By Bari Auerbach


Here are just some of the “coming attractions” Sunny Isles Beach residents and visitors will be welcome to attend and enjoy as fall activities and events get into full-swing:

‘Fun in the Sun’ 

Sunny Serenade Concerts: Wednesdays, Sept. 16 and Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. at Samson Oceanfront Park, free admission

Regular City Commission Meeting: Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. Government Center Commission Chambers. The community is encouraged to attend the first Commission meeting following the August meeting hiatus as well as the city’s 2nd fiscal year ’09-2010 Budget Hearing on Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.

Florida Marlins Closing Day vs. NY Mets: Sept. 27, 11:45 a.m. at Land Shark Stadium, residents $40, non-residents $45

Mount Sinai Lecture Series, Thursdays, Oct. 1, Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-noon, Sunny Isles Beach Government Center, Commission Chambers; Mount Sinai Blood Pressure and Glucose Screening, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-noon, Government Center, 1st Floor Meeting Room

Four Seasons Concert Series: Wednesday, Oct. 7, Jan., April and July 2010, SIB Community School Auditorium. Classical concerts will feature a diverse lineup of artists and instruments. Single concert tickets, residents $10; non-residents $15

Fiddler on the Roof:  Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m., Broward Center for the Performing Arts, residents $54, non-residents $59

Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest, Oct. 16-18: This year’s Jazz Fest, presented in conjunction with the Sunny Isles Beach Resort Association, will benefit Joshua’s Heart Foundation - assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival. 

The event will feature the world-renowned Neville Brothers and Nicole Henry as well as other notable local jazz artists and several illustrious music groups from major universities around the South Florida area. The official Jazz Fest festival poster will be designed by local, Neo-pop artist Ed King, who transforms his view of the world into imaginative artwork.

Corporate sponsorship for the 2009 Jazz Fest is available at different levels - each with escalating advantages for the sponsor to reach a broad-based, international, national and regional audience of upscale consumers estimated at more than 10,000 attendees. Packages range from Bronze to Platinum sponsor or a customized sponsorship can also be designed. All major sponsors will receive broad national and regional media recognition through an integrated media marketing campaign as well as a national/international public relations campaign.

For more information, email Ibis Romero at ibis@sibfl.net, visit sunnyislesbeachjazz.com or phone: 305-947-5826.
Anchors Away Launch: Thursday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. will mark the 4th Anchors Away launch event at Oleta River State Park including a boat sponsored by the City of Sunny Isles Beach christened “Florida’s Riviera.”  The Anchors Away Foundation is dedicated to helping children with cognitive and physical disabilities learn to sail and set a course for success in the marine industry.
Netanya Plans International Guitar Contest: Netanya, Israel, the Sister City of Sunny Isles Beach, will host its 4th International Classical Guitar Festival and Competition from Sunday, Oct. 25 to Thursday, Oct. 29. Contestants can win cash prizes and the opportunity to perform in various International settings.
The juried event is open to three categories, young adults up to 30 years of age, youth up to 16 years of age and youth up to 12 years of age. For a flat fee, the City of  Netanya will host competitors in special accommodations and arrange for transport to and from the airport. Instructors, judges and competitors will converge from several countries including Russia, Thailand, Mexico, Spain, Hungary and Israel. Performances by last year’s winners will be included in the 2009 program.  For more information, visit the Festival website guitar-gems.com
Booogie by the Beach: Oct. 30-31 with games rides, music, food, contests and “the spookiest haunted house in town,” 7-11 p.m. at Pelican Community Park, free admission, food available for purchase.

Miami City Ballet: Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m., Broward Center for the Performing Arts, residents $53, non residents $58

Family Movie Night: Saturday, Nov. 7, 7 -9:30 p.m., Town Center Park. Enjoy a movie with family and friends under the stars. Games and activities for children prior to the movie. Food is available for purchase, bring your own chair or blanket

Golden Era Film Series: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m.-noon at Pelican Community Park, free admission, to reserve a spot, phone: 305-792-1706

Coastal Cleanup: Saturday, Nov. 19, 9am-noon at Pier Park. Volunteer to help the environment by cleaning our beaches. Appreciation party at Miami Seaquarium from 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m. (first 1,500 people to pre-register get free admission). Register at miamidadecoastalcleanup.org  For more information, phone: 305-792-1706
Winter Break Camp: Dec. 21-31, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
‘More Green on the Scene’
Mayor Norman S. Edelcup recently noted, “With a growing population in Sunny Isles Beach starting to include many young families, the City Commission is working hard to provide more open green and park space as called for in its Comprehensive Plan.”
Now, residents can look forward to the new 4-acre Heritage Park coming to the city just west of Collins Avenue and north of the William Lehman Causeway. The park will feature a dog park, exercise trail, gazebo, basketball court, two tot-lots, a 500-space parking garage, green space and a picturesque entrance that will contain historical information and signage.

“The Heritage Park site is large enough to include beautiful landscaping and open space and also a required parking garage to accommodate 393 valet parking spaces for Marco Polo’s residents and tourists for which the city will receive parking revenues,” Mayor Edelcup said. “All of the city’s plans for Heritage Park are geared towards transforming an existing undeveloped eyesore into yet another beautiful neighborhood park…we expect the work to be completed by the end of 2010.”