to tell yourself that you are in control of your illness and that you are a strong person,'' said Holloway, who had to undergo intensive therapy to learn how to walk and eat again.
Wearing a red cap signifying survival, Holloway was one of 9,000 people who signed up to run or walk 3.1 miles around Florida International University's main campus, 11200 SW Eighth St., during the American Heart Association's Oct. 30 Heart Walk.
The annual event helps raise funds and awareness for heart disease and stroke, among the top health threats in the nation.
It was the first time the event has been held there. John Rock, dean of FIU's college of medicine, said he was excited to see a large crowd. In the past, the event had been held at Tropical Park.
``I thought it would be important to have the walk at FIU because we are committed to find a cure for heart disease,'' said Rock, after speaking to participants. ``As a community, medical school and university, it is a great place for the heart walk to occur to allow us to celebrate what we bring to help fight this disease that affects all families.''
Saturday's event raised about $550,000 in donations to the American Heart Association, which will go into research, education and community programs relating to heart disease and stroke.
Mary Dargenis-Fernandez helped raise funds in honor of her husband Antonio Fernandez, who died of a cardiac arrest four months ago at 34. More than 60 co-workers, family and friends came out to honor Fernandez, who worked as general manager of a Chili's.
``He is with us today,'' said Dargenis-Fernandez of Miami Beach, sporting a yellow T-shirt with Antonio's name. ``This is just one step in our journey. We have a long way to go but I have an army of people behind me. We loved him and they love him and we want to turn this around.''
The team raised about $6,000.
For Teresa Bueno, a heart transplant coordinator at Jackson Memorial Hospital, it was gratifying to see patients healthy.
``When you see somebody so ill and you see them a week later after a transplant and you see them go home and they are able to do things that they couldn't do before is what keeps us going,'' said Bueno, whose team included 20 people who had received a heart transplant.
Heart transplant recipient and Miramar resident Jose Romero, 64, was overwhelmed to be surrounded by supporters.
``This cause is to pay back what we have received from God,'' said Romero, who received a heart transplant three years ago, ``and raise awareness to those who can donate their organs because this is a gift of life to those people who suffer.''

For information visit www.miamidadeheartwalk.org.

Mayor unseated in El Portal

By RODOLFO ROMAN
Special to The Miami Herald
Former El Portal mayor Daisy Black took her old job back Tuesday, defeating current mayor Joyce Davis, according to unofficial results.

But incumbent council members Harold Mathis and Linda Marcus defeated their opponents to remain in office.

Black, currently a Village Council member, is a part-time substitute teacher for Miami-Dade Schools. She served as mayor in the late 1990's.

Davis, a retiree, has been on council since 2006.

For Council Seat 1, Vice Mayor Harold Mathis, a paralegal, defeated political newcomer Marcus Parramore.

For Seat 4, incumbent Linda Marcus, an independent grant writer, defeated novice Sadri Manrique. Marcus has been on council since 2004.

Seat 3 will be determined in a separate election 30 to 90 days after Nov. 2. Only one person, Omarr C. Nickerson, filed to run for that seat, but he didn't qualify because he was not registered to vote in the village, according to the village clerk.