President Oliver Ruiz opened the meeting and shared how much club members enjoying the previous week’s Thursday joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Coral Gables at the Hyatt in Coral Gables. Guest speaker former Senator Bob Graham was very interesting and informative. He also shared that his father, Ernest, worked hard in the fields all week, but took one day off to put on his suit and go to the Rotary Club of Miami meetings where he was a member.
Shirley Pardon gave an invocation and Ted Eldredge led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
New Member:
Dave Anderson, Membership Chair, had the distinct honor of inducting a new member today. Claudia Gallego has been visiting with us for some time and is now our newest member. Claudia is a financial associate with Thrivent Financial. WELCOME CLAUDIA!!
Visitors and Guests were introduced by Randy Lichtman
Yunfai Ng is an applicant for the Thomas Brown McClelland Scholarship and also has a non-profit she is involved with;
Ed Oppel is a VP of Maritime Development with PSA Construction;
Luis Machuca is Director of Business Development with PSA Construction;
Ray Williams is Managing Director of Legendary Service Group and soon-to-be the District Governor-Elect-Elect;
Greg Herman-Giddens is an attorney with the Trust Counsel
Kathleen Dunn has her own company - Dunn Organizing - and is committed to helping you improve your life by improving your space.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Scott Richey
Scott was happy that both of his children were back to good health after a couple of runs to the ER. He is also glad that his backyard improvements are almost complete. Is it party time, Scott??
Phil Seipp apologized for not being at the first TBM interviews, but he was at the PETS conference getting ready to be our next club President in July;
Linda Singer appreciated all those working on the Gala. She’s also looking forward to going to visiting family at the end of the week;
Dave Anderson also thanked all on the Gala committee. He thought that every day should be International Women’s Day and also asked Marcos Menendez where he could buy a pair of the orange pants he was wearing;
Robin Shelley congratulated Ray Williams on his upcoming position in the District;
Diane Landsberg was happy that today’s speaker from the Parks Department could help out with connections for an Interact project that is being planned. She also gave a BIG shout out and a cake to Oliver for celebrating his 44th birthday;
Rick Hernandez contributed $13 to Happy $$ today. It represents $5 for each birdie and $1 for each par he shot on the golf course this week;
Jay Almeida encouraged everyone to be part of the TBM interview process;
Marcia Brod was happy to report she is seeing the world clearly now – after two cataract surgeries.
Announcements:
Two weekends remain for Thomas Brown McClelland interviewing – March 11 and 18…don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to meet some amazing young people. Interviews start at 8:00;
The Gala committee had a very good meeting to finalize the agenda for the March 25th event. Oliver thanked everyone for their participation. He announced that Bacardi has agreed to being a sponsor of the event. Our Sister-Club in Paris will be sending representatives to our gala – tres bon!
There will be a board meeting at 10:30 next Thursday, March 16. The regular lunch meeting will follow;
NO LUNCH MEETING Thursday, March 23 – we will be getting ready for the big 100th birthday bash/gala on Saturday, March 25;
Speaker:
Today’s speaker was Mark Heinicke a Senior Park Planner with Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS) Department. He has more than twenty-four years of experience in greenways and trails, open space projects, park planning and development, and capital improvement projects for public agencies;
Mark's park and trail planning work includes the FL ASLA and FL APA award winning Miami-Dade County Trail Design Guidelines and Standards: Ludlam Trail Case Study and the Miami-Dade County Trail Benefits Study: Ludlam Trail Case Study. Current trail planning work includes a feasibility study and master plan for the proposed 75 mile River of Grass Greenway in south Florida;
His specialties include Parks, trails, and planning experience, providing program master planning, trail planning and design, park system planning, natural lands management, public facilitation and project management services;
Today Mark spoke about the initial ideas and plans for the renovation of the Crandon Park area on Key Biscayne;
The area, which used to be home to Crandon Park Zoo, is being redesigned and upgraded when funding is available. The plans include more playgrounds (with a natural look to them), a splash pad and more shade areas for visitors. The concrete parking lot will also be revamped for a more pleasing look;
Grants are now being prepared to seek funds to begin the various projects.
Cory Gittner led everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say and Do.
