December 2008

Miami Beach Chamber – Al Malnik Honored

Mr. Miami Beach, The Famous Forge Family and the Magazine Maven honored! The masses of fans flocked to the Loews Miami Beach Hotel to witness these luminaries recognized for their contributions to the community at the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce 85th Annual Dinner Gala.

Close to 800 well-wishers along with the evening’s emcee attorney Mark Eiglarsh, the Miami Beach Chamber’s Chairman of the Board Sanford Horwitz and President and CEO Wendy Kallergis turned out to applaud the 2007 Dinner Gala Honorees. Local luminaries and The Forge restaurant owners Al Malnik and his son Shareef Malnik were honored as Citizens of the Year for their tireless dedication to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Malnik’s video tribute featured congrats from celebrity pals including Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Sharon Stone, Shaqulle O’Neal and Martha Stewart. Social Affairs magazine publisher Norma Quintero received the Jan Pfeiffer Distinguished Service Award for her generous charitable work with such organizations as The Vizcayans, United Way and The American Red Cross, City of Miami Beach Tourism and Convention.

Director and Chief of Protocal for The City of Miami Beach Michael Aller aka “Mr. Miami Beach” was presented with the Leonard “Doc” Baker Lifetime Achievement Award for his countless contributions to the community. In true Aller fashion, his friends and colleagues participated in a hilarious video tribute including many people whose lives he’s touched in a spoof of the popular TVshow “The Office”. Popular Heat DJ Irie, salsa legends Carlos Oliva and Gospel queen Maryel Epps kept the hip crowd rocking all night. Oh and get this…you can still bid on an amazing item online from this gala through Tuesday, March 13th. Up for grabs in a Miami Beach package boasting a two night stay in the Presidential Suite at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel with champagne on arrival, a daily breakfast for two at the hotel, a poolside cabana for two, and a Bouche Brothers Watersports Package. The winner will be whisked away on a limousine ride to and from dinner and may invite friends for dinner at The Forge where Ocean Drive magazine will capture the night for an upcoming issue.