Originally posted here.
The 2010 Knight Arts Challenge is officially underway, with applications being accepted until March 15. Bas Fisher Invitational, a 2008 KAC winner, wants to help make sure your great idea is one of the winners. Head to the space this Sunday (Mar 7) from 7-10pm for a Knight Arts Challenge brainstorming session. Bounce your idea around, polish your wording and field feedback from fellow entrants. Extra bonus – stick around for a Zoolander screening after the session. 20 guests were confirmed as of Tuesday, get more info & add your name to the list here.
This Sunday, March 7th we will host a brainstorming session for all those interested in applying to the upcoming Knights Arts Challenge Grant. Come and bounce your ideas around, tighten up your wording and get feedback. Wouldn’t it be great if more individual grants were awarded?
start time: 7 pm
9pm we will be showing Zoolander.
180 NE 39th Street, suite 210
Miami, FL 33137
KAC Brainstorming session @ Bas Fisher Invitational: Sunday, Mar 7; 7pm; 180 NE 39 St, suite 210; Miami; basfisherinvitational.com
Facebook Evite

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 @ 7pm
The Wall Flower Gallery
10 Northeast 3rd Street
Miami, FL 33132-2129
(305) 579-0069
wordup@miamiwriters.org

Bring a friend and a notebook!
Tired of trying to be fabulous on a Tuesday night in South Beach?
How about something obtuse and not glamorous?

The Miami Writers, a group of emerging poets, novelists, screenwriters, bloggers and politicians (ha ha, just checking to see if you’re paying attention), are hosting an interactive writing and critique session at The Wallflower Gallery in downtown Miami on Tuesday, March 16 starting at 7pm.

What do you get out of this, exactly? Everyone’s got somethin’ to dish, and it all starts with writing a few words on paper. But then what? So often, the journals and electronic files go nowhere, and your dreams of becoming a writer never manifest.

Put an end to the procrastination while discovering a fun way to share and get feedback within a safe environment of like-minded people. Having an audience that wants to support you rather than heckle you off the stage is the first step to taking your creativity from just an idea to reality.

The way it works: This is a workshop for beginners. We will start with a warm-up of on-the-spot writing by giving you prompts. Then, in the second half of the workshop, you can share what you wrote and/or just give feedback to others. You may also bring writing from home – we especially like second or third drafts of work (since the first draft is often just a journal entry).

$10/person

About the Miami Writers
http://www.miamiwriters.com
In 2006, Alejandra Fernandez, Melanie Feliciano, Claudia Forestieri, Tennille Martinez and Ruben Soto got together at Azucar para el espiritu, a small spiritual bookstore located on Calle 8 to talk about their dreams as aspiring writers. They pooled all their skills and creative energy to organize Write-Ins, Critique Sessions, Spoken Word & Literary Reading Nights, the Write Out Loud Tent at Miami Book Fair International, Author Panels on publishing, a writers retreat at The Standard Hotel and a literary exhibition at Art Basel 2009. Since then, Angello Pizarro became the “communications ninja” for the group, managing 400+ Facebook members, and Jose Javier Rodriguez serves as the group’s soul searcher.

About the Wallflower Gallery
http://www.wallflowergallery.com
In the heart of Downtown Miami, The Wallflower Gallery is a multi-media arts and community facility that features a diverse selection of creative formats. As part of The Local Art Experience, The Wallflower Gallery highlights various presentations that showcase emerging and established talents – with most of the artists being from South Florida.

Within The Wallflower Gallery, there is an assortment of visual arts including paintings, photography, digital images and sculptures. In addition, there is a selection of interactive showcases that feature spoken word, dance, theatre, comedy and most diverse arrangement of musical styles in South Florida. The Wallflower Gallery also presents an independent film series that includes shorts, features & documentaries.

What does it take to become a world-class city? With a tropical waterfront location, access to public transit, state-of-the art cultural destinations, and a strong commercial base, Downtown Miami has a lot going for it. But how do we elevate Downtown Miami from a thriving urban community to a world-class destination?

On Thursday, March 11 at 7:45 a.m., the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce New World Committee will host a symposium featuring municipal experts from across the country to discuss how they have successfully transformed their own downtowns – and how Miami can do the same.

Speakers include:
•The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr. – Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina
• Tom Murphy – Former Mayor of Pittsburgh, Urban Land Institute Senior Fellow, and Klingbeil Family Chair for Urban Development
• Eugenie Birch – Professor of Urban Research and Education, Department of City & Regional Planning, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
• Moderator, Bernard Zyscovich – Managing Principal of Zyscovich Architects and author of Getting Real About Urbanism, Contextual Design for Cities
WHEN: Thursday, March 11, 2010. Registration & Breakfast begin at 7:45 a.m.;
Program from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: HILTON Downtown Miami, 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, Ballroom Level
REGISTRATION: Register online at www.miamichamber.com
Advanced registration – $45 per member, $55 per nonmember; Onsite – $60

Leave A Legacy Non-Profit Education Day
Sharing Insights, Information And Strategies
To Help Enhance Miami’s Non-Profit Sector
Friday, March 12, 2010
Victor Clarke Education Center at South Miami Hospital
6200 SW 73rd Street (US-1 and 62nd Avenue)
Download the PDF RSVP form here.
A BRAVE NEW WORLD: THE CHALLENGES OF NAVIGATING CHAGE
Don’t miss this important day of information in this collegial and stimulating environment. Our full day of learning will feature leading local and national experts who will provide a program on current topics geared to CEOs, Board Members and Development professionals; our luncheon round tables will focus on specific strategies to increase fundraising expertise; and the afternoon keynote speaker will discuss the transforming impact of social media on how non-profits communicate.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
8:00 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Welcome & Introductions
Teresa Valdes-Fauli Weintraub, President, Fiduciary Trust International of the South
Henry H. Raattama, Jr., Shareholder, Akerman Senterfitt
8:35 a.m. The Changing Climate for Philanthropy
KEYNOTE SPEAKER/Moderator: Stacy Palmer, Editor, The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Panelists:
! Stephen Parsons, CEO, Baptist Health Foundation
! L. J. Rodriguez, Vice President, Catholic Community Foundation
! Debi Harris, CEO, The Women’s Fund
10:05 a.m. Donors as Investors: Changing Expectations
Speaker/Moderator: Louis Wolfson III, Partner, Pinnacle Housing Group
Panelists:
! Dennis Scholl, Miami Program Director, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
! Robert F. Conrad, Vice President, University Advancement; Executive Director, Florida International
! University Foundation, Inc.
! Debby Bussel, Bussel Philanthropy Associates
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Managing Your Budget is Critical to Your Success
Speaker/Moderator: Carlos Molina, CFO, United Way of Miami-Dade
Panelists:
! Richard Perez, Vice President, Finance and Human Resources, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation
! David Halpern, President, Halpern and Associates
! Linda Lecht, President, The Education Fund
12:30 p.m. Boxed Lunch Served
1:00 p.m.
Break Out Sessions
BREAK OUT SESSION TOPICS:
(During the Break Out Session, you will be able to select from one of the following five topics)
! The Art of Making a Successful Ask in this Economic Climate
! Stephen J. Parsons, CEO, Baptist Health South Florida Foundation
! Prospect Research: Using Philanthropy Data to Maximize Your Fundraising
! Julie Maspons, Director of Reseach, University of Miami
! Grants Management: Accessing Government Stimulus Dollars
! Dan Wall, Director, Office of Grants Management, Miami-Dade County
! Critical Marketing Techniques for Your Planned Giving Program
! Cynthia L. Beamish, Director of Planned Giving, University of Miami
! Stewardship: The Path to Building Strong Donor Relationships
! Karen Dudley, Director of Philanthropy – Florida, The Nature Conservancy
1:30 p.m. Social Media: Transforming the Way Non-Profits Communicate
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Farra Trompeter
Vice-President, Client Relationships + Strategy, Big Duck, Smart Communications for Non-Profits
With all the new technology, organizations have more ways then ever to communicate and reach donors online. This presentation will help participants sort through the different channels, share examples from leading nonprofits, and assist participants in determining which ways will be most effective for them — depending on their existing online communications, staff capacity, time, and budgets. The most popular social media tools will be highlighted and some of the latest statistics and demographics on social media use will be presented. Farra Trompeter has more than 15 years of experience in communications and fundraising for nonprofit organizations.
Farra is Vice President of Client Relationships + Strategy at Big Duck (www.bigducknyc.com), a communications firm that works exclusively with nonprofit organizations to transform the way they communicate. Farra’s expertise focuses on helping nonprofits use the Internet (social media, websites, email, etc.) to increase visibility and connect with donors, activists, and other stakeholders.
3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks
Lucy Morillo, Esq., President, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation” $40 Pre-Registered
” $50 At the Door

American InterContinental University Offers Webinar on How to Develop a Personal Brand in Today’s Economy
WHAT: Building Your Personal Brand: You, Inc.
American InterContinental University (AIU) presents a complimentary Webinar on how to build a personal brand in today’s economy- a critical success factor whether someone is planning to start a business or become part of another organization.
WHY: Today there are 6.1 unemployed workers on average for every available job opening, based on data from a recent Labor Department report.
· Historically, according to the Office Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration, over half of all jobs in the private sector are in small businesses.
Small businesses will be critical to the creation of new jobs today and when applying, today’s workforce needs to effectively brand and market themselves to stand out.
WHO: Presenters include:
AIU MBA Alumnus Gilberto Pinzon: Founder and vice president of Education First, an early childhood education company based in Florida, will share his brand success story of opening five pre-K schools in the past three years while growing his business 20 percent annually.
AIU Professor Dr. David Kalicharan: A consultant to small and medium-sized businesses will lead a discussion on how to build a personal brand.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 3, 2010
1:30 pm EST/ 12:30 CST
HOW: To register please visit http://www.aiuwebinar.com/front/frontLogin.jsp

Have a question about your Knight Community Information Challenge application?
Join us for a live question-and-answer session at 3 p.m. tomorrow on the Knight Community Information Challenge – a matching grant program that helps community and place-based foundations fund local news and information projects. The challenge is accepting applications through March 8 at www.informationneeds.org. Submit your questions via instant message for immediate answers from Knight Foundation staff during this final live chat session.
When: 3 p.m. EDT Friday Feb. 26
Where: Participate at www.informationneeds.org
No registration required.
Sign up for an email reminder by visiting: www.informationneeds.org/webinar

Questions? Email Marika Lynch, lynch@knightfoundation.org

The Knight Community Information Challenge is a project of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Arts Challenge Live Town Hall Meeting with Dennis Scholl

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is now accepting applications for the Knight Arts Challenge, a community-wide contest that aims to bring South Florida together through the arts. Have a big idea for the local cultural scene? Submit it through March 15 at KnightArts.org.

Artists and art advocates interested in applying for the challenge’s third round also are invited to a town hall meeting. Miami Program Director Dennis Scholl, who leads the challenge, will answer questions.
Little Haiti Cultural Center
March 9, 5:30 p.m.
260 NE 59th Ter.
Miami, FL

Miami Beach Women’s Conference expands to two days of empowering activities for women by women-March 26-27

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, the Miami Beach Commission for Women and Women’s Exhibit are producing the second annual Miami Beach Women’s Conference on Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27.

More than 700 women attended last year, and more than 1,000 are expected this year. The event will showcase activities dealing with topics that affect women today, and include special presentations about the great women in Miami Beach. Conference topics include safety & self defense, career & finance, health and wellness, arts and more.

On Friday, March 26, the Conference will begin at City Hall with a continental breakfast and the Mayor’s Panel on “Women in Politics / Women Leaders” in the Commission Chambers from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., featuring an all-star lineup of elected female officials.

The food and celebration continues with a catered lunch in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, featuring top female chefs.

From 2-6 p.m., the conference moves to the Miami Beach Convention Center. Renowned women’s history author and expert Doris Weatherford is the keynote speaker, leading into a panel on 2010 Woman in History Honoree Barbara Baer Capitman – the visionary most responsible for saving Miami Beach’s Art Deco district.

At 6:30 p.m. in the Botanical Garden, the Miami Beach Commission for Women honors Miami Beach’s 2010 “Women Worth Knowing”, which this year includes Margarita Cepeda-Leonardo, Laura Jamieson, Elizabeth Schwartz and Dona Zemo.

On Saturday March 27, a Woman’s Expo features local businesses, women’s organizations, interactive arts exhibit, psychics, live performances, speakers and a teen forum at the Convention Center from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The conference on March 26 is free and open to the public. Lunch in the Garden is $25. There is a nominal charge of $5 for the Women’s Expo on March 27 (under 18 is free). For more information about the conference: http://womensexhibit.com/wordpress/

Partners include the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Council, The Miami Dade Commission for Women, The Miami Beach Convention Center and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26-MIAMI BEACH WOMEN’S CONFERENCE EVENTS
8:30 to 11:00 AM
Location: Miami Beach City Hall – 3rd Floor
1700 Convention Center Drive
Continental Breakfast, Sponsored by Costco

“WOMEN IN POLITICS / WOMEN LEADERS”
Host: Miami Beach Mayor Matti Herrera Bower
Moderator: Miami Beach Commissioner Deede Weithorn
Miami Beach’s first woman Mayor, Matti Bower brings together a panel of women leaders throughout Miami-Dade County for the second annual Miami Beach Women’s Conference at City Hall Friday March 26, 2010 — with a Special Guest from “The White House Project”.
The Panelists are:
Aventura Mayor Susan Gottlieb
El Portal Village Mayor Joyce A. Davis
Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner
Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman, District 4
Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, District 6
Kimberly Mitchem-Rasmussen, The White House Project
The Mayor’s Panel is Sponsored by: Florida House Representative Luis R. Garcia, Jr. District 107
12:00 to 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive
$25 Per Person
Sponsor: The Boucher Brothers
“LUNCH IN THE GARDEN”
Featuring Women Chefs, Caterers & Restauranteurs

2:00 – 6:00 PM-“CONFERENCE SESSIONS”-(ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE)
LOCATION: Miami Beach Convention Center
Hall B First Floor
1901 Convention Center Drive
2 pm to 3:15 PM
“WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH”
Keynote Speaker: Doris Weatherford, author and historian
2010 Women’s History Honoree
Barbara Baer Capitman
Sponsor: Goldman Properties
Location: Main Room

3:30 – 4:20 PM
“EMAIL MARKETING”
Individual Room Sessions
Presented by: Lisa Sparks, Constant Contact
Sponsor: Constant Contact
Location: Room B -114

“A HEALTHY HEART”
Presented by: Charlotte Libov
Sponsor to be Announced
Location: Room B -115

“WOMEN AUTHORS”
Jo Manning, Ellen Brazer ,Trisha Posner
Presented by: Carol Hoffman-Guzman
Sponsor to be Announced
Location: Room B – 116

“HANDS-ON ART WORKSHOP”
Presented by: Dena Stewart
Sponsor to be Announced
Location: Room B – 117

4:00 to 6:00 PM
S.A.F.E.- SELF-DEFENSE AWARENESS AND FAMILIARIZATION EXCHANGE
Presented by: Kelly Reid
Sponsor: Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police
William Nichols Lodge #8
Location: Main Room

4:30 – 5:20 PM
Break Out Room Sessions
“MIVISTA MARKETING MASTERMIND”
Presented by: Michelle Villalobos
Sponsor: Friends of DDCFW, Inc.

“PSYCHOLOGICAL TRANSITIONS”
Presented by: Dr. Alice Randolph
Sponsor: Dr. Alice Randolph
Location: Room B -115

“RIGHTS OF UNMARRIED COUPLES”
Presented by: Elizabeth Schwartz, Esq.
Sponsor: To be Announced
Location: Room B -116

“WOMEN ARTISTS”
Presented by: Dena Stewart
Speakers
Paula Turk
Shirley Henderson
Ellie Schneiderman
Sponsor: Miami Cultural Arts Foundation
Location: Room B 117

MIAMI BEACH “WOMEN WORTH KNOWING” AWARDS
Presented by: Miami Beach Commission for Women
Location:Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Drive

SATURDAY, MARCH 27-MIAMI BEACH WOMEN’S CONFERENCE EVENTS-
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
MIAMI BEACH WOMEN’S EXPO
Miami Beach Convention Center Hall B
Adult Admission $5.00 – 18 & Under: Free
A variety of vendors, art galleries, organizations, and businesses will be available to showcase their products and services. Fashion, beauty, publication, retail, corporate, nonprofits, art, comedy and live music performances!

SESSIONS AND SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
SKIN CARE BY SKIN TYPE
Dr. Leslie Bauman, Dermatologist
Author of “The Skin Type Solution” and more
CEO Bauman Cosmetic Research Institute

THE BEAUTY PRESCRIPTION
Dr. Eva Caroline Rivto, Psychiatrist
University of Miami School of Psychiatry
Author of “The Beauty Prescription

UPSIDE THINKING
CEO & Coach Lisa Marie Platsky
Author of “Designing Your Destiny”

TEEN FORUM
Hannah Imberman, Girl Scouts of America
Author of “Mimo Mania”

“SOCIAL NETWORKING”
Mary Muniz-Pellicer
Y.W.C.A. Greater Miami-Dade, Inc.

S.A.F.E.
Self Defense Workshop
Retired Miami Beach Police Officer Kelly Reid

“ADD WOMEN, CHANGE POLITICS”
The White House Project
Kimberly Michem-Rasmussen
Southern Region Director of Development

STEM CELL 101”
Sabrina Cohen Stem Cell Research Foundation
WedMD 2009 “American Health Hero”

TWINS SPEAK WITH THEIR HEARTS”
Hearts Desire International, LLC

Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Unity on the Bay
411 NW 21th Street
Miami, FL
If you are facing challenges during these current economic times…we are here to help. Join us at Unity on the Bay’s one-day FREE Resource Fair!
At Unity on the Bay, we understand the idea that supporting each other through difficult times is another way in which we can “be there” for each other, our community and our neighbors. This is why on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Unity on the Bay is offering a FREE One-Day Resource fair.

Over 50 private and public organizations will join in our campus to provide much needed information, and support for anyone in the community that is affected by current economic conditions or unexpected life changes.
Services are FREE for this one day only – There will be FREE dental screenings, health screenings, hearing tests, HIV/AIDS screenings, glucose testing, high blood pressure testing, mental health services, financial support, unemployment services, food stamps, bankruptcy, debt consolidation and bankruptcy services. There will be FREE immigration services, foster and hospice care services and much, much more. Did we mention these services are FREE?

Did we mention admission for the community fair is free? Help is available to everyone.

Unity on the Bay is located at 411 NE 21 Street, Miami, Florida. For more information, visit http://www.unityonthebay.org/unity_community.html or call 305.573.9191, ext. 211.

Miami VC and Angel Event
Sponsored by The Launch Pad at the University of Miami, Ameritech Media
Interested in meeting early-stage Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists in Florida?
FundingPost event on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at The University of Miami
More Information and Registration
FundingPost has hosted 160+ sold-out venture events in 18 cities over the past 9 years.
At our next event, the panel of investors will focus on Early-Stage Venture Investing: How to meet investors, pitch them, and what it really takes to get them to write you a check! We will be discussing trends in Early-Stage Investing, hot sectors, sectors that these Angels and VCs look at, things that are most important to them when they are considering an Investment, the best and worst things an entrepreneur can do to get their attention, additional advice for entrepreneurs, and, of course, the best ways to reach these and other Investors. There will be plenty of time for networking with the Investor panelists, both before the panel & after the panel at the Reception!
Guest Moderator
Daymond John, CEO of FUBU, and star of the ABC show Shark Tank will be moderating the panel, discussing entrepreneurship, branding a small business, and advice for early-stage companies. Daymond will also be giving out 95 autographed copies of his book: “Display of Power”.
As an additional benefit, entrepreneur 1/4 page summaries will be given to the investor speakers and attendees. All of the Investors will get your company description and contact info!

Register today, as this event will sell-out and seating is limited! We are 95% filled!
Location: University of Miami
College of Arts & Sciences, Wesley Gallery
1210 Stanford Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 2:00pm – 6:45pm (workshop is 11am-1pm)
Cost:
- Entrepreneur Raising Capital – Event: $85
- Entrepreneur Event + Pitching Workshop (sold out): $0
- Investor / Service provider: $90

Speakers:
Daymond John, CEO and Co-Founder, FUBU
Jonathan Cole, Angel Investor, New World Angels
Susan Amat, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Launch Pad
David Freschman, Managing Principal, Innovation Ventures
Gil Hermon, Managing Partner, The Florida Value Fund