Area residents joined Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces  Department staff and District 13 Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. for the grand opening of a new playground at the popular “Tom Sawyer’s Play Island” at Amelia Earhart Park, 401 E. 65 Street in Hialeah. A fort-style tree house with climbers, spinners, slide, balance beams, swings and musical instruments to play are part of the new playground...

  The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes is taking priority reservations for its signature fundraising event – Claws for Celebration – scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the Roberto Alonso Community Center, 16500 N.W. 87 Avenue. The event features cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing. Guests may reserve a Stone Crab dinner or a Beef Tenderloin dinner for $125 per person. Reservations may be made by mail or by...

  The Main Street Players opened its 2015 season to full houses with A Bicycle Country by award-winning playwright Nilo Cruz. The show stars (from left) Michael Fernandez, Michelle Anelo and Luis Acosta, directed by John Olivera, and produced by Clara Lyzniak. A Bicycle Country runs through March 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m, and Sundays at 2 p.m., at the Main Street Playhouse, 6766 Main Street. Tickets are available online or at...

  Miami Lakes Duplicate Bridge Club elected officers for 2015. Pictured (from left) president Dave Oliver, past president John Williams, first vice president Pat Blomberg, second vice president and Partnership chairperson Carol Seiderman, secretary Lindy Tino, treasurer Diane Ricke and club director Joe Phillips. The club meets every Monday at 11:45 a.m. at the Mary Collins Community Center, 15151 N.W. 82 Avenue. Annual membership fee...

  (A monthly feature focusing on the history of the Miami Lakes community.) Did You Know that Merrett Stierheim was Miami Lakes’ first town manager in 2001. Following incorporation on December 4, 2000 and the subsequent inaugural town election in February 2001, the new but inexperienced Town Council needed a town manager to run the day-to-day operations and help make a smooth transition from Miami-Dade County services to a...