Business Briefs

Miami city officials light the tree at City Hall.

LOCAL

CHRISTMAS MAGIC: Friday, Dec. 1 marked the occasion everyone here at the SunPost looks forward to — the lighting of the holiday tree at City Hall by the mayor and commissioners! Everyone was there: Santa, the elves, Tomas Regalado … On a more serious note, the lighting of the tree represents one of newly elected District 2 Commissioner Marc Sarnoff’s first successful decisions as a commissioner. Check out the beautiful, massive tree at 3500 Pan American Drive, in Coconut Grove.

Meanwhile, experts (OK, city of Miami Beach public information specialists) predict 50 tons of snow on the ground in Miami Beach this Friday. So advanced is their technology that they’ve even narrowed the weather occurrence to a specific location, North Shore Park, 501 72nd St., and time, from 6 to 9 p.m. The 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland “Snow Village” will feature rides, food, games, face painting, movies and special visitors from the North Pole. But we’re just excited about the snow. There probably hasn’t been this much white powder in Miami Beach since the ’80s.

GOOD CHEER: Regifting is a great concept, especially when it helps those in need. Official boxes for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots campaign are set up in local post offices all over South Florida. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off through Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Also, the Teen Club of Miami Beach is collecting food at sites all over the Beach through December for donation to Camillus House. Call 305-673-7730 .

And for those with Santa suit fetishes, the Miami Command of The Salvation Army needs volunteers to supervise donation-kettle locations throughout the county and to help with its Angel Tree Program, which continues through Dec. 21. Call 305-637-6700 (kettle) or 786-251-3167 (Angel Tree).

‘HIJACKING’ BASEL: “We are really excited about the giant beautiful story we will tell in the sky called SKYWALKERS!” someone named Sam stated in an e-mail to the SunPost. A small but enthusiastic group of artists known as FriendsWithYou is planning to make the upcoming Art Basel “something much larger than all of us.” How do they plan to do this? By “hijacking” it with a full-scale art parade that includes giant balloons with faces on them! The artists involved include: David Choe, PaperRad, MumbleBoy, and Devil Robots. Yes, the Devil Robots. The parade will start at 2 p.m. today on the hard-packed sand at 17th Street on South Beach, then proceed along the shoreline to Fifth Street. What does this have to do with you? You’ll be the ones holding the SKYWALKER balloons, of course, to represent how our solar system has been fully accepted into the union of the universe, according to the Friends folks. Better yet, talk to the artists over at FriendsWithYou for an explanation: 305-674-8772.

BOND, GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND: Moody’s Investors Service recently announced that it has upgraded the rating of the City of Miami’s General Obligation Tax Bonds to an A2 from an A3. This means the city can issue bonds at a lower interest rate, and will save tax dollars on future bond issues. “This is great news and a testament to the continued economic growth and improved fiscal management in our city in recent years,” said City Manager Pete Hernandez. “We are pleased with the upgrade from Moody’s and will continue to work towards improving our financial standing so that we can enhance services to city residents.” Moody’s formal opinion cites, among other reasons for the upgrade “the city’s sustained good financial condition exhibited by a favorable General Fund reserve position” and “a modest debt profile.” Moody’s also describes the Miami 21 plan as one that will provide long-term benefits for the city.

STATE

SPORTY SPICE: Well, they did it again. The Lightning Cheerleaders from Miami Beach Parks and Rec brought home “another” first place trophy from the annual Florida Police Athletic League (PAL) State Cheerleading Competition. The 19 girls, coached by former cheerleaders Bianca Behar and Michelle Comptis, traveled to St. Petersburg on Dec. 1, where they “jumped, stunted and tumbled their way into first place,” stated a press release. For more information about the city’s cheerleading program, call 305-531-5636, ext. 26.

WHO WANTS TO BE A STATE PROSECUTOR? Apparently not enough people, because the deadline to submit applications for the statewide prosecutor seat that needs to be filled on the Florida Supreme Court was recently extended, according to a release from the Public Information and Bar Services of the Florida Bar. So, do you think you have what it takes to fill the position? Let’s go down the list of requirements real quick, here. Are you an elector of the state? A member of the Florida Bar for the previous five years? Are you willing to devote your working career, full-time, to the job? Are you physically attractive? If the answer to all those questions (except the last one — that was just a joke) is yes, then here’s your chance. Just send 11 copies of the completed application, available at www.flabar.org, to Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission Chair Ms. Tina McCain, no later than noon on Thursday, Dec. 21. Good luck!

NATIONAL

A RABBI WALKS INTO A BAR: Shmaltz Brewing Company, handcrafters of HE’BREW - The Chosen Beer, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the special release of the award-winning Chanukah beer: Monumental Jewbelation. At an almost crazy 10 percent alcohol content, Monumental Jewbelation is a limited release “extreme” beer (now available at liquor stores all over Miami, according to a Shmaltz representative), that will make it a whole lot harder to light that menorah.

Compiled by Ryan Brown.