The newly created Community Foundation of Pinecrest held its first Donor Appreciation Reception and Auction by treating guests to hors d'oeuvres and other refreshments at Blue, the new all-suite hotel in Doral.

Among those helping to make the event a success were Chairman Steve Beiley; CFP secretary Pam Schaefer; CFP board members Pierre Apollon, Dan Scipione, Rick Tonkinson, Dan Heller, Jennifer Wollmann, Luis Boue; and executive director Gloria Burns. Also attending were Pinecrest Vice Mayor Jeff Cutler and council members Nancy Harter, Bob Ross, and Joe Corradino.

Volunteers lending helping hands for the evening were Jo Burke, Yolanda Woodbridge, Candy Hertsch, Dannaliz Segrera and Sandy Schaefer.

The reception was the first of many upcoming events for the new foundation. The group also presented ``Estate Planning Check-Up'' at the Pinecrest Branch Library.

Featured speakers included estate planning attorney Dan Heller, of Heller Waldman; and Carol Nobles, a chartered retirement plans specialist at Young Stovall & Co. For more on upcoming free events check the calendar at www.cfofp.org. The website also gives more information about SNAP, the new Senior Neighbors Assistance Program for elders living in Pinecrest.

ROMANCE OF FRAGRANCE

The Tropical Flowering Tree Society will host Delores Fugina, owner of Bloomin' Good Nursery at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the monthly meeting held at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd.

Visitors are welcome at no cost. Annual membership for $30 is encouraged and programs include speakers, rare flowering tree auctions and refreshments. For information, call 305-389-5404 or go to www.tfts.org.

MEET GALILEO

In 1630, if you believed the sun was the center of our solar system, you could have been burned at the stake. Learn more about the man who first charted the stars at the 400th Year of Galileo hosted by the Southern Cross Astros starting at 8:15 p.m. Friday at the FIU Physics Building, CP-145, Mitch Maidique campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Actor Robert Dawson, dressed in attire of the 1600s, will share the colorful life of Galileo, his friends, competitors, solar system discoveries, and political challenges. Dawson will bring his hand-made replicas of 1600 astronomy instruments to observe the ``first light'' through a telescope.

Families and students are invited to enjoy and learn from this trip back in time. The Southern Cross program will include prizes, a food buffet, and discussion. Use the free parking garage on Southwest 109th Avenue and Southwest Eighth Street opposite the Physics Building. Call 305-661-1375 or go to www.scas.org.

EAT DINNER TOGETHER

Make faces at the dinner table -- smiling of course -- and submit your photo to a statewide contest sponsored by Informed Families. The event is being held to support ``Family Day -- A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children'' on Sept. 28. Photos will be accepted until Oct. 5.

More than a decade of research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University has shown that kids who eat dinner with their families are less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.

Through its Community Action Team program, Informed Families is supporting CASA's national Family Day with its own ``Family Day Photo Contest,'' open to all Floridians.

Floridians are asked to submit photos of family members eating dinner together for the chance to win one of three Publix gift cards: a $50 gift card, and two $25 gift cards. To be eligible to win, participants must also sign a Family Day Pledge, available at www.informedfamilies.org/familyday promising to eat dinner with their children on Sept. 28 and more frequently throughout the year.

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