Miami Lakes resident Madison Fernandez has always had a heart for others, so when she requested that in lieu of presents for her 8th birthday party, she would have guests bring shoes for orphans in India, her parents weren’t caught by surprise. The only surprising element was how detailed her charitable plans were. “I’m not sure why she chose India, or shoes for that matter, but she did,” said Madison’s...

  The Miami Lakes Kiwanis Club is hosting a Square Dance on Saturday, October 18, at the Roberto Alonso Community Center at Royal Oaks Park. The event will raise money for Kiwanis International’s project to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in third world countries. The project is called “Eliminate” and is co-sponsored by UNICEF. Tickets are $15 and the cost is tax deductible for participants. Food will be...

  Northwest Miami-Dade residents have been invited to Join District 13 Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. and the county’s Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department for the dedication of a new multi-use trail at Amelia Earhart Park at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday October 18. The park is located at 401 E. 65 Street in Hialeah. Spanning approximately 1,900 linear feet and 12-feet wide, the paved trail is designed to be shared by bicycle...

  Marlene Quincoces, affectionately known as MarlyQ, was featured on the front page of The Miami Laker in the summer of 2002 for her tireless efforts giving to the community in what amounted to over 3,000 service hours in 3 years. Not much has changed by way of passionate pursuit, except for the inevitable growth of Quincoces’ giving. The former Hialeah Miami Lakes High School student and Lakes native is now the founder and CEO of...

  Mario Ortiz Jr. is a music teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center by day, but moonlights as a feisty trumpet player and salsa bandleader whose band, Mario Ortiz All Star Band, has been nominated for "Best Salsa Album" for its 50th Anniversary album in the upcoming 15th Latin Grammy Awards. This is the band's second nomination, the first was in 2010 for the 45th Anniversary album. Ortiz and his band are celebrating 50 years of musical...