Agrapefruit tree was placed on top of the new 3,000-square-foot Marian and Robert Fewell Gallery built in what was once a parking lot behind the historic Old Police and Fire Station in Coral Gables.

City officials and Coral Gables Museum supporters gathered to celebrate the topping-off ceremony traditionally held when a building reaches its highest point in construction.

Riding up in the bucket of a fire department ladder truck, the tree was placed on the Fewell Gallery by retired Coral Gables Fire Chief Dick Gossett and his son, Jim Gossett, a current Gables firefighter.

In northern climates, a pine tree is usually placed on top of a building during the ceremony.

However, as the City Beautiful was developed on the Merrick Family grapefruit plantation, a grapefruit tree was used for the museum expansion.

The historic Old Police and Fire Station will connect to the new Fewell Gallery. The museum campus will include a public plaza, gallery spaces, a community room for civic functions, the city's archives, a public research library and a courtyard area.

The museum is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010.

The new gallery has been made possible by a $2 million donation from Marian and Robert Fewell, long-time Coral Gables residents and community supporters.

For more information, visit www.coralgablesmuseum.org.

ROCK AND REMEMBER

Harvey W. Seeds, son of Dr. and Mrs. J. B. Seeds of Miami, was the first Dade County doughboy to be killed in action in World War I. When his fellow soldiers returned home in 1919, they decided to pay tribute to their fallen friend by naming the American Legion Post 29 after him.

Now you can help save this historic local landmark and hear your favorite classic rock at the same time.

The Members band will perform a special benefit Halloween concert on Oct. 31 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the American Legion Harvey W. Seeds Post 29, 6445 NE 7th Ave. in Miami Shores.

The Members band musicians hope to raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of the building, as well as secure the American Legion Post's outreach to veterans and the community.

Halloween costumes are encouraged but not required.

A voluntary donation at the door is $10.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with a DJ starting off the evening. Volunteers are needed to assist with the planning and execution of the fundraising event.

If you would like to help or want more info on the Post, contact David Treleaven, 305-632-4422 or D_Treleaven@hotmail.com. Nonveteran volunteers also welcome.

NIGHT WALK

Hundreds of walkers are expected to help raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the first Light The Night Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, at Merrick Park, City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way in Coral Gables.

Participants will carry illuminated balloons, white for survivors and red for supporters, to honor the lives touched by blood cancers. Proceeds from the walk help fund blood cancer research and patient services.

To sign up or register a team, call the Southern Florida Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 954-744-5311 or visit www.lightthenight.org.

GABLES HOME TOUR

Now is your chance to visit five select historic homes in Coral Gables as part of the American Institute of Architects Miami Chapter's annual month-long series of activities called Celebrate Architecture + Design 2009.

Presented by The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, the tour will be held Nov. 14. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit association that is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and use of Coral Gables historic properties.

The patrons' event is from 10:45 a.m. to noon with a lecture by architect Jorge Hernandez, trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The home tour will follow from noon to 4 p.m.

Homes being featured are in the French Country Village, Java Head, Dutch South African Village, Pioneer Village and Art Deco.

Cost is $50 for patrons and includes a reception and the lecture. Cost for the tour only is $30. Cash, checks and credit cards (with five percent service charge) accepted.

The tour is open to adults.

Send a check to the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables for the full amount, along with your name, address, e-mail and phone number, addressed to HPACG, P. O. Box 347944, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Or call 305-448-7488 to buy with a credit card. Visit AIA Miami at 275 University Dr. to buy on site, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

BARNACLE DANCE

Dance like it is 1891 on Oct. 25 at the Micco Pavilion at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove.

Gates open at 6 p.m., and the event ends at 10 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, and children under 10 are free.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes and come learn to dance the traditional dances like contras, squares, circles and waltzes. Instruction is included so beginners are welcome.

Music will be played by Chuck Anton and Friends. Eric Harris will be calling the steps. Picnics welcome.

For information call 305-442-6866 or visit www.TheBarnacle.org.

FREE SCARY CONCERT

Bring your family to experience a dramatic concert of Halloween-themed masterpieces including Phantom of the Opera, Night on Bald Mountain, Firebird Suite, Danse Macabre and more performed by the Alhambra Orchestra and the Greater Miami Youth Symphony at 4 p.m., Oct. 25 at Ransom-Everglades School, 3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove.

Conductors Alfred Gershfeld and Huifang Chen will lead their ensembles. Listeners are invited to come in costume.

A reception following the ceremony will include a raffle. Parking is free too.

For more call 305-668-9260, or e-mail info@alhambramusic.org.

If you have news for this column, send to Chris Mayo, Friends and Neighbors, Neighbors, 4302 SW 73rd Ave., Miami, FL 33155, or fax to 305-269-7901. No pics returned. ChristinaMayo05@aol.com.