MIAMI GARDENS

Against the odds, a young man rebuilds his life

A yong man left to fend for himself after his father died in Haiti is striving for a new start in South Florida. 1257859167

Teen continues tradition of helping homeless

Julio D. Anta, 19, has fed the homeless for years, but from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, he has invited the community to share in this gift-giving project as he, through his ministry Humility Now, hosts the inaugural Homeless BBQ/Clothing Drive.A warm Neighbors in Religion salute to Julio D. Anta, 19, who has the homeless at heart. 1257859263

Police reports from local municipalities

MIAMI GARDENS | Burglars stole a refrigerator after breaking a sliding glass door at a house in the 20300 block of Northwest 40th Court between noon Oct. 24 and 6:45 p.m. Oct. 26. The refrigerator was valued at $1,200. Damage was estimated at $100. 1257859182

Female scholars to be featured on Book Fair panel

Next Saturday will be a proud day for the community.

Two local high school graduates, now college professors and published authors -- Tera W. Hunter and Edda Fields-Black -- are participating on the African Diaspora Panel at the 26th annual Miami Book Fair International.

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE

Miami Dade College North Campus boasts more than 400 palms

Every Friday at 8 a.m., a group of students plant palm tree seeds at Miami Dade College North Campus' new palm tree nursery.

``Students learn a lot about palms even though they aren't science majors,'' said Juliette Llado, Student Government Association president. ``Each palm has a unique way about itself.''

Police reports from local municipalities

MIAMI GARDENS | A vandal slashed two tires and damaged a door lock on a 1995 Honda Accord in the 2500 block of Northwest 165th Street between 12:15 and 10 a.m. Oct. 24. Damage was estimated at $400.

Police reports from local municipalities

MIAMI GARDENS | A burglar stole a television, computer, car stereo, sneakers, a ring, watch, earrings and two bracelets after ransacking three bedrooms at a house in the 2400 block of Northwest 168th Street between 9:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. Oct. 23. The items were valued at $14,700.

MAIMI-DADE

Aging adults keep on moving, stay active

Ann Monroe emerged from the glittering Olympic-size pool with water still dripping off her green bathing suit after about an hour of twisting, kicking and completing crunches.

• Physical activities for seniors by neighborhood

A Thanksgiving dinner for only $7? It's true

A Harvest Baazar, hosted by the Revelation Christian Academy at 8390 NW 14th Ave., will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the church.

LIBERTY CITY

Street named after pastor for years of work in the community

Rev. Dr. Gilbert S. Smith, CEO of the Apostolic Evangelistic Association, was honored by the naming of Northwest 15th Avenue after him for fighting crime in the neighborhood where he long has been a force for change.

Crime Watch appoints new board members

Citizens' Crime Watch recently held its 35th Annual Board meeting and the election of its officers.

Award-winning illustrator sets bar high

Akeem Mayers dreams of creating his own comic book, someday. For now, he is content receiving multiple recognitions for his work as illustrator for The Falcon Times, the award-winning student newspaper at Miami Dade College's North Campus.

JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Seven graduate Jackson Memorial's nuclear medical technology program

South Floridians graduate from a nuclear medicine technology program at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

LIBERTY CITY

Northwestern High's PAVAC program persists despite challenges

Miami Northwestern's performing arts program faces challenges, but continues to thrive.

Police reports from local municipalities

MIAMI GARDENS | A robber snatched a purse from a 49-year-old woman standing in the 1700 block of Northwest 154th Street after calling her over to the Lincoln Navigator he was driving at 3:30 a.m. Oct. 23. The purse and its contents were valued at $20.

MIAMI GARDENS

Crime Watch has cause to celebrate

With an anti-crime rally in Miami Gardens, local Crime Watch groups celebrated bringing their communities together.

OPA-LOCKA

Opa-locka students learn first-hand what it takes to run a city

Local fifth-graders presided over mock city meetings during Opa-locka's annual Government Week. Guided by Mayor Joseph L. Kelley, pre-teen students experienced the real life civics lesson up close and personal.

Miami-Dade sites offer spirited diversions for Halloween fun

South Florida might not have the reputation of Salem, Mass., but we hold our own in the world of the supernatural.

• A listing of Halloween events across Miami-Dade

Noted soprano to sing at Miami Beach church

Soprano Victoria Bechtold Kush will be the featured artist at a musical program titled Songs of Love and Inspiration at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. John's on the Lake, 4760 Pinetree Dr., in Miami Beach.

MIAMI-DADE

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education partners with national network

An innovative Miami preschool is on track to become a national model.

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, a demonstration school for educators and parents, has partnered with a national network that aims to put into practice the best research on how kids learn.