KBAC traveling soccer team
Amanda Tinoco is surrounded by players from Miami Springs but finds enough room to shoot during a South Florida Youth Soccer Association game Saturday on the Village Green.
Contractor, residents at odds on noise ban
Saturdays on Key Biscayne could be getting a lot quieter soon.
The Village Council will take up initial approval to amend the noise ordinance to prohibit excessive noise on Saturdays in the island’s single-family homes and duplexes. If the amendment becomes law, violators will get a warning for a first-time offense, a $150 fine for a second offense and a $350 fine for subsequent violations. The proposed ban would not apply to the island’s condo district east of Crandon Boulevard.
Some Councilmembers say the crackdown is necessary because 75 percent of the island’s homes are expected to undergo extensive renovations in the next 10-20 years, threatening to make weekends unbearable for the foreseeable future. Contractors counter that stopping loud work on Saturdays could drive up costs and add weeks to construction projects. Advocates of the ban argue those delays could be minimized if builders adjust their schedules to arrange for quiet indoor work on weekends and louder work during the week.
Residents are cheering the prospect of more peaceful weekends.
“I grew up here and I don’t ever remember this level of noise,” said Jim Haney, who lives on Glenridge Road and often wakes up to the sound of cement mixers rumbling down his street. “It’s getting unreasonable and I think we need more stringent controls. If you work hard all week, why should you have to put up with noise on the weekend?”
Faces on the news
Father and son Derek Duzoglou and Robert Duzoglou recently received martial arts awards. Derek, right, was recognized as the Youth Competitor of the Year. Robert received the Silver Lifetime Achievement Award.
GIRLS RULE!
Alison Tague breaks away during a Dade County Youth Soccer Association game Sunday on the Village Green.
St Agnes to use Village Green
The Village has reached an agreement with St. Agnes Academy for the school to play home soccer games on the Village Green.
The Village is charging a $25 fee per game for St. Agnes to use the Village Green while construction on new facilities at the school and church are ongoing. The first game was held last week and both boys’ and girls’ games will be played on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons through the end of February.
Village Recreation Department Director Todd Hofferberth said he was able to work out a field schedule for St. Agnes which didn’t conflict with Key Biscayne Athletic Club games and practices, as well as the home soccer games of MAST Academy.
Allen and Galego Party
Allen and Galego Law Firm held their Christmas party at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Pictured are Nora Galego, Vicky Tabio, Roxy Ortiz, Paul Auchter and Esther Amador.
New Look
Dr. Susana Leal-Khouri recently hosted an open house and seminar on the latest cosmetic procedures. Pictured are Lauren Batile and Mary Tague.
Florida Bankers Association
The Florida Bankers Association Gala Event included a presentation by outgoing president Parker, a Key Biscayne resident. Pictured are Bernard Golbin and Lori Duzoglou.
GROUNDBREAKING
In the waning days of 2000, groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Civic Center Complex were held on the Village Green. Participating in the ceremonies were, from left, Village Manager Sam Kissinger, Rev. Bud Schroeder, Father Gabe Sinisi, Councilmembers Jim Peters and Scott Bass, Mayor Joe Rasco, Councilmember Alan Fein and his son, Jake, Councilmember Bob Oldakowski and Vice Mayor Mort Fried.
Library reopens after renovation
The light streaming through the windows of the Key Biscayne Library was shining on all freshly-painted walls, new blonde oak tables, chairs and glossy tile.
The smell of new carpet was in the air and for the first time in a long while the atmosphere inside the library wasn’t dull and dreary compared to the scenic gardens surrounding the building. A nearly three-month renovation was completed when the library opened its doors last Tuesday. What started out as an asbestos-abatement program turned into a $40,000 renovation.
“I love it,” said branch manager Wayne Powell of his new work environment. “It looks cleaner, less worn.”
Library patrons such as Marcela Barciela were all smiles upon taking their first look at the improvements.
“Ah, at last,” Barciela said. “This is a special place for me. It looks great.”
According to Powell, the renovations were long overdue.
Relay for Life
Pictured are Bill Rohrer and Didi Ashe.
The first stage of the relay for the Relay for Life started with a kickoff reception at The Square Shopping C Organizers Anne Owens Wright and Kathy Irl introduced members of the organizing committee as well as the history and purpose for the Relay for Life. Also previewed was a video of former Race for Life events acro United States. The event will be held at the Village Green in April to raise money for cancer research.
Stars
Stars for a Night the Key Biscayne Music and Drama Club held its Annual Officers Installation Dinner in which guests were invited to attend dressed in their favorite actor. Pictured are Michelle Padovan, Juanita Evans and Margaret Goodman.
Village takes action against raccoons
The masked bandits are at it again, breaking into backyards, threatening children, loitering on public and private property and rummaging through garbage bins.
The island’s raccoon population has become a nuisance to some, prompting Jamie Zambrano, a Key Biscayne resident, to speak out at a recent Village Council meeting. Zambrano mentioned the raccoons have climbed his screens, actually making it all the way up to his roof, and said he does not let his children play in the backyard, because the critters are aggressive and unafraid of people. He claims neighbors have had similar problems.
“I have made pleas for nine months,” Zambrano said at the meeting. “The problem started before the construction at St. Agnes. They come up into your face and are very intimidating.”
The Village Council, with Councilmember Scott Bass dissenting, voted to contract with a company to trap raccoons at a cost of $75 per raccoon. The trappers will not go on private property.
Bob Skinner, with the Wildlife Response Team, blames the raccoon population explosion on Hurricane Andrew. Hurricane Andrew wreaked havoc in Key Biscayne, and especially in Cape Florida State Park, Skinner pointed out. The raccoon’s natural habitat was destroyed, so they all came from the parks and flooded the Village.
“That’s when people started feeding them,” he said.
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