Miami Lakes’ popular Start Smart Sports Development program opened Wednesday, September 2 for the first of two six-week sessions at Picnic Park West, 15151 N.W. 82 Avenue. The program helps prepare children, ages 3-5, for organized youth sports by using safe and fun equipment to teach them basic motor skills needed to compete. Classes are held for six consecutive Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Session 1 runs to October 2, and...

  Miami Lakes Branch Library announced the following programs are available for the public during September:For Children and Families:Saturday Matinee at the Library – Miami Lakes Branch presents family friendly films. Movie is “Home” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 5. Reading Ready Toddler Storytime – Stories, songs, and activities for toddlers and theur caregivers. For ages 18 months to 3 years old...

  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced its Scholar-Teams for the 2014-15 academic year. For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar-Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes. A school-record 11 teams from St. Thomas University earned the award in 2014-15,...

  The Miami Lakes Optimist Club is continuing registration for its Fall youth flag football program from 10 a.m. to noon on consecutive Saturdays, September 5 and September 12, at Miami Lakes Middle School, 6425 Miami Lakeway North. The registration cost is $120 for new players and $100 for returning players. Participants, ages 5 to 13, can also register on online at www.MIAflag.com from August 29 to September 12. The cutoff birthdate...

  According to new head coach Nick Martinez, Dade Christian’s football team draws a comparison to the 2006 and 2012 units.And he should know since he played on both of those teams.The 2006 team went undefeated in the regular season before losing in the state semifinal, and the 2012 squad was two quarters away from winning the state championship, the team’s best accomplishment in years.“This team has the skills,...