The Times

Saturday, December 25, 1976, page 1 (of 24)

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Merry Christmas

"I just wanted to help people who haven't had as many opportunities as I have had." Emma Lopo

Children thank the nice lady for Christmas lunch

By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer The children of Centro Mater Day Care Center offered their prayers and gave thanks to God for "the nice lady" who made it possible for them to have a hot Christmas meal on Wednesday. The nice lady was Emma Lopo, a 17-year-old senior at Immaculata-La Salle High School. She has been working since September to make this special supper possible for the more than 150 children in the Little Havana center. Instead of the usual cold sandwiches, the kids had a real Cuban Christmas dinner complete with roast pork, congri (a black bean and rice dish), a salad, Cuban crackers, guava pastries and a soft drink. Emma, the daughter of Armando and Emma Lopo of 5240 SW 63rd Ct., took on this project all by herself. She began collecting See SHE, Page 3

Times Guide

Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables, Florida 33146 24 Pages Vol. 50 No. 103 December 25/26 10 Cents Weekend Edition

West Miami receives funds for public works

By EDWIN KNIGHT Staff Writer The City of West Miami has received $399,200 in federal funds to create jobs for the construction of public facilities. But two other area cities, South Miami and Coral Gables, have received nothing for their public works projects, although both municipalities submitted extensive applications for the funds. West Miami had submitted seven applications for federal funds. But the application which bore fruit was the one for the construction of soakage-type drainage pits at strategic points throughout the city to help cure the city's drainage problems during rainy seasons. "I don't think any city deserves the funds any more than does West Miami," said an elated Edmund Cooper, Mayor of West Miami. The mayor added that he thought that the application for drainage funds was accepted because it was well prepared and documented. "That application included extensive plans, designs and even photographs, which may have had something to do with West Miami getting the funds," he said. South Miami City Manager Jack Present said he felt that South Miami was "terribly slighted" in not being allocated funds for its application. "We were willing to match any funds we received from the public works program," explained the city manager. "So we were only asking for $289,000 for major improvements at South Miami Field and Lee Park." The city already has set aside $200,000 from bond revenues for lights, sodding and other major improvements at the two parks. South Miami has been marking time on initiating any improvements at South Miami Field until it was determined whether the city would receive any federal public works funds. "It's a kiss-off," the city manager said. "I even called the Economic Development Administration office in Atlanta to find out whether there were See CORAL, Page 19

Christmas lights

Angels, a Christmas tree and candles adorn the front of the Coral Gables City Hall, lighting it up for the season. You know, it must be Christmas. Photo by FRANK TURSI

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