Some news and lots of events

I want to start this week’s blog by announcing that my daughter Elizabeth has been accepted to both UCF (University of Central Florida in Orlando) and FSU (Florida State University in Tallahassee). Even though she’s still holding out hope for Hunter College in NYC. We’re very proud of her.

And now to run through last week up to tonight…

Me at the UHealth Sports Medicine booth during Saturday’s Marlins game.

Saturday, I volunteered at the Food Rescue Farmer’s Market and then Vance, Nick and I went to the afternoon Marlins game and watched them lose terribly to I believe it was the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sunday was a quiet Easter Sunday which we started by attending a beautiful Easter Mass. Later that afternoon, I went to pick up my cousin’s wife Becky at the Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale where she was judging a synchronized swimming competition. My sister Mari also came over and we all had a nice barbecue dinner, prepared by Vance, the master barbecuer. He made some delicious chicken and shrimp skewers and I prepared some roasted potatoes and a caprese salad. Becky spent the night at our house.

The next day, Becky and I went to the beach for a couple of hours, picked up some sandwiches at Cane a Sucre sandwich shop near my house and then I took her to the airport for her afternoon flight home. It was nice spending time with her and she really appreciated the hospitality.

One of many beautiful butterflies fluttering about at Enchanted Forest Park’s Butterfly Garden.

Tuesday I went for a nice morning walk at Enchanted Forest Park and at night, it was back to LoanDepot Park for a Best Buddies outing and that night my sister Susy joined me. We watched them lose… again! But it was nice catching up with my sister and watch Nick have a great time with his friends.

Wednesday morning was crazy busy as I helped at the VIP check in during the Serving the Arts Awards hosted by the Arts & Business Council of Miami. As hectic as it was, it was great to be around so many creative people and those that support the arts. Then Wednesday night, it was another Best Buddies event, this one a fundraiser for the upcoming walk on Saturday. The event was at Hooters (yes Hooters). My sister Mari joined me for that one and we enjoyed some chicken wings while Nick and his friends hung out and enjoyed their food. Part of the proceeds from that night’s sales went to the Best Buddies Citizens Miami team.

The Miami Beach Pride installation on Lincoln Road’s Euclid Oval on Miami Beach which will be on display until June.

Last night I attended the Light Up the Night kick off event hosted by Miami Beach Pride. It was the unveiling of a rainbow flag installation on Lincoln Road at the Euclid Oval. The impressive rainbow-colored fabric is woven between the palm trees on the Oval and they also wrapped the planters in rainbow-colored textile sleeves. The work was created by the artistic duo Laz Ojalde and Natalie Zlamalova known as AMLgMATD. I will be writing an article about them and this installation for Artburst Miami. I’ll share that link when it’s posted.

The bruschetta at Spris on Lincoln Road on Miami Beach.

The delicious classic Caesar salad at Spris.

After the unveiling, I went to Spris Restaurant on Lincoln Road, and enjoyed bruschetta and a Caesar salad. Spris is always a great choice for consistently good food.

Cute squash blossoms I’m growing in the backyard.

And finally today, I spent a relaxing day at home, getting some work done and enjoying a bike ride around the neighborhood. It was a great way to wrap up the week. I also spent some time reading while sitting on the backyard patio and discovered that some of my squash blossoms have opened!

Also, my latest blog for Artburst Miami about several new public art installations around the Miami Design District was posted. Click here to read it.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention my great niece Hailey whose idea it was to start a family book club. We all read “The Great Gatsby” (not one of my favorites but it was OK) and now have moved on to another classic “Rebecca” (definitely one of my favorites).

Elena with her son, the man of the hour, Joaquin “Jojo” and Michael having dinner in Washington, DC. (That’s Dad AJ reflected in the mirror taking the picture).

And Michael, who is still training with Ruths’ Chris Restaurant in Annapolis, MD, was able to drive to Washington, DC and meet his newest little cousin Joaquin and reunite with his cousin Elena.

That’s all for this week. Tomorrow we’ll be walking to support Best Buddies at the Friendship Walk being held at LoanDepot Park again this year.

Gorgeous sunset capture from this past week.

Have a wonderful week and let’s all pray for the seven lost souls from World Central Kitchen’s volunteer team.