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Night at the Museum

Recently the Miami Science Museum, together with more than 100 VIP guests, enjoyed an exquisite Dinosaurs of China private reception to raise awareness for the new museum’s capital campaign.

COCKTAILS UNDER THE STARS

To celebrate the beginning of the social season with glamour and style, Hollywould and The Whitehall Society entertained more than 300 selected VIP personalities and stars with an exclusive gala evening at the splendid landmark Flagler Museum.

THE POWER OF BELIEVING

An extraordinary gala dubbed Believe 2007 welcomed more than 600 guests to Karu & Y Restaurant to yield funds for six organizations that raise awareness for Colombia’s social needs. It was a magical evening complete with an auction, a fashion show by Silvia Tcherassi and a private concert by Juanes, Fonseca and Fanny Lu.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Family, friends and Key Biscayne neighbors gathered to toast champagne and dance the night away to celebrate Christina Termine’s birthday, together with her fiance, Rafael Bild, at their Mashta Island home.    

Wedding Bliss

Fourth generation Key Biscayner Cristina Figueredo and 20-year Key resident Alejandro Zizold were married at St. Agnes Church in Key Biscayne followed by an elaborate champagne reception at the Ocean Club Tennis Center. The couple has decided to continue to reside on Key Biscayne as they embark on their new life together.

Bella BASH

Luminaries, friends and stars of the entertainment industry all gathered to celebrate the award-winning film Bella at the Mashta Island home of the film’s executive producers, Sean and Ana Wolfington. The private dinner party included celebrity legends from various genres and nationalities as well as Key Biscayne’s elite.

FASHION MANSION

Fashion took on a whole new meaning when MarketAmerica.com, Vogue and Grey Goose hosted Hollywood’s hottest stars during an exclusive party featuring a fashion show by designer Alberta Ferretti showcasing her spring/summer 2008 Collection poolside at J.R. and Loren Ridinger’s waterfront mansion.

ARTISTIC SIPS

Grey Goose debuted Artiste at the One Man Show exhibit showcasing masterworks by Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero, Frank Stella and Guillermo Munoz Vera inside Gary Nader Fine Art Gallery. Among the 500 VIPs were famed author Tom Wolfe, music mogul Emilio Estefan and real estate powerhouse Jorge Perez, CEO of The Related Group.

MISSION COMPLETE

A celebratory reunion at Ocean Club on Key Biscayne honored the doctors, nurses and volunteers who recently spent four days in Sumpango, Guatemala, on yet another successful Medical Mission to help the area’s residents. During the trip, the group saw more than 4,000 patients and changed just as many lives.

ARTFUL EVENING

Key Biscayne’s art lovers came out to enjoy the paintings of contemporary European artists Alexandre Zakharov and MOZ at the internationally renowned Opera Gallery at Bal Harbour Shops. Host Bernard Markowicz, director of Opera Gallery, encouraged guests to visit OperaGallery.com for details on upcoming exhibits and special events scheduled at the venue.

FOR THE KIDS

Albertina Cisneros and Juan Manuel Pascual hosted a cocktail event at the Bass Museum in Miami Beach to raise funds for the Child-Brain Foundation. Friends, family and community leaders participated throughout the evening in order to help advance the knowledge and treatment of pediatric neurological diseases in hopes of aiding the infants and children who benefit from the scientific research the organization supports.

POWER PARTNERS

Fortune International Realty and The Related Group recently joined forces to create FRIS: Fortune Related International Sales, a joint effort that has all of South Florida buzzing. They celebrated the partnership with a Key Biscayne fiesta to promote Icon Vallarta on Mexico’s Gold Coast, one of the many projects that represent the joint venture’s $2 billion in developments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

IN GOOD TASTE

Chef Pascal Tingaud, Moët & Chandon’s private chef at the exclusive French Chateau de Saran, made a rare appearance stateside to host a private dinner with Cioppino Chef de Cuisine Ramon Guerrero and Sommelier Jorge Mendoza at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Thirty-two exclusive VIPs enjoyed this gastronomic rarity with each course designed to expertly match tastes from the Moët & Chandon range. Trés chic!

OFF TO A HEALTHY START

The Mount Sinai Medical Center Key Biscayne opened its doors recently, providing residents of the island with the high-quality care they deserve and the convenience they desire. Residents joined community leaders and Mount Sinai President and CEO Steven Sonenreich for a VIP tour of the new facility, located in Key Colony Plaza at 200 Crandon Boulevard. The facility offers adult primary care, consultations in internal medicine, geriatrics, physical exams, preventive medicine and routine diagnostic testing. To make an appointment, call 305.674.2599.

FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL

The 11th Annual Miami Jewish Film Festival presented by the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education offered an exceptional lineup of award-winning domestic and international features and documentaries to sold-out audiences. The celebration began Opening Night with the presentation of the Community Arts Award to Nancy and Norman Lipoff. Under the guidance of MJFF Director Ellen Wedner, filmmakers, directors, actors and special guests enhanced the screenings by lending insight into the filmmaking process.

Parents’ Night Out

The Key Biscayne Community Church Day School PTA hosted a “Parents Night Out” Spanish dinner to raise money to purchase additional computers for the early literacy program classrooms in their school. Parents and teachers alike enjoyed a marvelous evening of paella, dancing, Flamenco show and renewing friendships.

FINE FUNDRAISER

Mike Aixala and Brigitte Nachtigall hosted a fundraiser at their home on Key Biscayne for the campaign of State Attorney Kathy Fernandez-Rundle. More than 120 guests including family and friends took part in the beautiful evening full of joy and glamour.

ARTFUL LAUNCH

In celebration of the launch of her new website, IsaZapata.com, artist and illustrator Isa Zapata hosted a cocktail party on Key Biscayne that showcased her fresh concept in design for children’s rooms as well as some of her captivating artwork.

GENEROSITY CUP

Fundacion Manos del Sur recently hosted its annual Generosity Polo Cup at Patagones Polo Club to benefit children in Argentina. To get involved, go to ManosDelSur.com.

BENEFIT BAZAAR

The Rusty Pelican hosted a Nicaraguan brunch, bazaar and fashion show to benefit the Fundacion Manos del Sur in Nicaragua, whose mission is to provide children living in extreme poverty in Central America with the opportunity to grow into healthy, productive adults.

Get Prepped

PrepWorks!, the company founded by Key Biscayne resident Tracy LaFlamme Ortega to provide innovative personalized academic preparation, recently opened its new office and education center on the island at 604 Crandon Blvd. in the Winn Dixie Shopping Plaza.

ITALIAN FEST

Segafredo recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest location in Brickell. As guests arrived, they were greeted by six “Vegas-style” showgirls, a stilt-walker and a flame-thrower exhibiting eye-opening feats. Once inside, guests mingled as they sipped on Grey Goose, Leblon, Red Bull and Mahou Beers and nibbled on a few of the many fantastic dishes that Segafredo Brickell offers. A tour of the adjacent nightclub, Spazio Nero, rounded out the night.

Grand Gala

Misioneros del Camino hosted a world-class gala at the Ocean Club in Key Biscayne that included a live auction to benefit the orphaned, abandoned and malnourished children of Guatemala.

TOTALLY HONORED

There’s nothing like a grand goodbye party filled with old friends, libations and overall good cheer. Such was the case when Adrienne Arsht, who has served as chairman of TotalBank for more than a decade before stepping down after the bank was sold to Banco Popular, was honored at a tribute celebration hosted at the Biltmore Hotel. The event also introduced Banco Popular’s Jorge Rossell as the new TotalBank chairman.

FASHION FUN

Surmesur, the chic, unique “boutique-boutique” in Key Colony Plaza welcomed Bonpoint, the respected French fashion house for children, for the first time in Miami to showcase their 2008 spring/summer collection to Key Biscayne mothers and kids. Balloon artist Irina provided the entertainment with her creative balloon caricatures and yielded hundreds of smiles and giggles throughout the event.

CABANA CRAWL

Long-time Key Biscayne residents Marianne and Carlos Coto organized the 3rd annual Cabana Crawl at Oceacn Club to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. Having planned the event to coincide with the full-moon, the “crawlers” went from cabana to cabana, where they were greeted with an assortment of food, libations and music. The entertainment at the Coto’s cabana was provided by Don Pan owners Edgar and Betty and by a saxophonist named German. Other hosts dressed their cabanas in a variety of U.S. themes, such as “Mini Fenway Park,” “Boston Seafood Market,” and “Mardi Gras,” to name a few. Others added international flair to the Crawl by offering treats from their country of origin, including Peru, Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, El Salvador, France, Italy, India and the Greek Isles.

Diamonds on the Key

Christina Termine celebrated a Valentine’s Day jewelry party by launching “Diamonds on the Key.” Valentine’s treat’s and drinks were served for all to enjoy.

“ST. AGNES FAMILY DAY”

St. Agnes Academy hosted a family picnic on a Sunday for both parents and children to get together, play and enjoy. It was a gorgeous day full on laughter, fun and activities for all ages.

Cool-de-Sac PLAY CAFé

Key Biscayne residents Jose Luis Bueno and Antonio Mauri invited more than 100 friends and family to the launch of their Family Entertainment Center, Cool-de-Sac Play Café, located on the third floor of the Shops at Sunset Place. Cool-de-Sac is the first entertainment center that’s designed and built with parents in mind.

Under the Stars

Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church Preschool hosted their annual fundraiser and silent auction serving stone crabs and churrasco under the stars at the Key Biscayne Beach Club.

TENNIS PRO-AM

The 2nd Tennis Pro-Am gathered players, families and friends for a memorable event at the Ocean Club Tennis Center. After facing many games and court rotations with an accompanying crowd, main event sponsor South Bay Group’s principal, Roberto Cortes, awarded this year’s first and second place prizes to Peter Galan and Guillermo Salcedo. In addition, all participating players received gift baskets and goodie bags in appreciation of their efforts. But there were more than two winners...Fundación Manos Del Sur obtained sponsorships for three children making them the top winners of the night!

IN THE MOOD FOR POP

In the Mood for Pop features Opera Gallery’s collection of exciting and kitschy works by contemporary masters like Warhol, Wesselmann and Lichtenstein along with paintings by emerging international avant-garde artists. The opening reception was a global mix of art and music with celebrated guests from both sides of the pond. Beginning in London in the mid 1950’s, Pop Art — a visual art movement expressing popular mass culture — found artists using themes influenced by advertising, everyday products and comic books. Opera Gallery is located in the Bal Harbour Shops at 9700 Collins Ave.

Happy 50th!

Florencia Godward hosted a party for her husband, Marcos, who celebrated his 50th birthday surrounded by family and friends including their four children: Chloe, Felix, Ivan and Beltran. Guests enjoyed music, dancing and dinner throughout the night.

THE COLOR OF CREATIVE

Green Grass House Boutique recently held a photography exhibition for two artists, Emiliano Scatarzi with Telavisione and Kenneth Rubenoff with his work entitled Optical Beauty. The event included an art showcase, live music by DJ San Martin and cameos by some of Brickell’s finest as well as appearances by various artists.

HARLEY HURRAY!

Peterson’s Harley-Davidson South recently hosted a historical weekend that celebrated their 30th year in business. Harley fans enjoyed an interactive photo gallery timeline, an impressive museum and antique collection, cocktails, rock ‘n’ roll, stunt shows and autograph sessions by record-breaking Harley-Davidson daredevil Bubba Blackwell.

LUXE LUNCHEON

Mercedes-Benz USA recently sponsored a Southern Automotive Media Association luncheon at The Shore Club in South Beach that gave journalists the opportunity to preview the new 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. Hosts Geoff Day and Greg O’Shea made sure each guest got the full tour of the new ride.

DANCING AT THE RITZ

Guests gathered to celebrate The Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce’s 50th anniversary with a gala filled with laughter, drinks and dancing at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne.

MMMMM…Takitos!

There’s a new Mexican eatery in town called Takitos and it promises to satiate the appetites of even the hungriest families. If the grand opening was any indication, this place is going to be a welcome addition to the island’s culinary scene.

BEAUTY BASH

Trini in Private’s private grand opening extravaganza attracted South Florida’s finest to Trini’s newest location at the Alliance Francaise Village at 618 SW 8th Street for an exclusive tour of her new salon.

FOR THE PUPS!

Woof Gang Bakery recently opened its doors to Key Biscayne’s people and pets, introducing their wholesome dog food and treats using human-grade ingredients as well as their stylish boutique items, apparel, collars, leads, bowls, toys and distinctive doggie spa products.

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