FYI Miami is a weekly feature of Miami Today, keeping readers ahead of the news. Here are highlights from the most current edition.

HOTEL DATE: The Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association will hold its 6th annual meeting & reception at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, 1633 N Bayshore Drive. Details: (305) 531-3553.

BEST BEACHES: The Travel Channel is in town taping segments for a show featuring the world's best beaches, according to executives at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Travel Channel claims more than 20 million viewers.

BUSINESS READY: AT&T's telecom operation announced this week that it will be offering "Business Ready Dedicated Hosting Service" software that allows users to create a website in as little as 30 minutes. Details: rackservers.ATT.com.
  

CAPITAL BASE: The Florida Venture Forum announced it is creating a "Capital Currents" database that will show the amount and source of venture funds Florida firms receive. Forum officials say they will tap venture capital sources monthly to collect the data. Kevin Watson, managing director of C-Max Capital and forum chairman, said the database will make his organization "a better resource for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists alike." A survey form to report venture capital transactions in Florida is available at flvencap.org.
  

BEACH MANAGER: City of Miami Beach commissioners have unanimously approved the appointment of Jorge M. Gonzalez as city manager. Mr. Gonzalez had been senior assistant chief administrative officer for Montgomery County in Maryland and was an assistant county manager in Arlington County, VA, before that. He started his management career with Miami-Dade County. With the appointment, Lawrence A. Levy, who had been acting manager for Miami Beach, returns to his former post as first city attorney.
   

CODINA POST: The Codina Group has named Robert G. Ferranti chief administrative officer, effective Sept. 1, to become part of the firm's expanded executive team. Mr. Ferranti, who had been president of Codina Development Corp., joined Codina as a senior vice president in 1997.
 

GLOBAL LITIGATION: The law firm Greenberg Traurig announced it has formed an international litigation practice in Miami, appointing Pedro J. Martinez-Fraga head of the new department. According to Greenberg Traurig President and CEO Cesar Alvarez, the law firm has more than 55 attorneys with "experience to handle legal matters for clients around the world." Mr. Martinez-Fraga has been with Greenberg Traurig 13 years and was recently named chairman of an international law committee for the Dade County Bar Association.

BARRY BOOK: Barry University announced publication of a book, "Barry University: Dedicated to Love, Learning & Leadership," co-written by Prudy Taylor Board and Eileen Rich, a Barry historian. Publicists say the volume presents in pictures and text the history of Barry's growth from a 45-student college for females. Details: (305) 899-3199.

PORT TIE: Grand Alliance, a conglomerate of shipping lines, is formally to announce this week the selection of the Port of Miami as a port of call. P&O Nedlloyd, a Grand Alliance member, will use the port in a vessel-sharing pact with Americana Ships. Port officials say the pact should increase the tonnage from North Europe that passes through the local port. "We view the selection," says Deputy Port Director Khalid A. Salahuddin, "as a vote of confidence in our operation."

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: The US Southern Command will officially observe the departure of its commander in chief, Gen. Charles E. Wilhelm, at an invitation-only ceremony and reception Sept. 8. If Senate confirmation is complete, a Change of Command Ceremony will simultaneously welcome the new commander, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen is expected to officiate.
   
COUNTY CATCH-UP: The county's Department of Human Services plans its fifth annual DHS Week Sept. 5-8 with activities around town introducing its services and resources. Details: (305) 375-4450.
   
BOMA BASH: BOMA of South Florida will hold an informal gathering 6 p.m. Aug. 17 at Burt & Jack's Restaurant, Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale. Trammell Crow Co. is sponsor. Cost is $40, $35 for members with reservations. Details: (954) 938-0100.
   
DORAL OFFICE SALE: Doral Properties Real Estate bought the 27,216-square-foot MacNeill Building, 9690 NW 41st St., from MRT&G Investments for $2.2 million. Louis J. Gallo, senior broker-associate at The Allen Morris Co., negotiated the transaction.
   

 VENETIAN FOUNDATION: The foundation was poured for the 25-story Grand Venetian condo, 10 Venetian Way, says Project Manager Jorge Lamadrid. The developer is Venetian Associates, whose principals are Jose L. Zapata and Gilbert Benhamou. Bovis Lend Lease is general contractor. Topping off is tentatively scheduled for May 2001.
   
DECORATIVE SPACE: DÇcor House leased 10,000 square feet of warehouse and office space at 7421 NW Seventh St. from Lazaro and Marina Fraga, principals of Fraga Rug. Pat Brown and Ginger Y. Krenz of US Commercial Realty were brokers in the transaction.
   
RETAIL DEAL: Urban America, an investment fund, bought a 95,917-square-foot neighborhood retail center on 10.19 acres at Dolphin Plaza, Northwest 27th Avenue and 170th Terrace, for $5.98 million. The PNL Co. was seller. Grubb & Ellis associate Alan R. West represented the buyer in the transaction.
   
BEACON DEALS: Office Max leased 91,400 square feet at Beacon Station while the Public Health Trust renewed a lease for 36,000 square feet. Pedro Garcia and Stuart Gordon represented the landlord, Gran Central Corp., in both transactions.
   
LOEHMANN'S ADDS: Recent new retailers at Loehmann's Fashion Island, Biscayne Boulevard at Northeast 187th Street, are Aventura Design Group, Egoist Kids, Experts on Sight, Laser Boutique, Marvin Markman Gallery, Men's Wearhouse and tanya & justine.
   
NAIOP TOURS: The National Association of Industrial & Office Properties has opened registration for its 2000 Tri-County Bus Tours. They cover Palm Beach County, Sept. 15; Miami-Dade, Oct. 13, and Broward, Nov. 10. Cost is $75 each or $180 for all three, or $50 and $120 for members. Details: (954) 938-2137.
   
METALS: Indresaa Metals bought properties at 3601, 3615 and 3629 NW 60th St. totalling 47,612 square feet for $1.24 million. Sunaid of Florida was the seller. Cushman & Wakefield brokers Benjamin Eisenberg, Walter Byrd and Graham Ehrich negotiated the deal.
   
VINYL VOLUME: Nailite International, manufacturer of vinyl siding, leased 114,500 square feet of warehouse space at 1111 NW 165th St. Steve Wasserman of Colliers Lehrer was tenant representative. Jim Armstrong of Easton & Associates and Wayne Schuchts of US Commercial Realty represented the landlord, MA & TN Sandifer Partnership.
   
SWIMMING IN FASHION: Malia Mills, a swimsuit and resort wear boutique with stores in New York and Los Angeles, will open a third venue in September at 610 Collins Ave. Details: maliamills.com.