The holiday decorations in some Main Street storefronts are blue, but merchants were not during the town’s Think BIG, SHOP Small event on Nov. 28.Shoppers ogled baubles in the cases at Miami Lakes Jewelers, where a security guard helped enforce social distancing and made sure customers wore masks before they entered the store.Mercedes Mathias, a store manager, said, “We’ve been extremely busy. Pandora, Tous and Tacori, that’s what people are...

Rhoda has a problem: though she’s a newly hatched alligator in the Florida Everglades, another baby gator named Horace doesn’t like her orange and blue skin, and he bullies her. How Rhoda overcomes being an outcast and learns to celebrate what makes her special is the plot of the new children’s book published Nov. 24 by former Fla. Gov. Bob Graham. “I wrote this story for my grandchildren and girls and boys of their...

Officials broke ground for the regional headquarters of Popular Bank to rise adjacent to its current location at 7900 NW 154th St in Miami Lakes. The Kislak Organization will build the $26 million project for the bank, which is its tenant. Said Israel Velasco, Popular Bank’s South Florida region executive, “We’re very happy this project is coming to fruition.” The five-story building may be occupied by 2021. From the left are Miami Lakes...

Parents of students who attend Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School and parishioners from Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes donated food to fill 800 bags for their Thanksgiving food drive. The bags were distributed to needy members of the community. Shown below are Rosie Cabrera and Elizabeth Alvarez, stocking bags on Nov. 19. Photo courtesy of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School.

The Ball Jackknife exercise This movement will strengthen your core muscles and help with balance and posture.1. Place your hands on the floor with arms straight and palms flat, as shown in the photo above. Balance on an appropriately sized ball, keeping it between your ankles and shins.2. Contract your abdominal muscles, squeeze your buttocks together and slowly pull your knees toward your chest while still balancing your shins and...