(MIAMI, June 26, 2014) — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will present the Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Series, during the months of June and July.  A series of two unique summer golf competitions, for boys and girls, which include the “Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Tournament” for seasoned golfers, ages 17 and under, and the “Mayor’s Cup Youth SNAG Golf Challenge” for beginner golfers of all abilities, ages 14 and under.  The annual youth sporting events are part of the Youth Sports Championship Series, an initiative of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez aimed at increasing participation in youth athletics. Registration is now open for both golf competitions.

As a father, grandfather and lifetime advocate of the long-term health benefits of regular exercise for children, Mayor Gimenez knows first-hand the esteemed values developed from continuous involvement in athletics. “Youth sporting events, such as the Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Series, are a great way for children to learn how to play and compete in a sport,” he said. “Through sports like golf, they also learn life-skills such as good sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and discipline, which are the core ingredients for successful living.” 

Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Tournament and Championship - Ages 17 and under

Sponsored by Golf Miami-Dade and the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade Parks’ five golf courses are designated tournament sites. Qualifying tournaments were held at Palmetto Golf on June 15 and at Briar Bay Golf on June 22.  Below are the dates and locations of three remaining qualifying tournaments. Advance registration is required. The cost is $10 per player. Tournaments tee off at 11:00 a.m.

June 29

Country Club of Miami

6801 NW 186 Street, Miami 

(18-hole site)

July 13

Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne

6700 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne

(18-hole site)

July 20

Greynolds Golf Course

17530 W Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach

(9-hole site)

The format for the Youth Golf Tournament is individual stroke play and by age division: 12 and under, 13-15 and 16-17. Top golfers from each of the five qualifying tournaments will compete in the Mayor’s Cup Golf Championship taking place on August 10, at Crandon Golf. The public is invited to attend and watch the Championship free of charge. 

Mayor’s Cup Youth SNAG Golf Challenge and Championship – Ages 6-14

Sponsored by Golf Miami-Dade, Jack Nicholas Learning League, 2 Up Golf Club of Miami, Inc., and Golfing Gals

The innovative “Starting New At Golf” (SNAG) program offer players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn and play the game of golf in almost any environment. Since 2013, SNAG/JNLL (Jack Nicholas Learning League) has been a component of the Miami-Dade County Parks’ Fit2Play® after-school and summer camp curriculum.  The format uses lighter, kid-friendly golf clubs, Velcro balls, targets, and other teaching tools. 

Youth SNAG Golf teams will consist of four (4) players and be co-ed, having at least one boy and one girl on a team.  Teams in the 6-9 and 10-14 age groups are invited to participate in one of these regional SNAG Golf Challenges being held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on July 22:

North Region

Gwen Cherry Park

7090 NW 22 Avenue, Miami

Central Region

Tamiami Park

11201 SW 24 Street, Miami

South Region

Goulds Park

11350 SW 216 Street, Miami

Registration is free and required by Monday, July 21. Age-appropriate golf equipment will be provided. The regional SNAG Golf Challenges will culminate in the Mayor’s Cup Youth SNAG Golf Championship, taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on August 11, at Tamiami Park.  The public is invited to attend and watch the Championship free of charge. 

To register for the Mayor’s Cup Youth Golf Series competitions and for more information, visit www.PlayMiami.org, or contact Chris Evans at (305) 755-7885 or ChrisEv@MiamiDade.gov.

Registration fees for these sports competitions support the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade’s efforts for the youth sports development component of Miami-Dade County Parks’ Fit2Play® after-school and summer camp programs.

Daymond John will be in Miami on July 8 for a business competition called Miller Lite Tap the Future. Attendees will see five teams of entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to Daymond John for a chance to win $20,000. In addition, three lucky audience members will be randomly selected to pitch their business on the spot for a chance to win $500.  

Go to MLTaptheFuture.com to RSVP for an evening of networking, free Miller Lite and the possibility of making your business dreams come true.

If You Go: 

Daymond John Live! at Miller Lite Tap the Future
Pearl at Nikki Beach Club
1 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139

RSVP - MLTaptheFuture.com

 @vbyers 

Like Blogging Black Miami on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

State Rep. Kionne McGhee, Dem. (Dist. 117), presented a check for $1.5 million Farm Share for the work it does for our communities. Yesterday, with the help of volunteers from our communities, over 700 families in South Dade were assisted with fresh, healthy foods. That's especially important during this time of the year when schools are closed and students cannot take advantage of the federal government's free and reduced meal program.

From the Farm Share website:

Farm Share is a large-scale food bank and charitable packinghouse working to end hunger. We specialize in getting donated fresh fruits and vegetables from Florida’s farmers and putting it into the hands of the millions of low-income families in need of nutritious food. If you are a philanthropist, a farmer or a volunteer wanting to get involved in solving issues of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurities, please click on our “How To Help” page or contact info@farmshare.org.

Photos:  Courtesy of Rep. McGhee

by William "DC" Clark

I pick up pennies to keep me grounded. They remind me of Black Men, who were once the most desirable men on earth because we were so strong and could withstand the elements better than most. We built this country's roads, railroads and infrastructure. Now that it is built, no one needs us anymore and like the penny, we are easily discarded. So my picking up the penny is a metaphor for uplifting my brothers. No matter how low you may find yourself, at least you've got one brother who gives a damn about you.

The power and influence of the media and new social media was apparent yesterday when HEAT Nation experienced mild cardiac arrest upon the reporting of Lebron James's announcement of his free agency status. Hold up.

I do believe this was expected so it should not have been a surprise. Perhaps Savannah James's cryptic message on Instagram implying a possible move back to Ohio was the fuel for the fire. She could have meant the family would be returning for a vacation but skeptical fans thought otherwise.

Let's just wait and see what changes the Miami HEAT will make to next year's team. Exhale, people, exhale.

-vb

Scott, Crist and Rich

The political season in Florida is in full swing now. Some candidates have been campaigning for more than a year, others have started recently. We will cover many of the races important to Blogging Black Miami readers but probably the hottest race will be that of Governor. Current Governor Rick Scott will lead the Republican ticket while the Democratic race is already an interesting match up.

Senator Nan Rich is not dropping out of the race for Florida Governor in spite of the Democratic leadership clearly supporting former Gov. Charlie Crist. Rich's supporters say she is the only true Democrat in that race and they are counting on their grassroots ground game to take her over the top. Conventional wisdom is not on Rich's side but in politics, one never really knows what can happen.

Charlie Crist, who committed career suicide as a Republican politician by daring to hug President Barack Obama, appears to have momentum in his favor thus far. He has been criticized for not agreeing to debate Rich.

Stay tuned to this space. Be an informed voter. And get out and vote.

-vb

Join Osundara Omo Yorùbá on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 5:30-8pm, at the Little Haiti Cultural Center for a free master class with Jeanguy Saintus of the legendary Ayikodans of Haiti.

Also featuring master percussionist Prince Emmanuel Abiodun Aderele who will take participants on an ancestral journey, via the sacred rhythmic beats of West African percussion instruments.

Details on the Little Haiti Cultural Center:

212 NE 59th Terrace
Miami, FL
(305) 960-2969

Miami, FL – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) is urging the U.S. and the international community to create a twitter storm, of millions of followers, in support of the kidnapped Nigerian school girls, their rescue and the arrest of terrorist group Boko Haram. The extremist group abducted more than two hundred girls in April. Congresswoman Wilson called for the international twitter campaign today at a press conference held with Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (TX-18),Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congressman Steve Stockman (TX-36). Last week, Congresswoman Wilson traveled to Nigeria as a Member of a Congressional delegation sent there to examine U.S. and international efforts to assist with the rescue of the girls.

"66 days ago, the terrorist group Boko Haram kidnapped more than two hundred girls who were pursuing their education. Last week, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution,I introduced, which condemns the actions of Boko Haram. While in Nigeria, I met with parents of the kidnapped girls, and several young girls who were fortunate enough to escape the terrorist group.

"I am calling on Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to use Nigeria’s vast resources and wealth, and the technical and financial support the country receives from the U.S. and international community to rescue these girls.

"I am asking the public to tweet, the message #bringbackourgirls, every morning at 9:00 am Eastern Standard Time, 8:00 am Central Time and 6:00 am Pacific Time as a show of solidarity in support of the girls and their safe return to their families. Our efforts will also strengthen those of the organizers of the "Bring Back Our Girls" movement who rally each day at a park in Nigeria. Let’s tweet, together, to build a twitter campaign that cannot ignored," said Congresswoman Wilson.

MIAMI - The U.S. Small Business Administration signed its first Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with the Women’s Business Development Council of Florida today in the Tower Club in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The purpose of this SAM agreement is to foster mutual understanding and a working relationship between the two organizations to impact small business development and expansion.

"Women-owned businesses have grown by a remarkable 20 percent in just five years. Today, one in five U.S. companies is owned or led by a woman," said South Florida District Director Francisco "Pancho" Marrero. "This is our first SAM with the WBDC of Florida and we look forward to working with the council to inspire other women to consider small business ownership and increase the number of women-owned businesses."

The WBDC of Florida has been the Florida Regional Partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council for the past 13 years. The Council’s mission is oriented towards forming alliances and strategic partnerships with major corporations for the purpose of introducing them to women owned businesses. The Council manages a national certification program for women-owned businesses and businesses have greater success in competing for contracts.

"The WBDC Florida is very excited to officially partner with the Small Business Administration to help our members at all levels of operation: startup to mid-level to seasoned businesses as they grow," said G. Nancy Allen, President and CEO of the WBDC Florida.

SBA South Florida Assistant District Director Area 1 Althea Harris and WBDC President/CEO G. Nancy Allen signed the SAM which will remain in effect for two years.