Longtime lesbian activist Cindy Brown appointed director of Miami Beach Botanical Garden

News release from Miami Beach Garden Conservancy :

(Miami Beach, July 31, 2012) - The Miami Beach Garden Conservancy has announced the appointment of Cindy Brown as executive director of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden.

As executive director, Cindy will oversee the planning, organizing and management of all aspects of the 2.6-acre garden, including leadership of staff and volunteers, programming, membership development and corporate giving.

“We are thrilled that Cindy has joined us,” said Suzanne Stolar, president of the Garden Conservancy's board. “Her experience, knowledge of the market and exemplary reputation in the community will be great assets as we move forward on our path of continued growth.”

A Miami native, Cindy brings more than 25 years of experience to the position. As president of Cenergy LLC, a consulting company for nonprofits since 2008, she served as staff, volunteer, board member and/or consultant to numerous local organizations, assisting with the production of large-scale events, volunteer recruitment, fundraising and budget planning. Some to note are Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Design & Architecture Senior High (DASH), Tigertail Productions, Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and the Cancer Support Community.

She was instrumental in creating and producing the Miami Beach Gay Pride event, serving as its executive director from 2009 through 2011, building it to an international event attracting more than 40,000 people.

Prior to founding Cenergy, Cindy worked at Miami Light Project for seven years, first as director of development, then as managing director for the nonprofit cultural organization.

"I look forward to developing new collaborations, educational programs, enhanced membership and corporate giving,” said Cindy. "The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a jewel in our own backyard and has so much to offer both residents and tourists.” In 2011, the Garden completed a $1.2 million landscape renovation designed by Raymond Jungles, showcasing it as a dynamic venue for horticultural and arts programming, environmental education and cultural tourism.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden will host a Meet the Director Reception on Thursday, August 23, 6-8 p.m., in the Banyan Room. To RSVP please call (305) 673-7256 or e-mail membership@mbgarden.org.

Located at 2000 Convention Center Drive, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a public/private partnership owned by the City of Miami Beach and operated by the Miami Beach Garden Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

For further information, go to www.mbgarden.org or call (305) 673-7256.

Gore Vidal, 86, celebrated author, playwright, dies

BY HILLEL ITALIE, ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES -- In a world more to his liking, Gore Vidal might have been president, or even king. He had an aristocrat's bearing - tall, handsome and composed - and an authoritative baritone ideal for summoning an aide or courtier.

But Vidal made his living - a very good living - from challenging power, not holding it. He was wealthy and famous and committed to exposing a system often led by men he knew firsthand. During the days of Franklin Roosevelt, one of the few leaders whom Vidal admired, he might have been called a "traitor to his class." The real traitors, Vidal would respond, were the upholders of his class.

The author, playwright, politician and commentator whose vast and sharpened range of published works and public remarks were stamped by his immodest wit and unconventional wisdom, died Tuesday at age 86 in Los Angeles.

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