When Cristina Miranda-Gilson was growing up in South Miami, performing community service was a mandate from her mother, Mercy Diaz-Miranda. “Whether we wanted to or not, we had to help,” Miranda-Gilson, 61, said about the importance of volunteering that she learned from her mom, a former newspaper publishing executive. “It just really is about giving back,” Miranda-Gilson said. “And in giving back, you gain so much.” ...

Usually all of the library’s monthly courses are listed here. But as of March 18, the branch has closed and all programming is canceled, through at least March 31. In the meantime you can download ebooks, audio books, movies and music at mdpls.org. Call the branch or visit MDPLS.org for updates on hours it will be open. Below are photos from past events: Furry Tales, when kids read to a therapy dog; a skull makeup workshop and a children’s...

The third annual Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival drew a large crowd to Miami Lakes Optimist Park on Feb. 29. A celebration of community, the festival’s theme can be summed up in co-organizer Lynn Matos’ motto, “Be Kind, Drink Wine.” Proceeds from the event, for which 1,000 tickets were sold, fund the education-oriented projects of the Miami Lakes Town Foundation. Restauranteur Giuseppe Zuozo and Matos, a Realtor, founded the...

The Town of Miami Lakes and its Education Advisory Board are accepting applications for The Graham Companies Scholarship, to be presented by the firm. Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Miami Lakes. Applications must be submitted to town hall by March 31. The Education Advisory Board will select two recipients, and the winners may be announced at the April 21...

Veterans in northwest Miami-Dade County and southwest Broward County can save trips to Hialeah or downtown Miami to get guidance about benefits. A satellite office was opened March 2 at Miami Lakes town hall.The office, at 6601 Main St., will be open the first and third Mondays of each month, from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pedro P. Fiallo, 75, a veteran and member of the Miami Lakes Veterans Committee, said the new office will be more...