Boogie by the Beach celebrates
‘Monster Success’
By Bari Auerbach

Everyone who plans to attend the city’s “Boogie by the Beach” Halloween event Oct. 27 and 28 at Government Center is sure to have fun celebrating all the treats with no tricks that make life in the city something to howl about!

In a spooktaclular turn of events, Sunny Isles Beach has transitioned from a past its prime vacation destination – into a monster success ultra-luxurious resort/residential community renowned for ongoing revitalization projects and soaring property values.

While some other cities may be haunted by crime and declining infrastructures, vast improvements in Sunny Isles Beach since the city incorporated in 1997 have progressed so fast - it’s almost scary!

Telling ‘Boast Stories’

It was quite a frightful sight to see the old rundown motels that used to line Collins Avenue – but now, the wicked toll of time has been vanquished. Devilishly clever developers have invested millions to build exclusive oceanfront resorts and condominiums generating giant tax revenues that fund supernatural beautification and capital improvement projects.

Thanks to the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, nefarious criminals sucking the lifeblood out of the city’s image were run out of town and police response times improved so dramatically, officers are now on the scene almost before anyone can shriek for help! Due to vigilant traffic patrol, speed demons are also disappearing from city streets.

Since there’s never a skeleton crew at Government Center, citizens benefit from efforts made by expert department heads and members of city staff – always collaborating to enhance quality of life. The Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Commissioners also routinely lead meetings and workshops to discuss important issues and elicit public opinion knowing you can’t rely on witchcraft to make progress magically happen.

In an effort to prevent any future hurricane horror stories, the city has passed ordinances pertaining to compliance with building codes and repairing and/or demolishing unsafe structures. Knowing South Florida weather can change as drastically as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the city also has plans in place to ensure construction sites are secured, mandatory evacuations proceed smoothly, traffic continues to flow and lines of communication remain open.

Especially good news for families with children is bats will soon be “swinging” around a new little league baseball field enhancing an active park coming to181st Drive and North Bay Road (scheduled to be completed between July and September of 2007.) Every mummy and daddy is also thrilled a neighboring K-8 public school, expected to open by fall of 2008, is even more proof the city is becoming a community imbued with “Adams Family values.”

Just in case any little green men ever land in the city, they’re sure to feel right at home at parks throughout the city providing an abundance of green, open space. And now, the city is also planning to spruce up Collins Avenue by adding lush landscaping reminiscent of a tropical-style enchanted forest.

More music to the ears of all those who appreciate community unity is even the Phantom of the Opera would smile at the city’s popular Sunny Serenade concerts. Just recently, a festive concert at Town Center park featured a dedication ceremony for the spirit lifting “Rising Horizon” sculpture by artist Rafael Barrios. To find out about upcoming activities and events planned by the city’s Cultural and Human Services Department, be sure to check out the cobwebsite www.sibfl.net.

Turning to tales from the crypt of city history, there used to be a time when zoning debates were almost as contentious as Freddy vs. Jason – but now transfers of development rights (TDR’s) along with a development bonus system have combined to create a “win-win” potion.

As new properties rise, so do levels of municipal service and budget allocations for capital improvements - funded to a great extent by developers who know without “giving back” their projects don’t stand a ghost of a chance in Sunny Isles Beach! Make no bones about it - the monster success of developments along the east side of Collins Avenue has also spawned attack of the killer retail revenues as shops and restaurants formerly quiet as a graveyard are now busier than ever before.

Turning to what’s cooking in the cauldron, from deviled eggs and pumpkin pie at the famous wereWolfie Cohen’s Rascal House – to the proliferation of new upscale gourmet restaurants - the city has something to satisfy everyone’s craving for casual and fine dining.

Leaving no stone unturned, when it comes to finding dedicated leaders, there’s no need for a séance or Ouija board to call upon the “always at your service” Sunny Isles Beach City Commission: Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Vice Mayor Roslyn Brezin, Comm. Gerry Goodman, Comm. Danny Iglesias and Comm. Lewis Thaler. City Manager John A. Szerlag, department heads and members of city staff are also part of the “Who ‘ya gonna call? Goal busters!” team on a mission to make the best even better.

So whether you come to the Boogie by the Beach event in costume or come as you are, every Sunny Isles Beach resident is sure to be wearing the same smile as they join in celebrating the city’s monster success...

Boogie by the Beach - the community’s invited -
Howl at the moon, bring the kids, get excited!
Another fun city event bringing people together –
Let’s all hope for picture perfect weather!
Come as a ghoul, a goblin or a ghost -
Join in three-cheers and a non-bubbly toast!
Have a great time and a happy Halloween -
Here’s to Sunny Isles Beach – the best city ever seen!

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