Hanukkah, the eight-day Festival of Lights, begins this year on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 28 and concludes the evening of Monday, Dec. 6.        It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people.  The Jews defeated the Syrian Greeks, who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom.   ...

    Miami-Dade Police Maj. Javier Ruiz leads the agency’s Miami Lakes district and oversees 50 employees.   Ruiz, 48, lives in the City of Doral. He joined the Miami-Dade Police Department 25 years ago and was first assigned to the northwest district, which included Miami Lakes.       He was based in town shortly after its incorporation in 2000, but after a few years moved on to Internal...

The Prayer Twist, aka Parivrtta Parsvakonasana      In Sanskrit, the word parivrtta means to turn around and twist.        The word is usually placed before the name of the pose, either standing or seated.          Prayer Twist is a relatively challenging standing pose.       It provides a strong twist for the whole torso, while strengthening the lower...

      The Zonta Club of Miami Lakes is joining with Zonta International to say ‘No’ to violence against women and girls.        Its awareness campaign, called 16 Days of Activism, will run from Nov. 25 - Dec. 10.       The local chapter is inviting anyone interested in learning about the charitable organization, which supports the education of women and girls and...

      The Lake Katharine neighborhood and the waterway in Miami Lakes are named for Katharine Meyer Graham, the late publisher of the Washington Post.       Graham, who died in 2001, is being recognized this month by the United States Postal Service with a stamp that features her portrait.        Graham is 17th in the Distinguished Americans series of stamps for her accomplishments,...