Dear District 12 residents,

As the Chairman of the Military Affairs Board, I am working on an event with members of the Military Affairs Board to officially welcome and thank our Vietnam and Bay of Pigs Veterans for all their sacrifices.

The “Golden Veterans Parade – 50th Anniversary Commemoration', scheduled for November 8, will kick-off at noon on Flagler Street under the Interstate 95 overpass and make its way to Bayfront Park, where a concert will take place.

This parade is part of the 50th anniversary celebration happening around the United States for the next 13 years by a proclamation presented last year by President Barak Obama.

I would like for this event to be huge for our veterans and for them to know that Miami-Dade County appreciates and fully supports what they did for our Country. If you like to volunteer or your company would like to be a sponsor, please call my office and speak with Gloria Garcés at 305-599-1200.

Let’s make this parade a true success for our Vietnam and Bay of Pigs Veterans and Miami-Dade County!

Sincerely,

Commissioner José “Pepe” Díaz

At the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s ''26^th Annual Military Service Person of the Year Awards'' luncheon on July 10, Commissioner Diaz received the Lifetime Contribution to Military Service Award for his outstanding support to the men and women in our Nation's Armed Forces.

Commissioner Diaz also presented United States Marine Sgt. Aisha Shapiro Kinghorn with an award, recognizing her military accomplishments.

At the Board of County Commission meeting on July 16, Commissioner Diaz along with his colleagues honored Al Sunshine by proclaiming July 16 as ''Al Sunshine Day'' in Miami-Dade County.

Al is an Emmy award-winning journalist and Miami's best known reporter for 'Shame on You' exposé.  He was honored for his dedication and over 40 years of outstanding service to this community

On July 12, Commissioner Diaz joined his colleagues in honor of Ralph Sanchez by designating a portion of Southwest 137 Avenue, between U.S. 1 and Alex Muxo Boulevard, as ''Ralph Sanchez Speedway Boulevard.''

Ralph Sanchez was the founder of the Homestead-Miami Speedway and was instrumental in bringing NASCAR and Grand Prix to Miami-Dade County.

In April, Ralph passed away at the age of 64 but he will always be remembered for his commitment to our community and his significant economy contribution for bringing motor sports to Miami-Dade County.

As the military liaison for Miami-Dade County and the Chairman of the Military Affairs Board, Commissioner Diaz attended the 482nd Fighter Wing Change of Command Ceremony where Colonel Donald R. Lindberg relinquished command to Colonel Christian G. Funk on July 18 at the Homestead Air Reserve Base.

Save money during Florida's Sales Tax Holiday from August 2 - 4

Shoppers looking to save on certain clothing accessories, school supplies, footwear and certain computers and accessories should mark their calendars for Florida’s sales tax holiday which runs from Friday, August 2 to Sunday, August 4.

For more information on what items this applies to, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website.

Non-profit organizations planning to present arts, cultural and special events between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014 have an opportunity to apply for grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs. The department announced the deadlines for three competitive grants programs:

• Community Grants Program: This is a quarterly program for non-profit organizations developing small to medium scale community-based cultural programs, projects and events, such as fairs, parades, neighborhood festivals, conferences and publications.

• Tourist Development Grants Program: This is a quarterly program which provides support to significant cultural and/or special events, including sports activities and television/film origination projects that promote Miami-Dade County’s appeal as a tourist destination. Activities must be able to stimulate tourism and have significant media impact for Miami-Dade County.

• Summer Arts and Science Camps for Kids Grants Program: This annual program helps non-profit organizations provide underserved children in Miami-Dade County with opportunities to attend high quality cultural arts and science summer camp programs at little or no cost. Funding is intended to supplement established, high quality programs, providing more children with the opportunity to participate in cultural arts and science summer camps.

All interested applicants are required to meet with a Department of Cultural Affairs grants program administrator prior to submission of an application. Applicants must also attend a workshop to become familiar with the Culture Grants Online Miami system. 

For more information about grants deadlines, eligibility criteria, grants program guidelines and helpful workshops, visit the Cultural Affairs website or call 305-375-4634.

Homeowners who reside in single-family residences may qualify for a unique program that will allow them to have the exterior of their home painted and/or accordion hurricane shutters installed.

The Paint and Shutter Program is funded through Surtax dollars and is available through the Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD).

Homeowners will be required to participate in a forgivable mortgage program which requires them to remain in the home for up to 10 years after the upgrades have been completed. Participation in the program is subject to the availability of funds. 

Applications will be processed on a first come first served basis. For more information about the Paint and Shutter Program and other services available to assist low-income homeowners, please call 786-469-4600 or visit the CAHSD website.

Looking to save money on your prescriptions? In order to assist residents, Miami-Dade County has partnered up with the National Association of Counties (NACo), by offering a discount card program to help residents save money on their medications.

The free Miami-Dade County Prescription Discount Card can save you an average of 24 percent on prescriptions at participating pharmacies. There's no enrollment, no fee, no age requirement, no income requirement and it's available at numerous County facilities near you.

For more information, visit the website or call 1-877-321-2652.

On November 30, 2009, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six in partnership with the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX) began a reconstruction project of the State Road (S.R.) 826 (Palmetto Expressway) and S.R. 836 (Dolphin Expressway) Interchange.

Now that construction has begun, there will be many upcoming lane and ramp closures on the Dolphin Expressway. For more information about construction-related activities, please contact email Oscar Gonzalez or call 786-280-0983.

General information can be found at 826-826 website. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 before they drive, or log on to Florida's Statewide 511 website for real-time traffic and lane closure information.

To help Miami-Dade County residents, the Miami-Dade Public Library System is offering a wide assortment of vital information and valuable assistance for job seekers! From computer classes and access to the Internet, to help with resume writing, job interviewing skills and test preparation, the Library wants to help patrons prepare for and search for jobs.

Free classes are held throughout all 47 branch locations and are available in both English and Spanish. The Library’s website, www.mdpls.org, has created a “Job Search” section for individuals to access from any location 24/7.

For more information, contact 305-375-BOOK (2665) or visit Miami-Dade Public Library System website.

The Miami-Dade Community Action Agency’s (CAA) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently assisting eligible residents with payment of their gas or electric bills.  The program assists individuals who are experiencing an increase in their energy bill due to the weather as well as individuals with final notices or those who have had their services disconnected. 

Applications for LIHEAP are available Monday through Friday at CAA Service Centers like the Hialeah Service Center, 300 E. First Avenue, or the Sweetwater Service Center, 250 SW 114 Avenue.

For a complete list of all the CAA Service Centers or to download the application, please visit the County’s website or contact the Miami-Dade Community Action Agency at 786-469-4600.

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