Holiday Magic Returns To Dadeland Mall With the Santa Photo Experience

The Santa Photo Experience at Dadeland Mall began its annual run on Nov. 18 when children can be photographed with Santa Claus through Dec. 24 in the Center Court.

Santa’s Photo Experience hours can be found by visiting www.simon.com or on Facebook.

“There is always a great deal of entertainment and fun at Simon malls during the holiday season, but the Santa Photo Experience is something generations of families count on every year,” said Humberto Maldonado, director of mall marketing for Dadeland Mall.

Dadeland Mall

Something extra fun this season is the Cutest Santa Photo Contest, designed to find the most adorable children’s photo with Santa! The Cutest Santa Photo Contest will be hosted on Dadeland Mall’s Facebook page.

Entering the contest is easy; simply post your favorite photo of your kid with Santa on the Santa Photo App on Dadeland Mall’s Facebook page between Nov. 1 and Dec. 14 at noon. The winner gets a visit from Santa Claus before Christmas Eve, with a sleigh full of prizes valued at more than $2,000. (Details, important guidelines and Official Rules for the contest can be found at Dadeland Mall’s Facebook page.)

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The 15th Annual “Miracle On 136th Street” Holiday Parade at The Falls

The Falls 15th annual Miracle on 136th Street Holiday Parade will soon be marching its way into South Florida to kick off the most wonderful time of the year with a special guest starring as Grand Marshal.

Miracle on 136th Street takes place Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4pm at The Falls (Center Court), 8888 SW 136 St., Miami. More info at 305-255-4571, www.simon.com or on Facebook. The event is free and open to the public.

The celebration will include Santa’s first appearance of the season, along with internationally recognized costume characters, marching bands, motorcycles, clowns, vintage cars and local celebrities.

Parade starts at the east end of The Falls in front of Bloomingdale’s and will travel the entire length to the center, west to Macy’s.

Following the parade, The Falls officially kicks off the holiday season with the lighting of their more than one million white lights in the gardens that line the shopping area. The holiday lights will be on display through Jan. 6, 2012.

This year, the parade will benefit the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, an innovative learning, teaching and training initiative dedicated to elevating the quality of early care and education in Miami-Dade County and beyond.

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The Falls Invites Families to Brunch with the Easter Bunny

Families are invited to hop on down to The Falls as the mall ‘Springs’ into full gear with a fun, festive day featuring the arrival of the beloved Easter Bunny, a bunny brunch and more, during the Simon Kidgits Club’s Easter Celebration.

As part of the free, Easter-inspired “egg”stravaganza, children will have the opportunity to munch on goodies and take a photo with the bunny to celebrate the momentous occasion, as well as enjoy festive activities, interactive games and more.

The Easter Bunny is a revered tradition at The Falls and this year is no exception. Families are invited to visit the floppy-eared friend who will be available for professional photos Sat., April 2-Sat., April 23, during select hours.

Brunch takes plave Saturday, April 2, from 2-4pm, at The Falls (Center Court), 8888 S.W. 136 St., Miami. Please contact The Falls at 305-255-4571, visit www.simon.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShopTheFalls for more information.

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Miami International Mall Hosts “Doral Goes Red” for American Heart Association

Miami International Mall, one of Miami’s leading shopping destinations, invites all ladies in red to its premier “Doral Goes Red” event on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 6-9 p.m. Ladies will enjoy an evening of delectable cocktails and ruby-hued dresses to raise funds for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women initiative, a nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power of women to band together and wipe out heart disease.


Models will strut the latest trends in red from Macy’s, while fashion show attendees enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails compliments of San Ignacio Culinary College. The suggested donation is $20. Donations from “Doral Goes Red” will help fund research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Go Red challenges women to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. The American Heart Association adopted the symbol of the red dress to create synergy among all organizations committed to fighting this cause.


Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s solution to save women’s lives. With one out of three women still dying from heart disease, they are committed to fighting this No. 1 killer that is largely preventable. GoRedForWomen.org, a premier source of information and education, connects millions of women of all ages and gives them tangible resources to turn personal choices into life-saving actions. For more information visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-866-694-3278). The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck & Co., Inc.


Miami International Mall features more than 140 nationally-recognized stores including Ann Taylor Loft, Hollister, Guess, Nine West, Bebe, Express, Gymboree, White House | Black Market, Limited, Victoria’s Secret Beauty and Mayors Jewelers, plus department stores JCPenney, Macy’s and Sears.


The Miami International Mall is located at 1455 NW 107th Avenue in Doral in close proximity to the Miami International Airport. The mall is open Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.  For more information, call (305) 593-1775 or visit www.simon.com.


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CasaIdeas Opens Its First US Location at the Shops at Sunset Place

The Shops at Sunset Place, one of South Miami's leading retail and entertainment destinations, continues to improve its retail mix by providing more great options, including the addition of CasaIdeas first U.S. location.

Specializing in stylish and affordable home decor, CasaIdeas stocks more than 500 new items every three weeks or more than 10,000 originally products, yearly. From festive dinner plates to cozy rugs and blankets, CasaIdeas offers shoppers everything that they could want and more, helping them to create a space that is fun, creative and uniquely theirs.

"We are excited to welcome CasaIdeas' first location in the United States to our popular collection of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues," said Alein Cadalso, mall manager at The Shops at Sunset Place. "The Shops at Sunset Place continues to be a vibrant part of the Miami community offering great shopping, dining and a place to meet."

For more information about Casaideas, please visit www.casaideas.com.

The Shops at Sunset Place is an open-air shopping venue that features a majestic waterfall and cascading fountain amidst a dramatic grand staircase. The mall is located at the intersection of US 1 and Red Road/SW 57th Avenue in South Miami, Florida and is managed by Simon Property Group, Inc. The Shops at Sunset Place offers a sensational line-up of dining and entertainment venues, including AMC 24 Sunset Place with IMAX, Color Me Mine, Cool-de-Sac Play Cafe, Dan Marino's, Gameworks, and Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Dinner Lounge. In addition, The Shops at Sunset Place is home to leading retailers such as American Eagle Outfitters, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble Superstore, Forever 21, Hollister Co., Gap/Gap Kids, Niketown, Pottery Barn, Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters, and Z-Gallerie. Additional information is available at www.simon.com.

Bring "The Perfect Side Dish" and Win!

"The Perfect Side Dish" holiday recipe contest just got more delicious with contest prizes from Pollo Tropical as a preview to "What Can You Do?," a statewide food drive Nov. 20-Dec. 14 at Simon Malls in Florida, in collaboration with the Florida Association of Food Banks. Home and professional chefs are invited to submit their favorite holiday side dish recipes using canned ingredients by Wed., Nov. 10, for the chance to win a $100 American Express Simon Giftcard, plus a $100 gift certificate from Pollo Tropical.

Submitted recipes must include canned ingredients; the ever-so-popular green bean casserole or sweet potato pie are good examples of recipes with canned food items. A panel of judges will review the recipes and select the perfect side dish chefs to compete. As a special incentive, the first 50 individuals to submit a recipe will receive a coupon for a free meal from Pollo Tropical.

Finalists will be asked to prepare their dish, which will be judged on taste, creativity and ease of preparation during a special competition held on Sat., Nov. 20, 2010 at four Simon mall locations including Paddock Mall (Ocala/North Florida), Coral Square Mall (Coral Springs/South Florida), Seminole Towne Center (Orlando/Central Florida) and Edison Mall (Fort Myers/Southwest Florida). Five finalists per region will each receive a $25 American Express Simon Giftcard and a $50 gift certificate from Pollo Tropical. The winning chef per region will receive a $100 American Express Simon Giftcard, a $100 gift certificate from Pollo Tropical and the bragging rights for this premier recipe contest.

Recipes for "The Perfect Side Dish" can be provided via email to recipes@bitnergoodman.com. Recipe submission forms can be found at participating Simon Mall Guest Service desks or can be downloaded online at www.bitnergoodman.com/perfectsidedish.htm. All entries must be received by 5 pm on Wed., Nov. 10, 2010. For detailed contest rules and additional information, call 1-800-998-6753 or visit www.bitnergoodman.com/perfectsidedish.htm.

Participating malls include Boynton Beach Mall, Coconut Point, Coral Square, Dadeland Mall, DeSoto Square, Edison Mall, Florida Mall, Gulf View Square, Indian River Mall, Lake Square, Melbourne Square, Miami International Mall, Paddock Mall, Port Charlotte Town Center, Seminole Towne Center, The Falls, The Shops at Sunset Place, Town Center at Boca Raton, Treasure Coast Square and Tyrone Square.

Miami International Mall Honors South Florida's Cultural Diversity at 6th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Miami International Mall, one of Miami's leading shopping destinations, is celebrating the diverse cultures and flavors of various Latin American countries during its 6th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration. Together with the City of Doral, the free-to-the-public weekend celebration, which begins on Fri., Oct. 1 and lasts through Sun., Oct. 3, will feature folkloric music and dance, country exhibits, art and flag displays, live entertainment and the fashions of South America, Central America and the Caribbean. 
  
The weekend celebration will kick-off with the Noche de Honor VIP Cocktail Reception, a special fundraising event which honors local Hispanic leaders who are making a difference in the community. The event includes an awards presentation and a high energy fashion show. Tickets are $35, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the League Against Cancer (La Liga Contra el Cáncer), a not-for-profit organization that provides free medical care for all cancer patients in need, and the Simon Youth Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that helps at risk children in communities with a Simon Mall to earn a high school diploma and scholarships for college.

"We feel so blessed to be a part of the 6th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Miami International Mall," said Adriana Cora, executive vice president, League Against Cancer. "Since 1975, the League Against Cancer has helped more than 50,000 low-income individuals receive world-class medical treatment, screenings and support at no cost to them. Through the support of community alliances, such as Miami International Mall, our mission continues to be fulfilled."

The 6th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration continues on Sat., Oct 2 and Sun., Oct 3 with family-friendly activities beginning around noon and lasting throughout each day. Event attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy authentic folkloric music and dance performances, country exhibits, arts and flag displays and more, provided by the City of Doral. On Sat., beautiful models will show off the latest fall looks from Miami International Mall's most popular retailers, while on Sun., guests will enjoy a "Parade of Native Dresses," which will showcase traditional outfits from South American, Central America and the Caribbean.

Area Simon Malls Hosting "Gifts for the Gulf"

"Gifts for the Gulf" Will Support Florida Audubon, Raising Awareness and Funds for the Wildlife Affected by the Gulf Oil Spill 

 
Dadeland Mall, The Falls (Kendall), The Shops at Sunset Place (South Miami) and Coral Square Mall (Coral Springs) are part of 15 Simon Malls across the state of Florida opening their doors on Sat., July 24 and Sun. July 25 to raise awareness and funds to help birds, other wildlife and our Florida beaches that are being threatened by the Gulf oil spill.  To benefit Florida Audubon, Simon Property Group's "Gifts for the Gulf" will showcase displays of shorebirds nesting on beaches and offer shoppers important information about the wildlife affected by the oil spill crisis.

Mall shoppers on July 24-25 from noon-5pm will have the opportunity to learn about how certain birds nest on our beaches and are in harm's way if clean-up operations are not carefully conducted. Florida Audubon leaders and volunteers will also share facts about a number of birds affected and offer tips on protecting wildlife and our beaches during this time. A coloring station will be available for childre, who will receive complimentary coloring sheets of different birds. Special t-shirts will be on sale and monetary donations will be accepted to help support the goals of Florida Audubon's "Gulf Oil Spill" response efforts, which are to rescue Florida's coastal animals and assist in rehabilitating our birds and beaches.

"Florida Audubon is focused on protecting birds and habitats during and after this disastrous oil spill," said Eric Draper, Florida Audubon president. "Audubon connects people with nature so we can all join in the fight to keep the sand clean, the marshes and beaches alive, and our birds flying. We welcome Simon Malls as collaborators connecting their customers with the great cause of protecting our beautiful state and living beaches."

"Simon Property Group is proud to support Florida Audubon to raise awareness for our shorebirds and seabirds that are under potential threat from the Gulf oil spill," said Lynnette Lauria, regional vice president of marketing, Florida, Simon Property Group.  "We are thrilled that our malls will serve as a venue in support of this important effort as so many people want to help the many helpless creatures."

For more information about Simon Property Group, please visit www.simon.com.  For more information on how you can help Florida Audubon’s Gulf oil spill response, please visit www.audubonoffloridanews.org.