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

TELEFONICA CALLS: After four years as trade commissioner of Spain in Miami, during which time he helped bring Spain's giant telecommunications company Telefonica here with a major presence, Joaquin de la Herran is leaving his Coconut Grove home for Madrid — but not to continue his 20-year career in government service. As of Sept. 1, he will be developing business activities from Madrid for Atento, Telefonica's call center company.

TRANSIT PRESENTATION: The Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee yesterday (8/30) was to hear a presentation by Danny Alvarez, director of the Miami-Dade Transit Agency, about the steps South Florida would need to take in order to create a regional transportation organization. The advisory committee is a sub-group of Miami-Dade County's Metropolitan Planning Organization, which addresses key transportation issues.

FUND-RAISING CONCERT: Fellowship House Foundation is presenting a fund-raising concert by Arturo Sandoval and the FIU Jazz Band at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 in the Wertheim Performing Arts Center on Florida International University's University Park Campus, 1700 SW 107th Ave. Funds will support ongoing residential, social, vocational, case management, psychiatric and employment placement services at Fellowship House, 5711 S Dixie Hwy. Cost is $35; $100 for VIP tickets. Details: (305) 667-1036.
   

PAPER BASS: The Bass Museum of Art announced a $5,000 award from the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund a preservation assessment of its works on paper, including photos, block prints, architects' renderings and School of Paris prints. A spokesperson said the museum will contract for the job with experts from the Northeast Document Conservation Center.
   

CAMILLUS SUPPORT: Ocean Bank gave $50,000 to the Camillus Life Center to maintain its drug treatment recovery program. "We consider it our responsibility as a good corporate citizen to help those who are most in need," said Ocean Bank Executive Vice President Rolando Bichara when presenting the check.

VISA POST: Visa International named Cristina Mendoza regional general counsel and executive group leader for its Latin America & Caribbean region division in Miami, with responsibility for all legal aspects of the division. She will serve as secretary to the board of directors, executive committee and regional administrative committee. Ms. Mendoza had been senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for HBO Latin America Media Services Inc. and before that was for eight years vice president and general counsel for Knight Ridder Inc. Among deals she oversaw in her career was the $3 billion buyout by Knight Ridder of four Disney-owned newspapers, including the Kansas City Star, in the early '90s.

PR TRIBUTE: The Public Relations Society of America gave M. Anthony Burns, chairman and CEO of Ryder System Inc., its Royal Palm award for civic contributions and communications effectiveness.

ON BEING A WOMAN: The National Association of Women Business Owners of Miami will hear talks, "Capitalize on Being a Woman Business Owner: New Horizons for the Emerging Minority & Women's Marketplace," at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. Ana Cruz-Taura, director of community affairs for the Federal Reserve Bank, and Enrique Carrillo, project director for the Transportation Equity Act Model with the US Department of Transportation, are scheduled speakers. Cost is $35; $30 for members. RSVP. Details: (305) 444-4437.

 NURSING CONFERENCE: The March of Dimes is presenting a nursing conference, "Genetics: A Holistic Approach," from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Marina Marriott Hotel, 1881 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale. The session targets health professionals and will include the presentation of recent findings on birth defects and the needs of afflicted infants. Cost is $55; $45 before Oct. 6. Details: (800) 627-2410.

NEW PROGRAM: In Miami-Dade, the March of Dimes plans opening ceremonies from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Office of New Directions for Social Change in the East Green Hills Apartment Complex, 17802 SW 107th Ave., Perrine, to mark the arrival of a new prenatal program, Stork's Nest. "Too many babies are born too small and too soon," says Margaret S. Staples, program director. The program, she said, will provide "incentives and encouragement for women to keep prenatal care appointments." Funding for it comes from the March of Dimes and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

TIGER TALES: Tigertail Productions is holding a FLA/BRA festival fund-raiser featuring a "Not-so-silent Auction" at 6 p.m. and "Feeding Frenzy" — a performance by New York City composer Fast Forward for "four musicians, four waiters, four chefs and the audience" — at 8 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Miami Beach Woman's Club, 2401 Pine Tree Drive. FLA/BRA is a tribute to artistic initiatives linking South Florida and Brazil. Cost for the auction is $10; $5 for members. Cost for "Feeding Frenzy" is $25; $20 for members. Details: (305) 324-4337.

HERE COMES THE BRIDES: A fashion show and wedding gift showcase, "Fall 2000 Bride's magazine On Location Tour," visits South Florida Sept. 17 in the Radisson Coral Springs, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd. Details: (800) WED-SHOW.

INVENTIVE MEET: The Florida Atlantic University Small Business Development Center and the Inventors Educational Foundation are holding a two-day session on taking inventions to market Sept. 15-16 in the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale. The 5th annual "Innovators & Entrepreneurs Expo & Conference: Making Inventions Pay" will include sessions on bio-tech, the Internet and early-stage funding. Details: (561) 362-5635.

KAYAKING: The Miami chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is holding the 2nd annual Kayak Challenge race at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 21 in the Miami Rowing & Watersports Center, 3832 Shipping Ave., Key Biscayne. Cost is $40; $35 before Sept. 20. Details: (305) 755-9555.