Palmetto Bay is Warming Up For The Holidays
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Our culturally diverse little Village was home to myriad events during the 2012 holiday season. From food drives and boat parades to plant sales and the annual "Holiday by the Bay" celebration, we hope you thoroughly enjoyed the cheery mix of happenings all around town. Whether it was a Village-hosted event or a community function we officially supported, we are pleased to have been your source for Palmetto Bay events this year. We also kept you posted via our Village Facebook with updates and photo coverage.
Also, please continue to paid heed to these holiday shopping safety tips provided by our own Village Policing Unit, as you head out to return/exchange gift items or while you are taking advantage of all the post-holiday sales at area malls and shopping centers.
3rd Annual 'Holiday By The Bay' a Great Success Again
Palmetto Bay's 3rd 
Annual Holiday by the Bay, Dec. 22, was a great success again this year. Residents, neighbors, and guests enjoyed a veritable Christmas wonderland on the shore of Biscayne Bay, as Village staff served up a cheery blend of student holiday performances, carnival foods, arts & crafts, and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself.
Please see photos now available on the Village Facebook and enjoy this coverage in The Miami Herald.
Special thanks to first-time event sponsor, General Mow, which came in at the Reindeer Level of support ($750) and to CT3S Stantec for their $250 donation. If interested in sponsoring future events or how to participate in an event as a food/craft vendor, contact the Parks & Recreation Department via e-mail or call 305-259-1234.
The event took place at Ludovici Park, home of the Edward & Arlene Feller Community Room and Amphitheater, located at 17641 Old Cutler Road, in Palmetto Bay.
General Mow got its company name on Palmetto Bay's WBAY-TV (Gov't Access TV / Comcast 77) by sponsoring "Holiday by the Bay." Want your name in lights as a sponsor of a future Village event, contact us today.
Holiday Boat Parade & Canned Food Drive
Palmetto Bay enjoyed a truly fantastic display of holiday spirit and generosity Dec. 15 -- thanks to the Palmetto Bay Canal Association and caring residents. The 3rd Annual Holiday Boat Parade & Canned Food Drive traveled south on the canal through Palmetto Bay, passed Bill Sadowski Park, and ended in southwest Palmetto Bay. (See photos on Village Facebook).
Residents lined the banks to deposit hundreds of non-perishable food items into the passing boats all along the canal route. Canned foods collected are being presented by event-organizer Rainer Schael at Village Hall, Dec. 17, just prior to a public hearing in the Chambers at 7 p.m. The items will then be forwarded on to Feeding South Florida, a home-grown organization that distributes 2 million pounds of food each month to hungry South Floridians, including children and the elderly, the unemployed and the working poor, the disabled, the homeless, and victims of natural disasters, illness and violence.
Village Hall is proud of its role in this annual event and expresses its thanks to the Canal Association for bringing community together three years running. Thanks for your dedication to this wonderful community event, Rainer!
'Feeding South Florida' Food Drive
The Village of Palmetto Bay, in conjunction with Feeding South Florida, thanks you for your generous support of those in need by donating to our holiday food drive, Nov. 6 - Dec. 14. All non-perishable food items (no glass, please) were collected in the lobby of Village Hall and will be forwarded on to Feeding South Florida the week of Dec. 17. If you still have a few items to donate, please call first (305-259-1234) before bringing them by Village Hall any later than Dec. 14 -- we'll do out best to squeeze them in.
Feeding South Florida is a home-grown organization that distributes 2 million pounds of food each month to hungry South Floridians, including children and the elderly, the unemployed and the working poor, the disabled, the homeless, and victims of natural disasters, illness and violence. For information, call Village Hall at 305-259-1234.
Fiore Food Drive, too...
A special thanks goes out to Councilman Patrick Fiore for organizing his own food drive during the Thanksgiving period He, along with Vice-Mayor Dubois, distributed turkeys donated by Publix and other food stuff to needy families in Palmetto Bay, with the assistance of Christ Fellowship.
Tips to be Safe While Holiday Shopping
Every holiday season our Palmetto Bay Policing Unit brings you the Three A’s of Crime Prevention:
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings.
- Be Alert to Suspicious People and Vehicles.
- Avoid Dangerous Situations.
There is nothing in your purse or wallet worth serious injury or death!
- Is it absolutely necessary to carry a purse at all times? A wallet or credit card in a pocket would be less tempting.
- Carry only the amount of cash or credit cards that you need.
- Zip or close purse securely to avoid pickpocketers. Carry purse or shoulder-bag in front of you and close to your body. Do not carry spare keys in your purse.
- Keep your purse on your lap when dining or at meetings.
- Avoid carrying a lot of packages; it can make you look defenseless. Place all packages and gifts in the locked trunk of your vehicle. Never leave purses, briefcases, I Pods, cell phones, GPS systems or shopping bags visible in the passenger compartment of your car.
- In the supermarket, do not leave your purse in the shopping cart. REMEMBER: Out-of-sight, out-of-mind, out-of-purse!
- Avoid displaying valuables such as jewelry or large sums of money. Also, dress so you can walk or run easily to avoid an attack.
- Throughout Florida, citizens are facing follow-home strong-arm robberies. As you drive home day or night, look for potential danger before entering your driveway. Walkways, doorways, and driveways should be well-lit around your home.
- Do not enter your driveway if a suspicious vehicle has followed you. Go to the nearest safe location, or an area where there are people and call the police. If you are confronted in your driveway, remain in your locked car with your windows up and blow your horn. The distance from your car to your front door is no man's land.
- If attacked outside, just give up the property and when attacked, if you are going to be knocked down, sit down.
- When using the ATM, make sure that it is not in a secluded location and is well lighted. Also, use the “buddy system”. Go directly to your car and count the cash in your vehicle, not at the ATM.
- At home, do not display all your gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
- Going on vacation for the Holidays – have a friend or family member check on your home and leave emergency contact information with them.
- Beware of con-games and fraud schemes; only give to charities that you have dealt with before.
- Be aware of where you are and where you are going at all times. Stay away from a potentially dangerous area or situation.
- Trust your instincts. If you suspect something is wrong, or if a situation seems dangerous, you may by right! Don’t dismiss suspicious people, cars, or situations. Report them immediately.
Call 9-1-1 for EMERGENCY / 305-4-POLICE (476-5423) for NON-EMERGENCY
Holiday Pet Tips
We recently posted this quick tip on the Village's Dog Park Facebook: Remember to dog- and cat-proof your home during the Christmas Season. All those shinny ornaments, Christmas Trees, wreaths, and delicious food can be a real danger to your pets and cost you a bundle if you have to make an emergency trip to your veterinarian. Pay attention to what your animals are up to and you’ll head off a problem before it happens!
The ASPCA also offers a comprehensive checklist to ensure the happiest holiday for you and your pets. It provides a whole host of really smart tips on how to steer pets clear of the unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations. Read more.
Plant Sale Fundraiser
Our very own Palmetto Bay Garden Club hosted a fundraiser at Coral Reef Park Dec. 8 -- offering a great variety of plants and holiday decorative arrangements. Event information on Facebook and more information about the Garden Club on our Village Green website.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
The Chabad of Palmetto Bay held its annual menorah lighting ceremony Dec 9 -- one of the great traditions of Jewish faith -- in front of the Starbucks off of Old Cutler Rd and 168th St. The event included food, fun, and kids' activities. Read more about the event in the Palmetto Bay News.