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

NOT SO PERFECT ATTENDANCE?: After minutes were read during a recent Metropolitan Planning Organization, Miami Commissioner Arthur Teele Jr., who also sits on the organization board, expressed concerns about the reporting of attendance at the meetings: "The minutes always show who was here when the meeting started. Does it ever show who was here for real?"

COUNTY SWIM TEAM: County Commissioner Natacha Seijas commented on some Fisher Island residents' request to become a city by saying that even though islanders would use Miami-Dade's police and fire rescue services it would not be an easy transition: "What are we going to do, have them scuba dive over there every day?" she asked. Commissioners have denied a proposal to let the island incorporate.

HOTEL OPEN: The newly renovated Claridge Hotel at 3500 Collins Avenue is set to open Oct. 15, hotel executives say. The boutique hotel, built in 1928, has 52 guest-rooms and features a Mediterranean cuisine restaurant. Details: (888) 422-9111.

FRENCH HONORS: Miami-Dade County Superintendent of Schools Roger C. Cuevas was given the top academic medal of France, the Commandeur dans l'orde des Palmes Academiques. Consul General Philippe Chatignoux presented the medal to Mr. Cuevas at the last Miami-Dade County School Board meeting. The honor was given for local academic programs such as the International Baccalaureate magnet, which promotes French language programs, among other things.

ROLL FILM: The Mercury Theatre, an arts cinema along Biscayne Boulevard at 5580 NE Fourth Ct. next to Soyka's restaurant, is set to open by early October, organizers said. The theater seats 113 and will house a coffee shop, they said.

NEW LAW FIRM: Attorney Michael S. Budwick announced formation of a private practice at 2420 First Union Financial Center, 200 S Biscyne Blvd., with a concentration in business and consumer bankruptcy and commercial litigation. Mr. Budwick had been a senior bankruptcy associate with Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton and for the past two years has served on the board of directors for the Bankruptcy Bar Assocation of the Southern District of Florida.

ALASKA BOUND: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. named Craig Stephan Milan president of Royal Celebrity Tours, the new spinoff company it launched last year. Mr. Milan, a 20-year industry veteran, had been vice president of e-commerce for the North American Leisure Group and is former president and CEO of SunTrips Sunquest Inc., an Airtours subsidiary. At his new post, Royal Caribbean says, he will direct all aspects of the new business, which starts operations in Alaska next year.

SECURITY MATTERS: The Association for Security Administration Professionals and the Greater Miami & Beaches Hotel Association are co-sponsoring the 7th annual South Florida Safety & Security Conference Oct. 27 in the Eden Roc Hotel, Miami Beach. Scheduled speakers include police officers from the Miami-Dade, Miami Beach and Miami police departments as well as a special agent for the FBI. Topics include doing business in international markets and protecting computer information. Cost is $125; $95 in advance for members. Details: (305) 375-4447 or 789-6502.

KAROKE, ANYONE? The Doral and Airport West Chamber of Commerce is holding a business card exchange and "Karoke Night" from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Details: (305) 592-5141.

DOT-COM MIAMI: The first Miami Today International Roundtable of the season will examine Miami as a dot-com center at 5 p.m. today (9/28) in CommerceBank, 220 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables. One previously announced panelist has been replaced. New panelists are Manuel Medina, president of Terremark; William Greene, director of business development for Cenetec; Alllison K. Hift, attorney with Becker & Poliakoff, and William McCullough, chairman of the Internet Practice Group at Shutts & Bowen. Reservations required. Details: Jody Bray, (305) 358-2663.

MORTGAGE BANKER: The Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida elected Alan Robbins president at its annual conference earlier this year. Mr. Robbins is senior vice president of residential leading for MetroBank. During his term as association president, Mr. Robbins said, he will focus on using new technology to integrate services with members and continue the organization's legislative and educational endeavors. Last year, the Mortgage Bankers group gave Mr. Robbins its Whatley award for distinguished service.

SCHOLARLY HOSPITALITY: Miami-based Interval International announced it has set up a scholarship fund in an arrangement with the Florida International University School of Hospitality Management. Applications can be obtained by writing Dean Adele Smith at the FIU school, 3000 NE 151st St., North Miami 33181-3000.

LEGAL RENEWAL: The law firm of Leibowitz & Associates has renewed its lease for 7,035 square feet at SunTrust International Center. Terremark Realty negotiated the transaction.

DOWNTOWN LEASE: Americas Bazzar took 6,000 square feet in Museum Tower, 150 W Flagler St. Jay Perkins of Perkins Realty Advisors represented the tenant in the transaction.

NEW CHAMBERS: The Doral and Airport West Chamber of Commerce is moving to new offices at 8181 NW 36th St., Suite 3. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with refreshments is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1. Details: (305) 592-5141.

TURNER TURNOVER: Turner Construction announced nationwide sales figures of more than $1.5 billion in new contracts secured during second-quarter 2000, a record for the company.

LATIN CREDIT: The fourth annual Latin American Bank Card Management Institute will be held Oct.15-20 at UM. Visa International and UM are co-sponsors. Details: Rolando Fleites, (305) 551-5945.

FREE TRADE DELAY?: Miami may be the best headquarters for the Free Trade Area of the Americas — but not as soon as we think, says Guenter Burghardt, head of the delegation of the European Union Commission to the United States. Hailing the "cohabitation of various cultures and civilizations" in Miami, he told a luncheon on "The European Union & the Americas" Monday at the Hotel Inter-Continental, "what better place than Miami to be capital of such a great venture?" But don't count on making the 2005 target to establish the free trade area, he said. "It seems that the initial push for this grand design has been running out of steam more recently, suggesting that the timetable may have to be revisited."