Support the Debbie School’s Scholastic Book Fair from Wednesday through Friday, May 13 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the breezeway between the Mailman Center for Child Development and the Debbie School. For more information, call 305-243-3669. All proceeds from the event benefits the Debbie School, part of the Mailman Center for Child Development focusing on early intervention research, training, and service. For more than 30 years, the Mailman Center has conducted research on problems impacting children with special needs, provided early intervention services for children and their families, and provided training for university students interested in careers in special education, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social work.

The National Association of Cuban-American Educators (NACAE) and The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies present a photography exhibit featuring photos by Federico R. Justiniani, a past president of NACAE and an internist and professor of medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center at the Miller School of Medicine. The exhibit, titled ”People of the World: Faces and Occupations,” portray the uniqueness of the human race and the power of observation developed by an astute clinician. Justiniani has developed a second career as a professional photographer and traveled extensively capturing a collection of photographs of people and their occupations. Attend the event on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. (wine and cheese reception). The event occurs at Casa Bacardi and is free and open to the public. RSVP by calling 305-284-CUBA (2822).

Plastic Surgery Grand Rounds on Wednesday, May 13 will feature special guest speaker Harlan I. Wald, medical doctor and lawyer, who will present “Medical-Legal Issues.”  The event takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at UMH Seminar C. For more information, call 305-585-5285.

What may have seemed like science fiction–surgery without an incision–is now a reality that is making lives better for patients suffering from chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Jose Martinez, surgeon and co-director of laparoscopic surgery, bariatric surgery, and surgical endoscopy at the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the Miller School of Medicine is the first in Miami to offer the TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication) procedure for the treatment of GERD.

Attend a seminar on the new incisionless surgery for chronic acid reflux on Wednesday, May 13 or Tuesday, June 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Conference Room, 1301 To RSVP or for more information on the procedures available, call 305-243-2424.

While the title of “inner circle assistant” isn’t typically included in organizational charts, many leaders could not function without these assistants’ multiple skills. As part of its Audio Conference Lunch & Learn Series, PDTO is offering an audio conference, “Groom Yourself for Success: Keys to Becoming an Inner Circle Assistant.” The program focuses on building the skills to balance the demands of multiple bosses with multiple priorities, pursue opportunities to expand your knowledge base, increase your impact within your organization, and navigate conflicts with tact. To register for this brown-bag session, visit ulearn.miami.edu and follow the instructions to log on. For more information, call 305-243-3090 or 305-284-5110.

• Miller School of Medicine Campus: Tuesday, May 12 from 12  to 1:30 p.m.
• Coral Gables Campus: Wednesday, May 13 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Hell’s Bay, Monument Lake, Petrel Point, Little Africa, Snake Bight, and Dildo Key are just a few of the odd place names that locals may recognize. The names of Florida’s national parks are sometimes fanciful, sometimes frightening, and frequently puzzling. Attend the semester’s final Sea Secrets lecture on Wednesday, May 13 as Larry Perez, head of Science Communications Outreach for the South Florida Natural Resources Center, takes attendees on a visual journey of the regional landscape to reveal the true stories behind some of our most intriguingly named locales.

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The Miami-Dade Property Appraisal Department offers a public education and outreach program to keep Miami-Dade residents informed about developments in the property tax system. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) sponsors this seminar for those interested in exploring the details of new developments. This presentation is conducted by an officer of the Miami-Dade Property Appraisal Department. 

This seminar will review:

• The assessment process
• Various exemptions available and how to apply for them
• The collection process
• Available discounts
• How to protect yourself when you can’t pay your taxes
• Portability
• 10 percent cap on assessments of non-homestead properties

Attend on the Rosenstiel School campus on Wednesday, May 13 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Graduate Studies Seminar Room. Attend on the Coral Gables campus on Thursday, May 14 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the University Center, Flamingo Ballroom D. Attend on the Miller School of Medicine campus on Friday, May 15 from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Dominion Parking Garage, Room 155.

To register go to www.miami.edu/ulearn. For help with ULearn, call 305-284-5110 or 305-243-3090.

The Lowe Art Museum presents a preview of the MFA Student Exhibition on Wednesday, May 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Also, during Miami Museum Month through May  31, membership at any one of numerous participating Miami museums will work as a free pass to any of the other museums in the area. Whether just joining or a patron for years, this is an incredible opportunity to museum hop and experience the Miami cultural scene. The month will be punctuated by a vast range of programming at each of the institutions. For more information on Miami Museum Month, visit  www.MiamiMuseumMonth.com. For more information on the Lowe Art Museum, visit www.miami.edu/lowe.

Lidia Kos, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences at Florida International University, presents “Endothelin 3 in Melanocyte Development and Pathogenesis” on Wednesday, May 13  at 12 p.m. in the Gautier Building, room 118. The event is presented by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. If you would like to meet with the speaker, e-mail [email protected].

Spring has returned and nature beckons discovery and exploration—even in art form. The annual two-part UM Student/Master of Fine Arts Exhibitions are viewable at the Lowe Art Museum. Also on view: UM’s Faculty Exhibition, featuring Carsten Meier’s Naturell. A preview and reception for the juried student exhibition and Naturell will be held Friday, April 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening will be highlighted with a special lecture by Meier. A preview reception for the MFA exhibition, on view from May 14-June 14, will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Both receptions are free and open to the public. Regular admission to the Lowe (not including special events) is $10; $5 for seniors and non-UM students; and free for Lowe Art Museum members, UM students, faculty and staff, and children under 12 years of age. For more information, call 305-284-3535 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.