Families can spend much of Saturday, Aug. 14 at two free events on the west side of Miami Lakes while getting ready for fall and bidding farewell to summer. The town will host an open house at Mary Collins Community Center for parents and kids who want to register for youth classes -- dance, YMCA after school care, Camp Wannado, martial arts, Optimist Club sports, fishing, Snapology, Spectrum Dance Therapy and more -- from 8 a.m. - 11...

The Optimist Club of Miami Lakes is a volunteer organization that organizes youth baseball, softball, flag football and basketball teams. It is seeking sponsors to help keep registration fees low. Package prices are $2,000; $750; $500; $350 and $200. Depending on the amount of the sponsorship, benefits may include having a company name on the back of team uniforms; appearances on social media and the club’s digital sign at...

Three Miami Lakes students attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth State Leadership Program June 25 - 26. Kevin Garcia, who will be a junior at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, and Sophia Inguanzo and Susanna Inguanzo, who will be juniors when they return to Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, all participated in the course via Zoom. Known as the HOBY seminar and founded 63 years ago by the late actor...

The Town of Miami Lakes is seeking young people to join the Miami Lakes Youth Council. Members of the council help create new program- ming for events held at the town youth center, The Spot. Councilmembers must devote one to two hours each week for meetings; participate in monthly or bi-monthly community service activities and chaperone field trips. Those interested in joining should call 305-819-7768 for more information and to get...

For more than a decade, Alejandra Castro dreamed of being her own boss. Earlier this year, that dream came true when she opened Miami Beauty Lovers salon and teaching studio. “I have the liberty of growing my business and giving others jobs,” said Castro. “For 15 years I was an employee. But now I feel free as my own boss.” The salon is at 8140 NW 155th St., just north of Miami Lakes Drive and east of...