Mario Pinera Jr. is very involved in the community.   Whether it’s at one of the Miami Lakes committee meetings or at the Barbara Goleman Senior High football stadium (he’s a team booster), you’ve likely seen him volunteering around town.  Pinera Jr., 42, chairs the the Education Advisory Board; is a member of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee; is secretary of the Giving Gators charity and president of...

As the season of giving begins, there are two opportunities to help those who are less fortunate. The H.O.P.E. Mission Center, founded by Miami-Dade Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia, is partnering with Lotus House, which provides housing and services for women and children. Through Sept. 23, the center will accept donations at 1490 W. 68th St. in Hialeah.  Lotus House needs: new/used purse; socks; underwear/sports bras;...

The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative of Miami Lakes is hosting its 6th Annual Pink Walk – 5K Run and Walk on Sunday, Sept. 25. The setting is Miami Dade College’s North Campus, and there is an opportunity for participants to race virtually, too.  The goal of the non-profit organization -- which provides disease prevention and early detection services to at-risk women, low-income populations and college...

As he walks past storefronts along Main Street in downtown Miami Lakes, Danny Martinez takes inventory: Which beauty business is about to open, restaurants that may be coming to town, whether a retailer could be a good fit with neighboring tenants.      Martinez, 34, is the newest leasing agent in the commercial division of The Graham Companies, which built and owns Main Street and five shopping centers in Miami...

Golf carts aren’t just for the players at Miami Lakes Golf Club anymore.  Residents will have an opportunity to register their personal carts with the town’s new golf cart program, which will allow owners to ride in traffic.  Resident and Realtor JC Fernandez has owned a cart for two years and said being able to eventually use it most places in Miami Lakes is great.  “I do plan to legalize it with the...