CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

DOWNTOWN MIAMI A burglar ransacked a car at the corner of Northeast 11th Street and North Miami Avenue between 11:45 p.m. June 4 and 2:30 a.m. June 5.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH

North Miami Beach cuts two more city employees

Two more city workers lose their jobs as North Miami Beach officials look for ways to save money.

BISCAYNE PARK

Biscayne Park's village manager announces resignation

Biscayne Park's village manager said he will resign but will stay through the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year.

MIAMI-DADE

Dig it: Essay contest on new Marlins ballpark

The Florida Marlins launched a Marlins New Ballpark Groundbreaking Essay Contest that will award one winner the opportunity to become an honorary participant at the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new ballpark.

MIAMI-DADE

Miami WordSpeak poetry team will compete at Chicago festival

On Monday, the team will leave for Chicago to compete in the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival 2009, where they will take part in poetry workshops, watch professional poets perform, and battle in a poetry slam -- the competitive form of performance poetry.

AVENTURA

Free cooking class at Chef Allen's is worth savoring

Since June 5, the upscale restaurant has been offering Friday evening cooking classes. Patrons make reservations up to two weeks in advance for a chance to turn the tables and learn the secrets of the renowned restaurant's kitchen.

MIAMI GARDENS

Volunteers pitch in to renovate Miami Gardens foster home for teens

Volunteers pitch in to give a foster home for teen girls a much-needed makeover.

BISCAYNE PARK

Biscayne Park Commission begins work on '09-10 budget

Budget season starts earlier than usual. The next public meeting is Thursday.

NORTH MIAMI BEACH

New quarantine facility in North Miami Beach will help protect pets

The new Audrey Love Intake Quarantine at the Humane Society of Greater Miami/Adopt-a-pet will let the shelter take in another 50 animals a month

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

DOWNTOWN MIAMI | A thief stole $200 behind the counter of a store at 1717 N. Bayshore Dr. on June 3. Someone stole a laptop computer from a production storage cart at the Sesame Street Live show, 601 Biscayne Blvd., on June 3.

MIAMI-DADE

Eco camp a respite from urban life

The rain was a gift. It came suddenly from the south, and we didn't have time to get off the island before the water started blowing in sideways, making it impossible to stay dry under our tent without sides.

• Eco Island Adventure Camp

SOAPBOX | LETTERS FROM READERS

Dr. Dan Finkelstein will be sorely missed

A very sad loss for the Shores is marked by the passing of Dr. Dan Finkelstein. Quietly and absent of any fanfare, Dr. Finkelstein was one of the key physicians who decades ago had the insight to start the second medical school to call Miami-Dade home. As an original board member of Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, he sat over the beginning of this small, upstart medical school that would grow into a huge force locally and nationally. Danny served as the medical school's chief of radiology...

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

DOWNTOWN MIAMI | A thief stole a boat from a floating dock at 401 Biscayne Blvd. between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 1.

NORTH MIAMI

North Miami CRA board hires ex-Biscayne Landing employee to search for funding of projects

North Miami's Community Redevelopment Agency Board hired a former Biscayne Landing employee to look for funding sources for upcoming projects despite objection.

NORTH MIAMI HIGH | UNICEF'S JUNIOR 8 SUMMIT

Teens to get leaders' ears at global summit in Italy

Four North Miami teens will represent the United States in a global meeting to discuss world problems such as climate change and a sinking economy in Italy.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Many July Fourth celebrations will go on in Miami-Dade despite tough times

While today’s economic squeeze has put the kibosh on some traditional Fourth of July celebrations, there are still plenty of spots throughout Miami-Dade where music will play, hot dogs will sizzle and fireworks will light up the night sky

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Students lauded for doing the right thing

Special students from schools throughout Miami-Dade County were named the May winners of the Do The Right Thing Program (DTRT), sponsored by the Miami Police Department, British Airways, The Miami Herald and WTVJ-NBC 6.

NORTH MIAMI

Death of project's artitect dampens celebration of revamped North Miami park

The city's celebration of a revamped Kiwanis Park is bittersweet following the death of the project's architect, who collapsed last week at the groundbreaking ceremony.

• Funeral events for Clyde W. Judson Jr.

WYNWOOD

Artoconecto to offer free art program for children throughout Miami-Dade

KIDSART, a new art program by Artoconecto, will bring out the inner artists in kids ages 7-13 -- and it won't cost a thing.

CRIME BLOTTER

Police reports from local municipalities

DOWNTOWN MIAMI | A thief used a man's cellphone to rack up $435 in charges for calls to Cuba after the owner said he left the cellphone at Bongo's Cuban Café, 601 Biscayne Blvd., on May 24.