June 21 Make Sandbags. Kids ages 12 to 17 can sign up to fill sandbags used to prevent flooding and earn community service hours. Volunteers should wear sneakers, a hat and sunblock and bring water. Royal Oaks Park, 16500 NW 87th Ave. 9 a.m. to noon.  June 21 Masquerade and Casino Evening for Children with Special Needs Presented by the Arc of South Florida and the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Casino games, virtual auction,...

The Miami-Dade County Library branch in Miami Lakes is offering classes.        Most events require preregistration and popular courses may fill up early.  Sign up in advance to avoid being shut out of classes.  To check availability, call the branch at 305-822-6520, email truglioj@mdpls.org or sign up at https://bit.ly/3Wnp6tC. Summer Reading Challenge - Adventure Begins at Your...

    Ernie’s Açaí Bowls in Royal Oaks Plaza smells refreshingly of fresh fruit.       Staffers offer a bright and cheery “Welcome to Ernie’s!” to customers in the clean, simple setting: White walls, chairs and tables, a mural of the Ernie’s logo with a green palm tree and the open toppings bar.        The menu offers a variety of organic açaí bowls, smoothies...

The Florida Society of Enrolled Agents named Roberto Pons the 2023-24 Enrolled Agent of the Year at its gala on June 7 at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel in Tampa.      “It’s a nice thing and I was surprised,” Pons said of the award, given in recognition for 20 years of promoting awareness and service to the Enrolled Agent community and to the public in general. “It was...

     The Florida High School Athletic Association state wrestling championships were a showcase for the Mater Lakes teams, with both the boys and girls making strong runs at state titles at the annual event in Kissimmee, Fla. The Mater Lakes boys finished second in the state, out of 69 teams in the Class 1A bracket. The Mater Lakes girls team finished fifth in the state, out of 128 teams overall.      All nine...