Key Happenings

Village of Key Biscayne Chief of Police Charles Press receives his award from President and CEO of the Miami Childrens’ Initiative, LaTousha Daniels and Juan Pérez, County Police Department Director, Oct 21. (Michael Marko via Key News)

With thanks to our contributors, Joe Kellogg and Mia Kirn.

HEROES OF THE CITY – CHIEF PRESS RECEIVES AWARD 

The Miami Children’s Initiative held its 10th Anniversary Celebration Extravaganza at the J.W. Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. The weekend-long celebration Oct. 18-20 included children’s events, a rappelling experience from the 19th floor of the hotel and various seminar programs. 

The climax of the weekend was the Heroes of the City benefit concert and awards ceremony Sunday evening, hosted by LaTousha Daniels, President and CEO of Miami Children’s Initiative. The friends of Liberty City were present in large numbers to honor their heroes, including our own Key Biscayne Chief of Police Charles Press, who received an award for community partnership for his foundation. Leaders were recognized as pillars of the community for their actions in promoting philanthropy, community service, education, performing arts and community outreach. 

A number of Key Biscayne residents were present and enjoyed the inspired presentations and joyful musicians. All joined in the refrain of “I am Liberty City.”

PLANT-BASED REPAST – CLEO INSTITUTE FUNDRAISER

The CLEO Institute, a local climate advocacy group, held its ninth annual celebration at The Sacred Space Miami Oct. 22. Around 140 guests enjoyed a plant-based family-style dinner created by Plant Miami Executive Chefs Horacio Rivadero and Veronica Rivadero, as well as The Sacred Space Executive Chef Misha McDonald. 

The evening’s fare was mostly made from ‘rescued’ food thanks to Hungry Harvest, which buys unwanted produce farms deem unsellable. Guests were delighted to give lumpy, bumpy produce expertly cooked a home in their bellies instead of the bin!

Monica Campagna, Nancy Levitt-Davis, Andrea Ruiz-Urquola, Paola Herrera, Mia Kirn-Fedda, Elizabeth Costa de Rush and Pamella Padilla at the CLEO event. (Mia Kirn via Key News)

As well as the sit-down dinner, guests enjoyed celebrating five new members inducted into the Institute’s Leadership Circle, heard about the programs for 2020 and even participated in the group’s first-ever paddle raise, which was a success. Funds from this and ticket sales went directly to programming. 

CLEO is lucky to count among its supporters many Key Biscayners, including Manny Rionda from Fill-A-Bag and Jamie Tompkins from McCaughan and Mandiola Real Estate Group.