More than 1,500 people packed Miami Beach's Mansion nightclub, 1235 Washington Ave., on April 10 to watch real estate heavyweights take the ring for charity.
It was the inaugural event for Broker Boxing Federation Miami, founded by David Goldberg of the Comras Company and Robert Sena of the Alterra Capital Group. Net proceeds -- approximately $100,000 -- will benefit Alonzo Mourning Charities.
''The event was a very creative idea and it sold tickets,'' Mourning said. ``Most importantly, we got the support of the community.''
Goldberg, 30, a Chicago native who moved to Miami Beach in 2004, says he's always loved ''entertaining sports like boxing, wrestling and hockey.'' A promoter before becoming a real estate broker, Goldberg co-founded Boxing Federation Chicago in 2003.
The event featured host Mourning, James Brown impersonator Tony Wilson and seven bouts with local brokers, including Josh Souza, Grant Killingsworth and Ryan Ackerman. Scheduled to fight but absent: real estate magnate Thomas Kramer, who had throat surgery recent.
Sponsors/judges included Diego Lowenstein of the Lionstone Group; Michael Capponi and Jeff Morr of Majestic Properties; Katrina Campins and Michael Comras. Also in attendance was Brooke Hogan, filming her new reality show.
Founded in 1997, Alonzo Mourning Charities (www.AMCharities.org) encourages the educational development of youth through programming and youth enrichment centers in low-income communities.
WOMEN'S STORIES
Opening reception on Thursday at Opera Gallery in Bal Harbour Shops for Women's Stories, an exhibition featuring the work of more than 20 internationally acclaimed painters and sculptors who focus on women as their subject.
Featured artists include Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann, Robert Indiana and Mel Ramos.
A percentage of sales from the exhibit will benefit Margaux's Miracle Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2001 in memory of Margaux Renee Grossman, a South Florida teen who lost her battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, at age 15.
The reception is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Call 305-868-3337. The Women's Stories exhibit runs through May 9. For information, visit www.operagallery.com.
ART OF EDUCATION
Lehrman Community Day School held the Think Outside the Box art contest March 10-31. Area students were invited to create an original work of art using a shoe box and their creativity.
More than 40 entries were submitted, and nine students were named winners during a dinner/auction benefit April 10 at The Sagamore Hotel, 1671 Collins Ave.
Benefit hosts were Sagamore owners Christine and Martin Taplin, and Jennifer and Neil Sazant. Guest speakers included Tom Lollar, director of Visual Arts for New York's Lincoln Center, and Miami art collector Martin Z. Marguiles. The event raised $140,000 for the school.
Top winners in the art contest were Kira Browning (early childhood); Dana Furman (elementary school) and Jake Stauber (middle school). Their prizes: a weekend stay at the Sagamore with their parents and Toys R Us gift cards. Lehrman Community Day School is at 727 Lehrman Dr. in North Beach.
CHERISHED MINISTER
RETIRES
After 25 years at the pulpit of the Church by the Sea in Bal Harbour, the Rev. Dr. David Wynne Rees is retiring -- or ''re-directing,'' as he puts it. The 67-year-old senior minister gave his final sermon April 13.
''The church needs new energy, leadership and ideas as it faces the future,'' he said. ``Besides, I'm a [lung] cancer survivor of nine years and my wife wants to spend more time with me.''
Rees' wife, Helen, recently retired as dean of Miami Country Day Middle School after 22 years. The couple is preparing for a cruise to the Panama Canal, ending up in San Francisco, where their two daughters live and work.
Rees says over the years, the Church by the Sea's congregation has become diverse. ''We offer something on a spiritual level that appeals to a wide variety,'' he said.
Rees is now senior minister emeritus. Associate Minister Dr. Priscilla Whitehead will serve as the church's acting minister until an interim minister is named and a search for a new senior minister is conducted.
As for his replacement having big shoes to fill? ''No, they're size 9,'' Rees said.
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