Palmetto High tennis team raises over $2,000 with its first pro-am tourney fundraiser

Engaging with the community and local businesses during the continuing pandemic is important.

The Miami Palmetto High School tennis team, led by Coach Kelly Gibson, found a new way to do just that with its first annual Panthers Pro-Am Doubles Tournament Fundraiser Jan. 22.

Over $2,000 was raised for the Panthers tennis team and more than $3,000 in merchandise and services were donated by community businesses for prizes.

The team has a long-standing winning history with 11 Greater Miami Athletic Conference Championships, 14 Girls District Championships, 12 Boys District Championships, 11 Regional Championships, 2018 Girls and Boys State Champions, 2019 Boys State Champions and Individual Doubles State Champions, according to the Panther Tennis Booster Club. Last season, the girls were State Runners-Up and the boys were Regional Finalists.

The recent fundraiser was hosted by Alper JCC Miami and its Tennis Director Mark Chellas was emcee.

Businesses making donations for prizes included Joanna’s Marketplace, Walls Old Fashioned Ice Cream, Smoothie King Palmetto Bay, Nutrition MIA, Tennis Plaza, Eat Me Guilt Free, House of Bagels & Bialys, The Muffin Tin, THE PULL, The Butcher Shop & Deli, Whip ‘n Dip Palmetto Bay, Studio 55 Spa & Boutique, F45 Training Pinecrest, and Stretch Zone.

Other donations were provided by Publix, and the Castro, Endara, Miller, Schlesinger, and Nicolini families.

Panthers tennis alum Andrew Salazar ’12 was the top winner prized with a trophy and cryotherapy sessions donated by Restore Hyper Wellness Pinecrest.

Other division winners who received trophies included Rosana Aronson who won three bottles of wine from Anacapri Italian Market, Peter Kazanas who won a certificate donated by Palm Produce Resortwear, and Brent Coetzee who won a certificate donated by Roasters ‘N Toasters Pinecrest.

To learn more about the Miami Palmetto Panthers tennis team, and how you or your business can get involved, follow the team on Instagram @MiamiPalmettoTennis or contact michrevuelta@gmail.com.

The team is hosting its next fundraiser 2-10 p.m., Feb. 8 at Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream in Pinecrest.

Villagers presents preservation grants

More than $40,000 has been awarded by The Villagers to historic properties in Miami-Dade County for restoration and preservation.

Funds will be shared among the Coral Gables Garden Club, Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, The Historic Hampton House, Merrick House Museum, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

“Our members and supporters have really stepped up during another challenging fundraising year,” said Villager President Loyda Lewis. “We are grateful for the continued support to help preserve our unique local history for future generations.”

The not-for-profit all-volunteer Villagers organization has awarded more than 75 local organizations grants to fund more than 150 projects. Founded in 1966, the group is is Miami-Dade County’s oldest historic preservation organization.

“Saving Art Deco” is the next topic in The Villagers’ free monthly “Preserving Our Community” webinar series. The one-hour Zoom program will be at noon, Feb. 16. Participants must register in advance online at https://thevillagersinc.org/villagers-lunch-and-learn/.

The webinar will feature guest speaker Nancy Liebman, author of “Preservation Dreams: Reflections of a Miami Beach Activist,” former Miami Beach City Commissioner, Miami Design Preservation League Executive Director, and MiMo Biscayne Association Board member.

“Nancy is best known for her tireless work with historic preservation for Miami Beach and City of Miami,” said Villager Susan Medina, moderator of the webinar. “Her passion for saving our Art Deco heritage is an incredible legacy and her stories about how she persevered are worth hearing.”

Dance premieres at MDCA Black Box Feb. 18-19

Karen Peterson and Dancers will explore the themes of disability, family dynamics, and generational lineage in its movement narrative SAMSARA at 8 p.m., Feb. 18-19 at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium On.Stage Black Box, 2901 W. Flagler St.

As Florida’s only full-time dance organization casting professional dancers with and without disabilities onto the same stage, Artistic Director Karen Peterson-Corash is presenting her latest multimedia performance piece.

SAMSARA traces the life journey of many of the dance artists in the KPD Company, backlit by powerful film images to support the live performance. This marks the fifth dance video collaboration KPD has developed with Miami multidisciplinary visual artist Maria Lino.

Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for students and seniors, and are available at https://www.miamidadecountyauditorium.org/

For more, visit www.KarenPetersonDancers.org or call 305-298-5879.

Divorce coach publishes new book

Pinecrest attorney Jennifer Warren Medwin’s self-help book, “Strategies and Tips from a Divorce Coach: A Roadmap to Move Forward” is now available with “informative checklists, practical tips and strategies, clear and direct steps for moving forward, solution-based plans of action, and more.”

“As a Certified Divorce Coach and someone who has personally gone through a divorce, I understand how challenging it can be to advocate for yourself while experiencing the mental and emotional toll of a separation. I wrote this book to take the guesswork out of this difficult time and to help individuals make clear, well-informed decisions while also saving time and money,” Medwin said.

With years of experience and her own firsthand experience, she said she channels all her insight, empathy, and education into a comprehensive guide that is simultaneously comforting, illuminating, and empowering.

In addition to being a Certified Divorce Coach, Medwin is Certified Marital Mediator, and Supreme Court of Florida Family Mediator.

“Strategies and Tips from a Divorce Coach: A Roadmap to Move Forward” is available online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Contact Medwin at jen@seekingempowerment.com or visit www.seekingempowerment.com

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.