The Guide

South Miami Credit Union Dead?

THE GUIDE local news for all South Dade Vol. 2, No. 45 Thursday, April 20, 1961 TIMES & GUIDE 40,095

Southwest Dade Co.'s Phones Will Change

Changes affecting your telephone in Southwest and West Dade County were announced this week by Southern Bell Telephone Co. Here are the major points: ● A new central office will be completed in September on 107th Street. That month, 6,200 telephone subscribers will be assigned all-numeral numbers in place of the letter numeral combination now used. In other words, CAnal 1-2345 would become 221-2345. The new Southwest office will carry the prefix 27, equivalent under the letter system to Asbury. ● That same month, September, one and two-party line subscribers on the CAnal and Cedar exchanges can make direct-dialed long distance calls without the operator coming on the line to ask for the calling number. Installation of additional equipment eliminates the need for this function; your number is automatically recorded. ● On Sept. 24, all greater Miami subscribers, including those in South and West Dade, will be able to reach direct-distance dialed equipment by dialing the prefix "1" instead of "112" as at present. ● In the months following September, the new numbering system will be assigned as new service is installed or telephones moved for customers. The new phone book in September will show the all-numeral listings. W. L. Gale, district manager, said the all numeral system accomplishes two things: 1. It provides additional dialing combinations permitting greater expansion of service. 2. It will eliminate confusion among telephone users. People frequently dial zero for the letter "O." Subscribers also have confused the spelling of central office names such as mistaking "Sedar" for "Cedar," Gale said.

Opposition From Banks May Be End

By ED KNIGHT Correspondent South Miami's community-wide credit union, which was due to be in operation several weeks ago, may die a natural death. The reason: Strong opposition by the Florida Banking Association. The credit union was to have been a pilot organization for community-wide credit unions throughout the country. WIDELY OPPOSED A reliable source told The Guide this week that Florida bankers and other bankers throughout the nation have expressed strong opposition to the plan. These objections have reached to Washington and from there to the Atlanta office of the Bureau of Federal Credit Unions. It is believed that the Florida Bankers association took a stand against the community-wide credit unions during a recent convention on Miami Beach. Although South Miami has received a charter for its credit union, the city was told to hold off on opening its office awaiting permission from the Atlanta office. NEVER COMING? It is believed the permission may never come. The bankers are objecting to the credit unions on the basis of unfair competition. According to the city's credit union charter, anyone could have joined the credit union. This is unfair competition to the banks, the banks say. The city received nationwide recognition when it was chosen the first city in the country to have the credit union. HELP SELVES The plan, born during the recent recession, was to have been one means of small communities helping themselves. Credit unions usually are formed in a company, a church, a union or other organizations. Through a common bond, members of these organizations form a credit union by buying shares in the organization. One of the bankers' objections was said to be that the South Miamians have no common bond other than that they are members or associate members of the South Miami District Chamber of Commerce. Anyone can join the Chamber. The credit union already had offices in a building donated by financier Arthur Vining Davis at 5900 South Dixie Highway. Credit unions are non-taxable, non-profit organizations. Banks are not.

WEST of the City Limits with Ron Levitt

ON TO THE GABLES: There is a move afoot-again-to give a better look to the Coral Way area west of Coral Gables. For years, residents of the western suburbs have noted that Coral Way loses its luster once you have passed 57th Avenue. However, any hopes to give the western limits of Coral Way a Coral Gables-look, is far-fetched. And you can blame it on the zoning people! A good stretch of Coral Way in suburbia has been zoned commercially-for commercial buildings, shopping and light industry-and if you can think of any way to make a small factory have a Coral Gables-look, we'd like to have the suggestion. The whole problem of beautification on roadways leading into suburbia is that they were rezoned long before our county fathers realized just what growth was occurring and would occur west of the city limits. Many suburban areas off Coral Way, such as Westchester, Century, Coral Way Village, etc., are well-kept, but the main roads leading into the subdivisions are among the worst looking in Dade County. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ POOL-LESS: If there is anywhere in the country you'd expect to find high-schools with swimming pools, it would be in South Florida but it seems that the northern schools are the ones with swimming pools. Not one of our area's schools, including the University of Miami, has a pool of its own. As a result, the swimming teams from these schools must use facilities off their campuses. For example, the University of Miami swim team must practice at the Veteran's Hospital pool; Gables High's swim team goes to Venetian Pool; Miami High to the Curtiss Park pool; and Southwest High School all the way to the West End pool. Doesn't this seem foolish? (We mean foolish). ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ AMONG THE "NATIVES": Mrs. Bernice Parker, secretary of the West Dade Civic Assn., has been out counting cars. It's not a new suburban fad. She's been trying to determine how many cars go straight, how many turn on various corners, so the information can be turned over to the Metro Commission to show the need for safer school access. Sandy Freed, prexy of the Miami Jaycees, has been named to a similar post in the Westchester Civic Assn. ... "Not By Bread Alone", the original play by south Miamian Ed Seney, scheduled for May at Studio M. Playhouse in the Gables. It's that time of year again. One "spray" firm reports a rush on to get lawns de-chinched. ... Residents who support Dade's only legit playhouse (Coconut Grove Theater) will be happy to know the theater won't shutter this summer. Managing Director Owen Phillips says the curtains will stay open. A national donut chain has given the nod to a new outlet on Coral Way and Galloway Road, and have named local architect Don Reiff to give it a South Florida decor ... Local liberal suggests that members of that secret arch-conservative society we've been hearing about should have their heads doused with the drink served at the Royal Castle chain. "Then, they'd really be Birched." Joe Sweeney named president of the community group at St. Brendans. Nate Feinberg (who is leading the Coral Way Jewish Center's bowling league) opened his second restaurant. This one's on the Trail. Lory Snipes, one-time prize-winning editor of the University of Miami Ibis is in yearbook public relations for Florida Power and Light Co.

Central Pl. Is Planning Country Fair

Meet you at the Fair. The Central Shopping Plaza Fair, we mean. It will be held April 27 through April 29 as a Country Fair. "There will be old-fashioned fun that will delight the oldsters who remember the sounds and smells of yesteryear's Country Fairs," says Frank Bollinger, Central Plaza promotion director. "And there'll be plenty there for the youngsters, too." There will be 26 booths on the midway with more than 20 civic and church organizations taking part in the event. A flower show, square dance, musicians, glass blowing demonstrations, gifts and giveaways are part of the attractions. Included is a dog show with awards for, among others, the longest, smallest, shaggiest, best-costumed, most popular and best of show. Other events include a "Private Eye Contest," an essay contest and a Saturday night square dance.

CAL KELLOGG is one of the winners in the Dade County competition for the Judge Kenneth Oka Award for musical composition. A student at Palmetto High School, he is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Cal. S. Kellogg of 6800 Chapman Field Dr. His composition will be played May 7 by the All-Youth Symphony of Miami.

West Miami Businessmen Organize, Elect Kennedy

West Miami merchants and businessmen have organized the West Dade Chamber of Commerce with David T. Kennedy as first president. Kennedy is an official with Food Fair. Meetings will be held every first Thursday at the Merchants Bank in West Miami. The West Miami Rotary Club is sponsoring group. Other officers chosen were Carl J. Irwin, vice president, and Joseph W. Armaly secretary treasurer. Directors are Charles T. Azar, Alexander Fabri, Earl Faircloth, Dr. Robert Leeds, Abraham J. Maloff, Theodore H. McAnaly. Also William N. Myer, Fred W. Salisbury, Paul B. Thomas, Joseph A. Turturici, Milton J. Wallace and James Ward. DAVID KENNEDY

Hammers Ready to Start On New Concord Center

A group of Toronto investors announced that ground will be broken next month for the Concord Shopping Center, a regional center which will cover 450,000 square feet on Bird Road at 112th Ave. The investors, headed by Alex Fisher, president, and represented in Miami by Robert S. Bookbinder, executive vice president, said that the Concord center is eventually scheduled to cover 70 acres with parking for 4,000 cars. Bookbinder, 33 and a graduate of the University of Miami, called Concord "a real shot in the arm for the southwest Dade area." He added that emphasis will be placed on beautifying the center, including public gardens. The Concord property extends for two blocks along Bird Road from 112th to 114th Avenues and reaches back 2,000 feet to the north. It was bought some 21⁄2 years ago for about $500,000. Bookbinder said leases already have been signed with W. T. Grant, Cannon Shoes, Grand Union supermarkets and Liggett-Rexall Drugs. He said negotiations also are underway with a Miami department store and a nationwide variety store. Concord will be the first center along Bird Road west of Red Bird Shopping Center. The nearest center is Westchester, 41⁄2 miles away. Future plans for Concord include a professional building and a theater.

Professional packers and wrappers for shipping or mailing. "The Barefoot Mailman", 234 Valencia Ave., C. Gables-adv

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THE GUIDE

Published by TIMES-GUIDE 308 Aragon Coral Gables, Fla. HI 3-1661 ROLFE NEILL......Editor ROBERT SLANE......Adv. Mgr.