A toy drive that began in November during the Main Street Festival of Lights was a partnership between the local Giving Gators charity, The Graham Companies and CBS-Ch.4 and Neighbors 4 Neighbors.      With some of the gifts collected for 200 children are, from left: Barbara Goleman Senior High School student volunteer Gabriel Gonzalez; Cathy Quintana, accountant at The Graham Companies; Giving...

     The Town of Miami Lakes Youth Council is seeking young leaders who want to make a difference in their community.       The Youth Council is accepting applications for new members. The council meets once a month to discuss the progress of the youth center; propose field trip destinations, community service events and future programming, the town said.      Students in middle school...

      The federal holiday to observe the birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. is Jan. 16.       In honor of the slain civil rights leader, it will be a public school holiday for students and employees in Miami-Dade County.      Miami Lakes Town Hall will be closed, too.         It is also a holiday for the stock exchanges, banks and federal offices such as the...

     Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia was a Career Day speaker for advanced eighth-grade students at Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes.        Garcia visited the school on Dec. 16 to describe his upbringing, how he became a politician, the obstacles he faced and the duties of public service.      “He used his story as a motivator for the students to be able...

Jan. 14 Community Bike Ride -- Funky Hat Fun. Join the Neighborhood Improvement Committee for their January ride and make sure to wear your best funky headgear. Riders will depart from the parking lot at NQC restaurant, 6189 Miami Lakes Drive. Free. 7:30 a.m.  Jan. 11 Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Guest speaker is Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr., co-founder and partner, SMGQ Law; Florida Bar president-elect designate...